Silence from Robert Irwin over defamation threats against Pauline Hanson as deadline to remove satirical video passes

Wildlife celebrity Robert Irwin has damaged his brand after a legal attempt to remove a parody video failed, according to a marketing expert.

Mr Irwin appears to have abandoned his threat to take legal action over the satirical cartoon published by Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party on Friday.

The famous wildlife conservationist took exception to the video which used his caricature to mock the Queensland government over its perceived failures ahead of October’s state election.

The cartoon spoofed a recent tourism advertising campaign run by Mr Irwin and children’s TV character Bluey.

Mr Irwin requested through his Sunshine Coast lawyer Zoe Naylor that the video be taken down at 5pm on Monday – an instruction One Nation ignored.

The legal letter accused the video’s producers of “unauthorized and misleading use of our client’s likeness.”

Mr Irwin claimed, through his lawyer, that the “egregious” video could mislead viewers into thinking he is aligned with One Nation.

Ms Hanson shared One Nation’s legal response on social media, which calls the defamation threat “ill-conceived” and “speculative”.

Ms. Hanson said she looked forward to laughing with Mr. Irwin about it one day.

Mr Irwin’s legal team at FC Lawyers on the Sunshine Coast did not respond to inquiries from the ABC.

Ms. Naylor, the attorney who sent the initial cease and desist notice, is now on vacation.

One Nation candidate James Ashby said the party had received no further correspondence from Mr Irwin.

The ABC attempted to contact Mr Irwin several times for comment.

The creators of Bluey have also been contacted for comment.

“Awakening”: brand expert

Andrew Hughes, a professor of political marketing at the Australian National University, said Mr Irwin’s response to the parody cartoon was wrong and damaging to the brand.

“I think it’s a wake-up call to be honest,” he said.

Dr Hughes said celebrities cannot have it both ways by maintaining positive press and then complaining about negative coverage.

“As soon as you expose yourself, you’re going to make parodies of yourself,” he said.

“Nowadays, people can create memes in seconds, so you’re going to be made fun of in one way or another.