April 28, 2014: TechCrunch Drops Major Event Sponsor, Wife of Foursquare C.E.O. Sneaks Into Boston Marathon, What Media Buyers Want From NewFronts


1. TECHCRUNCH DROPS MAJOR EVENT SPONSOR: The tech website TechCrunch announced it would drop RadiumOne as a sponsor for its Disrupt New York hackathon next week. Talking New Media: “The move comes after the CEO of RadiumOne Gurbaksh “G” Chahal pleaded guilty to one count of domestic violence battery and one count of battery. … ‘(W)e simply couldn’t sleep at night knowing that we were supporting and promoting a company led by someone who does not share our values on the issue of domestic abuse,’ wrote Alexia Tsotsis on TechCrunch.” RadiumOne later announced it fired Chahal. http://bit.ly/QUjlSI

2. WIFE OF FOURSQUARE C.E.O. SNEAKS INTO BOSTON MARATHON: Using a fake bib number, Chelsa Crowley, wife of Foursquare C.E.O. Dennis Crowley, ran the Boston Marathon last Monday. She was caught by the runner whose race number she had stolen, setting off criticism dubbed “#bibgate” on social media. The Crowleys have since apologized. The New York Times: “Wearing another person’s bib number, which allows a bandit to avoid registering and paying fees for the race, violates race rules, and impostors risk being kicked out of the marathon and banned from future events if they are caught. More important, runners and nonrunners said on social media, it’s just plain cheating.” http://nyti.ms/1foL6OB

3. WHAT MEDIA BUYERS WANT FROM NEWFRONTS: Digital NewFronts, which begin today in New York, have flashy presentations but lack the substance to convince buyers to commit. Ad Age: “Buyers might look, too, for short-term plans, like how a NewFronts presenter plans to promote its content. Posting video and hoping the audience finds it hasn't worked well in the past. Indeed, one of the biggest complaints about the NewFronts has been the lack of concrete results after the presentations end. Digital publishers excitedly describe a batch of planned content, much of which doesn't ultimately show up—or show up enough for many consumers to notice it.” http://bit.ly/1ldh2Wh


* INDUSTRY NEWS *

Frank Supovitz is leaving his position as the N.F.L’s senior vice president of events to start his own event management and consulting business.

* LOCAL NEWS *

AUSTIN:  Hotel Ella named Mallory Voorheis as its national sales manager, where she will lead leisure, corporate, and group sales.

BOSTON:  Scampo has a new pausa pranzo (or “lunch break”) menu that's designed for quick, working lunches. Dishes include spaghetti with cracklings and hot pepper and lamb pizza with ricotta.

CHICAGO:  The Walk, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s annual fashion show and gala, is Friday at Millennium Park. Artist Nick Cave will receive the Legend of Fashion Award.

The Green City Market opens for its 16th season on May 3. Opening day activities include cooking demos for kids, an edible garden workshop, and an opportunity to shop the market with chefs Carrie Nahabedian and Sarah Stenger.

Billy Dec, C.E.O. and founder of Rockit Ranch Productions, has been appointed to President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

LAS VEGAS:  Giada, the first restaurant from Giada De Laurentiis, is set to debut at the Cromwell hotel in the next few months. It will have private dining room space.

Jessica Murray has left her role as senior account executive at Wicked Creative and will join R&R Partners as PR supervisor.

LOS ANGELES:  The Open Hearts Foundation will host its fourth annual gala on May 10 at the private Malibu residence of Jane Seymour and James Keach. CNN’s Christi Paul will host.

This year's PBS SoCal gala is May 17 at the OC Fair & Event Center—Hangar Building in Costa Mesa and will have a theme of "Puttin' on the Glitz."

The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assocation's Beastly Ball fund-raiser is June 14 at the zoo.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Food for the Poor announced two galas for 2015: the 12th annual Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala is January 22 at at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, and its  20th annual Building Hope gala is February 6 at Boca West Country Club.

NEW YORK:  Level R, the newly renovated rooftop at the Empire Hotel, opens Thursday. The 6,000-square-foot space, which has two outdoor terraces, a retractable roof, and a renovated lounge with a new sound and lighting system, seats 250 and holds 590 for receptions. It is available for private events.

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

TORONTO:  The Pan American Food Festival is August 8-10 at Daniels Spectrum. Inspired by the upcoming Pan Am Games in Toronto, the food festival will showcase food and culture from some 41 countries.

Luxe Style, a women’s shop on Yonge Street, will host its grand reopening event on May 3. The shopping event includes champagne and hors d’oeuvres.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Belly dancers were among the entertainment at the National Museum of Women in the Art’s spring gala Friday, which had a theme of “Nine Thousand and Nine Hundred Nights.” Washington Post: http://wapo.st/1foMjW3

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Jill Menze, and Anna Sekula in New York.

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