Xbox hits one million Down Under!

Xbox hits one million Down Under!

Weta Workshop, Crowe, Rowland & Jackman support Xbox Konsoles for Kids Charity Auction
to celebrate landmark achievement


AUCKLAND – April 19, 2010 – Microsoft Corp. announced today that sales of Xbox 360 consoles have passed the magic one million mark across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). To celebrate the milestone, Xbox is auctioning off one-of-a-kind consoles to raise money for the David Peachey Foundation (DPF) (http://davidpeachey.org/) through the Xbox Konsoles for Kids Charity Auction.

International pop star, Kelly Rowland kicks off The Xbox Konsoles for Kids Charity Auction today, with her own airbrushed and signed console up for auction. “It’s great to be here to celebrate with Xbox, one million consoles sold is huge!” Rowland says. “What better way to celebrate the one million milestone than by raising money for a great cause, the David Peachey Foundation. All the one-of-a-kind consoles look awesome, so get bidding NZ!”

The airbrushed Xbox 360 consoles will be auctioned off for five weeks from today with several A-List celebrities such as Russell Crowe, Jennifer Hawkins, Kim Kardashian and Hugh Jackman.

There will also be a unique Halo console designed by Oscar-winning, Richard Taylor of New Zealand’s Weta Workshop. The winning amount for the Halo console will be matched dollar for dollar by Microsoft New Zealand for a donation to local charity, Cure Kids (http://www.curekids.org.nz/)*.

Another console up for auction is a special ‘Crystal’ console, boasting more than 10,000 semi-precious stones. Please see the following link for further detail around consoles, imagery and a link to the eBay auction site: http://www.xbox.com/en-NZ/konsolesforkids/

Frazer Scott, acting marketing director, Entertainment and Devices Division, Microsoft New Zealand says, “Xbox has been a strong supporter of the David Peachey Foundation and Cure Kids for many years. Reaching one million gave us a great opportunity to raise as much money as we can for DPF and Cure Kids so get onboard and make a bid.”

Scott continues; “Reaching the one million console milestone is a great achievement and one that puts us in a great position for the coming year. Since 2006, we’ve taken the lead in the innovation space and driven the growth in online entertainment. Our online community, Xbox LIVE, is one of the largest online communities in the ANZ region with more than 525,000 subscribers. We also offer services such as Facebook and Twitter on Xbox LIVE** and movies streamed in HD direct to your television, which really sets us apart from our competition.”

Over the course of the auction, signed and airbrushed consoles will be auctioned off from the following celebrities, with further celebrities still to be announced:
Week Date Konsoles up for the bidding
WK One Monday 19th April - Friday 23rd April Russell Crowe, Kelly Rowland, Crystal Console and Halo - Special edition Weta console
WK Two Monday 26th April - Friday 30th April Kim Kardashian, Sass and Bide, Elle McPherson, Jennifer Hawkins
WK Three Monday 3rd May - Friday 7th May Hugh Jackman, Hamish and Andy, Home and Away
WK Four Monday 10th May - Friday 14th May Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, Usain Bolt and Mark Webber
WK Five Monday 17th May - Friday 21st May Masterchef, Jamie Oliver, Slash

Founder of the DPF, David Peachey says of the milestone, “Xbox has been a great supporter of the David Peachey Foundation for a number of years. We’re proud to be part of Xbox’s one million console celebration and thank all the celebrities that graciously gave up their time to support our cause. The money raised will go towards education and encouraging young indigenous kids in our community to aspire to great things.”

Special Edition consoles
Halo console
Specially designed and built for the ‘Xbox 360 Konsole’s for Kids Charity Auction’, Oscar-winning, Richard Taylor and Weta Workshop (NZ) produced a truly unique Halo console inspired by the collectibles created for Halo 3. Featuring the iconic Master Chief figure propelling himself through the air and blasting the console with his UNSC battle rifle, this is a must buy item for any Halo fan. The winning amount for the Halo console will be matched dollar for dollar by Microsoft New Zealand for a donation to local charity, Cure Kids (http://www.curekids.org.nz/)*.

Swarovski ‘Crystal’ console
Nothing sparkles quite like the Swarovski ‘Crystal’ console boasting more than 10,000 precious stones and valued at more than $1200.00 (NZ). A one-of-a-kind design, this console is set to be a showpiece for the most glamorous ‘bling’ living room.

Available now from participating retailers, the new Xbox 360 Easter pack features an Xbox 360 Elite console and comes with two critically acclaimed Xbox 360 exclusive games: Halo 3: ODST and Forza Motorsport 3 with an RRP; $499***.

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