List of Australian and New Zealand advertising characters


Many advertising characters used as mascots and characters by companies in Australia and New Zealand are similar to those used in the United States and the United Kingdom. There are, however, quite a number that are unique to these two nations.
Many advertisements shown on New Zealand television are made in Australia, and many Australian and New Zealand companies operate similar businesses on both sides of the Tasman Sea. As such, there is considerable overlap in advertising characters and mascots found in the two countries.
The following is a list of notable mascots and characters created specifically for advertising purposes in Australia and New Zealand, listed alphabetically by the product they represent.
ProductCharacterYears usedNotes
ASB Bank Ira Goldstein2000–2010
Bundaberg Rum Bundy R. Bear1980s on radio
Campbell's Cash & Carry supermarkets Delilah1980s–1990s
Chesdale Cheese Ches and Dale1960s–1980s
Colgate Toothpaste Mrs Marsh1970s–1980s
Commission for Financial Capability Sorted Mouse2001–present
Cookie Time Cookies Cookie Muncherat least the 1980s–present
Creamoata Sergeant Dan1920s–1950s
Eta margarine & peanut butter Rita the Eta Eater1970s–1980s
Eta peanut butter Eta Nut 10011960s–1980s
Expol Insulation Polly the Penguin2000s
Four Square Mr. Four Squaresince at least the 1960s
Frosty Boy ice cream Frosty Boysince at least the 1960s
Griffins biscuits Cookie Bearsince at least the 1970s
Home Ice Cream Delivery Dan1999–present
Home Timber & Hardware Rusty and Sandy1993–present
Instant Kiwi Doug and Mexi-Doug2008–present
Life. Be in it. Norm1975Also aired in the United States
Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works Wally1980s
Mitre 10 Mega stores The Big Guy2004–present
Mortein Louie the Fly1957–presentalso in New Zealand since the 1980s
Nestlé Milky Bar chocolate The Milky Bar Kid1969–1990s"Live action" until the 1980s, animated in the 1990s
New Zealand Electoral CommissionThe Orange Guyante 2000
Nine Network AustraliaThe Smiling Dot1975Used during the "Living Color" campaign
NRMA Insurance Wallace FairweatherMid-1990sRadio in NSW & Victoria
Pak'nSave Stick Mansince 2000sVoiced by comedian Paul Ego
Palmolive dishwashing liquid Madge1971–1980sAustralian version based on US commercials, with Robina Beard playing Jan Miner's role
Pizza Hut delivery Dougie the Pizza Delivery Boy1994–1997, 2002–present
Progressive Insurance Kitty, the Progressive Insurance Girl2011–presentAustralian counterpart of Progressive's Flo in the United States, with Holly Austin playing Stephanie Courtney's role
Sky Network Television Bert Badger2000s
Slip-Slop-Slap Sid the SeagullDebuted 1981
Smith's Chips Gobbledoklate 1980s–early 1990s
Sunny Queen Farms Sunny The Egg2009–present
Supercheap Auto Steve Lenda2003–presentAlso used in NZ
Streets Paddle pop lion and Bubble O' Bill2003–presentAlso used in NZ
Telecom New ZealandSpot1991–1998
Television New ZealandThe Goodnight Kiwi1981–1994
The Comedy Channel C'ferc.1996–2003
Tiger Tea Tony the Tiger1950s–1970s
Tip Top ice cream Moggy Man1960s
Toyota Masterclass cars Erniec.2002–2007
Toyworld TW, The Toyworld Bearsince at least the 1980s Last spotted at the Toyworld 40th birthday gala
Tuckerbag supermarkets Tucker Bag1980s
Yellow Pages Jan2000–present"Not happy, Jan!" led to 'Not happy, John!' campaign
Mr Whippy Mr Whippy1962–present
Castlemaine XXXX Mr Fourex1924–present
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