Holden Losing Its “Quintessential Aussie Personality” With McGuire Reaction: Robert Strohfeldt
As the controversy surrounding Eddie McGuire and his comments continue, and Holden reconsiders its Collingwood sponsorship, Strohfeldt Consulting founder Robert Strohfeldt, weighs in on the debate.
Holden is considering its sponsorship of Collingwood because of comments made by Eddie McGuire. If Eddie made the same comments about a white, Anglo-Saxon male, there would not have been a peep out of the Chattering Classes.
The absurdity of it all is not just that he said it on Melbourne morning radio to an audience of five-eighths, of one-third of FA, but that what he said could be correlated to violence against women. (Mathematically sound statistical analysis has no place in a debate based on emotion.)
Political correctness really has taken hold and a small minority of self- appointed crusaders use social media to impose censorship on the majority.
Of those who are highly offended, I wonder how many actually heard the banter and the context in which McGuire’s statement was made? Context is everything, but nothing to these people. One of my closest friends, who sadly passed away suddenly, was gay. My two daughters called him Uncle Charles, as he was also a neighbour and spent so much time with them. We were all devastated by his death. But his legacy was my daughters grew up with the understanding that a person’s worth is not judged by their sexual preference.
The Chattering Classes would have been aghast though as I would sometimes greet him with, “How is my poofter mate?” He would describe me to his circle of gay friends as “my knuckle dragging, ex-footballer mate from Queensland.” Taken out of context, both statements would be seen as derogatory and inflammatory.
We had a monthly dinner “date”. Charles was an architect, highly intelligent, educated and great company. I am sure that some people must have thought I was gay when they saw the two of us out having dinner together. Charles once asked me if I felt uncomfortable about this. “I don’t give a f…k what people think” was my response.
But the Chattering Classes are all about being seen to be correct in all things political. Borrowing a line from Paul Keating “They are all tip and no ice-berg.”. Being “seen” is much more important that “doing”.
George Orwell was right, but it was not 1984. It took until 2016 before the Thought Police ruled.
Whilst Eddie is coping a barrage, Islamists are openly saying that homosexuality is punishable by death under Sharia Law. Also, under these medieval laws, women are treated as second class citizens, yet the same people wanting Eddie’s head on a stick are silent about these very open and broadly reported beliefs.
Social media, whilst having many positives, also has an insidious side. Facebook, Instagram etc. have not only done a great job in conning advertisers about their commercial worth, they are the medium of choice for bullies:
- Teenagers who harass peers for trite reasons, but with huge and sometimes tragic consequences.
- Loud mouthed, self-appointed guardians of a new social order in which freedom of speech (and they hope thought) is crushed. Though small in number, they are amplified exponentially so that major advertisers such as Holden think they represent the majority.
I am no great fan of Eddie McGuire. But the impact of his antics are negligible in comparison to effect the social media loud mouths are having on freedom of speech and democracy. Maybe that is why they get on so well with the Islamists.
Self- appointed political correct police are not a recent phenomenon. Back in 1979 at university I used to laugh at the academic elitists who would only drink French red wine and smoke Cuban cigars, whilst they sat around and discussed the plight of the working masses.
They gravitated to Russia, some even visiting Moscow and returning full of praise for a system that machine gunned whole families who dared to try and escape from their Utopia. (The Berlin wall sure as hell wasn’t erected to stop people trying to break into the East German paradise).
Anyone who disagreed with them was called a Nazi. Yet Stalin made Hitler look like a pacifist, murdering over 50 million of his own people. Both were killers who embraced “ethnic cleansing” with a passion, but one gained respectability in the eyes of the Chattering Classes.
In 1994, these same style of activists wanted nothing to do with the movie The Lion King. It promoted sexism, homophobia and racial stereotyping. How many millions of children have grown up with a warped sense of social justice after seeing this hideous movie that is a blight on any civilised society?
Maybe it is a major reason for all of the mass shootings in the USA? Forget tougher gun control, stamp out The Lion King, Finding Nemo and all other Disney propaganda movies. He was widely known as being anti-sematic. Hang on, that is ok.
So back to good old Holden. A brand that once was an embodiment of the quintessential Aussie personality. But no longer. The Chattering Classes say there is now no such thing as an Australian culture and way of life. And they are doing their best to ensure we join their international peers to become one big mono-culture.
“Football, meat pies, kangaroos and Holden cars”, was purely a male pitch and didn’t consider the large percentage of female buyers. The “boofy bloke” image never was representative of all buyers. It was a man’s world back then and there is no argument that societal attitudes have changed for the better.
But equality does not have to come at the expense of the recognition of differences between men and women. “Ice-skating, truffles, fairy penguins and Fiat Bambinos” is the way we are headed though.
An adversarial approach to guys like McGuire and his mates will not achieve anything but resentment. Though he apologised, I very much doubt he meant it.
Rather than embarrass and berate him, maybe someone should have taken him to a refuge for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. That would get the message through far more effectively.
The way it has been handled, he is more than likely pointing out the hypocrisy I mentioned and feeling bitter. It could have been a lost opportunity to turn him into an advocate.
Latest News
The Mars Agency Announces Latest Findings Of Retail Media Report Card
The Mars Agency has developed a scorecard that assesses the capabilities of leading platforms across key criteria required to optimally plan, execute, and measure effective retail media programs. The scorecard aims To help brands efficiently evaluate their spending options across retail media networks in Australia (and New Zealand). With spending on retail media advertising in […]
‘It’s The Lesser Of Two Evils’ – NRL Eyes US Betting Market As Aussie Regulators Circle
US betting firms will be delighted by the circa 50,000 Americans who could soon watch the NRL on their favourite app.
A-League In Deep Discussions With New Partner To Keep Games On TV After Production Company Enters Administration
The A-League's insatiable appetite for scoring own goals continues.
TV Ratings (27/03/2024): Jungle Members At War Over Concealed Lipstick
A heated argument between two jungle members did the numbers for Ten last night, with I’m A Celeb obtaining a total national reach of 1,282,000. Fans were delighted as Candice Warner and influencer Skye Wheatley got into it over a stick of lipstick, leading Warner to dub the Instagram star “selfish.” Wheatley, best known for […]
Is The Australian Music Industry In Trouble? Inquiry Launched Following Splendour Cancellation
Earlier this week, an inquiry was launched into the challenges and opportunities currently facing the Australian live music industry in the wake of multiple festival cancellations. On 25 March 2024, the Minister for the Arts, the Hon. Tony Burke MP, asked the Committee on Communications and the Arts to inquire into and report on the […]
Liana Dubois, Leandro Perez, Aimee Buchanan & More Gather For Inaugural Compadres Leadership Event
Didn't get the invite? Perhaps you're not as important as you thought.
Cathay Captures The Unforgettable Thrill Of Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, Via Publicis
Nobody does rugby like Hong Kong, apparently. Certainly nobody does it as badly as Australia.
Cocogun Nabs Christine Watts, Kirsty Reynolds & Shev Tan Bolstering Management & Creative Teams
Cocogun bolsters its team with new hires. Committed to purchasing a bigger sofa, too.
The Media Store’s Jacquie Alley & Sam Cousins Take The Plunge With Pro-Bono Work For Cure Cancer
B&T chats with The Media Store bosses about their great pro-bono work and sponsored swim.
Hawke’s Brewing Co. Taps Rocket Comms For PR Agency Following Competitive Pitch
We're expecting Rocket Comms productivity to crash in spectacular fashion following this win.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Patties Serves Up A Taste Of Home For Olympians & South Sydney Rabbitohs Recommit To Gambling Reform
While the Rabbitohs commits to gambling reform, B&T reckons the team should commit to a decent auto sponsor.
Google: “Inevitable” That Bad Actors Will Abuse Ads Platform As Advertiser Account Suspensions Double
Google maintains it's simply impossible for it to entirely stop bad people placing & paying for ads using its service.
Quantcast Expands APAC Sales Team With Appointment Of News Corp Account Manager
No pressure at all when you are appointed as a client success manager.
Publicis Sapient Tests Microsoft-Powered Gen AI Search Tool With Homes & Villas By Marriott Bonvoy
Given Gen AI's record for mangling stuff, B&T cannot see the problem with letting it decide your next holiday digs.
Volkswagen & DDB Group’s “Roo Badge” To Reduce Kangaroo Related Road Collisions
Watch out for RooBadge as Cannes Lions' most debated campaign this year.
Twilio Launches Unified Profiles & Agent Copilot Features To Boost Productivity & Engagement
Agent Copilot sounds like James Bond's less interesting cousin.
Reebok & Honda Among New Clients For onetwo agency
OneTwo finally lives up to its name with this double billing.
Ogilvy Report: Throw Out The Social Strategy Rule Book, The Rules Of The Past No Longer Apply
B&T was puzzled that all 'influencers' aren't, effectively, 'virtual', but here we are.
WhiteGREY & AKQA Merge In Australia, Lee Simpson Departs
Fortunately, the combined agencies aren't opting for a trite portmanteau for the new name.
Splendour In The Grass 2024 Music Festival Cancelled!
Music fans all over the country reportedly relieved they can pack away their rain coats and gumboots for another year.
TV Ratings (26/03/2024): “Fairy Bread, F***ing Disgusting”: Gordon Ramsay Slams Aussie Food In Food Stars Launch
Ramsay not one for mincing his words, even when it comes to minced meat pies.
Paramount+ International Boss Doubles Down On Aussie Content, Says Ad-Tier will Grow Audiences And Revenue
Good news as Paramount will not be binning I’m A Celebrity for re-runs of Frasier.
Brent Smart: Telstra Pushing For 50-50 Brand-Performance Split But Warns Numbers ‘Won’t Look Great’ Initially
The old brand vs performance debate continues. But here, Brent is firmly sitting on the fence.
Crowded House, Tones And I & Dom Dolla Win Big At The Shure Rolling Stone Music Awards
B&T staffer reports back with humdinger of a hangover & feeling seriously uncool after mixing with music types.
Opinion: Dyslexia “A Hidden Gem” For Brands & Agencies
Dyslexics offer underappreciated benefits in the corporate field, according to this op-ed.
David Jones Taps Criteo To Power Online Retail Media Arm
Want to see ads for things you probably can't afford? David Jones has got you covered with new retail media play.
oOh!media Sets Up Team To Target Business Audiences Across Airports & Offices
oOh! wants brands to harass you every minute of your next business trip.
QMS Launches Australian First DOOH & TV Partnership With Samba TV
Samba TV, of course, is not a channel dedicated to dancing. Much to our dismany.
Slew Of New Hires At Amplify
Four new faces join the Amplify offices. Team say desk scarcity becoming "acute".
Adobe Announces Content Authenticity Initiative Expansions To Counter Deep Fakes
Try as they might to enlighten them, we suspect Trump supporters will continue to watch and believe Fox News.
The PR Group Appoints TechCrunch Senior Reporter Catherine Shu As Director Of Content & Media
Catherine Shu makes the bold leap from journalism to PR. Says inevitable pay bump was "unrelated".
HERO Nabs Ebony Santin From AMPR
Rumours Santin cleared out the stationery cupboard before departing are as yet unconfirmed.
Karena Noble Checks Out Of EVT Hotels & Resorts To Launch Comms Consultancy
Noble still managed to squeezed in a continental breakfast before departing.
Canva Acquires Design Platform Affinity To Bring Professional Design Tools To Every Organisation
Canva & Adobe face off continues. We're not picking sides but keenly aware that Canva's office is next door to ours.
“Lean On Our Team To Help You Find An Audience”: Why Understanding Audience Engagement Is Essential In Journalism
Engaging the audience is critical to journos, apparently. We'd thought self-loathing & alcoholism were key.
Adobe Summit: Major Gen AI Developments, Data Concessions & Partnerships
What happens in Vegas stays there. Unless it's the Adobe Summit and then you get to read about in B&T.