Web Brief

Adidas score
MELBOURNE: Adidas has chosen The Australian Open as the launch site for the global roll out of its new sports apparel line. The Germany-headquartered retail brand will use the Australian grand slam event to launch its new apparel and accessories collection named after tennis ace Sania Mirza. Targeted at consumers aged between 15 and 27, the collection includes apparel, headgear, accessories, bags and sporting gear. The lifestyle portfolio of the collection will be launched in September while the sportsgear component will be launched in January.

LMFF targets
MELBOURNE: Marks and Spencer boss Stuart Rose, global fashion journalist-turned-author Diane Pernet and US-based fashion blogger 'The Sartorialist' may soon be winging their way to Australia. The powerful trio head up a wish list of guest speakers targeted by the organisers of L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF) to headline the business seminar program at their 2009 event. Proposed by a round table discussion group which included Melbourne designer Lisa Barron, TFIA boss Jo-Ann Kellock and Sussan strategic brand director Anna Stevens, those on the wish list will be visited personally by LMFF festival director Karen Webster during a whirlwind global tour later this year.

Brunsdon bling
SYDNEY: Australian eveningwear designer Jayson Brunsdon is set to make his first foray into the accessories market. The designer will release a capsule collection of necklaces, chokers, earring and bracelets across Australia and key international stockists from July. Brunsdon's recently launched boutique in Singapore will be the first to stock the new line, with the first drop expected on July 15. Handmade in Australia from a range of precious metals, silk ribbons and French lace, the debut collection will retail from $50 to $350.

Cricket clean-up
NEW ZEALAND: Multinational sports apparel manufacturer Canterbury has built a reputation for being one of the world's best rugby brands but is now looking to cement its cricket credentials after being named as the official apparel sponsor of the New Zealand men's and women's cricket sides as welll as five regional cricket teams. Effective this summer, Canterbury will take over the design and creation of all team apparel including playing uniforms for test, one-day and twenty20 sides and, baselayer and training gear.

The brand, whose Australian headquarters are in Queensland, also supplies apparel to the Western Australia and South Australia state sides. The announcement follows revelations last month that Canterbury intends overhauling its online marketing strategy to promote its clothing range. The sports brand will focus on search marketing activities across MSN Search, Google and Yahoo, in a bid to drive sales and create strong brand awareness.