November 15, 2016: Univision Launches In-House Live Events Branch, Oscars Board President Announces New Diversity Initiative, New Direct-To-Consumer Brand Seeks to Modernize Bridal Industry

1. UNIVISION LAUNCHES IN-HOUSE LIVE EVENTS BRANCH: Univision is getting into the business of producing its own live events with the launch of UCI Live, a new experiential marketing arm that will partner with brands to create consumer events. Adweek: “The new effort, run by Rick Alessandri, evp of enterprise development for Univision, is meant to build on the young, diverse audience many of Univision's properties—including The Onion, El Rey, Gizmodo Media Group and Fusion—have. ‘UCI Live will really be built upon the expertise we've had in-house,’ said Alessandri. ‘It's really putting more emphasis and effort behind it. What's been happening in the market is that brands want to directly engage with consumers, find activation opportunities and directly connect. Given that our company is transforming before our eyes ... our focus will be to build relationships with brands to create some new exciting experiences, events and opportunities.’ Part of UCI Live's offering will be to help brands create multicultural sponsorship opportunities at live events. The company will kick off its events in 2017 with its Global Youth Soccer Team Competition meant to "promote sportsmanship and diverse cultures," according to the company. The tournament will be televised in Spanish and English around the world. More details, such as the U.S. city it will take place in, will be released at a later date. UCI Live is also working to create a comedy tour with The Onion as well as entertainment and music events in partnership with the El Rey network. UCI Live will also take on management of existing company experiential events including Univision's Premio Lo Nuestro, Premios Juventud and Latin GRAMMY.” http://bit.ly/2fV1lWN

2. OSCARS BOARD PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES NEW DIVERSITY INITIATIVE: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Cheryl Boone Isaacs announced a new initiative called the Academy Talent Development and Inclusion Program at the eighth annual Governors Awards, which took place Saturday. The Hollywood Reporter: "She used the occasion to underline the importance of nurturing new talent, underscoring that 'at the Academy, we are committed to empowering that next generation of creative talent and ensuring that next generation represents the real face of America and the world.' Boone Isaacs has made encouraging diversity among filmmakers a hallmark of her tenure as Academy president and reiterated that goal, saying that inclusion 'is a strategic imperative for our industry.' To that end, Boone Isaacs said the Academy has brought together other members of the industry from studios, distributors, guild and production companies to create the new talent development program. The program, set to launch in the spring, is described as a 'multi-tiered educational and experiential initiative' designed to offer interns access to Academy members, industry professionals and education. According to a statement from the Academy, 'this initiative will ultimately cement, strengthen and clarify long-standing, but independent efforts to address concerns of accessibility and opportunity for under-represented communities throughout our country.' The program, to which the Academy has already committed $250,000, will begin with eight-week summer educational and networking internships for college students (both undergraduate and graduate). Participating organizations will be asked to sponsor at least two interns as the Academy aims to serve 50 interns in the first year of the program." http://bit.ly/2eUd8Cn

3. NEW DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER BRAND SEEKS TO MODERNIZE BRIDAL INDUSTRY: Floravere, a new bridal brand founded by Molly Kang, is seeking to modernize the industry by mailing products such as dresses directly to consumers. Racked: "Like most direct-to-consumer brands, the selection of products is tight and pared down. There are seven different styles of dresses (each is named after famous fictional women like Holly Golightly, Annie Hall, and even Rory Gilmore), and they all cost under $4,000. All of the dresses are customizable in terms of sleeve, slits, and train, and are constructed by former artisans from Dior, Reem Acra, Monique Lhuillier, and Zac Posen. Right now, there are only two sample size options: extra small/small and medium/large, which fits up to a size 12. However, Floravere can make custom dresses up to a size 24 (expanded sample options is on Kang’s wish list). Gowns will arrive between 10 and 15 weeks after they’re purchased; to compare, turnaround time for a regular custom gown could take a minimum of six months and require several in-person appointments. 'I couldn't help but notice over the years that bridal was not really having any innovations in e-commerce,' Kang says. 'Was there a way where we could offer an alternative experience for the modern woman who’s very comfortable online and loves digital experiences? Could we also offer her incredible value by sourcing and making the exact same type of dresses that designers will often charge two to three times more than we do?' The answer, it seems, is yes. Though it just launched officially this month, Floravere has big plans for modernizing the bridal industry. In addition to a wider selection of sample sizes, Kang hopes to add an online database of vetted seamstresses across the country to the brand’s services—just one more thing to make it all a bit easier." http://bit.ly/2f8Tljk

* LOCAL NEWS *

ATLANTA:  The Georgia Restaurant Association's 10th annual Grace Awards Gala took place November 13 at the Delta Flight Museum. Bob Amick, owner and founder of Concentrics Restaurants, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

BOSTON:  French-inspired Cambridge restaurant Craigie On Main has appointed Chris McMullan as chef de cuisine, Oliva Moravec as general manager, and Rob Ficks as head bartender.

CHICAGO:  Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills will host "Timeless," a New Year's Eve celebration featuring Las Vegas-based show "The Rat Pack is Back," in the Grand Ballroom. The hotel will also host a New Year's Day brunch.

Canopy by Hilton and RCP Holdings LLC, an affiliate of the Prime Group, unveiled plans to develop a Canopy by Hilton in Chicago at the southwest corner of South LaSalle Street and West Adams Street in the Loop neighborhood. The 223-room hotel is expected to open in 2018. 

LAS VEGAS:  The new Latin restaurant Chica is slated to debut in the spring at the Venetian Las Vegas. 

LOS ANGELES:  On Monday, Porsche Cars North America opened a Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles in Carson. The 53-acre complex has a driver development track with eight educational modules totaling 4.1 miles, a changing race car exhibit, and a fine-dining restaurant. 

The sixth annual Nollywood & African Film Critics' Awards will take place Saturday at the Alex Theatre in Glendale.

On November 12,  Baby2Baby hosted its fifth annual gala—along with sponsors John Paul Mitchell Systems, Vestiaire Collective, Volvo Cars, and Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors Foundation—at 3Labs in Culver City.

For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  JW Marriott Miami in the Brickell district has unveiled a major redesign, comprising all eight breakout meeting rooms, the atrium spaces, gallery, and the 10,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom. Overseen by Studio 5 Interior Design and Architecture, of the hotel's fifth floor, the $1.5 million dollar redesign of the meeting space includes new furniture for the meetings rooms.

NEW YORK:  Helmets to Hardhats—a nonprofit that connects transitioning military with career opportunities in construction—will host its awards luncheon on Friday at Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel.

The seventh annual Root 100 Gala took place Monday at Gustavinos. The event—which was sponsored by Infiniti, Univision, and Fusion Media Group—featured a performance by Apartment 33 and an invocation by Reverand Dr. Howard-John Wesley.

For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  Developers of the Skyplex attraction on International Drive have announced a new experience that will be part of it. SkyLedge will allow guests to walk along the outside of the 600-foot tower wearing a harness. Orlando Business Journal: http://bit.ly/2f93yfz

The Shores Resort & Spa has promoted Owen Chittenden to director of catering. 

SAN FRANCISCO:  SF Beer Week 2017, presented by the San Francisco Brewers Guild and Whole Foods Market, will take place February 10-19, with an opening gala taking place at Pier 48.

TORONTO:  The Evergreen Winter Village at Evergreen Brick Works will launch its new Street Food Market, alongside its annual Evergreen Market and Holiday Makers Market, December 10-February 28. The market will have more than 15 international vendors including Canto Sando, Dine by the Vine, Indian Street Food Co. Inc., and Los Vietnamita.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The 2017 Peace Ball, presented by Busboys and Poets, will take place January 19 at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Notable guests will include Angela Davis, Danny Glover, and Alice Walker.

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin and Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Carla Hay, Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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