BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #361— Tuesday, 10.02.12
++ Sponsored by Event Leadership Institute ++
Compiled today by Melissa Ward Schorsch in New York
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* INCOMING *
1. SETH MACFARLANE TO HOST OSCARS: Deadline: "The Emmy-winning TV animation mogul was chosen in large part for masterminding Summer 2012’s huge R-rated comedy motion picture Ted...success of the pic gave him street cred with the snobby film community. And it now looks as if MacFarlane’s hosting stint September 15 on Saturday Night Live’s fall season premiere was a tryout for Oscar telecast producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron...it’s an inspired choice by the Academy and seems certain to bring in younger demographics which is what the telecast needs desperately to boost ratings.” http://bit.ly/PnCpkW
Slate: "MacFarlane is tailor-made for an Oscar sing-along—in case you missed his album of old-fashioned crooners, Music Is Better Than Words, the man can really belt a tune. His talents as a voice-actor may also be put to good use. What’s more, MacFarlane’s notoriously digressive and disjunctive writing style would suit the stop-and-start setting of an awards ceremony better than it fits, say, narrative film or television." http://slate.me/Sy2Wwq
The Hollywood Reporter spoke to MacFarlane and ceremony producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Zadan: "We thought conceptually the most versatile person we could get would give the show the diversity that we wanted. Seth became the logical choice." http://bit.ly/PHAB7W
Atlantic Wire: "While this might in theory be good news for some people, we wonder if MacFarlane's biggest fans, meaning teenage boys and their stoner older brothers, are really ever going to get stoked about anything Oscars-related." http://bit.ly/QSw5TP
2. MORE FOODIE FARE: Crain's New York Business: "Lee Brian Schrager, who founded and produces the South Beach and New York City Wine & Food festivals, is adding a third metropolis to his roster...'I've been looking at a lot of cities,' said Mr. Schrager, who launched the first festival a decade ago in Miami. 'I'll be spending the next three months zooming in on a location.' Though he wasn't specific, he did drop some hints. 'I love Chicago, California, and Hawaii,' he said." http://bit.ly/PHAZDd
Schrager recently told us about some of his favorite venues: http://bizba.sh/RxacMu
And here's our report from the most recent South Beach Wine & Food Festival: http://bizba.sh/UDxJtJ
3. YAHOO ELECTION APP: Yesterday, Yahoo launched its election dashboard app, IntoNow, which allows users to interact with election news and debates in real time, as the app syncs with the televised debates. Another feature allows users to rate candidate ads with a "trustometer" to share their thoughts about an ad's effectiveness. During the debates, voters will be able to fact check statements made by the candidates and take screen grabs of their TV to create and upload potential election memes. Mashable: http://on.mash.to/P85SoF
4. COLE HAAN EVENT-BASED MARKETING: Cole Haan C.M.O. Ivan Wicksteed talked to AdWeek about the shoe company's new "Don't Go Home" campaign. As Wicksteed is working to take the brand's advertising from traditional print to event-based marketing and social media-driven efforts, he says, "The art of this is to have so many things going on that you surround people with the experience of the brand," and "People are the new media, and the way that brands get noticed nowadays is by being talked about. So it’s pretty simple. You have to do things that get you talked about." AdWeek: http://bit.ly/QzTjxC
Our coverage of the new campaign: http://bizba.sh/P29djo
5. MOURNING THE DEATH OF ADVERTISING?: In an unconventional move, ad agency JWT hosted a mock funeral to kick off Advertising Week, creating a church-like setting at the TimesCenter with a gospel choir, casket, and eulogists in black. The tongue-in-cheek ploy was designed to motivate agencies to change some of their traditional thinking. Ryan Kutscher, JWT New York's co-chief creative officer, told Ad Age, "...it also came as a kind of warning, as our speakers eloquently pointed out there are some things that we need to change, or one day we'll be holding a funeral for real." http://bit.ly/Vl2eHP
++ A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR: Event Leadership Institute ++
Webinar: Tuesday, October 9 | Storytelling: The Magic of Disney | with Robert Gilbert, executive chef, Walt Disney World Resort. Learn the secrets of Disney’s approach to creating events with impact.
* INTERNAL NEWS: ELECTION SURVEY *
We're asking readers to share their take on the 2012 presidential race for an upcoming story. Take our short and sweet five-question survey. Come on, speak up—it's all anonymous! http://bizba.sh/SkkXy9
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: The eighth annual 3 Cheers for MDA: Wine Social and Silent Auction hosted by Smith & Wollensky will take place on November 8 at the Castle Building.
CHICAGO: The Foundation Fighting Blindness' Chicago Visions Ball on September 22 raised more than $700,000 for sight-saving research.
LAS VEGAS: Las Vegas Review-Journal: "Gaming equipment manufacturing industry leaders believe this year's four-day [Global Gaming Expo at the Sands Expo and Convention Center] and conference is focused more on the game, rather than the economic downturn that has depressed sales of new slot machines going back four years." http://bit.ly/POPRAH
Caesars Entertainment announced Monday the first wave of tenants to populate the Linq, the company’s $550 million open-air retail, dining, and entertainment district located on the Strip. Brooklyn Bowl and Sprinkles Cupcakes are among the first to sign on to the project, which comprises more than 300,000 square feet.
Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace officially launched its Web site Monday and is taking reservations for stays beginning February 4, 2013. Nobu Hotel is slated to soft open before the end of the year, and the adjacent Nobu Restaurant and Lounge is set to open in January.
LOS ANGELES: The 16th annual Hollywood Film awards gala presented by the Los Angeles Times will take to the Beverly Hilton on October 22. Entertainment Tonight’s Nancy O’Dell will host.
Bruce Kalman has taken over as executive chef of the Churchill and will launch his new menu on Thursday.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: On September 11-12, the HD Boutique 2012 attracted more than 4,000 attendees and featured more than 500 hospitality industry producers and designers. HD Boutique plans to rebrand itself as “HD Americas” in 2013.
NEW YORK: The first of eight performances by Jay-Z at the newly opened Barclay’s Center took place last Friday. The venue has a capacity for 18,200, rivaling Madison Square Garden. New York Daily News: http://nydn.us/QCBRMq
Kate Spade New York is partnering with the Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund to mentor five designers in brand development. Women’s Wear Daily: http://wwd.us/UCsHNP
The God’s Love We Deliver 2012 Golden Heart Awards Celebration will take place October 15 and honor Michael Kors, Ryan Murphy, and Cindy Little.
Event designer Matthew David Hopkins announced his new company, Matthew David Celebrations, which will plan upscale celebrations and weddings. In addition, his corporate events company, 360 Design Events, has unveiled a new Web site and branding campaign. Current managing director of 360 Design Events Laurie Stolowitz has also been appointed managing director for Matthew David Celebrations.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO: City and county leaders are exploring the idea of building a stadium for the Orlando City Soccer Club. Orlando Sentinel: http://thesent.nl/Sue6me
The Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce awarded its Business Champion of the Year Award to the International Palms Resort and Conference Center in Cocoa Beach.
Inland American Real Estate Trust is buying three hotels from local hotelier Richard Kessler, including downtown's Grand Bohemian hotel and the Bohemian Hotel in Celebration. Orlando Sentinel: http://thesent.nl/SYASmk
WASHINGTON: Daily Grill revealed its newly renovated bar and happy hour menu by Chef Phil Kastel last Thursday. Daily Grill is extending happy hour prices all night through October 5.
The Fifty Shades of AFR second annual showcase and networking event by AFR Event Furnishings took place yesterday at the Mead Center for American Theater.
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, and Melissa Ward Schorsch and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
