Austrade media release

12 Dec 2006

Some of Australia’s best known international celebrities will again use their star power to promote Aussie businesses in the United States as part of G’Day USA: Australia Week 2007 being held in Los Angeles and New York, 11-20 January.

Australian celebrities such as The Wiggles, Terri and Bindi Irwin, Russell Crowe, The Veronicas, Ian Baker-Finch and many others will use their high profile to get Americans to tune into Australia and buy our high quality and innovative products and services.

According to Austrade’s Senior Trade Commissioner in Los Angeles, Kylie Hargreaves, this year’s red carpet line-up continues to build on the economic punch celebrities involved in past years have managed to deliver.

“Previous events which have involved A-list celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, Geoffery Rush, Cate Blanchett, Mel Gibson, Greg Norman and others have helped generate more than $14 million in new export sales for Austrade clients participating in many of the events,” said Ms Hargreaves.

Ms Hargreaves also explained that celebrity status translates into economic benefits in the US as Americans strongly admire celebrities and aspire to be like them.
 
“This event harnesses the enormous commercial power that celebrities have in the US, providing unprecedented exposure for Australia businesses to American consumers, buyers and key decision makers,

“Often the only way an average American can hope to mirror any aspect of a celebrity’s life is to copy some of their lifestyle. Fortunately for Australia, this means buying Australian products or visiting Australia.

Australia Week showcases Australian talents and products directly to the US and helps develop new export opportunities by promoting Australian expertise in industries as diverse as art, entertainment, tourism, wine, film, food and beverages, energy, fashion, education, investment and sport.

Each year more than 250 small, medium and large Australian companies from across the country are involved in the program.

G’Day USA: Australia Week 2007 builds on the success of the past few years through, for the first time, developing new business opportunities on the US east coast as well as on the west coast.

G’Day USA: Australia Week 2007 is produced by the Los Angeles and New York offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Tourism Australia, Qantas Airways, Austrade, State Governments and other private sector sponsors. For further information on events being held during Australia Week please visit www.australia-week.com

Kylie Hargreaves, Austrade’s Senior Trade Commissioner in Los Angeles, is available for media interviews.

ENDS

Media contact

Adam Blight
Ph: 02 9390 2336 
Mob: 0412 890 599 
adam.blight@austrade.gov.au

For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au/mediacentre.