March 9, 2017: How the Political Climate Will Impact SXSW, Inside a New Virtual-Event-Finding App, Movie Theater Chain to Debut In-Theater Playgrounds

1. HOW THE POLITICAL CLIMATE WILL IMPACT SXSW: This year's South by Southwest is slated to have a much different tone from previous festivals thanks to the country's current political climate. Advertising Age: "For the creators, marketers and entrepreneurs descending this weekend on Austin, Texas, politics in the wake of President Trump will surely be top of mind, perhaps even overshadowing some of the innovation in virtual reality and artificial intelligence. Instead of undermining the value for marketers eager to enlist technology in their work, however, the dynamic might highlight connections that are increasingly important to recognize. … Brands will likely use the stage to share their company's perspective on the current political climate and champion issues that matter most to the authenticity of their brand, said Helen Crossley, head of audience insights research at Facebook. Tinder will discuss its partnership with GLAAD, the LGBTQ advocacy group, to move beyond identifying users as only 'man' or 'woman'; Refinery29 will sit down with pop star Kesha for a conversation on cyberbullying and how women must take ownership of their online lives; CNN's Van Jones will dissect social and political issues of the day; and Mark Cuban and other tech executives will discuss how they worked both with and against government regulation to achieve disruption. 'Fake news' will inevitably become a topic of debate among the media personalities and publishers taking the festival's many stages. The dispute over facts has led to consumers becoming hyperaware of the content that appears in their social media feeds, both from news organizations and marketers." http://bit.ly/2mZQ2Ta

2. INSIDE A NEW VIRTUAL-EVENT-FINDING APP: Soon, a new app from Lowercase Capital managing director Matt Mazzeo, aims to direct mobile users to virtual events they may not know about. TechCrunch: "Explains Mazzeo, the idea for Soon was inspired by a feature the live streaming app Meerkat once offered—that is, the idea that you could subscribe to virtual events. That’s an area that Facebook Events generally overlooks. While a number of event finders have launched over the years, Soon takes a different approach than most. Instead of ingesting feeds, everything featured in the app is user-generated content—meaning it’s an event someone felt the need to share. The app supports any kind of event, from those taking place in the real world to those that are occurring online, like a live stream or an AMA on Reddit. You can even deep link to another mobile application, so it launches the right page in the app where the event takes place. Events can also be private—like a birthday party among friends—and you can share and discuss events over Soon’s built-in messaging system and group chats. Soon (not to be confused with the bucket list app by the same name) also focuses on the social aspect of events, by highlighting those that are popular with friends. And it points you to people worth following through the app’s leaderboard, which is refreshed regularly to not give preference to early adopters." http://tcrn.ch/2mZOQiQ

3. MOVIE THEATER CHAIN TO DEBUT IN-THEATER PLAYGROUNDS: For parents who have young children that can't sit still at a movie, theater chain Cinepolis has debuted a bizarre concept—a playground inside of the theater. Los Angeles Times: "Mexico-based movie theater chain Cinepolis is betting it can lure more families back to the multiplex with its new in-theater playground concept, Cinepolis Junior, which makes its U.S. debut at two Southern California locations next week. The remodeled auditoriums at Cinepolis USA’s Pico Rivera and Vista theaters each feature a colorful play area near the screen in front of the seats, a jungle gym, and cushy beanbag chairs. Cinepolis, the world’s fourth-largest cinema operator, hopes the new kid-oriented theaters—which charge up to $3 more than a regular ticket—will help it better compete with Netflix and other at-home options by enticing more parents and children to go to the theater. Designed for ages 3 to 12, the two children's auditoriums open March 16 to screen Disney’s live-action 'Beauty and the Beast' remake. 'It's really intended to make kids feel welcome and comfortable,' said Cinepolis USA Chief Executive Adrian Mijares Elizondo. 'The whole idea is to make it easier for parents to take their kids to the movies and let the kids have more fun.' The kids’ auditoriums, which each cost about $500,000 to retrofit, is the latest idea cinema owners have devised to stem the long-term slowdown in theatrical attendance, especially among younger consumers. Cinema operators including AMC Theatres and Regal Entertainment have spent heavily in recent years to remake their multiplexes with luxury amenities to stop the erosion. Admissions totaled an estimated 1.3 billion in the U.S. and Canada last year, down from about 1.4 billion a decade ago." http://lat.ms/2lUCROF

* LOCAL NEWS *

CHICAGO:  Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile has appointed Frank Sanchez executive chef.

DALLAS/FORT WORTH:  Downtown hotel the Statler has named Evan Danziger as general manager and Jennifer Wasserman as director of sales and marketing. The boutique hotel, which is undergoing a $225 million renovation, will reopen this spring.

LAS VEGAS:  Event venue Enclave has opened. Located a mile from McCarran Airport, the 75,000-square-foot venue is available for a variety of events with spaces including a rooftop deck, an outdoor garden, ballrooms of different sizes, and a 9,000-square-foot unobstructed space. The venue's sister company, 3G productions, provides event production, audio and video installation, and staffing.

LOS ANGELES:  The inaugural Women's Choice Award Show will take place May 17 at the Avalon Hollywood ballroom. Nominees for the Shero, Spotlight, and Voice of Women awards were announced on Wednesday. The event supports the nonprofit I Am That Girl.

The 75th annual Golden Globes will air live on NBC January 7, 2018.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The 11th annual Accordis "Call of the Game Dinner" will take place Friday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. Hosted by Fox Sports Sun Heat TV broadcasters Eric Reid and Tony Fiorentino, the event will honor sports figures including Jack Nicklaus and Diana Nyad. Proceeds will go to Florida-based nonprofits Lauren's Kids and Dade Schools Athletic Foundation.

The eighth annual Hawkers Model Volleyball tournament will take place Saturday and Sunday at Lummus Park. Coed teams will consist of models from 16 leading agencies.

Cigar Aficionado magazine will host the Big Smoke Miami on April 7 at the Fontainebleau Hotel. The ticketed event, which benefits Prostate Cancer Research, will offer 35 cigars, spirits samples, and a buffet.

NEW YORK:  El Museo del Barrio's El Museo Gala will take place May 11 at the Plaza Hotel. The event will honor Carmen Herrera, Nancy Gonzalez, and the MetLife Foundation.

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  Taste at I-Drive 360 will take place April 2. The fund-raiser includes tastings from eight restaurants and a ticket to ride the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, and benefits the Florida Hospital Esophageal Cancer Program.

PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE:  Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa will host its inaugural Nirvana culinary festival April 27-30. Sponsored by Fiji Water, the event will offer tastings from international chefs, a Birds & Bubbles dinner, a desert golf tournament, and a New Orleans jazz brunch.

SAN FRANCISCO:  The 41st annual Union Street Music Festival will take place June 3-4. The festival will feature live bands performing jazz, blues, country, and bluegrass music.

TORONTO:  Nobu Hospitality, Westdale Properties, and Madison Group have announced plans to begin construction of Nobu Residences Toronto this summer. A combination of residences, a hotel, and a restaurant, the venue will have two 49-story towers, ground floor commercial retail, an outdoor terrace, and a private meeting and event space. The Japanese fusion restaurant will be approximately 15,000 square feet and offer a bar lounge, outdoor seating, and private dining rooms.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  PBS's National Memorial Day Concert will be broadcast live from the U.S. Capitol on May 28. Honoring the 75th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid, the event will feature performances from Joe Mantegna, Gary Sinise, and the National Symphony Orchestra.

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

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