BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #327 — Tuesday, 08.14.12
++ Sponsored by Event Leadership Institute ++
Compiled today by Beth Kormanik in New York
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* INCOMING *
1. RECORD VIEWERS: The 2012 London Olympics drew nearly 220 million viewers, more than any other event in U.S. television history, and will help NBC make a profit off of the games. The Hollywood Reporter: "Despite criticism over tape delays, generous edits and results spoiled during promos, the network pulled in consistent boosted viewership over the past two Summer Olympics, outpacing Beijing and Athens by double digits." http://bit.ly/RaDRgJ
More than 150 million Olympics-related tweets were written during the 16-day competition, Twitter announced. The Hollywood Reporter: "The most tweeted about athletes were Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps and British diver Tom Daley, while soccer emerged as the top sport for the Twitterverse at the Olympics, the micro blogging firm said. Bolt's gold medal-winning run in the 200 meters final drew a tweets per minute record of more than 80,000 for any competition, it said. But the Spice Girls reached a tweet per minute record of more than 116,000 for the closing ceremony Sunday night." http://bit.ly/PcVdpR
2. TOP CONVENTION CITIES: What makes for a popular convention city? The amount of meeting space is the biggest draw, with local attractions such as sports stadiums and theme parks minor factors. Los Angeles Times: "That's why Orlando, Fla., and Las Vegas attract the really big gatherings, while Los Angeles continues to struggle to draw the mega conventions." http://lat.ms/O5IjWz
3. SPOONING WITH BEN & JERRY: A new Facebook app from Ben & Jerry's seeks to make connections among your Facebook friends—as well as promote its new Greek Frozen Yogurt product. Mashable: "The app, called 'Wanna Spoon?,' scours your Facebook friends to look for common connections like favorite bands, brands, vacation spots, birthdays and even relatives with the same name, among other stated details. When you match up with someone, you can notify them on their Wall with the following message: 'Using a fancy algorithm, Ben & Jerry's decided we'd make great spooning partners.' The recipient is then prompted to click to see why and get a coupon for B&J's new Greek Frozen Yogurt."
4. ICON DIES: Helen Gurley Brown, longtime editor of Cosmopolitan magazine, died Monday. Women's Wear Daily: "She was a pioneer herself as an editor-as-celebrity, before Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart, since she was already famous when she took over Cosmo." http://wwd.us/NlHWNA
Read BizBash's coverage of the Colin Cowie-designed 40th anniversary of Cosmopolitan's relaunch: http://bit.ly/PeWmPj
5. GOOGLE'S BIG BUY: Pushing forward into content publishing—and seeking more advertising dollars—Google announced it is buying Frommer's travel guide business from publisher John Wiley & Sons Inc. Wall Street Journal: "By owning Frommer's global travel guide content and showing it in Google search results, the search engine company could potentially sell travel-related ads against it and provide more tools for people to book travel arrangements. Frommer's data about local businesses around the world could also boost the Google+ business listings and Google Maps." http://on.wsj.com/PkObgV
++ A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR: Event Leadership Institute ++
Check out our editor's collection of top-rated video chapters from our class library, and sharpen your event insight. Our Suggested Summer Learning compilation includes content from David Merrell, Jes Gordon, Mindy Weiss, Preston Bailey, Mary Wittenberg, Colja Dams and others. 41 minutes | 10 clips | lots of ideas
* LOCAL NEWS *
COAST TO COAST: Ford is partnering with Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization, to launch the 2013 Ford Escape Hunger Drive in cities around the United States. The company is inviting consumers and businesses to host events where guests can drive the new Escape. For each guest attending, Ford will provide 40 meals to Feeding America.
BOSTON: The Boston Center for Adult Education holds its second annual "Take a Shot: Digital Photography Symposium" September 22, with three interactive workshops.
The third annual Appleton Estate Bartender Challenge is August 20 at Julep Bar.
CHARLOTTE, N.C.: The B-52s will headline the Creative Coalition's gala benefit concert during the Democratic National Convention September 5. The Coalition, a nonpartisan charitable arm of the entertainment industry, had already announced that Journey will perform at its benefit concert during the Republican National Convention in Tampa. Throughout the two conventions, the coalition will also co-host daily policy breakfasts and luncheons, receptions, and other events.
CHICAGO: Flats Chicago, a new collection of lifestyle rental properties owned and operated by Cedar Street Co., will host a groundbreaking event August 23. J&L will provide catering.
Drape Kings announced the opening of a Chicago office, its third in the country.
DALLAS: NorthPark Center has planned two fashion shows and may add a third thanks to retailer demand at its Fashion's Night Out September 6. Women's Wear Daily: "In addition, NorthPark will present a mannequin exhibit of 16 red-carpet dresses by Roberto Cavalli worn during the past 12 years by celebrities including Christina Aguilera, Victoria Beckham, Beyoncé, Heidi Klum and Charlize Theron. The dresses were previously displayed at Crystals at CityCenter in Las Vegas." http://wwd.us/NmSITS
LAS VEGAS: Guns N’ Roses will come to Vegas for the band's first-ever residency, "Appetite for Democracy, " at the Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino between Halloween night and November 24.
LOS ANGELES: The fifth annual Noor Iranian Film Festival wrapped with an awards presentation at the Skirball on August 8.
The most recent installment of downtown Art Walk was peaceful after the chaos that reigned last month. Los Angeles Times: http://lat.ms/TzY8K0
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI: The 2013 Winter Music Conference is scheduled for March 15-24, with panel discussions, seminars, and a trade show at the Miami Beach Convention Center and other events spread across Miami Beach. Tickets go on sale early next year.
NEW YORK: New York Post: "Major League Soccer is closing in on a final deal with state and city officials for a $300 million, 25,000-seat, state-of-the-art soccer-stadium complex in Flushing Meadows Corona Park." http://nyp.st/O0hjId
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO: Construction begins today on the Club at NBA City, a new restaurant and bar at the Amway Center. The venue is modeled after NBA City Orlando at Universal CityWalk and will include 4,160 square feet of indoor space and an outdoor patio. It is scheduled to open in October.
TORONTO: Scotiabank's BuskerBall is August 21 at the St. Lawrence North Market in support of Epilepsy Toronto.
Canadian Opera Company's "Operanation9: Sweet Revenge" opera party is October 18 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.
Annie Lennox will perform at the Hope Rising benefit concert for the Stephen Lewis Foundation on November 7 at Roy Thompson Hall.
WASHINGTON: Several cupcake shops and bakeries will compete in the inaugural DC Cupcake Battles September 22 at Backlick Professional Village in Springfield. The event is sponsored by Le Fabuleux Party Rentals and will benefit the Tigerlily Foundation.
The Foundation Fighting Blindness will host its fourth annual Northern Virginia Dining in the Dark December 13 at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner. Diners will wear special light-blocking masks and eat their entrée using only their heightened senses of smell, sound, taste, and touch.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Rose Chevalier, Beth Kormanik, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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