| EVENT REPORT 10.05.09 4:37 PM |
|
Boobyball Adopts Kitschy Cruise Theme With Lido Deck Games, Models Dressed as Captains
|
Not only did organizers of the eighth annual Boobyball manage to attract a sold-out crowd of more than 1,200 guests to Atlantis Friday, they also garnered more than 360,000 hits on YouTube with a viral video campaign. “The objective was to get people excited about the event and raise awareness about [breast cancer]. It’s taken on a life of it’s own,” said Amanda Blakley, who with Ashleigh Dempster co-founded social club the Society and created the first Boobyball in 2002.
The one-minute video stars MTV News host and 2009 event co-chair Aliya-Jasmine Sovani poolside in a white bikini. Close up shots of Sovani’s breasts are interchanged with a message that reads: “You like them. Now it’s time. To save the boobs.” The ad, created for about $100, attracted the attention of several American television networks, including ABC, CNN, and NBC. “It’s amazing the response it’s been getting. And it’s surprising how many American stations think it’s controversial,” Dempster said.
MORE >>
RELATED TOPICS
Rethink Breast Cancer, RBC, Schick Quattro, Timex, Tretorn, Naked Juice, Stella Artois, Yellow Tail, Perrier, Palm Bay, Lancaster, Jose Cuervo Golden Margarita, Wiser's, Fashion magazine, MTV News |
 |
| EVENT REPORT 09.28.09 8:00 AM |
|
Symphony Plays Up New Season's "Electric" Theme at Opening Night Gala, After-Party
|
 | The event space at Roy Thomson Hall
Photo: George Pimentel |
|
To kick off the 2009-10 season and its "Electric" theme, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra dubbed its opening night gala and after-party at Roy Thomson Hall on Thursday “An Electric Affair.” The evening, which included a concert by violinist Joshua Bell, who performed Brahms’s violin concerto, also marked the inaugural event for the orchestra’s new Young Professionals Group—an initiative aimed at those under 40 and designed to develop the next generation of supporters and volunteers for the T.S.O.
Kim Neil, the T.S.O.’s manager of stewardship and events, worked with staff and the opening night committee to plan the event, which included various components for the two groups of attendees. “I sat down with our marketing department back in the spring to develop a theme for the evening," she said. "We really try to focus on the music to inspire us. We thought of Vienna and the French Alps, but we wanted to make sure our event theme fit with the season."
MORE >>
RELATED TOPICS
Toronto Symphony Orchestra, RBC, CTV |
|
| EVENT REPORT 07.23.09 1:25 PM |
|
Sponsor Lounges, Activations Fill Glen Abbey Golf Club for RBC Canadian Open
|
 | Corporate skyboxes surround the 18th green at Glen Abbey.
Photo: BizBash |
|
Despite the current economic challenges, corporate sponsorships are on the rise at the 2009 RBC Canadian Open, which began Monday and continues until Sunday at Oakville's Glen Abbey Golf Club. "This year we’ve got more sponsors than ever," said James Laidlaw, director of business development for the Royal Canadian Golf Association, which produces the P.G.A. Tour event. "We’re actually up about 20 per cent, which is spectacular." (Twenty companies supported the tournament this year.)
"I think that the smart marketing companies are still spending money," said Laidlaw, who credits the Royal Bank of Canada's title sponsorship with taking the event to the next level. "The economy impacted hospitality sales; that seems to be the one area that was affected. Ticket sales were down. But of course now that Michael Jordan is playing [in the Mike Weir Charity Classic pro-am], ticket sales have gone through the roof."
MORE >>
RELATED TOPICS
RBC Canadian Open, RBC, Bell, Pengrowth, Royal Canadian Golf Association, BMW Canada, Corona Extra, TaylorMade, Wolf Blass, The Globe & Mail, Pepsi, LG Electronics Canada, Transitions, Glenlivet, Reader's Digest, Sunoco, Q107, Toronto Sun |
|
| EVENT REPORT 04.29.09 8:00 AM |
|
Oversize Teddy Bears, Palm Trees Fill Brazilian Ball's Benefit for SickKids
|
 | The samba parade
Photo: System 4 Productions Inc. |
|
The Brazilian Carnival Ball—known for its elaborate decor and the colourful costumes worn by performers in its annual samba parade—took a cue from this year's charity, the SickKids Foundation, and opted for a teddy bear theme for the 43rd annual fund-raiser, held Saturday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. "Every child loves a teddy bear, so that's how we came up with the concept," said 2009 event chair Janice O’Born, a member of the SickKids Foundation board.
Large pink, black, and silver bears—created by Brazilian artist and decor director Zeka Marquez—sat atop risers on the dining tables, and images of bears decorated panels that covered the walls throughout the ballroom. Marquez came up with the design for the event, and Toronto-based decor manager Luis de Castro put the look together, said Kathie Gayda, executive director of the ball. “The bears and the wall panels were produced in Brazil,” she said. In addition to centerpieces made out of Styrofoam, the decor team created two oversize bears that flanked the stage.
MORE >>
RELATED TOPICS
SickKids Foundation, TD Bank, Rogers, The Printing House, BMO Financial Group, C.I.B.C., RBC, George Weston Ltd., Lexus on the Park, Scarborough Toyota, American Airlines, Tiffany & Company, Metropolitan Hotels, Hallmark Canada |
|
| EVENT REPORT 02.24.09 12:30 PM |
|
National Home Show's First-Ever Housewarming Party Adopts '30s Theme With Jazz Band, Dancers
|
 | The National Home Show's Housewarming Party
Photo: Shaun Mitchell/National Home Show |
|
Following in the steps of other consumer shows (the Interior Design Show, Canada Blooms), the National Home Show threw its first opening-night party at the Direct Energy Centre Friday, an event the show's manager, Lisa Barnes, said was long overdue. "The National Home Show is one of the largest commercial shows in North America, so we thought we should be kicking this off properly," said Barnes. "It was the right time to do it."
Changes at the 2009 National Home Show—now in its 58th year—include a date switch from April to February, and a new spokeperson, Extreme Home Makeover host Ty Pennington, who couldn't attend the event due to other commitments. Barnes said the inaugural Housewarming Party served as a platform to celebrate the changes and raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. The bash also gave the show a boost of publicity thanks to its presenting sponsor, CityLine. CityLine's Tracy Moore also hosted the evening.
MORE >>
RELATED TOPICS
National Home Show, Children's Miracle Network, CityLine, RBC, Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival, The Brick, Flex Court Canada, EQ3, Peller Estates, Re/Max |
|
| NEWS 01.30.09 5:28 PM |
|
Close-Act Show Launches WinterCity Festival
|
 | The WinterCity preview
Photo: BizBash |
|
Organizers of the sixth annual WinterCity Festival—which runs through February 12—offered the media a sneak peek at the festival's opening-night performance during a preview at Nathan Phillips Square Thursday. The renowned theatre company Close-Act rehearsed a scene from the underwater love story Pi-Leau at 6 p.m.—offering local news crews a chance to promote the festival during dinner-hour broadcasts. The Dutch theatre troupe, known for combining theatre, dance acrobatics, and music in large-scale street performances, will perform four free public shows this weekend and next.
"Toronto comes alive with culture every winter as music, theatre, dance, art, and food take centre stage," Mayor David Miller said in a statement. "The WinterCity Festival encourages residents and tourists to get out during the coolest months of the year and experience the city's vibrancy and urban winter wonders."
MORE >>
RELATED TOPICS
WinterCity Festival, RBC, Close-Act, City of Toronto |
|
| NEWS 07.17.08 12:23 PM |
|
TIFF Announces New and Returning Sponsors
|
RBC, which has been named the official bank of the Toronto International Film Festival, is one of several new sponsors supporting the 2008 event, taking place September 4 to 13. Bell is returning as the festival's lead sponsor this year, and all three levels of government remain supporters. American Movie Classics Co. LLC, CIBC Wood Gundy, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, the Fairmont Royal York, ING Insurance, and Riceworks Gourmet Brown Rice Crisps are also new sponsors this year. —Susan O'Neill
RELATED TOPICS
Toronto International Film Festival, Bell, RBC, American Movie Classics Company LLC, C.I.B.C. Wood Gundy, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, Fairmont Royal York, ING Insurance |
|
| EVENT REPORT 05.27.08 2:35 PM |
|
Brazilian Performers, Samba Parade Add Flair to Annual Ball
|
 | Brazilian performers in costume
Photo: John Cullen for BizBash |
|
Organizers of the Brazilian Carnival Ball brought the spirit of Rio to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Saturday for the 42nd annual fund-raiser, which paid tribute to the ball’s founder, Anna Maria de Souza, who died in September. A samba parade—with participants flown in from Brazil—featured a photo of de Souza mounted on a float, and a display in the reception area detailed her involvement with the event.
“Every year we are inspired by the overwhelming support the ball receives. From its beginnings in a church basement in Toronto, this event has evolved into a highly anticipated and well-supported charitable fund-raiser in Canada,” said Ivan X. de Souza, the ball's president and C.E.O. “This year’s ball marks an especially significant milestone as we pay tribute to my dear wife, Anna Maria de Souza, founder of this remarkable event. Because of her tireless work, commitment, and dedication, the ball has helped so many deserving charities over the last 42 years.”
MORE >>
RELATED TOPICS
Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, RBC, BMO, Magnotta Winery Corporation, Fabricland, Pearl Pomegranate Vodka, Salvador's Margaritas, Cartier, Hallmark |
|
| EVENT REPORT 03.12.08 6:01 PM |
|
Canada Blooms Creates '60s Vibe With Flowers, Go-Go Dancers, and Music
|
 | Canada Blooms' go-go dancers
Photo: BizBash |
|
Planning a cocktail party for 1,000 guests on a six-acre site is no small undertaking. On the plus side, organizing the opening-night party for Canada Blooms: the Toronto Flower and Garden Festival doesn't require much in the way of decor or additional floral displays. "You don't have to decorate. You couldn't ask for a better venue," event co-chair Joyce Johnson said while setting up for the '60s-themed "Love in the Garden" party on Tuesday evening. However, Johnson and her colleagues agreed that holding the opening party on the floor of the show—which runs today through Sunday in the south building at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre—is a challenge.
"It's such a large venue," artistic director Colomba Fuller said of the site. "We always try to keep it within a certain space as far as the food, but people wander off." In 2007, the planning committee created a section for reserved seating in an effort to persuade guests to sit and eat with one another, rather than wandering around and eating in one of the 42 garden displays set up for the exhibit. "It worked very well last year, so we decided to do it again this year," Fuller said.
MORE >>
RELATED TOPICS
HGTV, Unilock, The Home Depot, Sobeys, RBC, Global Television, Colin McAllister, Justin Ryan, Susan Hay |
|
|
