Call Sheet #303: Ralph Lauren Unveils Olympics Uniforms, Comedy Central Launches Business Division, a Shortened Taste of Chicago Opens

BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #303 — Wednesday, 07.11.12

++ Sponsored by Event Leadership Institute ++

Compiled today by Beth Kormanik in New York
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html

 * INCOMING *

1. TEAM U.S.A. FASHION: Ralph Lauren unveiled the uniforms that U.S. Olympians will wear at the July 27 Olympic opening ceremony. Opinion on the preppy look—which includes navy blazers, cream-colored trousers and shirts, and berets—were mixed among athletes and fans. The company explained its choices, which will be sold to the public. New York Post: "David Lauren, the company’s executive vice president of advertising, marketing and corporate communications, said the retro look of the uniforms was inspired by photos from the US Olympic Committee’s archives. These included photographs from the 1948 London Summer Games. … He said the outfits represented 'an updated take on Old World elegance.'" http://nyp.st/MhSmxb

In other Olympic news, NBC and Facebook plan to announce a partnership today. New York Times: "Data from Facebook will inform television coverage on NBC and on the other channels that will carry portions of the Summer Games starting on July 27. The specific uses will vary, but there will be a 'Facebook Talk Meter' occasionally shown on TV to reflect what is being said online." http://nyti.ms/L7kigX

2. A SMALLER TASTE: The once-popular Taste of Chicago festival, which begins today, may be looking at smaller crowds. Huffington Post: "After five years of declining attendance and diminishing returns, the city slashed the traditional 10-day food-and-music showcase in half this year, cutting the fireworks and adding a price tag for seats at Grant Park's Petrillo Music Shell, where Jennifer Hudson, Death Cab for Cutie, Chaka Khan, and more are slated to perform. But when advanced sales for the $25 seated tickets closed Monday, the Chicago Sun-Times reports that just over 7,100 of the 15,000 tickets available for the five headlining performers had been sold."

3. CATSKILLS COMEBACK: The once-popular resort area wants to reignite tourism to the depressed area. New York Times: "In an era when enhancing the brand name is deemed mandatory for every aspiring company, celebrity and locale, it seems clear that the Catskills could use a rebooted one. Hence an exercise in crowd-sourcing and creative marketing in which the newly formed Catskill Park Resource Foundation is hoping to raise $5 million to rebrand the Catskills." http://nyti.ms/NGMFVw

4. NEW PARTNERSHIP: Public relations and events agency KCD and London-based studio complex and multichannel creative agency Spring are partnering to offer global fashion communications services. The idea for KCD was to meet all of their clients' needs in-house rather than have them hire separate agencies. Women's Wear Daily: "The list of things a brand needs in the current environment is longer than any one agency can supply, and that brands need to manage multiple channels with the same distinction they achieved in their fashion advertising and shows." http://wwd.us/Mh8Cbz

5. FUNNY BUSINESS: Comedy Central will launch a business division, Comedy Central Enterprises, to offer consumer products, home video, CDs and digital downloads, publishing, and live touring. Mitch Fried will be executive vice president of the new branch. Press release: http://bit.ly/NgYdR7


++ A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR: Event Leadership Institute ++

The Event Leadership Institute is looking for an Executive Assistant. Join the team helping to shape the future of event education and make a difference in the future of your industry. Apply here: www.EventLeadershipInstitute.com


* CALL FOR CORPORATE PICNICS *

BizBash wants to know how you are celebrating corporate summer picnics. Send your plans for food, decor, entertainment, and more to [email protected].

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake will host Guacaholics Anonymous III July 16 featuring guacamole from local eateries. Proceeds benefit local hunger relief organizations Lovin' Spoonfuls and Community Servings.

Lark Hotels has two new properties: The Chapman House in Nantucket and the Attwater in Newport, Rhode Island.

CHICAGO: Summer Entertaining with Debi Lilly takes place tonight at Kendall College. The entertaining showcase will offer snacks made from recipes in Lilly's new book, A Perfect Event.

On Your Mark Coaching + Training, a multisport and personal-training studio, will host an Olympics-themed activation in Skinner Park July 21. The day will include in three-legged races and water balloon tosses; winners get 10 free classes at On Your Mark.

The four-city tour "Red Bull Curates: The Canvas Cooler Project" stops in Chicago for an event at the Chicago Urban Arts Society July 26. The event will showcase work from local artists on Red Bull mini fridges wrapped in canvas.

According to Chicagoist, casual chicken joints are Chicago's latest food craze. Examples include the recently opened Pecking Order and an in-the-works chicken spot from celebrity chef Stephanie Izard. http://bit.ly/NgYdR7

The Chicago Diner will open in the space that formerly housed the Logan Square Kitchen in December. The 1,000-square-foot restaurant will serve vegetarian fare.

Jellyfish Restaurant, set to open in the Gold Coast in August, will host private events in an atrium space with 65 seats.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: March of Dimes Broward Division will host the 16th annual Signature Chefs Auction at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa September 19.

NEW YORK: After closing down in the Ferragamo building on Fifth Avenue in 2009, Cornelia spa reopened July 1 at the Surrey hotel, with five treatment suites and a revamped service menu.

The Museum of the City of New York will host the fifth annual Big Apple Bash August 9 at the venue's Fifth Avenue terrace.

Americans for the Arts will present the 2012 National Arts Awards October 15 at Cipriani 42nd Street.

Keep a Child Alive will host its ninth annual Black Ball November 21 at the Hammerstein ballroom, with co-founder Alicia Keys and honoree Oprah Winfrey.

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

ORLANDO: A.I.P.C., the International Association of Congress Centres, selected the Orange County Convention Center as one of the top convention facilities in the world. The Royal College of Physicians in London took the top prize as "World's Best Convention Centre." The Orange County facility was one of three runners-up and the only one in the United States.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has broken ground on a new Aloft hotel in downtown Orlando. The 118-room hotel will be built inside the former Orlando Utilities Commission building on Orange Avenue, across from the future Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

Disney has hired Jim Messinger as chef de cuisine for catering and banquets at the Contemporary Resort. Messinger comes from Boston, where he has been owner, executive chef,  and general manager for LOCO Tapas & Wine Bar and Crazy Chefs Caterers.

TORONTO: The Hare Krishna Centre will present the 40th annual Festival of India Saturday and Sunday at Centre Island, with a parade, dance and drama performances, a South Asian Bazaar, and a vegetarian feast.

The Unity Festival kicks off Thursday at various locations throughout the city, with beatboxing and break-dancing competitions, poetry slams, and an all-day concert at Yonge-Dundas Square on Saturday.

WASHINGTON: Washington Business Journal: "Two prominent sports businessmen have bought a controlling interest in D.C. United and expect to re-ignite talks with the District government about a new soccer stadium development project in Southwest D.C." http://bit.ly/Mgml8S

Nate Waugaman is the new executive chef at Tallula & EatBar.

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected]. 



With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Alexandra Brandt, Rose Chevalier, Julia Elstrodt, Beth Kormanik, and Anna Sekula in New York.

BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com. 

Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html
Advertise here: [email protected]