Hollywood Movie news round up, by Greg Tingle - 5th May 2011

Paramount Pictures smashes into in North America this weekend, looking to kickstart the superhero franchise for Marvel Studios. The flick is expected to net in the range of Marvel's X-Men or Fantastic Four and not in the region of Iron Man or Spider-Man.

Industry insiders and numbers men advised Thor has grossed $125 million overseas thus far, and might milk another $60 million or so in it's domestic debut.

Also opening this weekend are comedies: Warner Bros. 'Something Borrowed and Screen Gems' Jumping the Broom

Launching in a limited run is Jodie Foster's high-profile indie drama The Beaver, starring Mel Gibson.

Thor is expected to best the others in the domestic race, since Universal's box office hit Fast Five will be in its second weekend. Commentators expect Fast Five to still do strong business, grossing in the region of $40 million.

Globally Fast Five could best Thor as it expands into 30 additional markets. Both event pics opened overseas first. Thor won the international race last weekend, playing in tons more territories than Fast Five.

On Wednesday, Fast Five burned past the $200 million mark worldwide with a US take of $103.2 million and an international gross of $100.3 million.

Fast Five and Thor have somewhat rejuvenated an otherwise flat box office in the US and Australia.

Kenneth Branagh directed Thor. The film stars Chris Hemsworth, while Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins also headline.

Thor is the first of two summer tentpoles from Marvel Entertainment and Paramount Pictures.

The second, Captain America: The First Avenger, opens July 22.

Paramount insiders say Thor should do stronger business than the first runs of the Marvel franchises with X-Men and Fantastic Four, plus The Incredible Hulk (2008), which all debuted in the $55 million to $56 million range.

Thor should be boosted by strong reviews, with only a couple of critics hammering it. The movie is tracking best among males of all ages, while interest among younger women has picked up strongly over the past week.

The young women audience are just as interested as seeing Thor as they are Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros.' Something Borrowed, which, like Jumping the Broom, is looking to serve as counterprogramming and plus into Mother's Day on Sunday.

Stats show Something Borrowed opening in the $10 million to $12 million range, while Jumping the Broom should reach $10 million.

A romantic comedy produced and fully financed by Alcon, Something Borrowed stars Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, John Krasinski and Colin Egglesfield. Hilary Swank is a producer on the flick, which is based on the book by Emily Giffin.

Warner Bros is distributing Something Borrowed via its output deal with Alcon.

Jumping the Broom's ensemble cast includes Paula Patton, Laz Alonso, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine and Mike Epps.

Salim Akil directed the comedy, which centers around two families from two very different environments who gather on Martha's Vineyard for a wedding.

The Beaver opens in 22 art house theaters in the country's top 10 markets. The film is a Summit and Participant Media presentation in association with Imagenation Abu Dhabi. The pic, about a man's transformation through the use of a puppet, makes its international premiere this month at the Cannes Film Festival, where it plays out of competition.

In addition to directing, Foster stars in The Beaver alongside Gibson, Anton Yelchin and Jennifer Lawrence. The specialty film cost $21 million, with much of the budget covered through foreign presales.

The Beaver was on track to open last year, but its release was delayed after Gibson became embroiled in controversy over a series of tape recordings made by his former girlfriend.

It's safe to say that it's going to be a strong month or two for ticket sales, with Thor and Fast Five leading the pack.

Be on the lookout for Water For Elephants to also perform strongly, judging by its red carpet premier in Sydney, Australia tonight.

Media Man News

Entertainment News

News

Website Network

Media Man Int

Media Man

Media Man Brand

Media Man Network

Media Man News

Wrestling News Media: The Rock VS John Cena At WWE WrestleMania, by Greg Tingle

The Rock's return to pro wrestling er... sports entertainment, or whatever it is now, has little to do with wrestling as such.

The booking The Rock vs. John Cena at WrestleMania 28 twelve months in advance has strong merit, but will both competitors be as hot then, as they are now... probably.

This is one of the smartest moves ever by WWE head honcho Vince McMahon, as it plugs right back into mainstream entertainment, with a hot main event which has star power and money written all over it, plus news media is going to have it as a media darling to boot. I don't see Rock or Cena "stuffing up" with real life situations that would stop the match, and hopefully both will remain injury free.

What's were doing here is getting Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, the living legend himself, and putting him in the squared circles with one of the most popular pre-teen megastars ever. This is the pop culture main event of the decade, if not century!

Wrestling fans will go for this big, and spend, plus it should be a decent match to keep the loyal fan base happy too. Most mainstream news media companies should cover it also, and the buzz and coverage leading up is already there, so just imagine. Bigger than the MTV Hulk Hogan VS "Rowdy" Roddy Piper 'War To Settle The Score', Andre The Giant at WrestleMania III, and perhaps even up there with the very first WrestleMania back in 1985 which came from sports and entertainment mecca in New York - Madison Square Garden.

The Rock VS John Cena at WrestleMania is tipped to break all sorts of records and have mega success written all over it. At The Rock would say, Just Bring It!

Stay turned to Media Man, Wrestling News Media and our friends at Google News as the saga continues.

Media Man Profiles

The Rock

John Cena

WWE

Wrestling

WrestleMania


Media Man News

Wrestling News

Entertainment News

News

Website Network

Media Man Int

Media Man

Media Man Brand

Media Man Network

Media Man News

Australian Sports Entertainment

Sports Entertainment News

Wrestling News Media

bwin.party digital entertainment to reveal KPIs - 4th May 2011; bwin.party profile

Online gaming group bwin.party digital entertainment will announce its key performance indicators for the quarter ended 31st March on 6th May.

At 1:08pm: (LON:BPTY) share price was -3.1p at 149.4p.

bwin.party was formed from the merger of bwin Interactive Entertainment AG and PartyGaming Plc in April 2011 to create the world’s largest listed online gaming company.

Profiles

bwin.party digital entertainment PartyGaming PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com PartyBingo.com World Poker Tour Casino Las Vegas

Following the merger of bwin and PartyGaming that completed in March 2011, bwin.party is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker: BPTY and a member of the FTSE250 Index. A leader in digital entertainment, they are also the world’s largest listed online gaming business with millions of customers worldwide and pro forma net revenue in 2009 of €696.2 million and Clean EBITDA of €193.7 million. Regulated and licensed in multiple territories including Gibraltar, Alderney, France and Italy, they have around 3,100 employees in offices worldwide.

Online Casino...

Excluding the US, the global online casino market was estimated at $5.1 billion of GGY in 2010 and is forecast by H2GC to reach $8.0 billion by 2015, implying a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%.

Source: H2 Gambling Capital, February 2011

How online casino works...

Casino players play against the house and so player liquidity is not as important for delivering an enjoyable player experience as it is in peer-to-peer games such as poker. The house has a statistical advantage over the player (the ‘house edge’) which varies with different types of casino games. Typical games offered by online casino operators include blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, video poker and slot machines.

While player liquidity is less of an issue in casino, scale is important as it means that operators can offer larger jackpot prizes that are a major attraction for casino customers – offering the opportunity to win large amounts with a relatively small bet. At bwin.party we offer some of the largest jackpots on the internet: our Melon Madness slot, which was developed by our in-house team, re-seeds at $1.5 million after the jackpot has been hit. Big jackpot wins paid out on our slots in 2010 included £2.3 million on Sweet Hawaii, £1.8 million on Fire Drake, £1.9 million on Melon Madness and £1.5 million on Snow Business, another of our in-house productions.

Despite playing against the house, casino games can also be multi player. Multi player casino games make it possible for several players to sit around the same virtual table to play and socialise (through online chat features) replicating the experience of a land based casino.

Even though casino games tend to command a greater proportion of ‘high rollers’ than other games, average gross win margins from casino games are relatively stable when compared with other games such as sports betting. This is due to the fact that online casinos tend to operate with appropriate risk management systems in place, avoiding large exposures through hedging or player limits and because they tend to offer a broad variety of different games that are played by a large and diverse player base, thereby spreading any associated risks. The long term profitability of an online casino operator depends on maintaining a large betting volume across its product base whilst managing its risks and controlling marginal costs.

All market data supplied by H2 Gambling Capital, February 2011

PartyCasino.com is the firms most popular gaming brand.

Websites

PartyCasino.com PartyPoker.com PartyBingo.com PartyGammon.com Club World Poker Tour

Website Network

Media Man Int

Media Man

Media Man Brand

Media Man Network

Media Man News

Casino Travel Media

Casino News Media

The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas Kick Off New Alliance With IHG

The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas Kick Off New Alliance With IHG in Unexpected and Extraordinary Ways and Welcomes "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" to Celebrate

Ellen DeGeneres Welcomes Guests and Serves as "Celebrity Concierge" For The Day

ATLANTA, May 4, 2011 - The Ellen DeGeneres Show today helps IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) and Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) celebrate the launch of The Venetian and The Palazzo as the first-ever InterContinental Alliance Resorts. To commemorate this fitting partnership and encourage consumers to start taking advantage of the extraordinary benefits of the alliance, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres welcomed the 'first' InterContinental Alliance Resort guests by serving as celebrity concierge for the day.

The humorous segment airs on The "Ellen DeGeneres Show" Wednesday, May 4th, and will show viewers just how easy it is to start earning and burning IHG's Priority Club points at The Venetian and The Palazzo and global hotel destinations beyond the Las Vegas Strip. As "Celebrity Concierge," DeGeneres welcomed four lucky bachelorettes to check into the newly formed InterContinental Alliance Resorts, and showed them the access and benefits they receive at The Venetian and The Palazzo just by simply being a member of Priority Club Rewards, IHG's guest loyalty program. Ellen gives the bachelorettes the VIP treatment with drinks and dancing by the pool, a relaxing gondola ride and even hit the slot machines. Guests in Vegas were not the only ones to be part of the action; Ellen also surprised the entire studio audience of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" with a complimentary two-night stay at either The Venetian or The Palazzo.

As InterContinental Alliance Resorts, The Venetian and The Palazzo are now affiliated with the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts global portfolio. They will maintain their brand identity, yet are established as InterContinental Alliance Resorts on property and via various marketing channels, including www.intercontinental.com, where guests can book a suite at The Venetian or The Palazzo, just like they would any other InterContinental Hotel or Resort. The resorts, both of which have earned the AAA Five Diamond rating and a four-star rating from Forbes, are the perfect fit for the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand and provide the "in the know" experience that InterContinental guests have come to expect.

"Our guests earn a significant amount of Priority Club points when they're staying at our hotels for business travel," said Eric Pearson, chief marketing officer, the Americas, IHG. Overwhelmingly, they want to redeem those points for a fun and relaxing vacation, and now with InterContinental Alliance Resorts we can offer two-award winning flagship resorts in one of the world's most dynamic destinations."

This new alliance brings together two world-class leaders in the global hospitality industry. It also offers extraordinary benefits to both guests at The Venetian and The Palazzo and to members of IHG's Priority Club Rewards program, the world's largest hotel loyalty program with 56 million members.

"Our guests will now be able to earn points and redeem them for stays at any of IHG's various hotels worldwide, just as Priority Club Rewards and Ambassador Members will be able to use their own points for stays at both of our world-class resort properties. In addition, Venetian and Palazzo guests can also earn Priority Club points on top of our Grazie loyalty program points," said Rom Hendler, chief marketing officer, Las Vegas Sands Corp. "IHG customers will be able to experience the same Five Diamond Award winning service that Venetian and Palazzo visitors have always received. This is an exciting opportunity for all!"

To celebrate this new alliance, from now through the end of the year, consumers also have the opportunity to win an unexpected and extraordinary experience through a unique sweepstakes called "Unexpected. Extraordinary. Yours for the taking!" Each consumer who enters the online sweepstakes at www.ihg.com/lasvegas will be entered into a drawing for their chance to win an extraordinary giveaway each month.

Each monthly prize will include a two-night getaway in the Penthouse Suite at either The Venetian or The Palazzo, airfare to Las Vegas and VIP treatment, plus another extraordinary prize valued between $5,000 and $10,000 to experience in Las Vegas. The prizes will vary each month and include, but are not limited to, the chance to party like a celebrity at Tao and Lavo; private luxury box for four at Lagasse's Stadium(SM) during baseball's Fall Classic; and a culinary experience, featuring some of the award-winning restaurants on-site, including Postrio, CUT, Morels, Pinot Brasserie and Valentino. A full list of prizes can be found at www.ihg.com/lasvegas along with the rules for the sweepstakes which is being carried out by IHG.

About IHG:

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns, through various subsidiaries, over 4,400 hotels and more than 640,000 guest rooms in 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites® and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards with 56 million members worldwide.

IHG has almost 1,300 hotels in its development pipeline, which is expected to create 160,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards program at www.priorityclub.com. For our latest news visit www.ihg.com/media, Twitter www.twitter.com/ihgplc or YouTube www.youtube.com/ihgplc.

About Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) is the leading global developer of destination properties (integrated resorts) that feature premium accommodations, world-class gaming and entertainment, convention and exhibition facilities, celebrity chef restaurants, and many other amenities.

The Venetian and The Palazzo, Five-Diamond luxury resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, are among the company's properties in the United States. In Singapore, the iconic Marina Say Sands is the most recent addition to the company's portfolio.

Through its majority-owned subsidiary Sands China Ltd, the company also owns a collection of properties in Macau, including The Venetian Macao, Four Seasons Hotel Macao and the Four Seasons-branded serviced-apartments at its Cotai Strip development, as well as the Sands Macao on the Macau peninsula.

SOURCE InterContinental Hotels Group

Media Man Int Profiles

Casinos

Hotels

World Casino Directory

Global Gaming Directory

The Venetian

New York

Las Vegas

Property

Media Man

Website Network

Media Man Int

Media Man

Media Man Brand

Media Man Network

Media Man News

Casino Travel Media

Casino News Media

FOXTEL secures new Steven Spielberg series, FALLING SKIES - 4th May 2011

FOXTEL confirmed today it has secured the exclusive Australian television rights to FALLING SKIES, Steven Spielberg’s hotly anticipated new science fiction drama series starring Noah Wyle.

The 10-part series will air exclusively on FOX8, FOXTEL’s flagship entertainment channel, and will launch in Australia shortly after its American debut in June.

“Falling Skies is absolutely massive for FOX8. We are very proud and excited to have secured exclusive telecast rights as well as the online extras to this series,” said Duane Hatherly, Group Channel Manager FOX8, Arena and BIO.

“Let’s face it – any series that Steven Spielberg is so deeply involved in is a good get.”

FALLING SKIES opens in the aftermath of a hostile alien takeover – the Earth is in ruins and survivors are few. In the months following the attack, those who managed to evade capture or death have banded together in the difficult task of fighting for the future of humanity against staggering odds.

Noah Wyle stars as unlikely hero Tom Mason, a Boston history professor who must put his extensive knowledge of military history to the test as he becomes a leader in the resistance against a militaristic and merciless enemy bent on the destruction of humankind. After suffering the loss of his wife and the capture of one of his three sons, Tom will stop at nothing to rescue his captured son and ensure the safety of his remaining family.

FALLING SKIES focuses on the resilience of the survivors and their determination to maintain their humanity when all else has been destroyed. It is a tale of endurance, commitment and courage in which everyday people are called upon to become heroes. They may be outmatched, outnumbered and outgunned, but nothing can beat the human spirit. Most of all, the series is about the ties that bind people together in the most difficult of circumstances.

FALLING SKIES is executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, along with DreamWorks Television heads Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank, Graham Yost (Justified, The Pacific) and screenwriter Robert Rodat. Rodat, who earned an Oscar nomination for his screenplay for Saving Private Ryan, wrote the pilot from an idea he co-conceived with Spielberg. Mark Verheiden (Heroes, Battlestar Galactica) and Greg Beeman (Heroes, Smallville) are co-executive producers.

About FOX8
For non-stop entertainment, pleasure seekers across Australia look no further than FOX8. With exclusive series, event television, the hottest international shows and local productions, FOX8 delivers it all, 24 hours a day. FOX8 has your entertainment needs covered. AUSTRALIA’S & AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, AMERICAN IDOL, THE CONTENDER, WWE RAW, WWE SMACKDOWN!, GOSSIP GIRL and, of course, THE SIMPSONS. We’ve got 100% high velocity TV.

About FOXTEL
FOXTEL is Australia's leading subscription television provider and is connected to over 1.63 million homes on cable and satellite through retail and wholesale distribution. FOXTEL strives to ensure subscribers find TV they want to watch every time they switch on through delivery of more than 200 channels covering news, sport, general entertainment, movies, documentaries, music and children’s programming. FOXTEL is owned by Telstra Corporation Ltd (50%), The News Corporation Ltd (25%), and Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd (25%).

Media Man Profiles

Steven Spielberg

Movies

Television

Australian Television

Website Network

Media Man Int

Media Man

Media Man Brand

Media Man Network

Media Man News

In nod to fictional home, Marvel heroes paired with NYC, its institutions for merchandise line

NEW YORK, N.Y. — They are icons in every sense of the word: world-renowned, adored and admired.
Spider-Man and the NYPD. Thor and the FDNY.

For Marvel Entertainment LLC, New York City has always been the spiritual centre of its comic book creations. Now the company has put some of its marquee heroes in tandem with some of the city's best-known landmarks and agencies for a line of clothing and merchandise.

Paul Gitter, president of Marvel Entertainment's consumer products for North America, said the move to tie fictional characters with the real New York is a step in breaking out of comic books, games, TV and film.

"Marvel is trying to better connect with the consumer at a highly localized level," he said. "Instead of just going out there, creating great Spider-Man products, we're trying to speak to people in as much a personal way as possible."

That move includes the recently announced partnership with NYC & Co. — the marketing, tourism and partnership organization for New York — that will see Marvel characters paired with police, fire and sanitation departments as well as the city's taxi and limousine commission, amid backdrops showing some of the city's landmarks, including the Empire State Building.

On one T-shirt, for example, a full-colour Thor leaps forth in front of a monochrome image of the Brooklyn Bridge, between an FDNY logo and the phrase "The Mighty Never Rest." A portion of the proceeds from the sales will go to the New York City Police Foundation and the FDNY Foundation.

George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Co., said blending New York's icons with Marvel's seamlessly blends fact and fiction.

"New York City serves as home to many of the super heroes in the Marvel universe so it's only natural to team up these characters known of protecting the city from evil villains with the real men and women that keep this great city operating safely," he said.

In combining the real and fictional characters, it helped "create something that is consistent with the brand personality of the New York heroes and, of course, the superheroes that exist" on paper, TV or in film, Fertitta said.

"We've got mugs and cups and bags and notebooks and hats, bags and wallets," Gitter said of the launch. "The typical items that a tourist might buy that are easy to carry around."

Online:

http://www.marvel.com

http://www.nycgo.com

Credit: The Associated Press, Wires

Media Man Int Profiles

Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Comics

Thor

Spider-Man

New York

Media Man

Website Network

Media Man Int

Media Man

Media Man Brand

Media Man Network

Media Man News

Australian Gambling News Round-Up, by Greg Tingle - 4th May 2011

G'day gamblers, casino high rollers, billionaires, journalists... one and all. Today we have another jam packed edition of the Aussie gambling news round-up. Lovers VS haters, political fun and games, Underbelly star arrested at Crown Casino on Logies night, share prices and much more.. Media Man and Gambling911 with the news you need to know...

MP Ley Calling For New Proposed Pokie Laws To Hit The Scrap Heap...

Yep, it won't stay out of the news. The Federal Member for Farrer says proposed poker machine legislation will be the death of small town clubs and pubs. The government is under pressure to consider exemptions for smaller clubs in the deal with Independent Andrew Wilkie. Sussan Ley says some MP's are talking about exemptions, in order to look after their own electorate, when they should be looking at the nation as a whole. "Clubs play a vital part in the fabric of small communities and if we start trying to say there's a threshold here and some clubs are exempt then it just becomes very difficult, even large clubs, I mean remember the larger the income that comes through that club, the more that club gives back to its local community." Ms Ley says the only solution is to scrap the bill altogether, as exemptions would see some clubs still miss out. She says the situation is absolutely critical for smaller clubs in regional areas. "Often it's the key focus of the town where it is, there's no where else to go for a quiet drink, for a cheap cup of coffee or a bingo night, particularly for our older less mobile members of the community. "Our clubs, no matter how big or small they are really do have an important role to play, and it's one that is under threat from this proposal." The Lovers VS Haters war continues.

West Sydney Clubs Told To Find New Ways To Raise Cash...

A mob that monitors the impact of gambling says far west clubs will need to find new ways to survive, if poker machine revenue is limited. The Federal Member for Farrer, Sussan Lee, says proposed poker machine legislation will be the death of small, regional clubs and should be scrapped. But the chairwoman of the State Gambling Impact Society, Kate Roberts, says clubs should not be relying so heavily on revenue from the machines. "We need clubs to start diversifying. "You will find that many of them have already done that but some small clubs in the process of that have had to amalgamate and perhaps streamline their services and look at tailoring their services more what they're communities need," she said. "81 per cent of the community is saying they want to have a means to limit losses on poker machines." Ms Roberts says gambling addiction is a big cost to the community. "Eighty per cent of people who are presenting to counselling services with problems are there with poker machine addiction. "It is a business model that is unsustainable and really this is an opportunity to start looking at how can we start diversify and how can we lessen that dependence and more importantly lessen the cost of $4.7b that this is costing our community."

Aussie Pokies King Len Ainsworth Keeps Hitting Jackpots...

A shareholder at yesterday's AGM was having a go at Aristocrat's poor performance pointed out that the new pokies being installed in his local are from Ainsworth's new firm Ainsworth Game Technology, not Aristocrat. The valid remark was taken on board by the Aristocrat chairman, Ian Blackburne, who responded with "Aristocrat was, quite frankly, uncompetitive", while insisting things were improving under the man in town, Jamie Odell. Ainsworth's contract before leaving Aristocrat costs shareholders a big however. Mr A still receives $100,000 a year "for the term of his natural life" plus a car of his choice. "And yes, he changes cars," Odell went on to say. Sshareholders agreed to approve performance share rights yesterday that could award him more than a million shares over the next three years. The current share price is less than 20% of its 2006 level, the dividend per share has dived even more and earnings per share is almost as bad, just to add salt into the wound. Mr A keeps winning. Charlie Sheen would be proud.

Burwood Casino Apprentice Charged After Picking Up $100 From Floor...

A casino worker apprentice was charged on the first day of the month with stealing from Burswood Casino after allegedly pocketing two $100 notes he found on the floor will fight the charges. Adrian Lamonica-Miraglio of Lockridge pleaded not guilty in the Perth Magistrates Court to one count of stealing. It is alleged that at 8.30pm on March 27 the 22-year-old refrigeration mechanic was having drinks with friends at one of the casino's bars when he noticed the cash and picked it up and put it in his pocket. He claims he made no attempt to spend the money and handed it over when he was approached by casino security staff. Police later arrived at the scene and charged him with stealing. He has since been handed a life ban from Burswood Casino. Mr Lamonica-Miraglio will stand trail in August. Casino theft by employees is thought of a big no no by Crown Limited king of the castle, James Packer. Some speculation as to if it was a golden opportunity to rid the casino of a worker that they may not have wanted any longer, however that may be impossible to prove.

Centrelink High-Rollers Told To Pay Back Big Brother Millions...

The Aussie Government has ordering customers nabbed losing huge amounts of money gambling while on Centrelink payments to pay back more than $9 million. Through cross-referencing casino high-roller information with Centrelink customers, the Government has found in excess of 500 people who gambled thousands of dollars while receiving benefits. Those caught have been ordered to pay back more than $9 million to the Government. Human Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says in many cases people gave Centrelink false information about their income or assets. "It's also the case that some people may start out correctly in receipt of benefits and then their circumstances change, they return to work for example but they don't tell Centrelink that their circumstances have changed," she said. Plibersek advised some of the offenders were found to be laundering money for criminals. "We don't understand how someone who is on new start or a disability support pension or an aged pension can afford to put $200,000 or $300,000 through a casino," she said. "It often means someone has undeclared income or undeclared assets or they're engaged in a criminal enterprise of money laundering." Numerous media commentators agree - gambling and being a Centrebet customer do not mix.

West Australia To Get Strong Anti Smoking Laws; Burswood Casino Will Be Effected...

WA would get the strongest anti-smoking laws down under under proposals which include a complete ban in outdoor areas where people eat, watch sport or catch buses. The bans are among 15 proposals contained in a Health Department discussion paper being released today, which includes removing a controversial exemption that allows gamblers to smoke in Burswood Casino's high-rollers room. One option is to ban smoking in all outdoor eating areas, which would be an Australian first. Another recommends a ban at all busy outdoors areas, including concerts, public waiting areas such as bus stops and venues popular with children. Another proposes a 5m smoke-free buffer zone around entrances to public buildings to stop smokers from congregating outside. The department says the proposed changes to the Tobacco Products Control Act will be open for public comment for six weeks until June 10. Despite rates of smoking in WA being among the lowest in the country, it says tighter laws might be needed because tobacco claims the lives of more than 1200 West Australians a year and is one of the most preventable causes of death. Australian Medical Association WA president Dave Mountain said WA had a reputation as a world leader in anti-smoking measures, reflected in its low smoking rates. "We need to maintain a strong legislative approach to stay ahead of the game and we . . . need to phase out smoking altogether so it becomes a relic of history," he said. "We strongly support these proposals, including banning smoking in Burswood's high-rollers room which exposes staff to smoke just to attract dollars and pander to the big end of town." Dr Mountain said he supported wider bans outdoors because seeing other people smoke gave a visual cue that it was still acceptable to smoke around other people. Smokers, you have been warned.

Retailer Giant Woolworths Will Ramp Up Pokies Business...

Woolworths, best known for their supermarkets rather than poker machines, and sometimes called 'The Fast Cash People', has not let the pending mandatory pre-commitment betting scheme hinder its plans for expansion. It was announced that Woolworths could strengthen its grip on the poker machine industry if it goes ahead with talks for a partnership with the state’s gambling king, Arthur Laundy. Anti gambling advocated remain up in arms about the Woollies involvement in gambling, but appear powerful to stop the juggernaut.

Nevada Bankruptcy Trustees Sue Australian Gaming Mob: Press Release - 29th April 2011...

Trustees of the bankrupt Sona group of gaming companies in Las Vegas are suing Australian gaming company eBet Ltd., claiming it failed to provide promised financing and that eBet's CEO had a conflict of interest in rejecting the financing. Sona Mobile Holdings Corp. and subsidiaries Sona Innovations Inc. and Sona Mobile Inc. filed for bankruptcy in March 2009. They're still in Chapter 7 liquidation in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Nevada. In a 2008 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Sona Mobile Holdings said that as of Sept. 30, 2008, it had assets of $2 million against liabilities of $6.2 million and had accumulated $26.4 million in losses since 2003 as it developed software for gaming and mobile devices. This software enabled gambling and transactions over wired, cellular and Wi-Fi networks. Based in New York with operations at times in Toronto; Boulder, Colo.; and Las Vegas, the company developed the Sona Gaming System involving casino games that were wired and wireless. The filing said this offered "real-time, multiplayer games that accommodate an unlimited number of players." The system also provided "games on a play-for-free or wagering basis" on cell phones or any carrier, the filing said. The filing said the system also involved horse and sports wagering applications for race and sports books, as well as on-track and off-track wagering, including live streaming video of horse races and other sports events. One use of the system was for patrons in a designated sports book area to make race and sports wagers or play roulette, video poker, slots and table games between races or at halftime, court records say. Remote-betting systems developed in a strategic alliance with Shuffle Master Inc. of Las Vegas were called mCasino and mWager. The bankruptcy court trustees of the three bankrupt Sona entities filed an adversary complaint in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Las Vegas on April 15 in hopes of recovering funds for the benefit of the bankruptcy estates and their creditors. Besides eBet Ltd. of Macquarie Park, Australia, the defendants are eBet Services Pty. Ltd. and eBet CEO Anthony P. Toohey. The complaint says that in August 2008, Sona Holdings entered into a licensing and distribution agreement with eBet, that eBet agreed to a "master services agreement" (MSA) with Sona Holdings and eBet committed to pay a license fee to Sona Holdings of $2.5 million. As part of this deal, eBet Services Pty. would provide advisory services and software development and maintenance services, and Sona Holdings would pay for those services, the complaint says. However, eBet agreed to reimburse Sona Holdings for these costs through a chargeback arrangement, the complaint says. The complaint says that under the companies' arrangement, eBet was allowed to designate the CEO of Sona Holdings and that after Aug. 25, 2008, Toohey served as both CEO of Sona Holdings and eBet Ltd. In February 2009, a Sona Holdings vice president advised Toohey that unspecified amounts were due from eBet to reimburse Sona Holdings for certain costs, including costs for equipment leases and costs for employees whom Sona had anticipated would transition to the employment of eBet, the complaint says. "Sona Holdings expected that eBet would employ most of Sona's technical staff -- including the Canadian technical developers, and thereby reduce Sona's cash outlay obligations," the complaint says. "eBet did not transition Sona employees to eBet but instead agreed to compensate Sona for its employee and personnel costs relating to software development and software maintenance including the costs to employ the Canadian technical developers." "It was Toohey, as CEO and managing director of eBet Ltd., who failed to authorize and direct eBet's reimbursement of Sona's chargeback costs under the MSA and failed to authorize reimbursement to Sona for its employee costs resulting from eBet's refusal to assume and transition Sona's technical employees," the complaint says. The complaint alleges breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and breach of fiduciary duty by Toohey and seeks damages of at least $1.2 million -- not counting unspecified punitive damages. "Toohey, as president and CEO of Sona Holdings, owed a fiduciary duty to Sona Holdings and its shareholders, including a duty of impartiality," the complaint says. "Toohey had a conflict of interest by simultaneously serving as both president and CEO of Sona Holdings and CEO and managing director of eBet Ltd. "Toohey breached his duties to Sona when his decision that eBet not pay Sona Holdings under the MSA benefited eBet and harmed Sona," the complaint says. Toohey, reached by e-mail, said he and eBet had no comment on the complaint. It's unclear from the complaint whether Sona could have survived, even if eBet had continued to fund it, as Sona had warned investors in 2008 it was reliant on continued investments to survive. "Since its inception in November 2003, the company has generated minimal revenue, has incurred substantial losses and has not generated any positive cash flow from operations. The company has relied upon the sale of shares of equity securities and convertible debt to fund its operations in addition to the recent licensing agreement with eBet Ltd., which closed in September 2008. These conditions raise substantial doubt as to the company's ability to continue as a going concern," Sona said in a September 2008 SEC filing. Sona Mobile Holdings lost $4.7 million on revenue of $312,000 in the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2008, the filing said.

Bucky's Casino Mile High PBR Aussie Connection...

The Mile High PBR, which started yesterday with mutton busting preliminaries and a mini-bull expo at Buffalo Wild Wings in Prescott Valley at 6:30 p.m., will featured 45 of the top up-and-coming bull riders and lots of high-scoring bulls. The mutton busting- and mini bull finals will take place at Tim's Toyota Center on Saturday starting at 6:30 p.m., with the main event to follow. Mortensen also invited some the area's top Native American bull riders to get in on the fun. "We've got some of the best bull riders from the Turquoise Circuit," he said. "We've got riders from Tuba City, Kayenta, Round Rock, etc." If this crop of bull riders hasn't shared any hair-raising stories with Diefenbach, or the other members of the Mile High PBR bullfighting crew to date, that may change by the time Sunday morning rolls around. Diefenbach was on the other side of the gate as a young man in Australia, but made the switch to bullfighter when the opportunity popped up. When asked about the first time he faced off with a bull, he said uncertainty as to what would happen once he found himself in the path of an oncoming bull gave him pause. Yeah, he was scared too. He's not scared, per se, of the bull anymore. "I don't get scared. Bull riding and casinos do mix - who would have thought.

Gambling Stocks To Watch...

ALL - ARISTOCRAT LEISURE LTD -

Gaming machine supplier Aristocrat Leisure expects its full year net profit in 2011 to be 10 to 20% than in 2010.


South Australian Charities To Do It Tougher; Crackdown On Gambling Elements...

Minister for Gambling Gail Gago said the Government could make changes to the draft code. "The Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner is currently reviewing the submissions received, taking into consideration the concerns and suggestions raised," she said. "The Commissioner will make recommendations to me, including possible amendments to the draft code of practice. "This is not about increasing unnecessary red tape; it is about ensuring the integrity of charitable donations and collections."

Underbelly: AussieWood and Real Life Big Hits At TV Week Logies...

Life appears to have imitated art at James Packer's Crown Casino in the early hours of this morning when Underbelly actor Dieter Brummer allegedly became involved in an "incident" with up to five security guards. Victorian police were called to the Crown Casino complex and the 34-year-old bloke from North Bondi was charged with intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault, behaving in a riotous manner and being drunk in a public place. Yes, quite a list. Crown spokesman Gary O'Neill told the Herald that CCTV footage and a security report was being handed over to police. O'Neill said he had seen the footage, which he claimed indicated Crown's security guards had "followed the appropriate procedures for dealing with these situations". He politely declined to comment any further, but shared "People see these things differently, it is now up to the police to do their work." Following the Logie awards, Brummer was having a drink or five at the JJs Bar inside the Crown Complex, which each year is the venue for the Network Nine afterparty. Channel Nine is the broadcast partner of the Logies. The Underbelly hit show, which showcases the underworld down under in Australia and has been watched by millions of Aussies, has been one of the network's biggest hits and received plenty of Logies this year. Brummer and other stars of the show, including Firas Dirani were in a party state of mind throughout the evening. Reports have come to light that Brummer was asked to leave the Nine party, although this has not been proven at the time we go to press. Witnesses told the press they saw Brummer being pinned to the carpet outside JJs Bar and heard him screaming at the five guards to "get off me". Some observers were also seen filming the alleged incident on their mobile phone cameras. The man was taken from Crown Casino at 2.25am to nearby Prahran police station to be charged. He will appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court on August 29. Life can imitate art, for better of worse.


Underbelly's Firass Dirani Kicks Ass At Logies...

For Underbelly: The Golden Mile’s leading man Firass Dirani there was reasons for trifecta celebration after snatching the Most Popular New Male Talent and Graham Kennedy Award For Most Outstanding New Talent Awards, as well as bringing in his 27th birthday, which was on Friday. And in a most entertaining acceptance speech thanked 'Teenage Dream' queen Katy Perry. Kings Cross based set drama series Underbelly: The Golden Mile was awarded the TV Week Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie. The night's first winner Firass Dirani, who was voted the most popular newcomer for his performance in Underbelly: The Golden Mile, begged American pop chanteuse Katy Perry to have his babies before thanking the shows producers "for taking a chance and injecting some flair and some of that caramel flavour into our TV screens". Insiders say the "caramel flavour" was a reference to the multi cultural thing, given that Durani is not a Caucasian "white" Australian. Tipsters are confident Underbelly will continue for "one or two years more", with more gambling themes to be incorporated into the smash hit franchise.

Readers, if you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.

Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports for more "can't miss" information on the Australian casino and gambling scene.

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming. Media Man also publishes Media Man News

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man News

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Games

Media Man Brand

Media Man Network

Casino News Media

Poker News Media

Global Gaming Directory

Thor star: 'Avengers' will be a battle of big egos - 3rd May 2011

The really mean fighting and no holds barred wrestling in the upcoming "The Avengers" movie may not be between the superheroes and the villains but amongst the crime fighters themselves Media Man has learned.

"It's Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Thor," Chris Hemsworth...from down under in Australia, who plays the latter character, told the press at his action-packed "Thor." "[They] all come together and attempt to form an alliance. It's tension-filled. We've got some big egos in that group and they don't play well with others all the time, you know."

As previously reported, Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans will play Iron Man and Captain America — characters the actors have each portrayed previously in solo films...while Mark Ruffalo has been cast as the big green monster the Hulk.

Writer-director Joss Whedon plans to begin shooting the movie, which is set for release in May 2012. Can't wait hey - either can we.

"We're shooting soon," Hemsworth told the press. "Pretty much as soon as the ['Thor' press tour] is over."

Profiles

Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Comics

Thor

The Hulk

Captain America

Iron-Man

The Avengers

Robert Downey Jr

Stan Lee

Media Man

Website Network

Media Man Int

Media Man

Media Man News

TV Week Logies: Underbelly Dirani Wins Logies; Dieter Brummer Crown Casino Assault, by Greg Tingle - 2nd May 2011

This years Underbelly was both a big winner and loser at the TV Week Logies. James Packer's Crown Casino was rocking and rolling, before, during and after The Logies. Australia's night of nights - the TV Week Logie Awards hit James Packer's Crown Casino with a vengeance. Good thing that security was on high alert for The Palladium and JJ's parts of the casino. We are also pleased to report that there was no repeat of last years Twitter-Gate, where one writer was fired for inappropriate Tweets. Plastic handcuffs were not required as far as we can muster, but there was at least one arrest...of an Underbelly star. Media Man with the Crown Casino - Underbelly special live from Crown. Greg Tingle flew down to Melbourne to cover both TV and real life underbelly, learning that life still does sometimes imitate art even in Australian Underbelly...

Underbelly: AussieWood and Real Life Big Hits At TV Week Logies...

Life appears to have imitated art at James Packer's Crown Casino in the early hours of this morning when Underbelly actor Dieter Brummer allegedly became involved in an "incident" with up to five security guards.

Victorian police were called to the Crown Casino complex and the 34-year-old bloke from North Bondi was charged with intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault, behaving in a riotous manner and being drunk in a public place. Yes, quite a list.

Crown spokesman Gary O'Neill told the Herald that CCTV footage and a security report was being handed over to police.

O'Neill said he had seen the footage, which he claimed indicated Crown's security guards had "followed the appropriate procedures for dealing with these situations".

He politely declined to comment any further, but shared "People see these things differently, it is now up to the police to do their work."

Following the Logie awards, Brummer was having a drink or five at the JJs Bar inside the Crown Complex, which each year is the venue for the Network Nine afterparty. Channel Nine is the broadcast partner of the Logies.

The Underbelly hit show, which showcases the underworld down under in Australia and has been watched by millions of Aussies, has been one of the network's biggest hits and received plenty of Logies this year.

Brummer and other stars of the show, including Firas Dirani were in a party state of mind throughout the evening.

Reports have come to light that Brummer was asked to leave the Nine party, although this has not been proven at the time we go to press.

Witnesses told the press they saw Brummer being pinned to the carpet outside JJs Bar and heard him screaming at the five guards to "get off me".

Some observers were also seen filming the alleged incident on their mobile phone cameras.

The man was taken from Crown Casino at 2.25am to nearby Prahran police station to be charged.

He will appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court on August 29.

Life can imitate art, for better or worse.


Underbelly's Firass Dirani Kicks Ass At Logies...

For Underbelly: The Golden Mile’s leading man Firass Dirani there was reasons for trifecta celebration after snatching the Most Popular New Male Talent and Graham Kennedy Award For Most Outstanding New Talent Awards, as well as bringing in his 27th birthday, which was on Friday. And in a most entertaining acceptance speech thanked 'Teenage Dream' queen Katy Perry.

Kings Cross based set drama series Underbelly: The Golden Mile was awarded the TV Week Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie.

The night's first winner Firass Dirani, who was voted the most popular newcomer for his performance in Underbelly: The Golden Mile, begged American pop chanteuse Katy Perry to have his babies before thanking the show's producers "for taking a chance and injecting some flair and some of that caramel flavour into our TV screens".

Insiders say the "caramel flavour" was a reference to the multi cultural thing, given that Durani is not a Caucasian "white" Australian.

Tipsters are confident Underbelly will continue for "one or two years more", with more gambling themes to be incorporated into the smash hit franchise.

Punters, er readers, stay glued to Media Man reports for more "can't miss" information on the Australian casino scene.

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming. Media Man also publishes Media Man News

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man News

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Games

Media Man Brand

Media Man Network

Casino News Media

Poker News Media

Global Gaming Directory

Media Man - Casino News Media - Global Gaming Directory - News Update

PartyCasino Wins Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' Award

PartyGaming and bwin merge to become bwin.party digital entertainment; Eyes on U.S

Merger Between bwin and PartyGaming Planned to Complete on 31 March 2011

Online gaming companies in for huge 2011

Online Gaming Heating Up in Australia

Australian Underbelly: Razor

Australian Gambling News Easter Special

Australia to Crack Down on Internet Gambling

Tingle: Casino Visit By Butcher Blamed For Wife Slaying

Un-Australian Gambling Reforms

Australian Pokies: Lovers VS Haters

Tingle: Jupiters Casino and Hotel World’s Most Dangerous

Deckmedia, SlotoCash Online Casino Affiliates Screwed

Australian Gambling's Dark Side: Drugs, Child Neglect

Aussie Gambling Firms Push Via Sports Broadcasts

In Australia Do Gambling And Politics Mix? Volatile Cocktail

Brendan Fevola Can’t Kick His Gambling Addiction

Australian Casinos And Sports Use Celeb Push Of Gambling

Admitted Addict Brendan Fevola Still Gambling: Caught Playing Horses, Slots

Gambling Business: James Packer Won’t Pursue Vegas Again

Aussie One Armed Bandits The New Big Brother

Tasmanian 'Devil Independent' Wilkie Hates Club Pokies Ad Campaign

Self-Proclaimed “Gambling Addict” and Bad Boy Brendan Fevola Punted From Crown Casino

Japan Tsunami And Quake Effect On Gaming In Australia

Gambling911.com’s Media Man Greg Tingle Targeted By Crim

Australian Casinos: A Look at What’s Happening Down Under in Gambling

Aussie MP Seeks iGaming Crackdown: Australia In Top 10 Gambling Nations

Packer 50 Percent Owned Betfair Signs Australian Super Rugby

Following Gambling Scandal: NRL And AFL Boys, Codes Under Spotlight

NRL Match Fixers Face 10 Years Jail; Pokies Law Could Kill Clubs

James Packer Aussie Media And Gambling King Quits Ten For Good Of Team

Cruise Ships Gamble On Western Australia

Tingle: Australia Gambling With Legal Eagles And Politics

Tingle: Australia And New Zealand Gaming Stocks; Beancounter Special

Sin City Sydney: Darling Habour Gets Star City Rub

Aussie Pokie Reforms To Cost Australian Clubs 100M Plus

Sin City Sydney: Kings Cross Gambling On Real Life Underbelly

Aussie Hotels Want Pokie Limit Trial...

Higher Power At Work In Gambling; Godsend To Bendigo, Victoria...

Pokies Limits Likely to Cost Australian Hotels Up To $4B

PartyGaming, PartyCasino, Bwin Do Deal With Las Vegas Land Based Casinos

Australian Sports Want And Need National Gaming - Gambling Regulations

Aussie James Packer Riding Wave Of Success

Australian Gambling and Politics: Cat And Mouse Games

Australian Gambling And Politics: Fun And Games

Real Life Underbelly NRL Style

Queensland Floods Cost Tabcorp Millions In Lost Revenue And More…

Gambling With Australian Federal Police; Legal Eagles Ready

Australian And Asia Pacific Gambling Tycoon News: February 1, 2011

Joe Francis - Indicted Over Alleged $2M Gambling Debt

Gambling, Drugs, Cocaine; Punters With Problems Targeted By Crime Lords

Australia Zoo Viva Crocodile Las Vegas Back On

Crown Casino Demands Aussie Govt Lift Game For Asian High Rollers

Crown Aussie Million's Poker $250,000 - Greg Tingle Australia Report

NRL South Sydney Rabbitohs: Star City Casino Partnership!

The Shane Warne Show At Aussie Millions 2011

Australia Day 2011 Gambling Special

Crown Aussie Millions; James Packer Special

Running out of Internet Addresses: We Were Right

Tingle: 3D Movies And Slot Games Not Dead Yet

Tingle: Australian Underbelly History and the Anti Pokie Song

Aussie Celeb News; James Bond Casino Icon Connection

Real Life Underbelly in Sin City Sydney

Australian Gambling: Deals, Art, Politics And Vice

Australian Gambling On Pre-Commitment Pokies: Lovers vs. Haters

International Gaming Technology vs. Aristocrat Leisure Legal Battle Ensues

Australian Casino Tourism Smoking Hot Report

Gambling On Australia's Anti-Money Laundering Counter Terrorism Hit List

Tingle: Australian Gambling Regulation Won't Wipe Out Problem Gambling

Australia To Get Sports Stadiums Branded By Gambling and Gaming Companies

Australia Pokie and News Media Wars for January 14, 2011

Australia Remains In Top 10 For Gambling

Australian Pokies Saviour Or Villain; Lovers VS Haters

Crown Casino Refuse Jackpot Payment; ClubsNSW VS PokieAct

Lasseter’s Hotel Casino Getting Tough On Violent Drunks

Australian Kids Copy Parents Gambling Habits

Aussie Media Man Talks Domain Names: Gambling.com, Poker.com.au

Australian Casino, Sporting And Gambling Round Up – January 8

Brendan Fevola Released From Jail: Adelaide Clubs Get Tough On Gambling

Costigan Commission Going After Kerry Packer

Australian Land Based Casinos Rank Among The Best In The World?

Media Man News

News

Casino News

Poker News

Online Casino News

Gambling News

Australian Casino News

Australian Gambling News

Financial News

Entertainment News

Sports News

Technology News

Property News

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Games

Media Man Brand

Media Man Network

Casino News Media

Poker News Media

Global Gaming Directory

Logies 2011 Delivers Firework And Karl Stefanovic Gold Logie, by Greg Tingle - 1st May 2011

The Australian entertainment industries night of nights delivered in terms of both fun, laughs and surprises.

Logies hot favourites largely went empty handed and it was time for a night of shockers.

An emotional (and sober) Karl Stefanovic, who won the Gold Logie, paid tribute to his wife Cass for "giving up a promising TV career of her own with the ABC to let me do this and look after our three beautiful kids."

The capacity crowd enjoyed Karl's banter on Network Nine boss David Gyngell in his acceptance speech, saying: "He's probably at home, in his Homer Simpson undies, scratching himself or whatever he does, but mate, I love you as a boss and more importantly as a friend."

He remembered his family saying he thanked his "mum for her beautiful soul" and his dad "for your male-pattern baldness, big guy."

He shared that his mentor was Laurie Oakes: "The reason I am in this business and want to be for the rest of my life."

Despite his promise to stick to soda water he left stage with" "I'm going to the bar."

Stefanovic threw into his entertaining speech that added he did not believe half of Australia would know who he was "if he wasn't pole-axed on Grey Goose vodka".

"I thought it was career-ending...but I survived it", he said.

"So yes I will probably have two dozen champagnes, a few vodkas and what not, but I will be right for the show in the morning."

On the success on the Today Show he explained: "We're risking things but we're both more confident...I've never been more confident in front of the camera, and I don't want that to sound arrogant, but that comes with the miles I've had on air."

A ton of actors, actresses and presenters made their way to the podium before Stefanovic at Melbourne's Crown Casino looking curious as they snatched their viewer-voted Most Popular awards.

'Our Karl', the Channel 9 Today host and sometimes 60 Minutes reporter who snatched away the Gold Logie from Packed To The Rafters team Rebecca Gibney and Jessica Marais, who were red hot favourites.

The popular awards that had the room abuzz. Asher Keddie of Ten's Offspring, beat Seven's Packed To The Rafters dynamos Gibney and Marais as Most Popular Actress. Another shocker of the TV Week sponsored event was Chrissie Swan of Channel Ten's hidden gem chat show The Circle. She was voted Most Popular New Female Talent...ahead of prime-time personalities Emma Booth, Julie Goodwin, Poh Ling Yeow and Hannah Marshall.

Ten's MasterChef, one of the highest-rating series in Australian TV history, was nominated for just one award - Most Popular Reality Program - which it won.

Stefanovic also won Most Popular Presenter ahead of Hamish Blake, Adam Hills, Shaun Micallef and Swan.

Underbelly: The Golden Mile's Firass Dirani won Most Popular New Talent, however his show was bested by Packed To The Rafters as the viewers' favourite drama.

Nine got more bragging rights with Underbelly being judged Most Outstanding Drama, while the Most Outstanding Actor and Actress went to Richard Roxburgh (Rake, ABC) and Claire van der Boom (Sisters Of War, ABC).

Media insiders, celebs and the general public agreed that the strong line up of performing artists, headlined by Katy Perry, made this years Logies one of the best ever, with some stating it was the best with others sharing "the least boring Logies ever".

Well done to all involved with the 2011 Logies. You did really well.

NOMINEES AND WINNERS LIST

TV WEEK GOLD LOGIE – Most Popular Personality on TV

Adam Hills (Spicks And Specks, ABC 1)
Asher Keddie (Offspring, Network Ten)
Chrissie Swan (The Circle, Network Ten)
Jessica Marais (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
WINNER Karl Stefanovic (Today, Network Nine)
Rebecca Gibney (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE – Most Popular Actor

Callan Mulvey (Rush, Network Ten)
Don Hany (Offspring, Network Ten / Tangle, Foxtel)
Erik Thomson (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
WINNER - Hugh Sheridan (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Michael Caton (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE – Most Popular Actress

WINNER - Asher Keddie (Offspring, Network Ten)
Jessica Marais (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Margot Robbie (Neighbours, Network Ten)
Rebecca Gibney (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Zoe Ventoura (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE – Most Popular Presenter

Adam Hills (Spicks And Specks, ABC1)
Chrissie Swan (The Circle, Network Ten)
Hamish Blake (Hamish & Andy 'Specials', Network Ten)
WINNER - Karl Stefanovic (Today, Nine Network)
Shaun Micallef (Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation, Network Ten)

MOST POPULAR NEW MALE TALENT

Charles Cottier (Home And Away, Channel Seven)
Eddie Perfect (Offspring, Network Ten)
WINNER - Firass Dirani (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Nine Network)
Manu Feildel (My Kitchen Rules, Channel Seven)
Ryan Corr (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)

MOST POPULAR NEW FEMALE TALENT

WINNER - Chrissie Swan (The Circle, Network Ten)
Emma Booth (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Nine Network)
Hannah Marshall (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Julie Goodwin (Home Cooked! With Julie Goodwin, Nine Network)
Poh Ling Yeow (Poh’s Kitchen, ABC1)

MOST POPULAR DRAMA SERIES

Home And Away (Channel Seven)
Neighbours (Network Ten)
Offspring (Network Ten)
WINNER - Packed To The Rafters (Channel Seven)
Rush (Network Ten)
Underbelly: The Golden Mile (Nine Network)

MOST POPULAR LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM

Good News Week (Network Ten)
Hey Hey It's Saturday (Nine Network)
Sunrise (Channel Seven)
Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation (Network Ten)
WINNER - The Circle (Network Ten)

MOST POPULAR LIFESTYLE PROGRAM

WINNER - Better Homes And Gardens (Channel Seven)
Domestic Blitz (Nine Network)
Getaway (Nine Network)
Grand Designs Australia (Foxtel)
Ready Steady Cook (Network Ten)

MOST POPULAR SPORTS PROGRAM

Before The Game (Network Ten and ONE HD)
WINNER - The Footy Show (AFL) (Nine Network)
The Footy Show (NRL) (Nine Network)
The Matty Johns Show (Channel Seven)
Wide World Of Sports (Nine Network)

MOST POPULAR REALITY PROGRAM

Dancing With The Stars (Channel Seven)
WINNER - MasterChef Australia (Network Ten)
The Biggest Loser Australia (Network Ten)
The Farmer Wants A Wife (Nine Network)
The X Factor (Channel Seven)

MOST POPULAR FACTUAL PROGRAM

WINNER - Bondi Rescue (Network Ten)
Bondi Vet (Network Ten)
RPA (Nine Network)
Undercover Boss Australia (Network Ten)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE – Most Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie

Hawke (Network Ten)
Packed To The Rafters (Channel Seven)
Rake (ABC1)
Rush (Network Ten)
Sisters Of War (ABC1)
WINNER - Underbelly: The Golden Mile (Nine Network)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE – Most Outstanding Actor

Erik Thomson (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Hugh Sheridan (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Jason Gann (Wilfred, SBS)
Richard Roxburgh (Hawke, Network Ten)
WINNER - Richard Roxburgh (Rake, ABC1)

TV WEEK SILVER LOGIE – Most Outstanding Actress

Asher Keddie (Offspring, Network Ten)
Catherine McClements (Rush, Network Ten)
WINNER - Claire van der Boom (Sisters Of War, ABC1)
Justine Clarke (Tangle, Foxtel [Showcase])
Kat Stewart (Offspring, Network Ten)

GRAHAM KENNEDY AWARD FOR MOST OUTSTANDING NEW TALENT

Emma Booth (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Nine Network)
WINNER - Firass Dirani (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Nine Network)
Richard Davies (Offspring, Network Ten)
Ryan Corr (Packed To The Rafters, Channel Seven)
Sarah Snook (Sisters Of War, ABC1)

MOST OUTSTANDING NEWS COVERAGE

“Afghanistan Rocket Attack” (Ten News)
“Election 2010” (Sky News)
“Laurie Oakes Election Leaks” (Nine News)
WINNER - “New Zealand Mine Disaster” (Seven News)
“Pakistan Floods” (ABC News)

MOST OUTSTANDING PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT

“Brothers In Arms” (Sunday Night, Channel Seven)
“Hey Dad..! Scandal” (A Current Affair, Nine Network)
“Iraq’s Deadly Legacy” (Dateline, SBS)
WINNER - “Smugglers' Paradise” (Four Corners, ABC1)
“The Condemned” (Dateline, SBS)

MOST OUTSTANDING LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM

Hamish & Andy’s Caravan of Courage: Great Britain & Ireland (Network Ten)
Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam (SBS)
WINNER - Spicks And Specks (ABC1)
Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation (Network Ten)
Yes We Canberra (ABC1)

MOST OUTSTANDING SPORTS COVERAGE

2010 AFL Grand Final (Channel Seven)
2010 Melbourne Cup (Channel Seven)
Rugby League - 2010 State Of Origin (Game One) (Nine Network)
WINNER - The Ashes 2010 First Test - Day One at the Gabba (Nine Network)
XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (Foxtel)

MOST OUTSTANDING CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

Camp Orange: Castle Mountain (Foxtel [Nickelodeon])
WINNER - Dance Academy (ABC3)
Dead Gorgeous (ABC3)
Hi-5 (Nine Network)
Prank Patrol (ABC3)

MOST OUTSTANDING FACTUAL PROGRAM

Bondi Rescue (Network Ten)
Miracle in the Storm (ABC1)
RPA (Nine Network)
Such Is Life: The Troubled Times Of Ben Cousins (Channel Seven)
WINNER - Trishna & Krishna: The Quest For Separate Lives (Channel Seven)


Logies Snapshot

Performing artist Katy Perry promised a Logies explosive firework opening to the Logies and she delivered

Logies 2001 was more glamorous than ever before

Longest red carpet in the event's history (80m)

Katy Perry, Maroon 5 and Jesse J all performed

Rebecca Judd, expecting, showed off her tummy on the Logies' red carpet

Rebecca Gibney had been favourite to take home the coveted Gold Logie.

Shane Jacobsen (Kenny fame) was a photographers fav for the night, putting on all sorts of antics to keep the press pack amused.

Katy Perry was the most photographed star on the red carpet, to little surprise

Crown Casino is understood to have possibly done record business at restaurants, bars and in gaming as a positive spin off from the event

Website Network

Media Man Int

Media Man

Media Man News

Logies 2011 tipped to be the best, by Greg Tingle - 1st May 2011

Performing artist Katy Perry has promised a Logies explosive firework opening to the Logies.

Perry is performing here at Crown Casino, Melbourne, tonight at the Logies, and says it'll be quite different to her usual performance.

"I'm very excited because I get to sing one of my favourite songs tomorrow, and I get to do it in a completely different way that I've never done it.

"I love that new, exciting challenge."

The American pop culture icon disclosed she's a big fan of Chris Lilley's Logie-award winning mockumentary series Summer Heights High.

"Summer Heights High and Ja'mie is my favourite," she said, having a go at the the character's accent.

"I love her. Obviously I'm a big fan of all those characters.

"And Kath and Kim I love.

"Australian television is ace."

Perry is down under for her sold-out California Dreams tour, is the big-name international drawcard for the TV Week Logies.

UK pop singer Jessie J and US Grammy winners Maroon 5 will also hit the stage at the Logies.

Violinist Andre Rieu is also scheduled to make an appearance and there's been rumours all week of Justin Bieber showing.


More glamorous than ever before

The Logies will have extra glamour this year, with the stars set to walk the longest red carpet in the event's history.

Logies organisers have extended the ruby rug at Crown Casino by 80m.

"It is more spacious, more grand and will be more glamorous," event organiser David Grant said.

International stars such as Katy Perry, Maroon 5 and red-hot British singer Jesse J have arrived in Melbourne for tonight's event.

All will walk the red carpet, as will violin maestro Andre Rieu, who is understood to have just hit Melbourne. Rieu also will be a presenter for part of on the evening.

Rebecca Judd, understood to be expecting her first baby early in August, will show off her tummy on the Logies' red carpet, in designer fashion of course.

She will be a commentator on Network 9's Logies fashion special and will attend the gala event as a guest of the station. She will wear a gown by Perth-based designer Aurelio Costarella that has been tweaked to flatter and celebrate her six-month pregnant state.

"My gown is very accommodating for my bump," Judd said.

"Aurelio had some options for me and the one I have chosen is great.

"It really works with the bump there is a lot of draping and so forth on it."

Judd shared that she was revelling in her pregnancy while keeping busy. "The bump is getting really big," she said. "I have been feeling amazing."

"I will be having a quiet night," she said. "All of these after-parties sound fun, but they will have to wait until next year."

Rebecca Gibney is favourite to take home the coveted Gold Logie.

Stay tuned as we bring you the action from Crown Casino.

Website Network

Media Man Int

Media Man

Media Man News