ECA News

Every twelve months, the Australian Institute of Export recognises six individuals who over a long period of time have made an outstanding contribution to export. The Australian Export Heroes Awards were started over 10 years ago to acknowledge the efforts of people behind the companies that achieve outstanding export results, and since its creation, 88 leading exporters have been invited to join the Australian Export Heroes register.

Programs recognising the achievement of people are always special. There are numerous factors that make the Australian Export Heroes Awards even more special. People who receive an the Australian Export Hero award have fought and won on the international stage. They have made more sacrifices, traveled more and spent more time away from home than they would probably like to remember. They have that magic mix of good business skills blended with loads of passion.

Whether from big established business or from the family farm or factory, they all deserve special recognition for their vision, passion and sheer hard work and the Australian Export Heroes Award is an opportunity to thank them for their unique contribution as well as thank their families for their support along the way.

AIEx is now calling for nominations for the 2012 Australian Export Heroes Awards.

The nomination process is strictly confidential as the person being nominated is not made aware of this information unless they are subsequently invited to join the register. Details regarding the nomination process can be found by downloading the selection criteria and nomination form below:

For further information please contact Lisa McAuley from the Australian Institute of Export on 02 8243 7400 or lisamcauley@aiex.com.au

In the early days of Lonely Planet, founder Tony Wheeler quickly learnt the importance of building a brand and protecting his valuable intellectual property (IP) overseas.

The Lonely Planet brand was originally created by Tony and Maureen on a side table in a hotel room. Tony came up with the name while singing the song ‘Space Captain’ written by Matthew Moore. He sung the words ‘Once while travelling across the sky this lonely planet caught my eye’. The actual words are ‘lovely planet’ but Tony preferred his version of the lyrics and from this humble beginning Lonely Planet is now one of the world’s most respected and valuable travel trade marks.

To maintain the integrity and value of the Lonely Planet brand Tony and his team played an active role in the management their IP by monitoring the market for imitators and taking swift action against infringers. This was part of the reason the brand was so attractive to BBC Worldwide who purchased the remaining 25 per cent stake in February 2011 for $67 million.

It was during the carefree days of their youth in the 1970s that Maureen and Tony Wheeler learned that IP ownership arrangements with third parties need to be clearly defined - after the first profits of their tiny company were eaten away by authors who had retained copyright ownership over their books.

‘We realised almost immediately that this was not sustainable business model. It became very clear to us how important it was to control and manage our IP.  Clearly defining the IP ownership arrangements with any third parties or suppliers involved in the business – before they started work was something we started doing very seriously from that point.

We started paying writers to go and research and write for us, but ensured that the IP belonged to Lonely Planet’.

‘This was the thing that made Lonely Planet a success story – the integrating an IP management strategy into our overall business and exporting plan. Controlling your IP rights is very important’, Tony said.

Tony still continues to travel and write for the Lonely Planet and recently gave a presentation at IP Australia on the company’s history—how he and Maureen grew a small Melbourne business in the 1970s into what is now internationally recognised as the global ‘Bible’ for tourists – Watch it now at IP Australia's You Tube Channel

For more information on protecting your IP abroad visit www.ipaustralia.gov.au