A poster for the “Hairy Fairy” campaign, funded by the Motor Accident Commission and the South Australian government, has come under fire with a petition looking to ban the ad.
In the outdoor spot, the man is wearing a tutu and work boots, sporting long brown hair and a fit body. He wears a garland on his head, which the petition says is “instantly recognisable as a Crown of Thorns”.
The ad is part of a wider campaign, encouraging drivers to slow down. It recently garnered complaints for “playing on the general public’s dislike of hairy guys”.
The outdoor ad that spurred the petition
This time it isn’t the man’s hairy chest offending, it’s the man’s Jesus-like appearance that has 22 people riled up.
The petition on Change Org, titled 'Hairy Fairy must be ditched', says: “This represents a gross missappropriation of a revered religious figure of western civilisation, a person of significance to practising and non-practising Christians in Australia.
MAC community engagement manager, Matt Hanton says: "It is not uncommon for MAC to receive complaints regarding our road safety campaigns that really push the envelope to evoke viewer attention, as was the case with previous high profile campaigns ‘Matemorphosis’ and ‘Lose your license and your screwed’.
"It is also important to note that we have received many positive reactions and feedback, pleasingly stimulating conversation and debate around the dangers of speeding."
A complaint about The Hairy Fairy in the paper
“The poster is offensive and all the more so because it has been funded with taxpayers' money, including from those to whom it is offensive.”
The petition is calling for the posters to be removed immediately and the advertising campaign to be withdrawn – including the TV commercial.
The agency on record for MAC is Cummins&Partners. MAC has been approached for comment.
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