November 21, 2013: PETA Protests SeaWorld Float in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, White House Scales Back Film Screenings, Jennifer Lopez Stars in Twitter-Driven Ad Campaign

1. PETA PROTESTS SEAWORLD FLOAT IN MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE: The animal rights organization PETA is protesting a SeaWorld float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, arguing that the amusement park treats its whales inhumanely. Gothamist: “The hullabaloo has to be a little embarrassing for Macy's, which prides itself keeping the parade apolitical.” http://bit.ly/18ow9qi

2. THE OSCAR POLITICS OF WHITE HOUSE FILM SCREENINGS: The White House is scaling back its “official” screenings of Oscar-contending films after claims that the publicity from such events gives them an unfair edge in award seasons—especially films from producer and Obama donor Harvey Weinstein. Hollywood Reporter: “If you look at the films they do invite for the big event screenings, it's obvious you can buy your way into the White House," said an executive from 12 Years a Slave. "We were not big donors to Obama. Do we wish they would have us? Of course. But it's not that important." http://bit.ly/1dXKKJy

3. KOHL'S CAMPAIGN COMBINES TWITTER, AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS, AND JENNIFER LOPEZ: A series of commercials for Kohl’s set to air during the American Music Awards on Sunday will show Jennifer Lopez stuck in traffic and ask viewers to tweet to help her get to the show. In a choose-your-own-adventure setup, viewers can use hashtags to determine whether the singer should hitch a ride with a man on a moped, for example, or run on top of cars. New York Times: “I want people at their Thanksgiving dinner saying, ‘Wow did you see what Kohl’s did?’” said Michelle Gass, the chief customer officer at Kohl’s. “It’s not just traditional broadcast anymore. It’s thinking about how the world is engaging with and consuming media today. It’s entertainment meets engagement.” http://nyti.ms/I4oMdH


* AWARDED *

The South Florida chapter of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International hosted its annual hospitality industry award gala November 15 at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa. Its Hospitality Legend of the Year award went to Alfredo Gonzalez of Brand USA, the first nationally coordinated tourism marketing effort to increase international visitation to the United States.

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The Foxwoods Resort Casino will host the grand opening for its Rink & Winter Patio on November 29. With an ice-skating rink, a 30-foot Christmas tree, and oversize ornaments, the venue will host weekly events including "Late Skate Saturdays" for adults.

CHICAGO:  The 103.5 KISS FM Jingle Ball will take place at the United Center on December 9. Part of the iHeart Radio Jingle Ball Tour, the night will offer performances from Flo Rida, Avril Lavigne, Robin Thicke, and more.

The Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile will unveil a gingerbread replica of the Chicago hot dog factory during its "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry for Charity" auction this Friday.

LAS VEGAS:  Buddy Valastro of the TLC series Cake Boss will sign copies of his book Family Celebrations With the Cake Boss in the lounge of Buddy V's Ristorante December 6.

LOS ANGELES:  Q, an omakase sushi restaurant downtown, opens Friday. The 26-seat restaurant designed by Ryan Brown of Brown Design Group features an undulating, handcrafted wooden ceiling and an installation of vintage Japanese abacuses behind the sushi bar.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The American Nicaraguan Foundation hosted its annual gala October 26 at the Intercontinental Hotel and raised nearly $1.1 million. About 600 guests attended the event, which had a Great Gatsby theme and was produced by DECO Productions.

NEW YORK:  Women’s Wear Daily: “The St. Regis hotel in Manhattan feted its recently revamped King Cole Bar & Salon, which officially opened earlier this month, with a cocktail party Tuesday evening hosted by Jason Wu. The designer has been a St. Regis ambassador since 2011, a partnership that began when he presented his spring 2010 collection in the hotel’s second-floor salons.” http://bit.ly/1c5Iz5v

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

TORONTO:  The Art Gallery of Toronto will host its Bowie Bash at the AGO on Sunday. Celebrating the closing of the "David Bowie Is" exhibition, the evening will offer a dance party, DJ sets, art installations, and makeup touch-ups from M.A.C.

WASHINGTON:  The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce National Dinner is Friday at the National Building Museum. The sold-out event will honor MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts and feature entertainment from country singer and songwriter Steve Grand and Las Vegas DJ Nick Ayler.

Et Voila, a Belgian French bistro, has appointed Mark Courseille as its pastry chef.

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.

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