| EVENT REPORT 05.14.09 8:00 AM |
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Stripped-Down Robin Hood Benefit Raises a Record $72 Million
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 | Robin Hood's bull's-eye-focused benefit
Photo: Roger Dong for BizBash |
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FROM NEW YORK
British philosopher Joseph Priestly once said, "The more elaborate our means of communication, the less we communicate." In that spirit, the Robin Hood Foundation used its annual gala Tuesday night to debut its new ad campaign and convey its mission with clear and unembellished visuals—at least compared to years past. The blockbuster benefit, which has become known for its sizable guest list, bevy of big-name performers and donors, and multimillion-dollar fund-raising ability, returned to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center with more than 3,000 guests, host Jon Stewart, and musical entertainment from Aretha Franklin and the Black Eyed Peas.
"We wanted to make sure that nobody lost the message. To strip it down even more to our core values, so that nobody can walk out of here without a clear understanding of what we do," said Mark Bezos, the nonprofit's senior vice president for development and communications. Charged with that simple premise, Robin Hood's event team worked closely with David Stark Design & Production and Atomic Design to put images from the campaign front and center and accent them with bull's-eyes and arrows.
Jim Samalis, Robin Hood's managing director of events, and Amy Sinclair, manager of events, headed up the internal team for the first iteration of the gala in 10 years without the guidance of Laurie Fabiano, Robin Hood's former director of communications, marketing, and events, who left the organization at the end of last year.
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RELATED TOPICS
Robin Hood Foundation, Jon Stewart, Aretha Franklin, Black Eyed Peas |
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| EVENT INTELLIGENCE 02.19.08 11:30 AM |
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How to Choose an Auctioneer
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 | Sharon Stone served as auctioneer for Amfar's Cinema Against AIDS fund-raiser in Rome.
Photo: Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images |
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As event professionals well know, one of the key aspects of producing a successful live auction occurs months out, as staffers, board members, and friends of the organization secure (read: often beg for) items so unique, so desirable, that attendees (with the added bonus of helping a good cause) will open up their wallets to get them. Let’s say you’ve scored walk-on roles on Grey’s Anatomy and The Office, a private performance by Hannah Montana, and the guitar on which Bruce Springsteen wrote “Born to Run.” Your work is done: This stuff sells itself, right?
Unfortunately, no. On the night of an event, the duty of moving live auction items, ideally for impressive sums, falls to the person taking—and, hopefully, nudging up—the bids. So what makes an effective auctioneer, and how much can your choice affect the success of an auction—and ultimately, the bottom line?
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RELATED TOPICS
Auctions, Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, Robin Hood Foundation, Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, Byrd Hoffman Watermill Foundation, N.F.L. Players, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Catalina Island Conservancy |
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