Bwin.Party CEO Says It’s ‘When, not If’ U.S. Online Poker Opens - 29th March 2012

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Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Plc (BPTY) co-Chief Executive Officer Norbert Teufelberger said it is a question of “when, not if” the U.S. online poker market opens up and it would present a significant opportunity for the company.

“It is a significant opportunity for the company because in our history, we had 50 percent market share, that market was close to three quarters of a billion dollars,” to the company, Teufelberger said in a conference call today.


PartyPoker And PartyCasino Owner bwin.party Digital Entertainment Plans Return to US Market...

Online gambling firm bwin.party are set to return to the US poker market after almost six years away following their application for a gaming licence with the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

The Gibraltar-based company – which owns online poker room PartyPoker – have submitted their application to add their name to an ever-growing list of firms showing massive interest in taking advantage of the expected legalisation of online poker in the USA.

Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment plc was formed in March last year following the merger of Bwin Interactive Entertainment AG and PartyGaming plc to create the world’s largest publicly traded online gambling company that is now listed on the London Stock Exchange.

PartyGaming Left US Market in 2006

This merger came almost five years after PartyGaming took the decision to suspend all real-money games in the USA, before then exiting the market three days after the US government’s passing of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) back on September 29, 2006.

In April of 2009, PartyGaming decided to reach a settlement with the US Department of Justice (DoJ) in which they agreed to pay a $105 million penalty over four years as part of a non-prosecution agreement for providing online gambling to American customers before the UIGEA was passed.

As an element of the agreement, PartyGaming put its name to a “statement of facts” in which it admitted that, before October of 2006, they had aimed to attract American citizens that resulted in the processing of transactions “contrary to certain US laws”.

This deal ensured that PartyGaming were not prosecuted and also made sure that they could return to the US market if – and when – new laws are put in place to regulate all internet gambling in the North American nation.

Partnership Provided Opportunity to Return

Bwin’s merger with PartyGaming last year also paved the way for the new company to partner with Nevada-based gaming firms Boyd Gaming and MGM Resorts International late last year in what was considered an “anticipatory” move ahead of the hoped-for legalisation of online gambling in the States.

The venture has resulted in bwin.party owning 65% of the company as they provide and maintain the software for both gaming businesses, while MGM – which also runs hotels – holds 25% and Boyd Gaming just 10%.

Boyd Gaming and MGM have previously applied for licences with the Nevada Gaming Control Board to operate as online poker providers.

PartyPoker Still World’s Second Biggest Poker Room

PartyPoker had been the world’s biggest internet poker brand – if based on their number of players and cash game revenue – before pulling out of the US market, although it still holds the position as the second biggest behind PokerStars.

While Jim Ryan, bwin.party’s chief operating officer, recently told media that the joint venture is unlikely to see them regain the 50% share PartyPoker enjoyed before the introduction of the UIGEA, he does expect to see a “very meaningful liquidity pool” in what will be a highly competitive market.

Stay tuned as well follow up the story.


6 March 2012

bwin.party digital entertainment plc
(‘bwin.party’ or the ‘Company’)

Sale of Ongame to Shuffle Master

Highlights:

Sale of Ongame, a leading B2B online poker network, to Shuffle Master for up to €29.5 million on a cash-free and debt-free basis
Initial consideration of €19.5 million payable in cash on completion, subject to a post-completion working capital adjustment
Further consideration of up to €10.0 million payable in cash in the event that regulated online poker commences in the United States on either a federal or intra-state basis within five years from completion
Completion is subject to the normal conditions for a transaction of this type, including regulatory approvals and is expected to complete in the summer of 2012
bwin.party today announces that it has agreed to sell Ongame, its business-to-business (‘B2B’) online poker network, to Shuffle Master, Inc (‘Shuffle Master’) for a total cash consideration of up to €29.5 million.  The agreement is consistent with the Group’s stated strategy and follows its announced intention to sell Ongame on 30 June 2011.

Contingent consideration will become payable by Shuffle Master in the event that online poker becomes regulated in the United States within five years of completion.  The amount payable in these circumstances will depend upon the timing of the commencement of legalised online gaming in the US.  The transaction is subject to the normal terms and conditions for a transaction of this type as well as certain regulatory approvals and is expected to complete during the summer of 2012 with a back-stop date of December 2012.  The management of Ongame will transfer with the business and the net sale proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.

Information on Ongame

Ongame Network Ltd (‘Ongame’) is one of the world’s largest B2B poker providers. The global network includes more than 25 of the e-gaming industry’s strongest brands and operators. Ongame also operates regional networks in France and Italy.  The company offers both operators and their players a wide variety of cash games and tournaments to choose from. Further information about Ongame can be found at www.ongame.com.

For the six months to 31 December 2011, the unaudited adjusted EBITDA[1] of Ongame was €0.04 million and as at 30 June 2011 Ongame had unaudited gross assets of €26.6 million.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Jim Ryan and Norbert Teufelberger, the Co-CEOs of bwin.party, said:

“The sale of Ongame represents a further significant step in our process of integrating bwin and PartyGaming and moving to a single technology platform. We believe Shuffle Master will be an excellent home for Ongame to maximise its future potential.”

Gavin Isaacs, Chief Executive Officer of Shuffle Master, said:

“Ongame is one of the world’s leading online poker networks with a state-of-the-art technology platform.  It is an excellent strategic fit with Shuffle Master and our interactive gaming business.  Following completion, we will focus on building the existing business in Europe as well as looking for growth opportunities in the rest of the world.”

bwin.party was advised by McQueen Limited.


Sale of Ongame to Shuffle Master...

About bwin.party
bwin.party digital entertainment plc (LSE: BPTY) is the world’s largest listed online gaming company. The Company was formed from the merger of bwin Interactive Entertainment AG and PartyGaming Plc on 31 March 2011.  Incorporated, licensed and regulated in Gibraltar, the Group also has online poker licences in France and Italy. With offices in Europe, India, Israel and the US the Group generated total pro forma revenue of €814.0m (H1 2011: €398.0m) and pro forma Clean EBITDA of €193.2m in 2010 (H1 2011: €81.9m).  bwin.party operates one of the world’s largest online poker networks, www.PartyPoker.com and also owns the World Poker Tour.  The Group’s scale, proprietary poker software, online gaming platform and strong portfolio of games collectively differentiates its customer offer from those of its competitors. bwin.party is a constituent member of the FTSE4Good Index Series, which identifies companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards.

About Shuffle Master
Shuffle Master, Inc. is a leading global gaming supplier committed to making gaming more fun for players and more profitable for operators through product innovation, and superior quality and service. The Company operates in legalized gaming markets across the globe and provides state-of-the-art, value-add products in five distinct categories: Utility products, which include automatic card shufflers and roulette chip sorters; Proprietary Table Games, which includes live games, side bets and progressives; Electronic Table Systems, which include various e-Table game platforms; Electronic Gaming Machines, which include video slot machines; and newly introduced iGaming, which features online versions of Shuffle Master’s table games, social gaming, and mobile applications. The Company is included in the S&P Smallcap 600 Index.

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Justice Crew And Johnny Ruffo Support One Direction; Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park, Sydney, Australia

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Today One Direction mania broke loose at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion, but credit where its due to both Justice Crew and Johnny Ruffo for adding extra substance to the style with today's young hunk musical performances.

Friday 13th was lucky for about 3,000 Australian fans who got into the venue, and we think Justice Crew and Mr Ruffo helped British boy band One Direction make some of their own luck.

There were lots of smiles all around and body language directed at the teen girl audince to send them into swoon mania.

When JC and Ruffo had done their thing, it was time for the Main Event - One Direction, and they didn't dissapoint (the teen fans that were falling over themselves even before the show began).

One Direction - fans attention in One Direction daze globally..

One Direction performed also their hit single What Makes You Beautiful on the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, which resulted in a star-studded audience sing-a-long.

One Direction’s debut album, Up All Night, entered the charts at No.1 in 13 countries and has been certified triple platinum in Ireland, double platinum in the UK and Australia, and platinum in New Zealand. In six months they have sold more than 4.2 million records worldwide.

Well Wishes To All Artists...

We wish all of the performing artists well with their developing careers, and they shouldn't need too much luck, with all the airplay they are currently enjoying on Sydney, Melborne and Brisbane FM radio. That's showbiz.

Australian media, marketing and music industry experts will be watching and listening closely, as all three of today's musical entities continue to strive to reach the top of the charts.

Will the boy bands stay together, or should we expect a break up or break out performer, sooner, or later - stay tuned to this station.

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One Direction performs at Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park, Sydney, Australia - 13th April 2012

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Today One Direction mania broke loose at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion.

It may have been Friday 13th, but 3,000 Australian fans got lucky to be part of the huge crowd that made up the enthusiastic audience.

The British boy band has teenage Aussie lasses screaming for more, with the occasional tear been shed for those who miss out on their deepest desires.

Hours before Harry, Niall, Liam, Zayn and Louis took the stage at the Hordern Pavilion, they were screaming in anticipation of seeing the Fab Five sing their hearts out.

The matinee show they sold out two Sydney concerts in under three minutes kicked off at 3.45pm with an entirely appropriate teen anthem Na Na Na.

The performance was a slick mix of song, video, dance and audience participation.

The lads are well practiced at at working the crowd, with smiles all around, finger pointing and all that. In time its expected that many of the boys will further develop their vocal, dancing and even song writing prowless.

One Direction merchandise was selling fast, as you would expect, with young ladies parting with $40 for T-shirts, $20 bucks for a program.

Some not so lucky fans who couldn't get a ticket, despite strong rumours of on site scalpers, came to snatch up some merchandise at any price.

The place went nutso times 5 times 3000 when the boys played hits What Makes You Beautiful and One Thing. The teen fans hung on every word.

One Direction this afternoon jetted off to Melbourne to prepare for their Logies performances.

We wish the fab five well on their developing careers and hopeful female fans will only be sheding tears of joy, as the boys continue to send the lasses hormones in overdrive, as the media and marketing machine continues to give Australia an overdoes of One Direction.

Meanwhile Australian media and marketing experts wonder if or when the boys will be back to Australia for seconds, or if they will soon focus on offshore endeavors, having milked down under for all she was worth. Go for it boys.

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Packer tightens his hold on the Crown jewell; Crown prince Packer could be king by Christmas - 13th April 2012

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Crown Limited Crown Casino James Packer Echo Entertainment Casinos Property

James Packer looks like reclaiming the $6.5 billion Crown casino group as a subsidiary of his family company by Christmas after lifting his stake beyond 48 per cent yesterday in a $133 million deal.

Investment bank UBS handled the line of 15.25 million shares in Crown, traded at $8.707 each as the market closed.

Packer's Consolidated Press Holdings declared its interest in the shares in early December, notifying Crown it had struck a cash-settled equity derivative ''with an investment bank'' that gave the company an economic exposure to the share price movements on 14.6 million Crown shares.

For UBS, the Crown buying is handy work - but a comparative consolation prize to rival Deutsche Bank's similar arrangements with Packer over $254 million of Echo Entertainment shares.

Echo, owner of Sydney's Star casino, is in Packer's sights after he took his stake to 10 per cent with the Deutsche deal and indicated he has an appetite for more - applying for NSW government approval to cross that legislated 10 per cent limit and pushing for a board seat.

The assault on Echo has been muddied by Packer expressing a desire to attach the Star licence to a property development plan in a sensitive Sydney harbourside development zone.

As Insider noted last month, Packer's move on Echo's share register last month was controversial not so much for his not having revealed the stake earlier, but for companies law that apparently lags behind the sophisticated financial engineering that allows such derivative deals to escape disclosure to the general market.

It is a decade and a half since James' dad, Kerry, rescued his mate Lloyd Williams' Crown, which was sinking into Melbourne's Yarra River under $2 billion of debt. James replaced Williams as chairman not long after that.

Parked in Publishing and Broadcasting, Crown was relisted on the ASX almost five years ago when Packer jnr split PBL in two. The other arm, Consolidated Media Holdings, then held his interests in the Nine Network and various magazines.

Packer's Cons Press last increased its Crown stake in October, and under the takeovers code is allowed to add up to 3 per cent of its holding in any six-month period without triggering the need to have a formal bid on the table.

That means that Packer could legally take his holding in Crown above 50 per cent by October this year, making it a Cons Press subsidiary and having unchallengeable control. Normally that would mean a downgrading of the share price, because there is no premium for control - but any investor in Crown expecting a full and generous offer from a member of the Packer family would have to be an extreme optimist. (Credit: Fairfax Media)

*Media Man newsfeeds supplied by Fairfax Media

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Human Statue Bodyart Gold Statue Facilitates Golden Product Showcase Event For Alloys I.T In Sydney

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The Alloys I.T and print and imaging distributor company based in Sydney's North Ryde is the lastest technology based company to stand out from the pack using human statues at their yearly showcase event.

I.T and print imaging distribution may sound moderately sexy, but with the addition of a golden painted and decorated human statue, their moderatly sexy event came to life and achieved a real wow factor.

The human statue model mingled with management, distributors and other events, showing off the various impressive information products and services on display.

Alloy's is commited to maintianing their position as one of Australia's most innovate and customer / distributor focussed I.T companies, and their use of a human state model and campaign demonstrates their leadership and mindset to not just be average and one of the pack - but rather to stand out from the pack, showing innovation, daring and creativity.

The statue campaign was effective as it helped attract more a list attendees, positive press, as well as generating positive buzz for the firm in the Australian I.T and distribution industry.

Alloy's continues to innovate in an ultra impressive fashion - be it with products, services, or with outside the box media and marketing campaigns. As their trademark saying goes - "The non traditional distributor".

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Kiehl’s apothecary: Chadstone David Jones counter gets Human Statue Bodyart promotion

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The Kiehl’s apothecary health and beauty counter at Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre is the latest Australian apothecary outlet to get a Human Statue Bodyart promotional living model.

In case you didn't know Kiehl’s was founded as an apothecary in New York’s East Village neighborhood over 160 years ago, and they have been expanding the luxury franchise outlets around Australia over the past number of years.

Ingredients are the single most important component their their products and they have always proudly displayed theirs.

Ingredients are not chosen on their aesthetic merit – only formulas with ingredients that are truly beneficial to the skin are selected. They select many naturally derived ingredients for use in the formulations, and they are committed to utilizing only the most gentle and efficacious formulas for maximum benefit and results.

Kiehl's is a very community and philanthropic minded company. Giving is the embodiment of "The Mission of Kiehl’s". Written over 30 years ago by Kiehl’s founding family, their Mission clearly stated their belief in the importance of giving back to the communities in which they serve customers every day.

For the Holiday season 2010, in stores in Australia only, Kiehl’s was pleased to announce a collaboration with one of the foremost recognized Australian iconic artists, Ken Done who is using his creative genius to help children in need around the world. With the shared vision to help to create safer, stronger local communities for children, the Kiehl’s and DONE partnership raised awareness and funds through the sale of a Limited Edition Crème de Corps Holiday Collection, comprised of a three-product offering. Each product in the collection featured the artwork of ‘Postcard June’ (2007, acrylic on canvas, 91 x 122cm). 100% of Kiehl’s net profits from the sale of each product in Australia were donated to UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, the world’s leading advocate for children.

In Australia Kiehl’s continue to partner with leading charity, Red Kite. Every month they collect money to support children in need and organize shop for a cause events.

Kiehl's elected to use a Human Statue Bodyart model and campaign to help boost awareness of their Chadstone, Melbourne store display. The statue campaign was effective as it helped attract shoppers, extra walk through traffic at the shopping centre, as well as become a topic of conversation in the Australian beauty industry.

Kiehl's continues to innovate in an ultra impressive fashion - be it with products, services, or out of the box media and marketing campaigns.

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Flo Rida performs free rap concert at Parramatta Westfield, Sydney, Australia

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Music Hollywood Sydney

Flo Rida is loving Sydney, Australia, and today performed a free mini rap concert at at Parramatta, Westfield, in Sydney's west.

As media and entertainment commentators predicted, Flo Rida maniacs grooved, danced and sung their hearts out, with a few media folks out also catching a close up afternoon dance with the Flo man.

The concert began with chants of "Flo Rida", with Flo Rida staying on mic... "I say Flo, you say Rida", and the fans followedd his lead and were into it big time. Then the Flo man started with mega hit 'Good Feeling' - a number that was his sixth top-10 and fourth top-five single on the charts. The song went on to became a top ten hit in 16 countries.

As is sometimes the case, media were not permitted to stay the whole concert, and in face today media were allowed filming of just one song. Still, we were very close up, secured great photos and videos, and loved the music, so we went home happy. It was quality, not quantity, but speaking of numbers - there were about 2000 screaming fans there that hung on every word and beat.

We understand that Flo Rida has been spending a lot of moolah at luxury hotels down under, so it might make financial sense for him to buy a pad here also. Plus, his Australian fans are some of the most passionate in the world, as they demonstrated again today, and Australia looks ready to adopt him... if he desires.

The mega popular chart-topping American rapper is wrapt to be back in "Sin City" Sydney again, and he plans to hold many more concerts for his loyal Australian fans.

Flo Rida arrived yesterday morning after a workout in the hotel gym and lunch, he got into the promotional mindset - pushing his new EP, Good Feeling.

The title track has already enjoyed strong success after it was used as the theme for the return of Australia's Young Talent Time but Flo and his record label are keen to see it rocket up the charts once again.

"It's part of the way music works these days, in commercials, and I've also been fortunate to have my songs in movies to give them another life," Flo told News Limited press.

One of the Music News' and Media Man agency favourite songs which continues to perform strongly on the charts is his No. 1 smash 'Wild Ones', with Australian singer Sia.

"I was in the studio out in LA and was brought into a room where Sia was. I heard her amazing voice - I fell down to the floor and I told her: 'Man, we get this record right, it's going to be a huge worldwide smash'," Flo said. He was right on the money.

Flo and support crew - thanks for your awesome hospitality today. The mini concert was awesome and even exceeded our sky high expectations.

We are in the multitudes who believe that Flo Rida will be at the top of his game for many years, and we don't mind one bit if he chooses to call Australia home.

Australia needs more top line live performing artists and shows, and Flo Rida and his crew are world class all the way baby. We say Flo - you say Rida.

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Flo Rida is taking quite a liking to Sydney, Australia, and today will offer Australian fans a free mini concert at Parramatta, Westfield, in Sydney's west. Get ready to run and go wild Flo Rida maniacs.

For some, like us, our first main introduction to Flo Rider was when he performed at WWE WrestleMania 28, forming the lead in for Dwyane "The Rock" Johnson, as "The Rock" prepared for battle with John Cena (intro by MGK - Machine Gun Kelly).

We understand that Flo Rida has been spending a lot of moolah at luxury hotels down under, so it might make financial sense for him to buy a pad here also. Plus, his Australian fans are some of the most passionate in the world, and Australia looks ready to adopt him... if he desires.

The mega popular chart-topping American rapper is back in "Sin City" Sydney again, and he plans to hold many more concerts for his loyal Australian fans.

Flo Rida arrived yesterday morning after a workout in the hotel gym and lunch, he got into the promotional mindset - pushing his new EP, Good Feeling.

The title track has already enjoyed strong success after it was used as the theme for the return of Australia's Young Talent Time but Flo and his record label are keen to see it rocket up the charts once again.

"It's part of the way music works these days, in commercials, and I've also been fortunate to have my songs in movies to give them another life," Flo told News Limited press.

One of Music New's and Media Man's favorite songs which continues strong performance on the charts is his No. 1 smash 'Wild Ones', with Australian singer Sia.

"I was in the studio out in LA and was brought into a room where Sia was. I heard her amazing voice - I fell down to the floor and I told her: 'Man, we get this record right, it's going to be a huge worldwide smash'," Flo said. He was right on the money.

Flo Rida performs for free this afternoon at Westfield Parramatta at approximately 4.30pm.

We can't wait. How about you? And if you've never heard the Flo man before, brace yourself - you are in a treat. It's not your typical rap - its much much better. Oh yeah, dig it - do you smell what we're cooking.

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Guess hosts ladies night with CLEO Bachelors; Sydney, Australia - 11th April 2012

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Four of the most prolific Cleo Bachelor 2012 finalists were in attendance at today's beauty industry event at Westfield Sydney.

Surfer and Masterchef hunk Hayden Quinn; X Factor's Johnny Ruffo; entrepreneur Andrew McIver and DJ Keiynan Lonsdale, all provided tunes for the evening.

Hosted by Cleo editor Gemma Crisp, the lucky 100 guests all enjoyed champagne and canapes before being invited to a 'style off' with their friends; dressing each other in items from the Guess store.

The final looks were judged by the Cleo Bachelors and the winner received coveted tickets to the Cleo Bachelor of the Year 2012 grand finale event.

Thank you and well done to everyone who helped make today possible.

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High heels and low bikinis: It must be pool season in Vegas

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Gretchen Rossi of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” at Bare Pool Lounge at the Mirage on July 4, 2011.


High heels: check. Makeup: check. Bikini tops: maybe.

Welcome to the day party scene in Las Vegas, where bikinis are tiny, tops are optional in some cases and men's shorts are long.

With pool season ramping up, casino resorts count on day parties to add to their burgeoning nightclub business as the biggest money makers on the Strip. Since the day party came to Vegas in 2004 with the craziness of Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel, it's difficult to find a place not trying to cash in on a phenomenon that has exploded in less than a decade.

"They started in Europe, and many U.S. cities have dabbled in it, but the level Vegas has delivered these and the quality of the pools is something you will find nowhere else in the world," said Jason Strauss, co-owner and operator of the Tao group, which runs the Tao pool at the Venetian and Marquee Dayclub at the Cosmopolitan.

In the past four years, resorts have spent $60 million to $70 million to build lavish pools, where they can offer private cabanas for rent and charge premium drink prices, enticing people to spend as much as $20,000 in an afternoon.

For that price, the parties deliver some of the top celebrity DJs from the electronic music circuit, the chance to see scantily clad starlets and a warm-up to the Vegas nightlife.

It just keeps growing. The Palmshas added Saturdays to its Ditch Friday lineup. Marquee has expanded its lights, sound and staging, because even the pools in Vegas need production value.

If there's any doubt that the female form is part of the marketing, consider that Maxim has sponsored Tao for years and is sending its cover models to promenade at the day parties.

Of course, mix sparse clothing with abundant alcohol, and you may get people who break the law. Police keep an eye on prostitution and drugs.

Mostly, Strauss is seeing the pools drawing the same crowds as the nightclubs, with summers being a time to party around the clock.

"It's the same demographic — they're just pacing themselves throughout the day," he said.

Typically, partiers show up at the pool from 1 to 5 p.m., then nap and start hitting the nightclubs after 11 p.m.

How are this season's pool parties shaping up? Put on the high heels — or long shorts — and come along for a look.

Wet Republic: The party at the MGM Grand started in March and will continue until October. Wet Republic opens at 11 a.m. Thursdays through Mondays. Cover charges vary. Call 891-3563 for more information.

Bare Pool Lounge: With a name like Bare, expect no tan lines and plenty of topless sun worshipping at the Mirage. Bare opened last month, and weekday parties begin April 16. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cover is $10 for women every day. Men are $20 during the week, $40 on the weekend. Locals are free Sunday through Thursday, and more information is available online.

Liquid: Three pools, including two semi-private ones for cabana guests, await visitors at the Aria adult pool party, which also launched its season in March. Pools open at 11 a.m. Thursdays through Sundays, and reservations can be made online.

Moorea Beach Club: Visitors can get a poolside massage or cook some s'mores at a fire pit at the adult beach club located at Mandalay Bay. Admission starts at $10 for women and $20 for men — $40 on weekends. Locals are free before noon Mondays through Thursdays. Those s'more packages start at $40. Reservations can be made online.

Palms Pool: Palms Pool Saturdays join regular Ditch Fridays this season. Ditch Fridays begin at noon starting April 20, with the Saturday splash beginning at noon May 5 with new resident DJ Roger Sanchez. Cover charges start at $40, although there's no charge for local women. And for those wanting to extend the weekend, the Palms is sponsoring Cabanas for a Cause, where the resort donates its cabana rental fees to a local not-for-profit. Rates those days are $100. Monday hours are 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Organizations interested in raising funds through Cabanas for a Cause should contact Megan Gross with 9 Group Las Vegas.

GO: The GO Pool at the Flamingo offers parties from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with guest DJs playing music in the early afternoons for people 21 and older. For reservations, call 697-2888.

Tao Beach: Opening April 9, the pool party at the Venetian has become a big draw for star watchers, who have seen Heidi Klum, Jay Z and Jessica Simpson strolling poolside over the years. It's open from 10 a.m. to sundown. There's no cover charge Mondays through Thursdays, and European-style sunbathing is permitted those days. For reservations, call 388-8588

Rehab: The original Vegas day party returns for its ninth season April 21 at the Hard Rock. Partiers can lay on the sand wearing as little as possible. Rehab runs from 11 a.m. until sunset every Sunday. Entry is $30 for women, $50 for men. Admission is free for local women and Hard Rock Hotel guests.

Venus Pool:The Caesars Palace adult pool party kicks off April 20. You can make reservations online.

The Voo: As in Voodoo, which allows guests to worship the sun European-style at the Rio. The pool opens April 13, and initial hours will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours will increase as daylight hours expand during the summer. Day bed and cabana rates vary depending on the day, as do cover charges. For information, call 777-6774..

Encore Beach Club: Now open on Saturdays and Sundays (except Easter), the pool in the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas will begin offering headline DJs next month. A grand opening is scheduled for April 21, featuring sets by Size Matters artists Steve Angello of Swedish House Mafia and AN21. The next day brings in Tiesto, voted "The Greatest DJ of All Time" by Mixmag, to kick off Daystar Sundays. Beginning April 21, Recess Fridays will be added to the lineup. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cover is $30 for women and $40 for men and may vary for holidays and special events. Call 770-7300 for reservations or buy tickets online.

Marquee Dayclub: Stockholm dance music DJ Avicii kicks off the season April 21. Other DJs set for the season include Above & Beyond, Armin van Buuren, Arty, ATB, Benny Benassi, Cedric Gervais, Chuckie, Cosmic Gate, Dash Berlin, Dirty South, EDX, Erick Morillo, Gabriel & Dresden, Gareth Emery, Hardwell, Kaskade, Markus Schulz, Nicky Romero, RedFoo, Sander van Doorn, along with Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano. In addition to its eight cabanas, Marquee also has overnight bungalows with individual pools and an open-air party deck. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For reservations, call 333-9000.

Bagatelle Beach: The Tropicana kicks off a new day party theme on Memorial Day weekend with champagne brunch and poolside Mediterranean dining. It's aimed at being the beachside version of New York's Bistrot Bagatelle. Renovations of the beach and nightclub are under way, and it's all being managed by the ONE Group, which also has STK restaurant in the Cosmopolitan. (Credit: Las Vegas Sun)

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Red Bull Beat Suite: Aloe Blacc To Headline A Musical Revolution

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Red Bull Beat Suite is set to smash every conceived musical boundary – creating an entirely original, never-before-heard musical exploration, mixing together the nation’s best beat makers, musicians from the Australian Youth Orchestra as well as special guest vocalists including US soul singer, Aloe Blacc who will all feature on the same stage for two shows only on Saturday 12th May, at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

This very special event will be an orchestral exploration of the last 20 years of electronic and beat music combining two diverse musical worlds, setting a musical precedent by bringing the contemporary and classical worlds together on the one stage for the very first time in Australia.

Fans can expect to hear Australia’s best beat makers including two turntablists, a 15 piece orchestra, bass player, percussionist plus the hottest guest vocalists to produce a show like never before. This innovative musical mash up will be cast under the intrepid direction of Australia’s own maestro and composer, Tamil Rogeon who is charged with conducting a bunch of people who quite frankly, don’t belong in the same room – let alone the same stage!

Red Bull Beat Suite is an opportunity to push the envelope and drive forth innovation by fusing together cultures that would normally play in very different playgrounds. The event will provide opportunities for the young guns of classical music to work with those from an urban background – an unexpected collaboration with mind-blowing results.

Red Bull Beat Suite will debut at the stunning and musically paramount Melbourne Recital Centre. Normally reserved for the conservative, the venue is opening its doors to celebrate this exciting fusion – be the first to witness this musical experiment.

Red Bull Beat Suite - Saturday 12 May 2012 - 4:00pm & 8:30pm - The Melbourne Recital Centre
Tickets from $45 and now on sale: Red Bull

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2012 Prix de marie claire Beauty Awards at Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney

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Sydney Fashion Brands Marketing

2012 Prix de marie claire Beauty Awards proudly supported by MYER

Marie claire, in association with MYER, hosted an intimate lunch today to celebrate the 2012 Prix de marie claire Beauty Awards at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney.

Launching in 2005, the Prix de marie claire Beauty Awards recognise the most outstanding beauty products launched locally in 2011.

Attendees include:

Mel B (Dancing With The Stars); Rachael Finch (model and TV personality); Charlotte Dawson (TV personality); Erika Heynatz (singer, model); Lara Bingle (model, TV personality); Terry Biviano (designer, TV personality); Jesinta Campbell (model, TV personality); Laura Dundovic (model, TV personality); Sophie Falkiner (model, TV personality); Sally Obermeder (Today Tonight); Melissa Doyle (Sunrise); Kylie Gillies (The Morning Show); Sam Armytage (Weekend Sunrise); Kym Ellery (designer, Ellery); Leona Edmiston (designer, Leona Edmiston); April Rose Pengilly (model); Sophie Lowe (actor); Alyssa McClelland (actor)

Myer Group General Manager of Cosmetics, Liz Webster said, "Myer is delighted to sponsor the 2012 Prix de marie claire Beauty Awards for the second  consecutive year.  These prestigious awards celebrate the most outstanding beauty products available on the market and as Myer is the ultimate destination for prestige cosmetics we see this as the perfect partnership".

The awards celebrated 17 outstanding beauty products, including nine Readers’ Choice Awards and eight Prix d’Excellence International awards.

Thank you and well done to everyone who helped make today possible.

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BATTLESHIP stars berth at Sydney; Luna Park; Taylor Kitsch, Rihanna, Brooklyn Decker, director Peter Berg - 10th April 2012

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Movies Hollywood Sydney BattleShip

Ahoy. The battle for earth begins at sea in epic action-adventure BATTLESHIP - but tonight the all-star cast was warmly welcomed to iconic and circus like Luna Park Sydney, for the Australian Premiere of their highly anticipated new film.

In an exciting and profitable partnership, Universal Pictures and 2Day FM co-presented the Australian Premiere under the Luna Park Big Top, where leading man Taylor Kitsch (John Carter)  walked the red carpet with his co-stars - pop sensation Rihanna in her big screen debut, supermodel Brooklyn Decker (Just Go With It) and acclaimed director Peter Berg (Hancock).

From the studio that brought us Transformers, BATTLESHIP is an epic-scaled action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as our planet fights for survival against a superior force. Inspired by Hasbro’s classic naval combat game, BATTLESHIP stars Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Liam Neeson, Alexander Skarsgård and Rihanna.

Rihanna arrived (by BattleShip) - thanks to the Australian Navy and top brass Heath Robertson at approx 7pm and wore a black jumpsuit - much more conservative than what she normally wears on stage... perhaps to help protect herself from the cool breeze bouncing off Sydney Harbour.

Pitch...

A fleet of ships is forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origins in order to discover and thwart their destructive goals.

Director: Peter Berg
Writers: Erich Hoeber, Jon Hoeber
Stars: Alexander Skarsgård, Brooklyn Decker and Liam Neeson

Calm Before The Storm; Rihanna Meeting With Film Director - Fun and Games...

Music superstar Rihanna and her Battleship co-star Brooklyn Decker had a bit of fun earlier today ahead of tonight's red carpet premiere at circus themed Luna Park.

The talented and gorgeous ladies wore their own T-shirts featuring old photos of the film's director Peter Berg while talking to Australian news media.

"This journalist came into an interview of ours - I think in London - and he had a Rihanna T-shirt and Brooklyn said 'I'm getting a Rihanna T-shirt' and I said 'no we should get Pete Berg T-shirts'," Rihanna said.

"So it was her idea and we ended up getting them printed and the whole cast has them.

"I cannot wait to see his face."

Rihanna wore the shirt with black leather Alexander Wang shorts and chunky gold jewellery, while Decker wore hers with dark jeans and nude heels.

It's a bit different from the Barbados native's first meeting with Berg, who directed flicks such as Friday Night Lights, The Kingdom and Hancock.

"I had no idea who he was. I knew his face but I didn't know he was a director. I didn't even know it was a movie meeting I was in," she said.

"So he had little replicas of the aliens on this desk and I'm cracking up because he's calling them thugs. I thought 'this guy is so weird, why does he have all these toys in his room?'

"By the end of the whole meeting I had obviously figured out we were talking about a film but only at the end of the meeting I knew that he was the director, and it made me say 'oh (expletive)'. Let me backtrack everything I did in this meeting for the last hour. I hope I've got this part."

The big-budget action movie is Rihanna's first acting role and sees her starring opposite John Carter star Taylor Kitsch, True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard and Liam Neeson.

Early reports are that BattleShip is a quality film and most people will be very entertained. Think 4 out of 5 stars, which is much better than the average film these days. Well done to Universal and the powers that be. Fair winds.

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Hollywood And International Celebrities, Movie Stars Hit Sydney, Australia; Airport Fun And Games

Hollywood And International Celebrities, Movie Stars Hit Sydney, Australia; Airport Fun And Games; One Direction, Paris Hilton, Rihanna, Zac Efron...

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Movies Hollywood  Celebrities Music Entertainment Sydney

If you think "Sin City" Sydney has been a bit of a celebrity and media circus lately - you're right, and tonight a few celebs appropriately turned up at the circus like Luna Park for a bit of media war fun and games! Sydney Airport has also been circus like over the past 24 hours we have observed through our lens and media spy network. Splash News, Snapper, TMZ, OMG, the Media Man agency - everyone is jockeying for position and exclusive news scoops.

Australian fans upset as One Direction away at airport...

Hundreds of teenage girls have been left broken-hearted after British boy band One Direction landed at Sydney Airport and left through a back door.

Some fans had camped overnight while others arrived before sunrise to catch a glimpse of Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson ahead of their sold-out tour of Australia.

But the group was whisked away through a back door and into a waiting car - an old trick, but a goodie.

One Direction has become an overnight pop sensation with sales of more than 4.2 million albums in six months since forming on Britain's version of The X Factor.

Sydney Airport enjoyed fans cheering and singing One Direction songs, including Up All Night and What Makes You Beautiful.

"They are the most amazing group of five boys that you'll ever meet," said one teary fan.

"They have amazing voices and great personalities and beautiful faces."

One Direction's sold-out tour starts in Sydney on Friday. Be ready for chaos and lots of loud screams.


Sydney Casino Club Dancer 'sacked' for dancing too close to Paris Hilton...

A professional dancer claims she was sacked for dancing "inappropriately" on a podium next to Paris Hilton at the new Marquee nightclub in Sydney.

Tahnee Chapman, 25, said she was dancing at the nightclub with three other girls last Saturday night when Hilton joined them.

Ms Chapman danced next to her and was reportedly getting close to the star.

"The only reason I danced next to her was because there was no room. I was actually looking out for her because her heel kept slipping on the edge," she told the Sunday Telegraph.

"I wasn't being provocative. My style is described at sultry. It involves grinding and moving — I was shaking my bum a bit and my costume had tassels on it."

Originally from Rockhampton in Queensland, Ms Chapman had moved to Sydney to pursue a modelling career and was excited to be offered the chance to perform at Marquee.

Her friend Clare McCann, who runs Elite Podium Dancers, got her the gig.

Ms Chapman said Ms McCann texted her about her behaviour after the event.

"I'm pretty annoyed you didn't realise how inappropriate this is not to mention giving out your number and getting on the podium with Paris Hilton and reportedly shaking your ass in front of her," she claimed the text message read.

Ms McCann has denied Ms Chapman's claims, saying she was never sacked because she was on a contract and never received fulltime work before she "failed to perform her job description".

"She was never texted about nor told that Paris Hilton was upset about her jumping on the podium and this allegation is completely false," she was quoted by Rupert Murdoch's Sunday Telegraph.

Ms Chapman said she did not hold a grudge against Hilton but felt the incident may affect her career.

"I don't hate her but I feel that if I can't keep a job because Paris Hilton is jealous of me when what hope do I have of keeping a normal one?" she said.


Sydney, Australia Gets Loads Of Hollywood Celebs...

It's red carpet premieres, concerts and lots of celeb spotting...

One Direction were snuck through Sydney International Airport which left some fans in tears.

Fellow Park Hyatt guest Tony Bennett, an acclaimed painter when he is not exercising those golden tonsils, chose to paint Sydney Harbour on canvas.

Rihanna snatched lots of attention when she ventured out on her balcony, while her Battleship co-star Brooklyn Decker took in the sun.

Last night Zac Efron did the red carpet at the Bondi Junction premiere for his latest movie The Lucky One.

Rihanna is doing BattleShip at Luna Park tonight and may catch up with old ex Chris Brown, who we understand heads up Supafest - despite rumours of some artists been falsely advertised for the music festival.

One Direction is tipped to turn Martin Place into chaos tomorrow when they hit the Seven Sunrise stage.

The appearance at Martin Place is costing Channel 7 in the region of $15,000 in beefed-up security, with the cast and crew of Sunrise bracing for an scrum of young fans, who have bombarded the network demanding information on the group's Sydney itinerary.

And a planned appearance by the group at a private Austereo event, originally slated for the radio network's Goulburn St headquarters, has been moved to a secret location, at a cost of thousands, due to security concerns.

It's understood the visit, held in the first week of NSW school holidays, has been deliberately shrouded in secrecy as security concerns for the five band members increases.

Just imagine what drama is going to hit Sydney if or when Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson or Leonardo DiCaprio come to Sydney later this year!

That's it movie and music fans. Stay tuned to Media Man and Street Corner for more entertainment news and scoops daily.

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BATTLESHIP stars set sail for Sydney Taylor Kitsch, Rihanna, Brooklyn Decker and director Peter Berg to tour Sydney

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Movies Hollywood Sydney BattleShip

The battle for earth begins at sea in epic action-adventure BATTLESHIP - but on Tuesday 10th April, the all-star cast will be warmly welcomed to iconic Luna Park Sydney, for the Australian Premiere of their highly anticipated new film.

In an exciting partnership, Universal Pictures and 2Day FM will co-present the Australian Premiere under the Luna Park Big Top, where leading man Taylor Kitsch (John Carter) will walk the red carpet with his co-stars - pop sensation Rihanna in her big screen debut, supermodel Brooklyn Decker (Just Go With It) and acclaimed director Peter Berg (Hancock).

From the studio that brought us Transformers, BATTLESHIP is an epic-scaled action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as our planet fights for survival against a superior force. Inspired by Hasbro’s classic naval combat game, BATTLESHIP stars Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Liam Neeson, Alexander Skarsgård and Rihanna.

More information on the Australian Tour will be forthcoming.

Pitch...

A fleet of ships is forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origins in order to discover and thwart their destructive goals.

Director: Peter Berg
Writers: Erich Hoeber, Jon Hoeber
Stars: Alexander Skarsgård, Brooklyn Decker and Liam Neeson

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Human Statue Bodyart (Bodypainting and Human Statues); Social Media Network Updated

Human Statue Bodyart (Bodypainting and Human Statues); Social Media Network Updated

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PR heavyweight sues pollster over tweet - 10th April 2012

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Two of the nation's public relations heavyweights will square off in court today after PR guru and government adviser John Connolly filed a statement of claim for defamation against pollster Mark Textor over a tweet concerning The Star casino.

Mr Connolly, of John Connolly & Partners, is suing Mr Textor, a chief partner of Crosby Textor, alleging Mr Textor published a tweet suggesting Mr Connolly should be brought before the Independent Commission Against Corruption over emails leaked about The Star. (Credit: The Australian)

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The Lucky One World Premiere At Bondi Juction, Sydney, Australia - 9th April 2012

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The Lucky One enjoyed its world premiere at Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia at approx 5.30pm today.

The red carpet was rolled out as Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling and Australian director and Academy Award nominee, Scott Hicks, did the red carpet for the world premiere of their new movie, The Lucky One, screened at Event Cinemas Westfield Bondi Junction.

When: Monday 9 April, 2012
Time: from 5pm
Where: Event Cinemas, Westfield Bondi Junction

The Lucky One

Based on Nicholas Sparks' bestseller The Lucky One, Zac Efron ("17 Again", "Charlie St. Cloud") stars alongside Taylor Schilling (upcoming "Atlas Shrugged: Part 1") and Blythe Danner ("Meet the Parents" franchise) in this romantic drama directed by Academy Award®-nominated writer/director Scott Hicks ("Shine", "No Reservations").

U.S. Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault (Efron) returns from his third tour of duty in Iraq, with the one thing he credits with keeping him alive - a photograph he found of a woman he doesn't even know. Learning her name is Beth (Schilling) and where she lives, he shows up at her door, and ends up taking a job at her family-run local kennel. Despite her initial mistrust and the complications in her life, a romance develops between them, giving Logan hope that Beth could be much more than his good luck charm.

Director: Scott Hicks
Writers: Will Fetters (screenplay), Nicholas Sparks (novel)
Stars: Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling and Blythe Danner

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Paramount Pictures, YouTube Online Hollywood Movie Rental: Google Play Over Internet; Box Office

Paramount Pictures, YouTube Online Hollywood Movie Rental: Google Play Over Internet; Box Office News

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Movies Hollywood Paramount Pictures Google The Godfather Internet The Rock

It was the offer that the powers that be at Paramount Pictures could not refuse.

Google and the Viacom-owned movie giant have inked a licensing deal that will give viewers in the U.S. and Canada access to hundreds of films, including the popular classics such as The Godfather trilogy, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Hugo, reports Digital Journal.

When the news broke Australian movie and technology fans were quick to also request that the land down under also get the service - after all - the internet is supposed to facilitate the flow of information ala Human Rights Commission, but over the past year many Australians have not been able to enjoy the same internet broadcasts and content in general as Americans - movies, games, poker, hard hitting news media websites... you name it. Might be something for Media Sans Frontiers to look a bit closer at. Alas, on with the story at hand...

The catalog of approximately 500 Paramount Pictures released movies will available through YouTube and Google Play for an estimated $2.99 - $3.99 USD according to social media reporting website portal Mashable. HD versions will most likely rent for higher.

Viewers will have 30 days from the time of purchase to watch a movie and 48 hours from the time they begin, to finish it.

The Paramount Pictures movies will be rolled out through YouTube and Google Play over the next month.

Paramount Pictures joins Disney, Sony, Warner Bros., Comcast and Universal in providing movies through the online service. To date, the only media firm holding out is Rupert Murdoch's News Corp-owned 20 Century Fox.

Apple has agreements with all six movie companies to stream and sell digital downloads of movies through iTunes.

Mashable states Google and the movies studios are currently discussing the possibility of also selling the movies through Google Play.

It's yet another foot in the grave for American, Canadian (and perhaps soon) Australian DVD rental outlets - long known for overcharging - late fees or not.

The Media Man agency said "All power to Paramount Pictures, Google, people power and the spirit of internet commerce. As Charles Darwin said 'It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.' The internet movie rental business should test Darwin's theory, and most switched on people will already forecast the outcome. The technology and time is right for this initiative to be turned on globally".


The Hunger Games leads U.S box office for third week in a row...

Movie hit "The Hunger Games" survived fresh competition from the "Titanic" and “American Pie” to mark its third domestic box office win over the weekend.

“Hunger Games” took in $33.5 million at U.S. and Canadian theaters from Friday through Sunday and lifted its domestic sales through three weekends to $302.8 million, according to studio estimates released on Sunday.

The Easter weekend receipts for “Hunger Games” topped “American Reunion,” a sequel to one of film’s biggest comedy franchises, and a 3D remake of “Titanic” timed for the anniversary of the ship’s sinking. It was the third straight box office win for “Hunger Games.”

International ticket sales since its opening reached $157.1 million through Sunday, bringing the film’s combined domestic and overseas receipts to $460 million.

The Lions Gate Entertainment Corp movie about teens forced to fight to the death stormed into theaters on March 23 with a staggering domestic take of $152.5 million, the third-biggest weekend debut and the highest for a non-sequel.

Fan fever, plus a lack of big competitors at multiplexes, has kept “Hunger Games” hot, said Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box office division of Hollywood.com.

“Great word of mouth, coupled with a release date that has given it a pretty open playing field, has allowed the film to effectively dominate the marketplace,” he said.

The movie stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, the skilled archer and heroine of the post-apocalyptic story based on Suzanne Collins’ best-selling young adult novel.

In second place for the weekend, “American Reunion” met studio forecasts by ringing up $21.5 million in North America (the United States and Canada). International sales added $19.3 million, for a global total of $40.8 million.

Universal Pictures, a unit of Comcast Corp, and privately held Relativity Media co-financed “American Reunion” for about $50 million.

“Reunion” is the fourth movie in the “American Pie” franchise that kicked off 13 years ago with a pack of high-schoolers out to lose their virginity before graduation.

The original film, famous for a scene in which a pie is used to simulate sex, spawned two big-screen sequels and helped lead the way for future raunchy adult comedies. The first three “Pie” films grossed more than $750 million around the world.

In the new movie, the friends played by actors including Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott and Alyson Hannigan come together for a wild high-school reunion.

Exit polls showed 61 percent of “Reunion” filmgoers were older than 25, suggesting that it drew heavily from fans of the previous movies. Audiences gave the movie a “B+” grade in polling by survey firm CinemaScore.

“Titanic” drifted back into theaters on Wednesday with a 3D makeover and grossed an estimated $61.2 million around the world through Sunday. Of that total, $17.4 million came from domestic Friday-through-Sunday sales, ranking the movie in third place on North American charts and meeting studio forecasts.

The original 1997 “Titanic,” starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio as young lovers on the doomed ship, was a movie phenomenon that led domestic box office charts for 15 weeks. It earned more than $1.8 billion at theaters, the second-highest total for any film.

Partners 20th Century Fox and Paramount spent $18 million on the 3D conversion, which was released to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking on April 15, 1912.

Rounding out the top five, 3D action sequel “Wrath of the Titans” rung up $15 million domestically. The movie had bigger sales overseas, where it pulled in $43 million and helped lift the global total after two weekends to $211.4 million.

Snow White story “Mirror Mirror” took in $11 million, landing in fifth place. The family film has grossed $36.5 million domestically since opening last weekend.

Paramount Corp, a division of Viacom Inc, distributed “Titanic 3D” in the United States, and News Corp, a unit of 20th Century Fox, released the film in international markets.

“Wrath of the Titans” was released by Time Warner Inc’s Warner Bros. Privately held Relativity Media distributed “Mirror Mirror” in the United States, and Alliance Films released the movie in Canada.

The Media Man agency is tipping to keep a tab on all Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson flicks during the year, with "The Rock" well on his way to becoming one of the biggest movie draws of all time, following on from his professional wrestling aka "sports entertainment" success.


Pain and Gain Has The Rock And Mark Wahlberg; Adds Yolanthe Cabau...

Yolanthe Cabau has joined the all star cast of Michael Bay's dark comedy, Pain and Gain. This is the actress's Hollywood debut.

The comedy is based on a true story about a pair of bodybuilders in Florida, who get caught up in an extortion ring and a kidnapping scheme that goes terribly wrong. The actress will play the role of Barbara, the girlfriend of Mark Wahlberg's character. Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson are playing the body builders.

The Spanish/Dutch actress has a reoccurring role in a hit Dutch soap opera.

Pain and Gain is in development and stars Dwayne Johnson, Mark Wahlberg, Rob Corddry, Anthony Mackie, Ed Harris, Bar Paly, Tony Shalhoub. The film is directed by Michael Bay.

The flick is tipped to do massive box office, with "The Rock" seeming to do no wrong, in the wrestling ring, at the box office, or anywhere else.

That's it movie and internet fans. Stay tuned to Media Man and Street Corner for more entertainment news and scoops daily.

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Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Comics, Comics News And WWE Wrestling News; CM Punk, Jerry "The King" Lawler; Chicago, Miami, Hollywood, Australia

Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Comics, Comics News And WWE Wrestling News; CM Punk, Jerry "The King" Lawler; Chicago, Miami, Hollywood, Australia

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*artwork by Billy "The Wiz" Munro

Australian movie, entertainment, pro wrestling and comics fans. It's time for yet another comic book movie, wrastling and entertainment news update. Sorry Vince McMahon, but may fans and wrestlers still like to call WWE professional wrestling, rather than "sports entertainment", and we understand the likes of CM Punk, Arn Anderson and "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair are just a few folks who agree with the sentiment. Yes, WWE is lots more than just pro wrestling these days, but wrestling remains the bread and butter of the operation - thank god.

CM Punk At Chicago Comic-Con...

Rosemont, IL, April 06, 2012 - Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, which for nearly two decades has thrilled hundreds of thousands of fans with standout celebrities, top-notch superstar artists, VIP experiences and more, rolls out an expanded, full four-day show, August 9-12 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. More than 50 celebrities, including headliners like William Shatner, Jeri Ryan, Stan Lee, Jon Bernthal and WWE Superstar CM Punk, notable artists Carlos Pacheco, George Pérez, Greg Capullo and dozens of others are already signed up to attend what is shaping up as the biggest Wizard World show ever and the Midwest's No. 1 Pop Culture Convention.

The international pop culture icon Shatner ("Star Trek," "T.J. Hooker") will appear on Friday, Aug. 10, and Saturday, Aug. 11, Ryan ("Star Trek: Voyager," "Boston Public") on Sunday, Aug. 12, Eisner Award Hall of Famer and comic book legend Lee and Bernthal ("The Walking Dead," The Ghost Writer) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and WWE Superstar CM Punk, the current WWE champion, on Saturday.

"Wizard World Chicago Comic Con continues to grow in all areas, from celebrity guests to Artist Alley to evening entertainment to VIP experiences, so much so that we've made it a full four-day show for the first time," said John Macaluso, CEO, Wizard World. "William Shatner, Jeri Ryan and Stan Lee are at the top of a deep celebrity roster that will connect with fans of all ages."

The announcement follows the recent news that one of Hollywood's fastest-risers, Chris Hemsworth (Thor, The Avengers), will headline Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on June 2.

The longest-running and highest-attended show annually on the Wizard World calendar, 2012 Wizard World Chicago Comic Con will also feature movie and television stars such as Nina Dobrev ("The Vampire Diaries," CHLOE), Kate Mulgrew ("Star Trek: Voyager," Remo Williams), Bruce Campbell (Army Of Darkness, Evil Dead), Tom Felton (Harry Potter, Rise of the Planet of the Apes), Amy Acker ("Angel," The Cabin In The Woods) and dozens of others.

Eisner Award winner Pérez ("Superman," "JSA"), nominee Pacheco ("X-Men," "Green Lantern") and Capullo ("Batman," "Spawn") are joined in Artist Alley by Rodolfo Migliari ("Green Arrow," "Green Lantern"), "Brom" ("Dungeons & Dragons," "The Plucker), "CAFU" ("Superboy," "Action Comics"), Ken Kelly ("Batman," "Star Wars") and Pat Lee ("Spider-Man," "Iron Man"), among a first-class roster of special guests.

Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD.PK), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.

For more on the 2012 Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworldcomiccon.com/home-ch.html

Dwayne Johnson Named CinemaCon Action Star of the Year...

He'll receive the honor at the upcoming convention of theater owners in Las Vegas.

Dwayne Johnson will be lauded with the Action Star of the Year Award at CinemaCon.

This summer, Johnson stars in Paramount tentpole G.I. Joe: Relaliation. He's currently still in theaters in box office hit Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, from Warner Bros.

Johnson will receive the CinemaCon award during Paramount's opening night presentation.


Captain America sequel scheduled for 2014 release...

It's official: Captain America will continue to fight the good fight for liberty and freedom.

On Thursday, Walt Disney Studios announced that a sequel to last summer's Captain America: The First Avenger is scheduled to be released on April 4, 2014, one month before the release of the sequel to The Amazing Spider-Man, who begins spinning his web July 3 of this year.

Chris Evans -- formerly Johnny Storm/the Human Torch of The Fantastic Four -- finally put Marvel's patriotic super-soldier on the A-list of superheroes in the original, which earned $368 million dollars worldwide.

The actor returns to the role as one of "Earth's Mightiest Heroes" known as The Avengers with Robert Downey, Jr. (Tony Stark/Iron Man), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/the Hulk), Jeremy Renner (Clint Barton/Hawkeye), Scarlett Johnansson (Natascha Romanoff/Black Widow), and Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury); the film comes out in the U.S on May 4.


'Captain America' sequel heads to theaters in 2014...

LOS ANGELES — Captain America is getting another solo shot on the big-screen.

Walt Disney Studios announced Thursday that a sequel to last year's superhero hit "Captain America: The First Avenger" will arrive in theaters on April 4, 2014.

The first movie starred Chris Evans as the patriotic fighter for justice dressed in red, white and blue. "Captain America" took in $368 million at the worldwide box office.

Evans reprises his role as Captain America in "The Avengers," an ensemble adventure featuring Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth and Jeremy Renner as a team of Marvel Comics heroes.

"The Avengers" is due out in the U.S on May 4, and Australia will likely be just days after.


WWE's Jerry "The King" Lawler Talks Art, Charity And More...

WWE performers are known as creative artists in the squared circle, putting on a show like few human beings can.

Some professional wrestlers also demonstrate an artistic streak outside the ring, and perhaps Jerry "The King" Lawler is the most famous (but long time Lawler nemesis Bret "Hitman" Hart also might like a shot at the title.)

Lawler is an accomplished artist in and out of the ring.

The WWE conducted its charity art auction during WrestleMania Week and Lawler was first and foremost as the company’s featured artist.

The Miami Herald must have ran about a dozen WWE stories regarding WrestleMania week, and here we look at some of the paramount aspects that Miami's finest broadsheet covered in detail.

“I was involved in the first WrestleMania Art (during WrestleMania 24 Week in 2008 in Orlando),” Lawler said, "and everybody was all excited about WrestleMania coming to Orlando. The Orlando Sentinel (newspaper) even let me draw a WWE comic strip for about a month leading into WrestleMania.

“The art show has grown bigger and bigger and raises a lot of money for charity every year. We have a tremendous turnout, surprisingly, for it, and also, surprising to me, I found out we’ve got some pretty good artists in WWE. Some of the superstars are darn good artists as well. We have a lot of great pieces in the show every year, and for the past couple of years, I’ve done an actual painting or drawing right on-site during the art show that they then auction off for the charity.

“Two years ago (in Phoenix), Bret Hart and I both did a picture at the same time, and each auctioned for $3,500. That was something we knocked out right there in less than an hour at the art show. Last year my picture went for almost $2,000. I did a quick picture of The Undertaker, and this young girl comes up and buys it, and I’m thinking, ‘What in the world, just walking around here with an extra couple of grand for a piece of art I just created.’

"It’s something that I’ve really enjoyed being a part of every year."

Lawler actually credits his start in the wrestling business when he was a teenager in Memphis because of his other artistic artibutes. Several WWE divas, legends and superstars also showcase their skills on that other canvas.

"I was surprised because I just didn’t know,” Lawler said. “It’s not something that they’ve ever put out there and talked about in the past. To see some of their work, I was really surprised. Vickie Guerrero’s a good artist. Tony Atlas did some really good portrait work."

There's others also...

“Last year [in Atlanta], it was funny, too. I had heard Booker T say he was a good artist, and he was going to actually do a portrait of his wife (Queen Sharmell),” Lawler explained. “So he and I started doing our pieces at the same time. I didn’t get to watch him do his because we were kind of back-to-back at dueling art tables.

“So I’d heard Booker was a pretty good artist (chuckle), and he had a photograph of his wife that he put up there on the canvas, and oh my God, wen he got through [laughs], it looked like maybe Stevie Wonder had drawn it. It was the thought that counted, and somebody still bought it because it was an original piece done by Booker T. It was sort of like a Pablo Picasso [more laughs]. Her nose was coming out of the side of her head. Her ears were where her eyes should have been. It was funny."

Abstract?

Booker T said: “I think so.

"I sat there next to King, and he’s so great. King is a great artist. He does water colors, water paintings. You can tell he’s put so much time — outside anyone’s eyes — behind the scenes putting the work in doing that. He inspired me to get a lot better. He inspired me to go work on my craft. I don’t think my art is great, but it’s really not about how great something is in that frame right there. It’s just about doing your best, and hopefully we can help somebody raise some money.

“Hopefully, I’ll do a whole lot better this year.”

Practice makes better, hopefully.

“I’ve been working on my drawing skills, my sketching skills since then,” Booker T said. “I hadn’t done it in a long time before that. It was something they asked me to do. I was like, ‘Wow, let me go out there and see if I still got it.’ I actually did a sketch of Josh Mathews at the announce table and made sure not to use his double chin on there [Booker T chuckles] and gave it to him. I do plan on doing that again.

“It was great last year, doing it for a great charity, first and foremost. That’s really what it’s all about. Guys really need to know what this business is all about. It’s about the fans and the kids who watch.

“We bring so much joy to special kids with special needs. You wouldn’t believe how they gravitate to us and make us feel so special at the same time.

“I’m definitely looking forward to WrestleMania Week. If it’s half as awesome as it was last year, it will be great.”

Lawler has done so many pieces. It’s difficult to note his favorite. After some thought, one did come to mind.

“I did do a charcoal portrait of Vince McMahon and his father, Vince Sr., and his son, Shane, as like a three-portrait piece that I gave to Vince,” Lawler said. “I had an unveiling, when I gave it to him, and I guess his reaction was such that it made it maybe my favorite piece of art, because it’s not easy to impress Vince McMahon.

“Here’s a guy who’s done it all, seen it all, and when he saw that portrait that I had done, he had no idea that it was coming, and I just gave it to him as a gift. It actually brought tears to his eyes, and that, to me, made that night.”

Former WWE superstar and talented artist Jeff Hardy participated in a WWE Charity Art Auction.

“I did one in Houston, WrestleMania 25,” he said. “It was a bummer because I asked if I could do a big canvas, and I’d used spray paint and do it outdoors, but they did it in a fancy library. So I couldn’t use spray paint, and then they had a canvas that was the size of a piece of plywood.

“So I go in there, and they go, ‘Oh yea, we’ve got your canvas,’ and I’m supposed to finish it with tubes of paint and a brush. Spray paint would have been easy. It was horrible, and I wasn’t satisfied with the painting, the outcome.

“Now they’re auctioning it off, and I’ll never forget it. My wife was out there, and she’s bidding, and we got it up to $2,200. So I ended up buying it myself. I told them, ‘Please send it to me. Let me spray paint it and do a great job, and I’ll send it back.’”

Artists.

Hardy donated the money to the library as well as the painting which he returned after he completed his original concept.

Did Hardy ever discuss art with Jerry Lawler?

“Not much. There were a few times we did,” Hardy said. “He’s really talented. He’s really detailed, intricate stuff. Me, I’m more big and bold. He’d spend a day just on the smallest little detail. It’s cool to see him still doing that.”

As talented an artist outside the ring, Lawler is equally skilled inside. He has achieved success at basically every level of the professional wrestling industry and is a legitimate living legend of wrestling.

Lawler created art during the WrestleMania Premier Party: A Celebration of Miami Art & Fashion on Thursday, March 29 on Star Island.

American record producer, songwriter and rapper Timbaland and Stuart Miller hosted the event, which featured artwork created by WWE superstars, divas and legends. It’s was a fundraiser for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center/Alex’s Place and the Second Chance Program housed within the Center.

WrestleMania Week included an art show, but this is the first time they added a fashion show element to it with WWE divas modelling clothes designed by top South Florida designers.

There was even an online component for the art auction so WWE fans everywhere could get involved, purchasing WWE-themed art for a good cause.


Marvel Entertainment Interviews CM Punk...

Marvel interviewed WWE champion CM Punk. Here's some of our favorite parts of the interview...

Marvel.com: Which team are you supporting in Avengers Vs. X-Men? Why do you think they will win?

CM Punk: I’ve never been the biggest fan of mutants. They’re pretty damn powerful, y’know? But seriously, when you have Captain America, Thor and Iron Man together as a team, there’s no threat they can’t handle. In this super hero war, I’m with the Avengers

Marvel.com: Who do you think will win if Captain America battles Cyclops?

CM Punk: Captain America. Hands down. Nobody in the Marvel Universe has the experience he has, and he can definitely outwit, outsmart and outlast Cyke.

Marvel.com: Who do you think will win if Storm battles Thor?

CM Punk: No contest: Thor. I mean, the guy is a god—how do you take someone like him down? Don’t get me wrong, Storm is one hell of a warrior, but Thor has taken on Ragnarok head on!

Marvel.com: Which side do you think Wolverine will choose? Which one should he choose?

CM Punk: Ah, right; this is the tricky one. Personally, I think Wolverine is an X-Man through and through. Regardless of his differences with Cyclops, the guy grew up with the team, respects Xavier, and cares for the well-being and preservation of mutantkind. When it finally comes time to make a decision, I think he’s going home.

Marvel.com: Which X-Man or Avenger do you consider yourself most like?

CM Punk: Tony Stark—without the alcohol, obviously. The guy has all the coolest toys in the toy-box.

Marvel.com: Let’s say Tony Stark were to come out during your match at WrestleMania, what music would he come out to?

CM Punk: [Frank] Sinatra; not the most exciting entrance, but that’s the kind of guy I think Tony is. Suave, sophisticated and obviously would have been a part of the Rat Pack.

That's it fans. Stay tuned to Media Man and Street Corner for more entertainment news and scoops daily.

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