Goodwill Games

04/22/2001

Natalie and Kerri Star in USA Goodwill Promotion

TICKET SALES UPDATE

OLYMPIC gold medallists Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst will be the face of Australia when they star in an international 2001 Goodwill Games ad campaign being shot in the United States from tomorrow.

The beach volleyball duo flew to Los Angeles today to participate in the TV ad campaign shoot alongside US sporting stars Marion Jones, Michael Johnson and Maurice Greene.

The ads, which will be broadcast in the United States, Europe, Asia and South America through Turner Network System channels including CNN and Turner Sports, are scheduled to air from mid May.

Natalie and Kerri are the only Australians who will star in the 12-ad shoot, which will promote Brisbane and the 2001 Goodwill Games to the American and world public.

The new ad will complement an existing Turner Network System promotion of the Games, which has been airing on channels around the world since late last year.

News of the ad shoot comes on the back of an overwhelming public response to ticket sales to the 12-day sporting spectacular, which went on sale through Ticketek outlets on Friday.

More than 61,000 tickets had been sold by noon Sunday, with four sessions already sold out, including Basketball finals on September 9, Men's swimming finals on September 3 and Beach Volleyball semi finals and finals on September 3 and 4.

Other sessions which were close to selling out on Sunday include the first Men's swimming session on August 29 as well as Beach Volleyball on September 1 and 2.

2001 Goodwill Games Chief Executive Campbell Rose said he was excited about the overwhelming interest in the event, which had included inquiries from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, US and Japan.

About 20 per cent of tickets have been sold to interstate buyers.

``My team is putting in an incredible amount of hard work to ensure these Games are a success,'' Mr Rose said.

``The response from the community makes it all worth it. We urge people to get in early to avoid disappointment and to plan ahead to avoid lengthy delays.''

Ticketek Chief Executive Craig McMaster said tickets to the Goodwill Games were selling like hot cakes, particularly over the Internet.

``The opening 48 hours of sales has seen Ticketek experience one of the most successful opening sales periods for a major event in our recent history,'' Mr McMaster said.

``Demand has been huge across all of our distribution channels and customers are purchasing across multiple sports and sessions.

``In the opening 48 hours of ticket sales, more than 35 per cent of Goodwill Games ticket sales have been online. This is Ticketek's most successful online result for a major sports event to date and we expect online sales to grow even stronger over the coming weeks.''

To purchase tickets online visit www.ticketek.com.au or call 133 877

Media information:
Janet England, 2001 Goodwill Games Brisbane
Ph: 07 3233 2088 (direct) / Mobile: 0412 334 937
E-mail: janet.england@2001gwgbrisbane.com.au

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