Millennium charity event appoints FCA!

FCA! has been appointed to the advertising account for a charity millennium event called First Light.

The event is centred on the first sunrise of the new millennium, which will fall on Gisborne, New Zealand, and is designed to raise money for UN children’s fund Unicef.

First Light, which is backed by the New Zealand government, hopes to attract 100,000 people to a party and concert featuring David Bowie, the band Split Enz and opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

First Light organiser Flying Colours is in talks with composer Mike Oldfield over writing a themed anthem for the event.

Peter Bird, director of Flying Colours, an event company based in London, says: “This is a unique opportunity for people to be the first to see the light of the new millennium. We are looking to create a commercial for First Light, which will include the names of the sponsors and which will run during the news on the last day of the year.”

Flying Colours has signed up car manufacturer Mazda and the clothing company Joygo to sponsor the event, and is in discussions with soft drinks giant Pepsi.

The BBC will transmit the dawn ceremony live from Gisborne on the eve of the new millennium.