1. WHY MORE TV NETWORKS ARE HOSTING THEIR OWN FESTIVALS: More and more major television networks are delving into live events by hosting their own festivals. The charge, which is being led by Viacom's flagship networks, is an effort to connect with audiences and attract brands as sponsors. Adweek: "'Building on the success of our international events business, every flagship brand now will have a live event in the U.S.,' Viacom CEO Bob Bakish said during an earnings call in February. So, Comedy Central is holding its second annual Clusterfest from June 1-3 in San Francisco, Nickelodeon SlimeFest makes its U.S. debut on June 9 and 10 in Chicago, and the BET Experience will return to Los Angeles from June 21-24. And while Viacom may be leading the charge, other networks are now planning events of their own. Adult Swim will hold its first Adult Swim Festival Oct. 6-7 in downtown L.A., while former Scripps chief programming, content and brand officer Kathleen Finch, whose Food Network became presenting sponsor of the Wine and Food Festivals in New York and Miamiโs South Beach in 2007 with Cooking Channel joining as co-presenting sponsor in 2015, said to expect expansion in the live events space now that Discovery and Scripps have merged. 'All of us think that itโs a business thatโs valuable and a great way to touch an audience,' said Finch, who is now chief lifestyle brands officer for the combined Discovery Inc. 'There are a lot of conversations going on.' More networks than ever are heading into the upfront with live events and festivals that provide a new revenue stream while offering brands a new way to reach consumers." https://bit.ly/2qCa0mg
2. WIND, RAIN, AND COLD TEMPERATURES BATTER BOSTON MARATHON: Desiree Linden became the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years on Monday, in an event battered by cold temperatures, rain, and strong winds. Japanโs Yuki Kawauchi won the menโs race. The New York Times: โData suggests that marathoners run their fastest races when the temperature is in the 40sโbut the study excludes wind. There were fewer fans than usual cheering racers on the course. The fans who opted to brave the weather taped plastic bags to their sneakers and wore trash bags in lieu of waterproof jackets. At the starting line, runners crossed their arms over their chests, rubbing their forearms and jumping up and down in an attempt to stay warm. As a precautionary measure, the athletes were all given two bib numbers so they could put one on each layer of clothing. The temperatures and winds led to slower race times. Runners were mostly reluctant to run out in front of the pack early on. The rain was so bad that the traditional Patriotsโ Day Red Sox game was postponed for the first time since 1984. It was not the first time runners endured harsh weather for the race. During a norโeaster storm in 2007, winds gusted at 30 m.p.h. and temperatures hovered in the mid 40s. In 2015, there was also a strong headwind.โ https://nyti.ms/2JSE7Ph
3. HULU ACQUIRES FYRE FESTIVAL DOCUSERIES: A documentary series about last yearโs disastrous Fyre Festival has landed at Hulu. The Hollywood Reporter: โThe streaming service has picked up a multi-part doc about the Fyre Festivalโthe ultra-luxury music festival gone wrongโthat is being developed by Billboard (a sister company to The Hollywood Reporter), Mic and The Cinemart. The untitled docuseries, slated for 2019, will examine what really happened behind the scenes and the ongoing investigation into the failed music festival that was set to take place on a private Bahamian island, exposing what went wrong and who is to blame. The series aims to uncover the truth through a series of in-depth interviews from inside sources that range from local Bahamians, stranded festival-goers, vendors and investors. In addition, the docuseries will include hours of exclusive never-before-seen footage, leaked documents, emails and recordings. The Fyre Festival was developed by 25-year-old entrepreneur Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule. The event promised to offer a high-end festival experience, enlisting some of social media's biggest influencersโincluding Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadidโto promote the event. But in the days leading up to the festival, it became apparent that it had been falsely advertised and all the music guests pulled out. Lawsuits totaling more than $100 million in damages were filed against McFarland and Ja Rule, and this summer McFarland was indicted for wire fraud.โ https://bit.ly/2qBUPdS
* LOCAL NEWS *
DETROIT: The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Burea has launched its new YouTube series Eats in the D, a 10-episode show that highlights 20 foodie destinations in the city.
LOS ANGELES: The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association will host its Beastly Ball on May 19 at the L.A. Zoo. The evening will include a concert featuring Heart's Nancy Wilson and Guns N' Roses' Slash.
For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: National Salute to Americaโs Heroes, presented by Hyundia, will take place May 26-27 in Miami Beach. The Memorial Day weekend event will be highlighted by the Hyundai Air and Sea Show.
Miami New Timesโ Best of Miami Release Party will take place June 21 at X Miami. The event will have tastings from local restaurants including Doggiโs Arepa Bar, Lobster Bar Sea Grille, Poke Life, and Yarumba.
NEW YORK: City Year New Yorkโs 15th anniversary gala will take place April 26 at the New York Public Library. The event will honor Comcast NBCUniversal with its first โChampion of Serviceโ Award.
The fifth edition of Vulture Festival, taking place May 19-20, has announced its lineup. The event will feature panels with Samantha Bee, the cast of Glow, Ava DuVernay, Julianna Margulies, the cast of Younger, and more.
American Heart Associationโs 22nd annual Heart Ball will take place June 23 at the Southampton Arts Center.
The Infatuationโs inaugural EeeeeatsCon NY will take place October 6 at Forest Hills Stadium.
For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
TORONTO: Canadian Opera Companyโs 14th annual Operanation will take place May 17 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. The eventโs theme is โInto the Starsโ and it will have an ancient Roman design inspired by the world premiere of Rufus Wainwrightโs Hadrian.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Liaison Capitol Hill hotel has appointed Joy J. Kosmela director of sales and marketing.
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With contributions from Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
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