He’s been called the Gold Coast’s Hugh Hefner. Judging by his extravagant parties, collection of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Rolls Royces and Barbies in bikinis, Travers Beynon is trying to live up to this image.
Payback! #canihavecremewiththat #showertime #candyman #candyshopmansion
A photo posted by Travers Beynon (@candyshopmansion) on
Former model and AFL star, Beynon calls himself the Candyman, his girls ‘Candy Shop goddesses’ and his riverfront mansion in River Cove Place at Helensvale, the Candy Shop Mansion.
Last Friday, Killing some time on my way back from Vegas, pic with a Giraffe…as you do!!! #candyman #candyshopmansion #giraffe #giraffesnameistiny #killingtime A photo posted by Travers Beynon (@candyshopmansion) on
Don’t let their size fool you…guards of the Candyman, little people always a favorite at the Candy Shop Mansion #candyman #candyshopmansion #traversbeynon #partyanimals #partylikearockstar A photo posted by Travers Beynon (@candyshopmansion) on
But that’s not all Beynon is doing. The nation’s biggest play boy is using social media to beat Australia’s tough advertising laws. Beynon uses the Candy Shop Mansion as a means of getting his company’s name out there without breaching strict advertising rules around tobacco.
Vatican Pool at the Candy Shop Mansion – NYE Party 2014 #candyshopmansion #candyman #traversbeynon #wetbar A photo posted by Travers Beynon (@candyshopmansion) on
Signs advertising his business are strategically placed in his mansion and appear in his pictures and videos posted to Facbook and Instagram. He often tags the company name in his social media posts.
Small parties are more intimate…Sunday pool session at the Candy Shop Mansion #candyman #candyshopmansion #candyshopangels A photo posted by Travers Beynon (@candyshopmansion) on
In an interview with Gold Coast Bulletin, Beynon explained that his vision for the Candy Shop Mansion was born nearly 20 years ago.
Willy Wonka is out!…the Candyman is in!…will you get a ticket…EXCLUSIVE #onlyafew #inviteonly #candyman #candyshopmansion #startedfromthebottom #mymansionhasthehottestgirls A photo posted by Travers Beynon (@candyshopmansion) on
“My vision was always to develop and create a more entertaining party event – something akin to a Disneyland that adults could enjoy coupled with a similar hysteria to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory for children,” he said.
A world first…the REAL “Shrimp on a Barbie” aussie aussie aussie oi oi oi #stayunpredictable #candyman #candyshopmansion A photo posted by Travers Beynon (@candyshopmansion) on
A spokeswoman for the Cancer Council Queensland expressed concern that Beynon’s company was being promoted through Candy Shop Mansion.
She told Gold Coast Bulletin: “The use of social media to advertise smoking and the sale of tobacco products… undermines the strong tobacco control measures that have been introduced in Queensland to protect the community from the harmful effects of smoking.”