December 9, 2013: Major Changes Shake Up Fashion Week, Brands Plan an Exclusive Super Bowl Package, How a Collector Experiences Art Basel

1. MAJOR CHANGES SHAKE UP FASHION WEEK: Better venues and more exclusive audiences are among the changes planned at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Wall Street Journal: “The changes include two redesigned venues on the Lincoln Center site, two new venues and alternate, off-site show venues, accessible by a shuttle service, that will get the same marketing benefits of those at Lincoln Center. Shows at the alternate spaces will be programmed to minimize the risk of scheduling conflicts at other venues. Designers can also present their collections online and have the show streamed on Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week's broadcast, a potential boost to emerging designers. … The moves come as competing companies and venues have sprouted up to challenge IMG. Many of the changes being announced result from designer surveys IMG conducted anonymously, to encourage their feedback.” http://on.wsj.com/18aIwrL

2. BRANDS COME TOGETHER FOR EXCLUSIVE SUPER BOWL PACKAGE: Virgin America and StubHub are offering a Super Bowl package that includes a chartered flight, tickets to the game, and other perks, not only as a one-off deal but also as a marketing stunt to grow the brands. Adweek: “Group events, such as the charter flight, are an effective way for Virgin and StubHub to get existing supporters to introduce their friends—who are potential brand advocates—to the experience the brands offer. ‘It’s the experience—more than the marketing—that defines brands and creates advocacy,’ said Toby Southgate, CEO, Americas for brand consultancy The Brand Union. Virgin boasts that the charter will be an in-flight tailgate party, complete with catered food, local micro-brews and an open bar.” http://bit.ly/1d4J1RO

3. HOW A COLLECTOR EXPERIENCES ART BASEL: The post-show parties, concerts, brunches, and other events may seem to be taking over Art Basel Miami Beach, but the event still remains a serious show for art buyers. Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Brown, the married couple who opened the museum and boutique hotel 21c in Louisville, gave a peek into their Art Basel buying experience. New York Times: “While the multimillion-dollar auction prices for big names like Jeff Koons and Francis Bacon grab headlines throughout the world, it is collectors like Mr. Wilson that new artists and their dealers depend on: adventurous enthusiasts who pay no attention to high-priced advisers, market forecasts or buzz and will bet on unknown and emerging creators.” http://nyti.ms/1brO5Aq

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The Catered Affair will cater a WGBH luncheon celebrating Downton Abbey on December 14. At WGBH's studio, the event will offer a screening of the show, tea, and lectures.

CHICAGO:  The Westin O'Hare will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2014 with a $22 million renovation. Touch-ups include the transformation of the lobby into a Starbucks café with outdoor seating.

LAS VEGAS:  Cvent's third annual Corporate Meetings Summit is June 18-20 at the Venetian and the Palazzo.

LOS ANGELES:  The Latina Dance Theater Project and the Bootleg Theater are presenting the BlakTina Festival, the first Los Angeles dance festival to focus on emerging and mid-career Black and Latina and Latino choreographers, Thursday through Saturday.

Graff Diamonds is returning for the fourth consecutive year to host the Screen Actors Guild Awards Green Room. The decor will include a display of the company's gems.

Los Angeles Loves the Philippine Islands is planning a fund-raiser Friday at Riviera 31 to raise money for victims of Typhoon Haiyan. Music will be provided by DJ Michelle Pesce and Jayceeoh.

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

NEW YORK:  The New York Times profiles BigLittle Get Together, a catering team that lends events their own high-concept personal style: “Their gatherings, which start at $100 per guest, have been literary (Alice in Wonderland), cinematic (American Psycho, decorated with drills, hangers, nails and guns) and seasonal (the Indian summer dinner featured fried tomato skins and Fairy Tale eggplants).” http://nyti.ms/1f1nw5T

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

ORLANDO:  Arabian Nights dinner show will close later this month. The final performance will be on New Year's Eve.

PHOENIX:  Chef Harold Marmulstein of Salty Sow at Cactus & Tatum will cook a five-course dinner at the James Beard House in New York February 27. The full menu will be showcased locally at the restaurant leading up to the event.

WASHINGTON:  Mediabistro: "'Young and the Guest List' is back. After some speculation about the future of Washington Life‘s list of so-and-sos under 40, the magazine is proving naysayers wrong by throwing their one-time spring fling smack dab in the  middle of  the holiday party circuit. Washington Life‘s 2013 picks for the city’s most sparkly pre-middle-agers will be celebrated next Wednesday at the Carnegie Library downtown." http://bit.ly/1bjFMTO

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.

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