4th Tattoo & Body Art Expo starts tomorrow!

4^th Tattoo & Body Art Expo starts tomorrow!

                                                                                                                                                    

Over 300 Australian and international artists will come together from tomorrow at the 4^th Annual Sydney Tattoo & Body Art Expo in Homebush to showcase their skills where they’ll tattoo, pierce and modify the brave.

DATES: Friday 9^th March - Saturday 10^th March 12pm – 10pm and Sunday 11^th March 11am-7pm.

VENUE: Sydney Showground, Halls 3 & 4 at Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush

TICKETS: Can be purchased online at www.tattooexpo.com.au  starting from $25 for a single day pass if purchased prior ($30 at the door), $40 for two day pass ($45 at the door) and $50 for three day pass ($55 at the door). Children 12-16 tickets are $10 and children under 12 have free entry.

MORE INFO: www.tattooexpo.com.au

For more information and media passes please contact

Polkadot PR

Daniela Penno – Sophie Matovina (02) 9281 4190

daniela@polkadotpr.com.au – Sophie@polkadotpr.com.ar

MORE INFORMATION

Please check last year’s show below for your reference:

http://vimeo.com/user7135737/videos/sort:date

Please see below some key talents participating and let me know if you’re interested in organising interviews or receiving more information.

* International tattoo artist Nikko Hurtado from LA will be showcasing his talent in tattooing ultra-realistic portraits at this year’s expo. Nikko has made guest appearance on reality TV series, LA Ink and Tattoo Wars. He has his own studio, Black Anchor Collective in Southern California. Nikko will be at the expo as a special invited guest and is available for interviews during the expo.   http://www.nikkohurtado.com/index.php

* Snakecharmer choppers will be showcasing the $90,000 Ed Hardy Custom Chopper motorcycle. Owner and bike builder George has an inspiring story, an ex convict, he had a dream while in prison to be the best custom bike builder in Australia and has turned this dream into a reality. His display will also feature a replica of his prison cell as a message that ex-cons can make it good.

Sarah McLeod http://sarahmcleod.com.au/ and her band Screaming Bikini will be at the Harley-Davidson stand on Friday between 1pm and 2pm for a fan signing.

* Advanced Airbrush and FleshAir.TV will be at the event filming live the airbrushing of a nude model on booth #222 on either Friday or Saturday morning.

* Other special guests will include James Vaughn, one of the 12 artists participating in the New Reality TV Show in the USA, InkMaster, which will hit our screens later this year. He will be available for media interviews. Web details for the TV program are http://www.spike.com/shows/ink-master "meet the cast" button & go to James Vaughn.

* Bloodpainter Dr Rev will be painting with his blood at this year’s event. Dr Rev will be surgically attached to his airbrush and will paint some amazing artworks with his own blood. Dr Rev has a huge fan base and seems to attract a lot of media attention! More details please visit http://www.bloodpainter.org  

Kylie Minogue Mardi Gras Harbour Party

Kylie Minogue Mardi Gras Harbour Party, a set on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Mardi Gras Sydney 2012; Kylie Minogue On Parade and After Party 2pm show

The weather in Sin City Sydney was wet, but spirits were sky high.

Expectations were high and this years Mardi Gras delivered.

The massive crowd was really well behaved and all of the police officers we encountered were very friendly and helpful.

Mardi Gras was broadcast worldwide via the internet (powered by Optus) for the virgin time, and about 300,000 spectators crowded along Oxford St and took in the almost 3-hour long show.

There was a wonderful spread of floats and all manner of glitter and sexy creations, with feathers boas, lots of colour, sequin and skin being all the rage.

It's understood that in excess of 9100 friendly folks marched to Taylor Square. Some of our favs included Marilyn look-a-likes, cheerleaders, butterflies and polished up police.

Dykes on Bikes and Love Muscle were both also very popular crowd pleasers.

We counted about 20 of the 120 floats promoting marriage equality, pushing this year's theme of "Infinite Love"

Many politicians got behind the cause, with Federal MPs Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek, and State MPs Carmel Tebbutt, Penny Sharpe and Linda Burney all marching in Rainbow Labor’s marriage equality float. State MP Bruce Notley-Smith, who also spoke at the media media conference was on the GLBTI Liberals float.

Many people feel that the amazing Kylie Minogue-themed float was the best. It was designed for Kylie to spec.

Kylie made her first appearance at the Sydney Mardi Gras since 1998.

Minogue, 43, said the event holds great memories for her having attended twice before.

"It’s such a great way to celebrate the relationship between the gay community and myself and everything we have been through together," she said.

"The city feels alive, it's something that is great for Sydney, great for Australia and I am so honoured to be a part of it.".

It was mainly Kylie that also drew a massive crowd to the party at Hordern Pavillion - Royal Hall of Industries - Moore Park.

News Updates...

Kylie Minogue news...

Yes, Kylie is returned to Mardi Gras Sydney tonight. Earlier in the day she put out to the universe: "Please dear, dear Sydney, just keep the rain away while we party, Kylie told Fairfax Media "A lot of effort is still going into the performance on Saturday night and, personally, I'm excited to see the parade and feel the spirit of the city, the spirit of the people and to be part of that is a beautiful thing." Her upcoming appearance at the Mardigrasland Party in the Entertainment Quarter is sold out. Its been 14 years since she graced Mardi Gras and said her 2012 return "just felt right". "It's hard to believe I've been in music for 25 years, and in showbiz even longer," she said. After Mardi Gras, she will present her music in a more stripped-back setting as part of the ongoing K25 celebrations.

Kylie! Australia's pop queen performed at the Mardi Gras party. It as a 20-minute medley of songs stretching from her first album to her most recent, Aphrodite. Minogue's song arrangements are completely tailor-made for the show which took place at the Royal Hall of Industries. Kylie's show began at 2pm, suggesting she's still quite the night owl and party animal. 16 amazing talented dancers supported the pop princess as she wowed the crowd.

Political and People Power outcomes on the way?...

Last year, Barry O'Farrell announced that he would allow a conscious vote for NSW Liberal members on the issue of gay marriage.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard allowed the same for her Labor Party members in 2011, resulting in the party voting in favour of the move.

Greens senator Sarah Hansen-Young, who confessed she was "not a virgin" of the Mardi Gras, said the parade was an opportunity to celebrate how far the Marriage Equality Campaign had come in parliament.

"We have several bills in parliament," she said.

"Tony Abbott now has to step out of the way and let his party catch up with the people."

The parade is an annual event by the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which aims to raise the visibility of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex communities.

Ms Hansen-Young advised the Mardi Gras was an important event not just for those involved but for the nation.

"It (the parade) has grown to the point where it's not just the Sydney community but the whole Australian community saying yes, let's celebrate diversity," she said.

Well done to everyone involved in the preparation of Sydney Mardi Gras.

Websites

Mardi Gras
www.mardigras.org.au

Mardi Gras TV
www.mardigrastv.org.au

Kylie Minogue official website
www.kylie.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Take A Bite Out Of Life - 16th February 2012

March Into Merivale begins - Sydney

March into Merivale, the annual restaurant and food festival that the group hospitality company runs across its numerous venues begins today.

Venue:
Merivale 320-330 George Street, Sydney
Date: Thursday, February 16, 2012 to Sunday, April 15, 2012
Website: http://www.merivale.com.au/
The culinary celebration, now in its fourth year, will kick off with a gourmet extravaganza spanning the length of Ash Street laneway which will include tastings from Merivale restaurant and pub stalls, and allows guests to chat with their favourite chefs.

The years theme is Eat My Words and is centred around the food philosophies of 14 of Merivale's top chefs such as Dan Hong, Peter Doyle and Jowett Yu. Running until April 5, the festival offers an array of events, including film screenings, luncheons, cooking master classes, wine master classes, banquets and sake and sushi degustation dinners.

Model Laura May looks good enough to eat ahead of the launch of March Into Merivale tonight. The launch will include a gourmet extravaganza stretching the length of Ash St and into the Ivy room from 6pm to 9pm. The festival's theme is Eat My Words this year and will feature more than 60 culinary events across 21 venues until April 5. http://www.merivale.com/  (Credit: mX)

*Human Statue Bodyart helped create the model's look featured in today's front page news story on 'March Into Merivale'.

Websites

Merivale

Merivale (Ivy Bar)

Merivale (March Into Merivale)

Human Statue Bodyart

Madame Tussauds Sydney unveils first ever side-by-side wax figure with Dannii Minogue

DANNII, MEET DANNII

Madame Tussauds Sydney unveils first ever side-by-side wax figure with Dannii Minogue
Melbourne, Thursday, 9 February 2012: Today, Australia’s much loved TV personality, author and fashion designer, Dannii Minogue was introduced to her double in Australia’s first ever side-by-side wax figure reveal. Dannii is most recently known for her judging and mentoring roles on Australia’s number one show, Australia’s Got Talent and X Factor UK.

Dannii said “I am so appreciative of the many hours of hand-crafted work that has gone into my figure. This is real artistry. I’m just astounded by the accuracy, fine detail and remarkable likeness. This is such an incredible experience for me as it was a moment in time that holds such special memories when Kris and I had just announced my pregnancy. I can’t wait for my family, friends and everyone to come to the Sydney attraction and see ‘me’ up close. Be careful what you wish for – I think back to all the times I’ve been busy and needed to be in two places at once – wow, now it’s true!”

It took over 800 hours and 60 of Madame Tussauds’ most talented sculptors and artists to handcraft Dannii’s wax figure. Using techniques perfected over the 250 year tradition of Madame Tussauds, quite literally hundreds of Dannii’s measurements were meticulously taken, including the width of her eyes, the length of her fingers and breadth of her face, with each individual hair – including the eyebrows – inserted strand-by-strand.

Adorning the same outfit Dannii wore when she had momentously just announced her pregnancy at the National Television Awards in the UK in 2010; Dannii’s wax figure is dressed in a full skirted vintage black and white prom dress with towering scarlet red shoes.

“To see Dannii’s reaction as she saw herself in wax for the first time was absolutely priceless and now I just can’t wait for the reaction of her fans” said Kristy Enright, Madame Tussauds Sydney spokesperson. “It really goes to show the value of investment from Dannii herself to the painstaking hours invested by our sculptors. We’re thrilled to be able to announce that such a renowned and iconic personality will be joining our star studded line up at Madame Tussauds Sydney.”

Opening in May 2012 in Sydney’s iconic Darling Harbour, Madame Tussauds Sydney is the first of its kind to arrive on Australian shores. The attraction will feature an all-star cast of over 70 figures, including some of Australia’s home-grown legends and, the world’s best known A-list celebrities, as well as sports heroes, rock legends, world leaders and many more. . Dannii Minogue will be joining Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Ray Meagher and Amanda Keller as well as rubbing shoulders with the likes of Lady Gaga and Johnny Depp.

Madame Tussauds Sydney is the 13th Madame Tussauds in the world and the fifth in Asia Pacific - joining its highly successful sister attractions in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Bangkok.
Making-of footage and images of the making-of Dannii’s wax figure are also available upon request.
To find out more about Madame Tussauds, visit: www.madametussauds.com/sydney or www.facebook.com/madametussaudssydney

Costing $14 million and featuring 1,800sqm of space, the new Madame Tussauds Sydney in Darling Harbour is the latest addition to Merlin Entertainment’s Sydney attractions – Sydney Tower Eye, Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney and Oceanworld Manly.

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates over 75 attractions, six hotels/two holiday villages in 17 countries and across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 43.6 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 16,000 employees. Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions - SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The EDF Energy London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Blackpool Tower, Heide Park, Earth Explorer, Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney, Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK, Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter Underwater World, Oceanworld Manly and WILD LIFE Hamilton Island. All brands which are distinctive, challenging and innovative – and which have great potential for growth in the future. Visit http://www.merlinentertainments.biz/ for more information.

Real Taste Zero Sugar - Coke Zero

Bodypaint by Eva Rinaldi

“Real taste zero sugar” is the slogan printed on the bottle of Coca-Cola Zero, a Classic-like taste cola with zero-calorie newly launched in mainland China. With black packaging, the visual identity of Coke Zero retains the iconic visual elements of the Coca-Cola brand but presented in a simpler, bolder and more modern way, a personality more appealing to its target audience of young men.

The new product Coke Zero was first sold in convenience stores in Guangzhou in early January 2008, and now it is available in all retail outlets in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Zhuhai, four major cities across Guangdong province. “Coca-Cola Zero is a new member of our product portfolio of more than 50 beverages launched in China. It is not only the company’s first important new product launch in 2008, but also the most successful product innovation in the past few years. With special features of Coke Classic-like taste and zero sugar, Coke Zero is certainly set to create a new wave in the beverage market of China, especially in the sugar-free sector.

By the end of March, Coke Zero has entered into the retail channels of more Metropolitan areas such as Shanghai and Beijing, with small-scale tentative promotional activities along the way. One thing can be sure is that as temperature is getting higher, so is the intensity of the marketing campaign of Coke Zero across China. The only message that Coca-Cola has been trying to communicate in the marketing campaign is quite simple: great original Coke flavor zero sugar, which features in the advertising and on the packaging.

The message would make Coke Zero more appealing to young male consumers¡ªthe target audience of the product and major drinkers of carbonated beverages, who have become more calorie-conscious with age but still want more flavor than most diet colas.

Coke Zero isn’t the first sugar-free cola launched in mainland China in Coke family. Diet Coke has been available in the grocery stores across China for nearly a decade. With features more attractive to young women who care about their body lines and calorie-conscious mature adults, Diet Coke is the third best selling soft drink brand in the world, but in China it is not even close to where it is in the global market, mainly due to the relatively low recognition of the healthy image of sugar-free concept among Chinese consumers compared to consumers in the developed countries, and lack of effective marketing of Diet Coke.

Therefore after almost ten years Diet Coke hasn’t been able to make a breakthrough among young cola drinkers, and remained a marginal player in Chinese soft drink market. Having said that, the awareness of sugar-free and low-calorie alternative has been growing rapidly among Chinese consumers in the past decade, which prepared the stage for the big-time launch of Coke Zero today in China.

Coca-Cola Zero made its nation wide debut in the U.S. in June 2005, and it is the third major Coke brand after Coke Classic and Diet Coke, and the second sugar-free Coke. Over the past three years, Coke Zero, supported by an extensive marketing campaign, has successfully penetrated into more than 50 countries and regions around the world, and achieved homeruns almost instantly in most of those markets, which haven’t been seen for quite some time after a long list of attempts by Coca-Cola.

It was reported that Coca-Cola Zero was the most successful new food and beverage launch in some of those markets, and reignited the whole cola category. Coke Zero was launched in Hong Kong in March last year, and received warm welcome by a broad range of local consumers. According to a survey made in September last year, the Coke Zero brand recognition estimated at 92% in Hong Kong. The successful launch of Coke Zero in Hong Kong also brought new lives into other Coca-Cola products in the category, and drove double-digit sales growth year-on-year in the cola sector.

Given that the carbonated beverage markets of the developed countries remained stagnant or in fact declining for quite some time due to its maturity, what Coke Zero has achieved so far is nothing but phenomenal.

The difference between Diet Coke and Coke Zero in market positioning is subtle. Diet Coke, with white and silver packaging and mild flavor, is liked more by women and mature adults who are  more health-conscious and put calorie-free first. Coke Zero instead hits young male consumers right on with stronger, more Coke Classic-like flavor. The black packaging of Coke Zero connoted stronger, bolder flavor, and unique and cool personality.

Coke Zero was sweetened with a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium(ace-k) when it debuted in the U.S., and the blend of sweeteners could change in different countries. Coke Zero sold in China is sweetened with a blend of aspartame, acesulfame potassium(ace-k), and sucralose.

As always before any major new product introduction, Coca-Cola did an extensive in-depth market trend research before giving the launch of Coke Zero a green light in China. The timing of the launch and the early success of Coke Zero in China would demonstrate that the recognition of the healthy image of sugar-free is increasing fast, and those who live in the metropolitan areas are about ready to widely accept zero sugar products as the mainstreamers instead of marginal players. It took nearly two decades for Diet Coke to travel to China from the day it was born in the U.S., and the sales figure was lackluster after almost a decade.

It took only three years for Coke Zero to make its debut in the Chinese market since it was born, and it is almost a hit only after initial small-scale marketing. One of the reasons for the different fate of the two sugar-free Coke in China is that the difference between consumers of China and developed countries in the awareness levels of sugar-free concept is narrowing fast in the past decade.

There are reasons to believe that Coca-Cola will carry on the same extensive marketing campaign for Coke Zero in China as what it has done in other countries, and keep the same intensity and scale if not going even further. That would be the first ever marketing campaign for a product with sugar-free as the theme of the campaign, putting through mass media targeting general public in mainland China.

If that is the case, this marketing campaign could be the milestone in course of the popularization of sugar-free food and beverage alternative in China, and a big boost to the players in the sugar-free products industry.

http://www.humanstatuebodyart.com.au/

Bodyart and Bodypainting

Bodyart and Bodypainting, a set on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Welcome to Human Statue Bodyart

Human Statue Bodyart is a Sydney based bodyartist and human statue creative arts, marketing and events company.

They were established in 2001 by creative artist and photographer, Eva Rinaldi.

Human Statue Bodyart helps brands and individuals stand out from the pack, and assists them in meeting their image and branding aims and objectives.

Some of the brands that Human Statue Bodyart have assisted in their campaigns include Virgin, VW, Holden, IGT, World Vision, Anglicare, Skins, Eclipse, Waste and Recycling Expo, Peroni, Sony Music BMG, EMI, Levity Music, Karvezide, ANZ, Oxford Arts Factory, Levis, Tourism Australia, City Of Sydney, African Tourism, National Rugby League, Australian Shooting Championships, Corona, Schick, Vodafone, Sydney Opera Bar and Coca-Cola.

Human Statue Bodyart is the recognised leader in the Australian bodypainting and human statue creation industry and is frequently mentioned in the Australian and international news media.

They have won a number of awards and commendations over the years including media social and community entrepreneur of the month, Chalk The Walk and Penrith Arts Prize.

Contact Eva and her team today to see how they can help make you stand out from the pack.



PR Campaigns across all media platforms
Brand Management
Artist Development
Events, Festivals and Red Carpet Management
Tour Publicity (pre-tour and on-ground schedules)
Media and Product Launches


ADVERTISING

Body art is a powerful way to advertise products and services, using creativity that makes you look twice and really sends out a huge statement!

Examples include:
Clothing painted on bodies and decore
Bodies as imagery and logos depicting products and services
Decorated bodies holding products or catering food
Illusion based camouflage body art used to blend people into backgrounds or appear as objects
As an animated sequence moving over body

PRODUCT LAUNCHES, FASHION PARADES & EVENTS

Body art can be used in many forms for events and product launches to gain media attention and create a unique and eye-catching piece of art for guests to talk about.

Examples include:
Celebrities and Models painted with logos or designs depicting the products or service launched
Dancers and Models painted to the theme of a launch or event (e.g. Jungle, Circus,60's 70's or 80s, Festival, Cabaret, Latin,.)
Dancers and Models as Statues on podiums or plinths
Live body art experience Demonstration: watch as a body is transformed before your eyes
Waitresses and bar staff body painted when serving guests
Camouflage body art where the bodies are blended into backgrounds and then appear or are painted as a logo or objects (This can be used in multiple bodies forming an image or themed design)

FASHION PARADES

Body art can be used in fashion shows to accentuate designs in the form of:
Accessories painted onto bodies as ornate and colourful tattoos and body jewellery
Stockings painted on where the toes are seen, to create a unique illusion
Designers logos can be painted and incorporated into designs
Clothing painted as part of an outfit
Celebrities painted in designs depicting the designer’s range as a show-stopper
Ornamental statues as part of the set design


Websites: www.humanstatuebodyart.com.au www.evarinaldi.com