The black tie crowd generously opened their chequebooks in support of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre's bi-annual fundraising auction in early May raising $185,000 for the charity. 

Anika Moa, Boh Runga, Annabel Fay and boy band Titanium warmed up the audience in the Langham's beautiful Great Room with the Titanium lads escaping unscathed and with a price tag of $10,000 around their young necks. Moa and Runga weren’t to be outdone though and after belting out an acoustic version of Boh’s hit ‘Evelyn’ promptly sold a private show of their own for just a little less.

It costs $600,000 a year to run the charity started by Hinewehi Mohi nine years ago. Her daughter Hineraukatauri, after whom the centre is named, is among the 200 children treated each week. Accompanied by the Auckland Chamber Orchestra, Hinewehi stirred the audience with an emotional performance of a few of her favourite tracks from her upcoming album.

The generosity in the room was palpable as the wallets came out. The highest bid was for an advertising package from mediaworks that went for $24,000 while a set of six signed Pink Floyd album cover prints showed there is an appetite for Rock History by going for $17,000. A Taylor Swift-autographed banjo went for $9,000 while an electric guitar signed by Hello Sailor fetched $7,000.
 

Three keen Kiwis who queued online to be first in the country to get their hands on Samsung’s hotly-anticipated Galaxy S4 smartphone got their reward the day before the phone was launched on April 27.

Aucklanders Krisha Santos, Darmaine Cruz & Jeca Golbin, each picked up their new devices a good 14 hours before anyone else in the country.

They’re the winners of Pead PR client Samsung’s innovative online promotion that saw more than 11,000 hopefuls join the queue to be among the first in the world to own one.

Public relations activities supporting the launch resulted in comprehensive media coverage across TV, national and regional print, in trade media and online.

Unlike most queues, getinline.co.nz didn’t involve any standing around. People joined the line through their social networks on either Twitter of Facebook.

Progress towards the front of the line was made when people in users’ networks interacted with shared content from the competition website. The more unique people they got liking, commenting and re-tweeting, the more they jumped up the cyber-queue.

It’s both a practical and creative way for the global technology brand to use technology itself to launch its latest piece of technology, Samsung says.

While people managed their places in the line online, there was also a tangible, real time presence on display in Aotea Square. A 50 x 3.2 metre LED billboard broadcast to passers-by what was happening in the virtual line and spectators could view progress of participants as they worked their way towards the front.

Krisha, Darmaine and Jeca won a Galaxy S4 and VIP weekend in Auckland. Altogether 623 people in line won a prize – ranging from $50, $250 and $500 vouchers. 
 

New Zealanders who didn’t make it to dawn services on ANZAC Day have again switched on in their droves to Māori Television’s live coverage from the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

The broadcast was the lead-in to 15 hours of ANZAC Day programmes that saw interest in coverage continue to grow with a 37 per cent increase in viewership compared to last year.

More than 470,000 people tuned in to Māori Television throughout ANZAC Day, a project supported by Pead PR’s sports and entertainment team.

Whilst overall television viewership was down five per cent compared to last year, Māori Television was the only channel to increase. Viewers around the world also accessed much of the day’s coverage on Māori Television’s new website.

“Māori Television is committed to recognising events that are important to all New Zealanders. This is our 8th year of dedicated ANZAC Day programming and we are thrilled with the response,” says Chief Executive Jim Mather.

Presented by Julian Wilcox, Judy Bailey and Wena Harawira, the day’s coverage included a documentary following 22 Kiwi veterans as they returned to El Alamein, A Company in the 28th Māori Battalion, the story of Victoria Cross recipients and the NZ Army Band concert featuring Anika Moa and Ria Hall.

Programmes are available to view online at www.maoritelevision.com.
 

Auckland institution The French Café is again the winner of the supreme award in the Metro Emirates Restaurant of the Year Awards 2013 - after a five-year absence.

The French Café was also judged Best Fine Dining restaurant and the establishment with the Best Service while co-owner Simon Wright wins Best Chef. It is the fifth time the Symonds Street restaurant has taken out the top honour in the awards.

Now in their 11th year, the Metro Emirates Restaurant of the Year Awards 2013 were announced in April with Pead PR providing media relations in support of the event.

Other notable achievements include last year’s top restaurant Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar judged Best Casual Bistro and, repeating his 2012 win, Ganesh Raj from Kumeu’s The Tasting Shed is Restaurant Personality of the Year.

The evergreen Totó took out Best Italian restaurant while Best New Restaurant is fine dining European-Japanese fusion eatery Kazuya. Mexico has been judged best value for money. Te Whau Vineyard Restaurant on Waiheke Island has taken out the Best Rural award.

Metro Restaurant of the Year Awards judge and Metro editor Simon Wilson says it’s a good time to be a restaurant customer in Auckland.

“Right now there are lots of new places opening and the overall standard continues to rise.”

Simon says the standout feature of the awards this year is not that new places are setting the pace, but that several older places have responded to the challenge of more competition by raising their own game.

“The French Café hasn’t won for five years, but it has comprehensively overhauled everything it does, and has fought its way back to the top.

“Similarly, on Waiheke, Te Whau used to be our regular Rural Restaurant winner, but it lost that spot a few years ago. Now it’s back. And the best Upmarket Bistro and best Smart Dining restaurant are also two old favourites among Auckland diners: The Engine Room, and O’Connell Street Bistro.”

The awards are judged by a panel of 10 experienced food industry people – a combination of critics and professionals. The bookings are normally made under false names, the visits are not announced and all meals are paid for. The judges make repeat visits when necessary.

The full Metro Emirates Restaurant of the Year Awards 2013 results can be found here. The picture of Creghan Molloy Wright and Simon Wright was taken by Ken Downie.
 

Autumn was very much in focus when Pead PR helped L’Oréal Paris celebrate its colourful new season cosmetics range at Auckland’s stylish Hotel De Brett.

And just to ensure the total look all comes together perfectly, there’s now an app for it.

Beauty media and cosmetic trade guests enjoyed a parade featuring eight models – clothes by Storm – wearing L’Oréal Paris’ eight Les Ombres eye palettes and eight Shine Caresse lip stains.

The event also featured new autumn nail shades and introduced the new Colour Genius iPhone app so you can match your make-up to your outfit.

L’Oréal Paris cosmetics senior product manager Deanna Walker led proceedings presenting the ranges before the models took to the floor.

The looks comprised two each for day, evening and autumn / winter trends as well as two shock styles. Following the parade L’Oréal Paris make-up director Lisa Matson talked through each group offering product advice and tips for guests.

We love Hotel De Brett as a venue…so modernly stylish and yet one of the Auckland CBD’s most cherished structures.
 

Attaining an internationally accepted aquaculture sustainability certification confirms Pead PR client NZ King Salmon’s world-class environmental standards the company says.

In March the South Island-based business was confirmed as a sustainable salmon producer through achieving the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification.

The certification covers NZ King Salmon’s entire current operations - five sites and three production facilities in Marlborough and Nelson. The company’s new sites awarded following the recent Environmental Protection Authority hearings will be audited as they come on stream.

Certification examines farm compliance issues such as community property rights and relations, worker relations, the environment, fish management and welfare, wildlife interactions and supply storage and disposal.

On the production side, it addresses management practices such as quality and staff, environment and food safety and verification and traceability.

NZ King Salmon CEO Grant Rosewarne says the BAP certification confirms the company is doing what it says it has been doing.

“Given the high standards we set ourselves compliance was achievable without a great deal of change to our current processes and procedures. Corrective actions following audit were limited and indicative of a sound operation with only minor tweaks required.

“We’re very pleased with this certification. We can carry the BAP certification mark on our packaging and that gives consumers comfort knowing we are managing our activities in an environmentally sensitive and acceptable way,” Mr Rosewarne says.

The company did considerable preliminary work on researching which was the best global standard. It came to the conclusion the BAP certification was the best suited to the New Zealand situation which differs from most other territories in terms of isolation from disease and the King salmon species it farms

The company’s operations were audited by an experienced Australian-based certifier who is contracted to the GAA. Audits will be carried out annually.

“This is obviously important in all markets but especially so offshore – the US is an example - where some customers will take product from a certified producer in preference to others.”

Traceability is a very big part of BAP certification. It interconnects links in the aquaculture seafood production chain, assuring purchasers that all steps in the process were taken in compliance with environmental, social and food safety standards.

Further detail on the GAA’s BAP standards can be found here.
 

New York skincare brand Kiehl’s now has its own dedicated flagship boutique - nestled in Auckland’s trendy Britomart precinct. And Pead PR’s beauty team was out in force to draw attention to the beautiful new store.

The flagship boutique from the brand that celebrates its New York origins is located in Britomart’s Atrium on Takutai shopping gallery.

The Atrium is a stunning gallery space connecting Takutai Square with the eastern perimeter of Britomart area. The light, airy corridor features spectacular green ‘live’ walls and is lined with high-end retailers and enticing eateries.

Guests at the official opening enjoyed cocktails that reflected Kiehl’s apothecary heritage served by “lab assistants” appropriately dressed in white Kiehl’s laboratory coats. Canapés by Nick Honeyman were inspired by the ingredients in Kiehl’s product – and just as ‘delicious’!

Highlight of the night for the assembled media, celebrities, Kiehl’s endorsers and brand loyalists – in addition to the rousing speech from L’Oréal Luxe General Manager Louise von Sierakowski – was a big-noise parade by eight Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Harleys have a presence in Kiehl’s boutiques across the globe and were originally invited into store to occupy the men while their wives shopped.

Kiehl’s was founded in 1851 and originated in the Lower East Side of New York City. The brand is loved globally for its character-filled 160-year history and its range of efficacious skin and haircare products, including a men-specific collection.

The company’s heritage and legacy are an integral part of the Kiehl’s experience. The aesthetic of the Kiehl’s flagship boutique reinforces the brand’s New York heritage. The boutique’s authentic brick wall, vibrant gallery of historic images and neon artwork all pay homage to Kiehl’s rich history.

The boutique is home to Kiehl’s resident Mr Bones as a nod to the brand’s pharmaceutical heritage. Unique to the Britomart boutique is an inviting consultation space where store patrons can unwind and discuss their skincare needs.

Consumers are personally greeted by store manager Jay Williams, who boasts extensive experience as a Kiehl’s representative in the United Kingdom. Jay has incredible in-depth product knowledge and embodies the Kiehl’s spirit and DNA.

Did you know? During the 1940s, customers at Kiehl’s New York flagship pharmacy had to step around a hobby collection of motorcycles and stunt aeroplanes en-route to purchasing their favourite creams in the rear of the store. Today, some of Kiehl’s most famous men’s products are inspired by those typically male pursuits - Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men and Close Shavers Squadron Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream are two perfect examples.
 

An enduring love for the land combined with a belief in ethical farming and a passion for winemaking has drawn two of New Zealand’s most successful wine entrepreneurs back to the industry.

Loveblock is the new brand that realises the vision and passion Erica and Kim have to create great New Zealand wine that best reflects the terroir on which the grapes are grown while minimising chemical input.

The couple’s previous label was New Zealand’s most successful wine marketing business, sold to Canadian beverage company Vincor in 2003. That label owned no land, preferring to source its grapes from contract growers.

After some time in the wilderness, Erica has found her Loveblock, a treasured and formidable landscape comprising 85 hectares perched atop the hills overlooking Marlborough’s Awatere Valley.

In a journey that began in 2004, here the duo has planted several grape varietals, farming organically, true to their deeply held belief of ethical farming and land care which enables the wine to reflect its naked or true terroir.

Loveblock wines are now coming to market and have already caught the eye of Terlato Wines International, a leading distributor of international fine wines in the United States which has signed a long-term partnership to market the brand in North America. In New Zealand, Loveblock is sold online direct to consumers.

Ever wondered what it would be like to have a top chef manage your menus night after night? Now three female powerhouses have developed a food service that does just that.

MasterChef 2011 winner Nadia Lim has joined forces with 2012 Businesswoman of the Year Cecilia Robinson and prominent New Zealand business leader Theresa Gattung to cook up a new home delivery service that will revolutionise the way we cook and eat at home.

My Food Bag is a weekly service delivering meal kits comprising quality, free range ingredients, together with nutritious seasonal recipes. All recipes are designed by Nadia Lim who is developing a strong reputation for being at the forefront of healthy eating in New Zealand.

Each bag contains ingredients for dinners that are simple to prepare, big on flavour, healthy and delicious.

The Classic bag is perfect for families or households of four to five people and contains ingredients and recipes for five meals that are kiwi favourites with a twist. The Gourmet bag for couples contains ingredients for four meals and utilises gourmet produce and products.

The service launched in early March and is “ideal for modern lifestyles”, Cecilia Robinson says.

“My Food Bag is about introducing innovation, excitement and variety into home cooking – and it embraces Nadia’s healthy eating philosophy.”

Nadia Lim’s My Food Bag recipes are easily followed and feature healthy and fresh free range ingredients which are locally sourced wherever possible. My Food Bag is delivered weekly to the door, liberating consumers from managing the meal-planning and shopping processes.

Meals can be prepared in around 30 minutes and require only easy or intermediate cooking skills. With each delivery, Nadia Lim provides notes for that week that include useful cooking tips and how to keep leftovers, among other handy hints.

Cecilia Robinson says the new service is destined to change the way Kiwis eat.

“Imagine it – fresh, healthy and delicious, the meal ideas and ingredients arrive right at your door,” Ms Robinson says. “My Food Bag puts fun and enjoyment in to home cooking and introduces new variety to meal times. It’s also smart budgeting, cuts down on waste and represents effective use of your valuable time.”

Nadia Lim says her aim is to introduce excitement and add seasonal variety to what is a very convenient way for busy people to cook.

“I know from experience that convenience very often is not associated with healthy eating and variety but all that changes with My Food Bag. It’s a fresh and exciting and fabulous approach to nutrition and healthy eating. All meals I’ve created should delight the taste buds without offending the waistline.”

My Food Bag works like this. On a Sunday or Monday evening each week, customers receive the recipes and ingredients for main meals. Currently there are two types of bag – the Classic for a family of four or more which costs $179 for five meals and the Gourmet bag ($139) with four meals for two people, both offerings include free delivery.

The Classic bag costs around $9.00 a meal per person and the Gourmet bag, $17.40. Home cooks do need to provide some basic pantry items such as oils, flours, condiments and the like. But otherwise, everything else required is in My Food Bag.

Cecilia Robinson, the founder and managing director of My Food Bag, also founded Au Pair Link, Australasia’s largest au pair company. She has a genuine passion for good food and has seen a similar model to My Food Bag in her native Sweden.

My Food Bag launched in Auckland and Ms Robinson plans to extend it to other metropolitan areas as the business grows. On Twitter @myfoodbag
 

New Zealand brand Kim Crawford Wines has hit a record one million case sales in the past 12 months with 60 per cent of them going to the USA.

The Kim Crawford label, launched in 1996, has been part of the Constellation Brands NZ Limited portfolio since 2006 with global sales having grown significantly since that time.

Constellation New Zealand’s President Joe Stanton says Kim Crawford is a raging success story overseas and represents in excess of 45 per cent of all Constellation exports.

“It is sold in more than 50 countries and 88 per cent of Kim Crawford wine going offshore is Sauvignon Blanc,” Mr Stanton says

Constellation Brands New Zealand is the leading exporter of New Zealand wine into the North American markets driven by the success of Kim Crawford.

The North American thirst for the fine Kiwi wine shows no signs of abating, Mr Stanton says. Kim Crawford enjoys the status of the best-selling New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc in both the USA and Canada. Sales into North America have grown more than 20 per cent in the past 12 months alone.

“New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is unmatched globally because of its unique flavour profile resulting from our particular soil, climate and growing conditions. It has vibrant, zesty and pungent aromas and intense fruit flavours very much in favour in North America.

“Add to that Constellation’s extensive marketing and distribution networks which give us great market penetration and really this lovely wine from Marlborough in the South Island is simply a global winner,” Mr Stanton says.

The 2012 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is the work of a talented group of winemakers led by Kim Crawford Senior Winemaker Anthony Walkenhorst who is based at the company’s Riverland Winery in Blenheim.

Walkenhorst says his Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp and powerful, well balanced wine with intense aromas of gooseberry, passion fruit and citrus flavours.

“We use grapes from all over the Marlborough region where vineyards are selected by flavour profile for a desired outcome. We aim for a blend with a wide range of flavours from the tropical fruits to the herbaceous flavours.”

Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has been available in offshore markets since 1996. New Zealand has around 20,000 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc grapes planted and the industry exports around 150 million litres of the variety annually.
 

Fantastic news from Moa. The Marlborough brewer is adding Canada to its export markets after upping its presence in North America.

Canadian craft beer drinkers soon get their first chance to enjoy a Moa - the first shipment of a container is en route to Richmond in British Colombia.

Moa has appointed Aqua Vita Imports of Vancouver as its new Canadian distributor. Moa General Manager Gareth Hughes says like the U.S., Canada has a growing craft beer market and consumers who demand quality.

Moa has also recently sent its fourth shipment to the People’s Republic – a container with 1,000 cases destined for Nansha, China.

Gareth Hughes says the company is focused on building a profile in high end Chinese liquor stores and restaurants through a local distribution partner.

“There is an emerging sophisticated food and beverage culture in China and we have the right distribution partner to gain share in the luxury beer segment. Our strength is the Moa Magnum where the Champagne bottle style and experience counts as a status symbol,” says Hughes.

Moa is also building presence in the U.S with Texas becoming a key state for the brand.

Hughes puts the US and Texan success down to demand for barrel aged brews and the growing popularity of New Zealand hops.

“Outside Texas we’re also seeing great results on the east coast. New York and New Jersey are competitive markets but Moa is developing a real presence among craft enthusiasts,” says Hughes.

The US craft beer market generated $8.7 billion in sales in 2011 recording 15 per cent growth in value and 13 per cent growth in volume during the year.

Moa Beer founder Josh Scott puts much of the recent sales growth down to the brand’s bottle conditioning process.

“It makes international marketing and supply that much easier. The stock has a much longer expiry date than normal which appeals to our existing and prospective distribution partners.”

Overall Moa Beer can now be found in 10 countries with main markets being New Zealand, Australia and the US.
 

With its rich soils and clear waters, Marlborough has a strong reputation for producing world class food and wine.

And now Marlborough is coming to town for a four-day Marlborough Dinner Series at award-winning Auckland restaurant The Grill by Sean Connolly.

The one-time event celebrates the very best of the region’s world-class fresh produce and spectacular wines. Four premiere Marlborough wineries are set to showcase their finest drops, with one taking centre stage each day. Each accompanies a fabulous four course menu consisting of classic Marlborough ingredients including Ōra King Salmon and Cloudy Bay clams.

Hosted in the award-winning Federal Street restaurant’s mezzanine area, guests experience all Marlborough has to offer in an intimate setting of just 40 people per evening.

Each of the four evenings will feature one of the Marlborough wineries:

• 24th Feb – Nautilus Estate Wines: Selling in over 30 countries, Nautilus is one of just a handful of wineries licenced to use the prestigious New Zealand Fern brand.

• 25th Feb – Hunters Wines: One of the pioneers of Marlborough winemaking, Hunter’s have won more than 160 gold medals and 30 trophies at national and international wine competitions since being established in 1978.

• 26th Feb – Seresin Estate: Seresin wines are hand-picked and hand-made exclusively from fruit from the organic and biodynamic estate vineyards.

• 27th Feb – Hans Herzog Estate: This highly acclaimed boutique winery is famed for its experimental varieties and organic & biodynamic practices.

Tickets $135 pp.

For more information, and to book a place, go here.
 

Rarely in the spotlight, PR agencies usually make things happen in the background. And they certainly aren’t used to receiving accolades from the media.

So Pead PR finds itself in the rare position of being acknowledged for industry excellence by the beauty editors of leading NZ magazine publisher Bauer Media Group.

In the NZ Best in Beauty 2013 Awards announced mid-February, Pead PR beauty team account director Kristen Peoples (right in picture with Bauer media director Trudi Brewer) took out the PR Personality of the Year Award.

The agency’s beauty team senior account executive Kate Berich won the editors’ votes for Rising Star of 2013. Both work on the L’Oréal NZ account.

To cap off a big night for Pead PR’s beauty client, L’Oréal communications manager Tanya Abbott won Brand Ambassador of the Year.

Deborah Pead says Pead PR has had superb support from L’Oréal.

“L’Oréal is a foundation client of ours – we have been working together for a decade now and L’Oréal has always given us the scope to deliver great results.

“We are proud of our strong client-agency relationship with L’Oréal so it’s a cherry on the top to have the top beauty editors acknowledge the good work we do for the world’s leading beauty brand.”

L’Oréal communications manager Tanya Abbott says it was a proud moment having the company’s PR team recognised.

“The mix simply doesn’t get any better than this and cements what we already knew – that we have the best PR agency in town,” Ms Abbott says. “Pead PR’s beauty team works extremely hard across our wide portfolio of beauty brands and yet they treat every editor like she is the only person in their day.

“And the fact that many of our own products also picked up a clutch of awards means I’m absolutely over the moon with pride and delight.”

Bauer Media Group beauty director Trudi Brewer says the publisher instigated the awards last year to acknowledge the work of its “hardworking brand partners”.

“The beauty industry is so dynamic, innovative and competitive because of the passionate people behind the brands and the PR companies involved.

“So we get together to decide who offers the best service regarding PR, fastest turnaround on information and quotes for stories, and who knows their brand portfolio the best. We also want to recognise their passion and professionalism.”

The NZ Best in Beauty Awards industry categories were voted on by the beauty editors of NEXT, Fashion Quarterly, The Australian Women’s Weekly, Woman’s Day, Cleo and Good Health.

The NZ Best in Beauty Award finalists were voted by readers of NEXT, Fashion Quarterly, The Australian Women’s Weekly, Woman’s Day, Cleo and Good Health.

Pead PR client Dry & Tea was also a winner taking out the Best Beauty Bar award.
 

Chef-turned-baker-businessman Sean Armstrong’s successful business Loaf is expanding internationally in a multi-million dollar deal with Australian supermarket giant Coles.

After six months of negotiations, a selection of Armstrong’s range of delicious gourmet slices has hit the Australian market with three containers of goods being shipped across the Tasman.

Coles is stocking a selected range of the slices in 400 of its stores throughout the states of New South Wales and Victoria.

The exclusive multi-million dollar agreement means Pead PR client Loaf has increased production to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It has also led to a significant 20 per cent boost in staff at Loaf to handle the upsurge.

Coles is one of Australia’s leading food retailers, with more than 11 million customer transactions a week. Armstrong says the agreement represents the first advancement in Loaf’s business strategy to expand into other international markets.

“We know we have a great product, and have always felt confident from the outset this would speak for itself. But one aspect that did please us was it took only six months to secure this foothold,” Armstrong says.

“We are committed to building the business and this opportunity represents simply one of the many opportunities we are looking into both locally and internationally.”

The Coles deal also comes straight off the back of Armstrong’s significant investment in building Loaf’s custom-made plant in Penrose, Auckland, completed in March last year.

“The aim of the plant is to improve our ability to serve new markets and provide for the seamless growth of Loaf products. The Coles deal represents our first step in achieving this,” Armstrong says.

Loaf’s ‘sweet range’ 300g slices including its Sticky chocolate brownie, Explosive ginger slice, Gooey caramel slice and Cranberry and pistachio slice were launched at Coles in January. The slices have been repackaged to fit and resonate with Australian consumers.

Depending on the sales success of this sampling of Loaf slices, the products will be rolled out to all 750 Coles supermarkets in Australia.
 

Sadly we record the death of a friend and former client Sir Paul Holmes who has passed away at his Hawkes Bay home today (1 February, 2013).

Paul was a one-of-a-kind client whose calls invariably heralded a free-form discussion about the world in general and the state of the media in particular.

He was a client who always had a smile in his voice and who took a hands-on interest in launching and building his brand. Fortunately, most meetings evolved into a long-lunch session.

Paul once asked us to issue a news release saying he believed “Mana Lodge is the first New Zealand business to take advantage of the recently-signed free trade agreement with China”.

Over another long lunch in the Peoples Republic he sold a case of Paul Holmes Olive Oil to a restaurant in Shanghai. He dictated the media announcement word for word from the restaurant telling us “Philippe the chef told me the Mana Lodge oils are outstanding and he had to have some. I was happy to oblige”.

Paul will be sorely missed in NZ – but particularly so by his friends here at Pead PR.

Deborah Pead 

The New York Times has listed Waiheke Island and headland Sculpture on the Gulf exhibition as a ‘must see’ in 2013 (seen here as no.35).

It’s high praise from one of the world’s most prestigious media outlets, but well deserved say organisers who reveal this year’s exhibition is set to be the best one yet.

With the stunning Hauraki Gulf as a backdrop, ), 30 large-scale new sculptures from our country’s most talented emerging and established artists will be unveiled along the beautiful Matiatia Bay headland on Waiheke Island this Friday (January 25). ,.

headland Sculpture on the Gulf is New Zealand’s premier outdoor art exhibition. Visitors from around the country and overseas are due to touch down on Waiheke especially to walk the spectacular 2.5km sculpture trail.

But it’s not only for art and nature lovers. A much expanded Waiheke ‘experience’ awaits visitors to the exhibition, with organisers introducing a number of changes to enhance it for the 40,000-plus expected visitors.

A huge 600 square metre pavilion will be erected on the waterfront at Matiatia and will provide visitors with a range of activities, hospitality and entertainment they can enjoy before and after the stunning sculpture walk..

The pavilion will housea dedicated small sculpture gallery, a restaurant, bars and produce hall. Open throughout the length of the exhibition, visitors can enjoy world-class Waiheke wines, food and music, with wine and artisan beer tastings, artists’ talks and other special events before heading out to the main event.

headland Sculpture on the Gulf runs from 25 January to 17 February 2013. . It is free to walk the track, although donations are encouraged.

For further information visit www.sculptureonthegulf.co.nz or facebook.com/SculptureontheGulf
 

To celebrate Maybelline New York’s ’catwalk to sidewalk' positioning, Pead PR secured a collaboration with renowned Auckland street artist Enforce Once to launch a range of new products hitting stores January 2013.

Enforce One was commissioned to produce a bespoke piece of street art for Maybelline New York. The result is a mixed media portrait of a young woman with a subtle nod to the New York skyline.  Enforce One used bold, striking colours, cleverly incorporating Maybelline New York products including the new Color Show nail polish.  Limited edition women’s tees featuring the artwork were also produced and given to guests at a special launch event at James in Parnell on December 6.

The event was a celebration of colour with Enforce One’s artwork displayed alongside Maybelline New York’s latest products and striking model imagery from the Maybelline New York 2013 calendar.  George FM’s Double Dutch DJs played throughout the afternoon while guests enjoyed a delicious selection of canapés and sipped on a cocktail made with chocolate raspberry vodka, created especially for the event.

Maybelline New York’s Senior Brand Manager Gemma Farrell spoke of the importance of the collaboration between Maybelline New York and Enforce One.

“To launch these products, we wanted to do something different which really showcased the Maybelline brand and its New York origins. We enlisted Enforce One’s help to create a piece of art which represents Maybelline - bold and colourful yet edgy and on-trend - and which also utilised some of our new launch product.”

Pead PR manages the public relations for Maybelline New York.
 

What do I want to gain in 2013? This is a question many of us will be asking ourselves at the moment…

In the spirit of this, My Special K has committed to turning negative New Year resolutions into positive aspirations by urging Kiwi women to focus on everything they have to gain, rather than what they have to give up or lose.

To help inspire a move towards positive thinking, My Special K has pledged to donate $1 to Dress for Success in New Zealand for every declaration received between January 7 and February 7.

The campaign aims to raise $10,000 for the charity which helps women faced with challenging situations gain confidence, success, self-assurance, strength, happiness and more.

In the same vein, the My Special K programme provides women with free, personalised plans to help achieve what they want to gain, through meal and exercise plans.

Embark on your My Special K journey today by signing up at www.myspecialk.co.nz
 

The latest – and possibly last, but you never know – Alcohol Sponsorship Press Award is dedicated to honouring the year’s best and strangest New Zealand journalism.

The weekly award recognises excellence and strangeness in New Zealand media, including social media, blogs and things like that. The winner and finalists are announced every Friday on the Twitter account @SteveBraunias.

Since it was established in November 2011, the awards have become widely regarded as New Zealand media’s most coveted prize. The winner is awarded two bottles from award-winning wine label Grower’s Mark – as such, the awards credo is, “We don’t take the piss. We give it.”

The awards are taking a summer break. They are scheduled to return in late January – but only if a new sponsor comes on board.

Awards judge and Metro hack Steve Braunias said he wanted to thank outgoing sponsor, Grower’s Mark, for their support.

“Grower’s Mark has shown marvellous generosity in presenting two bottles of wine every week to the award winner. It’s made a lot of journalists less sober, which can only be a good thing.

“Grower’s Mark has also shown a lot of verve and wit in backing a media prize called the Alcohol Sponsorship Press Award.

“I’m confident that another sponsor will seize the opportunity to be associated with the awards, which are followed avidly by prominent media figures and sub-editors, bloggers and hard-working journalists, hipsters and hacks, musicians and poets, the intelligentsia and broadcasters, and all sorts of other people who take a close interest in quality media and quantity alcohol.”

This week, the judging panel – comprising a seasoned media professional in each of the four main centres, as well as Tangimoana and Scott Base, two settings which feature in the splendid new book by Steve Braunias, Civilisation: 20 Places at the Edge of the World – name the 10 best or strangest moments in New Zealand media in 2012.

10. An unbylined reporter (Taranaki Daily News), for “Scooter goes missing.” Judges said the 148-word narrative of memory and nothingness did more than any news story of 2012 to reveal the true nature of life – and journalism - in New Zealand.

9. Scott Hamilton (Reading the Maps), for “Te Radar finds goldfish, but misses the nukes and the strip mine”. Judges said it was a robust and occasionally manic piece of commentary from the admirable Hamilton, who has also written memorably this year about Tonga, the Great South Road and The Hobbit.

8.  Vanessa Gillard (Bay of Plenty Times), for capturing the unfolding  drama in her  photos of the Twin Towers tragedy. 

7. John Drinnan (NZ Herald), for “And here is the phoney news”. Judges said Drinnan’s attack was part of a series of his fulminations against the TVNZ initiative. They described Drinnan as, “The kind of columnist who gets as riled-up as a bear with a sore head. We like that.”

6. Cathy Odgers (Cactus Kate), for “Over-grieving in the modern world”. Judges said it was a manic and occasionally robust piece of commentary and much preferred it to the boring platitudinous laments inspired by Mahy’s passing.

5. Toby Manhire (NZ Listener), for the Friday quiz in his column, “The Internaut". Judges said it gave their lives meaning. They also wished to thank Manhire for alerting them to the year’s best photo.

4. Wellington journalist Laura McQuillan for what she wore at a murder trial. Judges said, “Pants.”

3.  In third place, Tony Wall (Sunday Star-Times) receives one bottle of Grower’s Mark wine for “MPs family probes dead mum’s missing money.” Judges said it was quite simply the scoop of the year, and added: “Tony Wall. Legend.”

2. In second place, Jose Barbosa (Pantograph Punch) receives one bottle of Grower’s Mark wine for his comedy masterpiece, “My Swim with Kim.” Judges said it was easily the best long-form piece of non-fiction writing published in New Zealand in 2012.

1. And the winner for the best or strangest story of 2012, and who takes away the glory and liquor of the Alcohol Sponsorship Press Award, is: the Timaru Herald, for its celebrated series, “Police notebook”.

Judges said the notebook was appointment reading, and noted that awards convenor Steve Braunias had sometimes emailed them to Wellington poet Bill Manhire for his consideration. “They read like lines of poetry,” said Braunias.

Recent examples of the notebook included the one about a wheelbarrow, the one about a sandpit, and the one about a paper cup.

“There’s a sense of the infinite about the notebook,” said judges. “You get the feeling it would continue to appear long after the world ends.

“It also has a dream-like quality. A getaway wheelbarrow, a paper cup on fire – in a few brief, intense lines, the notebook records strange and startling images.

“But above all the notebook is pure journalism. All journalists select, condense, dramatise; the notebook reduces complex events down to the bare minimum.

"They read like perfectly formed haikus.

“There we go again, referring to some high-end literary model when the great achievement of the notebook is its practise of good, low-end journalism, with its principles of accuracy and brevity.

“Timaru Herald features editor Claire Allison will receive two bottles of Grower’s Mark on the newspaper’s behalf. Her staff deserves a drink, and so does she. Salut!”

The more or less complete list of all winners of the Alcohol Sponsorship Press Award

Cheryl Riley (Greymouth Star)
David Sell (Christchurch Press)
Patrick Gower (TV3)
Jane Bowron (author)
Adrienne Rewi (Public Address)
Jon Stephenson
Grant Bryant (Southland Times)
Matt Rilkoff (Taranaki Daily News)
Rhonda Mark (Timaru Herald)
Annette Taylor (Number 8 Network)
Simon Collins (NZ Herald)
Abbie Jury
Danyl McLauchlan (Dim Post)
Sir Bob Jones
Bradley Ambrose
Colin Craig
Nick Dwyer (George FM)
Jermaine Kerehi
Matt Heath (Radio Hauraki)
Alistair Bones (Waikato Times)
David White (NZ Listener)
John Key
Sarah Stuart (NZ Woman’s Weekly)
Andrew Holden (Christchurch Press)
Greg King
Don Scott (Christchurch Press)
Michael Laws (Radio Live)
Louise Boyder (Tarnaki daily News)
Tim Wilson
Adam Dudding (Sunday Star-Times)
Maarten Holl (Dominion-Post)
Mike White (North & South)
Stephen Stratford (Quote Unquote)
Petra Finer (Taranaki daily News)
Anna Williams (Marlborough Express)
Toby Manhire (NZ Listener)
John Armstrong (NZ Herald)
Teuila Fuatai (NZ Herald)
Werewolf
Dan Whitfield (Wintec)
John Campbell (Campbell Live)
Jonathan Marshall
Keith Ng (Public Address)
Josh Drummond
Sally and Jaime Ridge
John Bissett (Timaru Herald)
Kristin Edge (Northern Advocate)
Alex Fensome (Southland Times)
Laurel Stowell (Wanganui Chronicle)
Whaleoil
Corey Charlton (Hawkes Bay Today)

Two gorgeously colourful artworks completed by talented art students are being auctioned on Trade Me by Pead PR client Kiehl's with the proceeds going to charity.

The artworks - by Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design graduate Su-Hee Kang and student Paris Kirby - together with a hamper of special Kiehl's products, are being auctioned in aid of the Garden to Table Trust.

The pieces were created in celebration of the Kiehl's Kenny Scharf limited edition Creme de Corps collection and completed at the brand's Smith & Caughey’s Queen St store counter in early December.

Giving back to the community has been a cornerstone of the Kiehl’s philosophy from its humble beginnings. Today, this is reflected in the company’s support of numerous charitable programmes around the globe which benefit children, the environment and HIV/AIDs research.

Maintaining this long standing tradition of supporting community charities, all funds raised through the sale of the Kenny Scharf limited edition Creme de Corps collection go towards Garden to Table.

The Garden to Table programme educates children in schools about growing and harvesting their own produce. 100% of net profit achieved from the sale of the limited collection from both Smith & Caughey’s Newmarket and Queen Street stores go straight to the charity.

Kiehl's hopes to raise close to $20,000 from the sale of the limited edition range.

Pead PR provides pro bono services to Garden to Table. Go here and here to check out the auctions - and to bid.