1. OSCARS WILL PRESENT FOUR CATEGORIES DURING COMMERCIAL BREAKS: In the ceremony's latest break from tradition, the Oscars will present four categories—film editing, cinematography, live-action short, and makeup and hairstyling—during commercial breaks. The acceptance speeches will air later during the broadcast. The news, announced by Academy president John Bailey, marks the latest change the Academy has made to keep the February 24 telecast running time to three hours, and the latest that has sparked outrage from viewers and nominees alike. The Hollywood Reporter: "According to several sources, a video demonstration of what this new format will look like was shown to the various branches. It is said to have included most of the presentation, minus the winner's walk to the stage. The goal, they were told, was also to include the spirit of each winner's acceptance speech, although the speeches could be edited if they turn into a long list of thank-yous. Several of those who saw the video demonstration said that it provided a respectful acknowledgment of the affected category and helped to ease their concerns. As a rationale for the move, Bailey explained, 'Viewing patterns for the Academy Awards are changing quickly in our current multi-media world, and our show must also evolve to successfully continue promoting motion pictures to a worldwide audience. This has been our core mission since we were established 91 years ago—and it is the same today.'" https://bit.ly/2GDdcI2
2. NICKI MINAJ DROPS OUT OF BET FESTIVAL OVER NETWORK'S INSULTING TWEET: Nicki Minaj, who was slated to be the biggest headliner of the BET Experience festival this summer, dropped out after the network posted an offensive tweet about the rapper. Attempting to fuel drama between Minaj and Cardi B, who won best rap album at the Grammys on Sunday, BET tweeted news item about the win with a headline that read, “Meanwhile, Nicki Minaj is being dragged by her lacefront.” The network deleted the tweet, but Minaj retweeted a fan who posted a screenshot of the tweet, telling fans they should get refunds. The network has since apologized to the rapper. Los Angeles Times: "Just a few weeks ago the network announced both Minaj and Cardi would headline concerts for the four-day event built around the network’s annual award show. As of Monday afternoon, BET still listed Minaj and Lil Wayne on its festival lineup (though it does include a disclaimer at the bottom: '*talent subject to change'). The loss of Minaj and her labelmates are a massive blow for the event, set for June 20-23 at L.A. Live, which has recently struggled to recapture the buzz it had during its infancy. The superstar rapper previously headlined the festival in 2015, a showing that was marred by so many production issues that a visibly irritated Minaj called out BET and festival promoters during the performance." https://lat.ms/2WSFV1r
3. 2020 OLYMPICS WILL GIVE MEDALS MADE FROM RECYCLED GADGETS: The gold, silver, and bronze medals given to winners at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo will be made from recycled electronics. The medals are a product of the Medal Project, an initiative that launched in April 2017, which asked Japanese cities and towns to collect e-waste for the games. Fast Company: “By October of 2018, the Medal Project had become a sensation across the country: 1,594 municipal authorities, or approximately 90 percent of Japan, had begun taking part in the collections. Now, the Medal Project is reporting that it has secured enough raw material to produce the more than 2,500 medals needed for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. From the Medal Project’s initial stated targets, that means 66 pounds of gold, 9,000 pounds of silver, and 6,000 pounds of bronze. Olympic medals typically weigh 500 grams–about 1.1 pounds–apiece. Heartbreakingly, there’s very little actual gold in a gold medal.” https://bit.ly/2tqqEaF
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTA: Sports, entertainment, lifestyle, and culinary marketing agency Melt has appointed Manny Marquez as senior art director and head of Melt Studio, the agency’s creative and art division.
LAS VEGAS: Lifestyle hospitality company Sbe and Disruptive Restaurant Group, a division of Sbe, will take over management of three Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino venues from Hakkasan Group. They now manage Kumi Japanese Restaurant and Bar, Red Square Restaurant & Vodka Lounge, and Citizens Kitchen and Bar.
LOS ANGELES: Writers In Treatement, a nonprofit that aims to help writers suffering from drug addiction and alcoholism, will hold its 10th annual Experience, Strength and Hope Awards on February 28 at the Skirball Cultural Center. The event will honor actress and author Jodie Sweetin.
For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: PĂ©rez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) drew nearly 500 guests for the sixth annual Art and Soul Celebration on February 9. The event, which supports the museum's Fund for African American Art, announced the acquisition of a large-scale tapestry by Jamaican visual artist Ebony G. Patterson.
NEW YORK: The 16th annual Brooklyn Designs trade show, taking place May 10-12 during NYCxDesign, will be relocated to the 15th floor of Building 77 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: Kingwood International Resorts has acquired Reunion Resort. The 360-room hotel has 25,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
SAN FRANCISCO: The Tasting Alliance’s World Spirits Competition will take place March 21-24 at Hotel Nikko.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Washington Post's Tom Sietsema reported that restaurateur Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group plans to open a full-service restaurant and bar in 2020 at the planned Thompson Hotel. It won't be a repeat of an existing concept. https://wapo.st/2N18JjH
The Washington Ballet Gala: Illuminate & Ignite will take place May 10 at the Anthem.
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With contributions from Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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