Dating frenzy hits New Zealand

News release
June 14, 2006

Dating frenzy hits New Zealand

It’s a dating frenzy! The singles scene is alive and kicking up its heels in New Zealand going by the response to the Colgate® Max Fresh™ Speed Dating Challenge.

The organisers have been swamped, registrations outnumbering by over three to one the places available at New Zealand’s speed dating ‘date-off’.

Event coordinator Gabrielle Squires of Colgate-Palmolive® Ltd says the rush for places at both the North and South Island functions has meant the organisers are going to close entries earlier than expected (at midnight, Friday, June 16).

“Prospective suitors have registered from far and wide – from as far away as Kapiti and Wanganui for Auckland and Wanaka and Invercargill for Christchurch,” Ms Squires says.

“We’ve got room for 50 men and 50 women at each venue but as of today (June 14) registrations are at almost 700, so we are moving forward the closing date by two days.”

The Colgate® Max Fresh™ Speed Dating Challenge takes place on June 22 with the top man and woman from each venue winning a trip to Vanuatu’s Mangoes Resort where, with four days of pampering, partying and posturing, relationships may even be cemented.

Prospective suitors register online at www.colgatemaxfresh.co.nz and there are even prizes for doing so including an all-expenses paid trip to Queenstown for two – to be used one imagines after the event – a K2 snowboard, Dragon goggles and five $100 Icebreaker vouchers.

In addition to the main prize, contestants will vie for all sorts of additional incentives including Coronet Peak ski passes, restaurant vouchers as well as the sponsor’s brand new product.

Successful applicants will be notified in the days leading up to the event.

For those no longer up with the scene, speed dating involves men and women seated for ‘dates’ that last three minutes. When the bell goes, the guys move on to their next ‘date’ and the girl remains seated.

If either wants to meet again, he or she ticks the other person’s name on his or her dating card. If there’s a match, the organisers the next day provide each with the other’s contact details – then it’s over to them.

Colgate® Max Fresh™ is a natural match between the latest dating fad and Colgate-Palmolive’s newest product – a toothpaste infused with mini ‘breath strips’.

“Speed dating is the time-saver of the social scene so you’ve got to pack in some breath strip freshness if you want ready-for-anything fresh-breath,” says Gabrielle Squires.

“The mini breath strips dissolve to instantly release an extra rush of freshening power” Squires says.

ENDS

Colgate-Palmolive New Zealand is the wholly owned subsidiary of the New York listed Colgate-Palmolive Company. It is a leading global consumer products company specialising in oral health care, personal care, household and fabric care and pet nutrition. Colgate-Palmolive's products are sold in over 200 countries and include internationally recognised brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, Ajax, Cold Power, and Fab.

Colgate Max Fresh toothpastes contain Sodium Fluoride 0.22% w/w for prevention of cavities. Use only as directed. Always read the label. Colgate-Palmolive Limited, Petone.