| EVENT REPORT 01.12.09 10:59 AM |
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Economic Climate Tinges Golden Globes Suites—But Hardly Banishes Them
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As has become de rigeur when big award shows roll into town, a robust slate of gift and hospitality suites blanketed Beverly Hills and the surrounding areas in the days preceding the Golden Globes, which were presented last night. But did the economy affect the offerings?
"Established brands can weather the storm. The HBO Luxury Lounge runs itself, and we sell at least half of it out a year in advance," said Britt Johnson of Mediaplacement, which produces the network's suites at the Four Seasons. This year, the event again brought 12 vendors to the second floor of the hotel. "As much as people are cutting back in advertising, this sort of marketing seems to do better because it's really effective. When you get 100 shots with celebrities [together with products], you don't have to do that three or four times a year."
In addition to product giveaways, HBO's setup also offered beauty treatments from an all-white lounge down the hall where L'Oréal Paris makeup artists, hairstylists, and manicurists set up shop.
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RELATED TOPICS
Award Season, Golden Globes, Gift Suites, HBO, In Style Magazine, Zune, Visual Impact Now |
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| EVENT REPORT 12.11.08 10:57 AM |
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The Buzz Girls' Mamma Mia Singalong Brings Levity—and Boas—to Female Execs
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 | Pampering by Bliss at the Buzz Girls event
Photo: Lisa Rose |
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Even top-level female executives can be girls who just want to have fun. And they got to realize those impulses at the women-only networking event hosted by tastemaker event series organizers the Buzz Girls, with Allure magazine and Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Tuesday night. The intimate social gathering drew well-established players from the entertainment, lifestyle, and media industries, and celebrated the DVD launch of Mamma Mia.
The event took over the curvilinear Zune L.A. space, Microsoft's long-term pop-up on Beverly Boulevard. Guests got touch-ups from artists from Colorescience upstairs, as well as hand massages and polish changes from Bliss. Downstairs, a photo booth from Foto Cabina encouraged guests to capture themselves clad in the pink and white boas on offer as they entered.
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RELATED TOPICS
Allure, Zune, Pop-Ups, Mamma Mia!, Universal Studios Home Entertainment |
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| NEWS 10.24.08 12:46 PM |
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Perez Hilton Continues to Expand his Brand at CMJ Music Marathon
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 | N.E.R.D. at "One Night in Austin" in March
Photo: Rahar/Photopass |
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FROM NEW YORK
The 2008 CMJ Music Marathon—a music industry staple that claims responsibility for launching the careers of artists as diverse as Eminem, Green Day, and Arcade Fire—concludes its five-day run this Saturday. Now in its 28th year, CMJ has grown from its under-the-radar roots to draw increasing attention from the public and marketers. More high-profile parties are popping up, including one hosted by blogger Perez Hilton tonight at the HighLine Ballroom.
“One Night in New York City” features performances by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Semi Precious Weapons, and Lady Gaga, but it’s not the first concert thrown by Perez Hilton. With the help of producers at BMF Media Group, Hilton took the event template to a showcase at Austin’s South by Southwest in March and an after-party for Toronto’s Much Music Awards in June.
“This is a passion project for me,” Hilton told us via e-mail. “I love music and it’s definitely a thrill to be able to organize these very special events and share some of my favorite artists with my readers. I’ve recently been getting involved in many aspects of the music industry and hope to continue that in a bigger way next year. It’s a perfect fit for my brand.”
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RELATED TOPICS
CMJ Music Marathon, Perez Hilton, One Night in New York, Microsoft, Zune, South by Southwest |
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| EVENT REPORT 09.22.08 11:05 AM |
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Emmy Suites, Most With Charity Ties or an Eco Bent, Blanket L.A.
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 | New Balance's setup at Silver Spoon's "Passion for Pink" suite
Photo: BizBash |
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The sheer number of gift and hospitality suites that took over town surrounding last night's Emmy awards might seem to indicate that this year, the September award show might rival the Oscars for scale. At least seven different suite events popped up around town in the week leading up to Sunday's show, with some beginning as early as the previous Tuesday. As has been the trend in recent years, several called attention to causes such as health and environmental issues.
At Silver Spoon's "Passion for Pink" house—high atop Mulholland Highway at Coldwater Canyon—guests meandered through the massive private home and its grounds, scooping up products from the likes of New Balance and Spreegirl lingerie. The suites' theme was breast cancer awareness, with staffers all wearing pink, and cupcakes and flower arrangements playing up the hue. Command PR handled publicity for the suites, which ran on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Kari Feinstein’s "Style Lounge" took over a mansion in West Hollywood on Thursday and Friday, where brands like Nine West, Michael Stars, and Reebok distributed their wares, and Recess nail salon provided eco-friendly services in a luxe backyard surrounding a pool. Proceeds from the event benefited YouthAIDS.
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RELATED TOPICS
Emmys, Gift Suites, Zune, New Balance, Nine West, Going Green, YouthAIDS, HBO, Equinox Fitness, Patrick Melville, Environmental Media Association |
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| EVENT REPORT 08.19.08 10:31 AM |
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Valets Turn Guests Away at Pinkitude Launch at Zune's L.A. Pop-Up
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 | The Pinkitude clothing line launch
Photo: BizBash |
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Guests at Thursday night’s Pinkitude clothing line launch party had the opportunity to peruse new merchandise from MGM’s consumer products division, as well as Microsoft’s Zune L.A. pop-up property—that is, if they were lucky enough to find a parking spot. Less than 45 minutes after the event started, valets turned guests away, advising them to find a space on the already-packed streets, or to travel 220 feet down Beverly Boulevard to try their luck at Jar restaurant, where an irate attendant refused to accommodate anyone who wasn’t dining at the venue.
Those who made it inside found the Zune space (which launched this summer with plans for a three-year run) awash in pink lighting and decorated with pink paw-print gobos, a nod to MGM’s Pink Panther character, who inspired the Pinkitude line of clothing and accessories. Mega Marketing and Media’s Yvonne Leung, who worked with MGM executive director of worldwide retail development Warren Schorr, had to submit a formal bid to hold the event at the venue, which operates as an office space for Microsoft executives during the day, and hosts about five to six events every month.
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RELATED TOPICS
Susan G. Komen Foundation, MGM, Microsoft, Pop-Ups, Zune |
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| EVENT REPORT 04.18.08 4:13 PM |
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Us Weekly Party Integrates Sponsors' Wares at Buzzed-About New Beso
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For its Hot Hollywood party, Us Weekly uses the if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it approach. The magazine's formula is to bring as many of the celebs who deck its pages as possible to the most buzzed-about new venue in town. For last night's event, the mag used the same plan, only the party took over a new restaurant, Eva Longoria Parker's Beso, instead of a nightclub (last year's party was at Opera and Crimson).
Gina Schramm from the magazine oversaw the event, which honored celebrity designers, as well as more plebeian designers and their celebrity muses (Us' editorial choices). The weekly's style icon of the year honoree, Heidi Klum, plus celebrity designer of the year Lauren Conrad were among the attendees.
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RELATED TOPICS
Us Weekly, Hot Hollywood, Zune, Svedka |
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