Nicole Kidman, Omega, and UNIFEM Partnership

Hong Kong, 20 May, 2010 – Academy Award®-winning actress and humanitarian Nicole Kidman visited Hong Kong for the first time to take part in some high-profile activities in support of UNIFEM, arranged in cooperation with OMEGA, the storied Swiss watchmaker for which she has been a brand ambassador since 2004. She was joined by her husband, multiple Grammy Award-winning country superstar Keith Urban, who performed in a private concert in support of the charity.

 

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban visit Hong Kong for first time; Couple raise funds for UNFEM through watch auction and private concert

Oscar-winning actress also unveils OMEGA Constellation Co-Axial Chronometer at launch of new OMEGA Boutique on 38 Queen's Road Central

Nicole kicked off her appearance in Hong Kong with the opening of the new OMEGA Boutique located in Manning House at 38 Queen's Road Central.  The store is the tenth OMEGA Boutique launched in Hong Kong since 2003. At the launch, she participated in the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony alongside Stephen Urquhart, President of OMEGA, Kevin Rollenhagen, Managing Director of The Swatch Group (HK) Limited and Jimmy Mak, Vice President of OMEGA Hong Kong and Taiwan.   

 

Following the ribbon cutting, Nicole was presented the first numbered piece of the OMEGA Constellation Co-Axial Chronometer, Ladies' 35mm Limited Edition by Stephen Urquhart.  Only 38 pieces of this special model were produced exclusively for the Hong Kong market to commemorate the opening of the OMEGA Boutique at 38 Queen's Road Central.

 

In the evening, Nicole welcomed guests to "A Night with the Stars", a charity gala presented by OMEGA, and featuring the celebrity couple, to benefit the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) programme. Nicole Kidman is UNIFEM's Goodwill Ambassador.

 

 "A Night with the Stars" took place at the Grand Ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel with all proceeds from the table sales being donated to UNIFEM.  About 200 guests attended the dinner including OMEGA Ambassadors Simon Yam and Qi Qi and a number of other celebrities,

 

Nicole Kidman, to express her gratitude to the guests supporting UNIFEM, invited her husband, Keith Urban, to perform a private concert for the gathered guests. The audience was mesmerized by this unique performance by one of country music's brightest stars in an intimate unplugged setting.  Urban's enthralled audience didn't remain in their seats long – they clapped and cheered boisterously and started dancing spontaneously as the dynamic entertainer played a selection of his old and new hits.

 

One of the evening's highlights came when the first numbered model of the 38 pieces in the collection was put up for auction straight from the wrist of Nicole Kidman.  The winning bid was an astounding HK$ 540,000. At the end of the evening, Nicole and Stephen Urquhart made a special cheque presentation of the evening's proceeds, a whopping HK$ 1,380,000, to UNIFEM's Public Affairs Chief Joan Libby-Hawk. 

 

Libby-Hawk was moved by the show of support, saying, "This Hong Kong benefit for UNIFEM highlights what we can do together to build support for effective programmes that help women live free from violence and realize their rights. Together we can show what an impact a global community can make."

 

Stephen Urquhart, President of OMEGA said, "Nicole and Keith are two of the world's great entertainers but more than that, they are true humanitarians. We are proud to count them among our friends and are delighted that we can make a meaningful contribution to an organisation as worthy as UNIFEM."   

 

Nicole Kidman thanked her OMEGA hosts and the special guests at the evening event, saying, " Keith and I have been thrilled to visit Hong Kong for the first time as a couple and would like to thank OMEGA and the city for graciously hosting us. It was an incredible experience and more importantly, helped to raise funds for an incredible cause."  And lighting up the room with her famous smile, she announced loudly to rapturous applause, "I love Hong Kong!"

 

 

About UNIFEM

UNIFEM is the women's fund at the United Nations, dedicated to advancing women's rights and achieving gender equality. It provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programmes and strategies that foster women's empowerment. UNIFEM works on the premise that it is the fundamental right of every woman to live a life free from discrimination and violence, and that gender equality is essential to achieving development and to building just societies.

 

About OMEGA

OMEGA is one of the world's most popular watch brands. It has been defined by its pioneering spirit since its founding in 1848. The OMEGA Speedmaster has been a part of every NASA piloted space mission since 1965 including all six lunar landings. The company is also an established leader in sports timekeeping and has been Official Olympic Timekeeper 24 times since 1932, most recently in Beijing and Vancouver. OMEGA is also widely regarded for its technological innovations including the Co-Axial movements which, since 1999, have driven a revolution in how mechanical watches are made.

 

Nicole Kidman and OMEGA support UNIFEM in Haiti

Proceeds from NYC initiative will benefit women's shelters and recovery programs

When Academy Award®-winning actress and humanitarian Nicole Kidman visited Hong Kong in May, she took part in some high-profile activities in support of the United Nations Fund for Women (UNIFEM), arranged in cooperation with OMEGA.

 

It wasn't the first time OMEGA and Nicole Kidman had worked together on behalf of UNIFEM, an organization for which she is goodwill ambassador. In October of 2009, she appeared at the opening of the OMEGA Boutique on Fifth Avenue in New York City where she autographed boxes containing Constellation watches. OMEGA had decided to donate some of the proceeds from the sale of the popular watches to UNIFEM.

 

At a special event in Hong Kong on May 20^th, UNIFEM's Public Affairs Chief Joan Libby-Hawk announced that the money raised in New York City – US$ 50,000 – would be going to women's shelter and recovery programmes in Haiti, which was devastated by an earthquake in January.  Information about how the funds will be used can be found at UNIFEM's website under http://www.saynotoviolence.org/join-say-no/omega-challenge-grant-haiti

 

About UNIFEM

UNIFEM is the women's fund at the United Nations, dedicated to advancing women's rights and achieving gender equality. It provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programs and strategies that foster women's empowerment. UNIFEM works on the premise that it is the fundamental right of every woman to live a life free from discrimination and violence, and that gender equality is essential to achieving development and to building just societies.

 

About OMEGA

OMEGA is one of the world's most popular watch brands. It has been defined by its pioneering spirit since its founding in 1848. The OMEGA Speedmaster has been a part of every NASA piloted space mission since 1965 including all six lunar landings. The company is also an established leader in sports timekeeping and has been Official Olympic Timekeeper 24 times since 1932, most recently in Beijing and Vancouver. OMEGA is also widely regarded for its technological innovations including the Co-Axial movements which, since 1999, have driven a revolution in how mechanical watches are made.

 

 

Press Release