| NEWS 09.16.09 1:53 PM |
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In the News: Fed Says Recession "Over," Kanye Stunt Prompts Suspicion
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Federal Reserve Thinks Recession Is Over: Talk of the recession's end has been just about everywhere since the latter half of the summer, and now that assessment has been given another shot of credibility—from the Federal Reserve. This week, in his first speech since being reappointed, Fed chairman Ben Bernanke claimed the recession is "very likely over." And though he also said it won't be a short road to complete recovery, the worst is over. Event professionals seem to agree. [CNN]
Conspiracy Theorists Question VMA Snafu: There's mounting speculation that Kanye's obnoxious turn at Sunday's Video Music Awards wasn't entirely off the cuff. Though many voiced skepticism over whether or not it was planned by MTV—much like its Movie Awards confrontation between Brüno star Sacha Baron Cohen and Eminem—a few are now gathering evidence to support the farce theory. Exhibit A? Some think that the bottle of Hennessy Kanye was throwing back on the red carpet had the cap on the whole time. [Movieline]
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Federal Reserve, MTV, MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West, HBO, BBDO |
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| NEWS 09.15.09 12:03 PM |
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MTV Continues to Bring Back Viewers for 2009 VMA Broadcast
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FROM NEW YORK
Sunday's broadcast of the MTV Video Music Awards marked a boon in ratings for the show, which aired on MTV and was simulcast on sister networks MTV2 and VH1 for the first time in its 26-year history. Viewership of the festivities on MTV increased by 6 percent over last year to an average 8.97 million, and the 2 million contributed by MTV2 and VH1 bring the grand total close to 11 million.
It's been a long journey back to those numbers, the event's highest since 2004. The VMAs have been slowly climbing back from the 2006 broadcast, which attracted a record low audience of fewer than six million.
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MTV, MTV Video Music Awards |
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| NEWS 09.14.09 2:42 PM |
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What the Press Said About the VMAS: MTV Loves a Scandal
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FROM NEW YORK
Say what you will about Kanye West's unbecoming behavior at last night's Video Music Awards, MTV is probably just happy you're still talking about it. That's the consensus among the press today, who seem unanimous in their assessment that 2009 was a step in the right direction for the embattled show.
- The Los Angeles Times music blogger Todd Martens gave each of the performances a letter grade, favoring Beyoncé's choreography and Taylor Swift's subway singalong over Janet's tribute to her brother and Katy Perry's misguided Queen cover. [LAT]
- Like most everyone else, The New York Times swooned for Madonna's speech about Michael Jackson, referring to it as "uncommonly intimate, by turns heartbreaking and gobsmacking." [NYT]
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MTV, MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé |
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| NEWS 09.14.09 1:34 PM |
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MTV Video Music Awards Filled With Tributes, Stage-Crashers
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 | Jay-Z and Alicia Keys closing the show
Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images |
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FROM NEW YORK
MTV promised to use more than just Radio City Music Hall when it announced a return to New York for the 26th Video Music Awards, and it delivered. In addition to the festivities at the primary venue, last night's broadcast made use of a subway station, the Avenue of the Americas, the Walter Kerr Theater, and an F train. In between, there were a few extravagant performances, tributes to fallen stars, and an uncharacteristically tame M.C. job from returning host Russell Brand, though the night will probably be most remembered for an outburst from Kanye West.
Early reports of the hush-hush production and the show's promotional campaign suggested it would adopt a West Side Story theme in its decor and staging, but there were no obvious allusions to be seen last night. Instead, the stage sat below an archway of metal rods and neon lights, while images of the New York skyline, cranes on the Brooklyn waterfront, and water towers played on the backdrop. Performers left that stage for other venues throughout the night, but festivities kicked off inside Radio City with a tribute to Michael Jackson.
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MTV, MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West, Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Russell Brand |
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| NEWS 09.11.09 12:21 PM |
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Photos From VMA Parties, Swag Suites, and Stunts Throughout the Years
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 | Kanye West at Rolling Stone's 2007 VMA after-party
Photo: BizBash |
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The MTV Video Music Awards are returning to New York this Sunday, September 13. Here's a look back at some of the highlights from years past.
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MTV, MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West, Jessica Simpson, Sean Combs, Jay-Z, Maverick Records, Rolling Stone, Kenneth Cole, Pepsi, Maxim |
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| NEWS 09.09.09 12:23 PM |
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In the News: Virtual Trade Shows Thrive, Industry Still Prefers Face-to-Face
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Rise in Virtual Trade Shows Predicted: A lengthy feature in the October issue of Wired highlights the many ways people and businesses are using technology to get satisfactory results with minimal budgets. One trend on the rise is virtual trade shows, where vendors send avatars into cyberspace to meet with potential clients and customers. It's not a new concept, but analysts expect 5,000 online expos in 2010, a 500 percent increase from 2009. [Wired]
Planners Still Favor Person-to-Person: Virtual trade shows, meetings, and conferences may be on the rise, but they are facing a bit of resistance from industry professionals. At the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International's recent Affordable Meetings National and Event Technology Expo, attendees in a poll said they used technology for marketing efforts and presentations but still avoided virtual meetings. Among the key conference elements they thought got lost in translation were spontaneous networking, identifying attendees, and a free and open dialogue between all parties. Many also noted that the available technologies still weren't up to snuff to hold a seamless virtual event. [Reuters]
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Virtual Meetings, Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, Fashion Week, Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, MTV Video Music Awards |
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| NEWS 09.08.09 12:24 PM |
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Fall Preview: New Season Brings Busier Event Schedule, More Last-Minute Business
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Planners, producers, and vendors seem to agree with recent declarations that the worst of the recession is behind us, as fall calendars are crowded with events and business appears to be picking up for many. This resurgence in activity marks a return to business as usual for some, while for others the season could be even busier, thanks to short-notice commissions from clients and sponsors just deciding to get back in the event game.
New Jersey-based producer Michael Cerbelli, president of special events at Total Entertainment, said business never got particularly slow, thanks in part to late bookings from clients. “What's making us even busier is that everything is last minute," he said. "Two to six weeks out, and we're get calls for lighting, staging, and, production. We're working 10 times harder because we have less lead time, but looking to the fourth quarter, 9 out of 10 of our past holiday party clients are already back on the books for this year."
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Fashion Week, MTV Video Music Awards, Toronto International Film Festival, Fall Preview 2009 |
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| NEWS 09.08.09 11:52 AM |
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Fall Preview: What Los Angeles Event Pros Are Working on This Season
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With the unofficial end of summer now behind us (that would be Labor Day), event professionals are looking to the fall—a traditionally busy time—to see how the economic recovery will help the industry rebound from what has so far been a pretty slow year. We asked a group of local planners and vendors what they have in the works for the coming months. Here are some highlights.
"After a relatively quiet consumer event season during the first half of 2009, Hollywood & Highland Center anticipates a busy fall and winter to round out the year. We certainly saw an increase in activity during the summer months with our 'Wine, Jazz & Moonlight' summer concert series, and now the entertainment and consumer marketing events are kicking into high gear for the fall season. The uncertainty that brands, studios, and networks were feeling earlier this year seems to be subsiding as we prepare to host the A.F.I. Film Festival and promotional opportunities and events with Disney, a number of Fox properties, and brands including Nike, L’Oreal, Samsung, Subaru, and Maybelline. The center will welcome at least two free outdoor concerts with high-profile artists during the third week of September to kick off our live music offerings, leading up to an unprecedented Hollywood tree lighting celebration on November 28. [We are excited about] the recent opening of Madame Tussauds Wax Museum next door, weekly premieres at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the El Capitan Theatre, the Hollywood Chamber’s Walk of Fame star ceremonies, a new Hard Rock Café opening in 2010, and at least one other major tenant announcement on the horizon, plus the new resident Cirque du Soleil production [at] the Kodak Theatre."
—S. Dwayne Jones, senior director of strategic alliances and special events, Hollywood & Highland Center
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Going Green, Entertainment Tonight, Emmys, Award Season, What a Pair, Target, Asics, Hollywood Life, Paramount, Audi, Oakley, MTV Video Music Awards, American Association of Museums, California Science Center, Warner Brothers, The Invention of Lying, Sherlock Holmes Movie, Macy's Passport, Disney, Fall Preview 2009 |
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| NEWS 07.15.09 11:01 AM |
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In the News: Bruno Stunt Invades Times Square Screening, Production Rumors Buzzing for 2009 VMAs
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Bruno Stunt Brings Film's Star to Screening: In-theater stunts are becoming more and more common. On the heels of Michael Moore's poorly received faux-charity plea during a screening of his latest film trailer, Sacha Baron Cohen visited a Times Square showing of his latest film, Bruno, in character. He entertained guests for a few minutes before the movie started, and though the whole event is being referred to as a "surprise" appearance, the abundance of news media present made it look anything but. [NYP]
VMAs Might Have a Broadway Theme: Rumors that this year's MTV Video Music Awards would take place at Madison Square Garden did not pan out, but the move back to New York and the return of host Russell Brand were both right on the money. There's just one bit that's yet to be explained: MTV, remaining tight-lipped about further details of the show, has yet to comment on the speculation that the staging will take on a West Side Story theme. [Idolator]
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Bruno, Sacha Baron Cohen, MTV, MTV Video Music Awards, Russell Brand, Three-O Vodka, NYC Prep |
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