BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #467 — Friday, 03.15.13
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Compiled today by Beth Kormanik in New York
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1. HASHTAG HYPE: Facebook is looking into adding hashtags so users can group conversations around topics and brands can launch campaigns around them. Wall Street Journal: "Facebook's work on a hashtag is a sign of the heightening battle between Facebook and Twitter, as both compete for mobile users and fight for advertising dollars. For years, Twitter and Facebook seemed to occupy different poles of the social-media spectrum. While Facebook was the home of close friends and family, Twitter was the real-time broadcasting device for the rest of the world. Facebook has now increasingly moved onto Twitter's turf." http://on.wsj.com/10MOBmd
2. SPLASHIER SAMSUNG: For the launch of its Galaxy S4 last night in New York, the smartphone maker went big, with a press event at Radio City Music Hall and a flash mob of costumed dancers in Times Square. Fortune: "It's almost as if the two companies—engaged in a global battle for command of the $400 billion mobile device industry—are moving in opposite directions. Apple in its marketing and advertising has become quieter and more modest, hoping its products and services will speak for themselves. Samsung, meanwhile, is going bigger and brasher, hiring the big halls and the dancers and mocking Apple—and itself—in TV ads loaded with attitude." http://bit.ly/10RgtcH
3. SUPER BOWL DEMANDS: Miami, seeking to land the Super Bowl in 2016, is weighing whether to give in to a demand from the N.F.L. to exempt the league from several taxes. Miami Herald: "A source familiar with N.F.L. requirements provided The Miami Herald with excerpts of the N.F.L.’s Super Bowl requests from recent years. For the 2016 and ’17 games, the N.F.L. added a provision that wasn’t present in language a couple of years before: Not only would the N.F.L.’s employees be exempt from state and local taxes, it wanted rebates on any taxes passed through to the league from local Super Bowl vendors. The language also specifies the broad range of taxes the N.F.L. doesn’t want to pay: 'income, gross receipt, franchise, payroll, sales, use, admission, or occupancy taxes as a result of holding the Game at the site.' That includes parking for Super Bowl events, according to the language. The exemption would cover site visits for up to a year before the game." http://hrld.us/Z3cVgj
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* 10 BEST IDEAS OF THE WEEK *
Here's a look at 10 steal-worthy ideas we spotted this week, including a floral carpet Preston Bailey designed for a stunning private event, a Norwegian soft-drink company's giant message in a bottle, the California Science Center's space-themed gala, an enormous LED light sculpture known as "Bay Lights" in San Francisco, Asian-inspired meeting snacks, and more. bizba.sh/XDHQqb
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: In Japan, "hanami" celebrations (or cherry blossom parties) welcome the arrival of spring and allow people to have drinks and snacks amongst blooming flowers. The restaurant Haru, which means "spring" in Japanese, has developed two specialty cocktails to celebrate this tradition: the Sakura Breeze and the Cherry Blossom, both made with cherry vodka.
Reach Out and Read's "Read to Succeed" breakfast benefit is May 7 at the State Room. Attendees will include U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, author Dennis Lehane, and more.
CHICAGO: On March 19, the Peninsula Hotels and Condé Nast Traveler will host a launch party celebrating the magazine's April issue. The Tour of Asia-themed event will have decor from Kehoe Designs.
Michelle Durpetti Events will celebrate its fifth anniversary with an event at Loft 644 on April 11. Participating vendors will include Femme du Coupe, Sugar Chic Designs, and Jewell Events Catering.
Drury Lane has completed renovations on its ballroom, restaurant, and lobby. Phase two of the venue's renovations will wrap up by mid-2014.
The American Cancer Society's Discovery Ball is April 27 at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the American Cancer Society, the ball has launched a "100 Ambassadors for our 100th Birthday" distinguished leadership group.
LAS VEGAS: Hosted by Aria Resort & Casino, the 12th annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational will return to Las Vegas’s Shadow Creek April 4 to 7, drawing notables like Michael Phelps, Jerry Rice, Rob Riggle, and Wayne Brady.
LOS ANGELES: Erica Carter is the new field sales manager for Seasons 52 Santa Monica.
L.A. Times has a roundup of spring social events and galas: http://lat.ms/Yaw7N7
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Chai Lifeline held its 20th annual South East gala March 5 at the Dezer Car Collection Museum.
NEW YORK: Dior celebrated its new Bergdorf Goodman boutique with an in-store cocktail reception followed by dinner at the Four Seasons Tuesday. The table was set with candles and pink peonies. Women's Wear Daily: http://wwd.us/1559wBy
Local event listings from Masterplanner:
http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO: Disney announced plans today for a major expansion and transformation of Downtown Disney. The shopping, dining, and entertainment complex will be renamed Disney Springs and will expand from 75 to more than 150 venues. Construction begins in April. Disney Springs will open in phases, with completion scheduled for 2016. Disney Parks Blog: http://bit.ly/ZCgYRz
MegaCon runs today through Sunday at the Orange County Convention Center. The event draws thousands of sci-fi, gaming, and comic book fans to see actors such as Dean Cain, Patrick Stewart, and Lou Ferrigno.
WASHINGTON: DoubleDutch created the official mobile app for the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference. In addition to standard features such as the agenda and venue maps, the app allows attendees to rate sessions and exhibitors, set up a profile and network with other attendees, and earn points, badges, and prizes by checking in and other activities within the program.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
JOB BOARD: Post a job or find a job:http://jobs.bizbash.com
With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Jenna Berris, Beth Kormanik, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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