BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #97 — Friday, 09.09.11
Compiled today by Chad Kaydo and Jana Schiowitz in New York
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: http://info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html
* SPECIAL REPORT: FASHION'S MORNING AFTER *
Last night, the third incarnation of the giant retail promotion known as Fashion's Night Out had retailers across the U.S. luring shoppers with drinks, celebrity appearances, and all kinds of stunts. The BizBash team fanned out to as many stores as we could, in order to find the most interesting ideas. Here are some highlights from our staffers:
NEW YORK:
Anna Sekula, senior editor
Oddest brand appearance: Popchip's playland pop-up in one of the meatpacking district's pedestrian plazas. The potato snack brand had an eye-catching carnival with a juggler, tarot card reader, bouncy castle, and lounge.
Most impressive crowd of photographers: QVC's event in SoHo. The throng lining the red carpet on Howard Street at 10 p.m. was so deep passersby could only see the tops of celebrity heads.
Biggest surprise: The eager crowd at the windows for Net-a-porter on Mercer Street. The vinyl images of designer goods inspired a large number of people to stop and purchase goods using their phones and iPads and the online store's special Window Shop app.
Special thanks: To the guide on the Barbie bus who found my cell and kept it for me when I caught up with the bus 30 minutes later.
Jika González, assistant photo editor
Biggest crowd: Lined up around the block to check out the Missoni for Target pop-up shop.
Most sales: Nonstop shopping at Henri Bendel's for Swarovski crystal tattoos, hand made headbands, and even custom-made dog collars.
Favorite touch: RISD students showed off their sweet design skills with candy-decorated shoes at Dylan's Candy Bar.
Longest wait: Did not even attempt to enter Versace with the crowd poring onto Fifth Avenue.
Jeeyun Lee, photo editor
Best branded experience: Opening Ceremony at the Ace Hotel had a circus theme set up, with stations by Jansport, Havaianas, Alexander Wang, and Keds. Fun guest interaction, and prizes included Opening Ceremony shirts.
Most security: Lord and Taylor. With celebs like Ivanka Trump and Solange Knowles making appearances, it was difficult to maneuver around the crowds of people.
Jana Schiowitz, associate editor
Best candy display: For Alice + Olivia's circus-themed party, the shop offered activities like ring and beanbag tossing and a bar with candied necklaces, rainbow-colored lollipops, jawbreakers, peppermints, and caramel candies.
Best digital touch: Saks Fifth Avenue's virtual painting walls, where designers created works of art using digital graffiti tools.
Most low key: While local indie pop band Fun played in the back of the new Levi's store, patrons ordered drinks from the bar, which surprisingly had no line, and snacked on passed hors d'oeuvres while shopping. It felt like a regular night at the 34th Street store.
Courtney Thompson, news editor
Biggest crowd: Police had to temporarily shut down and barricade hundreds of spectators on Spring Street between Mercer and Greene due to Kim Kardashian's arrival at her boutique Dash, where DJ Pauly D from "Jersey Shore" was DJing. Second place: Esprit's truck at Broadway and Houston doling out free umbrellas and t-shirts.
Favorite touch: The most hilarious (and non-brand-aligned) touch was the mini Budweiser cans doled out by happy, dancing male staffers at Prada on Broadway.
Best vibe: Scoop's block party in the meatpacking district was just that: a happy, rowdy party.
Chad Kaydo, editor in chief
Good gimmicks: Cheerleaders at Lord & Taylor, a takeoff on the "Price Is Right" game Plinko at Odin, karaoke in the window of the Kate Spade store in Soho.
Rest stop: Zappos took over the Russian bar Pravda for an invite-only party with lots of food but a sparse crowd of people to fill out questionnaires meant to determine their shoe personality.
Sweetest treats: Lobster tails at Odin from the New Jersey pastry shop Rispoli.
Overall take: It's fun to see so many people out and about, but it doesn't take long for the night to become a sloppy mess. People are out, drinking and carrying on, but how many of them are spending money?
BOSTON:
Stacy Horowitz, contributing writer
Most unusual sight: Newbury Street was closed off to traffic for the first time in 15 years, and shops along the posh stretch were open till 10 p.m.
Most dramatic lighting: The Prudential Center was cast in a bold pink glow.
Sweetest promotion: Guests at Ted Baker snatched up enormous pink lollipops splashed with "I heart Ted" logos.
Theme party: Tiffany got Studio-54-inspired treatment with a suspended disco ball and '70s music. Treats included gold gumballs, mini ice-cream cones, and chocolate pretzels.
CHICAGO:
Jenny Berg, bureau chief
Most popular photo op: To promote its upcoming show "The Playboy Club," NBC dispatched models swathed in silky bunny suits, who posed with guests at Bloomingdale's.
F.N.O. anthem: I heard Britney Spears "I Wanna Go" blaring out of no fewer than three shops in a twenty-minute span.
Girly gifts: Kate Spade gave out hair clips with giant, ruffled pink flowers; Juicy Couture offered free makeup applications from artist Laura Velasquez.
For the boys: Jack Spade had bowls of popcorn, pistachios, and chocolate-covered pretzels, as well as a tub of chilled root beer. Men's shop Shrine had an in-store whiskey tasting.
Most buzzed-about celeb: Miley Cyrus was in town to promote the newly opened Top Shop.
Biggest line: Crowds formed outside the Tzar V.I.P. lounge at the 900 shops, which offered Grey Goose cocktails and was hosted by Brad Goreski of "The Rachel Zoe Project."
LOS ANGELES:
Alesandra Dubin, bureau chief
Densest crowd: Paul Frank packed them in tightly on Beverly Boulevard, with the lively throng spilling out onto the sidewalk and hamming it up on a small step-and-repeat.
Best use of balloons (and there were many in Beverly Hills and around town): Lanvin's arching display that spelled out "Lanvin [heart] FNO."
Longest line at a food truck: The Lobsta Truck on Rodeo Drive.
Trend spotted: Female DJs. I didn't personally see a single male manning the many turntables throughout the evening.
Most exuberant: Paul Frank. The space offered henna and glitter tattoos, candy at the bar, and spinning disco balls for a fun feel (which was also totally on-brand).
Favorite touch: The Beverly Hills Ferris wheel—not huge or high-tech, but a fun chance to view the action from an unusual vantage point over Rodeo Drive.
ORLANDO:
Mitra Sorrells, bureau chief
Most entertaining activity: Watching an endless line of people, from grown men to teen girls, don funky hats, sunglasses and other props at the Flipbook People station at Neiman Marcus at the Mall at Millennia.
Favorite touch: Fashion photographer Norma Lopez Molina conducting a shoot of the latest fall fashions in the women's fine apparel department, giving customers a glimpse into the world of fashion photography.
WASHINGTON:
Adele Chapin, contributing writer
Biggest crowd: Friends of the 50 couples duking it out for a Georgetown wedding package at the “Get Hitched in Georgetown” event packed a tent outside of TD Bank, cheering on brides in competitions like a cupcake eating contest.
Favorite touch: Skincare stores Lush and Kiehl’s both embraced over-the-top themes: Lush brought in DC Rollergirls to give out free shower gel fleshing out the store's disco derby theme, while Kiehl's hosted a carnival with a raffle and bean bag toss game for customers to win prizes.
Biggest trend: Photo booths were everywhere for brave, less waterlogged shoppers to strike a pose, from Onomonomedia’s giant photo projections on the PNC bank wall to setups at stores like Cusp and Madewell.
Want more? We'll have a slide show of photos up on the site later today.
* CASH MONEY *
Small business owners take note: According to Los Angeles-based Extension PR, Dell's "America's Favorite Small Business" video contest ends this Sunday. The prize? $75,000 and an online reality show. Companies with 25 employees or less can enter by uploading a short video (no more than three minutes) to Youtube or Facebook.
http://bit.ly/afNPLi
http://on.fb.me/bUPSCJ
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTIC CITY: The ninth annual Borgata Poker Open tournament series began Wednesday, seeing its largest first-day turnout of 1,718 participants. The 17-day series will feature a total of 57 events.
BOSTON: The Friends of Boston's Homeless, in partnership with local chefs Gordon Hamersley, Chris Douglass, Barbara Lynch, and Joanne Chang, will host a fall harvest dinner to benefit the Farm at Long Island Shelter September 15. The evening will include a sunset cocktail reception, a four-course dinner, and farm-inspired decor.
http://bit.ly/uXjmM
CHICAGO: Slated to open in Lincoln Park in early October, the Barrelhouse Flat will offer punches, old-school cocktails, and seasonal small plates. A private dining room will hold groups of 40.
http://bit.ly/nCeni2
LAS VEGAS: More than 30,000 bikers from around the U.S. and abroad are expected to attend the 11th annual Las Vegas BikeFest, a national motorcycle and biker rally in town September 29-October 2.
Las Vegas Sands Corp. launched its custom Sands Eco 360 Meetings program, extending its sustainability efforts to large meeting and convention customers. Market Watch:
http://bit.ly/nBa08J
Pet industry trade show Superzoo, taking place September 13-15 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center, is already breaking records in exhibitor and attendance numbers. It has surpassed last year's records with 787 exhibitors in more than 1,370 booths, with buyer and company registrations also up significantly.
http://bit.ly/rk5abr
The packaging industry's Pack Expo Las Vegas, September 26-28 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is on track to break all show records, according to show owner and producer PMMI. It will occupy more than 650,000 net square feet, with 1,600 exhibitors.
http://bit.ly/np2DaI
LOS ANGELES: Mary Tyler Moore will receive the Screen Actors Guild life achievement award at the guild's 18th annual ceremony January 29.
Bruno Mars will perform at the Hammer Museum's "Gala in the Garden" on September 24. Simpsons creator Matt Groening and artist and U.C.L.A. professor Lari Pittman will be the honorees.
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The third annual "Lily's Light: Kites for a Cure" is November 5 at Tropical Park. An advanced donation of $25 includes a kite to decorate, a t-shirt, and snacks.
http://bit.ly/qmsJSL
PM-Expo South Florida begins October 18 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The show will have foods to sample and seminars for property managers, community associations, and property owners. Market Watch:
http://bit.ly/q4Hsjv
NASHVILLE: A new convention center, opening in 2013, is aiming to achieve LEED Silver certification. The 2.1-million-square-foot complex is being built using both local and recycled materials and will feature elements like a green roof, bicycle storage, and a rainwater collection tank.
http://bit.ly/nteSJg
NEW YORK: The USA Network is giving "Psych" watchers a chance to win tickets to a fan-only advance screening of the sixth season premiere with the show's cast. Beginning yesterday, fans can go to the show's site to be in the running to receive tickets for the October 6 event.
http://bit.ly/4llB6J
Lincoln Center's Guided Tour is now including the new, two-story Tisch WNET Studios. On the tour, technicians will educate attendees on the production of shows and broadcast technologies.
http://bit.ly/pslpTv
Business Wire is celebrating its 50th anniversary September 30 at the New York Stock Exchange with Warren Buffett and C.E.O. Cathy Baron Tamraz.
http://bit.ly/nW7Q2e
ORLANDO: Celebrity stylist and E! "Fashion Police" co-host George Kotsiopoulos will host Sunday's Runway to Hope champagne brunch and show at the Mall at Millenia. The show will include fall fashions from Gucci, Rolex, Tory Burch, Jimmy Choo, Chanel, and others.
PHILADELPHIA: Last night, the city kicked off a 12-day fashion event called "the Philadelphia Collection," a collaboration between the Office of the City Representative, Center City District, and the Philadelphia Marketing Alliance. More than 75 runway shows, discount shopping opportunities, and happy hours at different shops are part of the festivities. Philadelphia Inquirer:
http://bit.ly/oeYvSV
TORONTO: Dx3 Canada announced yesterday that Facebook, LinkedIn, Rogers Communciations, Casale Media, and IAB Canada will be a part of the inaugural trade show for digital marketers, advertisers, and retailers. The show is at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre January 25-26.
Despite previous arrangements and planning, the Red Carpet Cares outdoor lounge was canceled and folded into the Toro After Dark lounge, which will now raise funds for the Artists for Peace and Justice. Red Carpet Cares was to be a fundraising, late-night lounge in David Pecault Square.
WASHINGTON: The Mandarin Oriental has launched a new pre-theater dining option with four appetizer, entree, and dessert options. The menu is $35 per person from Tuesday-Saturday.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, Carla Warrilow in Toronto, and Jana Schiowitz, Anna Sekula, and Courtney Thompson in New York.
BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: http://info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html
