Austin Reed Brings Epic Event to Regent Street

Last night’s Austin Reed event at 100 Regent Street saw the ultimate in style showcased to an audience of press, celebrities and business icons.

Marking the opening of the Austin Reed and Viyella flagship stores, guests were entertained by The Overtones, magician Christopher Howell and singer Mike Davies.

Guests were treated to a blitz of Britishness encapsulating the 111 year British luxury heritage of Austin Reed.

Traditional British fare and heritage cocktails were the order of the evening. A brand film showcased the British tailoring brand to the attending audience, highlighting a history that includes the likes of Winston Churchill, the Beatles and Elizabeth Taylor.

Guests on the night included cricketing legend Alastair Cook, Sir Philip Green, Harold Tilman, Dylan Jones (Editor of GQ), Stuart Rose, Courney Lawes

Nick Hollingworth CEO says of the store launch, “The new store allows us to present our brand vision for the future and our next generation retail concept. Austin Reed has a fantastic history spanning over 100 years and we are looking forward to the next 100 years delivering affordable luxury with exceptional customer service.”

The new Austin Reed flagship store in Regent Street reignites the spirit of British heritage tailoring, transforming the retail landscape on Regent Street with a new store and a new retail concept.

Victoria's Secret set to be a secret no longer for Sydneysiders......

International travellers have been enjoying Australia's first Victoria's Secret store, which opened in the newly refurbished Sydney International (T1) Terminal in 201, now domestic travellers and Sydney-siders will be able to take part in the glamour when the first Australian domestic Beauty & Accessories store opens its doors in T2, tomorrow (Saturday 10 December).

The store, which is accessible to both travellers and visitors to the airport alike, will offer the ultimate collection of fragrance, makeup, bodycare products and a gorgeous collection of Victoria's Secret accessories, and is sure to be a favourite with travellers.

Victoria's Secret's unique range of accessories are exclusive to their international stores and are perfect for those looking for travel sized gifts.  For that supermodel-on-the go, expect to find a wide range of bags, luggage, passport covers and travel wallets in both nylon and leather to cosmetic & toiletry bags, sunglasses, watches, bangles, bracelets and key rings.

The new store will showcase Victoria's Secret 'Supermodel Essentials' range of apparel as well as the ever popular VS Fantasies body care line of botanically based skin-loving formulas to soften, smooth and pamper the skin from head to toe in an array of scents.

Victoria's Secret stores are a must go destination in the United States and we are thrilled to introduce the first domestic Victoria's Secret Beauty & Accessories store to Sydney.  The store presents a novel way for domestic travellers to enjoy their time ahead of their journey, discovering Victoria's Secret extensive range of pamper products, and the beauty of this store is that you don't need to be a traveller to shop', explains Andrew Gardiner, General Manager Retail, Sydney Airport Corporation Limited.

Victoria's Secret Beauty & Accessories Store in the Sydney Domestic Terminal (T2) is due to open tomorrow:  Saturday 10 December.

Seven secrets to rest, not stress this Christmas!

The festive season is a time of joy and excitement for all - and while there are plenty of things to look forward to, many people also experience higher levels of stress! Additional pressures on our finances, time and relationships can leave many people feeling anxious, over-tired and unable to get a good night's sleep.

Rather than turning to medication or a few extra celebratory drinks, there are natural ways you can keep calm over the festive season, including a new 100 per cent natural alternative solution called NightWave Sleep Assistant.

Sleep expert Glen Farebrother, Managing Director of Sleep Solutions (which distributes NightWave Sleep Assistant in Australia), says there are some simple steps people can follow to ensure they are well rested over Christmas, these include:

Glen's Seven Secrets To Getting A Good Night's Sleep This Christmas

1.    Keep the bedroom, free from distractions and stimulation – make your bed a 'sleep only' zone.  When you watch TV or read you associate bed with being awake. Bed should be for two things: sleep and hanky panky.

2.  Maintain a regular schedule. Try to go to sleep and ideally wake up at roughly the same time each day.  Try and get to sleep before midnight.

3.  Reduce exposure to bright lights at night - try to avoid using your mobile phone or computer before bed - these stimulate you and disrupt the production of your natural sleep hormone 'melatonin'.

4.  Enjoy a warm bath before bed – it will help to lower your body temperature when you're in bed, which encourages sleep.

5. Try to exercise during the day – first thing in the morning is ideal. You won't talk yourself out of it, and exercise helps promote sleep. If you exercise outside, the exposure to bright light will also help reset your natural body clock.

6.  Limit alcohol and caffeine intake as they can affect sleep patterns and try not to eat too much straight before bed

7.  As hard as it seems, take some time out for yourself each day. Do some yoga or meditation later in the evening, read a book, spend time with family.

Now available in Australia following huge success overseas, NightWave Sleep Assistant is a small nightlight that gently pulsates, helping the user to relax through a calming breathing technique. Retailing at $79.95, it is an affordable investment for a lifetime of improved sleep - or the perfect gift for the person who has everything – except enough rest! For further information on the NightWave Sleep Assistant or to purchase, please visit www.nightwave.com.au or call 1300 139.

NightWave Sleep Assistant is distributed by Sleep Solutions in Australia. For further information on Sleep Solution's extensive range of sleep products that help you fall asleep and wake up refreshed, please visit www.sleepsolutions.com.au or call 1300 139 350.

HERTZ CUSTOMERS IN UK CAN NOW RENT LEGENDARY SUPERCARS

HERTZ RENTAL CUSTOMERS OFFERED LEGENDARY SUPERCARS FOR HIRE IN THE UK  

Hertz UK announces partnership with luxury supercar hire company Première Velocity 

People seeking the ultimate driving experience in the UK will now be able to hire elite supercars with Hertz, the world's leading general use car rental brand.  Thanks to an exclusive partnership with Première Velocity, customers will be able to drive some of the world's most desirable super cars at a 5 per cent discount when they book via www.hertzsupercars.com.   

With an extra cache of exclusivity, the Lamborghini LP560-4 Bicolore, Porsche Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet, Ferrari 458 Italia, Range Rover Evoque and Mercedes S Class Brabus are only available to renters through the Première Velocity service. Other super cars on offer include the Rolls Royce Phantom, the Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Aventador, Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster and McLaren MP4. 

Michel Taride, President, Hertz International and Executive Vice-President, Hertz Corporation, said: "By partnering with Première Velocity, we are able to offer an exhilarating and truly memorable drive for our customers. The full range of cars will be available on the Hertz website, so customers will have access to sporty, high end vehicles for their driving pleasure. The new partnership perfectly complements our own existing Prestige Collection of luxury vehicles."    

Starting prices for the super cars include Mercedes C63 AMG from £201.25 and the Audi R8 from £362.25, with a 5% discount for booking through www.hertzsupercars.com. 'The full Première Velocity collection – super, sports, luxury, prestige and 4x4 cars will be available from as little as £150 per day. Customers can be provided with a meet and greet service that delivers cars to an agreed location such as home, hotel, office or airport. 

Stephen Price, Managing Director of Première Velocity, said: "We specialize in elite vehicles for discerning clientele – and, like Hertz, combine experience in the rental industry with the advantage of knowing what the customer wants. We're extremely excited to be partnering to offer Hertz renters the opportunity to experience some of the most beautiful, powerful and thrilling cars built today, that they ordinarily they may not have access to." 

Première Velocity and Hertz supercars are available for hire by customers over 25 years of age and with no more than six points on their driving license (subject to previous convictions and accident terms). 


About Première Velocity 

Since 2008, Première Velocity have been leading the way in bespoke car hire, offering the world's finest vehicles to discerning clients. World exclusives in the hire industry are few and far between, but Première Velocity continues to offer the most sought after marques for clients anywhere in the UK.

Help those close to you (or yourself) make an Escape after Christmas

Stuck on what to get your loved ones - or yourself this Christmas? How about the gift of freedom and security with Navman's new MYEscape?

The latest addition to the popular MY Series range has specially designed features for drivers of large vehicles including 4WDs, campervans, light commercial vehicles and those towing a caravan, or boat. It combines premium safety functions, to give drivers more confidence on the roads, as well as travel features.

By simply adding your vehicle's weight, height, width and length in to the Navman MY Escape, it will find a route suitable to your vehicle size. It also gives you specialised information like warnings of narrow roads with weight restrictions or low ceilings on your route.

The Navman MY Escape also has 4WD tracks for those who love the great outdoors. There are over 8,000 extra points of interest such as camping sites, fishing spots and other relevant outdoor places - perfect for your next off-road adventure. It also has Lonely Planet Travel Guides and 25 gorgeous Lonely Planet Scenic Routes pre-loaded and comes with free lifetime SUNA traffic subscription to help you make the quickest escape out of the city.

The Navman MY Escape retails for $599 and has a two year warranty straight out of the box. If you buy one before 31 January, it comes with 36 month subscription to map updates. The MY Escape is available at most major electronic retailers.

Finland and China take gold at final day of Winter Games NZ

The final day of competition at the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games brought with it some memorable highlights with riders going out huge with tricks of true World Cup standard. Riders were again treated to another spectacular blue bird day where Finland's Janne Korpi and China's Xuetong Cai took out the men and women's titles in the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup Halfpipe finals.

A field of twelve men and six women including world number one Nathan Johnstone of Australia competed in a two run semi-final with men and women alternating runs. The bar was set high from the start with internationals Taylor Gold (USA) and Ursina Haller (SUI) riding hard to place in the finals. Gold demonstrated great technical ability and variety with a solid second run earning him 92.5 points and a place in the final. Haller recovered quickly from a poor first run to gain 86.3 in run two, reminding spectators why she is ranked 4th in the world.

Yesterday's qualifiers saw a further six men and two women going straight to final giving a total of twelve men and six women to battle it out in the finals.

Janne Korpi of Finland stole the limelight in the end making easy work of the Olympic pipe with a blistering 93.0 point performance which included a backside rodeo alley-oop 540 nose grab followed by a backside 900 mute grab into a frontside 1080 tail grab cab 1080 nose grab finishing with a stalefish.

"The competition went really well for me today. I decided which run I was going to do yesterday, stuck to it and it paid off. I didn't do anything new today but changed the order of tricks and it paid off. It's my first Winter Games and I'm really happy to have won and be a part of the competition," said Korpi.

Yiwei Zhang of China took out second place with a score of 90.8 with Dimi de Jong placing third with 88.0 points.

There were no surprises in the women's field with the world number Xuetong Cai of China leading from the start with an impressive score of 92.8 made up of a frontside indie, back 540 mute, frontside 7, cab 3 mute grab and frontside 540 melon grab. World number two Holly Crawford of Australia took out second place with 88.5 points with Ursina Haller of Switzerland taking third place with 77.3 points.

"It was a great competition today, the pipe is in great condition and the weather is perfect for competition. The Chinese always put up a strong fight raising the level of competition. It's great to see the girls pushing the boundaries. I didn't pull any new tricks out the bag today as it's early in the season and there is no point going out too hard and injuring yourself. I'm really happy to have placed on the podium today as I was injured last Winter Games," said Crawford.

Judge Ste'en Webster was really impressed with the level of competition.

"Today was excellent with the riders really stepping things up a gear going into the final. Janne Korpi's winning run was just outstanding and a pleasure to watch. There were no new tricks today but we did see a lot of doubles which is great. Although it's fast becoming a stock trick, it's still not necessarily a competition winner and if riders chose to perform this trick it needs to be executed with real precision. It's been a really fantastic 16 days of competition and we've been blessed with great weather. It's a competition we're really happy to be a part of," said Webster.

Full results available on www.wintergamesnz.com

One Got Past the Keeper by Fertile FC

One season they were a bunch of blokes from Byron Bay, drinking and cheering their way through six-a-side soccer; the next season they were all fathers or expectant fathers playing as 'Fertile FC' and going home straight after the game to nurse mother and child.

Check out their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/fertilefc?ref=ts /and blog http://www.fertilefc.com/ for some more information about this great group of guys.

Pajama Jeans launch in Australia!

Pajama Jeans launch in Australia

They look like denim but feel like pajamas!

Global Shop Direct has just launched Pajama Jeans, the comfort of pajamas and style of jeans, in Australia after taking the US by storm where millions of pairs have sold.

Pajama Jeans are the newest craze in fashion for women, and only after just a few weeks of being on the market in Australia, the demand is soaring with thousands of pairs being sold across the country.

The secret behind Pajama Jeans is the latest innovation in fabric technology, DormiSoft™ denim, a blend of cotton and spandex which moves and stretches with you, allowing the hot new fashion sensation to fit any figure perfectly. Plus, your skin will love the DorimiSoft lining, which feels as soft as a baby's blanket and as comfortable as your favourite pajamas.

With its mock fly, front and back contrast pocket stitching, brass rivets, smooth butt-lifting design, and pant legs which flare to a boot cut, the Pajama Jeans look like designer denim jeans.

Global Shop Direct Product Director, Greg Thomas said: "With Pajama Jeans you can do things you've never been able to do before in your jeans, and they have certainly removed the hassle of trying to struggle to fit into ordinary jeans that are uncomfortable and leave marks on your skin.

"Pajama Jeans are so lightweight and comfortable, you can even wear them while exercising, sleeping or traveling," Thomas said.

The unique fabric resists wrinkling which Thomas says, allows them to be perfect for any occasion and outfit – great with sandals or sneakers, or you can roll them up to a cute cuff.

"Pajama Jeans are a 'must-have' in any woman's wardrobe, particularly busy mums on the go, as they can lounge around in them all day, but always be ready for that quick dash to the shops," said Thomas.

Best of all, Pajama Jeans are available in sizes for virtually every figure, from petite to plus size.

For more information or to place an order visit: www.globalshopdirect.com.au.

FIAT 500 by Gucci - London launch

Tolula Adeyemi arrives at the UK launch of the FIAT 500 by Gucci, a special edition FIAT 500 customized by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini in collaboration with FIAT's Centro Stile on June 27, 2011 in London, England

The Fiat 500- High style, chic, an icon of design. Now Fiat and legendary Gucci have come together to create the Fiat 500 by Gucci. It is a car that celebrates the best of Italian style, innovative design and creativity.

Variety is the spice of life! And Four Kitchens has plenty of spice.

FOUR KITCHENS

Lauren Shockey

Published by Hachette Australia, August 2011, $32.99

Life behind the burner in New York, Hanoi, Tel Aviv and Paris

Out of uni, Lauren Shockey took an entry level job for a PR company that did a lot of work in the food industry. For a food-obsessed young woman it was a way she could combine her love of food with a career her parents approved of. It wasn't what she wanted so she quit the 9-to-5 grind, took out massive loans, and started cooking school. At the French Culinary Institute, Lauren learned to salt food properly, to cook fearlessly over high heat, and to knock back beers like a pro. She also learned that a real culinary education begins once you're actually working in a restaurant. After a somewhat disappointing apprenticeship in the French countryside, Lauren hatched a plan for her dream year: to apprentice in four kitchens around the world.

Starting in her hometown of New York City, where she worked under the famed chef Wylie Dufresne, she then headed to Vietnam with Didier Corlou, then to Israel, and back to France, each setting presenting its own set of challenges, from language barriers to stronger-than-usual resistance to a woman in a professional kitchen.

Lauren Shockey is now a food writer whose articles have appeared in many print and online publications including The Village Voice, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Slate, and The Atlantic Food Channel, among many others. A graduate of The University of Chicago, Lauren also holds a diploma in Classic Culinary Arts from The French Culinary Institute and a Master of Arts in food studies from New York University.
 
www.hachette.com.au

A modern day fairy tale of love, donkeys, dancing and travel.

Bella Vendramini is back!

After seeing the world, and a recent three month road trip that involved blown up cars and late nights, Bella is back home in Sydney.  Bella is a guest at this year's Byron Bay Writer's Festival (August 5-7), see http://www.byronbaywritersfestival.com.au for more her session details.

Bella Vendramini knows that any good adventure starts with running away from home, but packing thirty or so cities into just over a year probably went a wee bit overboard…

Brace yourself for a tropical jungle, an exploding building, a Parisian love affair, a life-changing romance (or two), depression, acting in the New York theatre, spanking lessons, a Tarantino blockbuster, a German concentration camp, a New York society wedding (Bella's), a wreck of a marriage (yep, Bella's again), serial burglary, murderous hitchhikers, digging up dead people, champagne on the French Riviera, driving the Monte Carlo Grand Prix circuit (drunk), breaking into the Cannes Film Festival (also drunk), uprooting friendships, fleeing a detention centre in Canada, having an out-of-body experience in a gutter and more than a few sanity pleas... Bella figures she finally knows a thing or two about adventure - and about fortune.

Bella Vendramini believes that your fortune either changes slowly like the melting of a pavlova on a hot summer's day – unhurriedly and dreamily – or in the blink of an eye, with the speed of a whip-tip-flick of a lash wielded by a sexy rodeo cowboy as he straddles his steed and flexes his sweaty biceps. Er, or something like that... Bella is the daughter of author Rosie Scott and filmmaker Danny Vendramini. In her acting career, Bella has also performed on the stage and in various films, including the title role in the Australian independent feature film 'Playing with Piranhas'. She won the audience award for Best Actress at the TAP gallery awards for the short film, 'The Philanderers'. Bella trained at The Actor's Centre, NIDA and The Lee Strasberg Institute of New York.

Praise for Naked in Public:

"After reading this book you might need a little lie down, a neat whiskey, a cup of tea, or whatever it takes to settle your nerves. Vendramini is a whirlwind with a mean line in metaphor and a tendency to risk-taking behaviour and here she takes the reader on a blistering tour of her life since her first memoir, Biting the Big Apple. Vendramini's talent at laying herself bare in public is strangely mesmerising, largely thanks to her self-deprecating sense of humour and sass."—The Sunday Telegraph

"What a story! This fast-paced read takes us from her quickie New York society wedding to a quickie separation, followed by her madcap overseas adventures. Vendramini is a talented writer and sure is entertaining for her readers."—Cosmopolitan

"Brace yourself for the hilarious follow up to Bella's sensational debut. As you'd expect, it's chock-full of love affairs, madcap adventures, plans gone awry and enough champagne to fill a swimming pool."—Famous

"Vendramini does the out-of-control, booze-soaked memoir well."—Sunday Mail Brisbane

"An enjoyable sequel to Biting the Big Apple. Plenty of distractions emerge to launch her on another roller-coaster of madcap adventures."—Sun Herald


Praise for Biting the Big Apple:

"You can't help but love Bella."—NW

"Quirky, funny, enlightening, it makes you want to grab the world by the collar and shake it!"—Cosmopolitan

"Bella Vendramini (an Aussie version of Carrie Bradshaw) will crack you up with quirky quips on life, love and breaking into the biz."—OK

"Bella Vendramini is a larger-than-life personality who falls so in love with the possibilities of moving to New York to be an actress you can't help but be swept along with her. It's a classic gutter-to-the stars princess adventure."—Sun Herald

"You won't be able to put down this intriguing tale."—Famous

"A fascinating memoir."—The Age

"Vendramini takes the bright lights of New York by storm. A great read."—New Idea

"An edgy, witty true story"—Australian Women's Weekly

"Frank and uncluttered and full of endearing down-under brassy-brash swearing… Vicarious pleasure is to be had, so go on, be tempted to take a bite."—Independent Weekly

"A touching, entertaining and often hilarious account of Bella's loves and losses, successes and adventures in New York, drawing comparisons from reviewers with Carrie Bradshaw."—Perth Vita

www.hachette.com.au

LIVE AT THE JAM - LAUNCH - FRIDAY 17TH JUNE

Due to the positive response from the locals and the growing number of bands and musicians …

Oscar Letelier and Sugar Lounge introduce the new live music project called "Live at the Jam".A weekly live music event held in the"The Club" downstairs in Sugar Lounge, showcasing live music, quality sound and cocktail bar each Friday night from 9:00 till midnight.

Music promoter Oscar Letelier started the "The Bucket Room" concept a year ago in the same venue. "A structured platform for musicians of all genres, where they can present their work and projects in an intimate and interactive experience for the audience, giving punters the opportunity to donate via "The Bucket" in response of each act" 

Now with the forum already installed and the big demand on live acts around Manly, Live at the Jam includes a bigger band space with great exposure at one of Manly's finest beach clubs.

The objective is provide an excellent opportunity to open an intimate space to over hundreds of Sydney local bands and already established artists to deliver their work and receive feedback from the audience. A place where music lovers can relate and feel part of a unique platform in live music experience in Manly.

This forum enables bands to see the impact their performance has on an audience and a great way to promote themselves in an immediate and definable way giving an interaction with music lovers, mixed with surprise appearances, prizes and no entry fee.

With a big venue, music audience and a good idea, the project is a tool for every band to try. But not only that. It's a movement of growing music and amazing talent…

www.sugarlounge.com.au

The Myth of the Facebook Fan Page [TravelMole]

You’ve spent considerable time and resources (some brands spend up to $50,000!) creating your interactive Facebook fan page. You’re developing fun content (polls and quizzes, videos, the latest news, etc.) for your core customers to engage and interact with. Maybe you’re running promotions and contests or selling products and services as well. While all of these activities are considered a must in order to successfully connect and interact with your customers on Facebook, here’s some hard hitting evidence that you may be wasting your t ime (and money) with the fan page!

90%

The unofficial percentage of fans who visit a Facebook fan page once and never return is at just slightly higher than ninety percent! I must repeat this…ninety percent!!

Want more bad news?! Enter Facebook’s EdgeRank algorithm…

Bec ause of Facebook’s EdgeRank system, only 1-2% of that fun, interactive content I mention above actually reaches your fans’ news feed!

Here’s why…

Facebook looks at the content (videos, pics, wall posts, etc.) you create as “objects.” An object’s EdgeRank is determined by three factors: affinity (the score given to the relationship between creator and user), weight (interaction with the object - likes, comments, tags, etc.) and timeliness (length of time between when content was created and engaged with).

So, because every object receives its “ranking”, this determines if it will show in your fans’ newsfeeds or not. Obviously, objects with a high EdgeRank appear in their “Top News” feed and objects with a low EdgeRank will not.

When a fan actually does interact with your fan page, EdgeRank makes the assumption that they are interested in hearing what you have to say and thus will deliver your posts to them more frequently. The more the fan clicks to your page and interacts with the content you’ve posted, the more consisten tly you will reach them through the news feed.

On the flip side, if 90% of your fans are not returning to your fan page and interacting with your posts, all that you are creating will err to the side of a low ranking and this is where the 1-2% figure that I mention earlier comes in.

Wait, there’s more…

According to a study by The Daily Beast, objects with a really low EdgeRank may not even show in your “Most Recent” news feed. Ouch!

So, what does all of this mean for companies in the travel space looking to market, promote or just interact through Facebook?

Know this…

“Top News” is the default setting for content on your fans’ personal pages, so unless they change their default, it’s quite possib le they’ll never see your updates.

So, no matter how good the content, no matter how well you manage your Facebook page, EdgeRank is a “wall” between you and your fans.

I ask, then, what is the point of creating a Facebook fan page at all if you are only going to; a) lose your fans after their first visit (over 90% of them) and b) they are not even going to see your content (low EdgeRank)?!

The solution: TravelMole Bamboo – not a Fan Page – a Facebook Application!

TravelMole Bamboo (TMB) is a simple, cost-effective, out-of-the box Social Rewards Platform (it’s an App) that generates revenue from your core audience immediately. In essence, Bamboo is a robust, flexible and completely private-labeled “Brand Ambassadors Club” that allows companies to leverage Facebook (and Twitter) to achieve a positive ROI.

In its simplest form, TravelMole Bamboo is a game in which your company’s core audience earns and redeems points for creating more awareness about you, your products, events, etc. Leveraging this core audience allows them to share all kinds of content (same stuff you’d create for your fan page - wall posts, invites, virtual gifts and coupons, to real-time alerts, interactive polls and quizzes, videos, product info and the latest news, etc.) with their friends on Facebook and Twitter – they become “Brand Ambassadors” and market to their friends on your behalf!

The Big Difference…

Surpassing the reach of a fan page, which only offers a 1:1 communication channel, Bamboo features a 1:240 communication channel (that’s because each of your Brand Ambassadors has 240 unique friends). This “leverage” helps you reach untapped audiences to sell products and services to, thus generating a new incremental revenue stream while continuing to engage and drive sales from your existing fan base.

In fact, TravelMole Bamboo is so effective, you do not even need a fan page for it to work! Here’s how…

The LOVE Button…

It’s done via TravelMole Bamboo’s ingenious “Love” button, their social plugin which is added to your website, email newsletter, confirmation email, fan page or shopping cart to entice a company’s visitors or customers to join your TMB program. TravelMole Bamboo, with the “Love” button, becomes an out-of-the-box “Ambassadors Club” that allows your customers to join your new Facebook loyalty program – all simply by clicking “Love.” This, in essence, removes the need for a fan page.

What’s more, the TravelMole Bamboo Love Button is not connected to Facebook’s “Like” Button and thus the amount of people who ‘Love this’ can be controlled by you. For instance, if your company has 1,000 “Likes” on Facebook and 25,000 current customers, you can count those customers as those who love your company. You no longer have to start over from zero and Facebook does not control this widget. Offer them 1,000 points (or however many you want) to join your loyalty program simply by clicking on “love.” When t hey do this, they are brought into an “Allow” screen (this is normal for any application on Facebook). Once you customer clicks on “Allow”, they are brought right into your branded TravelMole Bamboo application and can begin earning points.

And, Lead Gen through Bamboo is greatly re-de?ned. As “Allow” is clicked, you pick up all of the visitor’s info without requiring them to type in their name, email, city, etc. into an annoying form. Anyone who has ever developed a lead generation program knows that the abandon rate on ?lling out those empty ?elds in a form is ridiculous! Now the entire process is streamlined to just hitting one “Allow” button!

Great Analytics

For Marketers, Bamboo records and measures every impression, hit, visit, page view, click path, lead, and sale. Equally, it records who did it, when, where they came from, and measures the audience (friends and followers) and their interconnections. From all of the data collected, Bamboo allows marketers the ability to run an exhaustiv e statistical analysis and create reports: projected/actual reach, popularity and conversion rates of specific pieces of content, results of polls, etc. Some reports are similar to conventional web analytics, and some are specific to social media such as virality and popularity of the content, size of unique audience, etc.

TravelMole Bambo o Connects it all Together…

If you are serious about reaching deep into the Facebook network (600+ million) to connect with new audiences, the TravelMole Bamboo platform is the only platform within Facebook that truly allows you to do this and for the travel space, it’s the ultimate social loyalty program!

Porsche Limited edition racing car: 911 GT3 RS 4.0

GT3 RS edition with four-litre displacement

Limited edition racing car: 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Stuttgart. With the 911 GT3 RS 4.0, one of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart's most popular, coveted and successful racing pedigree production cars is entering the home straight. Limited to 600 vehicles, the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 brings together in a road car all the attributes that have made the Porsche 911 GT3 a serial winner on the race track. The new model purveys thoroughbred motorsport technology to its innermost core. The flat engine's crankshaft has been lifted unchanged from the 911 GT3 RSR racing car's six cylinder engine and the forged pistons' connecting rods are fashioned from titanium. The four-litre displacement sports engine, the biggest 911 model line engine ever, is also the most powerful naturally aspirated engine with 125 hp/litre (92 kW). It achieves its maximum power of 368 kW (500 hp) at 8,250 revs per minute. The engine delivers its maximum torque of 460 Newton metres at 5,750 rpm.

The 911 GT3 RS 4.0 offers truly impressive performance. The most eloquent figure: It makes it round the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 7:27 minutes. The 911 GT3 4.0, available exclusively with a six-speed sports transmission, sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standing start in 3.9 seconds, its gearing designed for the racing circuit taking it to the 200 km/h (124 mph) mark in under 12 seconds.

The 911 GT3 RS 4.0's outstanding driving dynamics are the fruit of meticulously coordinated details. In addition to using the suspension components typically encountered in motor racing, weight reduction is also of supreme importance. Equipped as standard with light weight components such as bucket seats, bonnet and front wings made of carbon fibre, plastic rear windows and weight-optimised carpets, the two-seater's ready-for-road weight is a mere 1,360 kilograms with a full tank of fuel. At 2.72 kg/hp, the 911 GT3 RS 4.0's power-to-weight ratio thereby dips below the magical threshold of 3 kilograms per hp.

The limited edition 911 is painted white as standard and emphasises its proximity to motor racing by its dynamic appearance. Trademark characteristics are the wide track, the low vehicle position, the large rear wing with adapted side plates, the typical central twin tailpipe and the aerodynamically optimised body. The lateral front air deflection vanes, so-called flics, making their first appearance on a production Porsche, testify to the aerodynamic precision engineering. They create increased downforce on the front axle and together with the steeply inclined rear wing bring the vehicle into aerodynamic equilibrium. As a result, at top speed, aerodynamic forces exert an additional 190 kg pushing the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 onto the road.

The market launch of the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 begins in Germany in July 2011. The basic list price is 178,596 euro including 19 per cent value added tax and country-specific equipment.

GOLD ! GOLD ! GOLD ! FOR SOPHIE SERAFINO

Australia's Sophie Serafino and her custom made  Golden Violin will perform an exclusive gold themed show at the  Sydney Opera House on Wednesday 25 May and also release her new single PRISENCOLINENSINANCIUSOL this week.

In the same nonsensical world of Mary Poppins' SUPERCALAFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS Sophie's re-release of Italian superstar Adriano Celentano's  70's hit PRISENCOLINENSINANCIUSOL is quite meaningless !

PRISENCOLINENSINANCIUSOL is out now at

www.sophieaserafino.com

Listen at:

http://www.sophieserafino.com/customPages/audio?subSiteId=1

A massive hit across Europe when released in 1972 ,Sophie Serafino's version strongly features her golden violin as well as Celentano's original catchy and infectious dance beat with gibberish lyrics to show how Italians hear the English language!

Violinist , singer and composer , Sophie Serafino's high energy concerts have been seen throughout the world with over 400 international shows including performances for heads of state and royalty such as the Crown Prince of Dubai and Sheik Mohammed at the Emirates Palace in Sao Paolo , Brazil.  

Her next Royal performance in Denmark is her second for  Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederick to coincide with the country's second Sculptures By The Sea exhibition.

Coming up for Sophie ....

FROM WED 27 APRIL

Free download on i-tunes of Sophie Serafino's VOCALISE

SATURDAY 30 APRIL Relay for Life Sylvania, charity event for Cancer Council

WED 25 MAY Opera House to launch new EP

THURSDAY 2 JUNE Denmark Royal performance.

Be inspired and listen to:

www.sophieserafino.com

Royal Wedding Themed Cocktails

In order to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of William and Kate, www.iDRINK.com is conveniently providing a number of cocktail recipes in the royal wedding theme.

In fact iDRINK.com has over 20 great recipes from Absolut Royalty to Wedding Belle.

Here is a sample of some recipes to try:



Wedding Cake Martini

2 oz            Cranberry juice
1 tsp           Sugar
0.5 tsp         Vanilla Extract
1 oz            Vodka

Place all ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake. Strain well.

Kir Royale

7 parts         Champagne
1 part          Creme de Cassis

Fill a glass 3/4 full with champagne. Add a few drops of Framboise or creme de cassis.



Royal Romance

1.5 oz          Gin
0.5 oz          Grand Marnier
2 dashes        Grenadine
1 oz            Passion Fruit Syrup

Mix together with crushed ice in a glass and garnish with mint leaves

While you may not be on the guest list for the wedding, you can certainly be our guest and enjoy the above recipes.

http://www.idrink.com/royalwedding.html

iDRINK has over 32000 cocktail recipes to experiment with.

Please drink responsibly.

BOTSWANA DEFENCE FORCE SELECTS PILATUS PC-7 MKII

PC-7 MkII turboprop trainer in Swiss Air Force colours (Pilatus)

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is proud to announce that the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) selected the PC-7 MkII turboprop trainer aircraft to replace their Pilatus PC-7 fleet which has been in service since 1990.

PC-7 in service since 1990
to be replaced

The decision confirms the continued trust that the Botswana Defence Force places in Pilatus and the Pilatus aircraft as a training system. Once Pilatus always Pilatus.

The contract value is approximately 40 million Swiss Francs to procure a fleet of 5 PC-7 MkII turboprop trainer aircraft, with ground based training system including computer based training, spares, support equipment, as well as pilot and technician conversion training elements. The contract was signed in Gaborone on 13 April 2011.

Delivery of the aircraft, ground based training system and logistic support package is scheduled to be completed in early 2013, enabling the BDF pilot training to transition to the new PC-7 MkII platform during 2013.

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is committed to continue serving the BDF, a long standing partner of Pilatus, with its world renowned dedication to Swiss precision and quality.

Fast and Furious 5 - Worldwide Premiere

Dwayne Johnson, Paul Walker, Vin Diesel and Tyrese Gibson pose together as Universal Studios joins Now Live in presenting the World Premiere of "Fast & Furious 5" at the Cinepolis Lagoon Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Friday, April 15, 2011. (Alex J. Berliner/abimages)

TV personality loses son to rare disorder

Lyndey Milan and her son, Blair.

The 29-year-old son of a well known food and wine expert has died from a rare blood disorder just days after complaining of feeling tired.

Blair Milan, son of Lyndey Milan, collapsed at his home in Erskineville, in Sydney's inner west, on Thursday after returning home from an overseas trip where he was promoting a new cooking series he completed with his mother.

Blair was recovering from wisdom tooth surgery and thought his fatigue was due to the trip and a slow recovery from surgery.

But he was admitted to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on Thursday after a blood test showed he had Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Ms Milan, one of Australia's most recognisable food and wine personalities, was in Sicily when she learned from her ex-husband that their son had been diagnosed with the aggressive form of leukemia.

Ms Milan decided to fly home immediately after doctors said chemotherapy was the only way to save Blair.

"I said if you do it, will he still be there when I get home and they said, 'I cant tell you that'," she told Nine News.

She arrived home at 7am on Saturday morning and went straight to the hospital, where Blair was medically sedated and breathing through a ventilator.

He died on Sunday.

Blair began his TV career at the age of 14 as a presenter for Nickelodeon's Coast to Coast and also launched GO! Channel for the Nine Network in 2009.

A funeral is expected to be held this Thursday.

SYDNEY READY TO EMBRACE ITS BEST RACE DAY - THE GOLDEN SLIPPER

Sydney's best day of racing – and Australia's richest – is ready to unfold at Rosehill Gardens for AAMI Golden Slipper Day tomorrow.

The Australian Turf Club will award more than $7m in prize money across nine races, the first time a Rosehill Gardens meeting has offered an all group-race program.

The 55th running of the AAMI Golden Slipper is the climax of three consecutive Saturday's of racing which form the opening half of the Sydney Carnival and it's expected to draw over 30,000 spectators.

Supporting the AAMI Golden Slipper is the $2.25 million The BMW, the country's sole Group 1 weight-for-age race over 2400m as well as the much anticipated Group 1 Inglis Queen of the Turf Stakes over 1500m for fillies and mares and the Group 1 Daily Telegraph George Ryder Stakes.

FIRST AUSTRALIAN DESIGNER INTIMATE MASSAGER

Click to enlarge

It's not everyday you read about two savvy mothers from Wollongong launching a ground breaking product aimed at the sensuality and well being of women, but then you probably haven't met Kristine Morgan and Lisa Hughes.

These two friends were enjoying a morning run along their local beach in Wollongong when they started talking about women and their conversation turned to vibrators (as friends' conversations sometimes do). 'Do you think any of the vibrators out there are actually designed by women?' Kris asked. 'Seriously, why can't we buy a vibrator that looks great and better still, feels great!'

The friends laughed. Kris had a point.  'We're women. We love beautiful things', added Lisa. 'So what's with all the tacky imagery and packaging?  Why can't normal women, walk into a normal shop and buy a vibrator like it's a totally normal thing to do?' By the time they had finished their run, the girls were sweaty, buzzing with excitement and eager to get some answers. And so their research began.

'We really wanted to understand what other women thought of this whole market,' explains Lisa. 'And who better to understand what women really want, than women who really want it?'

After talking to 'real' women everywhere – mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, and girlfriends – Kris and Lisa's company, Love Being Woman was born.

'The brand is really about inspiring and empowering women from all walks of life,' says Lisa. 'We live by the philosophy that 'when you feel good about yourself, you can give the best of yourself to others'.

After holding a series of intimate and fun focus groups Kris and Lisa  knew they were onto something special. They had spoken to hundreds of women who wanted an intimate massager that was enjoyable to use and that they weren't embarrassed to buy. They wanted something that suited their lives, their style, their needs. An intimate massager that was discreet, high quality,feminine, accessible and best of all worked!

From that moment on the girls spent every waking minute (when they weren't being wives and mothers) finding out everything they could about vibrators. They even had their husbands on alert for any information that would help them with their mission.

After months laughing and looking, designing and experimenting, their work finally paid off and THE BE BE  was born, Be beautiful, Be you! 'This is all about making women feel confident in and out of the bedroom,' explains Lisa. 'This is not just about launching a new vibrator. It's about saying it's great for women to explore their sensuality. This is about their health and wellbeing and giving them the right to be in charge.'

'We developed THE BE BE  so women can feel empowered, not embarrassed,' states Kris.

 'THE BE BE  is about feeling sexy, not sex obsessed.

"Happy not inhibited, Frisky not frustrated."

THE BE BE is the first product from Love Being Woman and has been designed to embody the Love Being Woman philosophy. Kristine and Lisa live by the philosophy

'When you feel great about yourself, you give the best of yourself to others'.

They hope you'll discover this philosophy too.

Pizza Hut brings a slice of Italy to Aussie pizza lovers

Aaron Harvie

Pizza Hut has launched its first-ever Stonefired Pizza Base Range that captures the essence of pizza's true origins and gives pizza lovers a taste of authentic Italian-style pizza.

The delicious new varieties feature Italian stonefired pizza bases and Italian-style ingredients that Pizza Hut has never used before including sopressa salami, rocket and cherry tomatoes.

Better still, the range also features a brand new crushed tomato sauce.

TV celebrity cook Aaron Harvie, is already a fan of the six varieties – Antipasto, Diavolo, Rocco, Marco Pollo, Milano and Four Cheese.

"With ingredients like these it's like enjoying a slice of Italy in your own home - you can't choose just one of these fantastic pizzas, you've just got to try them all!" he said.

"The stonefired pizza base range lifts take-home pizza to a whole new level – especially with our stonefired pizza bases direct from Italy. These are premium pizzas delivering Italian-inspired flavours," said Pizza Hut marketing manager Fatima Syed.

"We want to make it even easier to feed family and friends - a great, high-quality Italian-style meal and the great new ingredients we are introducing for the first time do just that," she added.

From just $14.95 for pick up, the Stonefired Pizza Base range is available for a limited time only

(until April 25) – so don't miss out!

47 RONIN Launch Event - Keanu Reeves & Carl Rinsch

UNIVERSAL PICTURES ANNOUNCES START OF PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY ON 47 RONIN, THE NEW EPIC 3D FANTASY-ADVENTURE STARRING KEANU REEVES

Japanese Superstars Hiroyuki Sanada, Kou Shibasaki, Tadanobu Asano and Rinko Kikuchi Join Cast of Epic Inspired by Ancient Japan's Most Enduring Legend

Universal Pictures announced today that principal photography begins March 14 on 47 Ronin, the new epic 3D fantasy-adventure inspired by ancient Japan's most enduring tale. Keanu Reeves leads the cast as Kai, an outcast who joins Oishi (Hiroyuki Sanada), the leader of the 47 Ronin. Together they seek vengeance upon the treacherous overlord who killed their master and banished their kind. To restore honor to their homeland, the warriors embark upon a quest that challenges them with a series of trials that would destroy ordinary warriors.

47 Ronin is helmed by visionary director Carl Erik Rinsch (The Gift). Inspired by styles as diverse as Miyazaki and Hokusai, Rinsch will bring to life the stunning landscapes and enormous battles that will display the timeless Ronin story to global audiences in a way that's never been seen before.

WHAT MALE DROUGHT? THIRTY PERCENT MORE MEN THAN WOMEN LOOKING FOR LOVE ONLINE

Women who think there is a shortage of men looking for love should think again, with Australia's biggest dating website*, Oasis Active, announcing that its male membership is now 30 percent more men than women.

In fact, male memberships online have now reached an all-time record high on the site.

Love is a numbers game according to Oasis Active, which recently achieved one million Australian members since its launch in 2008, securing its 600,000th male member this month.

Oasis Active co-founder and chief executive officer, Dave Heysen said: "We've heard it so often that women can't find a man – well, they're online and waiting!"

"Interestingly, we have seen that more men are logging on as internet and mobile phone technology has become more available and people looking for love can talk in real time," Heysen said.

Heysen said that when looking at the statistics it was predictable that dating online would only increase in popularity.

"Online dating is fast becoming far more acceptable," he said.

An Oasis Active survey also found that this year, 74 percent of people are looking for a long term partner, and 79 percent of Oasis Active members will continue to use the site to find that 'special someone.'

Just two and a half years after launching, the site now has more than 100,000 unique Australian members logging in every day to search for love and 2.5 million global active members in the UK, Europe, USA, China, South and Central America.

Oasis Active is owned by leading-edge, Australian owned technology company 3H Group Pty Ltd.

*Source: Hitwise since May 2010


About Oasis Active
Launched in April 2008, Oasis Active is a 100% free dating site. The site boasts more than 1 million engaged Australian members and 2.5 million global active members. It is also Australia's biggest dating website since May this year (according to visits on Hitwise), with around 40 thousand members joining each month. Oasis Active is owned by leading edge Australian technology company 3H Group and has grown rapidly to now include sites in the UK, Europe, USA, China, South and Central America. Unlike other dating sites, members can talk in real time, helping them find a date or find a mate in a safe, friendly and monitored online environment. www.oasisactive.com

 

What To Do About Everything

A Manual for Domestic Life

RRP: $45.00

“There’s no longer any such thing as an average household. Domestic life is tricky. It’s miles trickier than it was when the average household contained a man and a woman who were married to each other and whose ideal family consisted of a boy and a girl, born in that order, two years apart. Back then there was no identity theft, no interactive online games, no speed dating, no easy credit leading to massive debt, and not much divorce. Smoking, butter and sugar were good for you. Life was slower and less cluttered.”

But things have changed. Our roles are increasingly multi-layered and we tend to be time, cash and energy poor. We want to be free from debt, but borrowing is critical to home-owning. We want to save the planet, but we have to be able to drive, fly and buy cheap imports.

How should we tackle our many domestic dilemmas? Here’s a book that can simplify matters.

What to Do about Everything by Barbara Toner is the ultimate manual for domestic life. It combines expert advice with personal experience as it guides us through the maze of endless challenges from how to sack a flat mate, find a decent plumber, change a tyre, avoid bankruptcy, sell a house, drink safely, get divorced and get moths out of your cashmere.

This comprehensive book will bring daily comfort to time poor, energy poor and just plain poor twenty first century householders everywhere. It covers time and space management, household relationships, having babies, balancing a diet, managing money, deciding where and how to live, home renovations, daily and weekly chores, clothes care, home repairs, grooming and healthcare, life changes (death, job loss, moving) and much more. Written in Barbara’s personable and witty style, this is a book offering tried-and-tested, friendly advice from someone who has been there, muddled through and come out the other side stronger and with her sense of humour intact.

www.whattodoabouteverything.com


Author details

Barbara Toner is an Australian writer and journalist who has written extensively about family life both in books (fiction and nonfiction) and newspaper columns. Double Shift: A Practical Guide for Working Mothers, examined the challenges for women juggling motherhood and jobs in the 1970s. On a lighter note, A Mothers Guide To Life and A Mother’s Guide to Husbands drew inspiration from her long-running column on family life in the UK’s The Mail on Sunday. Its wry observations on the balance of power in modern households attracted six million readers a week. Barbara is married with three daughters. She currently divides her life between London and the south coast of New South Wales.

THE NEW ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE S

• The driver-focussed V8 Vantage featuring enhanced dynamics
• Increase in power and torque to 430 bhp and 490 Nm
• New ground-up developed seven speed SportshiftT II transmission
• Dramatic V12 Vantage-inspired looks available as coupe and Roadster
• Compelling package of agility, balance, engagement and everyday practicality

The Aston Martin Vantage range comes of age with the new V8 Vantage S characterised by a host of new driver-focussed features all designed to push the honed dynamics of the standard Vantage to a new benchmark level.

Aston Martin's own 4.7 litre V8 engine has been engineered to deliver peak power of 430 bhp (436 PS / 321 kW) at 7300 rpm and torque of 490 Nm (361 lb.ft) at 5000 rpm and is coupled with a new ground-up developed SportshiftT II transmission specifically designed for the Vantage S with seven short ratio gears to deliver the most engaging and intense driver involvement.

"The Vantage S epitomises every attribute of the V8 Vantage and pushes the driver experience beyond what we have offered before," says Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, "It combines dynamic exhilaration with all the charming finesse, beauty and practicality already associated with the Vantage range."

Dynamic revisions are central to the Vantage S, with a quickened steering rack ratio of 15:1 compared to 17:1 on the standard car and a larger diameter front brake disc with new six-piston front brake calipers. New springs and dampers, and wider rear wheels also contribute to chassis revisions. A new dynamic stability control (DSC) system specifically tuned to the Vantage S along with a new brake module providing features such as Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) which provides assistance in emergency braking situations, and Hill Start Assist (HSA). Bespoke tyres have been developed with Bridgestone to optimise road holding enhancing dynamic feel.

At the core of the Vantage S is the new seven speed SportshiftT II automated manual transmission, offered as standard and delivers exceedingly rapid gear changes, twenty per cent quicker than SportshiftT. The extra gear permits shorter well-spaced ratios taking advantage of the optimum torque, which combined with a shorter final drive ratio of 4.182:1 delivers quicker acceleration and an enhanced sporting feel. The inherent benefits of a single clutch system reduces complexity and significant weight over a dual clutch solution. SportshiftT II allows the driver to take an increased level of control, modulating the throttle pedal to achieve the desired type of gear change. In addition, the Vantage S features a 'Sport' button which quickens the gear changes and gives the driver a more aggressive throttle response while also opening the exhaust bypass valves across most of the engine speed range perfectly characterising the 'S' variant.

As with every Aston Martin, the Vantage S benefits from its own unique sound with a new exhaust muffler and bypass valve map, creating a very distinctive and highly vocal exhaust note.

The Vantage S is instantly recognisable as a true Aston Martin, characterised by its purposeful stance conveying its agility and performance capability. From the front, a new lower front bumper finished in perfectly-aligned carbon fibre houses a larger air intake feeding the engine and front brakes. The splitter combined with the extended deck lid 'flip' work in harmony to provide increased down force at speed. New 19 inch 'V' spoke wheel styles are available as standard, while an optional 10-spoke lightweight forged wheel option, reduces unsprung mass further. A new rear bumper and side sills optically widen the car.

Bridging the gap between road car and race car, the Vantage S is heavily influenced by the 2011 Vantage GT4 race car. The GT4 takes advantage of the Vantage's immensely rigid bonded aluminium chassis, providing the ideal platform for a race car. Minor racing safety modifications including an FIA approved roll cage and racing 'bag' petrol tank along with weight saving measures are made to the standard road car to convert it into a class winning race car. In 2010, it won its class at the Dubai 24 Hours following this up with further endurance race wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Silverstone 24 Hours and Spa 24 Hours. It also won its first major international championship victory in the European GT4 Cup.

The Vantage S is available to order now from Aston Martin's global dealership network.

Sundance Institute Announces Native Filmmaking Highlighted At 2011 Sundance Film Festival

Photo Caption: Bird Runningwater, Billy Luther, Chad Burris, Peter Bratt, Benjamin Bratt, and Cliff Curtis.

Seven Short Films and Four Feature Films Mark Record Number of Screenings from Native Filmmakers

Annual Native Forum to Feature Indigenous ShortsLab, Events and Screenings


PARK CITY, UT - Sundance Institute announced today details for the 2011 Sundance Film Festival's presentation of films by Native filmmakers and the annual Native Forum. A gathering of Indigenous filmmakers from around the world, the Native Forum provides a platform for artists to share their expertise and knowledge through an Indigenous ShortsLab, panels, networking events and special screenings. This year's Festival will provide a world stage for Native filmmakers whose works include seven short films and four feature films from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. In all, 11 Native communities will be represented:Tsilhqot'in, Métis, Ngāti Rangi, Atihaunui a Paparangi, Navajo Nation, Hopi, Laguna Pueblo, Iñupiaq, Taranaki/Ngati Tama Ngati Mutunga, Native Hawaiian and Māori. The 2011 Sundance Film Festival runs January 20-30 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.

Following President and Founder Robert Redford's original vision, Sundance Institute is committed to supporting Native American and Indigenous filmmaking. The Native American and Indigenous Program has made strategic investments to help emerging Native American filmmakers through the Native Lab Fellowship and collaborative investment in Indigenous filmmakers, along with the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program, Documentary Film Program and Sundance Film Festival.

In addition to the films, the Native Forum will feature events to celebrate and bring together the Native community at the Festival. Both the Native Forum Brunch on Monday, January 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and the Native Forum Reception on Thursday, January 27 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., are invite-only, and a ticket or RSVP are required to attend. The Native Forum will also host the Indigenous ShortsLab, a panel of Festival programmers and award-winning short filmmakers to discuss important questions, such as: What makes a good short film? How can it be financed? How are short films programmed at festivals? Why make a short film? The Indigenous ShortsLab will be held on Thursday, January 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the New Frontier 2011 MicroCinema, located at 1354 Park Avenue in Park City. A ticket is required for entrance.

"This year the Native Forum continues to raise the profile of Native Cinema and provides a stage for these talented filmmakers," said N. Bird Runningwater, Associate Director, Sundance Institute Native American and Indigenous Initiative. "The Native Forum connects these filmmakers and their films with the marketplace of independent film. Through the Film Festival as well as the labs, workshops and other programs, Sundance Institute brings together the writers, directors and producers of Native and Indigenous Cinema as part of a global filmmaking community."

FILM SELECTIONS FOR THE 2011 NATIVE SHOWCASE

?E?anx (The Cave) / Canada (Director and Screenwriter: Helen Haig-Brown [Tsilhqot'in]) - A hunter on horseback accidentally discovers a portal to the afterlife in this fantastical version of a true Tsilhqot'in story.

Short Film Competition

Choke / Canada (Director and Screenwriter: Michelle Latimer [Métis]) - Upon leaving his First Nations reserve, Jimmy encounters the lost souls of the city and is reminded that no matter how far you travel, you cannot escape who you are.

Short Film Competition

The Devil's Double / Belgium (Director: Lee Tamahori [Māori] Screenwriter: Michael Thomas) - An extraordinary chapter in recent history providing a chilling vision of the House of Saddam comes to life through the eyes of the man who knew too much. Cast: Dominic Cooper, Ludivine Sagnier, Mimoun Oaissa, Raad Rawi, Philip Quast.

Premieres

Ebony Society / Aotearoa-New Zealand (Director and Screenwriter: Tammy Davis [Ngāti Rangi & Atihaunui a Paparangi]) - One night out stealing; two boys learn a lesson.

Short Film Competition

GRAB / USA (Director: Billy Luther [Navajo, Hopi, Laguna Pueblo]) - Three families in the Laguna Pueblo tribe prepare for Grab Day, when they throw groceries from a rooftop to the community waiting below - an annual community-wide prayer of abundance, thanks and renewal. Documentary, narrated by Parker Posey.

Native Showcase

Mad Bastards / Australia (Director: Brendan Fletcher; Screenwriters: Brendan Fletcher in collaboration with Dean Daley-Jones, Greg Tait and John Watson) - In a frontier town of northern Australia's Kimberley Region, an urban street warrior meets his match in a local cop. Performances and stories from real people in Kimberley are woven through the music of legendary Broome musicians, The Pigram Brothers. Cast: Dean Daley-Jones, Greg Tait, John Watson, Ngaire Pigram, Lucas Yeeda.

World Cinema Dramatic Competition

On the Ice / USA (Director and screenwriter: Andrew Okpeaha MacLean [Iñupiaq]) - On the snow-covered Arctic tundra, two teenagers try to get away with murder. Cast: Josiah Patkotak, Frank Qutuq Irelan, Teddy Kyle Smith, Adamina Kerr, Sierra Jade Sampson.

U.S. Dramatic Competition

Redemption / Aotearoa-New Zealand (Director: Katie Wolfe [Taranaki/Ngati Tama Ngati Mutunga]; Co-Screenwriters: Tim Balme, Renae Maihi [Nga Puhi/Ngati Hine, Te Arawa/Ngati Wakaue], and Katie Wolfe based on the short story by Phil Kawana [Ngaruahinerangi, Ngati Ruanui, Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitane]) - A boy. A girl. A step too far.

Short Film Competition

The Rocket Boy / USA (Director and Screenwriter: Donavan Seschillie [Navajo Nation]) - A young boy's limitless imagination creates a dilemma between reality and dreams.

Short Film Competition

Stones / USA (Director and Screenwriter: Ty Sanga [Native Hawaiian]) - Set in the ancient times in the islands of Hawai'i, a forlorn woman living in isolation with her husband meets a child from a nearby village and contemplates whether she should bring her into her mystical world.

Short Film Competition

Wapawekka / Canada (Director and Screenwriter: Danis Goulet [Métis]) - A final visit to their isolated cabin in northern Canada reveals the inter-generational rift between Josh and his traditional Cree father.

Short Film Competition

Festival Sponsors

The 2011 Sundance Film Festival sponsors include: Presenting Sponsors-Entertainment Weekly, HP, Acura, Sundance Channel and Chase SapphireSM; Leadership Sponsors-Bing™, Canon, DIRECTV, Honda, Southwest Airlines and YouTube™; Sustaining Sponsors-FilterForGood®, a partnership between Brita® and Nalgene®, L'Oréal Paris, Stella Artois®, Timberland, and Trident Vitality™. Sundance Institute recognizes critical support from the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development, and the State of Utah as Festival Host State. The support of these organizations will defray costs associated with the 10-day Festival and the nonprofit Sundance Institute's year-round programs for independent film and theatre artists. In return, sponsorship of the preeminent Festival provides these organizations with global exposure, a platform for brand impressions and unique access to Festival attendees.

About Sundance Film Festival

Supported by the nonprofit Sundance Institute, the Festival has introduced global audiences to some of the most ground-breaking films of the past two decades, including sex, lies, and videotape, Maria Full of Grace, The Cove, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, An Inconvenient Truth, Precious, Trouble the Water and Napoleon Dynamite and, through its New Frontier initiative, has brought the cinematic works of media artists including Isaac Julian, Doug Aitken, Pierre Huyghe, Jennifer Steinkamp and Matthew Barney. www.sundance.org/festival

More Horsepower For McLaren Racing Display

Imagine seeing the McLaren Formula One cars that brought championship glory to Lewis Hamilton, Mika Häkkinen, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda and Emerson Fittipaldi in one thrilling display. This will become reality at the NEC, Birmingham, on 13-16 January 2010, when six F1 World Championship-winning cars will be part of the McLaren Racing Display at the world's greatest motorsport show, Autosport International.

Lauda and Prost competed as team-mates in 1984, claiming 11 victories out of 15 races, and took the title fight down to the wire, with Lauda securing the honours by the narrowest margin of half a point: the closest F1 championship finish ever. The MP4/2, the car Lauda and Prost raced will be a highlight of the McLaren Racing Display, along with the MP4/5, in which Prost and Senna dominated the 1989 season, with the Frenchman eventually triumphing at the Japanese Grand Prix.

British superstar Lewis Hamilton secured the Drivers' World Championship in only his second F1 season, driving the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-23, which will also be on show at Autosport International, in addition to the McLaren F1 GTR, winner of the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans, and a McLaren Indy 500 car from 1977. Finally, the feature would not be complete without McLaren's much anticipated new road car, the MP4-12C.

Full line-up of the McLaren display:

2011 McLaren MP4-12C
McLaren's new high-performance road car, the MP4-12C, features innovations directly inspired by the cutting-edge world of F1, including its one-piece carbon fibre composite 'MonoCell' chassis, its seven-speed seamless shift gearbox and optional carbon ceramic brakes.

2008 Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-23
The car that was hailed for its 'bridged' front wing and many other aerodynamic innovations, carried Lewis Hamilton to the 2008 title in a thrilling finale at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where he clinched World Championship glory from Ferrari rival Felipe Massa on the final corner.

1998 Team McLaren Mercedes MP4-13
The Mercedes-Benz powered MP4-13's form was imminent at the season opener when Mika Häkkinen lapped all of his competitors, except his team-mate David Coulthard, on his way to a dominant Australian victory. The duo went on to secure six victories and both championship titles.

1995 McLaren F1 GTR
The racing version of the legendary million-dollar McLaren F1 road car made history by winning the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race in its first year of competition with JJ Lehto, Yannick Dalmas and Masanori Sekiya at the wheel. It also finished third, fourth and fifth, in its impressive first outing.

1989 McLaren MP4/5
In the second year of the classic Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost line-up at McLaren, Prost came out on top, sealing the title at the Japanese Grand Prix, taking his third Drivers' Championship and back-to-back Constructors' Championships for the team.

1988 McLaren MP4/4
The most successful car in Formula One history helped Senna and Prost win all but one race on the calendar, with 10 one-two finishes, having led 1,004 of the 1,031 laps run that season. In the end Senna secured his first drivers' title by charging to the win from 14th at Suzuka, Japan. 

1984 McLaren MP4/2
Powered by the Porsche-built TAG turbo V6 engine, Niki Lauda fought from 11th to finish second behind team-mate Prost at the season finale in Portugal, just enough for him to claim his third title.

1977 McLaren M24B
McLaren won the classic Indianapolis 500 race three times in the 1970s, twice with American racer Johnny Rutherford, whose McLaren M24B is a testament to the British team's competitiveness the world over.

1974 McLaren M23
Emerson Fittipaldi out-raced Ferrari rival Clay Regazzoni at the season-ending United States Grand Prix in 1974 to secure the title in the Ford Cosworth-powered McLaren M23, with McLaren winning its first Formula One Constructors' Championship.

1970 McLaren M8D
The Canadian-American Challenge Cup, remembered mainly as the 'Can-Am', was dominated by McLaren, which claimed every title between 1967 and 1971 with Denny Hulme crushing the opposition in 1970 in the Chevrolet-powered McLaren M8D.

1969 McLaren M7C
Bruce McLaren's signature orange-liveried M7C was evolved from the M7A, which secured the team's first F1 victory, and went on to take third in the Drivers' Championship only three years after the team was founded.

In addition to the stunning McLaren Racing Display, visitors to Autosport International will get the chance to see the hottest performance cars at PistonHeads: The Performance Car Show, and a wide range of race cars from grassroots to Formula One. Well-known drivers, celebrities and racing personalities will also make appearances at show, with long-time F1 commentator Murray Walker, current BBC pundits Martin Brundle and Jake Humphrey, as well as eight-time 24 Hour of Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, all part of the Autosport International line-up for 2011.

Thrilling racing and awe-inspiring stunts will provide entertainment for the whole family in the Fifth Gear Live Action Arena, hosted by 2010 British Touring Car Champion and Fifth Gear TV presenter Jason Plato, and racer turned motoring personality Tiff Needell. Tickets for Autosport International 2011 are now on sale, with a reserved seat in the Fifth Gear Live Action Arena included with every public show ticket.

Tickets are now on sale for the public show, which is held at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, on 15-16 January. Adult tickets cost £30 per day, with children's tickets priced at £19.50. Group tickets are also available.

Platinum Passes give the full VIP treatment, including access to the Platinum Club enclosure, the VIP Platinum Lounge and the backstage Paddock Area in the Fifth Gear Live Action Arena, and cost £100.

For more information or to book, please visit www.autosportinternational.com.

*Please note that the final line-up of the display is subject to change.


Tickets are now on sale for the public show, which is held at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, on 15-16 January. Adult tickets cost £30 per day, with children's tickets priced at £19.50 (children under five years of age go free). Each public day ticket includes a reserved seat in the Fifth Gear Live Action Arena. Group tickets are also available.

Platinum Passes provide the full VIP treatment for £100. These tickets include access to the Platinum Club enclosure, the VIP Platinum Lounge and the backstage Paddock Area in the Fifth Gear Live Action Arena, as well as much more!

For more information or to book tickets, please visit www.autosportinternational.com or call +44 (0)844 581 1420.