Taro's Blog

When you write a blog, create a TikTok short, sell a product or service, or promote tourism to your country, setting a clear target audience is crucial. I am a fan of these Ads. Tourism Australia set the target audience, or country, in these cases, clearly, hiring the Australian actors that were popular in the target country at the time, and highlight the unieque charms of Australia for their target audience in each case.

“Matesong” Tourism Australia Ad 2019—Target Adience: Poms (people of the United Kingdom, particularly England)
Starring Kylie Minogue and Adam Hills

“Shrimp on the Barbie” Australian Tourist Commission Ad 1984—Target Adience: the Americans (people of the United States)
Starring Paul Hogan

Well, the latter, they did not pick the popular Australian actor in the US because there was none in 1984. Despite being a well-known in Australia, Paul Hogan was still unknown in the US in 1984. His fame in the US skyrocketed after the “Shrimp on the Barbie” tourism campaign, which began in 1984, and the release of the movie “Crocodile Dundee” in 1986. Speaking of “Shrimp”, that’s American English. In proper Australian English, it’s called “Prawn”.

The Australians may be crossed if you keep calling Aubergine “Eggplant”, Petrol Station “Gas Station”, Lift “Elevator”, Fist Floor “Second Floor”, Aircon “AC”, Tellie “TV”, Thongs “Flip-flops”, Mate “Friend”, Brissie “Brisbane”, Tassie “Tasmania”, Arvo “Afternoon”, Rego “Vehicle Registration”, Pink Slip “Vehicle Safety Inspection Report”, G’day Love “Hello My Dear”, Aussie “OC” (should be pronounced “OZ”), Good on Ya “Well Done”, No worries “You’re Welcome”, Stuffed it Up “Messed it Up”, Brekkie “Breakfast”, or Barbie “Barbecue”.

Last but not least, on Christmas Day, unlike the Americans or Poms, the Australians first Slip-slop-slap, then throw prawns on the barbie with their mates and families, and finally go to beaches with their bathing suits on, wearing their thongs on their feet, and play beach cricket.