PROMOTIONAL EVENTS
4th November 2005
We will be presenting 'The Lions' at a number of events over the coming months. Apart from our association with Wooden Spoon, we have been invited to a number of other prestigious dinners/lunches. See Events page for further details.
WOODEN SPOON (see Links page)
4th November 2005
Over the last couple of weeks, Tessa and David have attended Wooden Spoon dinners in Belfast and Edinburgh where 'The Lions' was presented to Wooden Spoon members and their guests. In Belfast, Willie John McBride and Phil Bennett spoke very highly of the book whilst in Edinburgh, Gavin Hastings gave a great presentation as to why it is a must have for any serious rugby fan. Ian Robertson added his support at both dinners. The response from those attending was favourable and we look forward to attending further Spoon events in the next month or so.
RUGBY MEMORIES
19th September 2005
We have established a link to www.rugbymemories.com, a major rugby memorabilia company, who will be offering The Lions to their customers. See our Links page.
RUGBY MEMORABILIA SOCIETY
7th August 2005
As a result of our earlier relationship with the RFU Museum of Rugby, Genesis have now established a website link up with the Rugby Memorabilia Society. Their Secretary has already placed his own order for 'The Lions' and is promoting the book to his members. He will also review the book on publication. See Links.
WILLIE JOHN McBRIDE IN NEW ZEALAND
14th July 2005
Following the successful promotional events in Hong Kong, Willie John McBride & his wife Penny, together with Tessa, arrived in New Zealand on July 29th to join the rest of the Genesis/Hedley promotional team.
Apart from carrying out several press, radio and television promotional committments, Willie John was guest of honour at 3 major promotional events, where Ian Robertson and Spencer Davis also appeared.
At the first, held at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Wellington and attended by 170, those attending were entertained with stories of Lions tours past and much interest was shown in the book. Sky Sports (UK) filmed footage of the event which was screened together with a pitch side interview with Willie John prior to the 2nd Test in Wellington. At the end of the evening, Willie John was available to personalise frontispieces for those placing orders for 'The Lions'.
The following Sunday, Willie John appeared at a signing session at Hedleys Booksellers in Masterton, attended by local rugby fans and friends/customers of David Hedley. Word had obviously spread, because we were also joined by a party of touring Lions supporters from Wales. Later in the afternoon, Willie John was joined by Sir Brian Lochore the All Black legend and signatory to our book. Together with David Walmsley, they personalised commemorative frontispieces for people who placed orders for 'The Lions'.
The final formal dinner took place on July 7th in the New Zealand Rooms at the Sky City Convention Centre in Auckland. This event, the biggest of the whole promotional tour, was attended by over 450, including several well known former Lions and All Blacks: J.P.R. Williams, David Duckham, John Kirwan, Jonah Lomu, Ian Kirkpatrick, Andy Dalton, Colin Meads, Ron Elvidge and John Hart. Once again, both Sky Sports(UK) and Sky Sports(NZ), were in attendance and footage was shown together with a live Willie John interview prior to the 3rd Test at Eden Park, Auckland.
Those who placed orders for the book, during/after the event, were able to obtain a personalised frontispiece signed by Willie John McBride, Colin Meads, Andy Dalton, Ron Elvidge and David Walmsley.
THE LIONS UPDATE
6th July 2005
Brian Roylance and Tessa Hodgson were recently in Hong Kong with rugby
legend and previous winning Lions captain Willie John McBride. Willie John
was accompanied by his lovely wife Penny and everyone was there to help
promote the forthcoming Genesis/Hedley limited edition The Lions.
Willie John kept invited audiences enthralled with his tales of past Lions
exploits. Afterwards he signed special bookplates prepared for the copies of
the book allocated for Hong Kong.
Willie John had them rolling in the aisles
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Brian can't avoid speaking
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Willie and Penny have now moved on to New Zealand to continue promotion of
the book. Willie and the book could be seen on Sky television before the
kick-off of the second test. They are accompanied by Tessa and David
Williams and Robby Elson from Genesis. Robby, as editor of The Lions,
has performed a mammoth task, working all hours, in preparing the book for
press. He's done a magnificent job and is now in New Zealand getting to know
his wife again and no doubt taking in liquid refreshment. For the final
weeks of The Lions project, Robby was ably assisted by Alex Hedley
from New Zealand.
David Walmsley, author of The Lions is also in the travelling party
as is Spencer Davis who is providing musical accompaniment to the merry
band. The whole promotional tour is being orchestrated by David Hedley and
his team. David is the co-publisher, long-time friend and Australian
distributor of Genesis fine limited editions.
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Liz Morrison, Willie John and Penny McBride, Brian and Tessa, Hong Kong
Harbour
Signing bookplates
Willie John and his big red book
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NEW ZEALAND PROMOTION
30th June 2005
The promotional tour for the book in New Zealand, to correspond with the current Lions tour, is now well underway. Already 2 events, organised by David Hedley and his team and attended by members of the Genesis team, have taken place.
In Dunedin,Ian Robertson the renowned commentator and journalist, entertained a crowd of around 60 local businessmen and rugby fans at the Robert Burns Hotel.
In Christchurch, on the Thursday before the 1st Test, a formal dinner with 150 attending was held at the Grand Chancellor Hotel. Again,Ian Robertson provided some of the entertainment as well as acting as MC. He was joined by Gavin Hastings, ex-Scotland and British Lions captain, who enlightened the crowd on his views of the Tour and gave his support to our book.
At both events we received great support for the book and took several advance orders.
Two further formal dinner events are to be held in Wellington and Auckland over the next couple of weeks,where the guest of honour will be the legendary Willie John McBride. Watch this space for more Tour news.
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The Genesis Team in New Zealand. Eden Park, Auckland, 3rd Test.
Left to right: Robby and Vicky Elson, David Walmsley, Tessa Hodgson and
David Williams |
GAVIN HASTINGS SIGNS
30th June 2005
Prior to the dinner in Christchurch, Gavin Hastings took time to start putting his signature on the sheets which will be incorporated in the book. He will continue signing during the Tour.
MORNÉ DU PLESSIS SIGNS The LIONS
13th June 2005
The latest news from South Africa is that Morné du Plessis has now signed all the specially printed sheets for the book.
The sheets have now been despatched to New Zealand where Sir Brian Lochore will be the next signatory to add his autograph to all the copies.
