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What they’re saying and why they’re not happy about the Wellywood sign
Wellington.Scoop
Let’s quote some of the opinions about the Wellywood sign. First, from Wellington’s morning newspaper: “A cheap, tacky gimmick which has more to do with marketing the airport than the city and threatens to undermine Wellington’s hard-earned reputation for sophistication, creativity and originality.”
The DomPost’s editorial also branded the sign as “laughable.” Other comments are equally derisive. Almost all of them, that is, except from the airport company itself.
“I think it’s f …ing stupid. It is copying a foreign, bullshit glamour idea and it’s the pits of what people can aspire to.” – Geoff Murphy, director of Goodbye Pork Pie.
“I’m disappointed that the airport company has decided to go ahead with this despite knowing that so many people don’t want it.” – Councillor Andy Foster.
“Wellington City Council’s rep on the Airport company is Deputy Mayor Ian McKinnon and for his representation on behalf of the ratepayers he receives an extra $40,000. If Cr McKinnon cannot put up a good argument opposing such tasteless negative branding he really should resign from the airport company.” – Councillor Bryan Pepperell.
“”There are much more important ways to promote the film industry, and creative digital, than with a sign.” Celia Wade-Brown, Mayor of Wellington, who does not support the sign.
“Cringe-making … It’s particularly distressing to see Celia Wade-Brown admitting her total powerlessness.” – The Wellingtonista.
“‘Wellington prides itself on its originality and creativity, and I cannot see how copying someone else expresses either. This is totally contrary to the city’s brand.” – Jack Yan, candidate for the Wellington mayoralty.
“It’s a shame to see how a small group of people at the Airport can propose something that goes against Wellingtonians and their culture.” – William Shepherd, a brand consultant in Los Angeles.
“One of our strengths is our originality and this is a pale imitation of the Hollywood sign which makes us look like try-hards.” – Trevor Mallard MP.
“It seriously undermines all the fantastic work we all as Wellingtonians have contributed over the last decade to make Wellington the wonderful city that it is. Built around, generosity, modesty and self confidence.” – Al Brown.
‘A Wellywood sign is a clear message that Wellington is a ‘must-see’ destination with a really important film industry. – Steve Fitzgerald, CEO of Wellington Airport.
“We need to keep pushing the boundaries.” – Lloyd Morrison, a director of Infratil which owns the airport.
“Can’t we pretend they built it already, but it’s been destroyed in a very specific earthquake? Just show the idiots a receipt.” – Raybon Khan.
“Thinking of drafting the Wellington Airport (Wellywood Sign Prohibition to Save Us All the Embarrassment and Ridicule) Members’ Bill.” – Green MP Gareth Hughes.
“I think that would be a very odd sign to put up.” – Sir Ian McKellen, quoted in April last year.
“If the intention is to promote our film industry rather than merely mimic someone else’s location, then the sign should be Wetawood.” – Jim Hopkins, writing in March last year.
Read also
Facebook: Let’s not have a Wellywood sign
The airport insists
Will the airport insist?
Wellywood! Talking crass and tacky, this sign compares with the “Lobster Loos” planned for the Waterfront close to Heritage Sheds 11 and 13.
Who put the Wellington Airport Company in charge of defining who we are? If you’re as outraged as I am, then have your say by boycotting Shell service stations (Infratil own a majority of the Airport and Shell service stations).
While they don’t appear to be good listeners I urge you to make a direct complaint to the Wellington Airport Company @ http://www.wellingtonairport.co.nz/html/contactus/feedback.php
Our brand as the creative centre of New Zealand is in the process of being downgraded. To even have a lengthy public debate is corrosive. Adopting this tacky imitation makes us look deeply shallow and builds a perception that will leave a sense of discomfort for many years to come. We are so much better than this.
Bryan Pepperell
Wellington City Councillor
Let us remember the Wellywood sign was approved during the last triennium under ex-mayor Prendergast. The current council is merely implementing a previously agreed policy.
It is a tacky, tasteless abomination which reflects the lack of class of those who designed and approved it. Infratil can advertise their new image as much as they like. If the sign gets erected, it will be a permanent reminder to Wellingtonians of the arrogance of some of our leading citizens. and commercial organisations.
Will the sign induce overseas visitors to pay a visit to the Roxy Theatre in Miramar after visiting the famous Weta Cave? Perhaps it represents fond hopes by some Wellingtonians that our city will in future grow into the Tinsel town of the South Seas, although I do not think that most people would agree with such a tacky image.
The sign will be a blight on the Wellington landscape and the Airport company should realise they have made a huge mistake and ditch the sign now. This is corporate arrogance of the worst kind!
Since Infratil own 66 percent of the airport, I certainly won’t be filling up at a Shell station any time soon. And since the Council own 34 percent and were silly enough to approve this vandalism, I will be voting for someone else next election.
SOCIAL NETWORKS KICK IN OVER WELLYWOOD SIGN
I was not surprised when Mayor Celia Wade-Brown sought the approval of the full council last night to put a new item on the agenda. Celia is very familiar with social networking and an old hand with the technology it uses. She had been watching the opposition to the Wellywood sign grow on Facebook and other sites, and like us all was taken by surprise with the unfolding events surrounding the airport company’s attempt at branding.
Social networks are now a political reality that cannot be ignored and the mayor has been quick to acknowledge their influence. It was flattering to hear her mention me as one of the social network players but that is all I was as the people are now exercising their power. They do not need the mainstream media to have a voice and that is a very positive thing indeed.
We will need all the people power we can muster as we contend with the paradigm shift that is now being forced on us with the downward slope of Peak Oil. The International Energy Agency has lately acknowledged Peak Oil in 2006 . We are in for a rough ride without a strong peoples’ voice. All power to the social networks.
There is nothing wrong with my sense of humour. Being told that there is a a sense of light heartedness at the cost of thousands of dollars is totally irresponsible. Instead of throwing money at useless artwork or whatever it is classified, WIAL in my view should undertake to tidy up the third world gorse clad hills on the eastern side of the runway. Each time that I travel past that area I cringe at the sight of Gorse, Lupin and Broome running wild presenting a picture of poverty to thousands of visitors. Wellington for the first time visitor should be doing something than placing an eyesore that is suppoed to appeal to quirkiness.
Stan the Man. You’ve hit the nail right on the head. Also, I find it quite ironical that Infratil in their petrol station/fuel supply company rebranding to Z (how original !) clearly advertise on TV how they have “listened to the public……..” which is somewhat contradictory to their Wellington airport involvement over this contraversial hillside signage.
Well said Mr Evans.
In the last few weeks (in fact months) I have traversed the city and suburbs with great difficulty and if we need recognition I can only suggest (with tongue in cheek I might add) Welcome to Orange Cone County.
On the more serious side, with a walking group today from the many lookout points from Melrose over Lyall Bay, the consensus was no signs and certainly not Wellywood but more planting of native trees
and shrubs to replace (as Stan has pointed out) broom, gorse and lupin, to which many of us are allergic.