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15 April 2010

Facebook Search for New Face

When looking for a fresh new face, Facebook is the obvious platform. So New Zealand’s premier wine festival, Toast Martinborough, has launched a first ... a social media search to find a guy and a girl who will be its 2010 ‘face’.

A long-established wine festival, Toast Martinborough is using new social media like Facebook and Twitter to interact with its fan community.

“Our ‘are you the face for 2010?’ search is the perfect launching pad for our new social media communications”, says General Manager Kaylene Moore.

“We hope two of our fans will be our 2010 look. They just have to upload a photo on our fan page. We’re totally open about the look – all we want is a cool attitude and a warm smile.

“After the successful pair is treated to a dressed-up photo session in Wellington with a suave, stylish and fresh look, they will star in Toast Martinborough posters, booklets, website and all other communications. They’ll be the envy of their Facebook friends.

“They also receive two highly prized Toast Martinborough tickets and fine Martinborough wines,” Ms Moore explained. Entries close on Friday 23 April.

With 2009 festival tickets selling out in 13 minutes, Ms Moore says this “is not about selling tickets; it’s about opening more lines of two way communication.

“Over 10,000 people enjoy the Toast Martinborough festival annually. It’s one fantastic day in November – we want to stay in touch the other 364 days too.”

ENDS

BACKGROUND NOTES FOR EDITORS

Toast Martinborough was first held in 1991, and is held on the third Sunday in November annually
Tickets are so highly sought-after they sell in literally minutes only through the online ticketing agency, and are limited to 10,000
Toast Martinborough has moved into social media channels because “it means we can interact with our fans year round. Before the festival we can share news and highlight key dates. Afterwards everyone can keep in touch, swap photos and share their experiences of wine, food and music.
“As organisers we get immediate feedback, and this is an easy way for our festival-goers to feel fully part of the event all year round,” Kaylene Moore concluded.
Creative agency Ocean Design has developed this brief for the 2010 faces of Toast Martinborough:

HER ...
A dark haired woman with a warm and attractive smile. You need to be comfortable in front of the camera and happy to act the part of our Toast heroine who is demure and lady-like (or looks like she is anyway!). We will be dressing you up, sweeping up your locks and painting your pretty face.

HIM ...
A man with an engaging smile and warm friendly eyes. A cool haircut or facial hair would be a bonus. You need to be comfortable in front of the camera and happy to act the role of our Toast gentleman who is charming and witty (or looks like he is anyway!). We will be dressing you up as the super suave guy you are!

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