December 9, 2014: New Year’s Eve Broadcast Moves to Miami, What Taylor Swift Can Teach Brand Marketers, British Royals Met With Fans and Protestors

1. NEW YEAR’S EVE BROADCAST MOVES TO MIAMI: Pitbull will host a televised New Year’s Eve party on Fox live from Miami, expanding the event from a largely New York-centered evening. Entertainment Weekly: “The 'Give Me Everything’ rapper—and recent host of the American Music Awards—will head down to his hometown of Miami to host Pitbull’s New Year’s Revolution, which will be broadcast live from the Thompson Miami Beach hotel on Dec. 31. Musical acts for the event include Pitbull’s touring partner Enrique Iglesias, Fall Out Boy, The Band Perry, Fifth Harmony, and Becky G. Pitbull is also serving as the headlining performer who will ring in the new year.” http://bit.ly/1G9yLY3

2. WHAT TAYLOR SWIFT CAN TEACH BRAND MARKETERS: Taylor Swift—country singer, pop singer, Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show performer, and sought-after product endorser—has a career full of valuable lessons on success, from how to launch a product to when to pull out of distribution platforms, as she recently did with the music service Spotify. Chris Lindner, brand president at Keds, which Swift represents, shared what brand pros can learn from the singer. Forbes: “As brand marketers, we all have to make tough decisions about distribution. There are many situations whereby short term pressures force bad choices for product placement in the wrong channels. In the end, having integrity about where you are distributed as a brand, setting the right criteria and having the discipline to manage your partnerships is paramount.” http://onforb.es/1A73YHj

3. BRITISH ROYALS MET WITH FANS AND PROTESTORS: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent their first full day in the United States with a packed itinerary, with Prince William flying to Washington to meet with President Obama and attend a World Bank conference, and his wife, Kate, touring a child development center in New York. They reunited for a Brooklyn Nets basketball game, where demonstrators staged a “die-in” outside the arena to protest a grand jury’s decision not to indict a police officer who caused the death of New York man Eric Garner. CBS New York: “Some of the protesters wore tiaras in anticipation of William and Kate’s arrival. The protesters said they hoped to take some of the spotlight from the royal couple. ‘We want attention and right now this seems to be the biggest attention spot in the city,’ one protester said.” http://cbsloc.al/1znAmqV

* LOCAL NEWS *

AUSTIN:  The soon-to-open JW Marriott Austin, which will be the city’s largest hotel at 1,012 rooms, is helping Austin compete for more conventions. KeyeTV: http://bit.ly/1wbmMEQ

BOSTON:  Looking for some wintry comfort food for meetings and events? Two Boston-area restaurants were featured on Food & Wine’s list of “Best Grilled Cheese”: Roxy’s Grilled Cheese (which provides catering), and Formaggio Kitchen (which hosts private events).

CHICAGO:  Bandleader Ken Arlen has launched a new orchestra: Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra. The group will feature six singers and two bandleaders and will perform classic songs and current hits such as Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy.”

The Palmer House Hilton will host the “Big Night Chicago New Year’s Eve Extravaganza” on December 31. The evening will include live entertainment from DJs and bands, an open bar, hot and cold snacks, and multiple dance floors.

LAS VEGAS:  Portofino at the Mirage Hotel & Casino is offering its “Diamond and Gold” lasagna this December, priced at $100 and topped with white diamond truffles and 23-karat gold flakes.

Chefs Daniel Boulud, Emeril Lagasse, and Buddy “Cake Boss” Valastro hosted Ultimo-A Weekend of Excellence at the Venetian Las Vegas with several culinary events including a grand banquet, a private baking class, a dine-around, and a truffle brunch.

LOS ANGELES:  Planned Parenthood Los Angeles Food Fare is slated for its 36th annual year at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on March 5.

The nominations for the 21st annual Screen Actors Guild awards will be announced at the Pacific Design Center tomorrow.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  PGA National Resort & Spa has promoted David Fine to senior vice president, sales and market development.

NEW YORK:  The first L.E.S. Art Drive, a silent auction to benefit the Bowery Mission, is Sunday at the New Museum.

New Jersey-based AFR Furniture Rental has named Jose Ramirez as its marketing manager.

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

SAN DIEGO:  Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, by Destination Hotels appointed Doug Phillips as director of sales and marketing. The property is planning a renovation project for late next year.

SAN FRANCISCO:  The Renaissance Lodge at Sonoma Resort & Spa has completed a $370,000 renovation of its meeting space and incorporated several eco-friendly design details such as LED lighting and a new 7,000-square-foot artificial lawn for outdoor social events.

TORONTO:  Fidel Gastro’s street food company has updated its catering catalog. New items for weddings and events include a build-your-own mac and cheese bar, Korean beef ribs, and a dress-your-own potato bar.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The Watergate Hotel will reopen this summer following a $125 million renovation designed by Ron Arad. The 343-room hotel will include 17,000 square feet of meeting and event space, two restaurants, a whisky bar, a rooftop bar, and a spa.

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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.

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