Vision of the Future for Reader's Digest 1000th Issue Advertiser Party
New York City
June 2005
When Reader's Digest wanted to commemorate the publication of its 1,000th Issue, it called on Empire Entertainment to bring the landmark publication to life in a gala celebration. The order was tall: not only did Reader's Digest want the party to look as though it was torn from the very pages of the 1,000th Issue itself, they wanted the party to be an unforgettable excursion into the future.
Empire, well schooled in the art of magazine parties, quickly assembled its team of experts and designed a party that inspired this note from our client: "I just wanted to thank you for making my event so spectacular! It even surpassed my own imagination. You guys are amazing!"
The centerpiece of the party, thrown at Skylight Studios in downtown Manhattan, was an airy House of the Future delicately suggested by a stainless steel frame and windows that appeared to be floating in mid-air. The "house" looked out over a virtual backyard created w/video projection and suspended birch trees. Inside the house, caterers served bizarre and delicious "meals that heal". The outdoor Carport of the Future contained two Mercedes Benz concept cars/conversation pieces. In a special area deemed Life on an Asteroid, attendees subjected themselves to virtual reality rides, snorted oxygen, and swilled pomegranate juice-and-lavender martinis. State-of-the-art, humanoid robot "Millennia" greeted guests, sweeping many off their feet (literally!). Christian Slater, Alan Alda, actress Maggie Gyllenhaal and Reader's covergirl Alicia Keys all stopped in to sample the sights, sounds, and flavors of tomorrow.
Empire is a leading producer of cutting-edge business events for media & communications clients the world over.