Volvo inaugurated its new Volvo for Life awards with an entertainment-filled ceremony and party at Times Square Studios. On the studio's street level, event producer Jennifer Brunetti of FBI Productions coordinated a mini-concert for the guests—mostly Volvo employees in town for the New York International Auto Show and media folks—as well as a crowd of passersby on the street. Rock band the Wallflowers headlined, and former Aida star Heather Headley and Latin pop band Los Lobos performed. Jim Belushi played host, and provided a smattering of jokes as well as an impromptu soft shoe when technical difficulties delayed the ceremony.
Senator Bill Bradley, Eunice Shriver and Dr. Jane Goodall were on hand to pass out awards to recipients recognized as "everyday heroes" for their community service. For the ceremony, Jackie Johnsen of Studio Blu made-over the studio's second floor with mod white chairs and black tables from Props for Today and a wall backlit with changing colors.
For a touch of unobtrusive branding, the canvas gift bags didn't have a Volvo logo. Instead, the word "hero" was printed on the front in small type, and the award program's Web site address was printed inside. The bag was filled with goods from Sweden (the company's home) including a set of BodaNova shot glasses, Absolut vanilla vodka, bottled water and candy. Bags also had CDs from the performers and a small Volvo pin.
—Jill Musguire
Read about Volvo's 75th anniversary event...
Read our Q&A with Auto Show director Candida Romanelli...
Read about the coolest booths on the Auto Show floor...
Read about the Auto Show's gala benefit preview sponsored by Ferrari...
Read about Bentley's promotional party...
Senator Bill Bradley, Eunice Shriver and Dr. Jane Goodall were on hand to pass out awards to recipients recognized as "everyday heroes" for their community service. For the ceremony, Jackie Johnsen of Studio Blu made-over the studio's second floor with mod white chairs and black tables from Props for Today and a wall backlit with changing colors.
For a touch of unobtrusive branding, the canvas gift bags didn't have a Volvo logo. Instead, the word "hero" was printed on the front in small type, and the award program's Web site address was printed inside. The bag was filled with goods from Sweden (the company's home) including a set of BodaNova shot glasses, Absolut vanilla vodka, bottled water and candy. Bags also had CDs from the performers and a small Volvo pin.
—Jill Musguire
Read about Volvo's 75th anniversary event...
Read our Q&A with Auto Show director Candida Romanelli...
Read about the coolest booths on the Auto Show floor...
Read about the Auto Show's gala benefit preview sponsored by Ferrari...
Read about Bentley's promotional party...

Jakob Dylan and his band the Wallflowers headlined a mini concert at Volvo's Volvo for Life awards at Times Squares Studios for a crowd of Volvo employees and media folks.

Former Aida star Heather Headley performed on the venue's ground floor before guests were herded upstairs for the awards ceremony.

A lounge-inspired seating area was created for the awards ceremony with mod white and black furniture from Props for Today and a wall backlit with changing colors.

Canvas gift bagssans obnoxious brandingwere filled with goods from Sweden including a set of BodaNova shot glasses, Absolut vanilla vodka, bottled water and candy.