Our Work

Once again, Independent Feature Project (IFP) turned to Empire Entertainment to produce the star studded 19th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards. Despite the inclement weather, the guests came out in droves to support the film industry's legendary kick off event ushering in Awards season. Attendees included Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, Willem Dafoe, Natalie Portman, Alec Baldwin, Chris Rock and Tim Robbins along with nearly 800 independent film mavericks.The Gotham Independent Film Awards, selected by distinguished juries and presented in New York City, the home of independent film, are the first honors of the film awards season. This public showcase honors the filmmaking community, expands the audience for independent films, and supports the work that IFP does behind the scenes throughout the year to bring such films to fruition.

Given the unfortunate weather, Empire quickly and creatively created a tented step and repeat red carpet to kick off the evening. This exclusive event was hosted by Cipriani Wall Street with guest DJ Jauretsi spinning all night long. Up and coming Comedy Central comdian Kumail Nanjiani opened the show with hilarious rants on the film community, taking special attention to William Dafoe sitting front and center.The crowd got a special treat when Meryl Streep took the stage to give a heart warming introduction to tribute her good friend Stanley Tucci. Other Award Tributees consisted of Natalie Portman, Tim Bevan & Eric Fellner, and the night's big winner Kathryn Bigelow. Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" won both Best Feature and Best Ensemble Performance.

Empire acted as overall event producer, handling all event design and planning, technical production, graphic design of event materials and print advertisements, video roll-ins & scripting, stage management and talent wrangling, event logistics, budgeting and coordination.

Each Year, TIME releases a special issue devoted to the Person of the Year. This iconic issue highlights the individuals who have most affected the events of the year and made the greatest global impact. To support this tradition, each year Time Magazine holds a high level event at its New York Headquarters where Managing Editor, Richard Stengel, hosts a discussion with influential individuals about whom should be recognized as the year's Person of the Year. The 2009 was designed as a cocktail reception followed by a staged discussion. The program included former Mayor of New York and 2001 Time Magazine Person of the Year, Rudy Giuliani, Cardiac Surgeon, Author, and Host of the Dr. Oz Show, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Editor-at-Large of O Magazine, Gayle King, Top Chef Judge, and Founder & Co-Owner of Craft Restaurants, Tom Colicchio, ABC News and The View Host, Barbara Walters, and Mayor Luke Ravensthal of the City of Pittsburgh, the youngest Mayor of a major American City.

The lively discussion and audience Q & A focused on potential 2010 Persons of the Year ranging from the Twitter Guys and the Federal Reserve's Ben Bernanke to the Iranian Voter and Nancy Pelosi. For this elegant and chic affair, Empire worked with TIME's events team to design and install a lounge-style cocktail reception area featuring black lacquer central bar and serving trays, an image gallery of past Time Person of the Year Magazine covers and lounge furnishings.

With a dinner party feel, cabaret style seating was set; black linen cocktail rounds with Time red florals, and a branded stage setting and backdrop. In addition to design and decor elements, Empire worked with the guests and presenters to stage manage a flawless program.

Empire is a leading producer of high-profile media events.

When philanthropist, globe-trekker and photographer Bobby Sager released his photo book entitled The Power of the Invisible Sun, he and innovative not-for-profit initiative executive producer Tracey Durning engaged Empire Entertainment to produce release events in New York City and London. The events, which commemorated the release of Sager's bestselling book of images of underprivileged children throughout the developing world, would feature powerful projection treatments of his photography and philanthropic philosophies, performances by close friend Sting and a high concentration of celebrity attendees.

The first event was held at Donna Karan's Stephan Weiss Studio in New York's West Village, home of her growing Urban Zen activities. The event was attended by over 250 guests including celebrities such as Edward Norton, Donna Karan and Padma Lakshmi among others. Empire transformed the interior of the huge open space into a comfortable and contemporary lounge environment around which the photography was displayed by seven massive visual projections on seven screens. Durning carefully choreographed the projection sequences combining Sager's stirring images with animated handwriting and key phrases from the book with cascading images that surrounded the space, narrating the author's messages, which synchronized at times for emphasis. In addition to the projected images, Empire installed large format prints and text samples to give the space a p hysical image presence, including a custom-made "Hope" bar in black and yellow lacquer. The New York event's stage program included remarks by Donna Karan and Bobby Sager as well as an intimate acoustic concert by Sting and his band which the audience enjoyed while seated on carpets , cushions, and lounge furnishings. The menu for the evening reflected Sager's eclectic tastes with menu items such as snow cones, grain alcohol Jello shots and cotton candy.

The following week, Empire presented the European event in London at the iconic contemporary art museum - The Saatchi Gallery. This event was co-hosted by Sting & Trudie Styler, again featured a high definition, seven projector display of the photography, an eclectic menu of fish & chips and Jello shots, and a performance by Sting that included such hits as Invisible Sun and I'll Be Watching You. Attendees of this event included Annie Lennox, actors Val Kilmer, Neve Campbell and Richard Grant, and Vivienne Westwood among others. The Admirable Crichton provided all catering while Ingenius UK provided all technical support.

For these challenging, back-to-back transatlantic events, Empire served as overall event producer, and was responsible for oversight of elements including venue acquisition, design, decor, catering, staging, sound, lighting, video projection, red carpet, logistics, event flow, security and creating displays of the photography both projected and physical. Empire was thrilled to be involved with the launch of this book of powerful imagery and to participate in an initiative that helps to bring hope and opportunity to the developing world.

When a leading global company held three major events in three different cities in three days, they turned to Empire Entertainment's multi-tasking bandwidth to ensure that all three events would receive full attention and be executed flawlessly.October 20, 2010 – Las Vegas, NVWhen the client was looking for a headline act for a huge 80’s themed party to take place at The Beach @ Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Empire recommended and secured Huey Lewis and the News. In front of an audience of over 5000 attendees, Huey Lewis and the News rocked the hotel's Beach Pool Stage for 75 minutes, and had the crowd dancing and singing along to their hits such as "Power of Love," "I Want a New Drug," and "The Heart of Rock & Roll." Empire succeeded in selecting the perfect talent for this particular audience as it received the highest marks in this event's history from attendees.

Beginning with the proposal process, Empire was responsible for all contracting, scheduling, production, and logistical elements for the band's performance. In addition, Empire served as stage manager, coordinating various elements including VIP executive remarks, break-dancer performances, DJ, and the timing of a finale fireworks display set to it's own soundtrack, which went off immediately following the band's performance. October 21, 2009 – San Francisco, CAEmpire was onsite at one of San Francisco's hottest nightspots, Ruby Skye, to help produce a sponsored event surrounding a major conference. Two weeks prior to the event the client came to Empire with the desire to book an energetic headline artist to wow their attendees.

Working with the client's internal relationship managers, Empire quickly secured and contracted funky, up-and-coming hip-hop rocker Janelle Monáe to perform. Her dance moves tore up the stage, but she also found time to paint a picture and hand it to a lucky guest. As Janelle Monáe finished her hectic and eclectic set, a senior marketing executive took to the stage to announce a special surprise: the company’s new product was set to launch at midnight and this group of 500+ guests would be the first to own it. 100,000 watt DJ & drummer sensation DJ Ravi Drums joined the executives on-stage to provide a drum roll for the countdown to the midnight launch and then took over the party with a custom rendition of Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow" featuring a lyrical reference of the client’s product. DJ Ravi Drums kept the party going well past two in the morning with his brand of high-energy drumming. Empire secured and provided technical and logistical support for Janelle Monáe and DJ Ravi Drums in addition to managing their performances and the flow of the evening.

October 22, 2009 – New York, NYFor the conclusion of 3-days of events for this client, Empire was onsite to globally launch the client's new product at Skylight Studios in New York City. Filled with live demonstrations, art gallery exhibits, and product vignettes, 350 journalists, bloggers and executives gathered to buzz about the new release. The company’s CEO enthusiastically welcomed the crowd while the 5 year-old star from the company’s well-known TV commercials won over the audience with her sassy and charming appeal. The event provided a fun and interactive hands on environment to showcase the product’s approachable and streamlined functions of organizing everyday life. Empire was responsible for site selection and acquisition and secured Skylight Studios for this global launch event. Empire served as main liaison with venue & client regarding contracts, payment, schedules and permits as well as providing miscellanous support services including archival photography and a makeup artist for their presenting executives.

Whether it is securing headline talent, selecting the ideal venue, or handling all production and logistical needs, Empire Entertainment is a capable of executing simultaneous or back-to-back high-profile events on opposite coasts and around the world.

Each year, America's pre-eminent film presentation organization, The Film Society of Lincoln Center presents New York’s most established film festival. For the 47th Annual New York Film Festival, The Film Society of Lincoln Center turned to Empire Entertainment to serve as the overall production company and special event producers to support the extraordinary range of premieres, screenings and events. Empire’s responsibilities would encompass nearly 50 separate events & screenings over the course of the 17-day festival with many taking place in the newly renovated, Alice Tully Hall.

Highlights of the 2009 festival included a special screening of the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, in a newly re-mastered version, never seen before by the public. Present at the screening were 5 out of 6 of the remaining Munchkins from the films original cast.Crossroads of Youth, a Korean silent film from 1934 that was recently re-discovered and restored, was screened just as it was in the 30’s - featuring a live musical orchestra and a narrator. Attendees were transported back to a time when films were viewed as live experiences.Precious, the festival’s Centerpiece selection, premiered to a sold out crowd complete with a celebrity-filled red carpet to see the Oscar buzz-worthy film. Those is attendance to introduce the film were Mariah Carey, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton and Lenny Kravitz, in addition to Gabourey Sidibe, the film’s title char acter. Academy Award-winning Spanish filmmaker, Pedro Almodovar, was on hand to introduce his latest film, Broken Embraces. Introduced by lead actress, Penelope Cruz, the film’s sold out crowd gave a standing ovation at the film’s completion, a fitting ending to the festival’s closing selection.

Earlier in the day, Pedro sat down with the Festival’s Program Director for a 2-hour discussion on the history of cinema.Empire was also responsible for staging a series of Directors Dialogues, intimate one-on-one conversations between Directors with selections in the festival and industry experts. Directors this year included Italian filmmaker, Marco Bellocchio, “Precious” director, Lee Daniels, Austrian disturbia king, Michael Haneke, French veteran, Claire Denis. Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler) and Noah Baumbach (The Squid and The Whale) made appearances as moderators. The dialogues were recorded and later streamed on HBO.Empire is a leading producer of high profile festival and events and is honored to work with the Film Society of Lincoln Center. For information on sponsorships for the 2010 New York Film Festival please contact Yasmine Falk at yfalk@filmlinc.com

September 2009 was a very busy and exciting month for Kurt Wenner, the amazing 3D artist known for his realistic street painting and chalk murals all over the world. When GM’s luxury brand Buick was launching their new model, the 2010 LaCrosse, they wanted to deliver a memorable and original marketing stunt. When Buick turned to Empire for ideas, Empire secured Kurt Wenner to paint beautiful 3D paintings of the 2010 LaCrosse in major cities in the US. Kurt Wenner’s works were on display for the public at; Pen’s Landing in Philadelphia(9/2-6), Herald Square in New York City(9/7-13, Union Station in Washington D.C(9/17-20) and The Millennium Park in Chicago(9/26-27).

Kurt Wenner performed live demonstrations of his painting, which was fully accessible to the public who were able to experience both the making creation of the painting and the finished product’s impact. All of the 3D painting featured the new 2010 Buick LaCrosse, on a amazing backgrounds, symbolizing the city’s location where the painting was displayed.Kurt Wenner is an artist best known for being the innovator of 3D chalk murals projection called anamorphosis. His 3D Chalk drawings on pavements have been featured in many newspapers, magazine and television shows all over the World. His anamorphic art is meant to deceive the human eye, which might look ordinary from one angle, but viewed through a curved lens, it becomes 3-D. Originally from Ann Harbor, Michigan, Kurt graduated from Rhode Island School of Design. He started his career with NASA as an advanced scientific space illustrator.

Viacom and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation formally launched their national education initiative "Get Schooled," with a groundbreaking series of events that culminated with the television premiere Get Schooled: You Have the Right. The premiere aired simultaneously across all Viacom networks including BET, MTV, VH1, CMT, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV and Nickelodeon, marking Viacom’s first-ever programming "roadblock" or simulcast across all of the media company's U.S. television properties. Surrounding the premiere was a multi-tiered, integrated series of events designed to change the paradigm of pro-social initiatives. Featuring an education conference, small group discussion, concert, and television premiere components, the day-long program of events informed, entertained, and fostered relevant discussion all focused on promoting education reform.

Thought leaders, education stakeholders, corporate and non-profit partners as well as many celebrities convened on the famed Paramount Pictures Studio Lot in Hollywood, CA to take part in the affair, which was also sponsored by AT&T, Capital One Corporation and NYSE Euronext.Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report hosted the education conference during which a distinguished line-up of well-known voices in the education field presented their riveting ideas and novel insights. In classic Colbert-style, the host dryly interjected his witty political satire in between presentations from speakers that included Bill & Melinda Gates, Viacom President & CEO Philippe Dauman, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Tony Miller, Davis Guggenheim, director of An Inconvenient Truth, New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, Los Angeles school teacher Stephen Minix and political columnist Arianna Huffington among others.

Over 500 students from local Los Angeles-area high schools joined the multitude of attendees to view an advance screening of Get Schooled: You Have the Right. Miranda Cosgrove, star of Nickelodeon’s Emmy-nominated hit show “iCarly,” was received with squeals of excitement when she introduced the premiere to the student audience.For the final event of the day, Paramount's New York City Street Lot was the stage for celebration with a Block Party hosted by MTV’s Damien Fahey that showcased performances by DJ Spooky, America's Best Dance Crew’s BREAKSK8 and Champions Quest, R&B singer songwriter Monica, and teen pop sensation Jesse McCartney. Students and attendees alike rocked out on the Rockband 2 stage and browsed through Get Schooled website kiosks, while enjoying classic NY Street fare catered by Wolfgang Puck.

The event featured an extensive press component with several red carpet and PSA taping areas. There was heavy press turnout and coverage of both the education substance of the day as well as the many celebrities such as Heidi Klum, Ben Stiller, Seal, Hank Azaria, Andre Agassi and J.J. Abrams among others that attended. With only 30 days advance, Viacom turned to Empire Entertainment to serve as the production company for all elements of the event program. The concert and conference elements were shot as a live, multi-camera television events for VOD, executed with precision timing to allow for live broadcasts including interviews with Bill & Melinda Gates and Philippe Dauman with Maria Bartiromo for CNBC. Empire’s turnkey delivery of this project included supervision and management of all front of house logistics, creation and management of media and press areas, sponsorship activation and integration, technical and production design and support, speaker and talent coordination, content management, and supervision of all broadcast elements.Empire also worked closely with Radical Media, who provided for design inspiration for graphics, and scenic elements.

Empire specializes in managing multi-faceted, high stature live events such as the Get Schooled launch. From logistics and content to production and design, Empire delivers flawlessly on events and live broadcast projects of the highest caliber.

Every year Empire secures a comedy superstar to host a large-scale annual meeting for a major global corporation and approximately 20,000 of their regional employees. In 2008, Empire brought in the star of NBC’s hit comedy, “The Office”, Rainn Wilson, whose physical humor made the event wildly successful.This year, Empire tapped Saturday Night Live’s Seth Meyers to take the reigns at Safeco Field.Seth Meyers is best known for his role as anchor of Sarturday Night Live’s Weekend Update segment. What is less well-known is that Seth is also the head writer of Saturday Night Live, as well as cast member. His skill as a writer paired with sharp comedic wit made him the perfect host for this highly-demanding event.

In preparation for the event Seth worked with the client’s talented creative agency, Wexley School for Girls, and Empire to develop customized material, including a monologue, video sequences, and even a Weekend Update-style presentation for the event. Upon arrival in Seattle, Seth also shot a series of brief interstitial videos to introduce speakers. These included backgrounds like the Seattle Space Needle and Seattle’s famed Pike Place Fish Market where Seth literally caught a Salmon. Each video introduction played at the meeting was met with roaring laughter and applause.The earth-shaking finalé of Seth’s performance came as he explained to all the attendees that a seismograph had been placed in the building across the street and instructed everyone to stomp their feet in order to create a human earthquake. The vibrations of the 20,000+ person audience stomping rocked the stadium and cheers rang out when the live video feed showed that they had buried the needle!Seth Meyers worked closely with Wexley School for Girls and Empire on details such as scripting, costume, special effects, staging, etc.Empire negotiated the deal for Seth and worked with his management in order to negotiate time off from his duties at Saturday Night Live. An Empire talent producer also worked with Seth onsite to work closely with Seth for rehearsals and shoots to ensure the best possible performance.

Empire is a leading source of celebrity and headline talent for corporate meeting hosts, spokesperson roles and personal appearances.

When Vogue Magazine sought to present Fashion's biggest night in Japan, they turned to Empire Entertainment's Tokyo-based Asia Division to Provide Stage Direction for this high profile event.As part of a global initiative to promote retail, restore consumer confidence, and celebrate fashion, Japan and international editions of Vogue Magazine coordinated special evening shows in the respective world fashion capitals. These evening extravaganzas, known as Fashion’s Night Out, were held in New York City, Paris, London, Milan, Tokyo, Russia, Brazil, China, Spain, Germany, Greece, India and Taiwan all on September 10th and 11th, 2009!

On September 11, 2009, stores in the popular Omotesando and Aoyama shopping districts of Tokyo stayed open late in to the night to celebrate the collaboration of fashion brands and designers at Fashion’s Night Out.The opening ceremony for Fashion’s Night Out 2009 was held at the Omotesando Hills Grand Stairs, in the heart of the Omotesando shopping district and hosted by Chris Peppler and world-renowned supermodel Ai Tomminaga. Anna Tsuchiya appeared as a guest performer and gave a spectacular performance for the fans and other guests gathered in the mall. Celebrity guests including Maki Horikita, Mika Ninagawa, Hinano Yoshikawa also appeared to present auction items and celebrate the event with late night shopping. For the finale, Anna Tsuchiya reappeared for a special acoustic performance filled with fanfare and ending in thunderous applause.

Empire Entertainment, in addition to its other duties, acted as stage director orchestrating the Grand Stairs with finesse, allowing them to be used as both the concert stage and MC dais. The Grand Stairs were set and decorated with a variety of different furnishings to maximize the performance of the musicians, guest celebrities, and MCs. Even with the challenges of limited time for rehearsals before the shops opened in the morning, and with careful and smooth co mmunication among the staff and the artists, Empire was able to direct the event to a successful conclusion.

Empire is a leading producer of fashion and retail events worldwide.

On September 9, 2009, Empire Entertainment produced Diana Ross, AntiGravity®, and a fireworks display by Fireworks by Grucci on world-renowned Ellis Island. It was the second straight year that Empire was tapped by a NYC based investment bank to produce their annual gala, and Empire again provided oversight of nearly every element of the event, including staging, audio & lighting designs, tenting, talent booking and consultation, fireworks, bus and ferry transportation, stage management, signage, catering, décor, registration, staffing, and more.Empire arranged for 15 buses to transport the attendees from the Palace Hotel to three private ferries in Battery Park, also arranged by the Empire team.

As guests disembarked the ferries at Ellis Island, they walked a red carpet that led into the Exhibit Halls. The red carpet was flanked by a number of greeters costumed in red, white, and blue which played into the "Red, White & Blue All-American Barbecue" themed dinner that had been promised on the invitation (which was designed by Empire in consultation with the client). Stiltwalkers, cowgirls, jugglers and more welcomed the attendees upon their arrival.Once inside the Museum, attendees were treated to the spectacular jazz stylings of The Neal Sugarman Quartet while they enjoyed cocktails and private guided tours of the Great Hall and other incredible exhibits of Ellis Island. Following the cocktail reception the doors were opened to allow the 1700 guests to move to the main event area - - a 100' x 182' clearspan tent outside on the famed Ellis Island "Wall of Honor" lawn.

At the client's request, Empire designed three separate seating areas for guests which were arranged in a lounge setting, with white leather ottomans, banquettes, and sofas, accented with red coffee tables, blue pillows and throws. A 20' x 20' central white bar was dressed with vibrant florals and lit in a stunning fashion.The tent was built without sidewalls in order to accommodate the client's request to keep the event's outdoor atmosphere intact. Empire's caterer provided foodstations featuring barbecue favorites such as honey-chipotle barbequed baby back ribs, all-natural fried chicken, jumbo smoked turkey legs, as well as clambake elements including Maryland crab cakes, lobster rolls, and fried clams. The great food was washed down with blackberry basil lemonade, ginger iced tea, as well as red & white sangrias. During dinner, guests enjoyed Cirque-style performance segments by AntiGravity®, such as hand-balancing acts, contortionists, sword-swallowers, and fire-breathers, all costumed in attire to match the red, white, and blue theme of the evening. And when dinner was completed, the attendees were wowed by an incredible fireworks display over the New York City skyline.

The finalé of the evening came when Diana Ross made her grand entrance onstage, opening with her song "I'm Coming Out". Changing costumes a number of times during the performance, the Motown legend turned back time with smash hits including "Upside Down", "Love Hangover", and "You Can't Hurry Love". When she invited guests onstage to dance with her to "Ease on Down The Road", more than 30 attendees obliged. After finishing the set with "I Will Survive", she graciously met with 30 of the client's top VIP's at a private meet and greet.Empire prides itself in our ability to flawlessly execute complex events with large audiences in some of the most incredible event venues in the world such as Ellis Island.

What do you get when you combine flour, colorful dyes and a body? According to Filippo Ioco, those are just the right ingredients he needs to create his illusionary body painting artworks. Ioco has done it again, but this time, for the very first time, in Japan.Empire Entertainment Japan worked with Fuji TV’s “Miracle Experience! Unbelievable,” a very popular TV show produced and hosted by Takeshi Kitano. This program presents eerie events witnessed around the world and has showcased unbelievably talented artists and performers since 1997. This time, Ioco was featured on the two-hour special program broadcasted on August 6, 2009.

His guest appearance on this show was his very first appearance in Japan. He painted five models including a famous Japanese comedian, Yoshio Kojima. The five models were camouflaged into the landscape of the park right outside the Fuji TV station. The guests and audience at the studio were asked to find the five hidden models in the park: a rock along the waterfront, two trees, a sandman covering the top layer of the surface and a buried man’s head in the dirt. The show was a great success and amazed many viewers with Ioco’s innovative techniques and never-seen talent. His appearance on this show is a starting point for launching Ioco’s exposure to the Japanese audience.

“Swatch MTV Playground”, supported by worldwide watchmaker Swatch and MTV, is a worldwide internet community created to support artists of all genres. This web community provides a variety of creative content and allows people to demonstrate their talents freely and stimulate the imaginations of young creators. Just like the title of the project suggests, it truly provides a playground for any artist who participates.When MTV Europe was planning for the shooting of “Talk@Playground” in Tokyo, they turned to Empire Entertainment Japan for location scouting, staff management, equipment acquisition and general coordination. “Talk@Playground” is a miniseries for television and the Playground website that showcases interviews with world famous artists and designers.

The location was selected based on what would best represent Japan’s creativity and artistry. For Katy Perry, America’s new pop diva, and Manish Arora, India’s leading fashion designer, the historical Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo was selected. For Will.i.am, the front man of the world’s number 1 hip hop group, Black Eyed Peas, and Fujiwara Hiroshi, the godfather of Harajuku fashion and music, the Mado Lounge and Mori Museum at Roppongi Hills in downtown Tokyo was selected. Empire was able to perfectly carry out all of the client’s requests, from managing the foreign artists, creators and producers, to coordinating the venues, equipment preparation, and of course overseeing Japanese personnel. Empire’s ability to communicate smoothly with both the Japanese and foreign personnel helped lead to a successful conclusion for the shoot.

When a Fortune 300 financial services firm needed cost-effective headline entertainment that would appeal to three different audiences for three separate incentive programs in 2009, they came to Empire Entertainment for recommendations. After speaking with the client about the demographics of each group, and the budget for each event, Empire was able to make a number of recommendations. But it was also easy for Empire to provide one top choice: Don Felder. A member of the Eagles for nearly 30 years, Felder had co-written “Hotel California” as well as a number of the band’s other hits. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Eagles in 1998. After joining the Eagles for their renowned “Hell Freezes Over” tour from 1994-1996, Felder played with the band again in 1998 at their Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Not long afterwards, however, Felder and the Eagles went separate ways, which allowed Don to start his own band, which is now one of the best on the market for corporate events with audiences of almost any age range.

At private events, Don and his band perform many of the Eagles greatest hits, including of course, “Hotel California”, which typically opens his sets featuring Don playing the original double-neck while guitar he wrote and recorded the track with. At the three shows for Empire’s client, the set lists included rock classics including “Take It Easy”, “Life In the Fast Lane”, and “Heartache Tonight”, while ballads such as “Tequila Sunrise” and “Peaceful Easy Feeling” gave the guests and their spouses an opportunity to slow dance as well. Felder’s sets also generally include a handful of songs by some of his other favorite artists, notably “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder and “Pride & Joy” by Stevie Ray Vaughn (on which Felder proves he is still one of the greatest guitarists who have ever lived).And as incredible as Felder is onstage, he is equally courteous and flexible offstage. He understands the need to listen to client concerns and requests at private shows, and in a truly accommodating gesture, he agreed to play “Hotel California” at the end of each show for Empire’s client, as well as at the start. He was also wonderful at the meet and greet following each of the three performances, happily meeting the client’s VIP’s, taking photos with them, and sharing stories.All three audiences were elated hearing their old Eagles favorites, and sang along with the band while jamming the dance floor.

Empire has been recommending, securing, and producing headline entertainment for special events since its inception in 1993. We pride ourselves on suggesting the best possible entertainers for our clients based on their attendees, budgets, and event objectives.

Empire was honored join with renowned producers Radical Media, FremantleMedia Enterprises, and The Mark Gordon Company to help produce the HardBat Classic Ping Pong Tournament at the Venetian / Sands Expo in Las Vegas. Presented by Bud Light and billed as ”the biggest, baddest throw down in the history of table tennis” the HardBat Classic was designed to relaunch Ping Pong as a renewed sensation and to bring “old school” table tennis out of the basement and into the big time as competitors fought for the $100,000 grand prize.

The tournament featured competition among over 500 players and hustlers, all played with old school bats made of only wood and rubber, pips out instead of sponge-padded bats. This style of play levels the playing field allowing amateurs and pros to compete fairly.Empire served as the event producer managing the design and execution of the physical build-out of the enormous Sands Expo Hall C space at the Venetian. The tournament village consisted of registration and equipment pickup areas, retail locations for sponsors KillerSpin and K-Swiss, a large central Bud Light bar & lounge area, a café and VIP area, mo re than 60 competition courts, four semi-final courts, and a carefully branded championship arena seating almost 500 fans.

The three day tournament featured exclusive VIP celebrity parties at venues including Tao, Lavo and the Stadium in the Palazzo which were attended by celebrities including Anna Kournikova, 30 Rock’s Judah Friedlander and Entourage’s Autumn Reeser.The grand champion match came down to a white knuckle challenge between 23-year-old Jack Baker and 73-yea-old Wayne Oberton, who played in shorts up to his chest and suspenders. In the end, beauty triumphed over age as Jack accepted the winners robe, medal and $100,000 grand prize amid a shower of glitter confetti.

Empire handled all physical design of the space, the creation of the championship arena, all staging, sound, lighting, décor, security, logistics, staffing, production management and stage management of the main events. In addition to Radical Media, the program partner’s included the Mark Gordon Company, Fremantle Enterprises, KillerSpin and the Venetian / Sands Expo.The HardBat Classic premiered on ESPN in October 2009.

Empire Entertainment has served as a producer and production partner on many broadcast events including live sports & entertainment specials.

The annual Public Theater Gala, which marks the opening night of Shakespeare in the Park, is the quintessential New York City gala benefiting the arts, and Empire is honored to have been chosen as the event producer for the 2nd year in a row. In the rainiest June that New Yorkers can remember, the Public Theater was fortunate to have a warm and dry evening for their entirely outdoor bash. This year’s honorees included Susan Lyne, chief executive of the Gilt Groupe and former chief executive of Martha Stewart Omnimedia, and acclaimed director Mike Nichols, whose extensive credits include The Graduate and the 2001 Shakespeare in the Park production of The Seagull with Meryl Streep and Natalie Portman.

The event began with a dinner for 800 on the lawn outside of the Delacorte Theater. Gorgeous fuchsia peony arrangements topped dinner tables draped in lavender linens, and Hudson Yards Catering designed a delectable summer menu that featured Argentinean sirloin, horseradish-crusted salmon and roasted wild mushrooms. Following dinner, guests including Steve Martin and Cynthia Nixon headed into the Delacorte Theater for a performance of Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night starring the very beautiful and talented Anne Hathaway. Capping off the evening was an after-party for the cast and guests, held at the Belvedere Castle overlooking Turtle Pond. Partygoers danced under the stars and strung twinkle lights while DJ Marlon Morris spun pop favorites, both old and new.

Empire served as overall event producer, coordinating guest registration logistics with the Public Theater’s development team, catering with Hudson Yards Catering, decor & floral design, red carpet & signage as well as staging & production with the Public Theater's own exceptional production team. Empire also managed the production schedule, show flow, layouts, budget and production roles to ensure that everyone's efforts were tightly integrated and coordinated with the operations of the Public Theater and the Central Park Conservancy. Empire Entertainment has over 15 years of experience producing public, private, not-for-profit and outdoor events in New York City and around the world. Many thanks to the Public Theater for choosing Empire to produce their gala once again. To learn more about the Public Theater and their programs and to become a member and supporter, visit http://www.publictheater.org/

The World Science Festival, co-founded by Brian Greene and Tracy Day has a mission "to cultivate and sustain a general public informed by the content of science, inspired by its wonder, convinced of its value, and prepared to engage with its implications for the future."Following a successful inaugural Festival in 2008, Empire was thrilled to once again team up with the 2009 World Science Festival to produce and manage production of over twenty-five major programs throughout six different New York City venues in a span of just four days.

The festival culminated with an all-day outdoor Street Festival in and around Washington Square Park.This year's diverse programming appealed to all demographics and included moderated panel discussions with some of the most brilliant scientific minds today, original theatrical productions with major stars such as Anna Deavere Smith and Emily Levine, and musical performances by artists such as Bobby McFerrin. Some of the many participants in this year's World Science festival programs included Dean Kamen, Edward O. Wilson, Irena Schulz with Snowball the dancing cockatoo, John Hockenbery, Sylvia Earle, Majora Carter, Lawrence Krauss, Robert Krulwich, Charlie Rose, Oliver Sacks, Alan Alda, Bill Blakemore, Brian Greene and many others.

The response to this year's World Science Festival was phenomenal. More than 165,000 people participated in the Festival's events and programs, with lines again wrapping around city blocks for possible stand-by tickets to the sold-out programs.As was done for the inaugural World Science Festival in 2008, Empire's support on the project included management of numerous venues staging and set requirements, sound, lighting, video playback, stage management and technical direction as well as many other production elements required for such extensive and, elaborate productions. Empire also tracked all production expenses paid directly by the not-for-profit World Science Festival to ensure the foundation stayed on budget and could adhere to rigorous financial reporting standards.

The World Science Festival is an ideal example of Empire's capability to act as a behind the scenes partner on all types and sizes of programs, including multiple-day festivals, as well as our unique ability to mold our services to the client's special needs and to act as a team player to help execute flawless events. Empire Entertainment was once again proud to serve as the production partner for the annual World Science Festival.

In June 2009 Empire Entertainment produced the 13th Annual Webby Awards, marking the 5th consecutive year Recognition Media LLC chose to partner with Empire on the project which has been referred to as "the only award show for Internet sites that matters" by The Los Angeles Times. The myth of the number 13 bringing bad luck was quickly put to rest, as the event was the best Webby Awards yet. The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence in web design, creativity, usability and functionality, and the coveted awards have been called "the Internet's" Highest Honor" by the New York Times. On the night of the event, more than 850 of the best and the brightest minds on the net came to Cipriani Wall Street to honor and be honored for their contributions to the World Wide Web.

This evening kicked off with a cocktail reception, during which over 100 Webby winners were invited to film their five-word speeches (a distinguishing characteristic of the event), which would be uploaded to the Webby Awards YouTube channel later that same evening - - check them out at www.youtube.com/webby Empire secured Seth Meyers from Saturday Night Live to host the event for the second straight year. In his opening remarks, Meyers proved why he is head writer for SNL, quipping that "on the internet you can see any type of bizarre sex act anytime you want, you can get prescription drugs without seeing a doctor, and you can lose yourself in role-playing games. So in a lot of ways the internet is the future, but in a lot of ways, it's the '70's." Meyers' charisma and razor-sharp ad libs throughout the night kept the ceremony light and entertaining, as did some hilarious videos created especially for the event by The Onion and some of the cast from the VH1 hit show, "Best Week Ever".

Meyers introduced many winners to deliver their brief speeches from the stage, including supermodels Alessandra Abrosio and Doetzen Kroes from Victoria's Secret, actress/model Molly Sims, Arianna Huffington, Beaker from the famed "Muppet Show", and a winner from the Netherlands who used his five words to deliver a marriage proposal to his girlfriend, which she promptly accepted. The biggest winners of the evening were Lisa Kudrow, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, Sarah Silverman, Biz Stone (the founder of Twitter, who was introduced by the iconic Martha Stewart), and Tim Berners-Lee, who has been credited with inventing the World Wide Web. But the best 5-word speech of the night was arguably by Jimmy Fallon, who after being announced by Cameron Diaz, said simply, "Thank God Conan got promoted", a reference to having recently taken over the "Late Night" talk show from Conan O'Brien.

Empire Entertainment again provided oversight of nearly every element of this complex event, including signage, catering, décor, registration, staffing, audio, video, & lighting designs, stage management, and more.

Empire is a leading producer and/or partner on many Awards events each year, including the The Gotham Awards, The PR Week Awards, and The Executive Council Ten Awards. We take pride in clients such as Recognition Media who choose to work with us annually on their most important projects.

Each year, one of the world's top food and beverage companies flies its highest sales achievers and their spouses from around the world to its New York headquarters to celebrate their achievement and recognize their accomplishments.The trip includes sightseeing, business programs and an evening at Ellis Island. The highlight of the annual trip is the awards dinner, held inside a state-of-the-art tent built temporarily on the grounds of the corporate headquarters. And for the past several years, this company has consistently turned to Empire Entertainment to deliver a program of interstitial performances and post-awards ceremony entertainment.

This year, Empire was charged with creating a program of entertainment that translated over the multinational attendees that were present and that could segue naturally into a night of dancing and celebration.Empire presented the modern circus ensemble Cirque Dreams to perform a series of dynamic segments that inspired and entertained the audience. Performances included a father and sons diabolo juggling trio, a shape-shifting act, a low-slack wire balancing performance and an acrobatic duo on a Risley seat.The Eturnity Band, New York City's best R&B, Funk & Motown dance band, kept the audience dancing until the end of the night.

Empire Entertainment is the leading producer of talent and performers for corporate events.

The TriBeCa Film Festival once again turned to Empire Entertainment to produce the festival's largest single event - the TriBeCa Family Festival. The multi-faceted street festival pulled in an estimated 200,000 visitors throughout the day and served as a focal point for the growing celebration of the revival of Lower Manhattan. Just as in previous years, this year's Family Festival offered more than 50 tents of entertainment, activities, and food and stretched across 12 city blocks. Four outdoor stages presented a diverse collection of New York-based performers and community talent, including Shrek The Musical, National Double Dutch League and The New Jersey Nets Dancers.

Highlights included an arts and crafts pavilion, a BMX street course from X-Games, a basketball shooting court sponsored by the New York Knicks, hundreds of street performers, face painters, kite-making, sidewalk chalk art, and numerous other kid-friendly activities. The event also included the participation of dozens of restaurants and merchants in lower Manhattan and the spontaneous participation of schools, community groups and all manner of special interests and institutions in TriBeCa. Empire Entertainment served as Executive Producers and managed all production and logistics elements of the entire event and coordinated all services including tenting, integration with city agencies, security, generators and electrical power distribution, decor, staging, sound, lighting, labor, decor, bathrooms, street cleanup, video and A/V, event design and layout, stage management and overall event management.

Empire is a major producer of public events and is proud to be a partner of TriBeCa Productions in the TriBeCa Film Festival.

Each year, TIME identifies the 100 most influential people in the world in special issue called the Time 100. In conjunction with this highly-anticipated editorial event, Time Magazine hosts an ultra high level dinner gala attended by the year's Time 100 honorees as well as past honorees. Empire Entertainment was chosen to serve as the overall event producer for this most prestigious of events which featured Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, John Legend, AR Rahman, Jimmy Fallon, the Twitter Founders and a host of others.

The Time 100 gala took place on May 5, 2009 at New York’s Jazz @ Lincoln Center; the event commenced with grand entrance to the Time Warner Center in Columbus Circle and a red carpet treatment that passed through the multi-level lobby that allowed the general public to view the arriving dignitaries and honorees. Honda, one of the evening’s sponsors, presented one of their newest vehicles on the red carpet.The Jazz @ Lincoln Center Atrium hosted the cocktail reception and bar, with catering provided by Great Performances. This area featured music and interactive stations where guests could explore the Time 100 issue on HP’s new TouchSmart PC. This star-studded reception gave politicians and movie stars the opportunity to mingle with moguls, performers, and Nobel laureates.

Some of the guests who attended the event included Kate Hudson, Liv Tyler, Claire Danes, Gayle King, Judd Apatow, Leslie Mann, Barbara Walters, Ann Coulter, Whoopi Goldberg, Diane Sawyer, Elizabeth Hasselbeck, Steve Schwarzman, Meredith Whitney, Zhang Ziyi, and Billie Jean King.Guests then moved into the Allen Room for dinner where guests enjoyed a sumptuous meal on tables intricately decorated by Empire’s design team as they looked out on Central Park. The Time 100 program began with an introduction by Managing Editor Richard Stengel, followed by a Time 100’s Sizzle video created by Empire Entertainment’s multi-image team. After the video, the First Lady and Honored Guest Michelle Obama spoke of the importance of public service in her own life, and subsequently announced that the President's budget proposal for the next year would include $50 million to support nonprofit groups and promote national service.

Time President Mark Ford then took the podium to thank the evening’s sponsors – Honda, Cartier, HP, and Verizon Wireless. Next, Deputy Managing Editor Josh Tyrangiel introduced Slumdog Millionaire’s A.R. Rahman and his band who performed two sings including the film’s hit ‘Jai Ho.’ Rahman had arrived from Mumbai only a few hours prior to the start of the event and still managed to wow the guests. Following this performance a series of toasts to the honored guests were delivered by Oprah Winfrey, writer Paul Krugman, designer Stella McCartney, human rights activist Somaly Mam, and the Twitter Founders Biz Stone, Evan Williams and Jack Dorsey. These toasts were interspersed with a performance and hilarious tribute remarks by Late Night host Jimmy Fallon who also performed an uproarious original song “Carwash for Peace.”

Following dessert, Time Warner Chairman and Chief Executive Grammy Jeffrey Bewkes took the stage to introduce Grammy Award winner John Legend and his band who delivered a 30-minute set of hits that brought the audience on their feet. The event was heavily covered by worldwide media, with Empire Entertainment providing a live feed and online B-roll posting later that evening. For this exceptionally complex and highly anticipated project, Empire served as overall event producing managing all aspects including venue coordination, catering coordination with Great Performances, design & décor of all spaces, sponsor fulfillment, branding, step & repeat, printing, design & production of video and graphics packages, staging, sound, lighting, video projection, video documentation, live media feed, coordination with all presenters and speakers, talent booking & coordination, stage management, staffing, security, Secret Service integration, and coordination with the White House Advance Office.

Empire Entertainment is a leading producer of high-level programs and events and is proud to have been chosen to produce this remarkable program.

On April 27 and 28, 2009, the world's foremost nutrition, health and wellness company, Nestlé S.A., in conjunction with the United Nations Office for Partnerships and the Swiss Mission to the United Nations, collaborated to present the First Annual Creating Shared Value Forum in New York City. They partnered with a globally recognized communications consulting firm who selected Empire to serve as Production Company for this prestigious program. The objective of the forum was to help advance solutions to the serious problems facing the world in the areas of water, rural development and nutrition.

The forum kicked off with an elegant dinner held at the UN Delegate's Dining Room in the United Nations, with panoramic views overlooking the East River. Invited guests included United Nations, Development, Humanitarian and Relief Organizations, distinguished academics, representatives from a host of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and other participants in the Forum's discussions. Leaders from the three hosting organizations welcomed the guests while they announced three new initiatives and introduced the topics for the following day's forum. They also debuted the Nestlé Creating Shared Value Report, entitled "Nutritional Needs and Quality Diets," which profiles Nestlé's global efforts to improve quality diets, support weight management, address specific dietary needs and improve knowledge, awareness and understanding about nutrition.

The following day, the world's leading experts in business strategy, nutrition, water, and rural development held multiple panel discussions at the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel. United Nations representatives, members of various development organizations, esteemed academics and government officials contributed their thoughts on the intersection of critical issues in their fields with corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.Moderated by Maria Livanos Cattaui, former Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce, the forum included a who's who of experts including: Jeffery Sachs, Special Advisor to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on the UN Millennium Development Goals and Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University;Amir Dossal, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Partnerships;Jane Nelson, Director of the CSR Initiative at Harvard University's JFK School of Government;Nancy Birdsall, founding president of the Center for Global Development; Georg Kell, Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact; andJohn Elkington, co-founder of SustainAbility, and founding Partner & Director of Volans.

Throughout their discussions, questions and comments were welcomed from the participating attendees who were also leaders on these issues and a spirited discussion ensued. The Forum was also webcast live through various channels all over the globe: See link below for webcast:(http://clients.world-television.com/nestle/Nestle_Global_Forum09/) The incredible day of collaboration, discussion and knowledge-sharing on a wide range of topics helped to suggest strategies and best practices for addressing these issues and promoting a shared responsibility to create a better world. "Creating shared value is essential for the good of business and for the safety of our world. More than 2 billion people go to bed hungry. It's not just awareness, it's our necessity to fix," Jeffrey Sachs said. Empire served as Production Company for this program, designing, managing and overseeing the provision of all technical production, conference logistics, décor and the design and creation of all branding and signage.

Empire is a leading producer of global conferences and forums and a supporter of initiatives promoting global sustainability.

Each year, America's pre-eminent film presentation organization, The Film Society of Lincoln Center presents its annual Gala Tribute honoring legendary stars and industry leaders of our generation at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. The Film Society's Annual Gala Tribute began in 1972 and honored Charles Chaplin – who returned to the US from exile to accept the commendation. Since then, the award has honored many of film's visionary talents, including Alfred Hitchcock, Billy Wilder, Laurence Olivier, Federico Fellini, Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis, James Stewart, Robert Altman, Martin Scorsese, Diane Keaton and, in 2008, actress Meryl Streep.This year's Gala, the 36th annual, honored two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks. The star-studded event featured remarks by many of Hanks's friends and collaborators, as well as film clips commemorating his celebrated career.

The evening culminated in the presentation of the Gala Tribute award – named the Chaplin Award. This year's gala evening started with VIP cocktails with the honoree in the Hauser Patron's Lounge in Alice Tully Hall and was followed by a seated dinner in the glass-walled atrium. The dinner décor was provided by designer David Stark. Following dinner the 1000+ guests entered the Starr Theater for the all-star program produced by Empire Entertainment. The program began with remarks by this year's event committee chair Ann Tenenbaum and then remarks by Film Society Executive Director Mara Manus and Program Director Richard Pena. Then came a career retrospective montage featuring work from most of Tom Hank's past films and ending with a clip of his newest release, Angels & Demons which served to introduce director Ron Howard who delivered the first tribute of the evening. This was followed by film clips and tributes by writer/director Nora Ephron, actress Sally Field, director Jonathan Demme, writer/director Mike Nichols, actress Julia Roberts, writer/director John Patrick Shanley, actress Charlize Theron, a performance based on the Chopsticks scene in "Big" by up-and-coming Julliard pianist Aaron Diehl and a tribute by director Robert Zemeckis.

Two highlights of the evening were a live performance by Bruce Springsteen & wife Patti Scialfa, followed by remarks by director Steven Spielberg and his presentation of the award to Tom Hank who then delivered his moving and hilarious acceptance remarks. Following the tribute program the guests returned to the atrium for a DJ's party sponsored by 42 Below Vodka.For this high stature event Empire served as producer and were responsible for overseeing creative and coordinating program participation for all participating presenters and talent, working with Lincoln center to provide necessary production design and supervision, creating the run of show and stage managing the event and working with the various film clips provided by the studios to integrate them into the program. The program was immensely successful and the client, all of the participating presenters and Tom Hanks were ecstatic with the results.

Empire is a leading producer of high-profile award and tribute programs and is frequently engaged to present programs with international stature talent & celebrities like Julie Roberts, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks.

When a leading software company was planning to bring corporate customers, partners, team members and industry experts together in New Orleans for a giant, week-long global conference, they asked Empire to provide the entertainment. In keeping with the flavor of New Orleans, Empire proposed and eventually secured local musical legends, The Radiators, to provide the soundtrack for the conference. This New Orleans musical institution has a sound described as a convergence of R&B, jazz, country, soul, swing, gospel, and New Orleans Rock n' Roll.

The Radiators are a featured mainstay of the "New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival" but on this week the band was a mainstay at the Ernest Morial Convention Center - acting at the house-band entertainment for three days of meetings and keynotes for a community of top software executives. The Radiators played live music as the eight thousand attendees entered the hall and supported keynote presenters as they took the stage. The Radiators' lively blend of upbeat, cross-genre New Orleans' rock brought energy and pacing and kept attendees engaged and surprised as the event unfolded. Having only wet the appetite of conference attendees, The Radiators took the stage at a local nightclub on one evening where they performed a full-length, high-energy concert that had the crowd electrified and cheering late into the night.

Like the diverse conference attendees themselves, The Radiators' perfect mixture of New Orleans jazz and rock ensured a steady flow for the tightly scripted conferences during the day, and a loose vibe for the guests to unwind to at night.

Empire is a leading provider of entertainment for large scale corporate meetings and events and is always able to deliver local flavor talent whether in New Orleans, Paris or Hong Kong.

When one of the world's leading technology companies formulated their plan to launch a ground-breaking new innovation, they made the decision to use a viral stunt as a means of drawing buzz to the product.The client selected a global marketing agency, who in turn partnered with Empire to produce a unique three day, live entertainment stunt that would generate substantial attention and buzz both where the stunt took place as well as online and in the viral cloud.

In order to achieve maximum visibility for consumer reach, they targeted the most highly trafficked location in New York City - Times Square. At the crossroads of New York City, the live stunts would be seen daily by a substantial number of the 1.5 million locals and tourists that cross Times Square's daily path. With the launch of the new and revolutionary technology, it was essential to create an experience to match the energy of the product – an energy that would match the buzzing backdrop of New York City and the commotion of billboards, brands and lights that mark Times Square. To accomplish this Empire secured innovative acrobatic and aerial troupe, Antigravity®, to present an entertainment-driven and high-flying choreographed experience that delivered product messaging and a physical representation of it's functionality. This creative was based on a conceptual storyboard developed by the marketing agency & Empire.

Empire worked within a month timeframe to bring an original concept to life. Antigravity®, with a notable roster of world-renowned acrobatic competitors, former Olympic athletes and Broadway performers, showcased their talents within a 10 minute high-energy performance, choreographed to original music, created and licensed specifically by Empire for this event.To achieve maximum impact, it was decided that the original performance would be repeated four times throughout the day, at critical high-traffic points, on three consecutive days – Friday thru Sunday.

The team of 32 performers, which also included some of the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, were dressed in sleek, branded racer-like costumes. Each performance began with the cast separated into four separate groups. Each group of eight performers entered Times Square from a four block radius in order to build buzz and draw audience from afar. After five minutes of pre-show the four groups converged on Duffy Square island (where the TKTS booth is located) bringing together a momentous crowd. As the multitude of onlookers and tourists steadied their cameras for a free show, Antigravity® kicked into high gear and delivered a ten minute performance that included Rockettes-type choreography, extreme acrobatics, contortion, tumbling breakdancing, cyre wheel and other Antigravity specialties. One of the unique features of this performance was the use of performers to create a 16' wide X 9' high ‘living billboard' that displayed a series of advertising images and functionality demonstrations as the performers exchanged and flipped cards to create image after image. After the final image, the boards and performers pulled apart to expose an open stage area that transitioned into the famous finale of the Antigravity® Jumping Boots, which catapulted performers fifteen feet in the air into dynamic tumbling sequences. The audience was left speechless and met the performances with rousing applause as they rushed to meet and take photographs with the performers post event.

To support the promotion and drive product trials, street teams were on site directly after the acrobatic stunt as well as on surrounding NYC blocks to provide hands on experience with the product. The demonstrated technologies were preloaded with candid photographs and videos of the Antigravity® team rehearsing the routines, captured by Empire in the week leading up to the event.The stunt performance live entertainment event was part of an even larger brand marketing campaign where billboards, wrapped New York City buildings and busses, and store product launches covered the city landscape. Empire photographers and videographers documented all coverage as well as footage of the Antigravity performance in Times Square to create a viral video that was posted on the first day of the performances. A variety of partners provided other essential support for this program including permits for the event.

Close partnership by the Times Square Alliance and local NYC police precinct were also essential in delivering the successful events. Empire Entertainment served as event producer, helped develop the creative concept, coordinated and managed production and logistics elements, secured the talent, created all original props and placards, licensed the original music, directed the creation of costumes and choreography, provided security, production, videotaping and photography and created and edited the viral video.

Empire Entertainment is a leading producer of unique, dynamic event and street marketing initiatives and creative launch events.

When one of India's leading media conglomerates, sought to present the Concert for Mumbai - a benefit performance to raise money for ambulances in Mumbai following the Mumbai attacks of 26/11 - they turned to Empire Entertainment, an international production company with access to the hottest names in international entertainment to help deliver talent. Charged with delivering an artist whose broad, international appeal would ensure ticket sales and sponsorships, Empire successfully delivered the innovative and world-renowned MASS Ensemble. MASS (which stands for Music Architecture Sound Sculpture) has literally created their own performance genre with their elegant and high impact blend of music, sculpture, dance and visual arts. Moreover, MASS were thrilled for the opportunity to show their solidarity and share their unique music with the people of Mumbai.

When asked at the press conference held the day before the show why they had agreed to perform, Founder and Creative Director William Close explained, "In 2000, I developed a musical instrument called the Earth Harp. The first time this instrument was set up, it strung from one side of a valley 1,000 feet across to the other side. It turned the earth itself into an instrument. As we tour around the planet and set this giant instrument up in concert halls, attach it to buildings and architecture, I believe it becomes a symbol of resonance of the earth and music for the earth… We all know how deep and powerful music is, and how transformative it is… To help situations such as the experiences that have happened to this amazing city on 26/11, [we] share our music and transform the negative energy [created by the terrorists]."

Four MASS members played this magnificent Earth Harp together on their first piece at Shanmukhananda Hall. This symbol of the world as an instrument of peace, of beauty, of harmonious sound sent a compelling opening message to the audience, and the momentum only magnified throughout the rest of the show. They revealed unique instrument inventions including the Aquatar, Drum Cloud, Drumbrella, Chime Sculpture and Wing Harp. They incorporated dramatic demonstrations of yoga in its most advanced form as Andrea Brook, Sarah Llewellyn and Peter Francyk expressed the music of MASS through movement. They even were able to collaborate with a phenomenal local tabla musician on a number of songs. Gasps of delight, spontaneous applause and shouts of praise from the audience added a soundtrack to the performance that only contributed to its powerful impact. On the final piece, Shawn Barry sang the hopeful melody of John Lennon's "Imagine," poignantly joined by the voices of over 1,000 audience members on the chorus. As MASS Ensemble took their final bow, the crowd leapt to its feet in a lengthy and enthusiastic standing ovation.

As one critic from RadioandMusic.com perfectly captured, "MASS Ensemble were mesmerizing for many reasons. One, they converted the entire hall in to an instrument - a huge earth harp, something which the Mumbai audience would have witnessed for the first time - the band sounded as if a philharmonic was at work. The multi talented musicians from MASS shifted from one instrument to another with ease and elegance. They sang, danced and even displayed some jaw dropping aerobics." With Empire Entertainment on hand to coordinate contracts, pre-production and on-site logistics, the Concert for Mumbai was a seamless, successful, and most importantly profitable experience for the client and the charitable beneficiary. As the crowd departed Shanmukhananda Hall that night, the words of John Lennon still floated in the air:You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one.

Empire Entertainment is an international event production company, providing entertainment solutions for clients all over the globe. Empire Entertainment is proud to have joined MASS in donating our time and service to this worthy event for the people of Mumbai. - - - Photographs by Deepak Dhuri / www.radioandmusic.com

Empire worked closely with Fox International to design a press event for the Blu-Ray release of the Fox film, "Max Payne" starring Mark Wahlberg – they wanted something that would fascinate attendees but also speak to the dark themes of the film.The event kicked off innocently enough, with cocktails and a screening of the film at the swish Cipriani Club. But the next morning, the cadre of journalists from around the world began their day at the scene of a grisly double murder – staged by forensics experts from CUNY. The forensics professors and their students created a realistic crime scene in a dark Manhattan club, complete with two "bodies", blood spatter and spent shells. The journalists collected evidence, interviewed witnesses and combed the scene for clues, all in the hopes of solving the murder.

The following morning, at a sports club across town, the journalists were given access to the suspects and their brazen lies and explosive revelations. Arrests were made, followed by cupcakes for all.In addition to great food and drink, the guests were treated to one-on-one interviews with the film's director, Peter Moore, as part of the three-day press event.

Empire Entertainment is a leading producer of unique marketing initiatives and product launch / press events.