MEDIACOM-RELEASE-CONSOLIDATED-PRESS
CONSOLIDATED PRESS HOLDINGS LIMITED PAUL DAINTY RENEW PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MATTHEW DALCO TAKES UP INTERNATIONAL POST
Consolidated Press Holdings Limited today re-affirmed its commitment to live event entertainment, with the announcement
of a continued long term partnership with Austrailia's pre-eminent producer and promoter of concert and theatrical
events, Paul Dainty.
Consolidated Press, which collaborated with Paul Dainty in 1995 to form Dainty Consolidated Entertainment, will extend
the partnership contract for a long term period. Mr Michael Karagiannis, Executive Chairman of Consolidated Press
Entertainment, said today the announcement was an important step in the development of Australian live entertainment.
"Consolidated Press Holdings has enjoyed a five year partnership with Paul Dainty and collectively, we have presented
some of the biggest entertainment events in the country," said Michael Karagiannis.
"The teamwork and resources of C.P.H and Paul Dainty's company, have produced a line up of concerts and theatrical
productions of which we can be justly proud. It is a strategic and solid commercial partnership, one which works well
and one upon which we will continue to build.
This announcement and our pledge to bring Austalians the finest live entertainment in the world is the foundation of our
business platform for 2000 and the years ahead. All of us at C.P.H. welcome the renewal of the partnership agreement,"
he said.
The joint venture provides for the production of major theatrical attractions, including the West End and Broadway smash
hit, "Saturday Night Fever" and selected other major stage musicals, which will be announced mid year.
Mr Paul Dainty said today's announcement was the start of a new chapter for the company.
"I am delighted our association with Consolidated Press Holdings wil continue and that together, we will forge
Australaisa's foremost concert and live events organisation," he said.
"The past five years has been one of tremendous growth and diversity, with now two new divisions added to the Dainty
Consolidated Entertainment organisation, Dainty Theatrical and Artistree Music. This announcement signals a period for
even stronger growth of the company and means we are well positioned to meet the ever changing demands of the consumer
and the exciting new developments in live entertainment.
In addition to bringing some of the biggest names in entertainment to Australia over the next few years, we have secured
some of the most impressive theatrical productions from London's West End and Broadway. This is a great time to be in
entertainment," he said.
In the past few years, D.C.E. has presented national tours and special events including: Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey,
Neil Diamond, U2, The Bee Gees, Sir Cliff Richard, Gloria Estefan and Harry Connick Jnr.
Dainty Consolidated Entertainment has also announced that Matthew Dalco, Mangaging Director of the Theatrical division,
has accepted an overseas appointment with Sir Cameron Mackintosh and will leave the company mid year. "I am sorry that,
as we move forward in this exciting time for our company we will not have the stewardship of Matthew Dalco in the
Theatrical division," said Paul Dainty. "I completely understand his reasons for taking up the post with Sir Cameron in
London and we wish him every success. I have discussed with Matthew a number of concepts for Australia which D.C.E. and
Cameron Mackintosh International can develop jointly. We will progress these ideas once Matthew has taken up his post in
London. In the meantime Matthew will assist me in the recuritment of his successor. To further strengthen the division,
the offices of Dainty Theatrical will now re-locate to our Melbourne Head Office. This will consolidate our marketing
and management teams for our forthcoming productions and live events" he said.
Sir Cameron Mackintosh said today, "Since closing my Australian office, my other theatrical interests have broadened -
in the areas of London theatre ownership, the development of our theatre consultancy company and our interest in the
secondary licensing market of musical shows. This caused the need for a re-organisation of the running of my companies,
leaving my long-standing Managing Director, Martin McCallum, free to concentrate on expanding these areas.
Therefore, my obvious choice to take up the position of Joint Managing Director with my associate Nicholas Allot, was to
approach my former Austalian General Manager, Matthew Dalco, to move to London to run my worldwide group of companies
and everyone in London is thrilled that he has accepted this position.
I very much hope that Matthew being with me in London will strengthen my long term relationship with Paul Dainty and
Dainty Consolidated Entertainment. Now that I no longer have my Australian production office, it is my hope that Dainty
Consolidated will play a leading part in presenting my new productions in Australia in the future," he said.
ENDS....