Nearly 750 people attended the 54th annual Clio Awards last week for a glamorous evening honoring the advertising industry. Working with Stoelt Productions, Prometheus Global Media's show at the American Museum of Natural History kept its shortened format that proved successful in previous years by announcing only a portion of the more than 400 award winners. The others were displayed in a Winners Gallery during a preshow cocktail reception in the museum's Powerhouse room.
The gallery was a more expansive format than last year, when winning work was shown on four iPads at the after-party. The room had a minimalistic look with white furniture and clean lines to the displays, which were divided into separate sections for electronic and print work. Special honorees such as Coca-Cola, named a "Brand Icon," had their own sections.
The award presentation, hosted by Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet, moved into the LeFrak IMAX Theater. For the event's design and decor Stoelt Productions used saturated violets, ambers, blues, and greens, with chrome and steel features throughout.
"We were going for a layered stage presence," said C.E.O. and creative director Matt Stoelt. Red and blue uplighting, LED color-control chandeliers, and 6- by 20-foot beaded crystal curtains on either side of the stage.
Clio Awards executive directer Nicole Purcell described the event as "art meets science with a touch of mod, and our new stage design in the theater was glam. Don Draper would approve."
The after-party in the Cullman Hall of the Universe featured a performance by Miguel and a set by DJ Kiss. The decor kept with the feel of what Stoelt called an "upscale, modern, and luxurious environment."
Among the winners, Google was named Advertiser of the Year, and Tommy Hilfiger presented George Lois with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Other honorees included Sex and the City stylist Patricia Field and Will.i.am. The Clio Awards also recently announced a new event for next year: the Clio Image Awards, which will recognize creativity in the fashion and beauty industries, are scheduled for May 2014.