Bristling Aussie oaf is memorable at least

Press, 15 October 1986, Page 19

Bristling Aussie oaf is memorable at least

By

MARGARET BAKER

The brief for Union Carbide’s latest Australian battery advertising campaign said “find someone that will be loved or hated but can’t be ignored.” They found Jacko and have not looked back.

The bristle-headed Aussie oaf who has recently reached New Zealand screens has been big news across the Tasman for about four years, and helped Union Carbide double public awareness of its batteries overnight.

The advertisement went down so well the company decided to screen it in New Zealand, and it has recently finished its first three week run, with another planned for Novem-

ber. "We’ve yet to see the results,” said Union Carbide’s New Zealand marketing manager for battery products, Mr Graeme Clench. “But we’ve had a mixture of very enthusiastic response from younger people, and older people ringing in to say he’s horrible.” When the ad was tested in New Zealand a few months ago, 50 of the 51 people involved remembered what he said and the brand name. “Whether you like him or not the commercial certainly communicates with the audience.” Mark “Jacko” Jackson was first noticed doing crazy things on the field

while playing Australian Rules football in Victoria. The 26-year-old, 198 centimetre, 105 kilogram car salesman is now hot property in the advertising market, and is kept busy on the after-dinner-speaker circuit, as well as exhibition boxing and wrestling. Last year he also cut a record called “I’m An Individual.” Before the Sydney “City to Surf” run he held an aerobics class for thousands. If the results of the advertising campaign in New Zealand are as favourable as Australia, there is a good chance the energetic “hedgehog” will make it to these shores for more promotions.