BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #187 — Friday, 01.27.12
Compiled today by Jana Schiowitz and Anna Sekula in New York
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* INCOMING *
1. J.C. PENNEY'S NEW TACTICS: The retailer’s new president Michael Francis, the former chief marketing officer for Target, and C.E.O Ron Johnson revealed big plans Wednesday. Beginning February 1, the department store will implement changes to its pricing, promotion, presentation, and products. J.C. Penney is also rebranding with a new logo and spokeswoman, Ellen DeGeneres. Ad Age: "Working with PMH [Minneapolis-based ad agency Peterson Milla Hooks], J.C. Penney created a personality and color palette for each month that will be carried throughout marketing, in-store displays, and even external lighting on stores. By focusing on one month at a time, Mr. Francis said, J.C. Penney can highlight important consumer events, such as Valentine's Day, Super Bowl, or the Academy Awards. A 96-page perfect-bound book featuring relevant products will be mailed to consumers monthly, in addition to traditional newspaper circulars."
http://bit.ly/xM9ipb
2. CONVENTION GROWING PAINS: In response to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to construct a 3.5 million square-foot site for conventions in Queens, analysts question the value of building such large venues. According to Heywood Sanders, economics professor at the University of Texas, San Antonio, attendance has dropped at hubs in Chicago and Pennsylvania. "City after city builds and expands a convention center," he said. "Yet they end up doing less business than they did 20 or 30 years ago." The New York Daily News:
http://nydn.us/zFZ8ll
3. AMERICAN AIRLINES'S REVAMP: The airline carrier is overhauling its working relationship with McCann Worldgroup as it emerges from bankruptcy and takes on more social and digital elements. Adweek: "As part of the agency's restructured working arrangement with American Airlines, McCann Erickson's London and Manchester offices will have more involvement in the U.K. Worldgroup will also add a New York-based McCann performance analytics team to the business and create a Dallas-based production operation. Worldgroup also will initiate new projects to involve its units like digital and direct company MRM, promotional marketing arm Momentum and Hollywood PR powerbrokers PMK-BNC."
http://bit.ly/w4y7S5
4. LIVING SOCIAL: Last year, more brands shifted marketing efforts to social media platforms, according to social media marketing software developer Buddy Media. Tech Crunch:
http://tcrn.ch/yD3qlR
5. SUPER BOWL AD TEASERS: Adweek gives a glimpse inside spots for Kia and Bridgestone. Both of the celeb-filled ads will debut during the Super Bowl, February 5.
http://bit.ly/ybMjh6
* THE WEEK IN EVENTS *
Here's a look at 10 highlights from our event coverage this week, including Betty White's 90th birthday party thrown by NBC, Nintendo's artsy lounge during the Sundance Film Festival, the arcade game at the opening soirée of Chanel's Numéros Privés exhibit, and the Coachella-inspired preview from American Eagle.
http://bizba.sh/xYQaiZ
* LOCAL NEWS *
COAST TO COAST: To celebrate its 50th National Wine Week, Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group will introduce a private reserve sauvignon blanc at eight restaurant locations.
BOSTON: Tickets go on sale for Tanglewood's 75th anniversary season on Sunday morning. The season includes three shows from James Taylor, the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Beethoven and Wagner programs, and an 80th birthday celebration for John Williams.
http://bit.ly/d99chB
CHICAGO: Michelle Obama will host events designed to entertain spouses of those involved with the NATO/G8 summits this spring. Crain's columnist Shia Kapos: "Along with the location, great thought is being put into the menu, seating arrangements, gifts for the guests, entertainment and message. It's a party planner's dream." Crain's Chicago Business:
http://bit.ly/yvPtnT
The Center on Halsted will host an Academy Awards viewing party at Park West on February 26. Presented by Nielsen, the event will have a red carpet, catering from Entertaining Company, a silent auction, and candy and popcorn.
http://bit.ly/yoBPRn
The Gage Chicago and Templeton Rye whiskey will host the "Blind Tiger" dinner February 20. With a 1920s theme, the evening has a five-cents admission fee and offers a speakeasy-inspired menu including whiskey bass in sardine cans and baked beans in tin cans. Servers will wear thematic attire.
http://bit.ly/OENwb
LAS VEGAS: Tomorrow Caesars Palace will celebrate Lunar New Year with a public event during which headline entertainer Matt Goss will symbolically paint the eyes on the traditional Chinese lion costume. The lion dance will parade through the resort amid fireworks.
Smart City Networks has completed the installation of a permanent digital signage network at the Las Vegas Convention Center, offering new opportunities for digital advertising by show producers, exhibitors, and other entities. The network consists of 12 video walls throughout the north, central, and south hall public areas.
On Thursday morning, the nominees were announced for the 47th annual Academy of Country Music awards, taking place April 1 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and airing on CBS.
LOS ANGELES: The Grammy Foundation will host its 14th annual Music Preservation Project event, this year known as "One Night Only: A Celebration of the Live Music Experience," February 9 at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. Sharon Osbourne and Steve Vai will co-host, and Bret Michaels will perform as the closing act.
Bella Flora, a floral design company with a decade-long history in Palm Springs, is opening a Beverly Hills location with a grand opening party February 2.
Niche Media's Los Angeles Confidential magazine and Porteon Electric Vehicles will celebrate Tony Bennett's Grammy nominations with a party at Crustacean Beverly Hills February 9.
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Dome Restaurant, Bar & Lounge, the first restaurant and caviar bar in Coral Gables to be certified with a silver rating from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is opening tomorrow. The menu will consist of Latin American fusion dishes with an emphasis on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant will be available for private events.
Philippe Chow Boca Raton is offering a three-course Super Bowl prix fixe menu February 5. Rentals and reservations for the private wine room, which has a projector screen, are complimentary. The restaurant is also offering its signature dessert, red velvet cake, in a heart shape, for Valentine's Day.
The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale's Full Moon Party, being held February 8, will benefit the Sun-Sentinel Children's Fund. Music will be provided by DJ Rob Riggs and chocolate-infused cocktails will be served.
NEW ORLEANS: The "A Night to Make it Right" gala is March 10 at the Hyatt Regency and will be hosted by Make it Right founder and event chairman Brad Pitt and, Ellen DeGeneres. Seal, Rihanna, and Sheryl Crow are scheduled to perform. The night will begin with a cocktail reception, followed by a sit-down dinner and after-party.
NEW YORK: The city saw 50.5 million tourists last year, 300,000 more than Mayor Bloomberg announced in December. This is a significant increase from the 48.7 million tourists that took to the city in 2010. New York Magazine:
http://bit.ly/AhZUvA
Olympic-level athletes will face off at Madison Square Garden tomorrow for the USA Track and Field games. Next month, the Millrose Games heads uptown to the Armory/National Track & Field Hall of Fame, moving the indoor athletic to the Fort Washington Avenue location after nearly a century at the Garden. New York Amsterdam News:
http://bit.ly/wjjxfD
Queens resident T.J. Gilmartin's request to host a parade honoring 9/11 first responders was denied by the city. The Huffington Post:
http://huff.to/x9n0su
The Secret Policeman's Ball is March 4 at Radio City Music Hall. Headliners include Jon Stewart, Coldplay, and Mumford & Sons.
http://bit.ly/ywuaIN
Go West Creative has a new presence and partnership on the East Coast, Go West Cerbelli.
http://bit.ly/xnNO2d
Grub Street's Q&A with Standard hotel owner Andre Balazs about his plans for the Cooper Square Hotel:
http://bit.ly/xV9cPe
ORLANDO: ArtsFest 2012 runs from February 1-29, with more than 300 free events being offered in 87 venues around Central Florida.
http://bit.ly/4DEcF9
SAN DIEGO: YourBash! was chosen as one of the designers for the Operation Shower event for military moms-to-be, held earlier this week in San Diego. The company’s co-owner and partner, Brian Worley, was the emcee for the gathering and shared his personal stories from his military family. The 40 expectant mothers received a “Shower In A Box,” a gift of high-quality products for mothers and babies that was donated by companies including Pottery Barn Kids, Carousel Designs, and others.
TORONTO: At a cocktail party last night, the Fashion Design Council of Canada announced the new presenting sponsor and name for Fashion Week—World Mastercard Fashion Week. Last fall, LG finished its contract with the F.D.C.C. Fall 2012 collections will be shown March 12-17 under the theme "Canadian Catwalk."
TULSA: The Grammy Museum, Woody Guthrie Publications, and the Woody Guthrie Archives announced plans to celebrate the life and career of the Oklahoma folk music legend. The Woody Guthrie Centennial Celebration is March 5-11 and will include an exhibit, educational programming, a conference at the University of Tulsa, and a tribute concert headlined by John Mellencamp and Arlo Guthrie.
WASHINGTON: Elizabeth Makkai has joined Showcall, where she will generate new business in the company's corporate, association, and sporting sectors, as well as work on operational and project management efforts.
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, Carla Warrilow in Toronto, and Jana Schiowitz 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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