LOS ANGELES—Welcome to BizBash’s Los Angeles-based column, where West Coast editor Claire Hoffman covers the week’s biggest local news. Got a tip? Get in touch!
Jack in the Box's virtual prom included custom Zoom experiences for John H. Francis Polytechnic High School and Rolling Hills Prep/Renaissance Schools.Photo: Courtesy of Jack in the Box
On BizBash.com this week, we look at how brands are using virtual proms to engage Gen Z—including Jack in the Box, which recently hosted a virtual experience for two Los Angeles-area high schools. We also chatted with Katie Dunlop, the founder of Orange County-based Love Sweat Fitness, about why her recent virtual health and wellness festival was 100-percent live.
And click here for more coverage of virtual events, including a look inside Apartment Therapy's Small/Cool Experience At Home.
Moves & Milestones
Kevin Mayer has been named CEO of TikTok. He joins the social media app from Disney, where he oversaw the launch of streaming service Disney+. Rebecca Campbell, formerly the president of Disneyland Resort, will fill Mayer's previous role as chairman of direct-to-consumer and international.
Spotlight On
On Monday, Visit Anaheim worked with the Society of Toxicology to donate unused supplies from the society's canceled conference, which had previously been scheduled for the Anaheim Convention Center in March. Nearly 6,000 reusable meeting bags were given to a local nonprofit to assist in its distribution of food to local families in need.
“In the wake of event cancellations and postponements due to COVID-19, our convention center groups like Society of Toxicology continue to find a way to have a positive impact on our local community, and their generosity continues to be felt throughout our city,” said Jay Burress, president and CEO of Visit Anaheim, in a press release. “Connecting and uniting Visit Anaheim’s partners and stakeholders for the benefit of our destination remains our highest priority as we navigate these unprecedented times.”
Venue Buzz
The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills has launched a remote co-working concept. Dubbed “Office at the London West Hollywood,” the program converts some of the hotel’s larger suites—those 725 square feet or more—into private office spaces that can be rented on a monthly basis. Offices will be available for occupancy starting June 1 and will feature a work desk, high-speed Internet, valet parking, and other amenities. 
The London West Hollywood has 226 stylish suites, plus a 110-seat screening room and an 11,000-square-foot penthouse. Learn more about the hotel's suites: How Suite It Is: Why Event Pros Are Turning to Luxury Hotel Penthouses and SuitesPhoto: Courtesy of the London West Hollywood
In the News
While L.A. County officials are now targeting a July 4 date to ease safer-at-home orders, California Governor Gavin Newsom thinks that sporting events in certain areas of the state may return in June—without spectators, that is. CBS Los Angeles: "But the governor cautioned that openings would be contingent on the impacts of the virus in individual counties, meaning Los Angeles County—which has been more dramatically impacted by COVID-19, representing half of the state’s COVID-19 cases and deaths—could move significantly slower in reopening more businesses. 'L.A. County is in a different position than other parts of the state,' Newsom said, adding county officials would likely 'be cautious' in relaxing local restrictions."
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences may be considering postponing the 2021 Oscars ceremony. Variety: "The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, say definitive plans are far from being concrete at this juncture. The telecast is currently set for February 28, 2021, on ABC. ... When new temporary rule changes for Oscar eligibility were announced in April because of COVID-19, Academy president David Rubin told Variety it was too soon to know how the 2021 Oscar telecast could change in the wake of the pandemic."
Overheard
"I imagine there will be an online component to all our shows from now on."
—Comic-Con International's David Glanzer in a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, where he discusses the decision to shift the popular San Diego convention online, the status of planning, and why he thinks future conventions should also have a virtual component.
Pivots of the Week
Los Angeles-based event production company We Crush Events has launched "Party From Home," a new offering that coordinates virtual cooking classes, mixology classes, health and wellness workshops, magic shows, and more. The company is also teaming up with its audiovisual and tech partners to plan online meetings and conferences.
In event pivot news, OutLoud: Raising Voices—a five-week, 10-episode concert series highlighting queer performers—will air on Facebook starting May 26. The artist showcase, which will be produced by L.A. production company JJLA, had previously been slated to debut at this year’s South by Southwest.
