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 emails to expats and Australian businesses around town, encouraging them to come down to the CBS Plaza and show their love for Australia. The email 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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Ha, I was one of the guys standing in front of you. I saw the show afterwards and your signs are very noticeable. Do you have any videos of the show? I’m trying to send them home
Ha.. good on ya clay!
i can’t decide which sign I love the most, 11points and 2Gold Stars for Everyone!! Credit to the ‘sign-writer’…very pretty representations of our beloved country.
x
I’ve decided…purely on most able to effect positive change & awareness, i’ll hafta say i like the “oil free shrimp on the bbq”. Kudos for fighting the good fight,hopin it’ll be somewhere on youtube(isn’t everything?lol) oopsa 630am,it’s ok,da sun isn’t up yet, it must be havin a sleep in. Thanks for the belly laughs darl,you made my day!enjoy the rest of ur Summers Day u lucky man.
Shameless and utterly brilliant.
Did I see Dave Bloustien trying to copyright the “Hi Mum” sign?
Very cheeky.
–Phil
Live large mate
Super funny signs Dan – the Mel Gibson one especially!
Hahaha this is awesome.
Hahaha hilarious! I love the backpacking one!
Holding controversial signs up behind a national TV segment – what a brilliant idea
You are truly an inspiration for us all, Dan. Don’t get yourself shot!
Your VISA overstay sign is pissweak, it could have had more impact if you had an Arab, or a Mexican hold it….
Great work man!
i have been trialing some myself.
“Australia, world wide favorite destination,
The only thing missing is ‘U’.”
“Australia, your probably not german so don’t mind the crocodiles.”
“Australia, our beaches are a riot.”
thanks for the laughs man.
Ben
You are the last good Australian comic not to sell out to Channel ten, yes mc Dermit I am looking at you -_- … if you keep this up you will attain legendary ‘good-and-not-sold-out’ status something akin to SLAYER !!!!
ha.. well Channel Ten is where I started at with “The Ronnie Johns Half Hour” I’ve basically been trying to Sell In since then..
well…. less pointed then those Eddi McGuire signs from the olden days