Joint media announcement: ATEED and Tourism New
Zealand
Auckland is in the limelight in the United States with an
episode of the Biggest Loser reality show winning a prestigious
Directors Guild of America (DGA) Award.
The Auckland episode - one of two filmed in New Zealand in 2011
- has won the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality
Programmes category over the popular shows of Master Chef, Fear
Factor and The Amazing Race.
ATEED supported Tourism New Zealand to host the contestants and
crew from this high profile TV show in Auckland in 2011. The
accolade was announced at the 64th Annual DGA Awards Dinner in Los
Angeles over the weekend, and is the first win for Director Neil De
Groot
ATEED Manager Tourism Jason Hill says it's fantastic for
Auckland to take this esteemed title.
"It's an outstanding result and a big win to have Auckland
highlighted to the key United States visitor market. The
initial show provided significant profile for Auckland and we
expect that this will result in repeat views and interest," he
says.
"The profile for Auckland also bodes well ahead of the launch of
the pending United Airlines flights from Houston to Auckland."
Promoted in the USA as 'can't miss' an audience of 7.2 million
viewers tuned in to watch the Auckland episode of the Biggest Loser
last year.
The popular television programme began with the contestants
flying Air New Zealand to Auckland. During the show the final nine
contestants hit the ground running with a sprint up Auckland's
iconic Sky Tower and an adrenaline-pumping SkyJump. They also
sailed an America's Cup yacht and pumped out workouts in the
Auckland Domain and on North Head against a backdrop of the
Waitemata Harbour. Finally the couples were put through their
paces with a triathlon at Bethells Beach on Auckland's west coast,
with the winning pair enjoying a helicopter flight and vineyard
lunch on Waiheke Island.
Tourism New Zealand's General Manager Western Markets, Gregg
Anderson, said having New Zealand showcased in this way was a major
coup.
"To have an episode of The Biggest Loser showcasing New Zealand
win a DGA award is very exciting and shows that New Zealand can
provide a fantastic backdrop to create reality television."
The United States is Auckland and New Zealand's third largest
visitor market behind the United Kingdom and Australia. Last
year there were 149,254. American visitors to Auckland (to December
2011).
Ends
Notes to editors:
ATEED was established by the Auckland Council to improve New
Zealand's economic prosperity by helping lead the successful
transformation of Auckland's economy.
For further information please contact:
Jo Mackie, Destination Communications Manager
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Ltd
Ph (09) 979 7062 or 021 227 7062
Leah Phelps, Senior Communications Advisor
Tourism New Zealand
Ph 021 843 896