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  1. Production & Strategy
  2. Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships

Branded Party Ideas

August 11, 2016
CNN Grill at the Democratic National Convention
CNN Grill at the Democratic National Convention

The CNN Grill popped up in both Cleveland and Philadelphia, offering invited convention-goers access to the tricked-out hospitality venues and live broadcast studios in each city. Starr Catering Group, part of Starr Events, created custom menus in both places, also working with local businesses to incorporate their products into the menus.

Photo: Adam Rose
CNN Grill at the Democratic National Convention
CNN Grill at the Democratic National Convention

The Philadelphia event took over Victory Beer Hall at Xfinity Live. CNN worked with Civic to transform the massive space for food, daily programming, and branded games.

Photo: Donald Bowers
CNN Grill at the Democratic National Convention
CNN Grill at the Democratic National Convention

Stars in red and blue flanked the brand's logo and event name, done in the style of marquee lettering.

Photo: Donald Bowers
CNN Grill at the Democratic National Convention
CNN Grill at the Democratic National Convention

Guests scooped up buttons in shades of red, white, and blue that bore graphics, logos, and slogans like "I CNN Politics."

Photo: Donald Bowers
Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention

For an event as massive as the Democratic National Convention, general contractor Hargrove installed 500,000 square feet of graphics.

Photo: Courtesy of Hargrove Inc.
Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention

The red, white, and blue balloon drop appeared to go a bit more smoothly for the Democrats than for the G.O.P., where there was a noticeable delay in the orbs' release.

Photo: Courtesy of Hargrove Inc.
Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention

Hargrove served as general contractor for the convention, which included what it billed as the widest tent in the world: the media tent, at approximately 200 feet wide. In all, there were more than 300,000 square feet of tenting, more than 42 miles of cabling, and 12 megawatts of power—enough to power 2,000 homes.

Photo: Courtesy of Hargrove Inc.
Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention

AT&T-sponsored charging stations kept people connected.

Photo: Courtesy of Hargrove Inc.
Facebook and 'Glamour' Activation at the Democratic National Convention
Facebook and 'Glamour' Activation at the Democratic National Convention

As part of Glamour and Facebook's yearlong partnership, the magazine's editor in chief Cindi Leive moderated a conversation with Chelsea Clinton, Lena Dunham, and America Ferrera at the Facebook Lounge at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. The discussion garnered major press, and was trending on social media.

Photo: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Glamour
Facebook and 'Glamour' Activation at the Democratic National Convention
Facebook and 'Glamour' Activation at the Democratic National Convention

The Syncopated Ladies tap band—dressed in rainbow pantsuits inspired by Hillary Clinton—performed.

Photo: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Glamour
Facebook and 'Glamour' Activation at the Democratic National Convention
Facebook and 'Glamour' Activation at the Democratic National Convention

Apropos for the beauty magazine, the activation also included a glam bar.

Photo: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Glamour
Facebook Activation at the Republican National Convention
Facebook Activation at the Republican National Convention

Facebook was also at the Republican National Convention, where it staged a mini replica of the Oval Office for its Instagram brand.

Photo: Adam Mason
Facebook Live Lounge at the Republican National Convention
Facebook Live Lounge at the Republican National Convention

Elephant-shaped pillows popped against a white sofa. The social media brand hosted a brunch and panel during the convention. The events were produced by A2E.

Photo: Adam Mason
Facebook and 'Glamour' Activation at the Republican National Convention
Facebook and 'Glamour' Activation at the Republican National Convention

Open shelving displayed branded products like logo fans—all done in a red, white, and blue palette.

Photo: Adam Mason
Facebook Activation at the Republican National Convention
Facebook Activation at the Republican National Convention

The setup included playing cards printed with the inspirational message "Win With Us." The cards contained facts about advertising on Facebook. 

Photo: Adam Mason
Lights Out Post-Gavel Event at the Republican National Convention
Lights Out Post-Gavel Event at the Republican National Convention

YourBash! produced the Lights Out Post Gavel event at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland for Revolt and AT&T.  

Photo: Jay Kossman
Lights Out Post-Gavel Event at the Republican National Convention
Lights Out Post-Gavel Event at the Republican National Convention

An American flag backed the stage, topped by an oval-shaped truss structure from which red, white, and blue lighting illuminated the room.  

Photo: Jay Kossman
Lights Out Post-Gavel Event at the Republican National Convention
Lights Out Post-Gavel Event at the Republican National Convention

The event included a concert from Bret Michaels.

Photo: Jay Kossman
Lights Out Post-Gavel Event at the Republican National Convention
Lights Out Post-Gavel Event at the Republican National Convention

A candy buffet included a spread of treats in red, white, and blue hues, arrayed on blue striped linen.

Photo: Jay Kossman
Lights Out Post-Gavel Event at the Republican National Convention
Lights Out Post-Gavel Event at the Republican National Convention

Floral arrangements were appropriately done in red, white, and blue—including open red and white roses, as well as blue thistle.

Photo: Jay Kossman
Revolt and AT&T Closing-Night Event at the Democratic National Convention
Revolt and AT&T Closing-Night Event at the Democratic National Convention

YourBash! also produced an event to close out the D.N.C. at the Hyatt at the Bellevue hotel in Philadelphia for Revolt and AT&T. Performances came from MC Lyte and DJ D Nice, and DJ Damage hosted.

Photo: Ryan Scott
Revolt and AT&T Closing-Night Event at the Democratic National Convention
Revolt and AT&T Closing-Night Event at the Democratic National Convention

At the stroke of midnight, organizers served a cupcake and dessert display by local favorite Sweetbox.

Photo: Ryan Scott
Americans for the Arts Panel at the Republican National Convention
Americans for the Arts Panel at the Republican National Convention

The Americans for the Arts panel at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame featured Governor Mike Huckabee and musician Ben Folds. Like many of the brands that hosted events, Folds also traveled to attend the Democratic National Convention to discuss the bipartisan issue.

Photo: Courtesy of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Republican National Convention Welcoming party
Republican National Convention Welcoming party

Stephen Colbert was among those who visited the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during the convention's Welcoming Party. In all, the museum hosted more than 4,000 visitors per day. Rock Hall hosted 40 different events throughout the convention, and the quickest event turnaround was just 30 minutes to prepare for a party of 2,200.

Photo: Courtesy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
American Unity Fund Event at the Republican National Convention
American Unity Fund Event at the Republican National Convention

Montell Williams signed the V.I.P. signature wall at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame following the American Unity Fund event.

Photo: Courtesy of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
A moving projection and gobos from Quince Imaging lit the exterior of the museum.
A moving projection and gobos from Quince Imaging lit the exterior of the museum.
Photo: Daniel Swartz
Yellow drapes lined the entryway to the party, and staffers put gold medals around the necks of attendees as they passed through.
Yellow drapes lined the entryway to the party, and staffers put gold medals around the necks of attendees as they passed through.
Photo: Tony Brown for BizBash
The Newseum atrium's 40-by-22-foot projection screen served as the main viewing spot for the opening ceremony.
The Newseum atrium's 40-by-22-foot projection screen served as the main viewing spot for the opening ceremony.
Photo: Tony Brown for BizBash
Upon arrival, guests also received small American and Brazilian flags, as well as Olympics-branded hand-clappers to use when the U.S. delegation of athletes entered the opening ceremony.
Upon arrival, guests also received small American and Brazilian flags, as well as Olympics-branded hand-clappers to use when the U.S. delegation of athletes entered the opening ceremony.
Photo: Tony Brown for BizBash
Continuing the technology theme, Comcast promoted its custom geofilters for Snapchat on signage throughout the museum.
Continuing the technology theme, Comcast promoted its custom geofilters for Snapchat on signage throughout the museum.
Photo: Tony Brown for BizBash
Capoeira experts performed a demonstration of the traditional Brazilian martial art.
Capoeira experts performed a demonstration of the traditional Brazilian martial art.
Photo: Tony Brown for BizBash
Design Foundry drew inspiration from the Copacabana Beach in Rio for the second-floor terrace of the museum. Beach chairs, umbrellas, and surfboards decorated the space.
Design Foundry drew inspiration from the Copacabana Beach in Rio for the second-floor terrace of the museum. Beach chairs, umbrellas, and surfboards decorated the space.
Photo: Tony Brown for BizBash
Guests played ping-pong, an official Olympic sport, on the terrace throughout the night.
Guests played ping-pong, an official Olympic sport, on the terrace throughout the night.
Photo: Tony Brown for BizBash
The caipirhina bar in the Copacabana Beach area served the traditional and watermelon versions of the classic Brazilian cocktail.
The caipirhina bar in the Copacabana Beach area served the traditional and watermelon versions of the classic Brazilian cocktail.
Photo: Tony Brown for BizBash
In addition to offering hors d'oeuvres, Wolfgang Puck Catering set up a kabob station with five types of grilled skewers including veggie, shrimp, barbecue chicken, tri-tip sirloin, and pineapple.
In addition to offering hors d'oeuvres, Wolfgang Puck Catering set up a kabob station with five types of grilled skewers including veggie, shrimp, barbecue chicken, tri-tip sirloin, and pineapple.
Photo: Tony Brown for BizBash
Desserts in the Annenberg theater lobby included quindim, a Brazilian coconut flan.
Desserts in the Annenberg theater lobby included quindim, a Brazilian coconut flan.
Photo: Tony Brown for BizBash
Servers wore yellow and green, two of the colors of the Brazilian flag, on T-shirts with 'Brasil' written on them. Meanwhile, Brazilian chocolate truffles known as brigadeiro were set in red, white, and blue wrappers.
Servers wore yellow and green, two of the colors of the Brazilian flag, on T-shirts with "Brasil" written on them. Meanwhile, Brazilian chocolate truffles known as brigadeiro were set in red, white, and blue wrappers.
Photo: Tony Brown for BizBash
The party spanned two levels of the seven-floor museum, with viewing lounges, games, and food and bars on both.
The party spanned two levels of the seven-floor museum, with viewing lounges, games, and food and bars on both.
Photo: Tony Brown for Bizbash
A photo opportunity offered props representing the United States and Brazil, including flags, hats, and sunglasses in the colors of each country.
A photo opportunity offered props representing the United States and Brazil, including flags, hats, and sunglasses in the colors of each country.
Photo: Tony Brown for BizBash
Comcast provided three virtual-reality stations, each showcasing scenes of Rio.
Comcast provided three virtual-reality stations, each showcasing scenes of Rio.
Photo: Tony Brown for BizBash
At the beginning of the evening, the NBC peacock made an appearance outside with the Batala Drumming Group.
At the beginning of the evening, the NBC peacock made an appearance outside with the Batala Drumming Group.
Photo: Tony Brown for BizBash
A map of the United States made from license plates representing each state decorated the bar in the Americana-theme lounge outside the Annenberg Theater on the first floor.
A map of the United States made from license plates representing each state decorated the bar in the Americana-theme lounge outside the Annenberg Theater on the first floor.
Photo: Tony Brown for BizBash
Wow Entertainment set up gaming stations inspired by Olympic sports, including a basketball shoot-out and a foosball table.
Wow Entertainment set up gaming stations inspired by Olympic sports, including a basketball shoot-out and a foosball table.
Photo: Tony Brown for BizBash
In June, Patina Catering catered the opening of Skyspace Los Angeles, the observation deck that also includes a glass slide 1,000 feet above the city. As part of an elaborate catering offering, Patina served late-night hors d'oeuvres that were passed as the party came to a close. The grab-and-go boxes featured cheddar beef sliders on mini sesame buns, crispy tater tots, and mini milkshakes.
In June, Patina Catering catered the opening of Skyspace Los Angeles, the observation deck that also includes a glass slide 1,000 feet above the city. As part of an elaborate catering offering, Patina served late-night hors d'oeuvres that were passed as the party came to a close. The grab-and-go boxes featured cheddar beef sliders on mini sesame buns, crispy tater tots, and mini milkshakes.
Photo: Christopher Todd Studios
At the Kohl's Launch of Juicy Couture, an elaborate press wall of roses was inset with a sparkling logo. The event took place at the John Lautner-designed Sheats-Goldstein residence in Los Angeles in September.
At the Kohl's Launch of Juicy Couture, an elaborate press wall of roses was inset with a sparkling logo. The event took place at the John Lautner-designed Sheats-Goldstein residence in Los Angeles in September.
Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty Images for Kohl's
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