Call Sheet #305: Why Some Studios Are Skipping Comic-Con, U.S. Olympic Uniforms Draw Criticism, 'Project Runway' Adds New Retail Sponsor

BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #305 — Friday, 07.13.12

++ Sponsored by Event Leadership Institute ++

Compiled today by Beth Kormanik in New York
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 * INCOMING *

1. SKIPPING COMIC-CON: Once considered a "must-go" for Hollywood studios, Comic-Con will not see presentations this year from 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, or Universal Pictures. Los Angeles Times: "Studios ordinarily spend several hundred thousand dollars for a major presentation at Comic-Con, including projecting footage of their films on giant screens (sometimes in 3-D), supplying the crowd with giveaways, and flying actors and filmmakers in on private jets. Among the most elaborate and expensive set-ups of recent years were an arcade built by Disney to promote Tron: Legacy and a Scott Pilgrim experience, complete with T-shirt printing, built by Universal across the street from the convention center. Those movies were box-office disappointments, however, leading studios to become more skeptical about heading to San Diego." http://lat.ms/NoxEJI

2. KID TIME: This is one business trip where Mom and Dad invite the kids. Children of the moguls invited to the annual Allen & Co. tech and media conference at the Sun Valley Resort in Idaho have their own programming. New York Times: "The conference, sponsored by the boutique investment firm Allen & Company, organizes events for the little ones and makes sure they’re in paradise, so as not to disturb the deals their fathers (and more frequently, mothers) are brokering. On Wednesday, the kids learned archery — the Nerf kind — and enjoyed a giant plastic castle, part of a medieval fair set up near a tranquil river." http://nyti.ms/NGAQQO

Occupy Wall Street protestors also have traveled to Sun Valley to protest against the gathered moguls. Security removed them from the resort grounds. New York Post: http://nyp.st/NCGRxZ

3. OLYMPIC UNIFORMS NOT MADE IN U.S.A.: The U.S. Olympic opening-ceremony uniforms designed by Ralph Lauren drew criticism yesterday for manufacturing the gear overseas. Huffington Post: "ABC World News noted that every single piece of the uniforms, from the neckties to the shoes to those silly berets, was manufactured overseas. … The same controversy erupted in 2008 when Reuters reported that Chinese tailors had a hand in Ralph Lauren's U.S. uniforms for the Beijing Olympics. Unsurprisingly, the same discussion over American manufacturing and lack of patriotism ensued." When Politico tweeted about the issue, noting disapproval from both Republican and Democratic leaders, U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman Patrick Sandusky tweeted back from @PatrickSandusky, reminding readers that Ralph Lauren is a sponsor and "they financially support our team. An American company that supports American athletes." http://huff.to/N9ntKv

4. PROJECT RUNWAY DEAL: Lord & Taylor is the new retail sponsor of Project Runway, supplying accessories for contestants to use on the show and hosting a fashion challenge at its Fifth Avenue store. Women's Wear Daily: "The store’s windows, Web site and social media platforms will be promoting the show, and past and present Project Runway contestants will be at the store for Fashion’s Night Out." http://wwd.us/N5hgzX


++ A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR: Event Leadership Institute ++

The Event Leadership Institute is looking for an Executive Assistant. Join the team helping to shape the future of event education and make a difference in the future of your industry. Apply here: www.EventLeadershipInstitute.com 


*BEST IDEAS OF THE WEEK*

Here’s a look at 10 steal-worthy ideas we spotted this week, including Comic-Con promotions in San Diego, Flo Rida visits New York, Camp Groupon in Chicago, and the National Archives celebration in Washington. http://bizba.sh/LUi06u

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: The Boston Globe gives a behind-the-scenes look at the Tanglewood opening-night gala, which takes place on Saturday. The event will have a look inspired by a 1930s nightclub, with flowers from Winston in glass milk containers. http://b.globe.com/NlMb9D

The Blue Room will host its Blue Crab + Beer Fest July 26.

CHICAGO: Imerman Angels' Spread Your Wings boat party is July 27 at the Columbia Yacht Club.

The Museum of Contemporary Art will host Vernissage, an opening-night benefit and preview of Expo Chicago, September 19 at Navy Pier's Festival Hall.

Sarah Sackett is moving from her job as public relations and marketing coordinator at the Peninsula Chicago to a post at Isabelli Media Relations. Elmer Carbajal takes over for her at the Peninsula.

EMusic will host an activation at Pitchfork Music Festival this weekend that claims to let guests see their spiritual auras. Guests sit down, touch a plate that reads energy, put on headphones, and get a photo of themselves surrounded by a wave of vibrant colors meant to represent their auras.

LAS VEGAS:  The DJ lineup for the Encore Beach Club and Surrender Nightclub during Labor Day weekend includes Afrojack and David Guetta as well as other electronica artists.

LOS ANGELES: Wolfgang Puck's Spago restaurant will be closed until September as a new menu will be created.

ISES L.A. will be hosting its chapter board installation and Los Angeles Special Event Awards night July 25. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served as  well as a sit down dinner at the Etbell of Los Angeles.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI: LMNT Arts and the Susan G Komen foundation will host the Pink Party on Saturday. The event will feature pink drinks and wine sponsored by Puerto Viejo Wines, catering from LMNT, and desserts Stella’s Sweet Shoppe. Entertainment will include an art installation from Luis Valenzuela of Eco Art Fashion working with floral designer Dan Paul Miller with flowers donated by Nature's Flowers.

Miami Science Museum will host its 11th Galaxy Gala March 9. The “aquatic meets galactic” event will showcase the new Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, opening 2015. The festivities include the Big Bang young professionals after-party sponsored by Magic City Casino.

NEW YORK: Diffa announced Christopher Ryan More as the new executive director, replacing David Sheppard who retires August 1. More is currently the U.S. fundraising director for the International AIDS Society.

LivingSocial expands its offerings to more activities including music, sporting events, and theater. http://on.mktw.net/LcGMgw

The Inaugural Edition of Art Southampton presented by Art Miami is July 26-30 on the sprawling 18-acre fairgrounds behind the Southampton Elks Lodge. Special events include a reception for the members of the Harvard Business School of New York during the V.I.P. Preview; a Young Contemporaries event for Whitney Contemporaries, Museum of Modern Art Junior Associates and Columbia Alumni Arts Patrons sponsored by ARTLOG, and the Behind the Hedges Fundraiser from Hedge Funds Care Young Professionals.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ORLANDO: The Doc Rivers Celebrity Golf Invitational tees off this morning at Reunion Resort & Club. The event benefits Shepherd's Hope. Wyndham Vacation Ownership is the presenting sponsor.

TORONTO: The first Pan-American Latin Jazz Festival kicks off Saturday at Mel Lastman Square. It is being sponsored by the Hispanic Canadian Arts and Cultural Association. http://bit.ly/MnOK6s

The annual Vans Warped Tour starts Sunday as punk-rock bands will perform at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre. http://bit.ly/6Xxy7T

The annual Canadian rock festival Edgefest '12 starts Saturday featuring Canadian artists such as the Silversun Pickups and Billy Talent at Downsview Park. http://bit.ly/MnbAvW

WASHINGTON: Eater has a first look inside Del Frisco's Grille, which opens on Pennsylvania Avenue Saturday and is the steak house's first Washington location. http://bit.ly/Oe1k8S

The Bethesda sports bar Wing Hub has rebranded itself as Maggie's, in part to be more welcoming to female patrons. http://bit.ly/LczDNx

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, and Alexandra Brandt, Rose Chevalier, Julia Elstrodt, Beth Kormanik, and Anna Sekula in New York.

BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com. 

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