Bauer Media has announced Cosmopolitan magazine as an official media partner of the 2018 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. COSMO’s Mardi Gras sponsorship will deliver a month-long celebration of activities in the Parade’s 40th anniversary year.

In addition to the event sponsorship, COSMO is producing its second Pride Issue for March, on sale 5th February.

Fiorella Di Santo, Bauer Media general manager – fashion, food, luxury and home said, “The partnership with the much loved Mardi Gras festival is a key showcase of Cosmo’s brand values. The Cosmo audience is growing, with over 1.2 million social connections, and our readers have never been more socially aware. We’re thrilled with this sponsorship as it will allow us to continue to engage, inspire and empower future generations of COSMO readers.”

This follows Bauer Media’s recent successful partnership with the Victoria Racing Club’s Spring Racing Carnival, which saw activations and events, content creation and hospitality opportunities over the course of the Carnival.

As with the Victoria Racing Club partnership, Bauer will be collaborating with selected advertising partners that say yes to love and champion equality as part of the Mardi Gras sponsorship. Visit Las Vegas has signed on as a diamond sponsor with additional bespoke opportunities around content initiatives and hospitality created for advertising partners.

A highlight of the Mardi Gras sponsorship sees COSMO and Cosmo Bride delivering unique activations at the popular Mardi Gras Fair Day in February. Festival-goers can visit the COSMO ‘Quickie Tent’ for hair and makeup touch-ups, glitter braids and glitter beards, whilst COSMO Bride will host a floral archway were couples and friends alike can dress up and create their own social media SSM wedding moment.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have an iconic brand like COSMO on board in 2018. The support and love that COSMO and its readers have shown the LGBTQI community is such a positive thing for all Australians. We can’t wait to celebrate in style all month long with COSMO!” said Terese Casu, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO.