March 11, 2015: Google Developing a Mobile Event App, Delta Plans Exclusive Festival Shuttle to SXSW, ‘Zoolander’ Announces Sequel With Paris Fashion Week Stunt

1. GOOGLE DEVELOPING A MOBILE EVENT APP: Google released a new mobile event application, although since it’s not fully functional it appears to have been published by accident. The app seems to work by allowing users to scan a QR code to pull up an interactive event guide. TechCrunch: “One interesting feature in the forthcoming app is its ability to sync selected sessions to your Google Calendar—and the app will notify you when those sessions are about to begin. Beyond that, the Interactive Events app appears to offer a fairly standard feature set, providing details about events like the agenda, location, speakers, videos and notes, for example.” http://tcrn.ch/1MrbuC4

2. DELTA PLANS EXCLUSIVE FESTIVAL SHUTTLE TO SXSW: Delta, working with United Talent Agency, will fly an invitation-only “festival shuttle” from Los Angeles to South by Southwest in a marketing bid to win share from American Airlines and United Airlines. Bloomberg: “The 180 passengers will bypass most airport hassles on Friday, with special check-in and security lanes, and be treated to a pre-flight brunch by the restaurant Lemonade at Los Angeles International Airport. Everyone will receive a subscription to Spotify’s premium music streaming service and a gift from Columbia Sportswear. Amenity kits will be packed with several items, including from the skincare company Malin + Goetz. Wi-fi will be free on board.” http://bloom.bg/1BqlWrC

3. ‘ZOOLANDER’ ANNOUNCES SEQUEL WITH PARIS FASHION WEEK STUNT: News from Paris Fashion Week quickly was overshadowed by a stunt at the Valentino show on Tuesday that saw Zoolander actors Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, in character, announce a sequel to the film. The stunt had maximum social media visibility with boosts from Vouge.com and a Vine user with eight million followers—and it wasn’t by accident. New York: “Though Stiller and Wilson surprised and delighted onlookers, moments like these don't happen spontaneously. It's possible that Vogue had a big hand in the stunt. One source indicated that the Snapchat story featuring the moment, crowd-sourced from showgoers and curated by the app's team, had been coordinated in advance—though they would not say how far in advance that was. Vogue.com's Sally Singer also admitted that there was some advance planning for coverage, though was vague on timing.” http://thecut.io/1Mrco1q

* LOCAL NEWS *

COAST TO COAST:  The Tiger Woods Foundation announced a partnership with the fantasy sports site DraftKings. The company will be designated as the “Official Daily Fantasy Sports Partner” of the D.C.-based Quicken Loans National and the Boston area’s Deutsche Bank Championship. It will also host game and contests with the foundation’s annual Tiger Jam held in Las Vegas.

ATLANTA:  The trade show management company Urban Expositions is marking its 20th anniversary this year and just launched a new website, urban-expo.com.

BOSTON:  TownePlace Suites Boston Logan Airport/Chelsea is now open in Chelsea. The hotel has 140 suites, an indoor pool, a lobby lounge and bar, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

CHICAGO:  The Shedd Aquarium will host is annual gala on June 20. The theme is “Metamorphosis,” and the night includes an aquatic show and entertainment from the Gentlemen of Leisure.

LAS VEGAS:  Wine festival UNLVino is slated for its three-day run April 16-18.

LOS ANGELES:  Baltaire restaurant, a steak house, debuted March 9 in Brentwood.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Czardom, an online community for publicists, journalists, and media professionals, is launching in Miami at an event tonight at Mondrian South Beach. The event will include beauty touch-ups from Glam Squad, cocktails, light bites, sweets from Dylan’s Candy Bar, and other activities.

LOS ANGELES:  Radio Disney will promote its upcoming Radio Disney Music Awards with a concert Saturday at the YouTube Space at Chelsea Market featuring Becky G and Jacquie Lee. Radio Disney's Alli Simpson and Ernie D will host the event.

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

NEW YORK:  The French bistro Pardon My French opened this week in the East Village. The 2,500-square-foot eatery seats 72 inside and 20 in the garden. A speakeasy within the venue can hold private events, and semiprivate event space also is available.

The African Rainforest Conservancy will host its 24th annual Artists for Africa Gala April 22 at Tribeca Rooftop. The evening will include a silent and live auction of more than 20 pieces of art.

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

TAMPA:  The Epicurean Hotel has hired Melissa Ratkovits as director of Evangeline, the hotel's spa.

TORONTO:  Terroir Hospitality Industry Symposium will host its "Awards of Excellence in Hospitality" event on May 11 at Arcadian Court.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The Rammys nominations party is March 30 at the Hamilton.

On March 21, Del Campo chef and owner Victor Albisu will host the “Big Beef vs. Heritage Pig” theme dinner, part of the “Large Format Feasts” national dinner series sponsored by Cochon 555. The series will offer family-style dinners that focus on protein.

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected]. 

JOB BOARD: Post a job or find a job: http://jobs.bizbash.com

With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Anna Sekula in New York.

BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.

Feed the Sheet: [email protected]

Subscribe: www.bizbash.com/bizbashdaily

Advertise with BizBash: [email protected]