Australia launches publicity blitz in US

Americans will receive a heavy dose of Australia over the next couple of weeks with
a $5 million tourism advertising blitz, Oprah Winfrey's Down Under visit airing on
TV and the eighth annual G'Day USA festival held in 11 cities across the US.
The ad blitz, funded by Tourism Australia, Qantas and other key partners, is aimed
at enticing American tourists to Australia and will coincide with the airing on US
TV network ABC next Tuesday of the first episode of the four-part Oprah's Ultimate
Australian Adventure.
The 14-day G'Day USA program begins on Saturday at the Palm Springs Film Festival,
where seven Australian films including the new Peter Weir-directed epic, The Way
Back, will be screened.
The G'Day festival promotes Australian food, wine, business, tourism, research and
innovation at 40 events held in cities including Los Angeles, New York, San
Francisco, Boston, Washington DC and Houston.
Grame (Grame) Barty, Austrade's regional director for the Americas, said
Austrade-managed events include energy, water management, bio-fuels, financial
services, fashion and food events.
The G'Day festival highlight will likely be the sold-out black tie ball on January
22 held at the iconic Hollywood Palladium, with singer Barry Gibb, actress Abbie
Cornish and tennis legend Roy Emerson honoured.
Olivia Newton-John will present Gibb with his award, Hollywood director Zack Snyder
will honour Cornish, while Andre Agassi will praise Emerson on stage.
The 900 tickets for the ball were snapped up more than a month ago.



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