Melbourne PR agency. Icon.pr is a Melbourne PR agency. Located in Elizabeth Street Melbourne.

icon.pr has joined forces with the Australian Council for the Arts to work together on a campaign in a bid to boost the careers of graduate artists. More than 200 ArtStart grants per year of up to $10,000 each are available for artists who have graduated from an accredited artist training scheme within the last three years. Recent Artist Careers research by the Australia Council shows that creating a career as an artist is difficult and many artists have multiple jobs to support themselves. The Art Start grant initiative helps to address the issue by providing funding for artists to invest strategically in themselves and their career.
 
The campaign involves an integrated presence on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare and includes "how-to" videos from previous recipients with great tips for new applicants. For more information or to apply for an ArtStart grant visit www.artstartgrant.com.au

To mark Mother’s Day leading cosmetic company the Heat Group conducted a poll to determine the impact motherhood has on Australian women. A staggering 91% of Australian women acknowledged that taking themselves out of the workplace to have children jeopardised their financial status.

Managing Director of the Heat Group, Gillian Franklin, asked why women were still being forced to bear the brunt of parenting, particularly when the cost of motherhood not only affected the individual but the whole economy. She urged Australians to consider how they can better support mothers, including the provision of paid maternity leave.

The Heat Group engages with women every month via the Heat Poll. It provides valuable insight into the needs and wants of Australian women, their opinions and the issues they face. To have your say head to www.heatgroup.com.au 

An innovative new Federal Government competition is driving awareness of climate change among primary, secondary and tertiary students. 

'Shout Out for Climate Change' uses major social media channels Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to encourage young people to take action on climate change. Launched last month by the Federal Minister for Climate Change, the Hon. Penny Wong, the campaign was designed by Icon.Inc in partnership with Willett Marketing. 

Students are encouraged to take part in a competition to promote action on climate change amongst the community. The competition is open to primary, secondary and tertiary students in Australia. Primary school students are asked to create an original artistic piece, while secondary and tertiary students are asked to produce a 60 second advertisement. Tertiary students must also submit a media plan and promotion plan showing how they would promote their campaign. 

Now in its second year, the 2010 'Shout Out' campaign features a compelling new brand identity developed by Icon.Inc. Icon was also appointed to plan and manage a comprehensive social media strategy designed to generate buzz about the competition and drive growth in online communities. Posters created for the campaign will be distributed around the country encouraging young people to find out more about climate change.

To enter, visit www.climatechange.gov.au/shoutoutforclimatechange. Competition closes 10 September.

The Caroma Dorf Concepts Centre, Fairfax Community Newspapers and 3AW have partnered to create a sustainability promotion highlighting the importance of saving water in the home.

From now until 14 June, they are giving consumers the chance to win a range of Caroma Dorf sustainable bathroom products including a 'Green Bathroom ' package to the value of $4,900. According to Caroma Dorf Concepts Centre, "Saving water at home may seem like a drop in the ocean but a few simple gestures can help you and your family save thousands of litres a year". To view sustainable product options for your own home visit the Caroma Dorf Concepts Centre at 222 Park Street, South Melbourne.

Look out for water saving tips in your local Fairfax Community Newspaper or listen to 3AW on Saturday mornings between 10am-11am. Enter at www.winthisnow.com.au for your chance to win and stop wasting water! 

Melbourne gastronomes have had their tastebuds tantalised with Mexican restaurants popping up faster than you can say Dorito! From our old favourite Bluecorn in Barkly Street St Kilda, Maya on Toorak Road South Yarra and Mamasita in Collins Street Melbourne, you are sure to find a taco and tequila to suit you.

We recommend the vanilla margaritas from Maya; it’s the perfect mix between sour and sweet. Or, for what is arguably the best brunch in town, head Southside for the famous Bluecorn breakfast burrito. What could be better a little Mexican injection to get you through winter? Nos vemos allá!

Images used above were taken by photographer Martin Parr from his 'Mexico' album. 

Nu Energy has teamed up with our sister agency Icon.Inc to launch a powerful new customer portal. The website redevelopment follows Icon’s appointment in late 2009 as NUE’s digital agency, while icon.pr continues to be NUE’s communications and PR agency.

Months of strategy and planning has resulted in a world-class consumer portal. The new website, nuenergy.com.au features a range of consumer-friendly information and tools. Highlights include two sophisticated calculators designed to help consumers compare the savings and choose a solar system to best suit their needs.

The Icon team is proud of the result, the portal adding a vital new dimension to the brand and creating a whole new space in which consumers can learn about solar energy and purchase a solar system.

Check it out here! 

icon.pr is pleased to announce that client Nu Energy is teaming up with one of Australia’s most loved and watched netball teams, the Adelaide Thunderbirds . Together, they will advocate the use of clean energy and work on short and long-term renewable energy solutions to make South Australia a more environmentally sustainable state. The partnership will complement Netball South Australia’s initiative to support the State Government's renewable energy policies.

“Nu Energy is looking forward to this partnership with a fantastic sporting team such as the Adelaide Thunderbirds. We are proud to be working with an organisation who is so committed to reducing their carbon footprint,” says Nu Energy CEO Simon Schauble.

To find out more about this partnership head to www.nuenergy.com.au

Local Melbourne designer, Jacqui Alexander’s claim to fame started at the ripe age of 18, with her self-titled label “Jacqui Alexander." Her label shot to stardom when leading UK retail giant, Harvey Nichols noticed her creations at an Aus Trade fair in Dubai. Harvey Nichols placed Alexander’s label alongside international best sellers such as Chloe, Yves Saint Laurent and Stella McCartney . At 19, Jacqui was given the prestigious honour of the opening show at the Australian Motorola Melbourne Spring Fashion Week. In addition, she was inducted as the carnival’s ‘Face’ for 2007. In 2008 Jacqui and Zac Midalia joined forces to create label Skinny Nelson and Friends. The label features 100 per cent organic cotton materials and its unisex style are seeing both sexes loving these accessible and sustainable designer basics.

icon.pr’s in-house fashionista Olivia chats to Skinny Nelson and Friends co-founder Jacqui Alexander.

Olivia: What made you move from cocktail dresses to organic basics?

Jacqui: Basically, it was brought on by a personal change. The “Jacqui Alexander” label reflected the younger me. Now I feel that to be a good designer I think you need to produce the kind of clothing that you would wear yourself. Skinny Nelson and Friends embodies me and where I am currently in life.

Olivia: Where does the name Skinny Nelson and Friends come from?

Jacqui: The name Skinny Nelson and Friends came while I was drinking my skinny latte in Nelson Street, which is next to my second office. It’s very tongue and cheek, just like the brand is.

Olivia: Why did you move into organic fabrics?

Jacqui: A green consciousness is emerging, which is a good thing, but we have found that most designers are releasing their one 'couture hemp dress with recycled coke tins' and that's that. Everyone has began 'ethically cleansing' their work. Skinny Nelson and Friends is not about ticking the marketing boxes and pandering to the wants of an exclusive and overpriced organic market. We simply believe that your everyday wear, should be made out of 100% organic certified cotton because it can be.

Oliva: What inspires you?

Jacqui: Traveling allows me to feel inspired. I love people watching, especially in different countries. I love looking at people’s shapes and interesting silhouettes. The way they dress, or the way they move makes me think about how I can create clothes that compliment this.

Olivia: What should we expect from your next collection?

Jacqui: My next summer collection will feature lots of textures. There will be lots of layering, and cropped pieces in shades of grey and white for a warmer look.

Olivia: What has been your greatest achievement so far?

Jacqui: My greatest achievement so far was being the youngest designer to show at fashion week!

Olivia: If you were not a fashion designer, what would you be doing?

Jacqui: Ohhh! I would love to be one of eight different things! But if I had to narrow it down, I would chose to be a film director, a publisher, or could I make a professional coffee drinker a full time job?? Ha! I think I would love to have a café of my own.

Olivia: What advice would you give to up and coming designers?

Jacqui: The best advice I could give to an up and coming designer would be to find a mentor within the fashion industry. It is important to take your time learn, observe and ask as many questions as you possibly can.

The City of Wyndham’s future as a location synonymous with bayside living and marine activity is secured, following last nights signing of the Crown Lease for the long-awaited Wyndham Harbour project.

Crown Lease signing event marked a major milestone in the landmark $440 million project, ensuring approval for the development to be located on Crown Land at the Werribee South foreshore. Representatives from Wyndham Council and Wyndham Harbour, along with other key stakeholders, including Tarneit MP and Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas witnessed the official signing at the Werribee Racing Club. Future residents of Wyndham Harbour also joined the festivities, with the stage 1 of the development sold out and stage 2 not far behind.

For more information and exciting news on Wyndham Harbour please visit www.wyndhamharbour.com.au

icon.pr is pleased to announce we are now managing corporate communications for the Heat Group, one of Australia’s biggest and most successful cosmetic companies.

Founded in 2000 by Managing Director Gillian Franklin, Heat’s portfolio of personal care and beauty products is unmatched in Australia and includes Max Factor and CoverGirl by Procter & Gamble, Bourjois by Chanel, Ulta3 and Elite beauty accessories.

Under Gillian’s leadership, sales of Max Factor and CoverGirl in Australia have more than doubled, growing at a rate significantly above the overall market growth. As testament to Gillian and her team’s skill, the Heat Group now lay claim to being “the most successful cosmetic company in Australia” with Max Factor and CoverGirl ranking in the top five brands in the Australian cosmetic market. 

Gillian attributes the company’s success to a combination of innovative marketing and the partners’ pioneering efforts to become an Employer of Choice, particularly for women. While Heat has earned an enviable reputation for business acumen and savvy marketing, its reputation for workplace innovation is equally impressive.

icon.pr looks forward to working with the Heat Group.