Visa defends its 'knocking’ advt

Press, 14 October 1989, Page 19

Visa defends its 'knocking’ advt

PA Auckland A credit card firm has defended its “knocking” advertisement of a rival company and does not intend to change them. Visa, which has made a television commercial about the Commonwealth Games that digs at its competitor, American Express, said the minute-

long advertisement would continue. It is confident of defeating any legal challenge from its plastic card opponents, saying it has already thwarted a move to take the commercial off air in Australia. The advertisement concludes with a remark that the Games “don’t take American Express.” The

phrase has upset the card company, which said its plastic will buy Games tickets. The exception is at Games venues. Visa International’s advertising manager for Asia-Pacific, Mr Richard Bush, said yesterday that the controversial commercial was part of a big Games push in Australia, South-East Asia and Can-

ada. The commercials would not be changed. Mr Bush suggested that the Minister of External Relations and Trade, Mr Moore, who criticised the “knocking” tone of the campaign, was not fully aware of Visa’s efforts to boost tourism with the commercials.