Happy Feet touted as a 'natural' world cup mascot

BELINDA MCCAMMON

21/08/2011

FAIRFAX

MASCOT MATERIAL: Happy Feet, the emperor penguin who captured public attention.

He's wearing a black jersey, with no adidas stripes in sight, made an epic trip to be here, and has won hearts worldwide.
A natural for a Rugby World Cup mascot surely – and no embarrassing marketing madmen associated with him.
An online campaign to make New Zealand's highest profile and possibly most-beloved overstayer a Rugby World Cup ambassador has been launched.
However the people behind the light-hearted Facebook page "Make Happy Feet the Grassroots Ambassador for New Zealand" may not see their wish fulfilled, with the emperor penguin just given the all-clear to continue his journey to his Antarctic home.
He has spent more than a month recuperating at Wellington Zoo but after weeks of delighting hundreds of visitors, and with media keeping a watching brief on his progress, it is almost time to say goodbye.
The penguin is due to leave in a specially designed cage aboard a research vessel leaving on August 29.
The person credited with the idea to promote Happy Feet to official Rugby World Cup mascot seems to have been an 85-year-old named Jack – his idea born out of frustration with a number of high-profile campaigns from adidas and Telecom that have caused much embarrassment for New Zealand's reputation overseas.
The Facebook page has attracted almost 300 supporters, including Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye, broadcaster Sean Plunket, media man Bill Ralston and right-wing blogger David Farrar. The creator of the page has written that Happy Feet is the "perfect symbol for what NZ is about – welcoming and all embracing hospitality".
"Happy Feet came to our shores, not feeling so great – we showed him kindness and hospitality and welcomed him with open arms.
"This is a marketing concept that will sell NZ in a positive way for the guest experience of NZ. How we pick you up off the beach, give you kindness and the best care, and send you off a happier penguin. He's a clean, green symbol of New Zealand and our people, our welcoming and friendly nature and our all embracing hospitality."
It seems the idea has caught the imagination of those on the page, with many comments left saying Happy Feet would make a better ambassador than some who have been chosen.
Dorothy Macedo said Happy Feet was "not a public embarrassment unlike some other world cup ambassadors". Judith Price wrote that he "certainly made a huge effort to get here on time and arrived suitably attired".

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