Air New Zealand staff strip for eye-catching safety video

Air New Zealand is attempting to defeat plane safety video fatigue by creating a new version starring real life crew wearing only body paint to protect their modesty, which ties in with a new advertising campaign.

The video carries all the usual safety information but delivered in a tongue-in-cheek manner and with delightfully fruity Kiwi accents, reminding passengers that on a "sivin three sivin three hundred", "the nearest ixit could be behind you".

The stunt ties in with Air New Zealand’s local advertising campaign which is built on the strapline "Our fares have nothing to hide".

Unfortunately for international passengers, the video is only being shown on domestic flights within New Zealand, but it can be viewed here.

Even more disappointingly, anyone hoping for a glimpse of a pert hostess’s bosom or hunky pilot buttocks should be warned that strategically placed seatbelts and chairs mean that the video is strictly G-rated.

Got A Passion? Then We’ve Got An Exhibition For You!

The Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) this week unveiled its new brand campaign – Got A Passion? – aimed at raising awareness amongst consumers and business on the reach, frequency and power of live exhibitions.
The Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) this week unveiled its new brand campaign – Got A Passion? – aimed at raising awareness amongst consumers and business on the reach, frequency and power of live exhibitions. The converted have long understood that exhibitions represent one of most effective ways of experiencing products firsthand with results that are measurable and immediate. With Got A Passion? the exhibition industry is now focussing its sights on those potential companies and visitors who may not be so familiar with this form of marketing. The cornerstone of the campaign is an interactive calendar of events which lists every industry sector and the exhibitions that are planned throughout Australia for the forthcoming 12 months, at a new website: www.gotapassion.com.au. To drive potential exhibitors and visitors to the website, an online and print advertising campaign has been developed that targets key markets, and which can flex to reflect any industry sector. The campaign was developed on behalf of EEAA by advertising agency and brand architects, Soudan Lane. “This campaign aims to reach out to everyone who either has a passion for what they sell or what they want to buy, and gives them an easy way to connect to that passion,” said Matthew Pearce, President, EEAA. “Its bold execution is completely fresh and unlike any campaign that our industry has ever undertaken, but we believe that now is the time to really promote the huge benefits exhibitions offer over other forms of marketing. “Research clearly shows that exhibitions flourish in recessionary times because companies need to maintain a clear competitive edge. A constant flow of new products and technology is critical to their success and exhibitions are the only form of marketing where buyers and sellers come face to face and can see, touch, experience, discuss and gain immediate feedback.” The campaign also includes a suite of three brochures to assist new exhibiting companies to maximise their return on investment: Exhibitions Work!; How to Exhibit; How to measure Exhibition Success.

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The Webby Awards, in More Than Five Words

By Brian Stelter

Seemingly every sort of award show now rewards Web content. The Pulitzers, traditionally for newspapers, now present online-only awards. So do the duPont-Columbia Awards, one of the foremost prizes for television journalism. The National Magazine Awards do, too.Jason DeCrow/Associated Press Seth Meyers at the Webby Awards.

Still, the Webby Awards are unorthodox. What other award show would start with animations of the “I like this” button (from Tumblr and Facebook, among other Web sites), the four-stars ranking (the highest honor for a YouTube video), and the “what are you doing?” bubble (the four words that inspired a billion tweets)?

For the 13th year, the International Academy Of Digital Arts And Sciences handed out awards in a panoply of categories, and for the 13th year, the winners were only allowed to share five-word speeches with the audience. The awards dinner was held in Manhattan Monday night, allowing dot-com entrepreneurs (the Twitter co-founder Biz Stone) and old-turned-new media moguls (Martha Stewart) to mingle and, presumably, encourage each other to tweet more often.

Twitter was, not surprisingly, a target of comedy as well as dinner table conversation. Seth Meyers, the “Saturday Night Live” head writer and cast member who M.C.’d the event, warmed up the audience with jokes about the short messaging service, including a gem about Ashton Kutcher, the actor who famously fought with CNN to sign up a million Twitter followers.
“Ashton Kutcher is not here,” Mr. Meyers said. “I just wish there was a way to know what he was doing.”

Twitter earned a special achievement award, as well, with Mr. Stone accepting the Webby for breakout of the year. His five-word speech: “Creativity is a renewable resource.”
Some of the other memorable five-word speeches of the evening:The Boston Globe: “It’s not journalism that’s dying.”

Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post: “I didn’t kill newspapers” — pause — “O.K.?” Flickr, the photo-sharing Web site: “Could everyone get closer together?” The Onion, a satirical news Web site, presented in the form of a headline: “Free All Attractive Political Prisoners.”

Jimmy Fallon, the new host of “Late Night” on NBC, received the 2009 Webby person of the year. His speech was: “Thank God Conan got promoted.”

[...]The Webbys introduced a new category this year, for Internet fame. As Mr. Meyers said, ” ‘Internet famous’ actually means something these days.”
All the five-word speeches are cataloged on aYouTube channel for the awards.

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Finalists released for 2009 IAB Awards

The 2009 IAB Awards has announced 16 agencies today as finalists with the new format resulting in a record number of entries as well as strong FMCG representation.

Zenith Optimedia is the leading agency, securing four finalist spots for their work across two campaigns, while a further eight agencies also received multiple nominations.

Three finalists were named in most of the 12 new Award categories, while four finalists were announced for their stand-out entries in the hotly contested ‘Brand Destination Site’ category.

The winners will be announced on 9 July 2009. Professor Mark Uncles, UNSW, Chairman of Judges commented: “As in previous years, the standard of the best entries was very high and, on the whole, the typical entry was more persuasive than in previous years.

In most submissions there was a genuine attempt to show a clear link between initial business objectives and digital strategies, and there was evidence to follow this through in terms of results, be it in terms of building awareness, driving search, increasing sales, or securing effectiveness and efficiency gains for clients.”

IAB Australia CEO Paul Fisher noted the finalists have showcased some particularly interesting work this year.“Not only has the number of entries increased spectacularly on last year, but now we know the quality has also been outstanding. It is especially encouraging to see that three quarters of the finalists are from the FMCG sector – a sector which is yet to fully embrace online advertising in Australia.

“I congratulate all the finalists and look forward to presenting the awards to the winners at our gala celebration. I’m also looking forward to announcing the Best In Show winner, who will be sent off to New York to compete in the International category of this year’s MIXX Awards, where our last two Best of Show winners have secured gold and silver awards,” said Fisher.

Professor Uncles continued: “The categories worked well and meaningful distinctions were drawn between generalist and specific categories. We worked with a list that reflected client requirements (brand awareness building, direct response, product launch, and brand loyalty) and emergent digital and interactive priorities (brand destination site, cross-platform integration, social media, search, widgets, etc.). I would expect the list to be kept under review, if only because the priorities morph with the passage of time”.

The finalists, who were selected by a panel of more than 40 industry judges including Marketing’s own Kate Kendall, represent the most innovative and effective online advertising and marketing campaigns run in Australia over the last twelve months. Finalists were chosen from entries submitted to 12 new categories. The entry judged as Best of Show Award will gain entry into the IAB’s U.S. MIXX Awards in 2009.

IAB Australia Awards 2009 Finalists (listed by entry number)

Category: Brand Awareness and Positioning

ZenithOptimedia: Kit Kat Chunky Cookies & Cream – Nestle

CumminsNitro Brisbane: The Best Job in the World – Tourism Queensland

Profero: Smart online Safe Offline – NAPCAN Category: Direct Response and Lead Generation

ZenithOptimedia: Qantas International 2-1 Sale – Qantas

New Dialogue: Home Loans Spring Campaign – Commonwealth Bank

OMD: Bakers Delight 500 Recruitment 2009 – Bakers Delight Category: Product Launch

Media Contacts: The Dawn of Twilight – Hoyts

Publicis Digital: Nike Football – Nike Australia

Soap Creative: Lynx Instinct – Lynx Category: Brand Loyalty and Retention

Captiv8: Recharge & Always Win – Optus

Mediacom: Nokia Music Store – Nokia

Category: Brand Destination Site

New Dialogue: Tomb Raider Challenge – Atari

Publicis Digital: Nike Football – Nike Australia

Soap Creative: Rexona Australia’s Greatest Athlete – Rexona

colman rasic carrasco: Riva Stakeout – Cerebos

Category: Cross-Platform Integration

Universal McCann: Rexona Australia’s Greatest Athlete – Unilever Australia

Publicis Digital: Nike Football – Nike Australia

OMD: Love my Idol – McDonald’s Category: Digital Video

ZenithOptimedia: Kit Kat Chunky Cookies & Cream Launch – Nestle

Universal McCann: Rexona Australia’s Greatest Athlete – Unilever Australia Category: Search Marketing

dgmAustralia: St George Bank Search – St George Bank

dgmAustralia: Woolworths Everyday Money Credit Card – Woolworths

R&B Creative Communication: Champagne Gallery – Drinx

Category: Social Media Marketing

ZenithOptimedia: Kit Kat Chunky Cookies & Cream Launch – Nestle

CumminsNitro Brisbane: The Best Job in the World – Tourism Queensland

Pusher: Samboy is Back – Snack Brands Australia Category: Super-Rich Media

Universal McCann: Hancock – Sony Pictures Releasing Australia

Soap Creative: Lynx Instinct – Lynx Category: Widget Marketing

New Dialogue: Dark Side Of Tanning – Cancer Institute Of NSW

Mindshare: Johnnie Walker Widget – Diageo

Profero: The Presets – Talk Like That – Universal Musi

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Rain can’t stop stars shining at Festival opening

The Australian cinema community braved rainy weather for the gala opening night of the Sydney Film Festival.

Miranda Otto, Rachael Taylor, Kate Ritchie, Emma Lung, Leeanna Walsman and Claudia Karvan helped light up the red carpet at Sydney’s State Theatre to see UK director Ken Loach’s comedy Looking For Eric.

Direct from the Cannes Film Festival, the movie stars former French soccer player Eric Cantona as a grown-up imaginary friend.

The 56th Sydney Film Festival runs from June 3-14 and features three local films in the running for Australia’s largest film cash prize, the Sydney Film Prize.

Rachel Ward’s Beautiful Kate, Disgrace by director Steve Jacobs, and Khoa Do’s Missing Waterare among the 12 films vying for the $60,000 cash prize.

The festival will hold the world premieres of Sydney drama Cedar Boys, and Prime Mover, starring Emily Barclay and Ben Mendelsohn.

Among the Australian premieres are Red Cliff by director John Woo and An Education by writer Nick Hornby.

Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher will add some Hollywood glamour to the event when she jets in for the premiere of her animated feature Coraline on June 10.

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 Final Microsoft bid to launch Google killer

MICROSOFT will unveil plans tomorrow for its biggest, and probably final, attack on Google’s $20 billion global search cash cow, spearheaded in Australia by ninemsn.

Insiders say the project is Microsoft’s biggest and most important online initiative and comes as Yahoo!7 launched a stinging attack on the dangers of Google’s dominance in the Australian market and the Federal Government moved to further entrench its dominance with Google-related services in schools.

“Google has locked up distribution through every device and it looks like the Government wants to give them a helping hand by making sure every school kid in Australia is locked into Google,” the Yahoo!7 chief executive, Rohan Lund, said. “I applaud any initiative that seeks to take the fight to Google. We need competition in this market, especially in advertising. It’s good for all of us.”

Australia’s use of Google’s search service represents one of the highest national marketshares anywhere in the world – around 92 per cent. Its two key rivals, Microsoft and Yahoo!7, have struggled to gain traction here, even after the two companies joined forces under Yahoo! Search Marketing (YSM) to sell paid search advertising across both search engines.

Ninemsn issued invitations this week to an “important group media briefing” tomorrow which observers said would unveil the new search engine, tagged Bing.

A global advertising campaign to convince online users to try the service is being developed and estimates have put Microsoft’s media budget for Bing in North America alone as high as $US100 million ($127 million).

For Microsoft to steal any share from Google’s estimated $800 million-plus Australian business, it must first convince Australians it has a better search service. Most industry pundits admit it will be an uphill battle.

 “Microsoft is very serious about this,” one industry executive familiar with the plans for Bing said. “They’re going to have to throw everything at it and will but even then who knows?”

One of Google’s key advantages in Australia is that it has tens of thousands of smaller advertisers using only Google as a search engine. This allows Google to deliver a bigger variety and more relevant number of paid search ads alongside organic search results triggered by search requests.

It is understood Yahoo Search Marketing will continue to sell Microsoft’s new search tool to advertisers. Insiders say it is a vast improvement on the old version and comparable to Google, although there are reports of friction between ninemsn and Microsoft about the continuing role of Yahoo!7.

 Ninemsn’s chief executive, Jo Pollard, did not return calls yesterday and Yahoo!7 said all was amicable between the two.

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Eminem was in on Sacha Baron Cohen’s MTV stunt

Eminem was a willing participant in Sacha Baron Cohen’s stunt at the MTV movie awards, acccording to a report on the website Defamer.

During the stunt, Cohen – in character as gay Austrian fashion designer Bruno – flew Icarus-like from the ceiling dressed in nothing but white wings and a G-string. Following a “malfunction” he was lowered down into the audience face down, straight into the lap of the famously homophobic rapper. His barely concealed posterior was centimetres from Eminem’s face.

Defamer cites the fact that cameras briefly focused on Eminem before the malfunction and that he was miked for sound as evidence that Eminem was in on the act.

The website also claims that one of the show’s writers, Scott Aukerman, boasted the event was staged on his blog but subsequently removed the post.

“Yes, the Bruno/Eminem incident was staged. That’s all anyone wants to talk about, so let’s get it out of the way. They rehearsed it at dress and yes, it went as far as it did on the live show then,” he is quoted as saying.

 But Eminem wasn’t Cohen’s first choice for the role, Life and Style magazine said.

The magazine claims Paris Hilton was asked by producer Mark Burnett to play the “victim” – but she declined.

An “insider” told Life and Style: “Paris is quite happy she turned down the offer.”

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Event Sales & Operations Manager

Work for one of Sydney’s leading Party & Event Caterers

Manage VIP client events at prestigious Sydney venues!

Applicants with relevant skills only please

This leading Event Catering Company specialise in providing complete event planning and management services to a wide variety of corporate, private and VIP clientele.

We are currently looking for a talented Events Professional to add value to their existing Events and Catering Management team.

The Role:·

Key areas for responsibility include handling event enquiries, writing detailed event proposals and quotations, planning and organisation of event logistics, on-site event management and supervision of catering staff teams·

Account management of existing clients, proactive client development (sales), attend networking events and host menu-tastings in order to attract and secure new business·

Provide clients with professional and informed consultancy regarding venue selection, event design, complete catering requirements, event logistics etc·

Manage relationships with suppliers and venue contactsRequired Skills & Attributes: ·

MUST HAVE previous sales experience within the Events/Hospitality industry·

MUST HAVE proven experience in the operational management of eventcatering including supervision of catering staff teams·

Proven knowledge of Sydney’s Events Industry, its venues and corporate clients·

Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to prepare and present new business ideas·

Excellent attention to detail – tenacious and proactive in all areas of work·

Above all, you must display a shared passion for what we do – great food, innovative party & event design, outstanding service delivery! Remuneration: ·

$55-70,000 base salary (dep. on exp)·

Earn bonuses and commission!·

Arrange parties at some of Sydney’s most prestigious event venues, private homes and entertainment facilities!

To apply for the role of Event Sales & Operations Manager, please forward Your CV (in WORD document format) via the following link.

SALES / BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – EVENT HIRE

$80,000 neg + super + comm

Event Hire Sales – Marquee Specialist

Event, Exhibition & Display market

Company

I have an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Sales or Business Development Manager in corporate events. A ’marquee specialist’ is required to promote a huge range of hire structures and exhibition suites. At the forefront of this companies’ expansion, you will be a pivotal player in it’s long-term objectives.

Position

You are required to advance the companies’ full range of hire products and services to a growing events market. Targeting Victoria’s premier event managers, hosts, sites and venues, you will produce sales results to new and existing clients.·

Generate high-level marquee sales; through short and long-term hire·

Manage external event production·

Supervise equipment hire and installation·

Co-ordinate exhibitions and displays·

React to client expectations and ’add-value’ to projectsCandidate

You must have an event management, hire or exhibition sales background to have claims to this role:

2-3+ years marquee sales experience·

Business ’hunter’ with industry knowledge·

Ability to field enquiries, quotations and manage a sales budget·

Consultative sales approach with precise communication·

Ability to control the sales process from site inspection toevent delivery·

A candidate who has handled high-volume sales is desired

Apply in confidence to Pursuit Recruitment Australia by emailing your application to Jamie Killmier via the Apply Now button below or contact Jamie directly on 03 8697 0504.

To view all our sales opportunities visit www.pursuitexecutive.com

To be eligible to apply for this position you must have an appropriate Australian or New Zealand work visa.

Sales | Business Development | EXHIBITION / EVENT MARQUEES ·

$80K Base Salary + Open Ended Commissions. OTE $140K+·

International Event and Exhibition Supplier·

Outstanding Career Advancement

Company

As an International provider to the Event and Exhibition Industry currently enjoying dramatic growth nationally, the key to this company’s success is their ability to supply everything necessary for the smallest to the largest organisation to create impact within an Exhibition or Event environment. From Custom Display Systems to Audio Visual and Furniture, future projects and predicted growth now dictate the need for a seasoned Sales / Business Development professional to join their growing ranks in this newly created role within the Event Marqee Division.

Position
In this exciting role you will be responsible for the new business development and management of an exciting range of High End Event Marquees to suit an extensive array of applications.

From Concerts, Corporate Events, Catering Events and major Outdoor Events, you will capitalise on Leads Provided while stepping up to the challenge of creating new business opportunities as they present.

Working closely with clients, design teams and construction departments you will enjoy the ability to follow your project from start to finish with a hands on approach while facilitating your client expectations.

Due to aggressive growth plans, exceptional effort and results will be rewarded with future management opportunities.

Candidate
To successfully secure this opportunity you will have a minimum of 5 years Sales / Business Development expertise.

Ideally you will be currently generating sales within the Event Marquee marketplace or have past experience within this field, while related experience from an allied industry will be considered.

A B2B Hospitality Sales background to major organisations will be looked upon favourably, with exceptional presentation, literacy and organisational / time management skills will be key. With a genuine passion for working within the Exhibition and Event Industry, you will enjoy the rewards and recognition for your efforts within an organisation that is taking their people to the future of Events!

Apply in confidence to Pursuit Recruitment Australia by emailing your application to Ian Cunningham via the Apply Now button below or contact Ian directly on 03 8697 0501.

To view all our sales opportunities visit www.pursuitexecutive.com

To be eligible to apply for this position you must have an appropriate Australian or New Zealand work visa.

Coordinator, Business Development

Event & Venue Focus

Sydney Olympic Park Location

Immediate Start Available

Sydney Showground has an opportunity for an enthusiastic team player to join the team that looks after over 400 events a year across over 20 venues. The venue is World-Class, the reputation is second to none and the opportunity to grow in this role and make it your own is limited only by your career goals and ambition.

The person we seek has that something special that drives them towards a career in Event Sales. The focus of this role will be to provide sales and administrative support to the Business Development Team and to assist them in delivering new events to Sydney Showground.

As a target-driven individual, your experience in hospitality, tourism or event sales has set you up perfectly to take the step up to a major multi-function venue. You are a confident self-starter with a great personality and not afraid to knock on a corporate door. The ability to develop great relationships with a broad range of potential clients and key stakeholders is essential.

You possess excellent customer service, interpersonal and communications skills including well-developed telephone sales skills. You are not afraid to make a phone call and will work with the Business Development Team to generate leads and achieve sales targets. As the first point of contact for sales inquiries to Sydney Showground, you understand the importance of timely service and response to our customer needs.If you are the type of person that thrives on the buzz of a busy sales environment, this could be the job for you.

To be eligible to apply for this position you must have an appropriate Australian or New Zealand work visa.

MANAGER, EXHIBITION SALES·

Australia’s Largest & Most Iconic Event·

Sydney Olympic Park Location·

Immediate Start Available

The Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) of NSW is one of the major venue and event management organisations in Sydney hosting iconic events such as the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Big Day Out and over 400 other events each year. The RAS manages Sydney Showground at Sydney Olympic Park.

We are seeking to appoint an energetic and enthusiastic sales animal to manage the Exhibitions team that delivers so much of what makes the Sydney Royal Easter Show ‘the’ event of the year – every year.Our event is huge, our reputation is second to none and the opportunity to grow the role and make it your own is limited only by your career goals and ambition.

The person we seek has that something special that drives them towards a career in Sales.

The focus of this role if to provide overall direction, leadership, product development, financial performance and coordination of the Sydney Royal Easter Show Exhibitions Department.

You will drive the Exhibitions team in delivering a full program of exciting Exhibitors at each and every Sydney Royal Easter Show.

As a target-driven individual, your experience in exhibition or event sales has set you up perfectly to take the step up to a major event and venue. You are a confident self-starter with a great personality and not afraid to knock on a corporate door or pick up the phone to tackle telemarketing calls to secure the sale.

The ability to develop great relationships with a broad range of potential clients and key stakeholders is essential.

You possess excellent customer service, interpersonal and communications skills including well-developed telephone sales skills.

You will work with the Exhibitions team to generate leads and achieve sales targets. As the lead contact for exhibitors at the Sydney Royal East Show, you understand the importance of timely service, attention to detail and response to our customer needs.

This role is not for the feint hearted – it’s a challenge, it’s a thrill, it requires creativity and the ability to deliver on the promise. It allows you to develop new and exciting concepts that will enhance the overall Show experience for nearly 1 million visitors to the Show each year.

If you are the type of person that thrives on the buzz of a busy sales environment and is up for the challenge of a role in Exhibition sales, this could be the job for you.

To be eligible to apply for this position you must have an appropriate Australian or New Zealand work visa.

1 June 2009 – Foundation Day

5 June 2009 - World Environment Day

5 to 7 June 2009 – Greenfest 2009

6 & 7 June 2009 - Come Together 2009

8 June 2009 – Queen’s Birthday

10 June 2009 – Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow

12 to 14 June 2009 - Australian Dance Festival

13 June 2009 - Pride Festival Fair Day 2009

14 & 15 June 2009 - Australian Chamber Orchestra – Great Romantics

20 June 2009 - UN World Refugee Day

22 to 28 June 2009 - Melbourne International Animation Festival 2009 (MIAF)

26 June 2009 - Red Nose Day

Wanted: Passion, imagination and creative Australian minds

Creative and passionate Australians are being offered the chance to put their name up in lights and attend the ‘Oscars of the Advertising World’ – the Cannes Lions 2009 Advertising Festival. By creating a Telstra ad and entering the MOFILM competition, You to the Power of 12 – U12, Australians have the opportunity to win an array of great prizes.
Through MOFILM entrants could secure the chance to work on set with acclaimed director, producer and actor Spike Lee. Winners can also receive international marketing exposure and some of the $US120,000 in prizes.

MOFILM, creators of tailor-made content for online and mobile operators around the world, have brought together 12 global brands, including Telstra, and formed the “You to the Power of 12 – U12” competition to give a creative stage to passionate consumers around the world. The top three entries will be flown across the globe to attend the Cannes Lions 2009 Advertising Festival, held in the south of France from June 21-27. The best entry will be awarded, $US12,000 in cash and an apprenticeship on the next Spike Lee movie or ad.
Spike Lee said offering aspiring creative individuals this type of opportunity to tell their story truly resonated with him.

“This event is such a unique collaboration of your everyday consumer along with major worldwide brands and focuses purely around what the individual would like to celebrate about these brands.”
Telstra entrants are encouraged to develop a brand video advertisement up to three minutes in length, aligned to Telstra’s successful Call your Mum campaign. This campaign urges people to pick up the phone and call someone special and highlights the need for people to stay in touch.

“We want people to know that wherever they are in Australia or the world, Telstra brings you closer to the things that matter,” Telstra Consumer Executive Director Glenice Maclellan said.
Entries should also aim to incorporate the following characteristics – be Australian, charming, humorous, down to earth and reassuring. Entrants are also encouraged to consider creating entries on their mobile phones.

“We’re excited to be involved in something that fosters innovation and creativity and we’re very passionate about our brand and advertising. This opportunity allows our customers’ voices to be expressed – which is something exciting and new that we’ve not explored before,” Ms Maclellan said.
“As an additional bonus we’ve got some great prizes for Telstra entries.”

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New Look for Festival Cairns
By Gween O’Toole
Now in its 47th year, Festival Cairns 2009 has unveiled new managers and a reinvigorated, brighter and bolder event program.For the first time in many years the festival event will be managed and directed by its founding organisation, Cairns Regional Council who, taking the cue from the year’s event theme ‘Telling Our Stories’ promise to start the festival with a bang and end of on a high over 16 eventful days from August 21 to Sunday September 6, 2009.

Festival highlights, are to include a grand parade and Tropic Wave Festival with special guest headliner, the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (one of the largest regional indigenous art fairs in Australia), Cairns Amateurs Racing Carnival, Reggaetown and Father’s Day favourite, Carnival on Collins.

“Our new identity has been chosen to be a fun and fresh representation, symbolising the revitalisation of Festival Cairns and the vibrant new programming our in-house ‘Festival’ team is creating. While at the same time, being respectful to the city’s event tradition – dating right back to the original grand parade and Fun In the Sun,” said Mayor of Cairns Regional Council, Councillor Schier.

The opening of a new Green Island jetty on 26 May, 1962 was established as the first annual Cairns Tourist Festival, and renamed ‘Fun In The Sun’ the following year. Since then Tropical North Queensland’s most significant annual celebration, now in its 47th year, has experienced a number of changes including its re-launch in the early nineties as Reef Festival before its incarnation in 2002 as Festival Cairns.According to Festival Cairns co-ordinator Belinda Griffin, this year’s look and theme have evolved from community engagement undertaken last year as part of Cairns’ new Regional Cultural Plan.“Over 1000 members of the community gave us a good dose of local perspective on their thoughts about many issues, including Festival Cairns and this reinvention is our response to that feedback,” she said.
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