1. NATIONAL SPELLING BEE ENDS IN EIGHT-WAY TIE: In a historic ending, the National Spelling Bee crowned eight co-winners after the event said it was running out of challenging words. After the 17th round of the 92nd annual competition, Jacques Bailly, the event’s pronouncer, announced that any of the eight remaining contestants who made it through three more words would share the win. The New York Times: “‘We do have plenty of words remaining in our list, but we’ll soon run out of words that will challenge you,’ Mr. Bailly told the contestants at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. He added: ‘We’re throwing the dictionary at you. And so far, you are showing this dictionary who is boss.’ None of the contestants faltered. They each got their own moment of triumph as they correctly spelled their words in the 20th round, then patiently sat back in their seats as the next contestant had their moment. They supported each other with high-fives and hugs, and each placed a hand on a single trophy.”
2. PRIMAVERA SOUND’S U.N. PARTNERSHIP INVOLVES GENDER-EQUAL LINEUP AND A.R. ACTIVATION: Primavera Sound, the annual pop and alternative music festival in Barcelona, entered a multi-year partnership with the United Nations earlier this month, focused on the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The campaign includes 17 social actions aiming to end world poverty, protect the planet, and fight gender discrimination and sexual harassment. So far, the festival’s partnership has led to a more gender-equal lineup—headliners include Miley Cyrus, Erykah Badu, Solange, and Robyn—as well as an augmented-reality activation and a sustainability commitment. Billboard: “The U.N. activation on the grounds of Primavera Sound, which kicked off its 19th edition in earnest at Barcelona’s Parc Del Forum on May 30, will be an augmented reality campaign centered on five sets of wings, representing five development goals. … Meanwhile, Primavera Sound will [demonstrate] an increased commitment to environmental sustainability: For the first time, the festival has fully removed plastic cups in favor of reusable polypropylene cups, with 19 different different cups on the grounds, each sporting a different historical Primavera lineup.”
3. HEARST MAGAZINES NAMES ITS FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF EXPERIENTIAL: Hearst Magazines has named Liz Morley-Ehrlich the company’s first vice president of experiential and brand partnerships. The hire comes as the magazine industry is investing more in live events in an effort to connect with readers. Adweek: “Hearst Magazines has been in the events space for a while, with series including ELLE Women in Hollywood, Bazaar’s Icons, and the T&C Philanthropy Summit. Morley-Ehrlich said she will work to expand on these franchises and develop new consumer-facing events. Such events give Hearst Magazines an opportunity to ‘deepen’ a connection with the audience and brand, Morley-Ehrlich said. She’ll also help further develop Hearst Live, the events division from Hearst Magazines UK, which could open up the company to expand its event business internationally. She has previously overseen marketing and experiential for companies like Wired, Vanity Fair, Billboard, and Spotify.”
