Today's Call Sheet has an unintentional theme: new social media tools. We have news of three developments that should help marketers use these platforms to bring people together—both online and in person. Have a great weekend.
—Chad Kaydo, BizBash editor in chief
BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #83 — Friday, 08.19.11
Compiled today by Chad Kaydo in Chicago (for the BizBash Expo) and Jana Schiowitz in New York
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* INCOMING *
1. FOURSQUARE ADDING EVENTS: The social networking tool announced a new check-in feature for events after positive feedback during the past two SXSW conferences. According to Foursquare's blog: "It’s one of the most common check-ins on Foursquare: you head off to a movie theater, check in, and type in ‘Harry Potter’ to tell people what you’re seeing. Or check in to a stadium and shout ‘Patriots game’ or ‘Lady Gaga concert.’ Sometimes, people will even create a new venue, like ‘U2 at the Meadowlands,’ to make sure they share the concert with all their friends. In moments like this, a place is often more than just a place; so today, we’re starting to pull major events into our database."
http://bit.ly/cYNaBM
2. PLANNING PARTIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA: New startup BumeBox is meant to help marketers host events on Twitter, by posting content and interacting with customers during a specific window of time. The company will hold a Twitter contest during the Magic fashion trade show August 22-24 in Las Vegas. Adweek: "Even though the San Francisco-based startup is officially launching today, it already held a 'celebrity sightings party' for HeyDay Footwear. The shoe company tweeted links to photos and videos of celebrities wearing its shoes, and according to BumeBox, the event resulted in 400 mentions of HeyDay (which has nearly 3,000 followers on Twitter) and 2.5 million social network impressions."
http://bit.ly/mZqkbo
3. BING LAUNCHES GROUP EVENTS APP: "We're in" is a new app for the Windows Phone, making it easier for groups to share their locations and organize get-togethers. After one user creates an event, they add friends who receive a text mapping out the location of everyone participating in the event. Mashable:
http://on.mash.to/ouVbf2
4. DEADLY COLLAPSE IN BELGIUM: Heavy wind and rain caused tents, screens, and a stage to fall on attendees at the Pukkelpop festival, killing five and injuring eight. Organizers decided to cancel the festival this morning, which was supposed to feature performances by Eminem, Foo Fighters, and the Offspring. This is the third stage collapse this summer. Reuters:
http://reut.rs/qB5lWv
* INTERNAL BUSINESS *
Yesterday was the BizBash Expo & Awards in Chicago—thanks to everyone who came to the Merchandise Mart. Here's a look at who won our first Readers' Choice Awards there:
http://bit.ly/ngKZIL
And here are the winners of the Event Style Awards:
http://bit.ly/nc8Sko
Congrats to the winners.
Speaking of our awards: There's still time to nominate your favorite industry pros for the BizBash New York Readers' Choice Awards. Nominations will be accepted until Monday at 11:59 p.m. EST. Voting will begin September 19 and end on October 16. Winners will be announced at the BizBash New York Expo & Awards October 19 at the Javits Center.
http://bit.ly/qLeTRm
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: Beginning August 30, Narragansett Beer will host a month-long event series at more than 40 bars and restaurants throughout New England. Each neighborhood stop will feature a bar crawl of 3 to 5 locations where the beer's team of ambassadors will be joined by brand mascots Clammy & Tallboy and the Gansett Girls.
http://bit.ly/QojZ7
CHICAGO: On August 31, Sofitel Chicago Water Tower will host Style Down the Aisle, an event showcasing special occasion, bridal, and resort wear from area retailers. The event is part of "In-Fashion: The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival" presented by MasterCard. Vendors include Factor Runway, the Bridal Team, Fig Weddings, and Fragrant Design.
MMPI recently announced that Paul Heinen has been promoted to senior vice president, overseeing the company's office, retail, and contract furnishings industries.
LAS VEGAS: Las Vegas Sun takes a look at the wacky conventions that fuel the city's economy:
http://bit.ly/rb8iCT
Staffers from 20 hotels competed in the Housekeeping Olympics at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Wednesday.
http://bit.ly/rsMaWQ
LOS ANGELES: The 71st annual Los Angeles Nisei Week Japanese Festival in Little Tokyo will include the fifth annual Day-Lee Foods World Gyoza Eating Championship tomorrow. Los Angeles Times:
http://lat.ms/qA5MuK
For the third annual Nike three-on-three basketball tournament downtown, parking lots at the intersection of Figueroa and 11th Avenue transformed into about 100 half basketball courts.
http://bit.ly/qAXGrt
The A&D Museum has announced a date change for its fund-raiser. Originally scheduled for September 10, the event's new date is March 10, 2012.
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The fifth annual Mizu Con anime convention begins today at the Hyatt Regency. The three-day event will feature costume contests, panels, and video gaming rooms.
http://bit.ly/nN6By9
NEW YORK: More news of Fashion's Night Out activities continues to roll in. Yesterday Lord & Taylor revealed its lineup for the September 8 shopping bonanza. The Midtown department store is styling each of its floors after a New York neighborhood and will include Solange Knowles spinning records, the New York Jets Flight Crew cheerleaders signing calendars, a photo contest judged by Vogue.com creative director Candy Pratts Price.
http://bit.ly/o1qaHz
The vacant four-story townhouse, which used to house Oceana, will become a Mediterranean eatery. Architect Yianni Skordas will renovate the space. New York Post:
http://nyp.st/r8GezG
ORLANDO: The Orlando chapter of the Buoniconti Fund holds its annual '70s Party Saturday night at the Church Street Ballroom. Sponsors include Puff 'n Stuff Catering, Coca-Cola, Florida Distributing Company, and the Wizard Connection.
TORONTO: Construction has begun on the Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, at the base of the CN Tower. The 135,000-square-foot aquarium will be one of the largest in North America and is expected to open in the summer of 2013. The Toronto Sun:
http://bit.ly/nIxjHp
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the Toronto Port Authority will host Sail in Cinema today and tomorrow. A 28-foot, two-sided screen provided by Fresh Air Cinema will be mounted on a floating barge. Guests are invited to watch "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," "Jaws," and "Finding Nemo" from boats or from Sugar Beach.
http://bit.ly/r9vgJA
WASHINGTON: Chef Bobby Flay opened his first Bobby's Burger Palace in the downtown area. This is the burger joint's sixth location on the East Coast. The opening comes after Flay's announcement of his upcoming cameo on "Entourage," where he plays a chef at fictional L.A. restaurant Flay's.
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, Anna Sekula, and Courtney Thompson in New York.
BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: http://info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html
