Thursday 20 January 2011

The O Show - Have your say!

: For those of you who are O-verloaded by Oprah media coverage, Sunday night will see the last over her four Australian shows.

Can you remember there ever being so much hype about a TV show? Ones that come close are the last ever Seinfeld episode, the first MasterChef final, and (I'm told) the locally shot Steven Spielberg series, The Pacific.

But I can't imagine where the future of an entire industry appears so closely linked to the TV show's (and accompanying marketing campaign's) success.

Million of American viewers watched the first of four episodes that went to air in the US on Tuesday, and Queensland has already seen some benefit with an estimated $20 million being given by viewers to the flood appeal.

Oprah began her Australian adventure landing on Hamilton Island before visiting the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach where she hosted a beach barbeque with celebrity chef Curtis Stone.

She then travelled to Uluru before flying to Melbourne to meet Prime Minister Julia Gillard and a crowd of 10,000 in Melbourne’s Federation Square.

Did it live up to the hype? Were there any surprises? How did it paint Australia and its people? Will you watch the last three episodes? And most importantly, will it help bring people to our country?

Have your say!

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nick g, 26-01-11 23:24:

The show painted the picture that we are all a bunch of koalas down here so come pat our heads. I thought Americans were more educated about us now but it appears we still have kangaroos running down our main streets. Oh & visiting the 'average ' Aussie for a taco night just shows we can all afford Ross Wilson to come along & sing some tunes! We are still stuck in the Croc Dundee era but it doesn't bother me if the yankees come in their droves. Well done Oprah, we've gotta love ya even if your singing an old song!!

Sara Croaker, 20-01-11 15:41:

I think TA have definitely got it right this time, we haven't seen a really successful campaign since Paul Hogan and the Crocodile Dundee era. I felt the show connected with people on all levels and love her or hate her, Oprah certainly has the power to influence the way people think. The footage seen thus far has been brilliant and has certainly showcased the best our country has to offer...I'm looking forward to the next 3 shows, and fingers crossed Daintree and surrounds might get a look in. I'm sure we will all benefit from this campaign and the new flights from BNE-DFW will certainly help the cause:)

Joni Bennett, 20-01-11 13:42:

Although I could have done without the screaming women and crescendo of 'Oh my God's', I think this is the best marketing spend Tourism Australia have initiated in quite a while. The donation to the flood appeal confirms it and it just goes to show Oprah's influence on the US market. I don’t really think the program lived up to the hype but if it puts Australia back on the priority list for US travellers then it’s done its job. On the bright side at least this campaign is a little less aggressive than 'Where the bloody hell are ya!' - scare tactics in tourism marketing are definately questionable.