List of Australian and New Zealand advertising characters

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Many advertising characters used as mascots and characters by companies in Australia and New Zealand are similar to those used in the United States and the United Kingdom. There are, however, quite a number that are unique to these two nations.

Contents

Many advertisements shown on New Zealand television are made in Australia, and many Australian and New Zealand companies operate similar businesses on both sides of the Tasman Sea. As such, there is considerable overlap in advertising characters and mascots found in the two countries.

The following is a list of notable mascots and characters created specifically for advertising purposes in Australia and New Zealand, listed alphabetically by the product they represent.

ProductCharacterYears usedNotes
ANZ Bank (NZ)The Sharma familyca 2019–  [1]
ASB Bank (NZ) Ira Goldstein 2000–2010Played by American actor Steve Mellor [2]
Briscoes (NZ)The Briscoes Ladyca 1990–Played by Tammy Wells [2]
Bundaberg Rum (Aus) Bundy R. Bear 1980s on radio  [3]
Campbell's Cash & Carry supermarkets (Aus)Delilah1980s–1990s 
Chesdale Cheese (NZ)Ches and Dale1960s–1980s [4] Don Couldrey and Robert Jenkins created Ches and Dale for agency Dormer Beck
Colgate Toothpaste (Aus & NZ) Mrs Marsh 1970s–1980s 
Commission for Financial Capability (NZ)Sorted Mouse2001–present 
Cookie Time Cookies (NZ)Cookie Muncherat least the 1980s–present 
Creamoata (cereal, NZ)Sergeant Dan1920s–1950s 
Crimsafe (Aus & NZ) Kimmy's dad 2010–present  [5] [6]
Eta margarine & peanut butter (Aus)Rita the Eta Eater1970s–1980s 
Eta peanut butter (NZ)Eta Nut 10011960s–1980s 
Expol Insulation (NZ)Polly the Penguin2000s-present 
Four Square (grocery stores, NZ)Mr. Four Square ("Cheeky Charlie")since at least the 1960s 
Frosty Boy ice cream (Aus & NZ)Frosty Boysince at least the 1960s 
Griffins biscuits (NZ) Cookie Bear since at least the 1970s [7] Don Donovan created Cookie Bear for the agency Carlton-Carruthers du Chateau. The famous “Dum-de-doo” was voiced by actor David Weatherly
Home Ice Cream (Aus)Delivery Dan1999–present 
Home Timber & Hardware (Aus)Rusty and Sandy1993–present 
Instant Kiwi (lottery scratch card, NZ)Doug and Mexi-Doug2008–present 
Life. Be in it. (health campaign, Aus)Norm1975Also aired in the United States
Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works (Aus)Wally1980s 
Mitre 10 Mega stores (NZ)The Big Guy2004–present 
Mortein (insect spray, Aus) Louie the Fly 1957–presentThe Australian author Bryce Courtenay created Louie the Fly as a copywriter for the advertising agency McCann Erickson. [8] James Joseph White wrote the jingle, Geoffrey Morgan Pike created the animation and Louie was voiced by actor Ross Higgins. [9] Louie also in New Zealand since the 1980s
Nestle Milky Bar chocolate (Aust & NZ)The Milky Bar Kid1969-1990sThe ad used live actors until the 1990s when the Milky Bar Kid became animated. The first Milky Bar Kid was first played by Terry Brook in 1961 in the UK. [10] Over the years the Milky Bar Kid has been portrayed by many people including Australian actor Conrad Coleby. [11]
New Zealand Electoral Commission Orange Guy ante 2000 
Nine Network The Smiling Dot1975Used during the "Living Color" campaign
NRMA Insurance (Aus)Wallace FairweatherMid-1990sRadio in NSW & Victoria
Pak'nSave (NZ)Stick Man [12] since 2008 [13] Voiced by comedian Paul Ego [14] [2]
Palmolive dishwashing liquid (Aus & NZ)Madge1971–1980sAustralian version based on US commercials, with Robina Beard playing Jan Miner's role
Pizza Hut delivery (Aus)Dougie the Pizza Delivery Boy1994–1997, 2002–present 
Progressive Insurance (Australia) Kitty, the Progressive Insurance Girl 2011–presentAustralian counterpart of Progressive's Flo in the United States, with Holly Austin playing Stephanie Courtney's role
Sky (New Zealand) (NZ)Bert Badger2000s 
Slip-Slop-Slap (health campaign, Aus)Sid the SeagullDebuted 1981 
Smith's Chips (Aus) Gobbledok late 1980s–early 1990s 
Sunny Queen Farms (Aus)Sunny The Egg2009–present 
Supercheap Auto (Aus)Steve Lenda2003–presentAlso used in NZ
Streets (ice cream) (Aus) Paddle pop lion and Bubble O' Bill 2003–presentAlso used in NZ
Telecom New Zealand Spot1991–1998 [15] Spot the dog's real name was Sandy, the name Spot was an acronym for Services and Products of Telecom. [16] [2]  
TVNZ The Goodnight Kiwi 1981–1994The minute-long Goodnight Kiwi clip was animated by Sam Harvey in 1981. Its last broadcast was in 1994. [17]
The Comedy Channel (Aus)C'ferc.1996–2003 
Tiger Tea (NZ)Tony the Tiger1950s–1970s 
Tip Top ice cream (NZ)Moggy Man1960s 
Toyota Masterclass cars (NZ)Erniec.2002–2007 
Mr Toys Toyworld (Toy retailers) (Aus & NZ)TW, The Toyworld Bearsince at least the 1980s  Last spotted at the Toyworld 40th birthday gala
Tuckerbag supermarkets (Aus)Tucker Bag1980s 
Turners Automotive Group (NZ)Tina from Turners2021–presentplayed by Sieni Leo'o Olo (Bubbah) [2]
Yellow Pages (Aus)Jan2000–present"Not happy, Jan!" led to 'Not happy, John!' campaign
Mr Whippy (Aus)Mr Whippy1962–present 
XXXX (Aus) Mr Fourex 1924–present
YoGo (Aus) YoGo Gorilla 1990–present

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "The Sharma family returns in ANZ's new 'howto for small business' campaign via TBWA\NZ". campaignbrief.co.nz. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "The best NZ TV ad characters of all time". thespinoff.co.nz. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  3. ↑ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  4. ↑ Orsman, Bernard (17 August 2019). "Revealed: Classic TV Chesdale cheese ad created after smoking cannabis, copywriter says". NZ Herald. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  5. ↑ "Reports" (PDF). adstandards.com.au.
  6. ↑ "At home with Roy Billing". 20 October 2012.
  7. ↑ "Bear and biscuits: When Cookie Bear was big" . Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  8. ↑ Browne, Rachel (11 September 2011). "Louie finally told to buzz off after 50 years". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  9. ↑ Estera, Christine (2021). "Why the Louie the Fly Mortein ads created by late author Bryce Courtenay remains a favourite six decades later". Channel 9 News. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  10. ↑ "Fact Friday: The Milkybar Kid". August 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  11. ↑ Jacob, Philip (30 March 2011). "Milkybar Kid thrown into the melting pot" . Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  12. ↑ "Fair Go Ad Awards: PaknSave Stickman | News Video". tvnz.co.nz. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011.
  13. ↑ "The Man, the Stick, the Legend, stoppress.co.nz, Retrieved10 December 2023.
  14. ↑ "Comedians freestyle through laughs". The Southland Times (via Stuff.co.nz). 29 November 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  15. ↑ "Telecom Pays Tribute To Spot," scoop.co.nz, 31 August 2000. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  16. ↑ "Spot the Telecom Jack Russell Terrier". 30 October 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  17. ↑ "Te Ara Goodnight Kiwi" . Retrieved 14 March 2023.
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