1. CMT TO FOCUS ON HEALING INSTEAD OF AWARDS FOR UPCOMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR SPECIAL: In the wake of the mass shooting in Las Vegas, CMT has dropped awards for its upcoming Artist of the Year special. Instead, the country music network is working with nonprofit Musicians on Call to focus on healing through music. The Hollywood Reporter: "The Viacom-owned cable network will drop handing out awards during the eighth annual telecast and instead turn the gathering into a night of what it calls hope and healing through the power of music. Jason Aldean—who was onstage during the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas, the deadliest in modern U.S. history — was among those set to be honored next Wednesday at the Nashville event. Instead, honorees including Aldean, Chris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban and Luke Bryan will be featured as part of a show that will unite artists from various genres for a mix of collaborations and performances. No formal award presentations or speeches will be given; instead, honorees will offer heartfelt messages directly to fans. CMT has also turned to the entertainment community to share similar messages of hope and healing. ... Outside of the special, CMT is working with nonprofit Musicians on Call, which is sending artists to perform bedside to survivors of the Las Vegas shootings as well as the first responders and hospital staff recovering from the tragedy. CMT made a cash donation to Musicians on Call as well as working with performers—including Nashville star Charles Esten—to participate. The cabler is also showcasing Musicians on Call's mission on various platforms. CMT was also the first cable network to sign up for the Hand in Hand Hurricane benefit special. On a bigger scale, corporate parent Viacom is encouraging New York-based employees to support the FDNY and NYPD's efforts to collect items and make cash donations to support relief efforts in Puerto Rico." http://bit.ly/2ykNpQf
2. WHY UBER RENTED OUT AMERICA'S LARGEST DRIVE-IN THEATER: Uber recently partnered with production company the Bindery to create a branded pop-up at the Bengies Drive-In Theatre in Middle River, Maryland, which is the largest drive-in theater in the U.S. Adweek: “Uber commissioned a local artist to create a retro-themed mural and decorated the space with themed signs. It served nachos, snacks and drinks in branded cups and containers and offered carnival games with prizes. The drive-in also played the films Lego Ninjago and It, as well as a stream of the NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and Oakland Raiders on Bengies’ screen, which claims to be the largest movie screen in the country at 52 feet high and 120 feet wide. Outside of Baltimore, 10 Uber Greenlight Hubs—locations where local drivers can get help and assistance—offered drivers branded swag for stopping in. The event is the latest part of Uber’s 180 Days of Change campaign, which launched in June as a way to make “meaningful changes” for drivers in the wake of a long string of controversies about the company’s toxic culture and murky payment practices for drivers. In January, Uber paid $20 million to settle a lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission, alleging that the app made misleading and inaccurate claims about driver earnings.” http://bit.ly/2yFdStd
3. FACEBOOK TO LAUNCH VIRTUAL-REALITY "VENUES" FOR LIVE EVENTS: Facebook plans to launch a virtual-reality “Venues” platform, which will allow users to watch live events with others using VR headsets. TechCrunch: “The announcement came at Oculus’ Connect conference in San Jose, where Zuckerberg also announced the new $199 Oculus Go standalone mobile VR headset, that developers would get inside-out tracking-equipped Santa Cruz VR headsets in the next year and that Facebook’s goal is to get 1 billion people into VR. The Go headset will include integrated spatial audio with speakers built into the headset, plus a 3.5mm headphone jack, which could make it easy to watch concerts through Venues. Venues could create stiff competition for third-party Oculus apps like FoxVR, LiveLike and industry leader NextVR that focuses on streaming concerts, sports and other live events and already has a partnership with Ticketmaster. Since Venues is produced by Oculus, it may receive special placement in the Oculus operating system, making it tougher for off-brand competitors to grow.” http://tcrn.ch/2ye7Ixo
* LOCAL NEWS *
CHICAGO: At Your Service Staffing, a New York-based hospitality staffing company, has opened its first Chicago office.
BOSTON: The Massachusetts Restaurant Association will host the third annual Something’s Brewing in Worcester tasting event November 6 at Hanover Theatre. The event benefits Share Our Strength and its No Kid Hungry Campaign, which aims to end childhood hunger. Participating restaurants will include 110 Grill, Bull Mansion, Figs & Pigs, and Peppercorn’s.
LOS ANGELES: On October 26, Netflix and the cast of Stranger Things will celebrate the launch of the series’ second season with a special premiere event at the Regency Bruin Theatre.
For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
NEW YORK: The Tony Awards will return to Radio City Music Hall for its 72nd edition on June 10, 2018. The awards also will be broadcast on CBS through 2026.
The eighth annual Taste of the Seaport will take place October 21 at the Seaport District. The event, which benefits public schools PS 397 and PS 343, will have tastings from Black Tap, Cut by Wolfgang Puck, Big Gay Ice Cream, Insomnia Cookies, and more.
L37 Creative, an event production company, has opened new offices in New York and San Diego. The company also announced that Joe Cooper, a communications professional, has joined the agency to serve as creative director and lead its New York office. The 15-year veteran of the industry most recently was vice president, digital and content strategy at Ketchum.
For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE: The Art of Ice Cream Experience, an ice cream-theme pop-up exhibit, will debut in Old Town Scottsdale in November. The exhibit is slated to run for three months.
TORONTO: This year’s Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Weekend and Legends Classic will take place November 10-13.
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With contributions from Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, Rayna Katz, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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