Category: ‘Flagship’ Sydney Spectaculars

ABC To Broadcast Sydney NYE…Again.

Despite two controversial broadcasts in a row, the ABC has been awarded the TV broadcast rights for this year’s Sydney NYE event.

This, along with this year’s Sydney NYE theme, ‘City Of Colour’, was confirmed following the release of details of an ABC3 ‘Design Your Own Firework‘ Competition:

The ABC first broadcasted Sydney’s NYE celebrations in the 1970’s in 4-hour broadcasts but that was back when the event was more of a music concert. Fast forward to 2013 and the ABC surprisingly got the rights of the now high-profile event for the 2013 & 2014 events.

They took the ambitious step of returning the event to 4-hour broadcasts for the first time in nearly 30 years despite no time-consuming TV-quality scheduled Sydney Harbour entertainment in the 3 hour gap between 9pm and Midnight so ABC resorted to their own entertainment choices.

As an event watched by 1 billion people worldwide, it is a given that it rates well on TV so despite 2 years of ratings success, ABC’s entertainment choices for the night have not been so good and over time, did not improve but got worse. Immediately after both broadcasts, speculation on the next broadcast rights holder begun. Here is where they went wrong:

2013

  • Offensive & insensitive comments
  • Rushed 9pm Family Fireworks countdown – have to be on time.
  • Hosts seemed to be influenced by alcohol
  • Long interviews
  • Dull quizzes with guests
  • Concerns that the broadcast was politicised

2014

  • Constant repetition of the ‘ABC Budget Cut’ joke – once would have been enough
  • Concerns that the broadcast was politicised
  • Little but some coverage of the Acknowledgement Of Country ceremony (At least they showed some – Channel 9 ignored the ceremony completely between 2009 & 2012. Channel Ten & ABC showed it in full in 2008 & 2013)
  • No 9pm Family Fireworks countdown this time – who does not like the countdown?
  • The ‘Pub Quiz’ broadcast – an expansion of the guest quiz from the previous broadcast – great idea for a game show but not for NYE entertainment.
  • Long interviews
  • A 15-minute segment dedicated to the negatives of NYE
  • Bad camera work and technical issues (excluding the drone usage – that was something new remember)
  • And finally something that all media outlets missed, delayed footage of the 9pm Family Fireworks inserted into the live Midnight Fireworks.

Of course, the 2014 broadcast was summed up in it’s conclusion when host Julia Zemiro infamously said: “Oh, thank god” after the credits started rolling.

The broadcast isn’t shown internationally except the fireworks segments. In 2013, the post-10:30pm broadcast was shown to Asia & Oceania. Ironically, the Telstra YouTube broadcast of the event, which is shown internationally, was extremely well produced with continuously entertaining musical performances from high-profile artists, short interviews with those artists and YouTube personalities & more complete coverage of activities on Sydney Harbour. One downside of the YouTube broadcast though is that the official fireworks soundtrack is not broadcast due to copyright reasons.

Sydney NYE broadcasts are not new to controversy but 2 controversial broadcasts in a row was unprecedented. NYE1979 saw drunken crowd behaviour on live TV climaxing with The Angels’ frontman, Doc Neeson, being hit in the head and thus injured by a large object thrown by someone in the crowd. NYE2006 saw a Channel Ten broadcast which was clearly deemed ‘not family friendly’ and NYE2009 was more of a Channel 9 promo.

The TV rights went up for grabs again in April this year and instead of the usual tender process of the past 6 years, the City Of Sydney returned to sponsorship agreements (a practice they did between 1996 & 2008) and as we now know, ABC signed it. We understand it is a 1-year minimum contract.

Details and duration of the Sydney NYE2015 TV broadcast have not been revealed as yet but the 9pm Family Fireworks & the ABC3 ‘Design Your Own Firework‘ Competition winners have been confirmed as features of the broadcast. The Midnight Fireworks, whilst not confirmed, are all but guaranteed.

ABC is a professional television broadcaster and expectations of them are high. They can deliver but with the past 2 Sydney NYE broadcasts they have gotten it disastrously wrong. Hopefully when details are released, the program is different and entertaining even if it is 4 hours long. A 3rd chance is usually the limit – they have got to get it right or at least significantly improve.

ABC has been contacted for comment. No response was received.

Since the theme has been confirmed, our ‘Guess The Bridge Effect’ section has now opened up again. All that is left to be announced is the Creative Ambassador. With the theme ‘City Of Colour’, it could be a famous, bright & colourful Sydneysider. Can you guess who it will be? We’ll just have to wait & see.

Design Your Own New Year’s Eve Firework With ABC3

ABC3, in conjunction with the City of Sydney, is giving 1 lucky ABC3 fan the chance of a lifetime – to design their very own firework and see it come to life on the Harbour this Sydney New Year’s Eve!

The winner and their family will even feature in the live New Year’s Eve broadcast and countdown to the start of the 9pm Family Fireworks display!

To enter, just get creative, put your imagination to the test and draw the very best firework design.

The winner will receive a trip to Sydney for a family of 4 including:

  • 2 nights accommodation in the Central Business District
  • Return flights to Sydney
  • VIP tickets to the official Sydney New Year’s Eve Dawes Point (Hickson Road) Reserve viewing area
  • Be part of the live ABC TV New Year’s Eve broadcast at 9pm

The design which shows the most creativity, effort and potential to be reproduced as a firework, will light up the sky during the biggest fireworks display in the world.

How to enter:

  • Check out their handy step-by-step guide
  • Put your grand idea down on paper
  • Add colour to your design to bring it to life
  • Upload your entry by the 5pm (AEST) 2 October deadline here

Entries close 5pm (AEST) on Friday, October 2, 2015 and you must be under 16 years of age to enter.

To submit your entry or for more information and to view the terms & conditions, visit abc.net.au/nye.

Media Release: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Huseyin Sami To Illuminate Museum Of Contemporary Art During Vivid Sydney 2016

Vivid Sydney today announced that the creative vision of Western Sydney artist Huseyin Sami will illuminate the heritage-listed façade of the Museum Of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA), when the world’s largest festival of light, music & ideas returns in 2016.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism & Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said “Vivid Sydney is a remarkable opportunity for artists to create on a grand scale & it doesn’t get much grander than seeing your work projected onto 1 of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks. It’s exciting to see Huseyin Sami, an acclaimed artist from Western Sydney, given this opportunity & I look forward to the big reveal of his projection art next year.”

Each year, an Australian artist represented in the MCA collection or exhibition program, is chosen to work in collaboration with projection content creators to create the amazing 3D-mapped projections that adorn the MCA façade during Vivid Sydney.

Huseyin Sami is a former exhibitor in MCA’s annual Primavera exhibition, highlighting the work of young Australian artists. His work explores the material qualities of paint, crossing over the categories of painting, sculpture & installation. He has exhibited extensively both nationally & internationally.

MCA Director, Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE, said “We are delighted that the involvement of artists in the creation of the work for the MCA façade for Vivid Sydney will continue with the commissioning of Huseyin Sami, one of a generation of younger artists working with materials such as paint in exciting new ways. We look forward to seeing how his vision comes to fruition on our façade.”

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Chipchase, added that there is still time for projection content creators to submit expressions of interest for the MCA original façade, with the deadline extended to midnight AEDT, 7 October 2015.

Vivid Sydney is managed by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW & returns from 27 May to 13 June 2016.

Media Release: Vivid Sydney

Sydney New Year’s Eve Brings Harbour Bridge To Life

New technology will transform both sides of the Harbour Bridge pylons into giant screens for creative displays for Sydney New Year’s Eve 2015.

As well as being the focal point for the world’s favourite fireworks display, this year the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be illuminated with full-length projections at each end, showing photos, film clips and creative content from both local artists and residents.

For the first time, there will be projections on the western side of the Bridge pylons as well, meaning great views of the action for everyone around the Harbour.

“Sydney New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest annual celebrations in the world, attracting more than one million spectators along the Harbour foreshore,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

“We can’t rest on our laurels if we want to keep our place as the world’s best place to celebrate New Year’s Eve, so we are constantly evolving.”

“I’m delighted that communities in both the east and west of the city centre will have a great view this year.”

“These new projections will bring our world-renowned Sydney Harbour Bridge to life, using locally created images to showcase to the world the diverse beauty, talent and colour of our great city.”

Sydney New Year’s Eve has a global audience of one billion viewers. It is Australia’s largest public event and features one of the largest, most technologically advanced fireworks displays in the world.

The City Of Sydney has wanted to project on the western side of the Bridge pylons for some years but until now technical issues made it difficult to achieve. Now new technology will make the impossible a reality.

Both the City and Imagination, the creative company who will produce the images for the projections for Sydney New Year’s Eve 2015, are staying tight lipped about the finer details of this year’s events.

“We’re really excited to have even more of the Sydney Harbour Bridge this year as a giant canvas for creativity,” said Imagination’s Director, Heath Campanero.

“The eastern projections will be four times the size of previous years and for the first time ever we can wow the west too.”

“Both Imagination and the City have plenty of other exciting plans for Sydney New Year’s Eve 2015 but they are staying under wraps until nearer the time.”

As well as showcasing creative content, the pylon projections will also be used as an important public messaging channel for community service announcements, messaging from our Sydney New Year’s Eve 2015 charity partner, Habitat For Humanity, and emergency messaging.

Sydney New Year’s Eve has a direct economic impact on New South Wales of more than $133 million.

For more information on Sydney New Year’s Eve, visit sydneynewyearseve.com.

Media Release: City Of Sydney

Vivid Sydney On Show At International Event

Vivid Sydney is being celebrated as one of the world’s greatest contemporary arts festivals at this year’s Very Fun Park festival in Taiwan.

Presented by the Fubon Art Foundation, Very Fun Park is held in Tapei each year and promotes a museum without walls approach to art. In the festival’s 10th anniversary year, Vivid Sydney is one of ten international festivals with a similar artistic ethos being showcased.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said he was delighted Vivid Sydney is being showcased at this international event.

“Vivid Sydney is firmly established as one of the world’s most renowned festivals and its’ involvement in Very Fun Park reinforces our state’s reputation as the creative industries capital on a global stage” Mr Ayres said.

Vibrant images of the spectacular artworks that transform Sydney into an outdoor gallery of extraordinary lighting projections and sculptures during Vivid Sydney each winter will be on show.

Vivid Sydney is the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas, attracting a record 1.7 million attendees in 2015. Owned and managed by the New South Wales Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, the festival is now Australia’s largest event, welcoming visitors from across the globe.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Chipchase, said Vivid Sydney’s inclusion in Very Fun Park will give audiences a taste of the festival and encourage people to visit Vivid Sydney in future years, to experience the event for themselves.

“We’re delighted to showcase our spectacular Vivid Sydney festival at Very Fun Park and thank the Fubon Art Foundation for their invitation. There’s nothing like seeing Vivid Sydney transform our harbour city with its colourful creativity and I encourage everyone to join us in Sydney next year when the festival returns from 27 May to 13 June 2016” Ms Chipchase said.

The Vivid Sydney showcase is located in the Songshan Cultural And Creative Park, Taiwan Design Museum – Golden Pin Design Area, and is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 9:30am and 5:30pm until 20 September 2015.

Media Release: Vivid Sydney

Creatives Spark Into Action For Vivid Sydney 2016

The world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas is reaching out to creative minds from across the globe, inviting them to share their ideas for Vivid Sydney 2016.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, announced Expressions Of Interest (EOI) are now open to creative individuals and organisations seeking to participate in the Vivid Light and Vivid Ideas programs when Vivid Sydney returns from 27 May to 13 June 2016.

“Vivid Sydney presents a remarkable opportunity for artists and creative industry professionals to realise their vision on a grand scale, with a record 1.7 million people attending the festival this year” Mr Ayres said.

“For 18 days during Vivid Sydney, the city becomes a canvas for creative expression, bringing together the best and brightest minds from across the globe to engage in industry forums while transforming the city into an outdoor gallery of extraordinary lighting projections and sculptures.”

“This is an amazing opportunity to be involved in Vivid Sydney. I encourage everyone to register their Expressions Of Interest in working with us to deliver another spectacular festival in 2016” he said.

The Vivid Light EOI invites lighting artists, designers, students and manufacturers from around the world to illuminate, interpret and transform Sydney’s urban spaces and provide ground-breaking, sustainable and interactive light creations around The Rocks, Circular Quay, Walsh Bay, Darling Harbour, the CBD and surrounds.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Chipchase, said Expressions Of Interest are also being sought from individuals, businesses, industry associations and institutions to submit events for inclusion in the Vivid Ideas program.

“Vivid Ideas provides a platform for thought-leadership in the creative sector, bringing together the conversations, conventions and big announcements for the industry. This year more than 70,000 people attended Vivid Ideas and I encourage everyone to share their ideas and join in the conversation at our world-renowned festival” Ms Chipchase said.

Expressions Of Interest to participate in the 2016 Vivid Light and Vivid Ideas programs close at midnight AEST on Wednesday the 23rd of September 2015. For more information, visit www.vividsydney.com.

Vivid Sydney is owned and managed by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Media Release: Vivid Sydney

Vivid Sydney Wins International Award

Vivid Sydney has been recognised as a world leading event, taking out one of the top honours at the 2015 Pacific Asia Travel Association Grand and Gold Awards.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said Vivid Sydney won the Gold Award in the Marketing – State Government Destination category, recognising state or city tourism organisations.

“This is great news for New South Wales (NSW) and this win highlights how important the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas is for our great state,” Mr Ayres said.

“The win reinforces the professionalism of Destination NSW’s marketing promotional activities and the success of how they work with partners to develop travel packages and other activities to increase awareness of and visitation to Vivid Sydney.”

“The popularity of Vivid Sydney continues to increase with 1.7 million people visiting the festival this year on the back of this campaign. This included the sale of over 26,000 international Vivid Sydney travel packages with more than 11,000 packages sold to China.”

The Pacific Asia Travel Association Awards recognise exceptional achievement in a range of activities in the Asia-Pacific travel industry. There were 269 entries from 83 travel and tourism organisations and individuals across the world in this year’s awards.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Chipchase, said Vivid Sydney continues to receive international recognition.

“Vivid Sydney is a huge cross city collaboration of private enterprise and government agencies. It is testament to the great teamwork and innovation at Destination NSW channelled through our overseas offices and our marketing, communications, industry partnerships and event development divisions that our work has been internationally recognised,” Ms Chipchase said.

Vivid Sydney was awarded Best Tourism Event in both 2014 and 2013 at the Australian Event Awards, the prestigious national awards for the Australian events industry.

Media Release: Vivid Sydney

Sydney’s Big Event Puts Charity In The Spotlight

The City of Sydney will partner with a major charity for its’ biggest 2015/2016 event to raise awareness and funds for work to reduce housing poverty.

The official charity partner is: Habitat for Humanity Australia (Sydney New Year’s Eve 2015)

The partnership will provide the charity with a range of opportunities to promote their cause through activities such as media broadcasts, merchandise sales, donation collections, social media, and entertainment at the event.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City’s affiliation with the charity would encourage the huge number of visitors to the event to reflect on the broader needs of the community while enjoying the celebrations.

“The City hosts some of Australia’s most successful events, and we want to make the most of the enormous publicity they create to let people know about the incredible work of our charity partners,” the Lord Mayor said.

“More than 1.6 million people attend this event and almost a billion people are reached through the media, providing a great opportunity to remind everyone about this worthy cause.”

“The City strongly supports the work of Habitat for Humanity Australia and we’re very proud to join forces with them for our biggest event over the next 6 months.”

One of the world’s leading providers of safe and affordable housing, Habitat for Humanity, will partner with the City for its’ Sydney New Year’s Eve celebration. The partnership will provide the charity with a platform to engage Sydneysiders to take action combating housing poverty across the Asia-Pacific region.

For the last 11 years, Sydney New Year’s Eve has supported 8 charities and helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for a variety of causes.

These include organisations dedicated to helping alleviate poverty, treating and preventing blindness, environmental conservation and humanitarian engineering.

Media Release: City Of Sydney

One Week To Go Until Lights Off

VIVID SYDNEY ENCOURAGES VISITORS TO PLAN FOR WEEKDAY VISIT AHEAD OF LONG WEEKEND

With just one week to go until lights off at midnight Monday June 8th, visitors are being encouraged to visit Vivid Sydney early in the week and ahead of the final weekend.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said: “With only eight nights to go of Vivid Sydney, people who haven’t yet experienced the festival or want to come back for another look should plan their visit early this week.”

“Weeknights are a great time to take in the Vivid Light Walk not only around Circular Quay and The Rocks, but also into Walsh Bay and Martin Place and our newest precincts at Central Park and Chatswood.”

“If you haven’t caught the sensational Vivid Laser-Fountain Water Theatre at Darling Harbour there are shows every half an hour, with special fireworks shows at 7pm on Wednesday and Thursday.”

“With road closures in place during Vivid, visitors should leave the car at home and catch public transport,” he said.

An additional 3,500 public transport services have been provided throughout the festival. Visit www.vividsydney.com for more information.

Media Release: Vivid Sydney

 

Martin Place Cenotaph Lit During Vivid Sydney

The Cenotaph in Sydney’s Martin Place is once again being lit every night during Vivid Sydney as a mark of respect to Australia’s past and present servicemen and servicewomen.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said the lighting was supported by the NSW Returned & Services League (RSL) of Australia and symbolises the different branches of the armed services and the various theatres in which they have served.

“The Cenotaph is Martin Place’s most recognised feature and the very location where thousands of Sydney’s soldiers enlisted into the Australian Armed Forces for World War I. It is fitting in the Centenary of ANZAC that the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas embraces it as an important part of its program,” Mr Ayres said.

“The lighting is reminiscent of the various environments in which our soldiers have fought, from the poppy fields of Europe, to the deserts of the Middle East and the jungles of Asia.”

“Taking viewers on a journey from the break of dawn to the final sunset bugle call, the lighting of the Cenotaph ensures the monument remains a place for quiet reflection and remembrance during Vivid Sydney,” Mr Ayres added.

Rod White AM RFD, State President of the RSL’s NSW branch said the lighting is an important tribute.

“Following last year’s respectful treatment of the Martin Place Cenotaph for Vivid Sydney, the RSL was supportive of the monument being lit again this year,” Mr White said.

“We are delighted with this year’s projections, and feel it does justice to the importance of the Cenotaph and the dedication of the many servicemen and servicewomen whom it honours.”

The Cenotaph will be lit with the evocative Vivid Sydney projections from 6pm to midnight until 8 June.

Media Release: Minister for Trade, Tourism, Major Events & Sport – Stuart Ayres MP