Wicked Campers
Wicked Campers is an Australian camper van rental company based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.[1] The company also has outlets in other parts of Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, North America, South Africa and South America.
Wicked Campers market their product towards younger drivers and backpackers. Each van features a spray painted design, often featuring pop culture references and funny slogans, which are often rude and offensive.
Controversies
Wicked have continually attracted media attention in Australia and New Zealand for their use of offensive slogans on their painted vans.[2][3][4][5][6] Between 2008 and 2012 the Australian Advertising Standards Board upheld numerous complaints about offensive slogans or other advertising.[7]
In 2010, according to the Daily Telegraph, the Queensland government released a report saying 90% of Wicked vans in the state were unroadworthy. Wicked took the vans off the road but claimed that the vans were safe.[8] It appears, however, that the number of vans that were taken off the road is a point of contention.[9]
In 2011, various media sources reported that Wicked Campers received criticism from animal rights activists for placing stickers inside their Australian vans with the text "Kangaroos, run the fuckers down." Wicked stated the stickers were to promote road safety and prevent vehicular rollovers.[10]
In November 2011 it was reported that the company trading as Wicked Campers had paid fines of AUD$26,400 for 'misleading advertising' regarding camper van hire fees.[11] According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the company had 'failed to specify the single total price payable for the campervans and failed to adequately disclose certain mandatory fees and charges'.[12]
In July 2014 a petition opposing their allegedly sexist and misogynist slogans attracted over 100,000 signatures and protests in the Senate of the Australian Parliament. After pressure through the media, Wicked issued an apology and committed to removing the offensive slogans.[13] As of April 2016, they have not done so.[14]
In December 2016 it was reported that the New Zealand Advertising Standards Authority upheld a number of complaints. Wicked Campers, "did not respond to the complaints board".[15]
State government responses
In November 2016 the Premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk introduced legislation revoking the registration of commercial operators who refuse to remove offensive slogans from their vehicles.[16] The Tasmanian Transport Minister Rene Hidding said that the Government would cancel the registration of vehicles displaying slogans he described as "vile and appalling".[17]
The company mocks the complainants, and the complaints against it.[18]
Local government response
Numerous caravan and camping parks and businesses pertaining to tourism have stated they will refuse entry to vans carrying offensive slogans. Following community groundswell opposing the wicked slogans that promote rape, indecent sexual behaviour, Indigenous disrespect, harm to native wildlife and other offensive imagery and slogans, the Blue Mountains City Council notified the community on Wednesday 1 June 2016 that it is looking at various options to ban Wicked Campervans with offensive, misogynistic, racial and degrading slogans and imagery from Council-managed tourist/caravan parks within the Blue Mountains. Wicked Campers appear to enjoy the free negative promotions of its business that the slogans draw, however they do not appear to be concerned about the implications on its market, generally young travelers, who may be influenced by these slogans to carry out actions that they would not normally otherwise do.[19]
References
- ^ Connolly, John (18 April 2009). "No business like slogan business". The Australian. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
- ^ "Wicked slogan 'goes too far'". Stuff.co.nz. NZPA. 5 May 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
- ^ Lawrence, Jessica (20 July 2008). "Campervan slogans are too Wicked for words". The Sunday Mail. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
- ^ "Controversial campervan found". The Cairns Post. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
- ^ Gough, Anthony. "Naked Truth on Wicked Campers". Courier Mail. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
- ^ Bastow, Clem. "Why women should boycott Wicked Campervans". Daily Life. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- ^ "Advertising Standards Board Determinations". Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- ^ Dale, Amy (11 January 2010). "Tourists label Wicked campervans 'death traps'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
- ^ "The Wicked Chronicles". Retrieved 1 July 2012.
- ^ Schefe, Yolande (6 February 2011). "Wicked Campers rapped for stickers encouraging drivers to run down kangaroos". The Sunday Mail. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
- ^ "Wicked Campers fined over misleading ads". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- ^ "Wicked Campers pays infringement notices". Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- ^ http://www.news.com.au/finance/business/peoplepower-win-after-sydney-teacher-paula-orbea-launches-petition-against-misogynistic-and-degrading-slogans-on-wicked-campers-vans/story-fnki1jcy-1226988321024
- ^ http://www.echo.net.au/2016/04/thousands-rail-against-van-companys-obscene-slogans/
- ^ "Killing, topless women and Wicked Campers come before Advertising Standards Authority". Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ "Queensland to ban sexist slogans on campervans". Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ "Wicked Campers with 'vile and appalling' slogans to be outlawed in Tasmania". Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ "Offensive Wicked Campers to be banned in Queensland under new government plan". Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ "Blue Mountains Council seeks to ban Wicked campervans with 'degrading, sexist' slogans".
