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Kylie Minogue paid $1m for Tourism Australia Matesong ad campaign taken off air after just 10 days

The West Australian
VideoKylie Minogue has lent her star power to a new tourism campaign, aimed at getting Brits to visit Australia.

Kylie Minogue was paid nearly $1 million dollars to star in the Matesong tourism ad which was taken off air after just 10 days.

The three-minute Tourism Australia ad aimed at attracting British tourists Down Under was "paused" after it debuted on Christmas day due to the devastating bushfire season and has since remained off air since the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The 51-year-old took home $935,000 in "talent fees" according new contract details obtained news.com.au for the now redundant campaign.

Her contract ends in June 2020 but it is not clear if she has other commitments with Tourism Australia beyond the ad.

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Other national treasures like Adam Hills, Shane Warne, Ian Thorpe, Uluru and quokkas feature in the music video.

With Australian borders remaining shut for the foreseeable future, it is unlikely it will air again anytime soon.

Kylie Minogue and Adam Hills in the Matesong campaign.
Camera IconKylie Minogue and Adam Hills in the Matesong campaign. Credit: Birmo/ Tourism Australia

Tradie Scott Cam was recently forced to take a pay cut after he was criticised for his $347,000 trades ambassadorship endorsement.

He was contracted to demonstrate hands on skills and training can lead to better employment opportunities but made one public appearance and a series of social media posts.

In April, Cam forfeited his remaining fee of $172,000 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It is not known if Minogue has agreed to refund part of her fee.

Tourism Australia confirmed in January they pulled the ad in response to the bushfire season.

“The number one priority right now continues to be the emergency response to these devastating bushfires and the safety of communities and tourists in affected areas,” a spokeswoman for Tourism Australia said at the time.

“In light of the current situation in Australia, we have reduced some of our campaign activity in the UK.”

“We will continue to review our planned activity over the coming weeks and months.”

“As the Australian Government agency responsible for attracting tourists to our country, Tourism Australia will have an important role to play in highlighting that Australia will continue to be a world-leading and safe tourism destination, whether in unaffected regions or those that will recover from these bushfires in the months and years to come.”

The three minute Tourism Australia ad aimed at attracting British tourists Down Under was "paused" after it debuted on Christmas day due to the devastating bushfire season.
Camera IconThe three minute Tourism Australia ad aimed at attracting British tourists Down Under was "paused" after it debuted on Christmas day due to the devastating bushfire season. Credit: Tourism Australia/PA

The ad was filmed in various icon locations a including Rottnest and Byron Bay and Minogue explained it was a “dream come true” to take part.

“Filming across Australia was literally a dream come true. I’ve had the opportunity to see parts of the country I haven’t seen before, as well as to go home and revisit places that I know are beautiful,” Minogue said. 

“This was my first-time visiting Uluru, and it’s as overwhelming, epic and inspiring as I imagined and dreamt it would be.”

“From the moment you fly in and get a first glimpse of the rock, it is magnificent. I had a very powerful and beautiful moment on the first day of filming, staring up at the rock with two of the local Indigenous Elders, Reggie and Cassidy. I simply cannot wait to go back there.”

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