February 20, 2015: Inside the White House With Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard, Powerful PR Chief Changes Strategy on Events, See Oscar Dresses as Cookies

1. INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE WITH SOCIAL SECRETARY JEREMY BERNARD: As social secretary, Jeremy Bernard plans every event at the White House and has brought a modern sensibility to the post. Vogue: “Small changes in decorum have not gone unnoticed. This is the first White House to use email invitations, to the consternation of some who miss that formal embossed envelope landing in their mailbox. It has been noted that this administration occasionally uses outside event planners, as Bernard did for an A-list dinner in honor of U.K. prime minister David Cameron in 2012. And because the White House is smaller than everyone realizes—the maximum number of people who can be seated comfortably for dinner is 200—the Obamas have taken to erecting big Hollywood-style tents on the South Lawn when they want to include more people than the house allows, which has also inspired some oh-how-gauche grumbling inside the Beltway.” http://vogue.cm/1MvCALa

2. POWERFUL PR CHIEF CHANGES STRATEGY ON EVENTS: Beauty PR maven Alison Brod thinks the role of events in promoting brands should diminish—but the brands don’t always agree. Racked: "While the social media part of my business is growing, the events and experience part is decreasing. Brands don't want to spend a lot of money funding one event that reaches 300 people; they'd rather put it towards a digital camera in the hopes of reaching many more. … We have clients that want to spend half a million dollars on an event, and we tell them not to do it and that we can devise a new campaign. We often lose.” http://bit.ly/1w0ZncR

3. SEE OSCAR DRESSES AS COOKIES: In a sweet take on red carpet fashion, a team from the International Culinary Center recreated memorable gowns from past Academy Awards as cookies. Stars from Lupita Nyong’o to Julia Roberts to Angelina Jolie get the sugar treatment. New York Post: “Made of sugar paste and sweet cookie dough, each edible figurine took eight hours to construct—which the school notes is less time than it takes many actresses to get ready for the big night. An additional eight hours was required to construct the edible stage for the actresses to strut their delicious dresses.” http://pge.sx/1FC5d7D


* INDUSTRY NEWS *

Mobile Media Summits founder Paran Johar is selling his company to the Comexposium Group, a European conference and event firm. Adweek: http://bit.ly/1FzESHe

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The New England Home Show, held at the Seaport World Trade Center, starts today and runs through Sunday.

CHICAGO:  Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park now has an in-house kosher kitchen. The menu offers kosher canapés, hors d’oeuvres, soups, salad, sushi, deli items, and desserts.

LAS VEGAS:  Slated to open on March 13 at Caesars Palace, Omnia nightclub has unveiled that it will also house a separate V.I.P. space, known as Heart of Omnia.

LOS ANGELES:  All-Star Chef Classic founders Lucy Lean and Krissy Lefebvre of Alice in Events alongside AEG have announced their partnership with Mercedes-Benz as exclusive automotive sponsor for the event, slated for March 11-14.

The Family Equality Council’s Los Angeles award diner is slated for February 28 at the Beverly Hilton.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The Bass Museum of Art will host its A Night at the Museum benefit March 11 at the museum. This year's theme is "A Film Noir," and the evening will include a silent auction of works donated by contemporary artists.

NEW YORK:  French Heritage Society announced the date for its annual gala this fall. The black-tie affair will take place November 18 at the Pierre Hotel and is expected to draw 350 guests.

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

SAN FRANCISCO:  The Radisson Fisherman’s Wharf will be reflagged as the Zephyr Fisherman’s Wharf this spring. After a renovation, the upscale 361-room hotel will have a maritime theme.

TORONTO:  The Audi Opening Night Party for Toronto Men’s Fashion Week will take place at the Audi Downtown Toronto Showroom on Monday.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Blue Star Families will host its fifth anniversary celebration Tuesday at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The event, which will feature journalist Bob Woodruff as M.C., recognizes civilian supporters of the military.

Destination DC, the city's destination marketing organization, has hired Jessica Mayorga as its director of communications.

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

BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.

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