I finally got a call back from Matt Hollywood yesterday.
In a brief chat he clarified that his 'Australian Champion of Magic Award' was actually the 1st prize he won for 'Best Close Up' at the 1998 Australian Convention. He explained his PR people had just renamed it for marketing purposes. Sometimes it was also referred to as 'Australian Champion of Comedy Magic'.
I asked about his 'Gold Medal Award for Magician of the Year', and he explained that was the Close Up award too.
He seemed genuinely concerned that I found this unethical and offered, out of respect, to stop using the fictitious titles in his promotion. I'm very pleased to hear this and look forward to the changes.
Unlike Steve, Matt has no issue with me using the phrase 'Australia's Favourite Magician'.
Sorted. Issue closed.
