Will.i.am & Kylie Minogue join the Voice family in 2014

Joel Madden and Delta Goodrem also announced as first Coaches for The Voice Kids.

Grammy Award-winning superstars and current Coaches of The Voice UK, will.i.am and Kylie Minogue, are set to join The Voice Australia family in 2014.

They will take up their red chairs next to returning Coaches Ricky Martin and Joel Madden in the new season of the hit show on Channel Nine next year.

will.i.am is a seven-time Grammy Award winner. Known for his work with The Black Eyed Peas, he has sold more than 33 million albums and 58 million singles worldwide. Earlier this year will.i.am released #willpower, his solo effort featuring a bold fusion of hip-hop, R&B, and electronic/dance music. The album includes the multi-platinum single Scream & Shout, plus thatPOWER featuring Justin Bieber and Fall Down featuring Miley Cyrus.

will.i.am is the first recording artist to send a song to Mars, Reach For The Stars (Mars Edition) which was played back in collaboration with NASA’s Curiosity Mars Space Lab team in 2012.

“It is an honour to join The Voice Australia as a Coach working alongside Kylie Minogue, Ricky Martin and Joel Madden. Australia is a highly creative country and a place with many good memories that have shaped my music career,” will.i.am said.

“Australia is one of the first countries where The Black Eyed Peas enjoyed international success selling out many performances, and the place where I discovered electronic dance music. Having worked with both Kylie Minogue and Ricky Martin on past music projects, it will be fun to collaborate with them on the show.”

Kylie Minogue exploded onto the music scene in 1987 and has since become a chart- topping, multi-award winning global artist over the past two decades. She broke records and made history with her 1988 debut album Kylie, which entered the charts at number one and became the first album by a female solo artist to exceed sales of two million in the UK, ultimately going platinum seven times.

Minogue has dominated the awards circuit, having been nominated for and winning countless awards in the US and internationally, including Grammys, BRIT Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, MTV Asia Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, MTV Movie Awards and many more. In 2011 she was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame as recognised by the Australian Recording Industry Association for her accomplishments in music. She has always been true to her fans, bringing them spectacular live shows time and again on 10 world tours spanning Europe, Asia, South America, North America and Oceania.

Minogue won the Helpmann Award in 2012 for Best Australian Contemporary Concert for her Kylie Aphrodite Les Folies Tour 2011. She also awed millions of fans with her performance at the Closing Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

'I am so excited to be coming home and being a coach on The Voice. I look forward to spending time in Australia, getting up close and personal with new talent and working alongside the three amazing artists: Ricky, Joel and will.i.am.' said Kylie

After his hugely successful season on The Voice and a six-city, high-energy tour which saw him reconnect on stage with his Australian fans, Ricky Martin said: “I am very happy to be returning to Australia once again. Being a Coach on The Voice has been a very fulfilling experience and I look forward to working with my fellow Coaches will.i.am, Kylie Minogue and Joel Madden, and all the amazing talent that Australia has.”

Season one and two’s winning coach, Seal, will take a break from the third season of The Voice to focus on music and material for a new album. “I wish all the Coaches and contestants well. To my Australian fans, sorry to not be back for this upcoming season but I wanted this window of time to focus on a number of exciting career priorities – a new album, a TV and internet project and, most importantly, precious time with my children,” Seal said.

Coach Delta Goodrem will also be taking a season off from the 2014 adult version of The Voice to focus on her own music.

Adrian Swift, Nine Network’s Director of Development, said: “Our coaches are artists with busy careers and the time commitment to do back-to-back seasons is extensive, so we are thrilled we are able to work with Delta in having her be a part of The Voice Kids, while simultaneously supporting her with her music goals.”

In the first Coach announcement for The Voice Kids, Delta Goodrem will join long-time friend and fellow Voice coach Joel Madden in the big red chairs, with more Coach announcements to come for the highly anticipated debut of The Voice Kids Australia.

Goodrem said: “I am so excited to be a part of the debut of The Voice Kids and discovering the next generation of Australian talent. I have so much respect for my fellow coaches joining The Voice Australia family. Being a part of The Voice Kids allows me the time to continue working on the show and to focus on new music. 2014 is shaping up to be such an exciting year #TeamDelta #TheVoiceKids.”

The Voice Kids will showcase the extraordinary vocal talent of kids aged 8 to 14 from around Australia, featuring the same spectacular set with electrifying blind auditions and thrilling battle rounds. It too will culminate in a grand finale where only the best of the best young singers will get their chance to perform for the title of The Kids Voice of Australia. 

Adrian Swift said: “2014 will be an exciting time for The Voice, welcoming will.i.am and Kylie to the family as Delta and Seal step out for their respective career commitments. We really value their contribution over the past two years and look forward to working together in the future.

“The production of the first ever The Voice Kids with fan favourites Joel and Delta, to be joined by other big name coaches. The talent we have unearthed for both shows is exceptional and the Australian audience is sure to be blown away by how much musical talent this country has to offer.”

Darren McMullen will return in 2014 to host both The Voice and The Voice Kids.
The Voice Coaches in 2014: will.i.am, Joel Madden, Kylie Minogue and Ricky Martin

The Voice Kids Coaches in 2014: Joel Madden and Delta Goodrem with more Coach announcements to come. 

Shine Australia & AFTRS Announce the 2014 Intern Program

As part of a commitment to foster creativity and nurture talent within Australia's television industry, Shine Australia and the Australian Film, Television & Radio School (AFTRS) have today announced the launch of the inaugural Shine Australia Intern Program.  

Through this industry partnership one 2013 Foundation Diploma Graduate will be awarded a full time, paid internship with Shine Australia for 2014.

Mark Fennessy, CEO Shine Australia said: "In a rapidly changing landscape it's often hard to get a start or find a window of opportunity. Together with AFTRS we’re pleased and proud to be able to provide such a window – and hopefully give something back. Shine's currency has always been great people and we believe this internship will provide the right platform to kick start a new career in this industry".

Sandra Levy, CEO AFTRS said: “We feel incredibly fortunate to be able to offer this opportunity to our Graduating Foundation Diploma students who are at the very commencement of their professional careers. In a highly competitive industry, this will provide a serious break for one of our young Graduates.” 

The 2014 programme will commence in February and the aim is for the internship to roll out with a new foundation diploma graduate each year.

"The Face" announced

Supermodel Naomi Campbell is bringing her worldwide smash hit series THE FACE to Australia, with Shine Australia and Foxtel announcing a local version of the new reality format, headed by the fashion icon herself, will begin production later this year.

THE FACE is an innovative modelling competition series following three supermodels as they use their unparalleled knowledge of the industry to mentor their teams of up and coming models.  These next generation models go head-to-head for the ultimate prize – becoming The Face of a major brand.

As co-executive producer of THE FACE AUSTRALIA and one of the model mentors, Naomi will lead the local hunt for the face of a major Australian brand.

“I’m looking forward to working with Foxtel and Shine Australia in bringing The Face to Australia.  Having found amazing girls in America and the UK, I can't wait to see what talent Australia has to offer,” Naomi said from the set of THE FACE US in New York.

“The show is a real insight into the modelling world – it's authentic, fast paced, and gives our aspiring models a taste of what it is really like.  We're trying to find contestants who have the whole package – a beautiful face, great body, unique look, confidence, drive and passion, the ability to change and transform, a willingness to follow direction, and, above all, a strong work ethic."

Foxtel Executive Director of Television Brian Walsh said, “Naomi Campbell is an industry icon.  She is one of the world’s original supermodels who continues to set the benchmark for the industry, and we are delighted to have secured her to join Foxtel and headline The Face Australia.”

“Having such a dynamic personality at the helm of this exciting new format will generate huge buzz for Foxtel, and further illustrates our commitment to developing unique and compelling content for our customers,” he said.

A Shine America format, THE FACE will be produced by Shine Australia exclusively for Foxtel.

Shine Australia CEO Mark Fennessy said,"Naomi Campbell is a catwalk superstar – a doyenne of the runway.  Together with Foxtel we're thrilled to welcome her to Australia for The Face – a brilliant new series that creates the next generation of supermodels. With fashionista mentors, real brands and real campaigns, viewers will get double the drama, tension and excitement. It takes one great face to know another".

THE FACE first launched on the Oxygen Network in the US in February.  Hosted by photographer Nigel Barker, the series featured Naomi Campbell, Karolina Kurkova and Coco Rocha competing to find The Face of ULTA Beauty, one of the fastest growing beauty retailers in the United States.

Following on from the hype of the US version, the series soon spread to the United Kingdom with Naomi working alongside British model Erin O’Connor and Swedish beauty Caroline Winberg. 

The host of THE FACE AUSTRALIA and the remaining two model coaches will be announced soon.  The series will go to air on FOX8 in 2014.

Applications are currently open to all females aged between 18-30 years old and at least 172cm tall.  For further details, head to the FOX8 website – www.fox8.tv

The Voice Kids coming in 2014

The Voice Kids for 2014 was announced today – a new series to showcase the vocal talent of Aussie kids aged 8-14.  It will be produced by Shine Australia and broadcasted on the Nine Network.

After the extraordinary success of the first two seasons of The Voice Australia, the spin-off program has now opened auditions for the next generation of singers to reveal the same talent and heart-stopping moments as the grown-ups do on The Voice.

The stars of this show – competing to impress their superstar coaches – will be kids from all over Australia.

Already a global ratings smash in more than 15 countries, The Voice Kids will feature the same spectacular set with electrifying blind auditions and thrilling battles that culminate in a grand finale where only the best of the best young singers will get their chance to perform.  

Michael Healy, Nine Network’s Director of Television, said: “The Voice has been an incredible success for Nine and we look forward to The Voice Kids shining a light on the enormous pool of undiscovered young talent this country has to offer.”

Julie Ward, Director of Entertainment for Shine Australia, said: “We are excited to open The Voice stage up to the next generation of great Australian talent. We are confident that there are amazing young singers who will benefit from the unique experience of being part of The Voice and we want to see them register to audition.”

Applicants for The Voice Kids must be aged between 8 and 14 on January 1, 2014. To register, go to www.thevoice.com.au.  

The coaches and host of The Voice Kids, will be revealed in the coming months. 

The Voice Kids is a co-production between Shine Australia and Talpa productions for the Nine Network. It will be broadcast in 2014.

MasterChef Dining & Bar to return for 2013

Shine Australia and Network Ten are delighted to announce the return of MasterChef Dining & Bar – presented by American Express with partners Lipton and Alfa Romeo.

In keeping with the enormous success of its inaugural year in 2012, MasterChef Dining & Bar will once again create an extraordinary food experience that connects MasterChef fans and foodies to the chefs, cooks, dishes and restaurants made famous by the television series. 

However this year it will take place at not one but two amazing locations –Sydney's First Fleet Park at the iconic Circular Quay followed by the rooftop of the spectacular Crown Melbourne and will be open for three weeks in each city, launching in Sydney on 15th August.

At the helm and already part of the family as chef consultant to MasterChef Australia, is two hatted former Becasse Head Chef Monty Koludrovic who will create a MasterChef-inspired menu allowing diners a true taste of their favourite show as well as a premium dining experience.  

MasterChef Australia talent will appear at every session with special guest appearances from the MasterChef family of celebrity chefs.  

All funds raised by tips will go to OzHarvest and Food Bank – matched dollar for dollar by American Express.

Desserts will be matched by Lipton's Pyramid range of teas and an Italian themed bar will be open to the public.

There will also be three Private Dining Rooms per sitting - available to book.

Running front of house as General Manager will be David Jouy. Most recently, David helped relaunch Sydney restaurant The Bourbon but he also ran the floor for the now infamous service challenges in MasterChef: The Professionals.

Nick Love, Managing Director of Shine 360 said: "In a very short period of time, MasterChef Dining & Bar has become the core pillar of Shine 360's extensive off-screen strategy spanning brand partnerships, digital, publishing, consumer products and live experiences. After the stunning success of our Sydney event in 2012, we are expanding to Melbourne to deliver a unique and premium, yet accessible, pop-up dining experience for foodies and lovers of the show alike."

Network Ten’s Chief Sales Officer, Barry O’Brien, said: “MasterChef Dining and Bar is the ultimate MasterChef experience, as proven by its sell-out success in 2012.  It is a unique and engaging dining experience, one that highlights the growing power of the MasterChef brand and demonstrates how the brand can be amplified off-screen.”

Dean Chadwick, VP of Consumer Acquisition and Engagement for American Express, said: “For the second year running, the flavours and energy of MasterChef Australia will be brought to life with the MasterChef Dining & Bar presented by American Express.  As part of the American Express Invites program, American Express Cardmembers will also have the opportunity to access tickets before they go on sale to the general public.”

In 2012, MasterChef Dining & Bar sold out in two weeks and more than 5,000 guests were seated across the three weeks it was open.

For tickets, go to www.masterchefdining.com.au

Sydney: 13th August – 1st September 2013 

Melbourne: 1st – 20th October 2013