BIG DAY OUT 2010 KEY DATES:

Friday January 15th  AUCKLAND Mt Smart Stadium
Sunday January 17th GOLD COAST Parklands SOLD OUT!! + BALLOT
Friday January 22nd SYDNEY Sydney Showground SOLD OUT!! + BALLOT
Saturday January 23rd SYDNEY Sydney Showground SOLD OUT!! + BALLOT
Tuesday January 26th MELBOURNE Flemington Racecourse SOLD OUT!! + BALLOT
Friday January 29th ADELAIDE Adelaide Showground SOLD OUT!! + BALLOT
Sunday January 31st PERTH Claremont Showground SOLD OUT!! + BALLOT

All the information you need is on www.bigdayout.com, check it out!

You also have the chance to win a double pass to the BDO 2010, go to www.tedthelab.com for more details.

FIVE BANDS, ONE TRAIN, FOUR CITIES…ONE HELL OF A RIDE

All aboard the BACARDI EXPRESS! Following two epic tours and a huge headline performance from Groove Armada in 2009, Australia’s only music festival on rails is back with UK electro-pop phenomenon La Roux announced as the headline act for 2010 with the remaining line up to be announced in January 2010.

Now a firm fixture on the Australian festival calendar, the iconic BACARDI EXPRESS will head for the tropical climate of Queensland for the first time, taking in a new route along the East Coast tracks from Brisbane to Sydney. From Thursday March 25th – Saturday March 27th 2010, La Roux will join four other bands on their 48 hour rock ‘n’ roll rail trip of a lifetime, stopping off along the way to play a series of free* concerts in Brisbane, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle and Sydney.

BACARDI EXPRESS headliners La Roux, aka Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid, are the electro-pop duo responsible for UK and ARIA chart topping singles “In For The Kill” and “Bulletproof”. Taking inspiration from such music royalty as Depeche Mode and Prince, La Roux have been dazzling audiences and winning hearts with a unique sound that also tips a hat to new school heroes such as The Knife and Chromeo.

”My band and I can’t wait to jump aboard the BACARDI EXPRESS.” Elly Jackson AKA La Roux said “Four other Australian bands joining us on a train for 48 hours – it’s going to be a journey to remember!”

The train itself will see 97 fans, bands and crew jammed into fifteen carriages as it travels down the Eastern Seaboard. On board entertainment caters for the most talented musicians in the jam carriage, as well as budding guitar heroes in the gaming lounge. This year’s tour also features a “Made to Mix” carriage – Here BACARDI EXPRESS artists will be spinning tunes as expert bartenders serve everyday classics like BACARDI, cola & fresh lime and the Original BACARDI Mojitoâ„¢.

Since its inception in 2008, BACARDI EXPRESS has seen a plethora of International and Aussie musicians grace its carriages. Artists include Scribe (NZ), Faker, PNAU, Bumblebeez and Bang Gang DJs (2008); Groove Armada, British India, Bluejuice, Van She, Lost Valentinos, HOOPS DJs and Beardyman (2009). The route has also changed each year, ensuring that as many people as possible get to join in the fun and experience the BACARDI EXPRESS concerts.

“Mixing travel, live music and good times has long been a BACARDI tradition. Back in the 1920’s, the Bacardi family would invite top Cuban musicians to ride in the back of their convertibles and drive around Havana igniting impromptu street parties.” says Fernando Navarro, Senior Brand Manager at BACARDI “Continuing this live music spirit with the BACARDI EXPRESS, we can’t wait to welcome La Roux onboard in 2010.”

For information on how to join La Roux on board the BACARDI EXPRESS head to www.bacardiexpress.com.au or purchase specially marked packs of BACARDI & COLA or BACARDI SUPERIOR.

*Concert tickets to the BACARDI EXPRESS concerts are limited. Although free, they can only be won through registering at www.bacardiexpress.com.au from 10 January 2010 (over 18s only).

BACARDI Made to Mix.  Enjoy BACARDI responsibly.
ENDS
For more information, please contact Hannah Cooper at Peer Group Media on: hannah@peergroupmedia.com / 02 9552 6333 / 0431 985 018.

Notes To Editors: Concert Details
Brisbane – The Tivoli, Thursday 25th March 2010
Coffs Harbour – Venue TBC, Friday 26th March 2010
Newcastle – Panthers, Saturday 27th March 2010
Sydney – Big Top, Luna Park, Saturday 27th March 2010

Ticket registrations open 10th January 2010.

Please go to www.bacardiexpress.com.au for more information.

SHOCK THE WORLD! G-SHOCK CELEBRATES IN SYDNEY

“G-SHOCK is the only piece of jewellery I wear and I feel naked without one. It’s an honour for me to design my own Shock and I’m looking forward to adding it to my collection that I have acquired over a 15-year period.” DJ MAFIA

Thursday 19th November 2009 saw Sydney host the exclusive G-SHOCK: Shock The World Tour. The evening was hosted by fashion guru Jonathan Pease and saw over 1000 people come through the door in Sydney’s CarriageWorks to celebrate the evolution of Casio’s iconic G-SHOCK watch. The night featured a special guest appearance by the man who designed the very first G-SHOCK watch, Japanese engineer and ‘Father of G-SHOCK’ Kikuo Ibe, delivering a speech on the captivating G-SHOCK brand.

TV & radio personalities, models, sport stars, media and lucky competition winners partied to the DJ stylings of Australian DMC champion DJ Dexter, Sydney girls HOOPS DJs and Melbourne’s MAFIA. The crowd was also treated to some ‘shocking’ performances by physical artists such as a live demonstration of the art of Japanese Taiko drumming and G-SHOCK watches frozen in a giant ice sculpture – removed by a chainsaw! The final shock of the night saw hundreds of balloons fall from the ceiling – some containing G-SHOCK watches – leaving the crowd in awe.

Host Jonathan Pease said:
“The G-SHOCK Shock The World event last night was about fashion, technology, design, and of course the iconic watch itself.  We had great people in the house including the inventor of G-SHOCK Mr Ibe, DJ MAFIA, and the guys from Sneaker Freaker.  I felt honored when the G-SHOCK guys asked me to design my own signature G-SHOCK watch for the event.”

The G-SHOCK watch is at the forefront of modern design; it’s highly functional and durable and its connection to fashion, sports, art and music has grown over the years and has evolved from an extreme sports watch to be a fashion staple must have. Jonathan Pease and the DJ performers got the opportunity to design their own limited edition G-SHOCK watch. Their creations where showcased at the event, along with the newest models, the evolutionary technology behind the watch and collaborative pieces. One of the most interesting timepieces of the night were those of the Tough Solar series, which uses solar energy to power up; making it eco-friendly.

G-SHOCK watches first appeared in 1983. Mr Ibe wanted to invent a brand of watch that was ‘shock’ resistant and durable. 26 years on, G-SHOCK watches are one of the toughest timepieces available. They are 200m water resistant and suitable for any extreme sporting lifestyle. Rising in popularity in the 90s, Casio saw over 220 new models released in one year during 1998, and G-SHOCK has collaborated with many designers, musicians and celebrities to release limited edition models and custom designs.

For more information on the G-SHOCK: Shock The World Tour Sydney visit www.g-shocksydney.com or join our ‘G-SHOCK: Shock The World Tour Sydney’ Facebook group and check out images from the party. For information on products or brands visit www.shriro.com.au
-ENDS-

For more information and images to G-SHOCK: Shock The World Tour in Sydney contact Hannah Cooper: hannah@peergroupmedia.com  / 02 9552 6333  / 0431 985 018.

ABOUT G-SHOCK: Shock The World Tour
• The event takes place in 12 major cities across the world including London, New York, Paris, Tokyo and Berlin.
• The events consist of press conferences showcasing G-SHOCK’s identity and latest models followed by a party.
• The parties include a promotional demonstration and speech given by G-SHOCK’s founding father himself, Mr. Ibe, celebrity attendees and performances by famous artists and DJ’s.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

ABOUT G-SHOCK Watches
•  The first G-SHOCK model was DW-5000, release in April 1983.
•  Designed and Invented by Japanese engineer Kikuo Ibe.
•  G-SHOCK was created to be shock resistant with an objective to not break even if dropped. It’s also 200m water resistant, has stopwatch, alarm, calendar, backlight.
•  Since it’s first release 26 years ago, over 60 million watches have been sold in nearly 100 countries.
•  G-SHOCK initially caught the attention of young street-sport enthusiasts such as skateboarders, but also favoured by policemen and fire fighters.
•  G-SHOCK watches have been seen in films such as the Mission Impossible series, Bad Boys, Speed, and The Cable Guy.

ABOUT Casio
•  Casio founded in 1946.
•  Casio is best known for its calculators, audio equipment, PDAs, cameras, musical instruments, and watches.
•  Casio’s corporate creed is “creativity and contribution.” It expresses the company’s commitment to contributing to society by offering the kind of original, useful products that only Casio can.
•  Consumer Products such as Calculators and Digital Cameras make up the largest percentage of Casio’s sales. Timepieces amount to 15.5% of Casio’s sales.
•  In the category of timepieces Casio’s main focus is to improve functionality.

Sydney, Friday 13th November 2009: Kate Edwards, Head of Client Services, Sales and Strategy at pay TV company, XYZ Networks, joins Peer Group Media as Managing Director.

Peer Group Media’s current Managing Director, Andrew Reid, moves to the newly created position of Director, Strategy and Research.

“Kate’s appointment is an amazing step for Peer Group. Kate is a highly successful, high profile entertainment executive with a reputation for ideas and business leadership,” says Peer Group Media’s CEO, Adam Zammit.

“Along with myself and Andrew, Kate will drive the growth and strategic direction of Peer Group into every aspect of youth, entertainment and music marketing.”

“I am delighted to join Peer Group and I am excited to be charged with the further development of the business. Peer Group has firm roots in music and entertainment and it is a natural progression for the company to embrace a solutions focused and strategically led model that clients in the youth and music space can trust for results.” Says Kate.

Growth in new business, the imminent launch of industry bible The Music Network’s digital site and the group’s increasing capability in market analytics and consumer insights, requires Peer Group to further specialise its management team.

Brand strategy, market analysis and consumer insights, including ethnographic research, will now fit under Peer Group Media’s PeerIn division, headed by Reid.

“Kate’s appointment allows Peer Group to broaden its senior management across the critical areas of strategy, technology and consumer insight. Andrew’s expertise in these areas means Peer Group is now fully geared to take this to market beginning 2010.

“With data and social media monitoring partners such as Sentiment Metrics and Big Champagne, Peer Group is using music as a gateway to the bigger issues of contemporary youth culture. Brand perception, technology, social participation – they’re all having an increasingly profound impact on business,” says Zammit.

ENDS

For further information, please contact Hannah Cooper on Hannah@peergroupmedia.com / 0431 985 018.

Notes to editors:

Kate Edwards Biography:

Kate Edwards was previously the Head of Client Services, Ad Sales and Strategy for XYZ Networks where she was responsible for driving both the commercial interests of the business and consumer and creative strategies for the channels.

Edwards began her career in radio as a founding member of Sydney’s Nova 96.9, her roles ranged from Station’s Client Marketing Manager and Events Manager prior to pursuing an opportunity in hospitality which saw her take on Group Marketing Manager for a private hotel group.

Most recently Edwards served as Macquarie Radio Network’s Head of Integration and Promotions and Marketing Director, responsible for all Station, Sales and Online Promotions as well as all Marketing activities for 2GB, 2CH and MRN Digital.

Edwards studied a Bachelor of Interior Architecture and Design before discovering her passion for media in 2001, and is completing her Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Charles Stuart University.

AUSTRALIAN MUSICIANS GIVEN OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME

Tooheys Extra Dry unveils international collaboration: The Lab www.tedthelab.com

Sydney, 9 November, 2009: Tooheys Extra Dry has unveiled its latest ground breaking project The Lab, an initiative which will see one rising Australian music act fly to New York to collaborate with world famous musician and producer Mark Ronson in his studio with Santigold, Nick Hodgson of Kaiser Chiefs, Sean Lennon, John Taylor of Duran Duran and members of The Dap-Kings.

The final track, written and produced in Tooheys Extra Dry: The Lab will feature as the soundtrack for the next national advertising campaign, and the winner’s journey will be filmed from start to finish, resulting in a fly-on-wall documentary for release in March next year.

“We’re going to get some very talented people,” said Mark Ronson. “Then, add the wealth of experience of the artists we’re collaborating with, plus me producing it, it almost seems like it’s scientifically engineered to create the best song possible.”

Tooheys Extra Dry has more than six years experience working with the music industry, including festival sponsorships and brand initiatives such as uncharTED, uncharTED LIVE and 6 Beers of Separation. The brand is well-known for pushing boundaries with its advertising campaigns and breaking new creative ground through use of music: its infamous ‘Tongue’ ad used the relatively unknown Benny Bennassi track ‘Satisfaction’, which resulted in the track becoming a radio and dance floor hit in its own right.

Tooheys Extra Dry: The Lab is the next phase in the brand’s music led collaborative approach. To be part of this amazing opportunity, bands and solo artists need to register online before 18 November 2009 at www.tedthelab.com.

Key Dates are:

· 6 November – 18 November 2009 – Artist Registration open – www.tedthelab.com

· 4 December 2009 – Winner Announcement and extended special content launched at www.tedthelab.com

· 7 December – 11 December 2009 – Writing week with collaborators in New York

· January 2010 – Documentary trailer launched

· 4 January – 11 January 2010 – Recording week in New York

· March 2010 – TV campaign, track release and documentary launch

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact Hannah Cooper at Peer Group Media on hannah@peergroupmedia.com / +61(0)431 985 018.

Notes to Editors

Entrants must be over the age of 18. Full terms and conditions can be found at www.tedthelab.com.

White Birds & Lemons - Birdland

White Birds & Lemons formed in Auckland and their early songs were jammed in an abandoned amusement hall dubbed Treacle Toffee World, in homage to a 60s psychedelic compliation much loved by the bad members. White Birds & Lemons’ first cuts were produced by Kody from angular heroes The Mint Chicks. In a Mt. Eden garage, the Birds recorded their infectious blend of 70s soul, 60s psychedelia and relentless groove, crowned by Scott Frantz’s distinctively emotive vocals. It resulted in the New Zealand only release of the ‘Starry Eyes’ EP in 2008.

The band then move to Melbourne in May of 2009 and since then their sound has evolved through a genre-blending mix of influences. Moody 80s synth, searing tones from 90s shoe-gaze and the syncopated percussive elements of contemporary trip hop production all contributing to a unique sound. That sound has been captured by celebrated producer Lindsay Gravina on the band’s new ‘Birdland’ EP.

In NZ the band has played shows with Cut Off Your Hands, The Shins and at the Auckland Big Day Out. They are currently on a sold-out Australian tour opening for Oh Mercy & Lisa Mitchell. Headline shows to come in November to launch the ‘Birdland’ EP through the illustrious Timberyard Records.

For further information contact:

Management: Parker & Mr. French, St. James Hall. 153 Bridge Rd, Glebe, NSW.

Todd Wagstaff e: todd@parkerandmrfrench.com m: 0416 299 002

Henry Roberts e: henry@peergroupmedia.com m: 0412 675 995

Live Bookings: Brett Murrihy e: brettm@theharbouragency.com

Label: Mick Danias e: mick@timberyardrecords.com

For the first time in the history of the Big Day Out, less than two weeks since going on sale, ALL OF THE AUSTRALIAN BIG DAYS OUT ARE NOW SOLD OUT!!

These are just a few of the amazing artists playing at BDO 2010.

BIG DAY OUT 2010

Friday January 15th  AUCKLAND Mt Smart Stadium
Sunday January 17th GOLD COAST Parklands – SOLD OUT!! + BALLOT
Friday January 22nd SYDNEY Sydney Showground – SOLD OUT!! + BALLOT
Saturday January 23rd SYDNEY Sydney Showground – SOLD OUT!! + BALLOT
Tuesday January 26th MELBOURNE Flemington Racecourse – SOLD OUT!! + BALLOT
Friday January 29th ADELAIDE Adelaide Showground – SOLD OUT!! + BALLOT
Sunday January 31st PERTH Claremont Showground – SOLD OUT!! + BALLOT

www.bigdayout.com

As a new year dawns, few things are certain – except of course that Fuzzy’s legendary Field Day is the most life-affirmingly fun way to launch into 2010. Field Day is quite simply the perfect way to welcome the new year in style.

FEATURING:

2manydjs live
The Presets
Major Lazer Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem (DJ set)
Architecture in Helsinki
Fake Blood
Datarock
Krafty Kuts
The Proxy
Sinden
Fred Falke
Sebastien Leger
Lyrics Born
DJ Yoda
Skream & Benga
The Juan Mclean
Amanda Blank
Treasure Fingers
Nic Fanciulli. Riton
We Have Band
Jack Beats
& many more

Details:

When: January 1st 2010
Time: 11am to 11pm
Where: The Domain

Tickets are on sale now, go to www.fuzzy.com.au

Shore Thing is back for another kick start to the New Year!

What better way to start the New Year listening to the awesome beats by international acts – Carl Cox, Danny Tenaglia and Roger Sanchez.

Details:

December 31st, New Years Eve

Bondi Park, Bondi Beach

8:30pm-3am

General tickets on sale midday Monday 26th Oct from www.fuzzy.com.au

Casio are celebrating the evolution of their iconic G-Shock watch with the G-Shock: Shock the world tour Sydney. The tour has already been through London, New York, Paris and Hong Kong, and now it’s coming down under.

For more information on the G-SHOCK: Shock The World Tour Sydney visit www.g-shocksydney.com. For information on products or brands visit www.casio.com.

For more information, interviews or Q&As with Kikuo Ibe, images, or media tickets to G-SHOCK: Shock The World Tour in Sydney contact Hannah Cooper: hannah@peergroupmedia.com / 02 9552 6333 / 0431 985 018.