In the world of television advertising, nothing is more important to the networks than the annual "Upfront" Presentations which take place in New York City each Spring. On May 18th in New York City, it was Fox Broadcasting's turn to deliver a knockout performance to impress the most important advertisers. The decision was made to create an opening sequence based on FOX's hit animated series "Family Guy."

Fox producers needed an opening entertainment segment that would start the show in a witty and playful fashion and make use of the show's creator and co-star. FOX needed a creative team with the ability to develop a theatrical concept, cast, choreograph and handle all aspects of a live performance piece, and thus, FOX turned to Empire Entertainment and LIVE LAB. LIVE LAB worked in conjunction with the Fox Creative Services team to produce a Las Vegas-style production number that paralleled the opening sequence of Family Guy, complete with Broadway / Showgirl style dancers! Seth MacFarlane, the creator and star of "Family Guy", along with Alex Borstein, the voice of Lois Griffin, had the lead roles while the dancers turned the performance into a stunning spectacle complete with a Rockettes-style kickline.

LIVE LAB once again proved that they are the premier choice for building and designing innovative and customized performances. FOX Broadcasting relied on the skills of LIVE LAB's team of creative professionals to set the tone for the Upfront event, and LIVE LAB delivered with a piece that started the event in style and with laughs and applause!LIVE LAB: If you can dream it, we can build it.

Matt's Promise is a charitable organization that seeks to make a difference in the lives of young people with cancer and terminal illnessses, both through the funding of treatments and through support & education programs. Matt's Promise was founded by one of Google's earliest employees, Matt Wiederkehr, who pased away at age 33 of colon cancer. When the foundation wanted to create their first-ever benefit event, they turned to Empire Entertainment's innovative not-for-profit division to guide them through the process and to deliver a resoundingly successful first event. Many not-for-pronfit clients turn to Empire not just for world class event planning and execution, but also because we are able to raise money directly through sponosrships, table sales, development and through the creation of auctions and other revenue producing programs. For this benefit, Empire handled all aspects of the event including decor, photography, auction solicitation & production (for both a live and silent auction), invitation / program design, goody bag solicitation & production, sponsorship solicitation / table sales, RSVP tracking, mailing lkist development and updating, seating assignments, registration as well as talent booking and event production.

The event was hosted by Maria Milito, an on-air personality from Q104.3 and honored Tim Armstrong, Vice President of Ad Sales for Google. The event featured cocktails, a dinner, a vcideo / slide show and then an amazing headline performance by platinum-selling artist Seal that had the entire audience on their feet and dancing. Seal's wife, Heidi Klum also attended. Julie Chang of WB 11 News Reporter covered the event as did the Daily News.Empire and Matt's Promise delived sponsors that included The Corporate Edge, HBO, Vitamin Water,MSG and Google as well as donations from The New York Knicks, Kerzner International, Miraval, DKNY, Calypso, Freeze 24/7, Laura Mercier, Equinox, Relais and Chateau, New York Magazine, Best Life magazine, The New Jersey Nets, Superbowl Champion - Roland Williams and The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.By the time the sold out audience left the building, Matt's Promise had raised over $600,000.

Empire Entertainment is a leading producer of not-for-profit events and programs.

For the fourth year in a row, Empire Entertainment provided headline talent for a major Louisville, KY-based corporations' Kentucky Derby celebration. In the 132 years of the Kentucky Derby there had never been an official sponsor; however, this year Empire's client boasted this prestigious honor. A week of events and activities was was capped off with an inspired performance by Hootie And The Blowfish at a major party on the night before the running of the race. Well known in the corporate concert circuit, Hootie and The Blowfish are a nationally and internationally known concert act who deliver a high energy show of hits and coveers that is perfectly suited for many corporate events. For this engagement, the band added to its already formidable lineup by adding percussion player and a third guitar. The result was a 75 minute, full throttle carnival of dancing and singing along to well known hits by the band like "I Only Want to Be With You" and other surprising contemporary standards like Kool & The Gang's "Lady's Night."

Empire had to overcome the challenge of tight logisitical management for this engagement as Hootie and the Blowfish's lead singer, Darius Rucker, was asked by Tiger Woods to perform at his father's funeral that same morning in California. Ordinarily, this would have been an easy solution with the use of a private aircraft however, in this case because so many private aircraft visit Louisville for this event, special arrangements had to be made to accommodate the landing. This done, Darius arrived in Louisville in plenty of time for the pre-show meet & greet and concert. "Each year we up the ante" remarked their Master of Ceremonies before the concert. When it was over, the client's respose to the evening: "What will we do next year to top it, I don't know".

Empire is a leading producer of major entertainment and hospitality events at sporting events and have delivered major programs at such sporting events as the Kentucky Derby, The Winter & Summer Olympics, the Super Bowl and World Series and World Cup among others.

Homes for the Homeless is a charitable organization that aims to educate and provide housing to those who can not do this for themselves. HFH creates living situations to housethose indiviuals while providing child care and a safe environment for families in need!For their May 2006 gala, Homes for the Homeless selected Candace Sands and Empire's Not for Profit division to producing their important fundraising event.The evebt was chaired by Andrea Stern and honored New York Real Estate and media entrepreneur and well known philanthropist, Leonard Stern. The audience of approximately 500 guests consisted of New Yorkers from the workds of real estate, finance, etc.

The event featured a video, a performance by the Paul Hemmings Jazz Trio, minimalist decor by Wolfgang design and a house of Legos by Nathan Sawaya built to symbolize what the charity does...Among other roles, Empire put together a silent auction consisting of several one-of-a-kind packages including:1. An HBO Heavyweight fight - including 2 tix to a fight in Atlantic City or Las Vegas with stays at the Borgata or hard Rock hotel with airfare2. An HBO Entourage Premiere and after party VIP package3. A New Jersey Nets package that included an opportunity to meet the players during practice and receive signed jerseys4. A New York Rangers Package including 4 premium seats to a 2007 Rangers game - a $100 food per diem and signed hockey stick5. A 2 day stay at the Miraval Resort including food and 2 treatments for 2 people6. A Golf package Twosome @ Atlantic (Hamptons) and Old Oaks including tee times, green fees, caddies, golf carts, etc. and7. The chance to be the New York Knick's ball Boy for one game!!!Empire also arranged for an event gift bag for 500 including donated products such as Home Depot Tool Kits valued @ $26 each, Vitamin Water, Burts bees Lipwax, Black Book Restaurant Guides, etc. The event was a resounding success and raised significant funds for this important cause.

When a private client wanted to celebrate his 50th birthday party in style, he called Empire Entertainment to produce the event. The party would take place in his backyard in Ho-Ho-Kus New Jersey and would include cocktails, a dinner and concert by Blondie. Empire scouted the location and determined that the best setting for the event would be a tented site built on the hard surface of a tennis court on the clients property. Empire created a 50' X 80' tent and built staging, sound and lighting suitable for the setting. Empire also created a catering menu of backyard barbecue and created seating and lounge vignettes before a large dance floor in front of the stage.

On the evening of the event, DJ Jordan Kessler spun a mix of 1970s and 1980s rock & roll, new wave and punk consistent with the clients taste. After the dinner, Debbie Harry took the stage and performed an amazing 75 minute set that included all of her hits like "Call Me," "Dreaming," "One Way or Another," "Heart of Glass," "The Tie is High," "Hanging on the Telephone," "Rapture" and more. After the concert the audience stayed around late into the evening drinking and dancing to the DJ. The client was thrilled with the event. Empire was responsible for details including tenting, talent coordination, production, catering, decor, security and logistics.

Empire is a leading producer of private, tented events at private homes.

A 50th birthday party only comes once in a lifetime, so when a highly accomplished investment banker and New York socialite threw his half-century soiree, Empire was called upon to make it an unforgettable night. Empire's task was to deliver a concert act that would get the Boomer-age crowd dancing with a string of upbeat and recognizable hits. Seeking something fresh, Empire secured The New Cars featuring Todd Rundgren -- before the act had even played their first public/ticketed show! The band performed on a dazzling stage designed by Empire to seamlessly blend with the exquisite, existing decor of Four Seasons restaurant, which is not designed for live performances.

As is often the case, Empire worked with the venue to find solutions to the many challenges of presenting a major headliner in a small space including power, lighting, audio considerations, etc. The New Cars, which features members of the original Cars, played the hits one after the other including "Just What I Needed," "You Might Think," "Drive" and many others and the high-spirited crowd danced the night away.

Empire is a leading producer of social and personal events for discernng clients worldwide.

When one of the world's largest manufacturers of consumer electronics wanted some "different and exciting" entertainment to energize their sales team in order to launch their new portable global positioning device, they turned to Empire for help. The chosen talent would not only have to appeal to a predominantly young and male audience, but they would also need to be affiliated with the company's interests in the recording industry.

Working carefully through both corporate channels and the band's representation, Empire was able to negotiate and secure a performance by legendary southern rock and rollers, The Black Crowes. From the moment the Black Crowes exploded onto the stage, it was clear that this would not be your standard corporate show. The band played, loud and loose, like it was a sold-out, 1991 show at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City, and their lives depended on delivering a memorable performance. The 2500 strong crowd rocked to Chris Robinson and company's long, winding jams and uplifting hits, including "Hard To Handle," "Jealous Again," "Twice As Hard," "She Talks To Angels" and Remedy among others. As the adrenaline-pumped audience exited the ballroom of the posh Westin Kierland Resort, the client quickly declared the concert "A home run!" A casual meet and greet followed the concert, with the gracious band members joking with guests and posing for pictures.

Empire is a leading provider of headline musical talent for events around the globe.

When one of the world's most respected internet brands was looking for a major entertainment marketing property in Japan to sponsor in connection with its Spring 2006 promotions they turned to Empire Entertainment's Japan Office for ideas. Empire Japan, working with advertising agency partner Frontage, Inc., identified the upcoming Rolling Stones, "A Bigger Bang Tour," as the perfect promotional opportunity and one that would offer extremely high visability throughout the Nation of Japan. Through careful negotiations with local partners, Empire developed a robust title sponsorship package and provided support throughout the process from contracting through to completion.

The full suite of sponsorship benefits negotiated for the client included logo inclusion and title mention of sponsor in all official media, on-line usage rights to video and images of the Rolling Stones Japan tour, a corporate client meet-and-greet with the members of the Rolling Stones, as well as on-line concert tickets promotional sweepstakes. The response from customers and clients to the promotion was tremendous, and when the Rolling Stones hit the stage - from Tokyo to Sapporo - there was no doubt as to why. With their unique energy and charisma, the Stones thrilled the nearly 150,000 fans at their 5 Japan shows with their hits including classics such as "Start Me Up", "Jumping Jack Flash", "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Jumpin' Jack Flash" in their sets.

Empire Japan is proud to have played a role in the planning and execution of the Rolling Stones 2006 Japan tour sponsorship, and to continue to support an ever-growing field of corporate sponsorship and marketing promotions.

When the world-renowned Schatz-Ornstein photographic studio wanted to throw a party to celebrate Howard Schatz' 16th book of photographs, they called on Empire Entertainment to produce the smash opening party for 150 select VIPs and members of the media. For "In Character : Actors Acting", Schatz photographed 100 actors of stage, screen and television, directing them in one-on-one improvisation, as he snapped beautiful and poignant photographs that captured the actor's portrayal of Schatz' direction. Beverly Ornstein, Schatz' partner and a former documentary producer, created a behind the scenes mini-movie featuring Robert Klein to illuminate how Schatz directed the actors to get his shots.

To represent the photographic work at the event, Empire Entertainment flew a projector system from the ceiling of the studio, and used the hard cyclorama as the screen, creating a visual centerpiece to the party. Empire also strategically placed three other 50" plasma screens in the studio, each featuring different actors being put through their paces by Schatz with his subtle voiceover describing the motivation of each shot.One specific request made by the studio was to create passed hor d'oeuvres that were as visually unique as Schatz' photographs. The tasty and visual treats included a six-hour braised bacon and quail egg with a Guinness beer chaser presented inside the quail shell; tomato fondue with basil sorbet in a wafer cone; bruschetta, red wine mayonnaise and caramelized shallots; apple tart filled with foie gras terrine and caramel; Osetra caviar on smashed Yukon potatoes with lemon; all washed down with Veuve Clicquot Champagne and sparkling waters.

Some of the theatrical & cinematic luminaries in attendance included Robert Klein, Robert Vaughn, Robert Loggia, Bruce Altman, Dan Hedaya, PJ Barry, Christopher Lloyd, Mark Margolis, Giancarlo Esposito, Daniel Sunjata as well as VIPs, and the CBS Sunday morning Crew who are doing a feature on Schatz' work. The event was a complete success and Empire helped to design, plan and implement all aspects from security and décor to catering, production, and room layout.

When one of the world's largest technology companies sought to recognize, reward and inspire its top technical employees and scientists, it chose to conduct a weekend retreat with spouses at the Fairmont Hotel in picturesque Vancouver, British Columbia. The 3 day program for more than 400 guests would include several meal functions, inspiring speakers, activities, entertainment, a gala dinner and a disco after-party. Based on a multi-year working relationship, this global corporation turned to Empire Entertainment to serve as production company for the entire program.

Over the course of many months, Empire worked closely with the clients to develop an agenda and theme that would resonate throughout the weekend and leave a lasting impression long after the guests returned home. The example of the Apollo space program that ultimately sent the first men to the moon was chosen as a source of inspiration and appropriate imagery and content were adopted to theme the entire weekend.

The program began with an arrival night reception and dinner where the company's most senior technical executive delivered a keynote address, followed by an inspiring speech by Dr. Jerry Linenger, an American astronaut who served aboard the Space Station MIR. Dr. Linenger's speech was met with a standing ovation and guests lined up to meet Dr. Linenger after his remarks. The next morning following breakfast, guests were treated to a keynote address by BBC broadcaster and author, James Burke, who shared his perspectives on the history and future of knowledge and technological change. The breakfast was followed by an interactive scavenger hunt game that took place throughout the day.

That evening, guests arrived dressed in ‘Geek Chic' attire for the recognition dinner. Following a cocktail hour, guests entered a ballroom that Empire had transformed into a space-aged fantasy. Square tables set with dark grey linens, silver chargers and square glass centerpieces sat arrayed in lines below a light ceiling in blue chase lights. Each centerpiece glowed with white pin-spotting. Looping footage of high resolution space animations ran on dual projection screens while beams of cobalt blue lighting slowly tracked the room. The evening featured a keynote address and Q&A by the company's chairman followed by a set of side-splitting humor by former Saturday Night Live player and Wayne's World star, Dana Carvey.

Following the dinner, guests adjourned to the rooftop ballroom for a night of dancing to 1980's hits in a mini-disco designed and decorated by Empire and DJ'd by Los Angeles turntablist DJ Crash.On the final morning, Empire set up a farewell brunch which featured bright florals, baskets of hangover cures on each table, and a performance of soft blues, gospel and R&B music by Vancouver's own Kenny Wayne.The results speak for themselves. In the client's post-program analysis, the attendee surveys were returned with 95% of the attendees indicating that they were satisfied and 70% of those indicating that they were very satisfied (the highest ranking).

For this program Empire served as the one-stop production company, developed and designed every aspect of the program in collaboration with the client and supplied all speaker and entertainment booking, staging, sound, lighting and audio visual services, décor, production management and onsite staffing.

Many of the world's most successful corporations choose Empire Entertainment as their one-stop production company to produce their most important programs.