Wednesday, August 29, 2012

David Jones and Qantas partner to reward cardholders; Miranda Kerr on board




This morning well known Australian fashion model, Miranda Kerr, joined Qantas and David Jones execs to help promote their new branded credit card. They are hoping the public snap up their credit card at a time when many Australians are not in such a great position to endure even more credit pressure. Obviously Ms Kerr's financial position is different from many Australians so good luck to her and the top brass.

Media...

SYDNEY: Thursday 30 August 2012. Two of Australia’s most iconic brands, David Jones and Qantas, have partnered to enable Australian shoppers to earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points as an additional rewards option on the David Jones American Express Card.

From tomorrow (Friday 31 August 2012), all David Jones American Express Cardmembers will have the choice of converting their Reward Points to points in either the American Express Membership Rewards Program or the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.

With a points redemption of 1 Reward Point = 1 Membership Rewards point or 1 Reward Point = 0.75 

Qantas Frequent Flyer points, the David Jones American Express Card offers one of the most attractive retail rewards programs available to shoppers and travellers in Australia.

David Jones CEO, Mr Paul Zahra says, “David  Jones and Qantas are both recognised as premium Australian brands with a strong heritage of service, which creates a natural affinity across our different business platforms. 

“With American Express, this is a fantastic opportunity for David Jones to enhance our customer experience and provide new and rewarding opportunities for our David Jones American Express Cardmembers. 

“We welcome Qantas as the newest addition to the  portfolio of  premium Australian brands that customers will find at David Jones and look forward to a successful – and rewarding – partnership.”

CEO Qantas Loyalty, Ms  Lesley Grant says, “We are delighted to be launching our new  alliance with David Jones and to further strengthen our long term partnership with American Express. 

Qantas and David Jones share similar philosophies, including a strong commitment to customer service and both organisations take great pride in offering high quality products at great value.”

“We look forward to offering David Jones customers a world of options in terms of redeeming their points, including Reward flights across the Qantas domestic and global networks.”

From tomorrow (Friday 31 August, 2012), existing David Jones American Express Cardmembers can elect to choose the new Qantas Frequent Flyer Reward option by simply calling 1300 36 89 89.

The Qantas Frequent Flyer program launched in 1987 and has over 8.7 million members across Australian and globally. The program has more than 500 partners including airlines, hotels, financial institutions and retailers. More than 3.4 million Award flights were redeemed by members last year.

All new David Jones American Express Cardmembers will be offered the choice of American Express Membership Rewards or Qantas Frequent Flyer when they join, with both rewards programs including David Jones Gift Cards as redemption options.

Even More Rewards

David Jones will offer complimentary Qantas Frequent Flyer membership to David Jones American Express Cardmembers, who are not already a Qantas Frequent Flyer member, if they apply online at qantas.com/joinffdavidjones from tomorrow (Friday 31 August, 2012).

Existing Qantas Frequent Flyers will also benefit from the partnership, with David Jones Gift Cards now available through the online Qantas Frequent Flyer store.

The launch of the Qantas Frequent Flyer reward option with the David Jones American Express Card is phase one of David Jones’ partnership program with Qantas Frequent Flyer.  David Jones  Storecard members can look forward to the addition of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program as a rewards option to their card in 2013. 

Mr Zahra says, “The real winners will be our customers. This is a meaningful reward that we know will resonate with our customer community and we look forward to being able to extend the benefit of our Qantas Frequent Flyer partnership to all of our Cardmembers.”

To select the Qantas Frequent Flyer reward option on your David Jones American Express Card, call 1300 36 89 89 from tomorrow (Friday August 31, 2012).  If you are not already a Qantas Frequent Flyer member, Cardmembers can receive Qantas Frequent Flyer membership with the joining fee of $82.50 waived if they apply at qantas.com/joinffdavidjones


News Media...

Miranda Kerr (one of the Qantas Global Ambassadors)

We're proud to welcome Miranda Kerr onboard as our latest Qantas Global Ambassador. We look forward to this exciting partnership.

Miranda Kerr grew up in Gunnedah, before winning a modelling competition in 1997. Since then, Miranda has gone on to become one of the most recognisable faces worldwide, gracing countless runways and featuring in high profile campaigns.

In 2008, Miranda was named as Fashion Ambassador for Australian department store, David Jones. With the support of this partnership, Miranda developed KORA, an organic skin care range. 

Miranda's passion for sustainable living was further evident in 2011, when she acted as Global Ambassador for Earth Hour.

Earlier this year, Miranda joined John Travolta as a Qantas Global Ambassador, at a G'day USA cocktail event in Los Angeles. This Qantas Spirit of Australia event celebrated Australian talent on the world stage and was attended by actors, artists, designers and chefs representing the best of contemporary Australia. (Credit: Qantas)
















Websites

Qantas

David Jones

Miranda Kerr official website

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Kath & Kimderella movie premiere at Entertainment Quarter; Sydney, Australia





Tonight the Australian "foxy moron" (Kath & Kim lingo) film enjoyed its Australian premiere at Entertainment Quarter in the shadow of Fox Studios Australia, Moore Park.

The Kath & Kim franchise is well established and its usually a case of you either love them or hate them. Tonight there were hundreds of lovers of course.

Some passionate fans dressed up as their idols - including some grown men in K&K drag.

The girls at the premiere switched in and out of character, as they often do in news media interviews.

The Flick...

Kath, Kim and the latter's daggy offsider, Sharon (Magda Szubanski) are soon shipped off to Papilloma, a bankrupt principality in Italy, where the monarch, King Javier (Rob Sitch) mistakes Kath for a wealthy noble and plans to seduce her, while his son fixates on Kim as a princess.

Plot...

Fountain Lakes’ foxiest ladies turn more than just heads when they go on an OS trip and end up being the centre of their very own fairytale.

Starring: Jane Turner, Gina Riley, Magda Szubanski, Glenn Robbins & Peter Rowsthorn.

Director: Ted Emery

Kath & Kimderella opens nationally Thursday, September 6.













Websites

Kath & Kimderella official website

Kath & Kim official website

Roadshow Films

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Music News Australia

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Ricki-Lee performs at Westfield, Parramatta





Popular singer Ricki-Lee Coulter performed at Westfield Parramatta this afternoon to an appreciative audience.

Coulter sung a number of her songs off her new album 'Fear and Freedom'.

The 26-year-old says she feels stronger and more confident than ever with the upcoming release of her third album Fear & Freedom.

"This is my best work because it has just come purely and completely from me," she says over breakfast at a cafe near her Sydney home.

"This is the most genuine and the most honest and the most free that I've ever felt writing and recording in the studio. I wasn't forced to work with anyone I didn't want to work with."

Fans enjoyed the opportunity to purchase copies of the CD at the event and have them signed by Rick-Lee.

Following this appearance in Parramatta, the singer will tour for her Fear and Freedom live tour in Melbourme, Sydney and Brisbane.


















Websites

Ricki-Lee Coulter official website

Westfield

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Music News Australia

Friday, August 17, 2012

Celtic Woman performs at Macquarie Shopping Centre, Sydney: 'Believe'





Celtic Woman are down under in Australia to promote their current album 'Believe' and today they made a free public performance at Macquarie Shopping Centre.

'Believe' debuted at number 1 on the ARIA Classical Chart and includes some classic favourites like Bridge Over Troubled Water, Sailing, You'll Never Walk Alone and Ave Maria.

The group consists of Mairead Nesbitt, Chloe Agnew, Lisa Lambe and Susan McFadden.

Fans of Celtic Woman's genre of music continue to rejoice around Australia as the all girl group continue to garner strong reviews for that latest CD 'Believe'.

Believe Track List...

1. Awakening
2. Nocturne 
3. Sailing          
4. The Foxhunter 
5. The Water Is Wide   
6. Bridge Over Troubled Water
7. Black Is The Colour             
8. Follow On    
9. Ave Maria    
10. Teir Abhaile Riu     
11. You'll Never Walk Alone  
12. A Spaceman Came Traveling         
13. Songs From The Heart: Walking The Night/The World Falls Away                    
14. A Woman's Heart              
15. The Parting Glass

Biography...

In just a few short years, the unique musical ensemble known as Celtic Woman has emerged as both a spectacular commercial success and a genuine cultural phenomenon. The beloved ensemble’s evocative, uplifting music has transcended national and cultural borders to touch the hearts of a devoted fan base that spans the globe.

DVD News...

Internationally acclaimed vocal phenomenon Celtic Woman announce their sixth new project, BELIEVE, an enchanting studio album and companion live concert DVD available in stores on January 24. Celtic Woman is the all-female singing sensation featuring vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Lisa Lambe and Celtic violinist Máiréad Nesbitt performing classic Irish songs ("The Water Is Wide," "Green Grow the Rushes," "A Woman's Heart," "The Parting Glass"), timeless pop anthems ("Bridge Over Troubled Water," "Sailing"), and inspirational songs ("You'll Never Walk Alone," "Ave Maria") with their signature Celtic Woman twist, under the distinct musical direction of Emmy-nominated music producer, David Downes. The live concert DVD was filmed for the first time in America in front of some of their most loyal fans during two sold-out nights at The Fox Theatre (Atlanta, GA) in Sept 2011.




















Websites

Celtic Woman official website

Mairead Nesbitt official website

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Music News Australia

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Country music legend Kenny Rogers performs State Theatre, Sydney; Australian music legend John Williamson supports





Kenny Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, actor, photographer and entrepreneur. 

He has been most successful with country audiences and has charted more than 120 hit singles across various music genres and topping the country and pop album charts for more than 200 individual weeks in the United States alone.

Tonight Rogers performed to an appreciative Australian audience at the famous State Theatre in Sydney.

He was supported by Australian country legend John Williamson and I couldn't think of a better support in the world, but there can be little doubt that the majority of people were there to see Rogers.

Rogers is one of very few artists who have enjoyed successful careers in such a variety of genres - jazz, folk, rock, country and pop. Houston-born Rogers formed his first band while in high school in 1956 - a rockabilly group called The Scholars (they performed on American Bandstand) - and has never quit making music. He played stand-up bass in the jazz group the Bobby Doyle Trio, and later became a member of the popular folk group, The New Christy Minstrels. The spotlight started focusing on Rogers when his group, The First Edition, scored their first hit, "I Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In), which was followed by the pop and country chart success of "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town."

Rogers' solo career shot into the stratosphere with the #1 hit, "Lucille," which was named the CMA's Single of the Year and was certified Gold.  "Daytime Friends," "Sweet Music Man," and "Love Or Something Like It" continued his run of success. Then came "The Gambler," a story song so vivid it not only delighted country and pop fans, it also became a TV movie, starring Rogers himself in the title role. The movie spawned four follow-ups, making it the longest running miniseries franchise on television. The five Gambler mini-series have attracted over 100 million viewers nationwide and launched a second career for Rogers as an actor on television and movies.

News...

Kenny Rogers autobiography out in October...

With Rogers 50 years of performing and 120 million album sales, there's a lot to write about.

He says "It stirs up certain emotions that you'd forgotten about. Particularly when your life has been as busy as mine - it's kind of hard to keep up with things"

"I must admit I enjoyed writing it. I enjoyed that process. I don't know that I'd want to do it again."

More News...

The pinnacle of his career is in the late 1970s to '80s and includes hits such as The Gambler, Lucille, Coward of the County and, with Dolly Parton, Islands In the Stream. He has had 24 No.1 hits.

"Once I started with Lucille [in 1977], it was like an indescribable career for anybody, so you have a look at that and say: how can you not have enjoyed that?" Rogers says. "But I have to tell ya: too much success is not good either. I'm at a great place right now where I sign enough autographs to satisfy my ego, but not so many that it invades my privacy."

In 2009 Rogers did widespread touring under the anniversary banner The First Fifty Years. He still performs or records about 100 days annually. But turning 74 next week, with a much younger wife and twin eight-year-old boys at his home in Atlanta, he expects his Australian concerts will be his last here.

"This is probably gonna be my last international tour," he says. It's because his family can't be with him. "So I think when I come back … that's gonna be it. I'm gonna stay home then.

"I'll continue to tour the States. I'd just like to be able to get home [more] so I can spend what I think is quality time with the boys … I really wanna be there for 'em instead of being gone all the time."

Rogers has said his one regret is the toll his pursuit of success had on his relationships. But "I don't want to go back and rehash things that I was honest about and paid the price for. I don't want to pay it again."

Kenny Rogers will also play at the State Theatre tomorrow night, again supported by John Williamson.

If Rogers other performances down under in Australia are anything like tonight's, fans are in for a massive treat from this true music legend, and his new Aussie legend mate.

Australian Tour Dates...

SYDNEY, NSW AUSTRALIA
August 16, 2012 9:00 p.m.
State Theatre
With Special Guest John Williamson 

DARWIN, NORTHERN TERRITORY AUSTRALIA
August 18, 2012 9:45 p.m.
Darwin Festival
George Brown Botanic Gardens
With Special Guest Sara Storer 

PERTH, AUSTRALIA
August 21, 2012 9:00 p.m.
Riverside Theatre 
Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre
With Special Guest Troy Cassar Daley 

MELBOURNE, VIC AUSTRALIA
August 23, 2012 9:00 p.m.
Palais Theatre
With Special Guest Troy Cassar Daley 

NEWCASTLE, NSW AUSTRALIA
August 24, 2012 8:00 p.m.
Newcastle Entertainment Centre
With Special Guest Lee Kernaghan

GYMPIE, QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA
August 26, 2012 8:00 p.m.
Gympie Music Muster

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA
August 29, 2012 9:00 p.m.
Adelaide Entertainment Centre 
With Special Guest Beccy Cole


John Williamson

Kenny Rogers

John Williamson


Kenny Rogers




Websites

Kenny Rogers official website

John Williamson official website

State Theatre

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Music News Australia