1. HUNDREDS MARCH IN #METOO RALLY TO SUPPORT SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS: Sparked by the recent #MeToo campaign, in which women have come forward sharing their experiences of sexual assault, hundreds gathered in Los Angeles on Sunday to march in support of survivors. Los Angeles Times: "On Sunday, several hundred survivors of sexual harassment and assault and their supporters gathered in front of the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood to draw attention to their cause. Recently, there has been an uprising of women who have gone public with their stories of abuse and systemic sexism. 'I’m really happy to come here, because really it’s Hollywood that opened this floodgate,' said Tarana Burke, who co-founded an organization called Just Be Inc. 'It’s really symbolic to have this march happen, not with Hollywood stars, but in Hollywood.' Last week, comedian Louis C.K. became the latest Hollywood figure to be felled by a sex scandal, following producer Harvey Weinstein, producer-director Brett Ratner, writer-director James Toback and actor Kevin Spacey. Also, Sacramento politicians and Washington lawmakers have been ensnared in their own scandals. ... The crowd later marched back toward Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, walking past Spacey’s star on the Walk of Fame. Some pointed out other notables. 'This is a perfect place to hold this rally,' one demonstrator said, gesturing toward Trump’s star. Demonstrator and lead organizer Brenda Gutierrez said she was heartbroken when she first saw her social media feeds fill up with survivors of sexual assault sharing their stories alongside the hashtag #MeToo." http://lat.ms/2AC1rfL
2. HOW A VETERAN PRODUCER PLANNED ALIBABA GROUP'S MASSIVE SINGLES' DAY EVENT: Alibaba Group's Singles' Day, the e-commerce group's annual shopping event that took place on Friday, managed to be an event that required more planning than the Super Bowl, according to producer David Hill. Variety: Actress Nicole Kidman and musician Pharrell were among the participants in a four-hour live spectacular that enlisted the talents of 789 different performers and a crew of 2,900 and is streamed to millions of Chinese consumers eager to use the e-commerce giant’s sites to scoop up everything from appliances to shellfish. Analysts have estimated that last year’s event resulted in the sale of $17.7 billion worth of goods and products. Alibaba says the event is more than 18 times the size of Amazon’s Prime Day and two-and-a-half times bigger than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined. 'It’s kind of as old as yesterday and as modern as tomorrow,' said David Hill, the veteran producer who led Fox Sports and supervised the last season of 'American Idol' for Fox Broadcasting in the U.S. Hill oversees the mega-promotion, and said his job is to piece together elements that would have fit well into an old-fashioned variety show, and weave them together with moments aimed at sparking interactivity with a digital audience. This is Hill’s second go-round producing the event. The challenge for a producer of 'Singles’ Day' is that the success of the event is known immediately. Executives can monitor sales activity in real time – and the dollars that come with it. Some of the other big events Hill has supervised were far easier, he estimated. When it comes to the Super Bowl, he noted, most of the action is in the hands of the two competing teams and the National Football League. But for the Alibaba event, he has to keep the momentum going, using everything from Blue Man Group to a guy who races rows of falling dominoes. ... Alibaba estimated that more than 140,000 brands took part in the 2017 event offering 15 million different products." http://bit.ly/2AFKOQd
3. 'HOLLYWOOD REPORTER' TO TURN ROUNDTABLE SERIES INTO A LIVE EVENT: The Hollywood Reporter will expand its Roundtable series—which consists of videos of intimate discussions among actors and directors—to its first-ever live event with an audience. The Hollywood Reporter: “Selected awards voters and THR readers will be invited to watch an intimate discussion with some of Hollywood's most respected actors, on Thursday, Dec. 7 in Los Angeles. Several major awards contenders are slated to participate in the event, which will be hosted by THR executive editor features Stephen Galloway and moderated by THR editorial director Matthew Belloni. The Live Roundtable will break from tradition and mix male and female actors at the invite-only event, filmed before an audience of Hollywood insiders and awards voters. A transcript of the panel will run in The Hollywood Reporter’s print magazine, with the full video airing on SundanceTV’s Daytime Emmy-nominated series Close Up With The Hollywood Reporter and on THR.com. The Roundtable series — which was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for outstanding special class series in March — features top contributors to the year's most buzzed-about films and TV series, including actors, actresses, producers, writers and directors.” http://bit.ly/2iM2Gkl
* LOCAL NEWS *
CLEVELAND: Hughie’s Event Production Services has selected Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc., a visual and audio technologies company, for its projector lineup. The Ohio-based Hughie’s has also joined the Christie dealer network.
LAS VEGAS: To celebrate its 10th anniversary, ER Productions will attempt a Guinness World Record title for the largest laser show. Using 300 lasers as part of a 30-minute showcase, the attempt will take place at Live Design International on November 18.
LOS ANGELES: JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live will debut its holiday transformation on November 27, which will include holiday decor and a life-size gingerbread bar, and seasonal cocktails from the hotel’s onsite bar, the Mixing Room. On December 16, the hotel will host its third annual Holly Jolly Day, which will include private ice skating, a sweet and savory holiday meal, and a Santa meet-and-greet.
The Billboard Women in Music dinner and awards gala will take place in Los Angeles for the first time on November 30. Held at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood, the evening will honor Selena Gomez, Camila Cabello, Kelly Clarkson, Kehlani, and more.
For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
NEW YORK: The Martina Arroyo Foundation, a young artist program for opera singers, will have its 13th annual gala tonight at the JW Marriott Essex House. The event will honor Chita Rivera, Ailyn Pérez, Tommy Tune, and James Morris.
What She Said: Female Leaders in the Food & Beverage Industry will take place Tuesday in the Wine Room at W New York—Union Square. The panel discussion, moderated by travel and spirits writer Celine Bossart, will feature Jillian Vose, beverage director at the Dead Rabbit; Stacy Pisone, restaurateur and partner at the Cafeteria Group and Empire Diner; Lynnette Marrero, philanthropist and co-founder of all-female bartending competition Speed Rack; and Meaghan Dorman, head bartender at Raines Law Room, Dear Irving, and the Bennett.
For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
TANNERSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA: Brian Czarnecki has been named chief operating officer at the Camelback Resort in the Pocono Mountains.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington will host Educated Eats Presents: A Party Benefiting Culinary Education on Tuesday at Ivy City Smokehouse.
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With contributions from Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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