1. TRUMP PROPERTY OUT OF RUNNING FOR BRITISH OPEN: Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf club—once seen as a lock to host the 2020 British Open—is now out of contention, according to a report that says executives at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews balked at the Republican presidential candidate’s inflammatory rhetoric. His words, particularly against Muslims and the Chinese, could potentially alienate valuable sponsors. The Independent: “The property tycoon bought the Turnberry resort in April last year from the subsidiary owned by the Dubai investment group chaired by Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. It was renamed Trump Turnberry and a £200m upgrade was promised. The purchase appeared to give the billionaire the near-guarantee that when the Open came to his place, he would be centre-stage at the winner’s presentation party on the 18th green, along with Mr Slumbers and other dignitaries, a ceremony shown to millions around the world. Although the R&A is stuffed full of establishment figures, Turnberry with Trump is now seen as a risk they will not take.” http://ind.pn/1QmcxKd
2. NBC TO STUDY HOW VIEWERS TUNE IN TO OLYMPICS: NBCUniversal will study the viewing habits of viewers who tune in to the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next year via television as well as mobile and digital platforms—vital data for the network as it considers how to program Olympics content and sell that to sponsors. A partnership with TiVo and RealityMine to collect the information is expected to be announced today. The New York Times: “The partnership, to be announced on Monday, is intended to provide insights into the daily habits of Olympics viewers and the interplay between watching coverage on television and using tablets and smartphones. It is also expected to deliver clues to how people watch outside the home, as well as the effect of social media on viewership and the effectiveness of advertising during Olympics coverage. The deal is part of a growing push across the media industry to better understand how vast digital changes are transforming the way people consume entertainment.” http://nyti.ms/1RMBMF5
3. APPLE MUSIC SNAGS EXCLUSIVE ON NEW TAYLOR SWIFT DOCUMENTARY: Taylor Swift announced plans to launch a documentary about her 1989 tour on Apple Music, an important exclusive deal for the new music streaming service. TechCrunch: “While it represents a small sliver of potential revenue for the company, Apple Music can potentially make Apple’s platforms all that much more sticky — and keep people locked in Apple’s ecosystem. With Swift releasing her documentary exclusively on Apple Music, it’s likely others will follow — and give Apple an increasing library of content exclusive to its own services. This also helps Apple Music offer something unique and unavailable on other music streaming services. It’s an area where activity has started to quickly ramp up with the launch of YouTube Music and the continuing presence of Spotify.” http://tcrn.ch/1NXZQ1L
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: This year’s Boston Music Awards featured a dozen acts on a single stage. In past years, the event has spanned multiple rooms and stages. The Boston Herald: http://bit.ly/1SSfb8c
In its 2015 Boston-area restaurant awards, the Boston Globe named Asian small plates as “cuisine of the year” and Susan Regis of Shepard as “chef of the year.” http://bit.ly/1Nj8dFG
CHICAGO: The Chicago-based developer behind LondonHouse has purchased a 12-story building at 168 North Michigan Avenue. The building is slated to become a 200-room hotel in 2017 or 2018. Crain’s Chicago Business: http://bit.ly/1jT6Kxi
LAS VEGAS: Asian fusion restaurant Hong Kong Café is now open at the Palazzo Las Vegas. The 4,200-square-foot space seats 155.
LOS ANGELES: Hillary Clinton will host a fund-raiser at Jim Henson Company studios on January 7. The event is described as a “family celebration with Hillary Rodham Clinton.” Variety: http://bit.ly/1Nnswlo
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Bagatelle Miami Beach is beginning a new weekly dinner called “Rock n’ Baga” in which the French bistro changes into a rock-'n'-roll-theme eatery with '80s- and '90s-era decor and costumed waitstaff. Guests are encouraged to dress up as well. The concept debuts on Tuesday evening.
NEW YORK: The 2016 Femmy awards will take place February 2 at Cipriani 42nd Street. Sponsored by the Underfashion Club, the awards honor lingerie designers and will be hosted by Dita Von Teese.
New rum bar Solomon & Kuff is now open in West Harlem. The 5,000-square-foot space has a loft-style dining area, two elevated DJ booths, and two full bars offering more than 100 international rums.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: Orange County convention season is slated to bring in $767 million—with the Orange County Convention Center hosting more than 52 events—in the first quarter of 2016. Orlando Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1NTjbRv
SAN FRANCISCO: Merchants in the Castro district fear that Super Bowl City—an activation that will disrupt the F-Market & Wharves streetcar line—will harm business in early 2016. San Francisco Examiner: http://bit.ly/1NXIvfB
TORONTO: Anastasia Lin, a human rights advocate and Miss World Canada 2015, will deliver an address at the Spoke Club on Tuesday. The event will also include a meet and greet and cocktails.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Events DC hosted a holiday toy giveaway for children at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday. Activities included holiday cookie and cupcake decorating stations, holiday-theme games, photos with Santa Claus, and more. Radio station WPGC 95.5 provided the M.C.s.
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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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