Call Sheet #281: Marketing Lessons From 'South Park,' New Trainer Protections at SeaWorld, How Events Need to Change

BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #281 — Friday, 06.08.12

++ Sponsored by Event Leadership Institute ++

Compiled today by Beth Kormanik in New York
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THIS WEEKEND'S CALENDAR:
FRIDAY: Electric Daisy Carnival kicks off in Las Vegas (through Sunday), Vimeo Festival begins in New York (through Saturday)
SATURDAY: C.M.P. Conclave in Tampa (through Monday), Belmont Stakes in New York
SUNDAY: Tony Awards in New York

* INCOMING *

1. MARKETING LESSONS FROM SOUTH PARK: The profane cartoon offers a case study in content marketing. Forbes: "We may be used to their flavor of comedy now, but at launch it was greeted with near-disbelief, and instant popularity. Their content ended up on Comedy Central after it was deemed too controversial for any mainstream network. Within a year, South Park helped catapult Comedy Central from an obscure channel to one that was in more than half of all American homes. Take-away for brands: While controversy falls outside reason for most, distinctive content with a point-of-view is a prerequisite for successful, socialized marketing." http://onforb.es/Md4g5m

2. NEW RESTRICTIONS AT SEAWORLD: Despite a push from park executives to reinstate in-water shows with trainers and killer whales following the death of a trainer during a show two years ago, a federal judge denied the request. The New York Times: "The animal trainers—who not so long ago kissed, rode on, hugged and were thrust into the air by the killer whales—must either remain at a greater distance from them, stand behind a physical barrier or use other devices to keep them safer during performances." The new shows remain popular; "SeaWorld had record earnings in 2011." http://nyti.ms/Klrwgy

3. RETHINKING EVENTS: The 2012 IMEX Power of 10 Study points to how the industry needs to change to offer better attendee R.O.I., cut costs of the event, and personalize the experience and learning opportunities. Velvet Chainsaw: "We need to create a more powerful attendee-centered education experience. That experience must take into genuine account the latest research and thinking about adult learning." http://bit.ly/MoIiMv

4. LIVE AT BONNAROO: If you don't have plans to travel to the Tennessee music festival, you can still catch performances from more than 45 artists, including headliners, on YouTube. Mashable: "The video platform has partnered with the music festival as part of the YouTube Presents series, which brings exclusive and original content to the platform." http://on.mash.to/KkjV1C

5. LONG, TALL AD: Want to give consumers a taste of what your attraction is like? An ad for Brazil's Beach Park, which boasts the highest waterslide in the world, hints at the experience on the "insane 14-story-tall structure called, appropriately enough, Insano. The fearless riders on Insano reach speeds of 65 miles an hour before slamming into a pool at the bottom. … Digital agency Pmweb sent out a neat e-mail, designed to give you the feeling of flying down the horrifying contraption." AdWeek: http://bit.ly/KlVMJT

6. BLOGWORLD REBRANDS: New media conference and trade show BlogWorld is changing its name to New Media Expo. Founders hope to better represent all online content creators. "The industry has clearly defined itself and the name 'BlogWorld' no longer embodies everything in the industry our event is about, which is blogging, podcasting and Web TV," said Rick Calvert, CEO and co-founder of BlogWorld." Press release: http://on.mktw.net/K3VVF7


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

Download the Event Leadership Institute’s free eBook, designFORWARD: Trends to Look for in 2012. Forecasts from 16 influencers: Pink Powered by Moss | Jes Gordon | Proscenium | Todd Events | Ceci New York | Images by Lighting | Creative Coverings | Alpine Creative Group | Daniel et Daniel | MGM Resort Events | AFR Furniture Rental | Wildflower Linen | Levy Lighting | EventCreative | Scoozi Events NYC | Jack Morton Worldwide www.EventLeadershipInstitute.com


* INTERNAL NEWS: L.A. READERS' CHOICE AWARDS *

Voting for the BizBash Los Angeles Readers' Choice Awards will close Sunday, June 10, at 11:59 p.m. P.S.T. This is your last chance to support your favorite finalists. Winners will be revealed at BizBash IdeaFest L.A. at the Los Angeles Convention Center June 13 and live-tweeted from @BizBash_News. Cast your last-minute votes here: http://bit.ly/MPkqYA

* THE WEEK IN EVENTS *

Here’s a look at 10 highlights from our event coverage this week, including the movie-inspired Citymeals-on-Wheels Chefs' Tribute in New York, a speakeasy for Boston's Bully Boy Distillers First Anniversary Party, a social-media-minded CTV Upfront in Toronto, the Washington Opera Ball, and the E3 show in Los Angeles. http://bizba.sh/MhwWgt

* FRIDAY COCKTAIL BREAK *

Pernod Ricard's Simon Ford on the seven most influential cocktails of all time, at Food Republic: http://bit.ly/MfWyaQ

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: Boutique Bites Catering and local confectioner Truffle Truffle have designed a line of mini desserts called Boutique Bars. A private launch party is at Kitchen Chicago June 13.

Joe's Waterfront will host a summery benefit for the Life is Good Playmakers June 20. The dress code is "flip-flop-fancy," and activities include photo booths, temporary tattoos, and bean bag tosses.

Towne Stove & Spirits, adjacent to the Hynes Convention Center, is reintroducing weekday lunch service this summer. Items include tomato gazpacho, Maine lobster rolls, and seasonal sorbets.

CHICAGO: Techweek Conference & Expo comes to the Merchandise Mart June 22-26 with 5,000 participants, 2,000 brands, 300 speakers, 200 sessions and 100 exhibitors. Speakers come from companies such as Uber, Task Rabbit, and 99 Designs.

Robin Thicke and Karmin will perform at Macy's Glamorama August 10.

Exhibit and event marketing company MC2 announced this week that its Chicago office has moved into a new facility in Carol Stream.

LAS VEGAS: Droves of entertainment brands will convene at the Licensing Expo on June 12-14 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. MarketWatch: http://on.mktw.net/MPlfAS

LOS ANGELES: On Wednesday, filmmakers and talent came together in L.A. to support the Sundance Institute at its annual benefit, presented by Tiffany & Company.

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: La Diva Cucina is offering free cooking and cocktail mini-demonstrations this summer to meeting planners and event industry staff.

Miami Herald: "Fisher Island’s country club has parted ways with its chief executive officer, Larry Brown, after a four-year run at the famed resort. Bernard Lackner, formerly of Hotel Plaza-Athénée New York, will take Brown's place by month's end." http://hrld.us/MgxnrA

NEW YORK: Author and product designer, Nate Berkus launched his Pinterest profile yesterday with the help of hundreds of bloggers at Random House's Power Reader Breakfast. The event, which coincided with BookExpo America, highlighted Berkus's upcoming book, The Things That Matter.

Shiraz Events is seeks a senior event producer to work from the New York office.

ORLANDO: SeaWorld Orlando will be open until 10 p.m. each night June 23-August 12 for its Summer Nights promotion. The park is also offering a seven-hour, guided V.I.P.-style tour that includes an opportunity to feed dolphins, front-of-the-line access to rides, reserved seating at shows, and all-you-can-eat dining.

Orlando-based entertainment DJ vehicle company the Mix on Wheels is nominated for two Orlando WOW Awards: Best Event Innovation and Best Technical Achievement. Press Release: http://bit.ly/LwYY3E

TORONTO: The National Ballet of Canada will celebrate its 60th anniversary with the Diamond gala at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts June 20.

WASHINGTON: Fashion Fights Poverty will host the Dress Responsibly panel discussion at the Artisphere Dome Theater in Arlington tonight. The forum will feature a screening of the Detroit Lives! documentary After the Factory with a networking reception afterward.

Omega World Travel is hosting a luxury travel and cruise trade show at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda 4-7 p.m. June 19. The show is free and open to the public.

Clayton Miller is the new executive chef at Wit & Wisdom at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore.

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 Rose Chevalier, 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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