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Penderyn whisky apologise after ‘mistake’ of using trademarked Welsh dragon in NZ advertising campaign

31 Mar 2022 2 minute read
The advertising campaign plugging Wales as the ‘New Zealand of the North’

Penderyn distillery have apologised after the “mistake” of using a trademarked Welsh dragon in a New Zealand advertising campaign.

The whisky company used the red dragon especially designed and used by Visit Wales,  the Welsh Government’s tourism organisation.

Visit Wales emphasised that while the Red Dragon itself was not trademarked, the specific design used on their logo was, and asked Penderyn Whisky to change their campaign.

A Visit Wales spokeswoman said: “Penderyn is one of many great Welsh food and drink products that we produce in Wales. The specific logo used in this case was part of the registered trademark of the Cymru Wales brand – we would of course not restrict use of the Welsh dragon generally.”

A Penderyn spokesman said: “The use of the Visit Wales logo was an honest mistake which we are eager to rectify after the government brought it to our attention.

“The campaign has been little tongue in cheek. In this fight, the Visit Wales dragon has breathed fire that singed us a little.”

Penderyn had been advertising Wales on social media this month as the “New Zealand of the North”.

Kiwis on social media spotted the ad campaign which promoted Wales as being “just like New Zealand, only we’re 100% open”, which seemed to be a jibe at the country’s border restrictions.


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Gareth Plas
Gareth Plas
2 years ago

Never mind the dragon, where is y gogle?

hdavies15
hdavies15
2 years ago
Reply to  Gareth Plas

It’s that “lle” where the Gogs live, mun.

I don’t like the persistent use of Snowdonia, I’m sure the NZ people have the wit to figure out what Eryri stands for.

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
2 years ago

To be fair to Penderyn . The mistake although small on the scale of things was an innocent one. Anyway, just imagine if the Tories were responsible for any NZ promotion. They would have included the Union Flag which would have turned a once velvet smooth Wisgi into bitter tainted Tory tipple.

Gareth Plas
Gareth Plas
2 years ago
Reply to  Y Cymro

It was their use of Gogle rather than where I live, Y Gogledd. Me being pedantic.

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
2 years ago
Reply to  Gareth Plas

Not pedantic one bit. You were right to point it out. 👍

Gareth Plas
Gareth Plas
2 years ago
Reply to  Y Cymro

Diolch am hynnu, pethau Bach yn bwysig!

Tracey H
Tracey H
2 years ago

““just like New Zealand, only we’re 100% open”, which seemed to be a jibe at the country’s border restrictions.”

Really crass and distasteful, that. Not a good look for the brand at all.

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