September 12, 2014: Brands Criticized for 9/11 Tweets, CBS Drops Rihanna From N.F.L. Pregame Show, This Is the Most Exclusive Club in Manhattan

1. BRANDS CRITICIZED FOR 9/11 TWEETS: Marketers for brands such as Applebee's, Dunkin’ Donuts, and White Castle used the occasion of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to send out tweets commemorating the day—and were pilloried for it. Adweek: “Today (or whatever other tragedy this kind of thing has happened with) isn't the time for marketing,” one critic of the tweets said. “It isn't the time for branding or getting people to pay attention to companies. It's a time for people to interact with each other, and the only respectful thing for brands to do is stay out of it and wait for tomorrow to get back to business.” http://bit.ly/1uxKM3M

2. CBS DROPS RIHANNA FROM N.F.L. PREGAME SHOW: In a case of terrible timing, a pregame show for the Baltimore Ravens—whose former star Ray Rice was shown in a video punching his then-fiancée—football game was to feature a song with Rihanna, herself a victim of domestic violence. Instead, CBS cancelled the opener and changed to a more newsy format featuring CBS This Morning anchor Norah O’Donnell, who had just interviewed  N.F.L. commissioner Roger Goodell. “We thought journalistically and from a tone standpoint, we needed to have the appropriate tone and coverage,” CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus said. “A lot of the production elements we wanted in the show are being eliminated because of time or tone.” http://bit.ly/1sv26XF

3. THE MOST EXCLUSIVE CLUB IN MANHATTAN: Only five people are allowed into a club-within-a club open during New York Fashion Week. New York Post: “Night life impresario André Saraiva took exclusivity to absurd levels as part of his latest project: The Le Baron co-founder and street artist teamed with Paul Sevigny’s Baby Grand to create a ‘mini-club’ within the Tribeca spot with a five-person capacity. The space was situated behind a tiny pink door, an itty-bitty velvet rope and a looming doorman.” http://pge.sx/1wic3aI


* INDUSTRY NEWS *

Mashable: “Ticketmaster is buying Eventjoy, a mobile service used by The Home Depot, TED conferences and others to handle ticketing and communicate with attendees. Live Nation Entertainment, Ticketmaster's parent company, announced the acquisition Thursday, after its board of directors meeting in New York. Financial terms weren't disclosed.” http://on.mash.to/1xSOr0T

* LOCAL NEWS *

AUSTIN:  South by Southwest announced that the economic benefit of its 2014 conferences and festivals totaled $315 million. A press release called it "the single most profitable event for the City of Austin’s hospitality industry."

BOSTON:  The fifth annual Boston Local Food Festival will take place at the Gateway Green Sunday. The event will feature farmers, food trucks, and local restaurants.

CHICAGO:  Level 257 is slated to open in Schaumburg in early 2015. The 40,000-square-foot venue will include cocktail lounges, a modern game parlor, bowling lanes, and a banquet space and event suite.

LAS VEGAS:  Las Vegas Foodie Fest presented by Pepsi, a Red Dragon event, is scheduled for October 15-19 at a new location, the Linq promenade.

LOS ANGELES:  #PeaceRocks, an initiative from John Varvatos and Ringo Starr, will hold an event marking the International Day of Peace, September 21, in front of the John Varvatos store on Melrose and Robertson. The event will include a performance by Starr.

Covenant House California is hosting the All Star Mixology Competition October 1 at Skybar at Mondrian. About 250 guests are expected, and the panel of judges includes actor Jeremy Sisto.

Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line will host the first American Country Countdown Awards, set to air live December 15 on Fox.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The third annual Indulgence event, benefiting the Achievement Centers for Children & Families, is October 8 at the Delray Beach Club.

NEW YORK:  The planned Beekman Hotel, a historic building now being renovated, will have a 90-seat restaurant from Keith McNally as well as a lounge and catering services from Tom Colicchio. The New York Times: http://nyti.ms/Zj8BBW

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

ORLANDO:  Tom Petrillo is the new general manager of JW Marriott Orlando, Grand Lakes.

PHOENIX:  Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill plans to open its second Arizona location at Scottsdale Fashion Square in February. The restaurant will have 8,500 square feet of interior seating and a patio covering more than 1,500 square feet. The venue will be available for private events.

TORONTO:  Canadian Art will host its Gallery Hop Gala at Kool Haus on September 18. The evening will feature cocktails and an art auction; artists Roula Partheniou and Joy Walker will handle decor.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The Shakespeare Theatre Company has selected John Hurt, Stacy Keach, and Diana Rigg as the 2014 recipients of the William Shakespeare Award for Classical Theatre, honors that will be presented at the Harman Center for the Arts Annual Gala on October 5 at Sidney Harman Hall and the National Building Museum.

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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, and Anna Sekula in New York.

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