July 9, 2015: Pope's Visit to be Broadcast on National Mall, Coke's Big Billboard Push, P.G.A. Tournament to Change Venues


1. POPE'S VISIT TO BE BROADCAST ON NATIONAL MALL: Congressional leaders are planning to erect a massive stage and Jumbotron for Pope Francis's September visit to Capitol Hill, which will allow crowds to see the Catholic leader's appearance from the National Mall. Politico: “‘The visit of Pope Francis to the U.S. Capitol is a historic moment for the country,’ Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said in a statement. ‘Given the unprecedented nature of his visit, Pope Francis’ address to a joint meeting of Congress will be broadcast live to members of the public on the West Front of the Capitol. In addition, Pope Francis has expressed an interest in making a brief appearance on the West Front. We look forward to welcoming Pope Francis and Americans from all walks of life to our Capitol on September 24.’” http://politi.co/1D0Qw98

2. INSIDE COCA-COLA'S INTERACTIVE OUTDOOR PROMOS: With many outside enjoying the warm weather of the summer months, Coca-Cola is looking to interact with consumers in unique ways. In New York's Times Square the beverage giant launched an interactive billboard, which builds on its Share a Coke campaign and a microsite where the public can search for facts about the 1,000-or-so names that were printed on cans and bottles this summer. Adweek: "Coke enlisted Clear Channel Outdoor to build a campaign that is activated through Twitter. Fans who tweet with their name and the hashtag #Cokemyname are populating the billboard in real-time. ... ‘That potentially then seeds more social sharing amongst your Twitter followers [and] social impressions,’ said Sean McCaffrey, Clear Channel Outdoor's senior vice president of national client strategy and partnerships. ‘It's the interesting convergence of the mobile, digital, and physical worlds.’” http://bit.ly/1KO12Zf

In London, the brand has 300 "Happiness Meter" digital billboards showing local sentiment and plans to boost that by giving out free cans of Coke, surprising those having lunch outside with branded bags stuffed with products, and offering prizes via a competition with radio station Capital FM. Business Insider: http://read.bi/1G9dA5u

3. GRAND SLAM OF GOLF TO MOVE: The P.G.A. is relocating its 2015 Grand Slam of Golf tournament from the Trump National—Los Angeles course. However, the move was made in agreement with Donald Trump, who has seen Nascar and ESPN cancel planned events at his properties. Time: “‘The PGA of America is in the process of exploring options, including a venue for its annual PGA Junior League Golf Championship, and will comment further at the appropriate time,’ the organization said in its statement. Even with Trump’s apparent support, the decision shows that the golf association continues to publicly distance itself from ‘The Donald’ amid the ongoing uproar over derogatory comments Trump made about Mexicans in a speech kicking off his presidential candidacy last month.” http://ti.me/1KQRrkg

4. COMIC-CON'S ZOMBIE WALK CANCELED: An incident at last year's Comic-Con in San Diego has led to the cancellation of a highly anticipated, but unofficial, event: the Zombie Walk. Los Angeles Times: "For nine Comic-Cons, hundreds of zombie fans in frighteningly realistic costumes and bloody-looking makeup marched through the Gaslamp Quarter in stumbling, menacing style. But this year, the walk was placed ‘on indefinite hiatus due to legal matters stemming from the vehicular incident following last year's walk,’ according to the Facebook page of Zombie Walk." http://lat.ms/1RkyCKc

* LOCAL NEWS *

ATLANTA:  The Afropunk Fest will take place on October 3-4 at Central Park. Performers include D'Angelo, Santigold, and Tyler, the Creator. Atlanta Journal-Constitution: http://on-ajc.com/1dKDMfS

AUSTIN:  At its Tuesday meeting, Travis County Comissioners Court considered potential changes to how residents and businesses can apply to hold major events. Community Impact Newspaper: http://bit.ly/1Hg5X14

BOSTON:  Jugos, the juice and smoothie bar, will host a summer pop-up at the Clubs at Charles River Park. At the pop-up, local participating chefs will prepare dishes inspired by street fare.

CHICAGO:  The Old Town School of Folk Music will host its annual Blue Jean Gala on July 23. The evening will feature a walk-around dinner at neighborhood restaurants and a performance from Randy Newman.

Chicago Fest will be held August 6 at the Lincoln Park Zoo. ChicagoInno: http://bit.ly/1Rlcz6b

LAS VEGAS:  Yahoo Sports Radio returns to Lagasse's Stadium at the Palazzo for Yahoo Sports Radio Superweek July 13-18.

The Encore Resort and the Encore Tower Suites at Wynn Las Vegas will undergo a design refresh beginning this summer, with a projected completion date in the fall. The project includes updated furnishings, floor coverings, technology, and custom bed linens.

LOS ANGELES:  A new mural by Kent Twitchell, which commemorates this month's Special Olympics World Games at the Los Angeles Coliseum, was unveiled Tuesday. Los Angeles Times: http://lat.ms/1G7qIbm

The Old Pasadena Film Festival returns tonight, providing 21 free screenings of a variety of films at various locations through August 1.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Kitchen 305 in the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort is offering a new culinary experience from chef Jenny Patrizia, known as the "Sexy Nutritionist.” She will host cooking classes on creating healthy meals and cocktails using only aphrodisiac ingredients on Tuesday nights through August 11.

NEW YORK:  In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, the city will host its first Disability Pride NYC Parade on Sunday, which will start at Madison Square Park and make its way down Broadway to Union Square.

Donna Karan and Kelly Ripa will host the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund's 18th annual Super Saturday New York fund-raiser, which will take place July 25 at Nova's Ark Project in Water Mill.

New York officials believe a proposed giant Ferris wheel and 200-room hotel will attract more tourists to Staten Island. The New York Times: http://nyti.ms/1Rlfsnt

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  South Florida-based Pincho Factory restaurant will open its first Orlando location in the Dr. Phillips Marketplace.

Boston-based Wahlburgers—the fast-casual burger chain owned by Wahlberg brothers Mark, Donnie, and Paul—will open its first Florida location in downtown Orlando later this year. Orlando Sentinel: http://bit.ly/1HcKva1

PHILADELPHIA:  The Pennsylvania Convention Center has selected Xirrus Wi-Fi as its new Wi-Fi provider. Philadelphia Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1Rlc1xd

SAN DIEGO:  Andaz San Diego completed a $250,000 renovation to its meeting rooms, remodeling the more than 20,000 square feet of space with new carpeting, tables, chairs, and artwork. The foyer bar has also been redesigned into a work space for meeting attendees.

SAN FRANCISCO:  Vendini, a San Francisco-based event ticketing company, has opened a new office in downtown Petaluma. Santa Rosa Press Democrat: http://bit.ly/1Hc15b5

TORONTO:  The No. 9 Fresh Water Symposium will take place tomorrow at Evergreen Brickworks. The event will feature talks from photographers.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Chef José Andrés has pulled out of a deal to open a restaurant at the forthcoming Trump International Hotel because of Donald Trump's recent comments about Mexican immigrants. Washington Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1MfO6bM

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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.

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