from SMH http://m.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and ... 1kqku.html

Louie's demise was a sting operation, Rowan Dean, Sydney Morning Herald, September 25, 2011

Surprise, surprise. Louie The Fly faked his own death. The announcement only two weeks ago from Mortein that it intended to eliminate the advertising mascot was a stunt all along. On September 11, The Sun-Herald reported that Reckitt Benckiser, the British owners of Mortein, had "decided to kill off Louie The Fly once and for all." Claiming it was a hard decision, marketing director Chris Tedesco said: "Louie can no longer showcase the advancements of the complete Mortein range.'' Yet Friday brought an apparent change of heart as Mr Tedesco claimed to have "been amazed by the incredible reaction to our announcement". Like a modern-day Roman emperor, he is giving the public "the opportunity to decide whether to kill or save the much-loved icon", adding: "Louie has a special place in Australian hearts. If the public wants to continue seeing their beloved Louie on TV screens then they can vote to save him on his Facebook page.'' Emotional blackmail! We all knew Louie was a gangster, but holding the nation to ransom is a first, even for him.

Do you believe such marketing stings are ethical? Have your say by posting a comment on the forum.

Louie da Fly, deserves to be saved.
After all he's already died a million +++ deaths for the good of us all (including Mortein).

Many ads are half truths or downright lies anyway so nothing new there.

As for Louie the Fly, hope that damned annoying jingle goes with him. You know the one, it plays over and over inside one's head all day after hearing it, or even remembering it.

Thanks for nothing Think9

I still remember every word!

Straight from rubbish tip to you ........

I think the 'save Louie' tactic is great advertising. OK, so maybe not great, but much better than the usual sex sells type gimics. It's open and honest 'we are appealing to your Ostraylianess'. Nothing wrong with that. Or at least no worse than most advertising anyway.

Haha ...thats great ! but yeah do not believe what they write in the papers

Damm correct!

It is a great idea, " a great marketing strategy". I will not save Louie.

Such a great advertising strategy . Maybe I would go through saving Louie.