January 31, 2014: Performers Abandon SeaWorld Concert Series, SXSW Takes on TV, the Surprising Start for Many Super Bowl Ads

1. PERFORMERS ABANDON SEAWORLD CONCERT SERIES: Nine performers have dropped out of a SeaWorld Orlando concert series, reacting to a critical documentary about the park, but the show seems to be going on. Associated Press: “Country star Alan Jackson will headline SeaWorld’s concert Saturday, followed by rocker Kid Rock Sunday. Other performers haven’t been announced.” http://goo.gl/V1FErO

2. SXSW TAKES ON TV: South by Southwest is adding a TV component to its March festival. New York Times: “The new section, called 'Episodic,' will debut this year with previews of six series, including two episodes of HBO’s 'Silicon Valley,' and the pilot of Robert Rodriguez’s 'From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series,' which will air on El Rey Network.” http://goo.gl/8DbWvw

3. THE SURPRISING START FOR MANY SUPER BOWL ADS: The Super Bowl may be played in New Jersey this year, but Los Angeles is making its own stamp on the game through the advertisements. Los Angeles Times: “As the Super Bowl grows in value, big flashy commercials—even ones with Muppets—have become more prevalent, a trend that has benefited Los Angeles, where most of the commercials are filmed. This year there will be 55 commercials in the big game. …  More than 110 million people in the U.S. watched last year's football championship, with at least half of those people tuning in to see the commercials as much as for the action on the field.” http://goo.gl/ba2wct

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The first Boston Hotel Week is February 16-23. Local hotels will offer deals such as free valet parking and discounted stays. BostInno: http://bit.ly/1hO8CBr

CHICAGO:  Experiential marketing agency MKG opened a Chicago office this week. Sean Callahan is the managing director.

Compass Bar will open in Lincoln Park in February. Specializing in craft beer and wood-fired pizzas, the venue will have a 38-seat patio.

LAS VEGAS:  Mandalay Bay has appointed Matthew Chilton general manager of Delano Las Vegas. The hotel is slated to open this fall.

The Las Vegas Hospitality Association is sponsoring a Certified Meeting Professional study program. The first meeting is February 21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the human resources boardroom and will be free to association members and nonmembers.

LOS ANGELES:  The Recording Academy announced that combined social media interactions surrounding the 56th annual Grammy awards reached a record-breaking 34 million.

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

NAPLES, FLORIDA:  Avenue5 restaurant at the Inn on Fifth downtown will open February 6, serving lunch and dinner seven days a week. The 240-seat venue was designed by Jeffrey Beers International and has a vintage glam atmosphere.

NEW YORK:  Building Blocks for Change's second annual Care for Kenya Winter Ball is Saturday at Angel Orensanz Foundation. Model Jessica Stam will host the 400-person event.

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

TORONTO:  Canadian Film Centre will host its annual gala and auction "Music and Movies" at the Carlu on February 5.

WASHINGTON:  A D.C. outpost of the Miami favorite Joe's Stone Crab has opened, drawing 1,500 guests attending its launch fete. Washingtonian: http://bit.ly/1bDkZMl

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected]. 

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, 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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