Paddy Power to deploy balloon strategy in Australia

The online and land gambling group Paddy Power’s penchant for provocative advertising balloons appears to have influenced its Australian subsidiary Sportsbet, which is reportedly planning to promote the World Cup football in Brazil next month with a giant balloon of its own.

The balloon will float above Melbourne and is a distinct departure from Paddy Power’s use of a giant pair of green underpants in Irish promos….the Australian version will be a lighter-than-air replica of the statue of Christ the Redeemer which towers over Rio de Janeiro and is a land mark recognised around the world.

That’s likely to ruffle a few feathers.

News of Sportsbet’s plans was leaked to Melbourne media this week, which reported that the balloon will be wearing an Aussie football shirt and sport the legend “Keep The Faith” along with a Sportsbet logo.

This won’t be the first time Sportsbet has courted controversy with its event promos – Our readers will no doubt remember the massive field image of a kangaroo rogering a lion that greeted visitors flying into Melbourne for the Lions rugby tour last year.

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