Velocity and BP Launch - Enhance your Brand

Last week Virgin Australia and BP teamed up to launch the new Velocity program around the nation. Obviously the partnership will enhance both brands and make the products of both companies more attractive to consumers.

MAD Balloons was chosen to provide the balloon decor for the Sydney events. We were to dress the BP Service Station at Rozelle in red and green, in a bid to transform it to a red carpet airport experience for the customer. It had to be ready by 6.30am and last all day.  Mother nature did her best to completely ruin the event, but our MAD Balloons designs were up to the challenge...!  This weatherproof arch greeted the customer as they entered the shop.

As you can see these outdoor columns are sitting on the saturated driveway. Originally the BP Safety Officer ruled them out due to the high winds. However when we showed him the "wide foot"aeropole base plates we had and the extra weights, he agreed to let us place one column out for 30 minutes and see what happened. As you can see mother nature could not destroy our robust designs and we were given authority to have all 4 out in the thick of it all day.  When we returned at 7pm to tear them down, they were still standing tall.

By creating the colour out on the driveway it brought the customers and once they were inside, they got the red carpet treatment from the Virgin hostesses.  Great job ladies.
We also had the BP logo on the green balloons and the Velocity logo on the red balloons for even greater branding impact inside.

So we were able to create designs that enhanced both the brands, we had the technology to withstand the weather onslaught, and did I mention that we installed it all in 70 minutes. Call us for the MAD Balloons experience and we will create the WOW for your major product launch.

balloon wall - great techniques

We were approached by Brands Exclusive to create a fun way to give out prizes at the Outdoor cinema at Centennial Park.  It was outdoors so had to be weatherproof, and something that could be constructed and removed quickly.  Only 1 hour bump in.

So we started with the 2 pack balloon wall.  A great design that I learnt at World Balloon Convention last year.  We constructed it in panels then trucked it to the site.  The first time we did it was so windy, so this created a few challenges.  All good though. Ian and Amy are modelling the wall beautifully........

Wendy is constructing the prize wall.  Each balloon had a prize in it and had to be individually tied to the net. Very time consuming, but you can see that the final effect looks super.  The prize wall net was mounted onto  the 2 pack balloon wall.  There was 600 prizes so a net on each side of the wall.

As the guests arrived at the 'theatre' they could choose a prize.  They used the "magic wand" to pop the balloon and they got the prize inside, and there were some awesome prizes.
Brands Exclusive were very pleased with the unique design.  It generated lots of interest, and was a real talking point among the movie goers.  Mission accomplished.

X Factor and Wharf4Ward

 

As the stars were beginning their rehearsal at 9am, we were packing up and leaving. Mission accomplished.  So let's back track a few hours..... 

 The Sony Foundation were raising money for You Can - the Youth Cancer organisation.  Woolloomooloo Wharf was the place.  Wharf4Ward was the event name

We had been given the challenge of transforming the wharf from drab to dazzling for the event. Colour, colour, colour was the theme.  Something to WOW the rich and famous and encourage them to dig deep.  As you can see from these pictures, we did not disappoint.



We created 3mtr tall topiary towers with a 3' balloon topper with the Sony Foundation logo printed on it.  Then 300 x 16" balloons tied in lots of three along the piers and rails. 

The X Factor contestants were on hand, and any X Factor Fans would have seen our fantastic balloons on the short clip they did of the Wharf4Ward event on the show a week ago.

 

 

 As you can see our 2.30am start did the job.  Woolloomooloo Wharf was looking stunning by 9am.  The guests arrived by midday and a good time was had by all.  Lots of money was raised and it was all because of the balloons!!!!  We had created the X Factor !!!

...OK, the fact that Jessica Mauboy and the Sapphires were performing may have helped a bit too !!!

 

 

A big thankyou to Maureen Egan (Balloon Elegance) and Robyn Colantonio (Bella Balloons) for their assistance on this job. 

Wishing Well - Alice in Wonderland

 I was called to do an Alice In Wonderland theme for a 21st.  They wanted something special to fill an empty corner of the garden - the outdoor spa on order had not arrived yet.... so what to do with THAT spot.

 It was outdoors, so it needed to be robust.  I created this wishing well in short order. It was a huge hit and everyone wanted to have their photo taken with it.  It lasted the night and well into the next week before they called me to come and collect it. 

OK, so some people's idea of Alice in Wonderland is a bit twisted. Red Riding Hood and The Joker made a wish....but they won't tell me what they wished for..... It seems like a good time was had by all!



Sydney Roosters 2012 Season Opener

Our friends at the Sydney Roosters NRL Team wanted to start their first home game with a bang. They asked us to assist in this endeavour.

So, we created an arch to span the new promenade area (still under construction)at Allianz (SFS) Stadium. Here is Hannah and Wendy holding the arch....smile ladies!

The punters could all see the arch from some distance as they approached the stadium, and they all got to walk under it.
Go Roosters!!

They also wanted to have a sea of red, white and blue on the field to pay tribute to the late Arthur 'Artie' Beetson. Bring in 300 kids from the local footy teams and give them a 16" balloon each, and let them loose on the ground.

300x16" balloons distributed in double quick time was a bit of a logistical challenge, but the balloons definitely did the trick. A sea of red, white and blue.

It is noteworthy that the Roosters paid extra to do the right thing, and have a balloon weight individually tied to each of the 300 balloons, so the NSW State Gov't (illogical)law of not releasing balloons could be adhered to.

The Roosters had hoped the release the balloons at the end of the memorial to farewell Big Artie. Would have been a powerful and lovely gesture, and I have been to funerals (in other states) where this has taken place. However, in the great state of NSW the government has a ban on this practice - no other state has this ban, mind you....just NSW.....!!

A Tropical Carnival

We have all heard that "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" - but where does the watermelon come in...???

The sculptured fruit were on top of the covered walkway running through the company campus. 5000 people, 3 stages and large areas - how can balloons assist in creating the theme??

Well the 3mtr pineapple and 2.5mtr watermelon were a great start. Then we added 100 x 260Q's in tropical colours to the outdoor stair rails on each building. As well as providing all around colour, the "260Q explosions" highlighted the 'drummers' that were appearing on the balconies later in the evening.

A fantastic job to win. With 5 staff members on site we completed the brief on time and on budget...and the client was ecstatic.

"I love it when a plan comes together!"

Promoting Your Brand - with balloons!!

The inaugural Big Bash League in Australia and each team was focussed on building their brand...as well as trying to win a few games. We were contacted by the Sydney Sixers, and we came up with the following ideas for their home games at the SCG.

We used the majestic magenta Qualatex Numbers to create some bunches for the 'VIP/corporate partners' boxes.


After entering through our very large arch the VIP guests simply followed the pink carpet to their destination.

The finishing touch for the arch was to have the 6ers logo specially printed on the 'top' of half of the balloons in the arch.

...also about 10,000 people walked past the arch on their way to their seats at each game, so the printing on the balloons was big value for money.


The Sydney Sixers made it to the final of the Big Bash League. I reckon it must have been the sensational branding provided by MAD Balloons!!!

NOT Nagini

...so we are driving to a job site and Kim yells out "Oh My Goodness, is that a reeeeal snake?" I look out the window and see this friendly guy poking his head up on Kim's door window. I was driving at about 80km/h so he was hanging onto the side of the van for all he was worth.
In answer to Kim's question I replied,"not sure, let's slide the window down to have a better look, and see if he IS a real snake...."

...by the time we arrived at Parramatta RSL the ringing in my ears had stopped and my hearing had returned to normal.
Kim states that she is not getting out of the van, so it is left to me to calm the savage beast. I grabbed out scaly friend off the van. If he turned and tried to attack me, this would indicate he was venomous. My plan was to drop him and run. Thankfully my highly flawed plan was not put to the test.

He seemed to be about 1.6mtrs long, but quite harmless. I wanted to catch him though just to make sure. I was channeling Steve Irwin, Harry Butler, Bear Grylls, The Leyland Brothers AND Indiana Jones, as I reached out and grabbed his head.
Don' try this at home. Note Kim's (still in van) facial expression - priceless.

And then of course we have the celebrity kiss.

our friendly snake was then released into Parramatta Park.

So next time you are in the Parramatta Park, having a picnic and you see something moving through the grass........

love yout work.

Sydney Harbour Wedding

How cool is this montage pf pictures. The very clever Wenjing Hu CBA put this together for me, and I wanted to share it with you for a few reasons.
1) I was in Melbourne on the weekend, so although I sold the job, I played no part in putting it together. My staff only had 1 hour to install and they did it!
2) It highlights how well "the right" balloon decor can work both outdoors and on the water.
The arch had extra weight on the bases, and the topiary balls are fastened to the rails securely. Even in the rough water shot (bottom left), the balloons ain't going anywhere. everything is in its place.
3) The funky buddies were specifically designed for the inside of boats. A dancefloor decor piece that won't float off out the back of the boat. They are also the perfect height so as not to obsruct the happy couple.
4) ..and finally it shows off the gorgeous Sydney Harbour!


Great job team!

New Restaurant Opening....

Welcome to the new Hooters Restaurant Penrith, in Sydney's west. They had their general opening on Saturday, just past. however they called us in to do the decor for their VIP opening. You know you are a Hooters VIP when you can park your Ferrari in fron of the store....

Anyway, we created lots of garland at the entry and the balcony area of the store. This had street frontage so was able to focus the attention of all the passing traffic onto the new restaurant.

Did you know that every hooters in America has a palm tree inside (this is what I am told). We had to get some of these iconic creations in there. Floor space was at a premium so instead of creating a life sized palm tree (from balloons) we modified our feather fantasy table centres to be palm tree centres. cool huh?


As well as the VIP guests, you need your top Hooters girls on hand for the opening. Miss Hooters Australia 2011 (the very lovely Mallory) was on hand and loved MY balloon work so much that she insisted on having her photo taken with me......that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Work, work, work. My life is constant work.

Christmas Arch Outdoors ?

I was called by Forth Wall Events and they wanted a "Grand Entry" for their clients Christmas Party. It had to incorporate '80' because the client was celebrating 80 years in business in Australia. Also it was outdoors, so had to be able to withstand the elements..... The easy part of the brief was the 1000 balloon drop and confetti canons from the stage inside the marquee, but I'll do a blog for drops and confetti another time.



So we settled upon this design that fulfilled all the requirements. It was a very hot and windy day at Randwick racecourse early in December. We had to underinflate the balloons so they wouldn't burst in the heat, and we had to secure the frames of the almost 3mtr tall 80 sculpture so it wouldn't be blown over.

...Alicia would love to be able to give up balloons to be Australia's Next Top Model. Please no-one tell her I posted this pic.

Yes, we also decorate parties at home!

Hi David,

I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to you and your staff for doing such an amazing job on Saturday.The balloon artwork looked absolutely fantastic and really helped to give a bit of class to otherwisewhat would have been just a 'backyard job'!

The marquee looked absolutely stunning when it was all finally set up with the tables etc and reallymade an impact when guests arrived and walked through the marquee. The choice of balloon colours was perfect for the theme of rock and roll and eveyone commented on how great the decorations looked!Nothing popped, blew away or disappeared during the night and Tom's 50th Megaloons and name was perfectly placed behind him when he got to cut his cake.

Thank you Daivd and thank your lovely staff for your professional, efficient and beautiful work. It really made a difference to how it all looked in the end.I wouldn't hesitate recommending or using your service again in the future.

Kind Regards

Margaret Schembri