June 9, 2016: How Film Festivals Can Help Change Diversity Conversations, New Music Festivals Are Boosting Tourism in Greece, Media Brands Join Project to Create Real-Time Olympic Ads

1. HOW FILM FESTIVALS CAN HELP CHANGE DIVERSITY CONVERSATIONS: Film festivals can’t immediately solve the Hollywood film industry’s diversity issue, but they can be a stepping stone to change. The Los Angeles Film Festival, which ends today, is a prime example of a film fest that actively seeks out diverse programming. USA Today: “That’s what festival director Stephanie Allain realized two years ago while programming the Los Angeles Film Festival, which has sought to find its place among sales- and star-driven fests like Toronto, Sundance and Cannes. ‘We can be the change we’re looking for by stepping up,’ says Allain, a 20-year veteran producer of films such as Hustle & Flow, Beyond the Lights and Dear White People. She and her team began to pivot from booking glossy studio fare to strategically seeking out projects from women and people of color. ‘People are so hooked on movie stars,’ says Allain. ‘We’re giving our audience a chance to discover those new voices for themselves and not to be sort of force-fed by Hollywood.’ … Festivals ‘become like a test kitchen for distributors,’ says Political Animals director Jonah Markowitz, whose documentary chronicles the civil rights victories of the first four openly gay elected California state politicians (all women). ‘When you can sell out a screening at the L.A. Film Festival ... it shows distributors definitely how wide your market is.’ http://usat.ly/1PIqjrl

2. NEW MUSIC FESTIVALS ARE BOOSTING TOURISM IN GREECE: After years of economic decline, Greece is seeing an uptick in tourism this year thanks to a new wave of affordable, electronic dance music festivals that are attracting younger fans. The Guardian: "One explanation is to be found in the revival of dance music. The electronic music scene is the driving force behind a whole host of events this summer such as Odyssia festival in Alepokhóri, Attiki, Rhythmatic open air festival in Pelion and Reworks festival in Thessaloniki. … With around 60% of young people unemployed in Greece, promoters are careful to keep prices down for locals too and most parties have free entry, something that is quite rare elsewhere in Europe. One way in which festivals might help the local economy is that unlike many European dance music festivals, where the sole focus is on music and partying and revellers are encouraged to spend their money on site, Greek organisers are keen to show off the surroundings. Odyssia, which is held in early September with a lineup that includes Gilles Peterson and Francois K, is located close to one of Europe’s largest wild flower gardens and a thermal spa, and attendees are encouraged to visit the nearby trekking, cycling and climbing hotspots." http://bit.ly/1TWoiV4
 

3. MEDIA BRANDS JOIN PROJECT TO CREATE REAL-TIME OLYMPIC ADS: Media companies including Condé Nast and USA Today have come together on the Rubicon Project, which will allow the publications to target personalized ads surrounding memorable Olympic moments—right after they occur. Adweek: “‘It makes the Olympics more accessible to advertisers who are looking to really seize this always-on moment,’ John Peragine, head of video at Rubicon Project, said in an interview. ‘I would say this is the first time the Olympics have been able to be automated at this kind of level.’ The company has already signed on the USA Today Network and Condé Nast as two of the first publishers. According to Rubicon Project, the publishers coming on board collectively reach about 100 million people. This is the first time Condé Nast has targeted audiences programmatically for a specific event. Peragine said publishers who are a part of Rubicon Project's network have an opportunity to package their inventory in desirable ways for advertisers in order to make strategic buys to reach audiences in ways they couldn't with television. He said advertisers would reach an audience with a $25 CPM and reach 1 million users while focusing the message better than they can with a broadcast spot. Programmatic buys also let advertisers pivot quickly to take advantage of stories that might begin trending during the Olympics.” http://bit.ly/1PKDhFf

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The 46th annual Boston Pride Parade and Festival will take place Saturday at Copley Square and City Hall Plaza.

CHICAGO:  The eighth annual Green Music Fest will take place June 18-19 at Wicker Park. This year's festival will feature the new Pet Fest, a community outreach tent, a family-friendly fest, and the People Powered Bike Stage for the third consecutive year.

LOS ANGELES:  The Beverly Hills Food & Wine Festival will take place Friday through Sunday at the Olympic Collection.

For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The 31st International Hispanic Theatre Festival of Miami will take place at the Adrienne Arscht Center with three different shows from July 7-10, July 15-17, and July 21-24.

NEW YORK:  The U.S. Army will celebrate its 241st birthday with a series of performances, demonstrations, and ceremonies on June 14 at Military Island in Times Square.

Lotte New York Palace has appointed Rebecca Hubbard as general manager.

For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  To coincide with the opening of the new roller coaster, Mako, SeaWorld Orlando will host "Summer of Mako." From June 10 to August 7, the park will have special interactive games, animal meet-and-greets, and entertainment.

An expansion of Disney's Typhoon Lagoon may be in the works. Orlando Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1t9aH5Z

PHILADELPHIA:  The 31st annual Mushroom Festival will take place September 10-11 in Kennett Square.

TORONTO:  The fourth annual Liberty Village Art Crawl, presented by Cirque Du Soleil Luzia, will take place Saturday. The event will feature work from 65 local artists and designers, as well as food trucks and DJs.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Jinya Ramen Bar will open June 21 in Fairfax's Mosaic District. The opening of the 2,500-square-foot restaurant will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a Japanese Taiko drum performance. The restaurant will donate opening day proceeds to Inova Children's Hospital in Falls Church.

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

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