Building on the success of the inaugural Fitch Ratings Why? Forum, presented at the New York Public Library in October of 2013, Fitch Ratings held the second installment of this thought leadership event in London. In keeping with Fitch’s exploration of the ‘reasons behind the rating,’ The London Why? Forum focused specifically on Europe’s return to growth and the opportunities and threats that are most likely to impact that trajectory.

The London Why? Forum event took place at the historic Tower of London whereEmpire and Fitch’s design firm, Addison Branding, were tasked with transforming a 12th Century venue into a contemporary and innovative event space. The centuries-old wood columns and ceilings beams were juxtaposed with black leather and chrome and an enormous LED wall, was constructed to serve as a backdrop for the stage.

The program began with welcoming remarks from Fitch Group CEO, Paul Taylor, who laid the groundwork for the evening’s discussion and introduced the evening’s keynote speaker, former Governor of the Bank of England, Lord Mervyn King. Lord King spoke to an audience comprised of some of the most influential institutional investors, senior officers, bankers and European market participants.

Following an audience Q&A with Lord King, a panel discussion began featuring economist Nouriel Roubini, Managing Director of JP Morgan Asset Management and former Economics Editor of the BBC, Stephanie Flanders and Hearst Corporation’s President and CEO, Steve Swartz. The panel discussion was ably moderated by Fitch Rating’s James McCormack and covered topics ranging from Europe’s recovery, the validity of the Eurozone model, Russia, the Ukraine and the “Pivot to China,” and the growth opportunity in Africa.

At the conclusion of the stage program, the New Armouries courtyard and café were transformed into a reception where guests mingled with program participants and further discussed the evening’s topics.

For this unique program, Empire served as overall producer, helping to secure the keynote speaker and contracting the panelists, handling all technical production, scenic and staging, catering, and guest logistics.

To learn more about this innovative new series, check out the Why? Forum website at www.whyforum.com

Empire is a leading producer of thought leadership forums that provide insight to business decision-makers worldwide.

On June 19, 2014, Empire once again served as producer of the Happy Hearts Fund Gala, which raises awareness and funds for schools in regions affected by natural disasters. This 10th anniversary gala, honoring President Bill Clinton and featuring a performance by Sheryl Crow, commemorated 10 years since the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami of 2004 and celebrated 85 schools already rebuilt.

Departing from the tradition of bringing awareness to a single country, this year’s gala, sponsored by Chopard cast a spotlight on all of the countries who have benefitted from the aid of the Happy Hearts Fund and focused highlighting the HHF mission, which is to rebuild schools and education.

Within the impressive Cipriani 42nd Street venue, over 500 guests enjoyed cocktails and a seated dinner surrounded by school-room décor with chalkboard-inspired screen graphics, neon-colored rulers used as bidding markers and a classroom scene set onstage. The stunning host and founder of the Happy Hearts Fund, Petra Nemcova, even dressed as “Principal Petra” as she addressed supporters in her welcoming remarks.

Heart-shaped floral centerpieces surrounded by “thank you” written in different languages adorned the guests’ dinner tables.Prestigious honorees and speakers included President Bill Clinton (presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award), President Michel J. Martelly of Haiti (presented with the Leadership in Education Award), John Caudwell (presented with the Children’s Champion Award), United Airlines (presented with the Honored Partner Award), and Apl.de.ap and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas (presented with the Spirit Award).

Guests were also treated to energizing performances of “I’ve Got a Feeling” and “Where is the Love?” by Apl.de.ap, a surprise rendition of “Let It Be Me” (Elvis Presley) by President Martelly of Haiti (who was then joined onstage by another surprise guest - Wyclef Jean - for a one-of-a-kind rendition of “No Woman No Cry”), and Sheryl Crow, who performed four songs including “Soak Up the Sun” and “All I Wanna Do”.

Notable attendees included fashion designer Donna Karan, musician Taboo, singer/songwriter John Legend, actress Naomi Watts, and supermodels Coco Rocha and Arlenis Sosa. Event sponsors included Chopard, Clinique, and United.Rounding out the stage presentation was a lively auction led by renowned auctioneer Simon de Pury of Phillips de Pury & Company, with packages including tickets to the 2014 Victoria Secret Fashion Show, a luxury trip to Ibiza for eight guests, including air travel via private jet and yacht, and the opportunity to attend the Cannes Film Festival while sporting a custom made jewelry piece designed around a 5.12 carat Colombian emerald from Chopard. A highlight of the auction included a fashion show featuring Coco Rocha and Petra Nemcova walking the catwalk.

Between ticket sales and auction packages, the Happy Hearts Fund raised over $2.5 million through which the HHF has reached the goal of raising enough to rebuild 15 more schools which will accomplish their foal of rebuilding 100 schools before the end of 2014.

Working closely with Happy Hearts Fund, Empire served as producer of the gala, managing elements including venue, décor, technical production, performing talent and stage management.To support or learn more about the Happy Hearts Fund, please visit www.happyheartsfund.org.Empire is honored to have been part of such a worthy event and is a leading producer of not-for-profit, for-cause events globally.

As a part of Bloomberg’s Global Leadership Conference at Sea Island, Georgia, Empire created and delivered an original, immersive experience that took place over the course of a full evening to promote understanding of international business protocol in the emerging markets of China, Cuba, Nigeria and South Africa.

For this sophisticated, executive audience already fluent in international relations, Empire engaged, scripted and curated Ambassadors from each country to represent their nations and showcase their cultures and traditions. During cocktail hour, guests mingled with these International representatives and engaged in some light-hearted competition playing games indigenous to each culture. The Nigerian game of Ido was played on one side of the room while others enjoyed a game of Ping Pong with a professional Chinese player.

The transition from cocktails to dinner on the patio was signaled with lively Cuban dance and music.Once the first course was served, Cuban ambassadors and Cuba Libre cocktails greeted guests.

Throughout the dinner service, Chinese, South African and Nigerian Ambassadors circulated the room, visiting each table to deliver a brief presentation illustrating the various “Do’s” and “Don’ts” of their country’s business culture.

Bloomberg executives were entertained, informed and delighted.Desserts, coffee and tea were served in the foyer of the Sea Island Resort as guests were invited to a South African game of Jukskei in the gardens and espresso at a table of Cuban dominos or cubilete, the traditional dice game. Guests were also welcome to Chinese Oolong tea served by the Chinese Ambassadors in a traditional Tea Ceremony.

Empire is the premiere event production company for corporate conferences and bespoke, immersive content and experiences.

When alumni from Princeton's Class of 1989 celebrated their 25th Reunion in May 2014, they called on Empire to help them secure one of the hottest concert artists today – Flo Rida - to entertain their classmates.

Empire secured the Grammy nominated hip hop and dance music artist to perform a 90-minute set of greatest hits to over 2,500 pumped up alumni. The performance was independently organized and supported by members of the Class of 1989.

From the moment Flo Rida hit the stage, the crowd’s energy was infectious. He performed all of his chart- topping hits, including “Low,” “Club Can’t Handle Me,” “Good Feeling,” “Wild Ones,” and “Whistle,” as the crowd sang and danced to his well-known upbeat songs.

Throughout the performance, Flo Rida invited guests onstage to dance and sing with him. At one point, Flo Rida crowd surfed into the audience, and carried a fan on his shoulders as they sang. Flo Rida’s enthusiasm kept the event at a climax throughout his entire performance.

Empire secured and contracted Flo Rida and his band, coordinated all production, logistics and onsite management and worked closely with the Class of 1989 alumni organizers to ensure its success.

Empire is a premier industry provider of headline talent for large events and parties.

From May 25-28, 2014, NetScout Systems, Inc., an industry leader for advanced network, application and service assurance solutions, held its Asia Reseller Summit in Osaka, Japan. NetScout’s U.S. events agency for the Summit, Opus Events, called on Empire to handle all Destination Management and Coordination Services in Japan.

Empire managed logistics for over 100 NetScout guests and staff for their visit to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Osaka where the Summit was held. A welcome reception was held on the first night with beautifully atmospheric live music provided by Ito Maiko, a popular traditional “Koto” Japanese harp player cast by Empire.

On the second evening, NetScout held an Awards Dinner for which Empire cast Japanese samurai sword performance artists, KAMUI, whose highly skilled swordsmanship and storytelling has gained them high praise around the world. KAMUI’s dramatic performance on the night demonstrated why director Quentin Tarantino turned to them for expertise for his hit movie, Kill Bill.

On the third day of the Summit, Empire, working with a local tourism company, arranged a tour of Kyoto – Japan’s cultural heart – where participants had the chance to visit several UNESCO World Heritage Sites including The Golden Pavilion and Kiyomizudera Temple.

The fourth and final day saw guests departing the hotel, with our staff making sure that they were looked after for their ongoing journeys.

Because of detailed planning and local expertise, Empire was able to ensure smooth logistics, exceptional entertainment and many pleasant memories for NetScout’s team in Japan. We look forward to welcoming them back.

Empire recently had the pleasure of again serving the Swatch Group in Japan, this time on the occasion of their launch press conference at the Nicolas G. Hayek Center, in Ginza, Tokyo. For this most recent launch event, Swatch Group Japan sought to showcase four models of the world's first "SISTEM51" movement watches. First revealed in April 2013, the "SISTEM51" automatic (self-winding) watch movement is 100% Swiss made and consists of only 51 parts.

For the press event and product reveal, Empire matched the venue’s minimal white space with a clean and contemporary design to provide optimal visual merchandising of the product. The well-attended press conference featured a variety of speakers, product reveals, pre-recorded video rolls and a reception. Empire served as overall producer of the launch press conference, and was responsible for all displays, performances and talent casting. Over 90 members from the media attended, resulting in wide coverage of the event.

Empire is a leading producer of product launches and related press events worldwide.

The CLASSY Awards is the largest social impact awards ceremony in the United States. Taking place at the San Diego Civic Theatre, this inspirational evening highlights the greatest champions of social progress, a process that starts with thousands of entries and culminates in 8 winners being announced live on stage. This year, Elizabeth Gore (Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the United Nations Foundation) and Kenna (Grammy-Nominated Musician, Tech Creative and Founder of Summit on the Summit) hosted the 5th Annual CLASSYs in partnership with the United Nations Foundation.

As the CLASSYs continue to grow, we were privileged to partner with them to help celebrate the fifth anniversary. The evening began with an outdoor reception complete with multiple red carpets providing each and every guest with a special VIP experience. Guests were welcomed into the theater to find a beautifully designed set by David Korins Design, drawing inspiration from the elegance of the awards logo laurel, which helped frame the multi-screened stage. The real magic happened when the house lights dimmed and the set came to life with LED lights framing each screen and the podium.

Throughout the evening, various leaders from the social sector presented awards to the winners in each of the 8 categories- Active Duty & Veteran Services, Animal & Wildlife Welfare, Disaster Relief & Public Safety, Education Advancement, Environmental Protection, Health Services, Human Rights & Social Justice Services, and Poverty & Hunger Relief. Some of the speakers included Adam Garone, Co-Found & CEO of Movember, Premal Shah, President of Kiva, Kathleen Schwille from National Geographic, Wayne Pacelle, President & CEO of the Humane Society of the US, and Col. David Sutherland of Easter Seals Dixon Center, who brought all 2000 guests to their feet with his moving remarks.

Overall, the CLASSY Awards continue to pave the way recognizing and honoring the importance of those individuals striving to make our world a better place and we are grateful for the opportunity help emphasize this significant occasion.

To learn more about the awards, please visit www.classyawards.org.

The setting: the perpetually chic and romantic City of Lights, Paris. The purpose: an incentive program for a top performing global sales team. The perfect headline entertainment: multiple Grammy Award-nominated artist and international sensation, Robin Thicke.

On Friday, May 16, a perfect Parisian spring night, attendees and their spouses eagerly filed into the Pavillon Cambon, anticipating who would be the surprise guest artist to cap off the week’s fantastic European itinerary.

Once onstage, Robin Thicke and his band did not disappoint. His full dance set included all of his R&B, pop-rock hits like “Give It 2 U”, “Dreamworld”, “Shakin’ It 4 Daddy”, and “Feel Good”. He also mixed in covers like Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You” and Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” and closed out his set with his insanely popular hit “Blurred Lines.” The band's powerful stage presence with full horn section and backing vocalists had the audience dancing and shouting for encores, while Robin leapt on top of the piano and danced around the stage, giving an unforgettable performance. Following the show, Thicke graciously greeted and talked with VIPs, took photos, and personally announced his latest album set to release in July 2014.

For this incentive program, Empire worked closely with SWIFT Smart Solutions. SWIFT is a leading producer of large-scale meetings, events and training development for its corporate clients and Empire has enjoyed a solid collaboration with SWIFT for over a decade. Empire identified the best possible talent candidates, negotiated the performance contract, and facilitated the production and logistics plan to support the concert. SWIFT handled all technical production, the spectacular Parisian venue selection, and room design.

Empire is a leading provider of headline entertainment for international corporate meetings & events and is deeply experienced in overcoming the challenges of presenting headline entertainment outside of the United States.

The Genesis Prize is a brand new initiative, seeking to recognize individuals who have attained excellence and international renown in their chosen professional fields, and whose actions, in addition to their achievements, embody the character of the Jewish people through commitment to Jewish values, the Jewish community and/or to the State of Israel. To help commemorate the inaugural award ceremony, Empire delivered former Tonight Show host Jay Leno to serve as emcee for this momentous occasion.

The Genesis Prize Foundation wanted a household name that could help lighten the evening while simultaneously adding to the already prestigious line-up. Jay Leno was the perfect fit. The event took place at the historic Jerusalem Theater in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the $1 Million Genesis Prize to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Bloomberg, in turn, announced that the prize money would be invested to create the Genesis Generation Challenge – a competition striving to find and fund the next big idea to measurably better the world.

Along with the award presentation the program included a variety of performances celebrating famous Jewish musicians, artists, and composers. One of the many highlights of the evening was an ever-impressive special performance by Grammy award-winning pianist Evgeny Kissin.

Throughout the evening, Leno touched on a wide variety of topics from local Israeli politics to American pop culture in order to account for the diverse audience of international dignitaries, Nobel laureates, and business leaders from around the globe. Overall, his participation greatly helped amplify the international buzz surrounding the award, and we were honored and privileged to play a part.

On May 9, 2014, Empire delivered award-winning actor Alec Baldwin to take the helm of one of the most creative and prestigious award shows of the advertising world, The One Show. This annual event presented by the One Club celebrates the most acclaimed work in advertising, design, interactive, and branded entertainment. The One Show is the annual culmination of Creative Week, the New York City festival commending the union of excellence in advertising and the arts.

For this year’s event, the One Club desired a highly-recognizable host who could not only command the attention of the room, but who would also deliver a fun experience to this discerning gathering of industry professionals. Alec Baldwin was the natural solution.

Nearly 1,000 guests packed Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall for the event, excited for Baldwin to kick off a fantastic evening. Prior to the show’s start, the television and movie star graciously posed on the red carpet for several photos with industry VIPs.

Collaborating with the writers from comedy video website Funny or Die, Baldwin was able to deliver an amazing event, leading the three-hour show with a deftness and charisma.

Mary Warlick, CEO of The One Club said of Baldwin that he is "a gifted actor and a New Yorker through and through, Alec Baldwin is the perfect choice to host The One Show, a New York institution. We want to make a big statement for this year's new format, and Mr. Baldwin does just that."

Empire selected and recommended Alec Baldwin, negotiated his contract terms and coordinated his logistics and content preparation. On the day of the event, Empire ensured all needs of the client and talent were well met to facilitate the best possible performance.

Empire is one of the world’s leading providers of high-stature talent for awards shows and events.