1. REEBOK SUPERFANS COMPETE FOR BIGGEST TATTOO: The person who gets the largest tattoo at a Reebok-sponsored pop-up will win a one-year sponsorship deal for the fitness craze CrossFit. Adweek: “With an assist from Stockholm-based tattoo parlor Salong Betong, the brand will set up shop at Sweden's Tough Viking obstacle race event on Aug. 30. Whoever ends up volunteering for the biggest tattoo of the Reebok logo will walk away with a package worth 40,0000 Swedish krona (almost $6,000) that can be redeemed at an online or brick-and-mortar Reebok store.” http://bit.ly/1qaqs3U
2. APPLE LOOKS TO INCREASE EXPERIMENTAL MARKETING: Apple appears to be adding more events to its marketing mix, according to a recent job posting for the tech giant. Tech Insider: “Another listing is of ‘Senior Event Manager’, who will help in maintaining the public perception of Apple Inc.’s brand by conducting online and in-store events along with experimental marketing and outreach plans.” http://bit.ly/1oUTrwu
3. CISCO REVIVES LAS VEGAS SALES MEETING: For the first time in six years, Cisco is gathering some 20,000 employees for a three-day sales meeting in Las Vegas. C.E.O. John Chambers said the effort will educate employees about new sales strategies about complex new products. The New York Times: “Both the gathering and the sales approach sound expensive, but Mr. Chambers says it can and must be done. The sales approach ’is higher risk, but it’s how you keep your margins.’ As for turning sales employees loose in Sin City, ‘a couple of big sales pays for it.’” http://nyti.ms/1pwzpZ6
* LOCAL NEWS *
BENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS: The fifth James Beard Foundation Chefs Boot Camp for Policy & Change is September 7-9 at the 21c Museum Hotel. The chefs will learn about food policy and advocacy as well as visit local farms and other attractions.
BOSTON: Hojoko will open at the Verb Hotel in late fall. From the owners of O Ya, the venue will be a Japanese gastropub that serves creative maki rolls. The Boston Globe: http://bit.ly/1mCqb8K
CHICAGO: The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival presented by MasterCard returns to North Michigan Avenue August 22-September 1. The event will include a half marathon, chef tastings, and in-store events.
LAS VEGAS: Festivino, a wine and food event at the Venetian and the Palazzo, is September 26.
LOS ANGELES: Iggy Azalea and Sam Smith will headline the MTV Video Music Awards concert August 22 at the Forum. Sponsor Time Warner Cable will give free tickets to the event, which benefits Lifebeat—Music Fights HIV/AIDS.
The eighth annual Adcolor Awards & Industry Conference, which advocates diversity in the advertising, marketing, media, PR, and entertainment industries, is September 17-20 at the Beverly Hilton.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Mercedes-Benz Evolution Tour comes to Soho Studios Tuesday with performances from Mayer Hawthorne and Blonde Redhead. Engine Shop is producing the event.
Sense Beach House, a South Beach boutique hotel, has launched a brunch buffet for groups of at least 15 people. The brunch takes place on the rooftop pool deck, and guests have all-day access to the pool.
NEW YORK: In advance of the U.S. Open, Lacoste is hosting a tennis clinic August 24 in Central Park with its sponsored players: John Isner, Murphy Jensen, and Denis Kudla. Women's Wear Daily: http://bit.ly/1BhxTip
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
PHOENIX: FearCon, which focuses on horror films, has made a number of changes for its sixth annual event. It is expanding to two days, November 1-2, and becoming an outdoor event as it switches venues to “Fear Farm” on North 99th Avenue.
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI: The St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission has hired Keith Levey as its director of corporate/trade shows.
TORONTO: The IT Lounge will return during the Toronto International Film Festival for the ninth year. Housed at 312 Adelaide Street West, the lounge will have a portrait studio and brand activations from the likes of Tweezerman and Rudsak.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Drape Kings Washington, D.C., business development manager Meredith Greene was named president of the Greater Washington, D.C., chapter of the International Special Events Society for 2014-2015.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
JOB BOARD: Post a job or find a job: http://jobs.bizbash.com
With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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