It was Christmas in July when Motorola staged its 2004 holiday product launch at Hammerstein Ballroom. Everything from cell phones and wireless speakers to headsets and home entertainment systems were on display in interactive settings that mimicked the different ways consumers use the products.
Public relations firm Hill & Knowlton created a four-pronged theme that was carried out through four rooms that were filled with products and furniture and designated "at home," "at work," "at play," and "on the go" by stainless steel letters from Gauge Inc. Monica Rohleder, Motorola's North American public relations manager, and Hill & Knowlton's Liz Toby and Ryan Pealworked with Kenny Eggerl of KSE Productions to produce the event. "They had a lot of products to show in a little space," Eggerl said. "By creating different venues, we were able to display as much as possible, and show off all the ways the company has to communicate."
Guests walked into the space and found a large, circular bar as the centerpiece. It featured more than just stemware and spirits: Motorola's sleek new RAZR V3 mobile phones were also on display in the center. The four rooms that surrounded the bar all featured furniture and props from Greenroom that were mixed with Motorola products. The effect was a realistic atmosphere for how the products fit consumers' everyday lives. In the "at home" room, for example, a brown couch was flanked by wooden tables that held a Motorola cordless phone and a home entertainment center.
Additional tables and chairs were set up for guests who'd finished playing with the products. The tables were covered in Pucci-esque swirling green cloths and flanked by white plastic molded chairs for a mod, 60's feel.
Great Performances' hors d'oeuvres included crab cakes, chicken satay skewers, beef tips on crostini, and spicy breaded shrimp skewers that were served on trays covered with grass and palm fronds. Alcohol sponsor Allied Domecq's signature cocktail menu featured a "Merry Mango Martini" and a "Wet Stocking," made with Wet gin.
—Erika Rasmusson Janes
Public relations firm Hill & Knowlton created a four-pronged theme that was carried out through four rooms that were filled with products and furniture and designated "at home," "at work," "at play," and "on the go" by stainless steel letters from Gauge Inc. Monica Rohleder, Motorola's North American public relations manager, and Hill & Knowlton's Liz Toby and Ryan Pealworked with Kenny Eggerl of KSE Productions to produce the event. "They had a lot of products to show in a little space," Eggerl said. "By creating different venues, we were able to display as much as possible, and show off all the ways the company has to communicate."
Guests walked into the space and found a large, circular bar as the centerpiece. It featured more than just stemware and spirits: Motorola's sleek new RAZR V3 mobile phones were also on display in the center. The four rooms that surrounded the bar all featured furniture and props from Greenroom that were mixed with Motorola products. The effect was a realistic atmosphere for how the products fit consumers' everyday lives. In the "at home" room, for example, a brown couch was flanked by wooden tables that held a Motorola cordless phone and a home entertainment center.
Additional tables and chairs were set up for guests who'd finished playing with the products. The tables were covered in Pucci-esque swirling green cloths and flanked by white plastic molded chairs for a mod, 60's feel.
Great Performances' hors d'oeuvres included crab cakes, chicken satay skewers, beef tips on crostini, and spicy breaded shrimp skewers that were served on trays covered with grass and palm fronds. Alcohol sponsor Allied Domecq's signature cocktail menu featured a "Merry Mango Martini" and a "Wet Stocking," made with Wet gin.
—Erika Rasmusson Janes