February 8, 2016: Super Bowl Edition: Halftime Show Adds Political Message to Entertainment, How Brands Make the Most of Super Bowl Commercials, How Mobile Technology Is Changing Stadium Security

1. HALFTIME SHOW ADDS POLITICAL MESSAGE TO ENTERTAINMENT: The consensus among the Twitterverse and reviewers is that Beyoncé—billed as a special guest—stole the Super Bowl halftime show from headliner Coldplay and other guest performer Bruno Mars. But the spectacle was more than an opportunity for the pop diva to drop a new single. It also presented a visual history of past halftime performers and topical messages that gave the event a current feel. Entertainment Weekly: “But the nostalgic trip only allowed onlookers to focus on Beyoncé, who turned one of America’s most mainstream, middle-of-the-road rituals into a transgressive event by playing a song steeped in blackness and female empowerment. As the sunset tinted pink and purple behind Levi’s Stadium, some members of the crowd who had been holding rainbow-themed panels flipped them to spell out a message: ‘Believe in love.’ Presented at the first Super Bowl since marriage equality became a fundamental right in the United States, the words took on added poignance. The halftime show is a tradition that’s woven into the fabric of American life, and on Sunday it took a step forward, just like the country that collectively tunes in every year.” http://bit.ly/1Q2JRQQ

2. HOW BRANDS MAKE THE MOST OF SUPER BOWL COMMERCIALS: The stakes are high for brands willing to spend $5 million in the competition that is Super Bowl advertising. While the viewers watching the game provide one measure of value, brands have developed other strategies to promote their ads. The New York Times: “Even as advertising dollars shift online, commercial time during live events like the Super Bowl still commands a steep price. Many advertisers release online teasers and other promotions in the weeks before the game in an effort to get the most out of the money they spend. ‘The value of the game itself is not just that 30-second spot anymore,’ said Jeremy Carey, managing director at Omnicom’s Optimum Sports media and marketing agency.” http://nyti.ms/1nSzrwF So what were the evening’s best ads? Adweek chose automakers Jeep and Audi, Heinz for an adorable ad featuring wiener dogs, a T-Mobile ad featuring Drake, and a Doritos spot set during a woman’s ultrasound. http://bit.ly/1LajQhl

3. HOW MOBILE TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING STADIUM SECURITY: As more ticketing for live events moves to mobile technology, the idea of how tickets can be used to provide event security—as well as offer benefits to ticket holders—is evolving. TechCrunch: “Stadiums are beginning to care more about who is attending an event, and not just if a ticket is sold. The same way you can’t buy or sell a plane ticket in the airport parking lot, it is going to become increasingly difficult to buy event tickets anonymously. When attendees are no longer anonymous, names could quickly be referenced against security lists, as they are when consumers buy plane tickets and travel through airports. … When looking at personal identifiers, mobile devices in particular make a lot of sense, because they are the most common personal devices we own, and teams can use the native mobile capabilities to enhance the fan experience. For example, a team could push out companion content, such as live replays or links to social channels, and consumers could benefit by connecting their ticket to a mobile wallet, streamlining the process of buying food or merchandise.” http://tcrn.ch/1nPbKVU

* LOCAL NEWS *

AUSTIN:  The city has limited the number of South by Southwest events this year to 120. KXAN: http://bit.ly/1nMQHTS

BOSTON:  A 140-foot-long ski and snowboarding ramp, which will be used in the U.S. Grand Prix tour event this week, has been installed in Fenway Park. Curbed: bit.ly/20xLRfl

CHICAGO:  The 2016 Charity Poker Championship, benefiting Children’s Oncology Services Inc., will be held at the Montgomery Club on February 18.

LAS VEGAS:  The fifth annual Chinese New Year in the Desert runs today-Sunday at various venues. Events include runway shows at Fashion Show Mall on Friday, the Las Vegas Spring Festival Parade on Saturday, and various dance shows, music performances, and culinary demonstrations at Linq Promenade throughout the week.

LOS ANGELES:  The seventh annual Women's Image Awards will take place Wednesday at Royce Hall. Comedian and writer Carol Leifer will host.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The 31st annual Palm Beach International Boat Show is scheduled for March 17-20 along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach. The show has expanded to include a new pier at the northern end of the show, which will add 30 slips accommodating yachts as long as 280 feet.

NEW YORK:  The 17th annual Chinese New Year Parade will take place Sunday in Chinatown, beginning at Mott and Hester Streets.

Bill Clinton will host a fund-raiser for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg on February 17. Gothamist: http://bit.ly/1PcacP2

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports plans to build a new sports venue that will open in 2017. The venue will hold cheerleading and dance team events and seat more than 8,000. Orlando Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1odwEyI

SAN FRANCISCO:  The Super Bowl 50 Chairman’s Party, produced by Stanlee Gatti, raised more than $13 million. SFGate.com: http://sfg.ly/1Q32AvP

The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon will take place March 5 at Fort Mason Center's Herbst Pavilion. The event will feature gourmet and artisan chocolate from more than 50 chocolatiers, as well as wine tastings from wineries participating in the San Francisco Invitational Wine Salon.

TORONTO:  The TIFF Next Wave Festival will take place Friday to Sunday at TIFF Bell Lightbox. The film festival will focus on teen filmmakers between the ages of 14 and 18.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The taping of BET Honors has been rescheduled for March 5 and will air March 14. The network postponed the event in advance of a winter blizzard on January 22. Washington Post: http://wapo.st/1nSxTTm

The inaugural DC Bike Ride, taking place May 22, is expected to attract as many as 8,000 cyclists, which would make it the region's largest such event. Washingtonian: http://bit.ly/1PkOA0W

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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, Anna Sekula, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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