The Key Numbers Behind Origin’s Success In 2022
State of Origin 2022 had everything: brilliant games, plenty of drama, mass turnouts both in person and at home, and a wealth of advertising opportunities. Here’s how rugby’s biggest rivalry captured the eyes of the nation.
The third game of Origin, held last week and won by a solid Queensland offense, was a big event by the numbers. There was a reported 1.7 million viewers tuning in on channel Nine to watch the game, matching the 1.77m for game one and 1.79m for game two. In a world where free-to-air tv is in a seemingly constant decline and streaming services are becoming the default for most Aussies, Origin managed to defy the odds.
On top of the metro numbers, there were 793k viewers in regional areas, and an average audience on 9Now of 463k, giving a total average audience size of over 3 million sets of eyeballs. That’s a phenomenal number of people, covering a wide range of age groups and target markets – and it doesn’t even take into account the number of people who were likely streaming the game on Kayo.
After 2020 and 2021 having some of the lowest in-person turnouts in recent memory thanks to covid, attendance was back up for 2022 as well, just in time for one of the best series of games imaginable. Game 3’s official recorded attendance was 59,358, which is comparable to the 2019 numbers at the last game held at Perth Stadium.
From an advertising perspective, there was plenty to cheer about. Fast food chains had a strong representation on-field, with KFC’s logo emblazoned on the ground for TV audiences and McDonald’s playing both sides of the match by sponsoring both team’s kits. Gambling options such as Sportsbet were rampant in the half-time ad breaks, while the sidelines were rolling through everything from streaming services to real estate ads.
Then there was the Menulog ad, returning from game two of the series. The Katy Perry edition of their infamous “did somebody say” campaign saw some brutal backlash after its debut earlier in the series, but it was back in full swing for game three on Wednesday. It’s an interesting pick to have a peppy Katy Perry song as your go-to ad for a titanic sporting clash like Origin, but all publicity is good publicity, and people were certainly talking about this one.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Well, Origin is alive and kicking (goals), and people are turning out in droves to watch it happen live. Those who are jumping in on the opportunity to advertise on the event are being rewarded with some of the biggest audiences Australian television can provide in a post-covid world. Even if your ad is getting some unexpected traction on Twitter – such as Menulog’s latest creation – there’s still so much to be gained from a sporting event such as Origin.
Australian sport is still the same drawcard it has always been, and if advertisers want to pick up some serious attention, then there’s no better time to get in on it than now.
Please login with linkedin to comment
Kayo Sports McDonald's Australia menulog Nine Sportsbet State of OriginLatest News
Mastering the balance beam: Finding cut through via experiences and exposure in sport
From the hallowed turf of the MCG to every local suburban club around Australia, we’re a nation famed for our fervent love of sports. Sport in Australia is also becoming the last bastion of immediate mass reach entertainment, argues Starcom’s Roger Linttzeris (pictured above). Australian’s have a greater level of access to sport than ever […]
Chris Salter Appointed Director Of News For Seven Melbourne, Gemma Williams Named 7NEWS Spotlight Executive Producer
The Seven Network announced the appointment of Chris Salter as the Director of News in Seven Melbourne. Lead image: Gemma Williams. Salter, who has been 7NEWS Adelaide news director since June 2018, will succeed Shaun Menegola. “Chris has done an amazing job in Adelaide, where 7NEWS has been #1 for more than 13 years. I’m […]
Sunday Gravy Welcomes Ego Pharmaceuticals To The Table
Following a competitive pitch, Ego Pharmaceuticals has moved its business to Sunday Gravy. Ego produces over 150 different products, including well-known brands such as QV Skincare, SunSense Sunscreen, Aqium Hand Sanitiser, Elucent, MOOV, and Azclear. “We were looking for a creative agency partner that was just as passionate about long-term brand building and collaboration as […]
Unveiling Distinct Channel Opportunities: Insights From Dash Hudson’s Cross-Channel Social Media Benchmark Reports
The rise of algorithmic content has changed social media, shifting feeds from social-driven to entertainment-driven. Short-form video now accounts for 38 per cent of social content on Instagram, and its dominance continues to grow. Community-building and curated content from creators have come to the forefront of marketers’ strategies, and at the same time, social commerce […]
Cummins&Partners Welcomes Tim Collier As New Head of Strategy
Cummins&partners ramps up its client strategy offerings and its Dungeons And Dragons staff team with latest recruit.
‘Let’s Break Ingrained Industry Muscle Memory & Help Marketers Keep Their Job’ – Mat Baxter On Why He Joined Mutinex
The adland sage has joined marketing platform Mutinex which, admittedly, sounds like a high-fibre breakfast cereal.
Today The Brave Snares Alyce Gillis From Havas Host
In what may be seen as another win for the indies but possibly shouldn't, Havas' Alyce Gillis joins Today The Brave.
TAC Wakes Victorians Up To The Risks Of Driving Fatigued In A New Campaign Via Clemenger BBDO
Latest Clems campaign highlights the dangers of driving tired. Or, worse, listening to Guy Sebastian while on the road.
TikTok Partners With Billie Eilish To Launch New Fan Spotlight Feature
Did you know that Billie Eilish has won two Academy Awards? Which is two more than both Tom Cruise & Megan Fox.
TorchMedia Secures Sydney Light Rail Advertising Contract
Judging by the painfully slow speed of the Sydney Light Rail, advertisers certainly get excellent dwell time.
TV Ratings (21/05/2024): Todd & Dustin Find Love As Farmer Wants A Wife Comes To A Close
Judging by Farmer Wants A Wife's success, you'd reckon the National Party would be of way more interest to voters.
Senior Appointments Expand Hatched Sydney Team
New appointments at media agency Matched. Unlike press photo outfits that are daringly contrary to the idea.
History Will Be Kind Builds Client Portfolio With Appointment Of Koskela
HWBK nabs sustainable furniture maker Koskela's PR. Also takes the opportunity to replace ageing boardroom table.
JCDecaux Launches Dominion Road SMARTFRAME
It's rare outdoor news from New Zealand today. And you think it's bloody freezing in Australia at the moment.
Innocean Australia Announces Giorgia Butler As New Chief Strategy Officer
Giorgia Butler named Innocean's chief strategy officer. Thankfully cupcakes weren't served at the staff announcement.
INVNT Appointed Creative Experiential Partner For SXSW 2024
The countdown's on for this year's SXSW in Sydney. Alas, B&T unsure what the actual count is at the present time.
The Media Store Wins Melbourne Royal Show Media Account
Media Store's rose garden set to bloom thanks to new manure after agency snares the Melbourne Royal Show's media.
Toby Jenner: ‘The Power And Energy Of Our Good Teams Will Get Us Through Tough Times’
Toby Jenner has been named global president of GroupM clients & B&T was 9th on the phone to offer our congrats.
Foxcatcher & InMobi Partner To Enhance Media Planning And Activation
Foxcatcher & InMobi unveil plans for a new collaboration that thankfully hasn't required any hounds to be released.
Brookvale Breweries & Distilleries Launch Three Days Of Savoury Bites, Delicious Pints And Spirits
The goodly folk on Sydney's northern beaches need little prodding to drink, so this has 'sold out' written all over it.
VALE Dennis Merchant – A Giant Of The Media Industry
In terribly sad news today, Aussie adland legend Dennis Merchant has passed away at the age of 82.
Gravity Media Australia To Deliver Crankworx Cairns For Red Bull TV
Are you a committed mountain bike enthusiast? Cairns is where you need to take your grazed knees & concussions.
Connecting Plots Nabs Former Saatchi & Saatchi Leader Craig Page
Connecting Plots turns the Page with this hire.
Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal Revive Core Values Campaign For Louis Vuitton
If Rafael misses his next match with a runny nose you'll know why with these inappropriately dressed mountain images.
Orphan Steals The Show At Australian Fashion Week With World-First ‘The Last Season Collection’
Australian Fashion Week has been run & done for another year, meaning lots of people can now go back to eating solids.
One Year Later, Is BAR Ogilvy’s Livingfont Making A Difference?
As super important as they are, these animal extinction campaigns can be a mega downer for the unprepared.
“These Issues Aren’t Unique To Our Industry”: Rose Herceg Chats To B&T Ahead Of Create Space Census Results
Rose Herceg admits struggles with diversity & inclusion aren't unique to adland. Take F1 racing as an example.
Kieran Moore: ‘No Client Has Ever Asked For More Junior People On Their Account’
PR guru Kieran Moore's talking the dangers of ageism. That said, it remains a good thing for red wine & prosciutto.
Zitcha appoints Josh Forsyth as sales lead to drive retail media growth across APAC
Zitcha names Josh Forsyth as its APAC sales lead, as confusion reigns over the Maldives' APAC claims.
Moët Hennessy NZ Adds Special PR To Agency Roster
If there's a client you want on the books it's Moët Hennessy. Ben & Jerry's would also be fantastic, albeit fattening.
Dylan Alcott, Ellie Cole & Kurt Fearnley To Headline Nine’s Paralympics Coverage
They say Olympics is more aspirational & Paralympics is more inspirational, but B&T is here for goalball & murderball.
The Monkeys, Howatson+Co, VML Australia Win Big At The One Show’s Awards
A top showing saw Australia ranked fifth globally, well above our friends over the Ditch.
Readers Are Looking To Books For Escape – Should They Look To Adverts, Too?
Are you or someone you know a bibliophile? That's a lover of books & not an 80s paper filing system. Read on here.
TV Ratings (19 May 2024): Nine’s Travel Guides Goes Head To Head With Seven’s Farmer Wants A Wife
Love travelling to Kuta to watch the lads from the Currawong Goannas footy club whoop it up? Travel Guides is a must.
Sky New Zealand Initiates Process For Advertising Sales Representation In Australia
Sure, on the surface they pretend to despise us, but this news offering proves the Kiwis love of all things Australian.
Opinion: Queer & Present Danger – Australia’s Battle For LGBTQ+ Recognition Through Communication
Aside from this absolute cracker of a headline, Think HQ's Blake Mason piece is very important.