Sexpo billboard too hot to handle

The Sexpo billboard on Brisbane Street at Dinmore.

Rob Williams

Poll

Should the Sexpo billboard have been removed?

This poll ended on 01 December 2010.

Yes

34%

No

65%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

THE furore over Ipswich’s controversial Sexpo sign led to the billboard’s owner tearing it down yesterday morning.

The controversy over the racy billboard hit national TV yesterday as the debate raged over whether it was too rude for its Brisbane Road site in Dinmore.

After talking to Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale yesterday morning, Bishopp Outdoor Advertising decided to remove the sign from its billboard.

Managing director Brad Bishopp said while he did not find the sign offensive, he pulled it down because of the negative reaction from sections of the Ipswich community.

“I spoke to the Mayor and he expressed to me the concerns some people had with the sign and its location,” Mr Bishopp said.

“I personally thought the sign was okay but we acknowledge people do have their concerns and we don’t want to put the community off-side.”

The billboard was only erected on Monday afternoon, but was removed by 11am yesterday.

Mr Bishopp said he had informed the agency which booked the sign, Ooh! Media, that it had been taken down, but said he had not spoken to Sexpo organisers directly.

He said the sign would be moved to a new location which has yet to be decided.

Sexpo general manager Rob Godwin was incensed the billboard was removed without his approval.

“I’ll be contacting my lawyers and fighting to have the billboard back up. I’m appalled they’ve taken this action when the billboard is under contract,” Mr Godwin said.

“It’s disappointing because the Advertising Standards Bureau has never upheld a complaint against us.”

Cr Pisasale said while Ipswich was not a “sea of prudes”, it was right to take the billboard down for residents who were offended by its content.

Porn actress Monica Mayhem – the former Brisbane resident who featured on the billboard – told The Queensland Times from Los Angeles she was disappointed with the negative reaction to the Sexpo sign.

“I do think it was a bit of an over-reaction. Really, in what way was the billboard harming anyone?” she said.

“I think people need to be a little more open-minded and stop sweating the small things in life.”

The Advertising Standards Bureau yesterday said it had received a number of complaints from Ipswich residents about the Sexpo sign.

Sexpo, a sexuality and adult lifestyle exhibition, is expected to attract 35,000 people.

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Ipswich Sexpo billboard too sexual