Air New Zealand says put your mates on the barbie doll for Australia Day

Tim Burrowes

January 25, 2011 11:48

Air New Zealand has released an Australia Day themed ad featuring its innuendo-spouting puppet Rico.

The Rico campaign is by NZ agency .99.

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Tim Burrowes

I write about the world's media and marketing industry from an Australian perspective Australian lens. I've worked in the UK, Middle East, Asia & Australia. I founded Mumbrella, which we sold in 2017.

Topics

99 ad Advertising Air New Zealand Australia Day Rico

14 COMMENTS

Anonymous 25 Jan 11

What the fuck is this, honestly?

Anyone have any idea what this is supposed to be?

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Dan 25 Jan 11

rubbish version of this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKsSOEto3B0

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Anonymous 25 Jan 11

I can see why it seems to have two black eyes… I’d beat the shit out of it too!

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Ali Gungor 25 Jan 11

This really the ad for Air NZ? Wow…
It has nothing to do with Australia Day!

At least put an emu and kiwi or koala together!
1/10 for trying.

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macsmutterings 25 Jan 11

Remind me NOT to fly Air New Zealand, with my luck I’ll be sat next to this freak

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Emil 25 Jan 11

Indeed, what a blatant and, yes I agree rubbish version of the (at first genius, but then grating) Meercat from the UK. Come on Air New Zealand you can do better than that? Your “Personality goes a long way” campaign was far better and at least original.

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Anonymous 25 Jan 11

WTF,
ive seen 12y.o’s come up with better stuff,

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Lisa 25 Jan 11

What the hell does a werid russian animal have to do with Air NZ and Australia Day, seriously! Does Air NZ now flies direct to Moscow from Australia??? So off brand – unless someone can explain what I have missed…..

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cleetus van damme 25 Jan 11

Wow that was fkn terrible. I think I now hate Air NZ.

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Kylie Green 25 Jan 11

What the?
Seriously stupid concept, terrible execution and even worse… who wrote that awful script? Surely this wasn’t the best of what was presented?

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The Count 25 Jan 11

Vaaannnn why iz he copying my accent
Twoooooooo he iz soooo much more ugly than I
Threeeeeeeeeeee ahhh f*ck it, its even more rubbish zan zis post

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Ed 25 Jan 11

Oh dear.

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Jon 27 Jan 11

Take a look at Rico’s first spot ‘Happy Hour’ instead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZLBY3lYtsQ

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rob 27 Jan 11

The only thing worse than this ad is the fact that AIR NZ love it and think it’s great….wake up airnz this is crap…….I wonder how long it will be before people start talking to the the cabin crew like Rico in other ads…..interesting to see if you can get kicked off a flight for the type of behaviour they promote.

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