| NEWS 09.30.09 4:35 PM |
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The Atlantic Hosts Big Names in Journalism and Politics at "First Draft of History" Summit
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This Thursday and Friday, The Atlantic, partnering with the Aspen Institute and the Newseum, will hold what producers hope to be the first of many annual summits of journalists, politicians, and business leaders. "The First Draft of History" boasts a lineup of back-to-back interviews between the likes of David Axelrod and Charlie Gibson, John McCain and David Gregory, and Michael Bloomberg and George Stephanopoulos.
"This is a really unique moment in Washington with the new administration and all of the new people," said Elizabeth Baker Keffer, president of Atlantic Live, the events arm of Atlantic Media. "And with with the economic downturn and the city's role in that, Washington has become the center of attention."
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The Atlantic, The Aspen Institute, David Axelrod, Charlie Gibson, John McCain, David Gregory, Michael Bloomberg, George Stephanopoulos |
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| EVENT REPORT 05.11.09 1:33 PM |
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Warhol-Style Portraits, Serpentine Modern Lounge Highlight Jam-Packed Correspondents' Dinner Pre-Parties
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 | The Thomson Reuters cocktail party prior to the White House Correspondents' Association dinner
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash |
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Members of the White House press corps, Washington elite, and A-list celebrities literally rubbed shoulders in a steamy mass of humanity at the cocktail parties preceding the White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday night at the Hilton Washington. Hosted by media organizations and taking place from 6:00 to 7:45 p.m., the pre-parties went from mellow and civilized at the start to decidedly uncomfortable as guests surged into the concourse leading them to security checkpoints and the black-tie dinner. More than one guest muttered “Where’s the fire marshal?” as the likes of Kerry Washington, Al Sharpton, and Donatella Versace fought their way through the crowd.
Secret Service agents, on hand for the arrival of President Barack Obama, and Hilton staff members maintained order the best they could, given the 2,600 dinner guests and hundreds of extras who came solely for the cocktail receptions. Otherwise, there were few decor surprises at the individual parties and the usual smoked salmon and roast beef bites were on offer.
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White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, Barack Obama, Newsweek, The Washington Post, Thomson Reuters, Atlantic Media, National Journal Group, The Atlantic, ABC, Time Magazine, People Magazine, CNN, Fortune |
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| NEWS 05.05.09 1:47 PM |
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Hosts Gear Up for White House Correspondents Weekend Parties
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With the approval rating high for the new administration, it appears that a tsunami of V.I.P.s will be in town for this weekend’s line up of brunches, cocktail receptions, dinners, and after-parties surrounding Saturday night’s White House Correspondents Association dinner at the Hilton Washington. (The only big name not mentioned, thus far, appears to be British reality TV sensation Susan Boyle.)
The once-sleepy insider’s dinner and joke fest, traditionally attended by the President of the United States, has never been the same since that day in 1987 when Baltimore Sun reporter Michael Kelly escorted the Iran-Contra scandal’s Fawn Hall. One hot guest still in the paddock is Sir Elton John, reportedly in town this weekend attending the Land Rover America’s Polo Cup, according to the Washington Times.
Few details have emerged ahead of Friday night’s Time Inc. joint party for Time and People at the Astor Terrace of the St. Regis or the joint fete Bloomberg News and Vanity Fair are teaming up to host Saturday night for 300 guests at the residence of French Ambassador Pierre Vimont. Other media organizations, however, are sharing details.
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White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, America's Polo Cup, Barack Obama, The McLaughlin Group, Time Magazine, People Magazine, The Atlantic, ABC, Creative Coalition, Haddad Media, Capitol File, DC Magazine, National Journal Group |
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| NEWS 04.17.09 1:53 PM |
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People and Time Team Up for White House Correspondents Weekend Party
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Cohosting, it appears, is the order of the day for media companies throwing parties before and after this year’s White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday, May 9, at the Hilton Washington.
Time Inc. publications Time and People will jointly host a cocktail reception Friday evening at Astor Terrace at the St. Regis. Expected to attend are some of the entertainers who will be at the People table the following night: Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, along with Miranda Cosgrove, Kevin Bacon, Forest Whitaker, Jon Hamm, Eva Longoria Parker, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, and Brooke Shields and her husband, Chris Henchy. Time has not released its dinner guest list.
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White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, Time Inc., Time Magazine, Bloomberg, Vanity Fair, Haddad Media, National Journal Group, People Magazine, The Atlantic, ABC, Capitol File |
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| NEWS 12.09.08 3:06 PM |
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Media Outlets See Obstacles to Hosting Inauguration Events
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With six weeks to go before President-elect Barack Obama takes the oath of office, many media outlets are still tentative about hosting inaugural events. Faced with a flock of challenges—a poor economy, competition for venues, guests, and attention—some potential hosts who once considered throwing their brands into the mix have either opted out or are still unsure, though MTV, CNN, and the Huffington Post continue to move forward with party plans.
"There are two factors making corporations leery to do a big name-in-lights program, one being the economy," said Elizabeth Baker Keffer, vice president of The Atlantic and president of events division Atlantic Live. "Even if you have the money to host a big event, the optics of doing something lavish are not good. The second factor is the many congressional guidelines to hosting events in town. Non-Washington companies need to make sure they are compliant with the congressional guidelines."
During the past couple weeks, event and PR staffers at several publications reported ongoing discussions about whether or not to host something. Some are still mulling: "We're undecided," Vanity Fair public relations director Beth Kseniak said yesterday. Meanwhile, at Condé Nast sibling The New Yorker, special events director Melissa Meyer said the business side is currently discussing plans to entertain clients in some way. As of now, the editorial side of the magazine is not planning anything.
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Inauguration 2009, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Condé Nast, CNN, MTV, Huffington Post, Niche Media, The Atlantic, OK Magazine |
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| BEST OF 2008 11.24.08 8:00 AM |
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Profit Centers
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 | Elizabeth Baker Keffer
Photo: Hector Emanuel for BizBash |
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Elizabeth Baker Keffer has had a busy year. Last December, she took over Atlantic Live—the event arm of Atlantic Media, parent of The Atlantic, Government Executive, and National Journal. She had already worked for owner David Bradley for 24 years, most recently as publisher at The Atlantic. Now she’s developing new event models, such as salon dinners that bring advertisers such as Allstate, GE, and Microsoft together with journalists, policy makers, and Atlantic editors on a particular topic. Along the way she’s increased revenue for Atlantic Live by 10 percent.
How have your years with the company set you up for this position?
What I’ve seen is the intense interest that clients, sponsors, and advertisers have in big ideas and in integrated programs that create more of a three-dimensional message. If done effectively, it can help us stand out from other companies.
How do your events contribute to the company?
Atlantic Live delivers added-value programs for advertisers, so we produce events that are earned through an integrated advertising platform. We’re contributing close to a quarter of the advertising revenue, and that’s well into the seven figures. We’ve moved from having a loss at Atlantic Live to a profit.
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Atlantic Media, The Atlantic, Aspen Ideas Festival |
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| EVENT REPORT 01.30.08 1:05 PM |
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The Atlantic Gathers New Yorkers for State of the Union
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 | The Atlantic's State of the Union gala in New York
Photo: Courtesy of Patrick McMullan |
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FROM NEW YORK
Politicians, business executives, and entertainers in New York didn't have the opportunity to attend Monday night's State of the Union address in Washington, but they did gather to view it at a gala hosted by The Atlantic along with Microsoft and social couple Boykin Curry and Celerie Kemble. (How's that for a mix of cohosts?)
While the political magazine's recent 150th anniversary party raised some eyebrows by inviting guests to watch a V.I.P. cocktail party on stage, this event has been held in New York since 2004; its Washington counterpart is in its fifth year. Held at the recently reopened grand ballroom at the Plaza—Chanel held the first event there, on Wednesday, January 16—the party drew 113 invited guests including Mariska Hargitay, Alan Patricof, and Frederic Fekkai, who took in cocktails and dinner.
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The Atlantic, Atlantic Media, Microsoft, State of the Union |
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