More than 3,200 of the world’s most engaged social entrepreneurs, social innovators, and leaders in finance, philanthropy, academia, government, business, media, and the arts gathered online for the annual Skoll World Forum.

With an opening plenary & awards ceremony and closing plenary session hosted by Femi Oke, attendees heard from world leaders, activists, and notable voices including Donald Gips, Marla Blow, Samantha Power, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Jonathan Dotan, Jola Mukherjee, Githinji Gitahi, Michelle Bachelet, Alaa Murabit, and Jonas Poher Rasmussen, among others—all sharing stories and experience to fuel the global audience’s efforts to create social and environmental impact.

The program also included performances by five-time Grammy Award-winner & Founder of Batonga Foundation, Angélique Kidjo, Grammy-nominated musicians Amadou & Mariam, and playwright, actor, and professor, Anna Deavere Smith.

To bring the 2022 Forum’s theme, “Face/ Forward", to life, the Empire and Skoll teams worked hand-in-hand to design and execute the event’s creative motif using custom animations, curated footage, and creative filming techniques intended to emphasize “a sense of space and place".

A two-day in-person shoot took place in San Francisco, bringing together seven award winners from around the globe for the first time, capturing their in-person interactions, remarks, acceptance speeches, and memories in a custom living room set. One virtual participant, unable to travel from Brazil, joined the group live in a unique hybrid appearance.

Working hand-in-hand with the Skoll team, Empire managed multiple aspects of the session production, including speaker management and briefings, set design, international filming (on-site and remote), budgeting, creative, host preparation, remote recording, and video editing.

To learn more and experience the Skoll World Forum content, visit https://skoll.org/2022-skoll-world-forum-face-forward/

Empire is a leading producer of thought leadership events and virtual events of every kind, and has been proud to serve leading not-for-profit organizations and foundations for nearly three decades.

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Empire was thrilled to work once again with Samsung on their annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest. The nationwide competition motivates Middle and High School students to use S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) to approach solutions to real-world issues impacting their communities.

After months of hard work, problem-solving, and preparation, the 10 national finalists pitched their prototypes in front of the panel of esteemed judges at Samsung 837.

Following the Pitch event, the students were treated to private tours throughout New York City, including The Museum of Illusions, a bus trip on The Ride, and a dinner cruise on the Hornblower Lexington, which included a trip under the Brooklyn Bridge, and time spent right in front of the Statue of Liberty.

The next day, the schools were invited back to Samsung 837 for a special brunch and the final reveal event, where the three National Winners were announced. Each of the seven national finalist schools were awarded $50,000 in Samsung technology and classroom materials, and the top three winners each won a total of $100,000 in Samsung technology and classroom materials.

Empire was thrilled to again collaborate with Samsung Solve for Tomorrow on this fabulous program and to continue our long tradition of work in S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education events.

To see the Pitch and Reveal Event, please visit: www.samsungsolvefortomorrow.com

Empire had the pleasure of producing Target’s Financial Community Meeting 2022, an annual presentation by the company’s leadership to analysts and media to announce their growth plans, earnings, and recent accomplishments, along with their strategies for continued growth.

The event began with a catered breakfast and quality networking time for the attendees. Once guests entered the main theater, Target leaders discussed its plan to invest up to $5 billion to continue scaling its operations in 2022. Target will invest in its physical stores, digital experiences, fulfillment capabilities, and supply chain capacity to further differentiate its retail offerings and drive continued growth.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Target’s leadership team engaged in an Investor Q&A segment which was immediately followed by a smaller session with media only.

Additionally, Target leaders had one-on-one live broadcast interviews where they further discussed Target’s recent achievements and success.

Empire worked closely with Target’s team to plan and execute each component of the event, overseeing all aspects of coordinating, permitting, venue management, technical  production, programming, development, budgeting, creative design, and catering. Empire also managed new accessibility features, as well as health and safety measures to ensure the safety of all persons in attendance.

Empire is proud to have worked with Target to produce their 2022 Financial Community Meeting to showcase Target’s growth and successes.

Working with our long-time partners in Asia, Empire delivered multiplatinum and Grammy Award-winning artist John Legend for his first-ever visit to Vietnam.

The inaugural VinFuture Prize Award Ceremony took place at the historic Hanoi Opera House before a live audience of 250 VIPs, including the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Phạm Minh Chính, and was broadcast live throughout Southeast Asia and the world on Vietnam Television (VTV).

John Legend’s world-class performance included his hits “You Deserve It All" and “All of Me“, and for the finale, a special rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine”. The event also featured performances by the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra with acclaimed Conductor, Honna Tetsugi, and Vietnamese-Canadian classical pianist, Đặng Thái Sơn.

The VinFuture Prize Foundation is an independent and non-profit organization in Vietnam. The Foundation was established with the vision of catalyzing meaningful changes in the everyday lives of millions of people by honoring transformational technological innovations at a global scale. https://vinfutureprize.org/

The first global award of its kind from Vietnam, the VinFuture Prize, presented US $4.5 million to international scientists to support breakthrough scientific research and technological innovation. In addition to the the Grand Prize, three special prizes recognized female innovators and outstanding achievements in emerging fields and in developing countries.

In addition to artist booking and contract negotiation, Empire advanced all technical and creative aspects of John Legend’s participation for the event, including staging, sound, lighting, LED screen graphics, teleprompter, run-of-show, schedule, and dressing room hospitality. Empire also provided consulting on all matters regarding artist interactions with press and media, television interview, press releases, broadcast/livestream, and music licensing concerns.

Empire coordinated all air transportation, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, and visa acquisition. For this unprecedented event, Empire worked closely with the client team to confirm changing border restrictions and PCR testing requirements for travel to and from Vietnam, Japan, Singapore, and the United States, and to arrange a private charter into Vietnam where no commercial flights were available.

Empire Entertainment is proud to deliver global musical artists for events by forward-looking organizations, such as VinFuture Prize in Vietnam and Asia.

Empire was honored once again to help produce the BVLGARI AVRORA AWARDS 2021, hosted in-person at the Maihama Amphitheater in Tokyo, continuing the star-studded annual award ceremony launched back in 2016.

Focusing on extraordinary Japanese women who shine in their respected fields and are an inspiration to women throughout Japan, the audience for this prestigious event included over 2,000 attendees and a large media contingent.

Awardees who walked the “Golden Carpet” included actress Kyoka Suzuki, manga artist Akiko Higashimura, Mori Art Museum Chief Curator Mami Kataoka, actress Yuko Oshima, journalist Shiori Ito, violinist Moné Hattori, renowned chef Natsuko Shoji, comedian High Heel Ringo, singer Akiko Wada, and e-Woman founder & CEO Kaori Sasaki.

The award ceremony also included powerful performances by Tsuchiya Anna and Miyavi.

Empire was intimately involved in the successful planning of the BVLGARI AVRORA AWARDS, and was honored to serve Bulgari in producing this premiere, high-profile event.

Empire is a leading producer of events and projects for luxury brands throughout the world.​

In collaboration with Forbes, Anthony Pratt, Executive Chairman of Pratt Industries, hosted the first-ever DTC Cocktail Reception at Pratt’s spectacular multi-story private residence in New York City.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted with passed champagne and lux hors d'oeuvres from Abigail Kirsch and Mr. Pratt’s personal favorites.

The catered reception featured a three-hour performance from DJ Mark Ronson, who spun a mix of new and old-school favorites in front of a gorgeous Manhattan skyline.

The evening also featured a panel discussion led by Forbes Editor and Founder of Forbes 30 Under 30, Randall Lane, which featured Jarret Streebin, Founder and CEO of EasyPost, as well as Jesse Horowitz, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Hubble Contacts. Randall Lane discussed with Jarret Streebin and Jesse Horowitz the current state of supply chains, consumers, and their predictions for the upcoming year.

Attendees witnessed the exclusive launch of Prattbox.com, a new DTC website service offering custom D2C packaging to small and medium businesses.

In attendance were other notable Forbes Executives as well recent Forbes 30 Under 30 classes.

Empire was responsible for securing and producing Mark Ronson’s performance,  the screen content design, technical production, onsite management, and talent booking/coordination.

Empire is leading producer of bespoke private events and staging headline performances in intimate environments.

Empire was honored to help produce the Environmental Defense Fund’s (EDF) Hybrid Staff Retreat. The annual Staff Retreat, which is typically held over several days and shared with employees across the globe, gives EDF employees the opportunity to celebrate their achievements from the previous year and for their leadership team to set the tone for what's to come. This year, Empire was tasked with consolidating a typical several-day event into a three-hour program that was engaging, informative, and celebratory.

The Zoom Webinar, which featured live and pre-recorded remarks, panel discussions, and original video content, was viewed by over 600 EDFers internationally. Program highlights included remarks by EDF’s President, Fred Krupp, Executive Director, Amanda Leland, and current sitting US Senator, Tammy Duckworth. Speakers joined the program both remotely from their homes as well as in-person at EDF’s New York City and Washington DC offices, where small, live audiences also participated in the event.

Empire also worked closely with EDF to create three original videos, which highlighted what it's currently like to work at EDF and where employees hope the organization will go in the future. To create these videos, Empire interviewed over 60 EDF employees from across the globe, each of whom answered a standard set of questions. The responses were then cut together to create the videos, titled “A Look Back from 2030,” “How Will We Get There,” and “What It Will Be Like to Work at EDF?”, all of which included the 60 EDF voices across the three videos.

Empire’s scope of work included the development of the program’s run-of-show, technical production consulting, creative design of the live stream screen graphics, and production and editing of the feature videos.

Empire is a leading producer of events including corporate & non-profit conferences, fundraising galas, experiential marketing engagements, festivals, concerts, and more.

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S) celebrated its 12^th annual Crown Awards virtually this year. Empire was honored to produce the virtual benefit program highlighting Columbia’s efforts to address the mental health effects of the pandemic, and healing in its aftermath.

The evening program was hosted by Dr. Judith F. Joseph—a VP&S alumna, an expert on child, adult, and family psychiatry, and a medical media contributor. The event also featured remarks by Dr. P. Roy Vagelos, Chair of the Board of Advisors, and Dr. Anil K. Rustgi—Interim Executive Vice President and Dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine, Director of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Herbert and Florence Irving Professor of Medicine.

Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman—the Lawrence C. Kolb Professor and Chair of Psychiatry, Columbia University VP&S, Director of New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Psychiatrist-in-Chief atNew York-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University Irving Medical Center—introduced the short films on Mental Health. These films recognized the doctors, clinicians, researchers, and Columbia’s efforts to affect global improvements in mental healthcare as well as develop tools and techniques to improve mental health equity through increased access to quality care.

Tony Award-winning actress, Adrienne Warren, closed the night with songs such as “Simply the Best,” “Impossible Dream,” and “Home/What’s Love Got to Do with It” to highlight the evening’s inspiring theme and occasion.  

Empire worked closely with the Columbia team to implement the design and run-of-show. Empire also recorded the speakers and talent (safely in person and remotely), and oversaw the technical production and livestream.

Empire is a leading producer of virtual events of every kind. We are proud to support Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

To view the program, learn more, and donate, please visit ColumbiaCrownAwards.org

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Empire produced an international, virtual award show for one of the world’s top 100 corporations. The awards show is the company’s most prestigious corporate recognition program with a multi-year legacy, recognizing its most important global B2B partnerships with participants and attendees joining live from throughout the world.  

Due to the pandemic, this was the first time in the Awards’ 20-year history that they would be held virtually. The necessity to include attendees and participants from dozens of countries including China, Russia, Brazil, India, and Australia in real-time required highly complex technical production and precision execution, originating from multiple broadcast locations.

Hosted by Ghida Fakhry, a renowned broadcast journalist, from an XR (extended reality) studio in New York City with multiple, additional satellite locations, the ceremony honored eight partner companies for their achievements within their regions. After recognizing the honoree companies and showing films produced by each, two overall winners were announced to receive the coveted prize, one from the UK for 2019, and one from Mexico for 2020.

All speakers, including the company’s Chairman and CEO, its Chief Commercial Officer, as well as regional CEOs, presenters, and nominees, joined the virtual ceremony via remote connections around the world. Empire provided technical online virtual stage managers to facilitate smooth participation for each participant.  

The program ran flawlessly and engaged and entertained winners in every region of the world, many of whom viewed and participated in the program through live virtual watch parties, some of which were translated live into multiple languages.

Empire served as overall producer of the program managing run-of-show development, visual design, technical production, broadcast, graphics, animations, LED wall screen content, talent coordination, and overall project management.  

Empire is a leading producer of virtual, hybrid and live events, and has been a proud production partner for this corporate client for over 25 years.

Empire was pleased to help produce the 2021 New York Public Radio Gala hosted in-person at The Plaza Hotel, continuing a partnership in a series of events for the public radio service.

The gala invited supporters of NYPR to gather for the first time since 2019 for an exciting evening packed with entertainment and good company to celebrate 20 years of Radiolab. Starting with a cocktail reception in the Terrace Room, guests were then led to the dinner in the ballroom by the High and Mighty Brass Band, kicking off the program with high-energy performances.

This year’s program featured actress Julianna Marguiles as Gala Host, with remarks by Goli Sheikholeslami, CEO and President, NYPR; Timothy A. Wilkins, Board Chair, NYPR; Ed Yim, Chief Content Officer and SVP, WQXR; Jad Abumrad, Creator and Host, Radiolab; and musical performances by Kishi Bashi and WQXR’s Artist Propulsion Lab Artists, and special guests.

Two awards were presented, celebrating Radiolab’s past and present. Ira Glass, Creator and Host, This American Life, presented an award to Robert Krulwich, Retired Host, Radiolab; and Suzie Lechtenberg, Executive Producer, Radiolab, and Soren Wheeler, Executive Editor, Radiolab, presented an award to Jad Abumrad, Lulu Miller, and Latif Nasser, Hosts, Radiolab.

In addition to the in-person guest experience, the main program was livestreamed to a remote audience tuning in from their homes. Overall, NYPR raised over $1.1M towards supporting the organization’s vital work delivering local news to the greater area of New York and New Jersey.

Empire’s scope of work included development of the program run-of-show, technical production management, creative design of the livestream screen graphics and micro-site, and production and editing of three feature videos, plus post-gala video assets including a gala sizzle reel.

Empire is a leading producer of events including fundraising galas, experiential marketing engagements, corporate conferences, festivals, concerts, and more.