1. INSIDE THE WORLD’S FIRST EMOJI CONVENTION: The inaugural Emojicon, a convention dedicated to emojis, came to San Francisco this past weekend. Time: “Linguists, emoji designers from tech powerhouses like Google and officials from the Unicode Consortium—the ‘overlords’ who standardize emoji—mingled with vendors hawking eggplant-shaped vibrators, smiley-face Chia pets and a multitude still struggling to cope with the fact that Apple’s update of the peach emoji is simply not as butt-like as it used to be. The inaugural event, taking place over three days, was the brainchild of Jennifer 8. Lee, a writer and producer who became enthralled with emoji-creation process last year after discovering that a dumpling symbol did not exist. ‘Dumplings are a universal food,’ says Lee. ‘There’s pierogis and empanadas and momos. So to me it just meant that whatever system is in place was broken.’ On Saturday, Emojicon attendees were walked through that process by Unicode’s Mark Davis, who explained that his organization is dedicated to making sure that everyone—no matter which of the world’s 7,000 languages they speak—can communicate using those languages on their smartphones and computers. And emoji, he explained, are a small, if wildly popular, part of that work. … At one point on Saturday morning, the floor was opened up for anyone who wanted to make a case for why a certain emoji should be added by Unicode, which accepts written proposals arguing for the inclusion of new images. Part of their judgment criteria is how popular a given emoji might be around the world, and part is trying to keep the process neutral and fair. That means no brands, and no real-life people.” http://ti.me/2fuA5fZ
2. CHINESE COMPANY TO PURCHASE DICK CLARK PRODUCTIONS FOR $1 BILLION: Chinese company Dalian Wanda Group has announced it will buy Dick Clark Productions for around $1 billion. This will give the company broadcasting rights to major TV events including the Golden Globes and New Year celebrations. The New York Times: “Dalian Wanda has been on a multibillion-dollar spending spree in the entertainment industry. It is the world’s biggest owner of movie theaters, with complexes across the United States, Europe and Australia. This deal would bring productions including Miss America and the Hollywood Film Awards under the same roof as ‘Godzilla’ and ‘300,’ films by Legendary Entertainment, another company that Wanda snapped up in recent years. Some see the company as a propaganda threat, and it has had to defend itself against concerns that its acquisitions are part of a pro-Chinese agenda. … Wang Jianlin, chairman of the Dalian Wanda Group, told The New York Times in October that his company only wanted to help American film companies increase their market share in China. Mr. Wang, who was visiting the United States to attract more film production to Wanda’s Qingdao Movie Metropolis, added that it was ‘not like we are invading’ and pointed out that Wanda had bought and strengthened struggling companies like AMC Theaters and Legendary.” http://nyti.ms/2eEOCIv
3. OSCARS ANNOUNCE SECOND-EVER FEMALE PRODUCER: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that Jennifer Todd and Michael De Luca will produce the 89th Academy Awards. The Hollywood Reporter: “It is the first time overseeing the high-profile show for both, although they have served as co-chairs of the Producers Guild of America's annual PGA Awards, which, though a non-televised event, attracts many of the same nominees that usually show up at the Oscars. Their first order of business will be securing a host for the show. ‘What a talented team,’ said Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs in making the announcement. ‘Mike and Jennifer have a great working relationship and a tremendous love and respect of film, and will surely draw from their vast experience to create an exceptional and unforgettable event for movie fans everywhere.’ ‘We are deeply honored to produce the Academy Awards,’ said De Luca and Todd. ‘We both revere the Oscars and grew up watching them each year with our families. We are so humbled and grateful to be a part of this incredible legacy, and look forward to creating an exciting show that celebrates movies and the power they have to connect us all.’” http://bit.ly/2fDxght
4. CHICAGO CUBS VICTORY PARADE SEVENTH LARGEST GATHERING IN HISTORY: The Chicago Cubs World Series victory parade and celebration on Friday drew more than 5 million, making it the seventh largest gathering in human history. The celebration had more attendees than Rod Stewart’s Brazil concert in 1994 and the anti-war march in Rome in 2003. Fox 32 Chicago: http://bit.ly/2e9NeyY
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
Hospitality company Legends has acquired International Stadia Group, a London-based sports and entertainment company.
* LOCAL NEWS *
AUSTIN: The 50th annual Trail of Lights will run from December 10-23 at Zilker Park. The holiday event's tree lighting ceremony will take place November 27.
CHICAGO: The Construction Industry Conference will take place Thursday at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
DALLAS/FORT WORTH: Ashford Hospitality Prime's board of directors has appointed Richard J. Stockton C.E.O., effective November 14. Monty J. Bennett, the company's previous C.E.O., remains chairman of the board.
LAS VEGAS: The Palazzo Las Vegas and Hudson Group have opened the Atrium, a 16,000-square-foot luxury retail concept that showcases curated accessories, jewelry, watches, spirits, and more from brands including Bovet, Dior, Ferragamo, and Remy Martin.
The Linq Promenade's tree lighting ceremony will take place November 19 with a performance by Donny and Marie Osmond.
LOS ANGELES: Snow Day L.A., a nine-acre synthetic snow tubing park, will take place November 17-December 23 at Montecillo De Leo Politi Park in Elysian Park. LAist: http://bit.ly/2fCVnNA
Meryl Streep will be receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 74th annual Golden Globe Awards, which will take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 8. Jimmy Fallon will host the ceremony, which will air live on NBC.
For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
NEW YORK: The American Jewish World Service will host the Messinger of Hope Gala on November 15 at Pier Sixty. The event will honor Ruth Messinger, former A.J.W.S. president and the organization's global ambassador.
Tony Bennett, De La Soul, and Sarah McLachlan will be among the performers at the 90th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which NBC will telecast live on November 24. Other celebrities who are scheduled to appear at the event include Kelsea Ballerini, Aloe Blacc, U.S. Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez, Regina Spektor, and National Hockey League stars Adam Graves and Eric Lindros, This year, new giant characters will take center stage, including the stars of Trolls in a multi-character balloon.
Footwear News will honor Rihanna with the Shoe of the Year Award at the 30th FN Achievement Awards on November 29 at I.A.C. Headquarters. The singer will be honored for her Fenty Puma Creeper shoe.
The Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation's Titans of Tech awards dinner will take place November 30 at Pier Sixty.
For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has been granted federal permission to fly drones over theme parks through November 2020. Orlando Sentinel: http://bit.ly/2fpPo9T
TORONTO: The Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives annual Flashback gala will take place November 12. Sponsored by TD Bank, the event will have a '90s electric circus theme and a '90s-inspired fashion show.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: August Jackson—a Bethesda, Maryland-based brand communications agency—has named Laura Shuler C.E.O. She will succeed company founder Frank Andrews, who moves into the role of chairman. In addition, the company has named Robin Reif has been named executive vice president of client engagement.
Georgetown Glow—Georgetown Business Improvement District's annual holiday celebration with outdoor public light-art installations—will expand this year from 10 days to a month, with works lit from December 2 to January 1 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The works will be located throughout the Georgetown commercial district, along the C&O Canal, Grace Church, and Wisconsin Avenue—as the contemporary light art is juxtaposed against the backdrop of Georgetown’s historic environs.
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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin and Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Carla Hay, Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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