BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #166 — Monday, 12.19.11
Compiled today by Chad Kaydo and Jana Schiowitz in New York
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* INCOMING *
1. THE YEAR'S BEST ADS: Celebrities either helped or hurt ads this year, according to New York Times ad columnist Stuart Elliott. Automotive brands had a strong year. Volkswagen’s commercial with a child dressed as Darth Vader generated more than 45 million views on YouTube. Fiat's spot for its 500 model featured Jennifer Lopez and was heavily mocked for using a body double and being more like a music video than a commercial. "Of course, not all the bad ads included celebrities; ditto for the good ones. But borrowing star power was a popular tactic during a year in which economic uncertainty made advertisers try especially hard to woo customers."
http://nyti.ms/t8zFxL
2. SOCIAL EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION: Mashable looks at social media as a tool for acknowledging employees. "Facebook is such a personal medium that highlighting employee accomplishments will not only boost the morale of the employee; it will also spice up a corporate Facebook page. Include pictures (of, say, the employee receiving an award) and tag employees so that recognition can spread beyond the company to that person’s friends and family."
http://on.mash.to/tHePBv
3. NEW MERCEDES HEAD: The company announced that marketing chief Steve Cannon has been promoted to C.E.O., effective January 1. Cannon will replace Ernst Lieb, who was fired for alleged misuse of company funds. Ad Age:
http://bit.ly/vUx5kc
4. ROOFTOP BARS: Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels released research on the hotel rooftop bar trend and New York tops the list, with the Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington markets following. Location, views, and a large party scene are some of the draws. USA Today:
http://usat.ly/tI50N5
* NOT THAT YOU ASKED *
What fuels Colin Cowie? Grub Street has his food diary for a week. A sample: "After a morning of party prep, I took a quick break for lunch, which was beef sliders and a couple of Avión tequilas on the rocks—I mean, it is Friday and we are in Vegas, after all!"
http://bit.ly/vXIbMC
* UPCOMING *
TechCrunch is kicking off its 2012 events in San Francisco January 31 with the Crunchies awards and ceremony at Davies Symphony Hall. In May, the Disrupt event returns to New York with a "Hackathon."
http://tcrn.ch/u4oS7e
* LOCAL NEWS *
COAST TO COAST: Trade Show News Network lists the most recent show promotions and hires:
http://bit.ly/t9Zg9P
Bon Appetit's top five 2012 restaurant openings include Chicago's Little Goat, opening in April, and Pok Pok NY, opening January in Brooklyn.
http://bonap.it/u09aos
BOSTON: The Boston Marriott Long Wharf will introduce its "bridal bootcamp" January 19. The complimentary event series includes sessions in topics such as "Weddings 101," led by owner of EFD Creative Edna Dratch-Parker and Rachael Gross, owner of LolaGrace Events.
CHICAGO: From Custom House owners Peter and Sue Kim Drohomyrecky, Eggy's will open in Lakeshore East around March. The concept is an urban family diner with a modern soda fountain, family-style dinners of meatloaf and fried chicken, and homemade pies and donuts. The retro-style venue will offer private dining, with details still in the works.
The New Year's Eve Victory Ball, targeted to the 28- to 45-year-olds, benefits the American Heart Association. The event at Venue One will have a six-hour open bar, and production by 180 Promotions.
The Illinois Attorney General's Office and Cook County state's attorneys are investigating the organization that runs the annual Greek Independence Day Parade. A volunteer treasurer for the organization said that she found money missing from some of the group's bank accounts, and "nobody would 'fess up...[so] I went to the attorney general's office." Crain's Chicago Business:
http://bit.ly/sGynjJ
LAS VEGAS: Las Vegas Hospitality Association members delivered 207 bags of necessities, toys, and holiday goodies to children at Manuel J. Cortez Elementary School. This is the third year that the tourism industry group has provided support to the school.
LOS ANGELES: Michelle Williams will pick up an Oscar Wilde award February 23. The U.S.-Ireland Alliance's annual ceremony honoring the Irish in film will be held for the first time at Bad Robot, J.J. Abrams' Santa Monica production company.
In January, the Grammy Museum will host a variety of activities that pay tribute to Elvis Presley. "Elvis Week" will include public and educational programming, and will show off a new exhibit case that includes artifacts from Graceland.
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center and CultureShockMiami.com present Black Violin, a free concert, January 15. The event is sponsored by TD Bank.
NEW YORK: On Friday, Resorts World New York City unveiled the largest event space in Queens. The 70,000-square-foot Central Park space is joined by a Chinese restaurant and steakhouse with private event space.
The townhouse where Beyonce's "Halo" video was filmed is available for events. The 13,000-square-foot space can be rented daily for $20,000 or on a weekly basis for $50,000. The townhouse holds as many as 350 guests. CitiHabitats:
http://bit.ly/vexbyl
Beauty company Living Proof has named Jill Beraud C.E.O. and Grace Ray chief marketing officer. WWD:
http://bit.ly/vAP2pw
Eye5 Mktg & Talent Inc. is looking to hire an account coordinator with experience in experiential event marketing and/or talent bookings. Resumes can be sent to [email protected].
On Thursday, Ralph Lauren Corp. named Daniel Lalonde president of Ralph Lauren International. Previously, Lalonde was president and chief executive office of Moet & Chandon in Paris. His new position begins January 23. WWD (subscribers only):
http://bit.ly/uWtXtT
ORLANDO: Exhilarate Events has hired Amy Colbert as director of sales and business development.
Construction will begin soon on two new hotels in downtown Orlando, both scheduled to open in 2013. The 119-room Starwood Aloft will occupy the former Orlando Utilities Commission building on South Orange Avenue. It will have about 8,000 square feet of meeting space. Cambria Suites will be located at the corner of Washington Street and Rosalind Avenue and will have 155 rooms and 2,000 square feet of meeting space.
TORONTO: The Drake Hotel has transformed the Sky Yard rooftop patio into the Shack Chaud for the winter, with blankets, outdoor fireplaces, and winter scene photo backdrop. The bar will serve warm seasonal cocktails. http://bit.ly/rHOVyO
Cheesewerks, a restaurant that specializes in artisan grilled cheese sandwiches, opened Friday. The eatery is three years in the making and has already appeared at a number of events including the Toronto Christmas Market. The restaurant offers catering services.
http://bit.ly/k6mH2M
The third annual Sing Your Heart Out holiday concert raised $41,000—more than doubling the fund-raising goal—for the Save a Child's Heart Foundation. The concert took place December 11 in the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre.
WASHINGTON: The Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Maryland, hosts gingerbread lighthouse workshops Friday.
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 Matthew Mogavero, Jana Schiowitz, Anna Sekula, Courtney Thompson, and Katherine Zoeller in New York.
BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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