Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has made a high profile television splash in China, appearing this week on Talk to Lei, where he was interviewed by the so-called ‘Oprah Winfrey’ of China, Chen Lei.
It’s a promotion money can’t buy in a country of more than 1.35 billion people.
Cr Quirk said the hour-long program highlighted the city’s many attractions and why it was chosen to hostthe upcoming G20 Leaders Summit 2014.
“Brisbane is fast becoming a rising star in the Asia Pacific and this was an incredible opportunity to showcase the city ahead of one of the biggest international events we have ever hosted,” he said.
“Talk to Lei airs on ICS, which is the only English television channel in East China and is broadcast to almost five million homes across Shanghai.
“It’s also aired on cable channel IPTV, which has a viewing audience of a further four million homes, and available online to a global audience as well.”
Chen Lei became a Brisbane ambassador when she hosted the Asia Pacific Screen Awards for the third time last December.
Established in 2007, the awards are now managed by economic development board Brisbane Marketing in a unique collaboration with Paris-based UNESCO and FIAPF-International Federation of Film Producers Associations.
During her week-long visit Ms Chen asked to film a series of interviews with the Lord Mayor and other local business leaders and innovators.
Cr Quirk said the savvy TV host knew exactly what sort of exposure the G20 event could generate for Brisbane.
“Chen Lei is an accomplished television presenter who is very highly regarded in her home country and she has interviewed many business and government leaders, and global celebrities for a variety of programs,” he said.
“She knows Brisbane is a city on the move and understands the sorts of economic, tourism and international study opportunities that could flow from hosting the Leaders’ Summit.
“This was a marvellous opportunity to promote Brisbane to the many millions of viewers throughout Asia, with the potential to generate further tourism and business opportunities in the year of the G20.”