1. BRANDS STICK WITH OSCARS DESPITE CONTROVERSY: None of the brands that committed to advertising during Sunday’s Academy Awards have pulled their participation despite the #OscarsSoWhite scandal over the lack of diversity among the nominees. But observers are wondering what effect it will have on viewership. Los Angeles Times: “Advertisers, who are paying record prices for air time, find themselves in an awkward position. They want to attach themselves to the glamour of Hollywood without having their brands tarnished by the controversy over the all-white slate of acting nominees. Most advertisers finalized their ad buys last fall, long before the furor. Advertisers agreed to shell out about $2 million for each 30-second spot in the TV program, a new record.” http://lat.ms/1KPSG4S
2. SAMSUNG CREATES “MARKETING HUB” WITH NEW STORE: You can’t buy anything at Samsung’s new flagship store in New York. Instead, the technology company’s answer to the Apple store provides a dedicated space to market to consumers. Adweek: “For instance, there's a gallery within Samsung 837 that showcases technology-based installation art. Currently, there's 'Social Galaxy,' which was created by Black Egg, the experiential design arm of Kenzo Digital. The exhibition, which is being promoted as an 'exploration of social identity,' has attendees walk through a mirror-filled tunnel while photos from their personal Instagram accounts fill the room. It's an individualized, surreal experience meant to make you consider your identity online as well as in the real world. To do so, you have to punch your Instagram account info into a Samsung Galaxy phone, meaning that to participate in the experience, you interact with the Samsung brand. … The flagship also houses a virtual-reality tunnel, studio, kitchen, playroom, living room, cafe, three-story screen, and main stage, all meant to give consumers personal experiences with the brand. There's a customer care center, too.” http://bit.ly/1Lfj87Z
3. PRESTON BAILEY’S FLOWERS 101 TIPS: Event designer Preston Bailey is known for his elaborate floral creations at events. On his blog recently, Bailey has offered insights into his creative process as well as basics for designers learning the trade. Some quick tips include how to achieve perfectly opened tulips, getting the most value out of centerpieces, and when silk flowers are an acceptable substitute for the real thing. Preston’s Blog: “Silk is not a four-letter word. It’s perfectly acceptable to use silk flowers only if you are doing flowers on a ceiling. Most of your guests will always assume that they’re real.” http://bit.ly/1LhWcoC
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTA: Seafood restaurant Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar will open on Sunday in Marietta. The 5,260-square-foot space has a beach-theme design and seats 117. Eater: http://bit.ly/1TarXmA
AUSTIN: The 66th annual Art City Austin will take place April 29-May 1 at Palmer Event Center. The event will showcase works from nearly 200 national artists, have two music stages, and feature local food vendors.
BOSTON: Neurofibromatosis Northeast’s 17th annual “Table for Ten” event will take place on April 6. The event will include dinner at various restaurants and end with a dessert reception at the University of Massachusetts club.
CHICAGO: Chef Cleetus Friedman will join Caffe Baci as executive chef for the catering and special events division.
LAS VEGAS: Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Cam, and Florida Georgia Line will perform at the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards, which will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on CBS April 3.
For Women’s History Month in March, the Neon Museum will update its tours to include additional information about the contributions of the city's female founders, business owners, and politicians.
LOS ANGELES: LA 2024 officials have partnered with Snapchat to have its logo available as a geofilter in the neighborhoods of proposed venues where Olympics events would occur. Los Angeles Times: http://lat.ms/1n00UMd
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Fitness guru Tracy Anderson is opening a pop-up studio at Bal Harbor Shops for an eight-week run beginning March 1. The studio holds 16 for a class and is available for private sessions. A percentage of the proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
NEW YORK: Target will launch its new home decor line for kids, Pillowfort, with an interactive installation for families open March 4-6 at Highline Stages. The Target Pillowfort event is free and open to the public.
United Way of New York City's Women's Leadership Council will host its 10th annual Power of Women to Make a Difference Award on March 9 at Cipriani 42nd Street. Italian fashion house and sponsor Max Mara will preview its spring/summer 2016 collection at the event.
City Winery will open a full-service restaurant, City Vineyard, at Pier 26 in June. The glass-enclosed restaurant will have a 3,000-square-foot interior, a 4,400-square-foot rooftop terrace, and 3,200 square feet of pier-level seating.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: Universal Orlando Resort has released new details about an attraction that will open this summer. Skull Island: Reign of Kong will be located at Universal's Islands of Adventure and will be a multi-dimensional, multi-sensory ride about the legend of King Kong.
Peter Zampaglione has been appointed executive chef at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, overseeing all culinary operations at the 582-room property.
PHILADELPHIA: The South 9th Street Italian Market Festival will take place May 21-22.
PHOENIX: Visit Phoenix has named Connections Housing as its preferred partner for meeting and event housing management.
SAN FRANCISCO: Art Market San Francisco's sixth edition will take place April 27-May 1 at the Fort Mason Festival Pavilion. The contemporary art fair will feature works from more than 70 galleries.
TORONTO: Sugar Beach will transform into a Quebec-style cabane a sucre, or sugar shack, March 12-13. The free community event will feature skating, hot chocolate, live performances, and sugary snacks including maple taffy on snow.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Washington Ballet will host the Bowie Queen Ball, a benefit, on April 29 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. Its theme comes from the upcoming ballet premiere of Bowie & Queen.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
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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, Anna Sekula, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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