In The News

Chocolate Graphics Internaional is regularly featured in the media all around the globe. Read some of the articles below to find out what has been going on around the world in the Chocolate Graphics® business.

2006

Local Company Sweetens Oscars For Some Stars
The Tennessean - 17th March 2006
Chocolate Graphics Tennessee serves up celebrity portraits.Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, George Clooney and Joaquin Phoenix were among 30 “A-list” celebrities who got a little something sweet to eat around the Academy Awards... read more

Nashville Receives 'A Taste Of The Oscars'
WKRN, Nashville - 1st March 2006
They might not take home the golden statue, but all the Oscar nominees will sample some sweet sensations thanks to one local company. The Academy Awards... read more
Watch footage here

Message on Chocolate Graphics®
KL Lifestyle - January 2006
Chocolate with graphics is becoming a much sought-after product by individuals as well as corporations. It not only tastes good, looks good but also allows you to communicate. Everyone always stops to admire butter, ice or sand sculptures... read more

2005

Hoover Gets America's 2nd Chocolate Graphics®
Biz Journal - 12th December 2005
A career in global shipping led entrepreneur Scott Dunbar from Nashville back to his native Alabama as owner of Chocolate Graphics® in Hoover, which makes custom-embossed chocolates.
His store is only the second in the U.S. for Australia-based... read more

Foreign Affairs & Trade Report
Australian Government Department of Foreign Affaris and Trade - November 2005
Chocolates are not usually the first thing one thinks of as an Australian Export to the UAE, yet Gold Coast entrepreneur, John Taylor, has created a niche market for his company... read more

Celebrating Burleigh's Best
Gold Coast Mail - 7th October 2005
Burleigh’s best in business and innovation was on show at the inaugural Burleigh Business Awards... read more

Customize Your Chocolate
The Tennessean - 9th September 2005
Lakewood has a new chocolate factory, and owner Katrina Neylon believes that it can be the beginning of a successful, new business venture coming to the United States... read more

Taste of US Market for Chocolate Designers
Gold Coast Bulletin - 1st July 2005
Gold Coast technology company Chocolate Graphics® has cracked the giant US confectionary market after selling its first licenses in that country. The Burleigh Heads-based company... read more

Saying it With Chocolate Goes Down a Treat
The Courier Mail - 24th June 2005
WORLDWIDE sweet-tooth’s have helped a Gold Coast business make its mark in the $US75 billion international chocolate industry.
Burleigh Heads-based Chocolate Graphics® has appointed licensees in 11 countries... read more

Dubai Set to Gobble More Australian Chocolates
AME Info - 7th June 2005
Australian-based company, Chocolate Graphics International Pty Ltd, has broken new ground in appointing a new National Master Licensee in Dubai with the official signing taking place... read more

Qld Based Chocolate Graphics® Company Grand Opening During Festival Week
Australian Festival News - June 2005
The Australian Festival and the ANZACC National Conference are delighted to introduce the Chocolate Graphics® Company (founded in Queensland) that will be opening their first US based store in Nashville... read more

Sweet Success
Life People - June 2005
A Gold Coast company has achieved the equivalent of selling ice to Eskimos, taking its innovative chocolate delicacies to Denmark... read more

Where New Business is Sweet Reward
Gold Coast Business News - June 2005
With the fear of failure his motivator, local manufacturer John Taylor is enjoying the sweet smell of success.
As managing director of Chocolate Graphics International... read more

Chocolate Graphics Denmark Opens
Frederik - 13th April 2005
Read about

Chocolate Graphics® to Expand (Malaysia)
Business Times - 1st April 2005
Chocolate Graphics (M) Sdn Bhd plans to expand its business to the mass market by the end of this year. Company director Henry Chan said it’s concentrating its business on the corporate market and on events like weddings and birthdays... read more


Danish Delight for Chocolate Graphics®
Media Monitors, Foodweek - 15th April 2005
Gold Coast based company Chocolate Graphics International has set up a licensing operation in Denmark - the first Australian licensing business to be established in the country. Austrade's Flemming Larson said that... read more

Australian Chcocolate Graphics International Plan Expansion to Slovakia
SITA - 7th April 2005
BRATISLAVA Australian chocolate maker Chocolate Graphics International plans to expand to Slovakia this year. In addition to its Slovak expansion, it also plans to open units in Hong Kong, China, Greece, Turkey and Sweden.
"We completed an operation in Denmark on April 5... read more

Say it With Chocolate
Profits & Profiles - 9th March 2005
Capitalising on the human obsession with chocolate, an Australian company has refined a method of engraving chocolate bars with everything from corporate logos to anniversary wishes to photographic images... read more


Articles before 2005...

Local Company Sweetens Oscars For Some Stars
The Tennessean – 17th March 2006
Andy Humbles

Chocolate Graphics Tennessee serves up celebrity portraits.

Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, George Clooney and Joaquin Phoenix were among 30 “A-list” celebrities who got a little something sweet to eat around the Academy Awards.

And this little extra came from Iris Avenue in the Old Hickory and Lakewood Area. Chocolate Graphics Tennessee was invited to be in the “Ultimate Goody Bag” given to celebrities each year by a company called Madison and Mulholland of New York.

Chocolate Graphics Tennessee reproduces nearly any photo, logo, message or image in chocolate. The company was asked to create chocolate portraits for the 30 celebrities Madison and Mulholland chose to receive its Ultimate Goody Bag surrounding the movie awards. The Chocolate Graphics Tennessee location on Iris Avenue began taking orders in August and had its grand opening in September under owner Katrina Neylon.

“It’s good exposure for us, and they don’t take just anyone,” Neylon said. “What we are doing is very unique and different… Getting into the entertainment business – it’s always exciting.”

The Ultimate Goody Bag is worth about $77,000, Ubell-Meyer said. Among gifts this year, she said, we a diamond watch, a vacation, computerized massage bed, computerized robot and skincare products. Gifts change each year.

“This company is doing something completely different,” Ubell-Meyer said of Chocolate Graphics Tennessee. “Our trademark is to help young entrepreneurs and find interesting, hip and hot products that run the gamut. A graphics image out of chocolate you can eat. Glitz, glamour and chocolate.”

The chocolate portraits of the celebrities were framed with Swarovski crystal to serve as the top of a keepsake gift box full of chocolates. There was no payment involved, Ubell-Meyer said.

Chocolate Graphics®’ headquarters is in Australia.

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WKRN, Nashville - 1st March 2006
Nashville Receives 'A Taste Of The Oscars'

They might not take home the golden statue, but all the Oscar nominees will sample some sweet sensations thanks to one local company. The Academy Awards, Hollywood’s biggest night, is on Sunday and Nashville will be well represented.

The talk of the show this year might not be who wins but what is being made at one local chocolate factory. Chocolate Graphics®, a Nashville based factory, has been selected to take part in this year’s Oscar celebration.

“A week before Christmas, we were asked to participate,” said a very excited company owner Katrina Neylon.
“We are pinching ourselves as much as we can. We have been all over the news in New York and Los Angeles,” she said.

What is this company producing? Chocolates resembling both Oscar nominees and presenters such as George Clooney, Jamie Foxx, Orlando Bloom and Joaquin Phoenix. Even the host of the show, Jon Stewart, will receive chocolate filled goody bags with their faces on the chocolate.

“Each bag is worth $65,000.00. We have worked so hard at getting all of these pieces together, a long road, we have been very, very excited and thrilled to do it, the excitement of doing it and having it all done is really wonderful. We are just six months old and we do something that no one else does,” said Neylon.

For Chocolate Graphics®, it is a sweet victory for her company, no matter who wins. The Academy Awards will take place Sunday night at 7pm on News 2.

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KL Lifestyle January 2006
Message on Chocolate Graphics®

Chocolate with graphics is becoming a much sought-after product by individuals as well as corporations. It not only tastes good, looks good but also allows you to communicate.
Everyone always stops to admire butter, ice or sand sculptures. That’s just because it’s always a captivating sight to behold. The curves that accentuate, lines that polish and shapes that define, calls in for genuine appreciation for its artistic value, patience and originality. Solid chocolates are not left behind in this case. They are perhaps even better and more sensuous.

Chocolate Graphics® is the first to hit upon the idea of transferring images or messages onto the chocolate and using them as corporate gifts, showing you that chocolates are worth much more than just a chomp or bite in the mouth!

Marketing by Chin Siew Hua and her son Robin in Malaysia under license from Australia, Chocolate Graphics®, as its name implies, produces personalised chocolates with embossed test messages and photographic images in chocolate, on chocolate. The customised personalised chocolates can be used as premiums and gifts for general corporate marketing communications, product launches, brand-building and many more.

Using the irresistible chocolate as a medium for communication is a novel way and people at the receiving end would invariably respond with enthusiasm. The logo and graphics embossed on the chocolate would ensure your functions are a talking point with this very unique addition and would be a very tasty way of getting to stay on the tip of their tongue. As for weddings, birthdays and anniversaries, Chocolate Graphics® definitely store memorable moments be it a picture or special text messages on these rare and unforgettable occasions.

“A lot of our customers came to us to order chocolate gifts for wedding dinners. There were also others who printed their photos onto the chocolate and used it like and invitation card. Some customers even printed their name cards using our chocolate. We have also created chocolate gifts in the form of a CD and a hand phone” says Chin.

No one ever turns down a piece of chocolate, what more if it has your picture or name engraved on it. The thing about this chocolatey gift is that it won’t go to waste. You don’t have worry that it’ll be sitting miserably in the bin or tucked away in a corner on a shelf. These handmade chocolate gifts are not only printed with contrast and fine resolution, making the images lifelike but most importantly the printing process uses 100% chocolate product. So can it be eaten? Yes! In fact, they are made from the finest Callebaut Belgian chocolates, your tastebuds will surely approve of their choice.

The chocolates come in many shapes and sizes – ovals, buttons, squares, octagons, circles, hearts, rectangles and CDs. One can also browse through their extensive library of original artwork for inspiration or simply choose a design of your own. The personalised chocolates are then packed in CGM standard boxes or custom made boxes.

Prices start from RM3.90 for 100gm inclusive of standard packaging and subject to minimum order. For convenience of customers, orders can be made online at www.chocolategraphics.com.my.

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Biz Journals - 12th December 2005
Hoover gets America's 2nd Chocolate Graphics®

A career in global shipping led entrepreneur Scott Dunbar from Nashville back to his native Alabama as owner of Chocolate Graphics® in Hoover, which makes custom-embossed chocolates.

His store is only the second in the U.S. for Australia-based Chocolate Graphics®, and Dunbar has purchased the rights to open stores in the entire state as well as the Florida panhandle.

The other U.S. location is in Nashville, which is where Dunbar and his family were living prior to his decision earlier this year to break away from the corporate world and open a chocolate shop. Dunbar hails from Prattville and has family in the Birmingham area.

Dunbar brings plenty of business experience to the new venture. He is a graduate of Thunderbird, The Garvin School of International Management, in Glendale, Ariz. It was through his role as chapter leader for his graduate school alumni group that he learned about Chocolate Graphics®.

Fellow Thunderbird alumnus Carol Webster had opened the first U.S. shop in Nashville and gone on to become master franchisee for the U.S. Dunbar had been mulling a career change anyway, and Webster's idea intrigued him. It also came at the right time.

Dunbar says he is investing about $250,000 in the business venture, an amount that covers franchise rights, equipment and leased space in Lorna Square off Lorna Road. He will put about six on the payroll, including several family members.

Dunbar jokes that several younger members of the family have been eager volunteers, occasionally being rewarded with a piece of chocolate.

Chocolate Graphics International is headquartered in Queensland, Australia, and the concept has been licensed in 16 countries so far. The inventor conceived what is now a proprietary process: transferring graphics (such as company logos and photographs of people and pets) onto chocolate.

A turning point came in 1996 when three Australian businessmen purchased rights to the process and made it faster and more efficient.

Another came in 1999, when the business was purchased again by a businessman who ramped up the marketing and took the company worldwide.

Today, Chocolate Graphics®' technology incorporates laser and automated equipment protected by four international patents.

"Chocolate Graphics International is committed to becoming the recognized international market leader in the area of personalized chocolate," says literature from the company.

"The business represents a new and imaginative way to capitalize on the universal love of chocolate."

Dunbar's sample pieces include a wedding rehearsal dinner menu, postcards featuring Paris, San Francisco and Las Vegas, business cards and table settings.

He says he will not be producing custom pieces until after the first of the year, but will have sample holiday items for sale in his shop after a soft opening and open house on Dec. 15.

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affaris and Trade - November 2005
A Report on the Australia-United Arab Emirates Free Trade Agreement

Chocolates are not usually the first thing one thinks of as an Australian Export to the UAE, yet Gold Coast entrepreneur, John Taylor, has created a niche market for his company Chocolate Graphics International. Chocolate Graphics International is achieving significant success in the UAE with its patent-protected chocolates and manufacturing process.
This process allows graphics to be embossed on chocolates with unprecedented clarity.
In June 2005, Ahmed Alla, pictured below with his wife Ilham and John Taylor, Managing Director of Chocolate Graphics International, became Chocolate Graphics International's first Master Licensee in the region.

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Gold Coast Mail - 7th October 2005
Celebrating Burleigh's Best

Burleigh’s best in business and innovation was on show at the inaugural Burleigh Business Awards last week.
Almost 100 business people were on hand for the awards presented by Member for McPherson Margaret May, Cr Greg Betts and chair of the awards program Michael Hart. The awards recognised achievement for business, innovation, employees and young business owners.
Mr Hart, the Vice President of the Burleigh Chamber of Commerce, said Burleigh had never had the opportunity to celebrate business success through such awards and judging by their success, there would be “more to come”.
Business Export Achiever: Chocolate Graphics International.

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The Tennessean - 9th September 2005
Customize your Chocolate
New Lakewood business imprints photos, graphics on candy
Andy Humbles

Lakewood has a new chocolate factory, and owner Katrina Neylon believes that it can be the beginning of a successful, new business venture coming to the United States.
Chocolate Graphics® serves customized chocolate at its store on Iris Avenue, about a block off Old Hickory Boulevard.
“Who doesn’t want to work in chocolate?” Neylon asked. “Unbelievably, unlimited potential.”
What Chocolate Graphics® does is reproduce just about any photo, logo, message or image on and into chocolate. The chocolate itself can be just about any shape, shade, design and even color, generally ranging from the small button size to a large “Chocolate CD” that is 4 ¼ inches in diameter.
It’s chocolate imprints designed into chocolate shapes. Chocolate on top of chocolate with the end result to eat them.
“I can’t say how to make it,” Neylon said, describing a non-compete, non-disclosure agreement all employees must sign. “That’s the trade secret”.
Chocolate Graphics® began in Australia in 2002 with huge success by founder John Taylor, who has since branched out the business to several other countries.
Neylon’s store in Lakewood began taking orders in August. The grand opening was scheduled for yesterday.
Taylor worked with area international consultant Carol Webster on generating interest in the southeast portion of the US.
Neylon is a friend of Webster. Neylon had a friend she believed might have an interest in Chocolate Graphics®. The friend wasn’t interested, but when Neylon saw the paperwork about the business, she decided to jump in.
Neylon and Webster say the Lakewood Chocolate Graphics® is the first to open in this country. Webster said others are scheduled to open in Birmingham, Ala, and Orange County, Calif, between October and December, and there are negotiations for several more.
Neylon took a 10 day trip to Australia earlier in the summer to learn trade secrets directly from Taylor.
“The numbers in Australia dictate about 70%-80% of the business comes from corporate use – promotional, conferences, logos,” Neylon said. “The rest are for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings – any event.
“The world is moving towards this customization. Everyone has a logo or something on them. It’s personalized chocolate. Any image, any photo on chocolate in chocolate.”
Chocolate Graphics® relies mainly on telephone and Internet orders and will begin a advertising campaign in the coming weeks and months.
Neylon says walk-in customers are welcome to visit.
Prices range from 38 cents for the button size with a minimum order of 81 to $4.65 each for the CD size, with a minimum order of five. Larger shapes than the CD size can be requested; however, Neylon said, the bigger designs have more risk of chipping during shipping.
Although orders already have come from as far as California and New York, Neylon is hoping to make an impact locally as well. She’d like to eventually have a working relationship with the Predators and Titans and other companies so Chocolate Graphics® can use logos and trademarks.
Neylon, who lives in the East Davidson County area, is beginning with five employees, although she thinks she can add more as the business gets established. Neylon said Taylor’s Australia store averages between 18,000-20,000 pieces of chocolate per day.
Regular store hours are 7am-4pm, Monday-Friday. For information visit www.chocolategraphicstn.com or call 847-1727.

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Gold Coast Bulletin - 1st July 2005
Taste Of US Market For Chocolate Designers
Marshall Hall - Business Editor

Gold Coast technology company Chocolate Graphics® has cracked the giant US confectionary market after selling its first licenses in that country.
The Burleigh Heads-based company is now represented in 16 countries around the globe as it competes in the $75 billion global chocolate market.
And it is eyeing more countries with talks with a Russian businessman set down for early next month.
The company and its representatives are producing tens of millions of the specially designed chocolates each year.
The chocolates are embossed with images, messages and photographs on the surface of the chocolates.
They are sold as corporate promotional gifts in restaurants and stores.
A former Nutrimetics executive John Taylor and his wife Sheryl moved to the Coast to retire but bought the business in 1999 from the technology’s inventors.
Mr Taylor said he realised the potential the technology had and previous owners were having trouble marketing of the concept.
“We did some market research and found that 96 per sent of people said they would have a need for the product within the next year,“ he said.
The Taylor's have invested more than $2 million into the business and are now starting to enjoy the sweet rewards of success.
The US master license was bought by Carol Webster while the first sub-license was bought by Katrina Neylon. Both of the Tennessee women were on the coast this week to finalise the deal and to learn more about the product.
Ms Webster said the potential for the product in the US was enormous.
Some of the big US theme parks were to be among the first major corporations to be targeted, she said.
Six more potential US sub-licensees are in talks with the company which hopes to add another 20 licensees in the US within the next year.
The Australian master license is owned by Gold Coast businessman Martin Cox, who paid $1 million for the privilege in early 2003.

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The Courier Mail - 24th June 2005
Saying It With Chocolate Goes Down A Treat
Liliana Molina

WORLDWIDE sweet-tooth’s have helped a Gold Coast business make its mark in the $US75 billion international chocolate industry.
Burleigh Heads-based Chocolate Graphics® has appointed licensees in 11 countries besides Australia for its embossed chocolates aimed at giving businesses a unique way to market their logos.
Managing director John Taylor, who originally moved to the Gold Coast with wife Sheryl planning to semi-retire, has expanded the business to reach as far as the United States, Denmark, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. There are licensees in New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore as well as In the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. A new licensee will be appointed in Russia today.
“Wherever you go, people love chocolate, the only difference is the taste of chocolate,” Mr Taylor said.
“When you’re launching something that’s new and unique, it’s not that easy to share the vision but it’s all directed to establishing brand awareness.
“You used to get a pen (with a company’s logo) but with chocolate you’re giving them something that reinforces the brand.”
Images, messages and photographs can be embossed on the chocolates and have become popular as a unique way to market a business.
The graphics can be made in almost any flat shape, size and flavour and the chocolates are produced in manufacturing kitchens in each country.
The Taylor's bought the company in 1999 with a plan to take it international and sold the Australian master licence in 2001 to Gold Coast businessman Martin Cox.
Mr Taylor said they opted for licensing as a way to expand internationally as local people had a better understanding of their own markets and each licensee employed around 12 people.
“Our goal is to be an internationally recognised brand in 12 years,” he said.
“Our main targets have been Europe and the United States because of their chocolate consumption and we’ve been getting a lot of companies that have come along with the whole momentum.”

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AME Info - 7th June 2005
Dubai Set To Gobble More Australian Chocolates

Australian-based company, Chocolate Graphics International Pty Ltd, has broken new ground in appointing a new National Master Licensee in Dubai with the official signing taking place this week.

Austrade's Dubai-based Trade Commissioner and Consul commercial, Joel Hicks, said the appointment of Ahmed Alla as Master Licensee was significant because it highlights the opportunity for successful trade relations between Australia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

'Australian companies already export significantly to the UAE and with the region's high-level socio-economic factors prevailing, we can expect more opportunity,' Mr Hicks said.

In 2004, $532 million of processed food exports came from Australia and of this, a huge amount of Australian chocolate is exported. Last year Australia exported $5million to Saudi Arabia and $4.8million to the UAE.

Chocolate Graphics International is achieving significant export earnings with its unique patent-protected chocolates and manufacturing process.

The company has been marketing its intellectual property globally, offering opportunities to purchase a Chocolate Graphics® license for manufacturing and distribution of a completely unique and personalised chocolate product.

The chocolates feature images, messages and photographs which are embossed on the product's surface, which are then sold as corporate promotional gifts, in restaurants, hotels and in retail stores and at weddings or special occasions.

The Chocolate Graphics®' product is extremely unique, allowing graphics to be embossed on chocolates with unprecedented clarity. They can be made in almost any flat shape, size and flavour, and in many different colours, which is appealing in international markets.

Chocolate Graphics International Managing Director, John Taylor, said the Dubai deal provided a strong platform for the company's continued international growth.

'Ahmed Alla is a local business man who is extremely excited about the Chocolate Graphics®' products and manufacturing process. He has been involved with several successful international business ventures of his own,' Mr Taylor said.

'The international chocolate industry is currently worth around $US75 billion per annum, so the opportunity for our product is endless, considering no other products can deliver the same high definition and quality.'

Chocolate Graphics International is on its way to becoming a truly global brand, with Master Licensors established in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, United States, China, Hong Kong, Scandinavia, Denmark and the UAE.

The company recently received its third grant from Austrade under the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme.

Chocolate Graphics International signing of agreements in Dubai took place on Monday 6 June 2005. Attendees included Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) representatives, Joel Hicks, Moin Anwar and Preeti Rekhari. From Chocolate Graphics International, John and Sheryl Taylor and the Major Licensee, Ahmed Alla.

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Australian Festival News - June 2005
Queensland Based Chocolate Graphics® Company Grand Opening During Festival Week

The Australian Festival and the ANZACC National Conference are delighted to introduce the Chocolate Graphics® Company (founded in Queensland) that will be opening their first US based store in Nashville during Festival Week. Attending the opening ceremony will be company founder from Queensland John Taylor, US Regional Master Licensee Carol Webster (from Nashville), and Katrina Neylon, the Production Centre Licensee who is hosting the grand opening. Australian government dignitaries, trade, and ANZACC representatives are being invited to attend this grand opening. The Chocolate Graphics® Company will be featured at the Australian Trade Expo as part their opening promotion. For more details about this exciting product launch here is a recent press release about the Chocolate Graphics® Company.

Nashville, Tennessee, USA --- Chocolate Graphics International PTY, Ltd., Queensland, Australia, is pleased to announce its appointment of Carol Webster as the first Regional Master Licensee in the United States. Carol Webster, owner of Cassel International, is an international sales and marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience. Webster is a member of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).

“The Chocolate Graphics® concept originated in Australia, and is now recognized as the world’s finest source for personalized, embossed chocolates for every occasion, with manufacturing locations in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and Denmark. New locations are opening in the next few months in China, Slovakia, Malaysia and Turkey, and we are actively searching for manufacturing licensees in the United States”, Webster said. Chocolate Graphics® uses a proprietary, patented process to emboss clear, crisp, three-dimensional graphics and text on chocolate with chocolate, resulting in a 100% chocolate product. “The international appeal of the Chocolate Graphics® product lies in its exceptional image quality, the availability of custom colors and flavors, the wide range of sizes and shapes, and the affordability of such a unique way to communicate,” according to Webster.

Corporate clients around the world use Chocolate Graphics® merchandise as key sales and marketing tools, including trade show and meeting giveaways and customer appreciation gifts. The hotel industry has embraced Chocolate Graphics® for ‘pillow talk’ chocolates, and restaurateurs, bakeries and dessert makers routinely use the products as decorative elements and after-meal coffee accompaniments.
Webster stated that Music Row is another target for the company’s products. “This is perfect for the music industry…we can produce a chocolate CD featuring an artist’s exact album cover image, packaged in a CD jewel case. What a delicious way to announce and celebrate an artist’s chart-topper, or introduce a prospective hit-maker to industry executives!”

Personal clients find Chocolate Graphics® chocolates a tasteful and unique way to celebrate weddings, births, anniversaries, birthdays, bar and bat mitzvahs, holidays and other special occasions.
Chocolate Graphics International USA recently made its area debut at the Nashville Convention Center’s Weddings The Bridal Show on January 8th, and plans on exhibiting throughout the year at other events.

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Life People - June 2005
Sweet Success

A Gold Coast company has achieved the equivalent of selling ice to Eskimos, taking its innovative chocolate delicacies to Denmark.

Chocolate Graphics International in Burleigh has broken new ground, setting up a Licensing operation in Denmark, where the production centre opened mid-April.
The Australian Ambassador to Denmark, Matthew Peek, officiated at the launch.
Chocolate Graphics International Managing Director, John Taylor, says the Denmark development provided a strong platform for the company’s continued international growth, particularly in the relatively untapped Central Europe market.
“Our product is unique, allowing graphics to be embossed on chocolates, with chocolate, with unprecedented clarity. They can be made in almost any flat shape, size and flavour and in many different colours, which is appealing in international markets,” Mr Taylor said.
He says Chocolate Graphics International chose Central Europe as a target market because its people have a great interest in new concepts and are extremely open to new ideas.
“With the region’s recent history and the accession of ten new member states to the EU in May this year, the consumer markets are opening up rapidly.”
Austrade’s Flemming Larson said the opening was significant because it highlights the opportunity for successful trade relations between Australia and Denmark.
“Chocolate Graphics International is the first Australian Licensing business to be established in Denmark creating an outstanding opportunity for it to become a market leader,” he said.
Danes consume a significant amount of chocolate further boosting Chocolate Graphics International’s chances for success.
The chocolates feature images, messages and photographs which are embossed on the product’s surface, which are then sold as corporate promotional gifts, in restaurants, hotels, in retail stores and at weddings or special occasions. The company launched its new exciting ‘Marble Process’ (allowing colours to be embossed onto the chocolates) in March this year.
Chocolate Graphics International is achieving significant export earnings with its unique, patent-protected chocolates and manufacturing process.
The company has been marketing its intellectual property globally, offering opportunities to purchase a Chocolate Graphics® License for manufacturing and distribution of a completely unique and personalised chocolate product.
Chocolate Graphics International is on its way to becoming a truly global brand, with Master Licensors established in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, United States, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Scandinavia and now Denmark.
The deal brings Chocolate Graphics International one step closer in meeting its objective to become a global brand. “The international chocolate industry is currently worth around $US75 billion per annum, so the opportunities for our product are endless, considering no other products can deliver the same positive consumer response, high definition embossing and quality,” he said.
Chocolate Graphics® are receiving many inquiries for Licenses from Europe and have recently appointed Bo Zoffman as the company’s Regional Manager, to strategically develop that market.
The company has received its third grant from Austrade under the Export Marketing Development Grants (EMDG) scheme.

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Gold Coast Business News - June 2005
Where New Business Is Sweet Reward
Naomi Healy

With the fear of failure his motivator, local manufacturer John Taylor is enjoying the sweet smell of success.
As managing director of Chocolate Graphics International, a manufacturing company specialising in unique chocolate products, John Taylor has been achieving significant export earnings.
Originally moving to the Coast to retire, Taylor came across the Burleigh based business in an embryonic state in 1999, he purchased it, with the aim of developing it into an international business.
“I could see the potential of companies in the future wanting to emphasise brand awareness,” says Taylor. ‘Everyone loves chocolate and this was a very unique approach.”

But before that potential could be realised, the ailing company needed restructuring and a new strategic focus and marketing strategy put in place. Taylor says his strategy was to be different. “My philosophy was to be a creator, not a follower: to create a new market and then dominate it.” The company’s technology was rebuilt, intellectual property redeveloped and four new international patents registered.
The result was the creation of self-contained manufacturing kitchens which can be set up anywhere in the world to mass-produce Chocolate Graphics®’ chocolate products.

And it’s those products that really set the company apart. High-quality 3D images and finely detailed photos printed on to chocolate, using chocolate, even in full colour; so the products can be used for an array of promotional and personal communications like business cards, menus or wedding favours.

Six years on, Taylor’s dream of domination is on the way. Chocolate Graphics International has sold licences in more than 4 countries, with another 10 due to be signed-off by June 2006. In April, it became the first Australian company to appoint a licence of any kind in Denmark. Austrade says this deal in particular highlights the opportunity for successful trade relations between the two countries.

Taylor attributes the growth of the company to hard work, persistence, a never give-up attitude and wonderful staff. But what drives him, be says, is the fear of failure. “I don’t want to let down the people who have invested in the company.”

But it’s his response to the question of how he thinks Chocolate Graphics International differs from its competitors that probably most accurately explains its successes to date.
"I don’t even think about competition. I just keep on looking straight ahead, towards the goals we have set for ourselves - to be an internationally recognised brand, with a team of happy, successful licensees.”

Sweet!

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Frederik - 13th April 2005
Chocolate Graphics® Denmark Opens

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Business Times - 1st April 2005
Chocolate Graphics® To Expand
Goh Thean Eu

Chocolate Graphics (M) Sdn Bhd plans to expand its business to the mass market by the end of this year.
Company director Henry Chan said it’s concentrating its business on the corporate market and on events like weddings and birthdays.
“Our chocolates, which can be personalised in 3D form, are suitable for corporate gifts, conferences, weddings, birthdays or anniversaries,” he said at a signing ceremony of the National Master Licence between Chocolate Graphics Malaysia and Chocolate Graphics International (CGI) in Petaling Jaya yesterday.
Receiving the National Master Licence from CGI allows Chocolate Graphics Malaysia the right to use CGI’s patented technology in producing the personalised chocolates.
Representing CGI at the signing was CGI president John Taylor.
Also present were the director of marketing support services of Tourism Malaysia Razali Mohd Daud and Trade Commissioner from the Australian Trade Commission Tom Yates.
On the company’s future plan, Chan says it plans to introduce a new range of personalised chocolates for the tourist market by the third quarter of this year.
The company will be working closely with the Tourism Ministry.
He also said the company’s products will be made available in the retail outlets for the mass market by the end of this year.
The company will be taking part in two trade shows in Malaysia in its efforts to create more public awareness of its product.
Chocolate Graphics® is currently capable of producing 80,000 to 90,000 chocolates a month with just one shift.
Chan said the company will be increasing its manpower, upgrading machinery and relocating to a bigger premise when the demand for this product increases.
CGI is an Australian company established in 2000.
This year the company plans to expand its business to Hong Kong, China, Greece, Turkey, Slovakia, Denmark and Sweden.
Taylor said CGI is one of the pioneers in the chocolate personalisation on embossing of chocolates, which includes providing 3D effect.
He said the company is committed to research and development to ensure that the company stays ahead when come to technology and product development.
“We are spending an average of A$1 million (A$1 = RM2.96) a year on research and development alone,” said Taylor.

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Media Monitors, Foodweek - 15th April 2005
Danish Delight For Chocolate Graphics®
New Licensing Deal

Gold Coast based company Chocolate Graphics International has set up a licensing operation in Denmark - the first Australian licensing business to be established in the country. Austrade's Flemming Larson said that not only was the expansion an outstanding opportunity for Chocolate Graphics® to become a market leader, but also created possibilities for increased business between Australia and Denmark.

"The opening is significant because it highlights the opportunity for successful trade relations between Australia and Denmark."
The company is rapidly on its way to becoming a global brand, with master licensors already established in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Malaysia, Singapore, the US, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Scandinavia and now Denmark. The chocolates feature images, messages and photographs which are embossed on the product's surface and are then sold as corporate promotional gifts in restaurants, hotels, retail stores and at weddings or special occasions.

The company also launched its new marble process, allowing colours to be embossed on the chocolate, in March this year.
John Taylor, Chocolate Graphics MD, said the Denmark development provided a strong platform for the company's continued international growth, particularly in the relatively untapped central Europe market. "With the region's recent history and the accession of ten new member states to the EU in May this year, the consumer markets are opening up so rapidly," he said.

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SITA - 7th April 2005
Australian Chocolate Graphics International Plan Expansion to Slovakia
Translated from Slovak

BRATISLAVA Australian chocolate maker Chocolate Graphics International plans to expand to Slovakia this year. In addition to its Slovak expansion, it also plans to open units in Hong Kong, China, Greece, Turkey and Sweden.
"We completed an operation in Denmark on April 5" corporation president John Taylor told SITA news agency. He also added that the firm is currently looking for a suitable partner in Slovakia. They would like to start extensive cooperation with this potential partner.
"After we find a suitable partner, this will take care of establishing the operation including all formal procedures," said Mr Taylor. At the same time the future partner will gain a license to use their patented technology to produce personalised chocolate according to customer demand. The entry capital should reach USD 150,000, representing roughly SKK 4.52 million. Each unit will employ around 10 people.
Chocolate Graphics International produces decorated chocolates aimed at the celebration market such as weddings, firm parties, conferences and anniversaries. According to Mr Taylor the type of products produced will mostly depend on market demand. Chocolates portraying state symbols also form part of the firm's product range.
Chocolate Graphics International was incorporated in the year 2000. According to its president John Taylor the company invests around USD 1 million annually into research and development. They do so to ensure their leading position within technologies and the development of their products to suit world wide market needs.

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Profits & Profiles - 9th March 2005
Say It With Chocolate
Sweet Success
Chris Lewis

Capitalising on the human obsession with chocolate, an Australian company has refined a method of engraving chocolate bars with everything from corporate logos to anniversary wishes to photographic images of album covers. The idea has caught on abroad - from Australia and New Zealand to China and the United Kingdom - but has yet to get a foothold in the United States. Carol Webster is out to change that.

In January, the Goodlettsville resident became the first regional master licensee in the United States for Chocolate Graphics International. She debuted the products at the Bridal Show in Nashville on January 8. Webster said she stumbled across the marketing opportunity as an international business consultant who operates her own firm, Cassel International. "It was so unique, it was something so different from anything that I've seen," she said.

The company has developed a patented method of using chocolate to emboss chocolate, so that a clear message or photos can be engraved right onto the bar, resulting in a 100 percent chocolate product. She will be working this year to seek out potential Chocolate Graphics® Licensees to establish at least five "manufacturing kitchens" throughout the United States where the chocolate will be custom engraved. Webster said that a small shop can be set up in a strip mall with an initial capital investment of about $150,000 including the licensing fee and all equipment. In the meantime, Webster has been importing Chocolate Graphics® products from New Zealand to show and sell in bulk to corporations in the hospitality, restaurant, music and wedding industries, among others.

She envisions logo embossed chocolate bars being used as after dinner treats in restaurants and in hotel rooms. Music companies could have album images imprinted on bars to be distributed as marketing tools. The price of the product ranges from 20 cents for quarter-sized pieces to $4 for chocolate replicas of compact discs. Webster said three months into her process she has yet to land any major corporate clients, but has garnered some individual customers.

The use of chocolate to communicate messages is not new. The Schakolad Chocolate Factory, which has a franchise store in cool Springs, sells a variety of moulded and hand-dipped chocolates. A Schakolad clerk said she sometimes will use a rolled up tube of parchment to write messages using white or dark chocolate on candies. She also said a company's logo can be printed on edible rice paper and attached to business card shape.

Webster said other manufacturers often use FDA-approved inks to emboss chocolates. But she said Chocolate Graphics® is the only one that engraves chocolate directly on chocolate. "There are other chocolates that do transfer or screen printing. What our potential customer are telling us is the clarity is note nearly as good as with this technology," she said.

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