Every year I do rate the P R of each each country from a press perspective (seen out of my own eyes mostly) but also taking into account that I hear from others and then give them a point of out 10
Every year some countries SHINE and others are just awful. 2015 was no exception. I have decided to do this in order of appearance via semi final 1 and 2 and then those automatically in the final
SERBIA
I had very little to do with the press people as the president of OGAE Serbia brought me the promo CD with several language versions. As the week went on, many more copies seemed to be given to mindividuls.
8 out of 10
HUNGARY
It was quite easy and I was not neccessary to wait for Tamas arrival to help me. I got the promo CD easily and the whole delegation was nice and friendly.
8.5 out of 10
BELARUS
A huge disappointment, having had always fantastic relations with them, especially in 2009 in Moscow when the head of press, every time she saw me put another gift in my hands, this was such a low point for me. I had for exampled asked no less than TEN times if we could get a t-shirt of Belarus to give to someone to wear at the fanstand – it was the most beautiful t-shirt with the lyrics, yet although they kept saying yes, it never came. I was told no promo CD but a UB stick that looked like a watch. had it not been for Pavel, I would have had nothing. I know why this change but will rather keep quiet on it.
2 out of 10
RUSSIA
A first difficult, In got postcards and t-shirts but they have run out of CD’s by the time they got to my pigeonhole nunber 1576. I had to write to the Swedish composers and CEO’s of the publishing company and then I got the CD for me. Most of these people came especially to say hallo to me at the fan stand and I was able to hand Jasmyn’s cover of the song. I do understand that the Russian people in the delegation were not as clued up to my involvement as the Swedish group. Luckily it all ended well.
8 out of 10
DENMARK
Horror after horror after horror, three years in a row now. Just absolutely nothing and they seem to live by the name of the group “Anti social media”. The chances are slim that I ever will be involved in an Afrikaans cover of a Danish euro song. I wish could give minus points.
0 out of 10
ALBANIA
They made up for last year and I quickly got the CD and DVD.
9 out of 10
ROMANIA
For many years, Romania has been among the top 5 when it comes to my experience with them and 2015 was not exception, so much so that I wore a Romanian T-shirt one day at the fan stand and also the lead singer and his little son came to chat to me when they walked on the red carpet. The song has also jumped into my rankings to number 6.
10 out of 10
GEORGIA
I also have close relations with Georgia, especially when they have a Thomas Gson song and I got the CD almost immediately. I also got gift bags and t-shirts which I were able to hand to other fans. We also took a photo of Georgian head of delegation coming to vote at the fan stand.
10 out of 10
Chile Celebrations
Check out the Our World section to see the celebrations they had to enjoy Eurovision 2015.
RATING OF THE PRESS P R FOR EACH COUNTRY – PART ONE
Every year I do rate the P R of each each country from a press perspective (seen out of my own eyes mostly) but also taking into account that I hear from others and then give them a point of out 10
Every year some countries SHINE and others are just awful. 2015 was no exception. I have decided to do this in order of appearance via semi final 1 and 2 and then those automatically in the final
MOLDOVA
I always love it when it starts off with a great country. Getting the bag with the CD single and full CD and the singer making himself available for photo’s. What more can you ask?
10 out of 10
ARMENIA
A rough start – for me a special interest because the one member is from Ethophia and he actually was recently in South Africa to audition for Big brother Africa. I think the head of press felt a little overwhelmed by the degree of interest (because of the 6 members being from different continents). But in the end all worked out well, getting the bag with the paper CD single and also the special production of a 3 set with CD, CD rom and DVD.
9.5 out of 10
BELGIUM
A huge disappointment, having personally wrote well ahead of the event and seeing that the entry is via SONY MUSIC Belgium. There were 250 promo CD’s and I failed to get one. Yes there was a lot of interest because the song was a favourite, plus some language problem since it was the turn of the French side of Belgium TV to have the entry, but I still feel extremely let down by them. Maybe those 250 press people who did get the promo CD will have another more positive experience?
0 out of 10
NETHERLANDS
After a little rocky start it was great and each pigeonhole got the promo CD without having to ask (Netherlands did that also in 2013 and 2014). Sorry they failed to make the finals but if it had been me, I would have staged the song like WALK ALONG and have a road and lots of icons along the road like ABBA, CELINE DION, UDO JURGENS, etc so to play in with the fact that it is 60 years of Eurovision.
9 out of 10
FINLAND
It could not have been easy to work with the band and their circumstances but they did a great job – we were upset that we could not hand the good luck messages but the band members were tired and had to go home and then later they allowed us personally inside an interview booth to do it. I am also one of a few who did the the promo CD
9 out of 10
GREECE
I cannot recall a year Greece was not among the top 5 in my review – they are just amazing when it comes to promo CD’s and the way it is available to all. And their promo CD’s always look so good.
10 out of 10
ESTONIA
Difficult to judge them since I got the promo CD from the president of OGAE Estonia as a thank you for helping one of their members with Mark Churches tickets. Luigi and I were glad to stand next to Estonian TV at the red carpet so we called most artists to them and has close access as well.
9 out of 10
MACEDONIA
Compared to last year, this was a big disappointment. I expected more but we learned that Daniel donated the money normally spent on promo material to a hospital and we all got just a UB stick (that is enough, at least we got something). The song is in huge demand to cover in Afrikaans and we probably will do a single with both Daniel’s version and the Afrikaans cover so we could have a physical single.
6 out of 10
OGAE Covers Competition
The 1st Eurovision OGAE Covers Competition in Vienna was a huge success with 13 contestants fighting it out at the Euro Fan Cafe. This year in Vienna OGAE Rest of the World has truly come of age and we have made our mark in a big way in many areas. We had three entries in this competition and scored a great 2nd Place with Calvin Philips from the United States representing us. Our two other representatives were Jason-Scott Watkins and Phil McNulty both from Australia. Calvin did a brilliant rendition of It’s My Life, Jason did Molitva and Phil Gravity. Relive all the fun and excitement with the videos below.
Jason-Scott Watkins – Molitva
Calvins Philips – It’s My Life
Phil McNulty – Gravity
FINAL RUNNING ORDER
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Latvia Gives Roy a Treat
It seems that Aminata Savadogo, who is representing Latvia, has certainly provided Roy van der Merwe with a rare treat. Aminata has posted a video on her site where she sings a line of her song in a number of languages and we have to try and identify the languages she uses. This is a little contest Australian member, Andrew Pentecost would really enjoy. But Aminata has now extended the languages and included Afrikaans, much to Roy’s delight. Check out her clip and see how you go with the language identification.
Roy Scores More CDs
We all know that Roy van der Merwe loves collecting CDs. Well Fred Medeiros, our intrepid reporter who covered Melodifestivalen so well in March along with Liam Eaton, returned with a small gift pack he has just presented to Roy. 3 CD singles from Melodfestivalen!
Flag Socks
People celebrate Eurovision in all sorts of crazy ways. They get tattooed, they get their finger nails painted with their favourite countries on each finger, they get their hair dyed, face painted. Well here is another crazy way to celebrate. Roy has discovered Wivian Kristiansen and her way of celebrating is to produce tons of Flag Socks. They are gorgeous and I bet they keep feet warm in those cold Norwegian winters. I want the Iceland ones!!!
Look Who Else Dropped In!
More people dropping in and meeting the team working on the Fan Desk every minute. This time Nadav Guedj representing Israel says Hi and greets the boys and signs the odd autograph. Thanks for the photos, Daniel, President of OGAE Israel.
Look Who Dropped in!
