Australian News 5/31

Pink Sponsors Added

Pink’s three-month, 58-date “Funhouse” tour, which began in Perth May 22, is adding two more sponsors.

Telecommunications company Optus, which was previously announced as a sponsor, was joined by Australian car manufacturer Holden, which is launching its small model Cruze around the tour, and Logitech Ultimate Ears earpiece headphones.

The tour, produced by Michael Coppel Presents is expected to gross A$65 million (US$ 50.1 million) from 532,000 tickets.

Country Festival Expands Branding

The Tamworth Country Music Festival appointed Sydney media and entertainment branding company Peer Group Media to expand its sponsorship appeal.

The festival generates A$50 million in revenue for the local economy, attracting 50,000 fans over 10 days in January.

Short Notes

The Wangaratta Festival of Jazz appointed Kay Richardson as its manager. She says her background in finance, corporate governance, IT, promotion and marketing will come into play as the festival will unveil a new image and new ways to reach patrons.

Blink-182 was offered a slot on January’s Big Day Out, while Kasabian guitarist Sergio Pizzorno hinted of an August visit during an interview on Australian radio.

Sydney events and lifestyle magazine Time Out teamed with online ticketing agency Qjump to create Time Out Tickets, selling tickets, flights, hotels and car rental.

Scientists at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne devised a DVD technology that can store 2,000 times more data than a standard disc. That’s 400 movies or 100,000 songs.

Creative Sydney’s inaugural list of the 100 most creative catalysts in Sydney included manager John Watson, Modular promoter and label head Steve Pav, John Wall & Ming Gan of dance promoter Fuzzy Mark Gerber of the Oxford Art Factory venue, hip-hop publisher and promoter Mark Pollard, and artists The Presets and Morganics.

Constant patron violence saw Perth’s The Rock nightclub lose its license and owner Nunzio La Bianca banned from working in any licensed premises for five years.

Children Collide, whose “The Long Now” was out in the U.S. May 26, will kick off its maiden North American trek June 10 and take in 14 dates.