1. NBC ANNOUNCES LIVE STREAMING SERVICE: Just in time for the Rio Olympics, NBC has announced its first-ever video live streaming service Playmaker Media. The new platform, which will air live sports online, will compete with live streaming companies including MLB Advanced Media. Mashable: "'The growing demand for live streaming support in the marketplace combined with our experience and expertise make this the perfect time to launch Playmaker,' said Rick Cordella, general manager of digital media for NBC Sports Group, in a press release. Playmaker's main competition will be MLB Advanced Media, which has emerged as a leader in the livestreaming market. Colloquially known as 'Bam,' the company was started by Major League Baseball as a way to stream live games around the country. … Developing a Bam competitor would provide NBC—and its parent company, Comcast—with useful technology that could also be sold as a service to other partners and help with negotiations for future sports rights. International Olympic Committee is Playmaker's first client, according to NBC, which owns the U.S. broadcast and digital rights to the upcoming Summer Olympics." http://on.mash.to/27QS7jn
2. WHY VIDEO GAME COMPETITIONS ARE ATTRACTING MAJOR ADVERTISERS: The recent rise in popularity of video game tournaments, also known as e-sports, is beginning to attract the attention of mainstream brands that are typically drawn to U.S. sports leagues. The Wall Street Journal: "Arby’s Restaurant Group Inc. will be one of three initial sponsors when Time Warner Inc.’s TBS begins broadcasting videogame competitions on Friday. The restaurant chain expects to spend roughly $5 million this year on “e-sports” and other videogame-related marketing. 'This is where the future is,' said Rob Lynch, Arby’s marketing chief. Anheuser-Busch InBev NV plans to promote its Bud Light brand at tournaments this year. Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s Geico unit sponsors two pro teams and expects to organize a half-dozen competitions this year. About 115 million people world-wide watched e-sports online or in person at least once a month in 2015, nearly double the number in 2012, according to Newzoo BV, a research firm. By 2019, it expects that number to hit 215 million. 'As a marketer, we would be foolish to turn a deaf ear to the size of the audience,' said Bob Ruhland, head of marketing for Buffalo Wild Wings Inc., another sponsor of TBS’s 'Eleague.'" http://on.wsj.com/1VfVJGy
3. TOKYO 2020 OLYMPICS COULD OPEN WITH ARTIFICIAL METEOR SHOWER: The opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 may feature an upgraded fireworks display in the form of a man-made meteor shower. Japanese startup Star-ALE plans to debut its Sky Canvas project at the ceremony, but it will start test launches next year—which involve sending small satellites into space that will release special pellets creating mock meteors. Tech Times: “‘Making the sky a screen is this project's biggest attraction as entertainment. It's a space display,’ said Star-ALE founder and CEO Lena Okajima. As one can imagine, these beautiful pellets don't come cheap. Each artificial ‘shooting star’ costs about a million yen ($8,100). This tag price doesn't include the microsatellites' expenses for development and launch. The pellet's secret formula was tested at the Nihon University. Led by aerospace engineering associate professor Shinsuke Abe, results showed that the pellets' burning brightness can rise above Tokyo's light pollution. A cloudy night sky could be a problem, but Star-ALE said the space display can be called off at least 100 minutes prior to the launch. This feature will give the party organizers time to reschedule the entertainment when the sky is clearer. It will also ensure that they get their money's worth.” http://bit.ly/25iHYNB
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTA: Beer and wine tasting event Brew at Zoo will take place at Zoo Atlanta on Saturday.
CHICAGO: The National Confectioners Association's Sweets & Snacks Expo takes place today through Thursday at McCormick Place.
LOS ANGELES: E3 will host its first-ever public event, E3 Live 2016, at L.A. Live from June 14-16. Polygon: http://bit.ly/25byr7B
For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: JoJo Tea will host a tea party with tea-infused cocktails at the Wynwood Yard on Wednesday.
The fourth edition of the Brazilian Film Festival's Back to the '80s Party will take place June 10 at Able & Baker.
NEW YORK: Comedian and actor Joel McHale will host the C.F.D.A. Fashion Awards, which take place June 6.
Dan's Taste of Summer will host four food-centric events this summer: Dan's GrillHampton, a competition between New York City and Hamptons chefs on July 22 at Fairview Farm at Mecox in Bridgehampton; Dan's Taste of Two Forks, a North and South Fork restaurant showcase on July 23 at the same venue; Dan's ClambakeMTK, an inaugural oceanfront food and drink festival on July 30 at Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa; and winemaking celebration Dan's Harvest East End on August 20 at McCall Vineyard and Ranch in Cutchogue.
Today anchor Willie Geist will host the National Board of Review's 2017 trophy show, which will take place January 4 at Cipriani 42nd Street.
For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: Limited-engagement show "The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" will debut at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom on Saturday.
TORONTO: The 26th annual L.G.B.T. film festival Inside Out will take place Thursday through June 5. Festival events include an opening gala party at TIFF Bell Lightbox on Thursday and a women's gala reception at BrainStation on Saturday.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: N.F.L.-theme restaurant Hail & Hog Kitchen and Tap is slated to open in Ashburn at the end of this month. The two-level, 12,000-square-foot venue will feature Redskins colors. Washington Business Journal: http://bit.ly/25ivyFl
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 and Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and 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.
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: www.bizbash.com/bizbashdaily
Advertise with BizBash: [email protected]
More in New York
Most Popular
