February 26, 2014: What Brands Have Planned for the Oscars, Sochi’s Top Social Media Moments, Concert Business Booms

1. WHAT BRANDS HAVE PLANNED FOR THE OSCARS: Brands including Vanity Fair, Chobani, Evite, and Banana Republic all have experiential marketing events planned in Los Angeles leading up to the Oscars, from a lounge for bloggers to a fan experience watching stars arrive on the red carpet. New York Times: “Oscar night is Vanity Fair’s Super Bowl,” said Edward J. Menicheschi, the magazine's vice president and publisher. “The idea of setting up a central HQ for bloggers that’s a physical manifestation of our brand will enable them to create good social content. We see the chance to repeat it at other high-visibility cultural events.” http://nyti.ms/1ho92zi

2. SOCHI’S TOP SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENTS: Hockey was the clear winner at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, according to data on the top social media moments released by Twitter and Facebook. Mashable: “The shootout victory over Russia by the U.S. men's hockey team generated more than 72,000 tweets per minute—the top moment of the games—according to Twitter. In a distant second was Canada's hockey victory over the U.S. men's team in the semifinals, which attracted 47,600 tweets per minute. The only sport other than hockey to generate a top-five Twitter moment: Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu taking gold in men's ice skating.” See the top-mentioned athletes and each country’s favorite sport here: http://on.mash.to/1kfCK9X

3. CONCERT BUSINESS BOOMS: Americans are buying more concert tickets, particularly to country music shows, which has boosted business for promoters and Ticketmaster owner Live Nation. The company noted that it’s spending more on social media to reach fans. New York Post: “C.E.O. Michael Rapino told analysts Monday that better data collection has helped the company target its consumer marketing. The firm has a database of 250 million fan preferences. The company, which bills itself as one of the biggest e-commerce firms in the US, now sells 14 percent of its tickets via mobile.” http://bit.ly/1c7sAc6


* INDUSTRY NEWS *

Hollywood Reporter: “CAA Sports has acquired Inside Sports & Entertainment Group, a full-service corporate-hospitality, event-management and marketing firm, as a wholly owned subsidiary.” http://bit.ly/1hxZUa8

* LOCAL NEWS *

AUSTIN:  The third annual Austin Food & Wine Festival, scheduled for April 25-27, has announced its schedule of more than 40 events. The grand tasting tent will expand this year.

BOSTON:  To mark the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings, the Boston Athletic Association will hold a private tribute event at the Hynes Convention Center on April 15. EPSN: http://es.pn/1orjD08

CHICAGO:  The Chicago Humanities Festival's spring 2014 programs will feature chef Alice Waters, writer Ruth Reichl, and singer Jessye Norman.

The Children's Place Association's "Once Upon a Time" gala is April 26 at Union Station. This year's event will have a "Roaring Twenties" theme.

LAS VEGAS:  The Venetian will host Jim Belushi & the Chicago Board of Comedy at the Sands Showroom stage April 18-19.

A new chef’s table is being offered within the Bellagio buffet. Reservations are accepted for parties of eight or more.

LOS ANGELES:  L.A. Times: "The Los Angeles Convention Center reported it has already booked 29 conventions for 2014, surpassing the 22 conventions that held at the facility in 2013. The events include 11 gatherings that are new to L.A.” http://lat.ms/1gzt6wz

Oakley hosted an event on Monday at Red Studios to launch its “Disruptive by Design” global marketing campaign.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The Little Lighthouse Foundation’s fifth annual Hearts & Stars gala is March 15 at Terra Veritatis, the private estate of Bill Dean. The 1,200 guests will be ferried to the event by water taxi.

NEW YORK:  ReedPOP, the producers of New York Comic Con, announced plans for a new comic-focused convention, Special Edition: NYC, scheduled for June 14-15 at Javits Center North. Press release: http://bit.ly/OxFe9U

The first Pro-Ject, a networking event for "influencers," is scheduled for February 27. The event will be live-streamed and will integrate Twitter questions into the speaker portion of the program.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ORLANDO:  Aquatica water park will open Ihu's Breakaway Falls, a multi-drop tower slide, on May 9.

TORONTO:  The Canadian Chefs' Congress will host "Spring Thaw" at the Palais Royale on March 31. The event will offer spring-theme bites made by 20 chefs and showcase Ontario's organic and non-G.M.O. produce.

WASHINGTON:  Prevent Cancer Foundation's annual Spring Gala will honor Japan, and Kenichiro Sasae, the Japanese ambassador, and Mrs. Sasae will serve as honorary patrons. The March 7 event at the National Building Museum is expected to draw more than 1,000 guests and is designed by David Tutera, who serves on the foundation's board.

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Jill Menze, and Anna Sekula in New York.

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