GEELONG WRONGED AT PING PONG
AN event touted as “shining the international spotlight on Geelong” is being broadcast across the world emblazoned with Melbourne branding.
The Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Australian Open, an international table tennis event, is being played at Geelong Arena.
It is being broadcast to more than 80 countries — with more than 100 million viewers expected in China.
In April, when the Government announced the event would be held in Geelong, Tourism Minister and Lara MP John Eren said it would shine the “international spotlight on Geelong”.
“The Australian Open of Table Tennis is a major drawcard on our enviable sporting calendar — shining the international spotlight on Geelong and attracting more visitors to our region,” Mr Eren said.
When questioned about the Melbourne branding, a spokesman for the minister yesterday told The Addy: “There is no intention for other branding to be displayed at the Australian Open of Table Tennis and Visit Victoria currently has no plans to institute a Geelong variant for promotional use.”
A Visit Victoria spokesman said yesterday the Melbourne Australia logo or the Melbourne logo was used when “an event is internationally broadcast as this is globally identifiable”.
According to the Government’s Brand Victoria guidelines, the “Victoria Australia” logo “is to be used for international applications when specifically promoting Victoria, inclusive of Regional Victoria, intentionally not Melbourne”.
While the “Melbourne” logo “is to be used when promoting metro activities to a domestic audience, including high-profile events or brand campaign messaging”.
Committee for Geelong chief executive Rebecca Casson said the group’s proposed Second City policy encouraged government to develop a brand for Geelong.
“We certainly believe in having a Geelong brand that can be recognised. It’s more than a logo but about creating a widely recognised brand for Victoria’s second city,” Ms Casson said.
“It is evident that Mel- bourne is a massively recognised global brand and it is important for Geelong to leverage from that.”
Ash Murch who posted a video from the Australian Open of Table Tennis to social media said he was OK with the Melbourne branding.
“Bone of contention with Geelongians. I’m OK with it. Explained by the State Government as Melbourne being the drawcard and Geelong having to piggy back off that to optimise visitors,” Mr Murch posted on Instagram.
The event is one of six platinum series events of the World Tour of the International Table Tennis Federation. More than 180 participants from more than 20 countries have converged on Geelong to compete for $400,000. The event runs at the Geelong Arena — home to the Geelong Supercats — until July 29. The Supercats have had their home final game this weekend moved to AWA Alliance Bank Stadium to accommodate the table tennis competition.
“There is no intention for other branding to be displayed at the Australian Open of Table Tennis and Visit Victoria currently has no plans to institute a Geelong variant for promotional use.” — SPOKESMAN FOR TOURISM MINISTER JOHN EREN