Today was my first US network television appearance, (I was shown in the audience of the Colbert Report once but cable doesn’t count.)
It was Australia Day today on the CBS Early Morning Show (six months late) because Tourism Australia’s Regional General Manager, Daryl Hudson, was
interviewed on “What’s New Down Under”. To help the cause Tourism Australia sent out email1311s to expats and Australian businesses around town, encouraging them to come down to the CBS Plaza and show their love for Australia. The email1311 explicitly stated “Signs Encouraged”.
I know a bit about how Brand Australia works, so after workshopping some ideas online, I grabbed my poster board and coloured markers and made some signs of my own. Then this morning I woke at 6am and headed across town to CBS Plaza, where I met up with fellow Melbourne comedian, and professional sign holder Kelly Fastuca.
Many Australian businesses were representing, including various state level tourism teams and QANTAS who must have had trouble finding a flying Kangaroo suit and opted for a man in a Koala suit instead. All part of their “any marsupial will do” approach to branding.
As the hour ticked over we managed to get on nearly every weather break. Below are the results of “Operation: American Bonehead”.
SIGN #1:
Kelly Fastuca holding David Bloustien's Poster.
Dan Ilic holding "Oil Free Shrimp On The Barbie"
Oil Free Shrimp and Hi Mum in action!
SIGN #2:
Mel Gibson Born in the USA. Just making sure people know.
Australia: All The Uranium, Tiny Army. Surely we're worth invading too.
Success! (sort of) After this, a security guard asked us to not put the Mel Gibson one up anymore"it's all on the public record" I protested. He didn't care.
SIGN #5:
One for I.C.E... this is for my friends in the US who are too scared to go home.
Success for "I have over stayed my visa" (people in the plaza loved this one)
SIGN #6
8 years without a backpacker murder. Don't know if that's true, but it sells the country.
PERFECT! This guy was a guest on the show, because he's about to embark on a hitchhiking trip around the world, living off the kindness of strangers. Hope he makes it to Belanglo State Forest. FTW Early Show!
See the video news story about Jeff Schroeder here. The sign comes in around 1:30
Thanks to Brad Blanks for recording the show for me on his DVR
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