The Monkeys’ Mark Green & MLA Defend The Lamb Ad That’s Turning People Vego!
It was unveiled with great fanfare and expectation yesterday, however, the arrival of the latest lamb ad arguably hasn’t garnered the response either meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) or its creative agency, The Monkeys, would have been hoping for.
Sadly, the all-singing, all dancing-number has been widely panned in the press with many complaining it was too political, too complicated, off message, unfunny and too long. And far from selling any more lamb cutlets, it appears people are considering vegetarianism instead judging by most of the reaction to it on social media.
Speaking to B&T, The Monkeys CEO Mark Green denied that the ‘You Never Lamb Alone’ campaign message had run its course.
“The campaign been criticised over the years as much as it’s been admired and enjoyed, and the latest ad is no different,” he said.
“It’s always got its lovers and haters. It sparks a conversation, and I think by and large the latest ad’s pretty evenly split from what I’ve seen online. We’ll see how it travels.”
MLA’s chief marketing officer, Lisa Sharp, said the feedback feels very normal this stage of the campaign, and there are no plans to pitch the business.
“It’s on par with the feedback we’ve experienced in the past,” she told B&T.
“A real strength of our lamb marketing over the last 10 to 12 years has been that consistency around the brand positioning, and that being one of unity and inclusivity.
“All of our data is telling us that it has been incredibly successful for the brand, and at this point there would be no reason to walk away from that.
“We always review, but at this point we’re still feeling pretty confident that it is the right positioning for lamb.”
The ad is a West Side Story-inspired musical where duelling gangs chant “left” and “right” in front of a suburban mother. There’s even hints that the actors in the ad have been made up to look like Greens leader Richard Di Natale and right-wing commentator Milo Yiannopoulos. Even longtime lamb ad Sam Kekovich makes an appearance as an angry neighbour.
The MLA Twitter account claimed that the ad “inspires people to put aside their differences, big and small, and come together over lamb”.
As reported on B&T yesterday, the initial reaction from the public was largely negative with most comments saying the ad lacked a sense of fun, was too heavy on the political message, while people were unsure what it was supposed to be advertising.
However, the poor little lambs may well be saved with many people commenting the ad had turned them off meat and onto vegetarianism. Check out some of the social media bile below:
Latest News
Stop What You’re Doing! B&T’s 30 Under 30 Awards 2021 Are Now Open For Entries!
Adland, stop what you’re doing and listen up: B&T’s 30 Under 30 Awards are back in business and open for 2021 entries! For all you keen beans and those who are truly dedicated to nabbing a coveted 30 Under 30 Award, now’s the time to submit your entry! With international borders still closed, starting your […]
What’s Next For Australia’s Privacy Laws?
With the Australian government currently undertaking the most significant review to our data laws ever, smrtr’s co-founder and CTO Boris Guennewig explains what might be next for Australia’s privacy laws. Australia’s privacy laws look set for a significant shakeup following the ACCC’s inquiry into digital platforms. As part of the government’s response to the Digital […]
IBA Report Reveals PR & Marketing Agencies Are Falling Short Of Today’s Market Needs
Only 11 per cent of marketing managers are happy with their public relations agency, staggering findings from a new IBA International report show. IBA International, a leading B2B marketing communications consultancy, has announced the findings of a primary research report, which examines the confidence of B2B organisations in their marketing and communications agency structures. It […]
DoubleVerify Launches Publisher Suite For Digital Publishers
DoubleVerify has today announced the launch of the DV Publisher Suite, providing the measurement, insights and tools digital publishers need to improve ad delivery, assess inventory quality and maximize yield. For publishers, generating revenue has never been more complex. Today’s demand-side landscape consists of thousands of potential buyers, each with their own unique requirements, transacting […]
Australian Open Start Date Confirmed For Feb 8
The Australian Open has confirmed a start date of February 8, 2021 with strict COVID-19 testing procedures in place. Following weeks of negotiations with the Victorian government, Tennis Australia exec Craig Tiley confirmed the Australian Open had been given the go-ahead. As reported in the Herald Sun, Roger Federer and Serena Williams will start arriving […]
Verizon Media Launches ConnectedID As A Cookie-Less Solution
Verizon Media has announced the launch of its new unified identity solution, Verizon Media ConnectID. Built on the foundation of Verizon Media’s consumer-first values and market-leading advertising technologies, the new unified ID solution is designed to support advertisers, publishers and consumers as the digital landscape evolves away from cookies as a way to manage and […]
The End Of The IDFA Is Nigh: Preparing For Mobile Identity In 2021
Apple has laid out its plan to remove the Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA), marking a major change in mobile identity. In this piece, head of identity APAC at PubMatic, Harui Imaim, shares her thoughts on how advertisers can navigate these upcoming changes. This year has brought many changes, not least of which are shifts in […]
Val Morgan Outdoor Launches Next-Gen Screens At World Square
Val Morgan Outdoor (VMO) has secured an exclusive large format tender with next-generation, iconic screens at one of Sydney’s key retail, commuter and entertainment destinations, World Square. With market leading technology, VMO will deliver the ultimate immersive experience in the form of truly intelligent, curved internal LED screens and a hero screen spanning 8 metres […]
Yeesum Lo Joins 10 ViacomCBS As Head Of Development
It was announced today that Yeesum Lo will join 10 ViacomCBS in the newly created role of Head of Development. Reporting directly to Head of Programming, Daniel Monaghan, Lo will be responsible for identifying and developing locally produced Australian content across all channels and platforms in conjunction with the wider Network 10 team. Lo joins […]
Bunnings Light Up The Warehouse In Christmas Activation Via Bastion EBA
On Friday 27 November Bunnings launched their biggest ever Christmas activation, which was created and brought to life by strategic brand, commercial and experiential agency Bastion EBA. To bring a little magic to this Christmas, the activation involved lighting up one of their Melbourne warehouses, Bunnings Warehouse Maribyrnong. This resulted in a spectacular Christmas lighting […]
The Top 100 TikTok Creators, Trends And Videos In 2020
TikTok has always been about bringing people together to inspire each other and share moments of joy. It’s also a place to find your community, no matter your interests. This has never been more important than in 2020. From devastating bushfires, to a global pandemic that introduced us to social distancing and loss, to community […]
Fleur Head Steps Into MD Role At VMLY&R New Zealand
VMLY&R NZ announces Fleur Head is stepping into the role of Managing Director VMLY&R New Zealand following the resignation of current MD James Mok. Head was previously Managing Director of VMLY&R Wellington. Wellington-based Head, who has more than 25 years agency and management experience across both the Auckland and Wellington markets, will lead VMLY&R NZ […]
Spotify Wrapped 2020: Bad Bunny Tops Most Streamed Artist
Bad Bunny tops Spotify's most-streamed list for 2020. Which certainly begs the question - who the hell's Bad Bunny?
Wild Turkey And Matthew McConaughey Recognise Aussie Local Legends
Wild Turkey and Creative Director Matthew McConaughey, in partnership with Eleven, unveil a new Wild Turkey With Thanks initiative. The integrated campaign is shining a light on Australian Local Legends who have stood with conviction supporting their environment and communities throughout the crises of 2020. Wild Turkey’s With Thanks is a global, annual platform, wherein […]
ABC Responds To Oz Allegations Over Four Corners: “We Don’t Use Private Investigators”
ABC's Four Corners saga looked all set for a rather juicy twist. However, someone's de-juiced it by denying it all.
AIA Australia Partners With Yet Another AFL Team
AIA Australia has announced that it is now the official life, health and wellbeing partner to the AFL’s St Kilda Football Club. According to the company, the new partnership will provide club members with learnings, tools, and strategies that they can use to lead healthier lifestyles. Members will at the same time receive access to […]
These Are The Most Engaging Christmas Ads Of 2020
Did your Christmas ad not make this year's top 10? Ready your flimsy excuses for when the client calls with this.
“Ageism Is Alive & Well” Why Ad Veteran Steve Allen’s Appointment Is Proving Such A Big Deal
We won't tolerate ageism in any shape or form here at B&T. But if our editor plays Neil Diamond one more bloody time!
Apple Ads Spark $16M Lawsuit
Apple has been fined $16 million for misleading ads. Tim Cook pays it with loose change from behind the couch.
Seven Heaps More Pressure On Cricket Australia As It Threatens To Sue For “Millions”
Advertise on Seven? Looking forward to your annual knees-up in its corporate box at the cricket? Shelve those plans.
AppsVillage Partners With TikTok To Allow SMBs To Advertise To TikTok’s Aussie Users
Small to medium sized businesses will now be able to advertise on TikTok through SaaS solutions provider AppsVillage (ASX:APV). APV will allow SMBs to create and manage campaigns on TikTok in under three minutes using its AI software and advertising management platform JARVIS. The partnership makes the most of TikTok’s self-service advertising offering which launched […]
“Jules & Vincent Are Back!” John Travolta & Samuel L Jackson Reprise ‘Pulp Fiction’ In Oddball Christmas Ad
Bank ad reprises classic 'Pulp Fiction' moments. Mercifully sans the Gimp or that scene with the samurai sword.
How People-Based Identity Will Change The Way Marketers Think About Success
Work in marketing? Is your measure of success keeping your gout under control? Think again with this informative read.
DDB Sydney Grows Creative Team By Six
DDB Sydney announce six new recruits and, sad as it is to report, not a hula hooper or sword swallower amongst them.
Guide Dogs Australia Launches ‘An Experiment In Trust’ Via Thinkerbell
Not that it's explicit on the brief, but if there's ever a pitch where you play it straighty one-eighty it's Guide Dogs.
“This Is A Match Made In Heaven”: Salesforce Acquires Slack For $37.6 Billion
Did your careers adviser suggest tech but you stubbornly chose advertising? Realise the folly of your ways on this news.
Study: Wine Now Aussies’ Favourite Tipple, As We’re Downing 100 Million Alcoholic Bevvies A Week
Here's the latest stats into Australia's drinking habits. B&T staff apparently receiving "high achieving" status.
Verizon Media Sets Out ‘Advertising For Good’ Agenda At 2021 Showcase
B&T was a lucky attendee at the Verizon upfronts last night. Unfortunately, not taking home the garden gnome door prize.
New Campaign Urges Aussie Ad Creatives To Get Real About Gender Equality Messages
Feel terrible your ads aren't inclusive, gender neutral & diverse enough? Feel the screws tighten a little more here.
Psembi Kinstan Joins McCann Melbourne As Executive Creative Director
Highly-awarded Psembi Kinstan joins McCann Melbourne. Thought better of bringing his medals & certificates on first day.
