On September 17, 2015, Empire was honored to serve as theproducers of the star-studded, 14^th annual Samsung Hope for ChildrenGala, which took place within the Grand Ballroom and the Hammerstein Ballroomat the Manhattan Center in New York City. The Hope for Children Gala is Samsung’s principal cause-marketingevent dedicated to supporting children’s health, education, and sustainability.

The evening kicked off with a star-studded blue carpet, packedwith celebrities and athletes including Demi Lovato, Mark Messier, TaraLipinski, Tony Bennett, Henrick Lundqvist, Katrina Bowden, Dascha Polanco, JimGaffigan, and Meredith Viera.

Once inside, the 700 guests were invited to enjoy a cocktailreception in the Grand Ballroom, which featured interactive elements for theguests to enjoy, along with a large-scale orchid chandelier display over acenter bar. Following cocktails,guests were invited into the Manhattan Center for dinner. On their way in, theywere treated to another impressive floral display featuring thousands of callalilies blanketing the ceiling

The seated dinner program featured many participants andperformers including emcee, Josh Lucas, Students from Exploringthe Arts Frank Sinatra School inBrooklyn, The Roots, Rob Thomas, Ingrid Michaelson, Boomer Esiason, NickCannon, Demi Lovato, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics North America,Gregory Lee, and President & COO of Samsung Electronics America, Timothy Baxter.The centerpiece of the evening’s program was Ben Stiller presenting Samsung’sChampion of Hope Award to Brad Pitt and the Make it Right Foundation for theirwork rebuilding New Orleans' Lower 9^th Ward after hurricaneKatrina.

While the Gala took place downstairs, for the first timeever, Samsung invited Galaxy Owners to attend a pre-reception in the GrandBallroom, where they interacted with the latest Galaxy devices and had thechance to win a variety of prizes. Guests enjoyed refreshments, music curatedby DJ Nick Cannon and anexclusive live performance by electro-pop duoIcona Pop that was broadcast live to YouTube via the GalaxyNote5. Following the pre-reception, consumers joined Gala guests in theHammerstein Ballroom for Demi Lovato’s memorableperformance.

The Samsung Hope for Children Gala raised a record $2 million. This included over $80,000 from the Silent Auction,Text to Donate, Blue Box Raffle and Charity Buzz. Charity Partners included the Boomer Esiason Foundation, Christopher& Dana Reeve Foundation, Exploring the Arts, Make It Right, Many Hopes, OnlyMake Believe, Sidewalk Angels, Staten Island Museum Foundation, StillerFoundation, and the United States Olympic Committee.

Empire was proud to work closely with the Samsung team todeliver a flawless evening for such a worthy cause. To learn more aboutSamsung’s Hope for Children visit http://www.samsung.com/us/hopeforchildren/

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Empire helped a private client present an unforgettable weekend ofheadline concert performances for family and friends at an undisclosedlocation on the coast of Montenegro and aboard a mega-yacht docked in theAdriatic Sea.

The first night’s concert showcased global guitar sensations Rodrigo y Gabriella, whose riveting acoustic duo set was as captivating as itwas mesmerizing. The pair of guitar wizards, who were raised on thrash metal inMexico City and who have performed at the White House and the GlastonburyFestival, rocked the audience for over an hour and concluded with an intimatejam circle with the audience sitting just inches away. Set at a beachside café, the stage was positionedbeneath a climbing hillside of olive groves that Empire lit to create a magicalsetting for the concert.

The second night was a dance party featuring a German groupcalled The Baseballs. The full band with several vocalists, dressed inperfect 1950s rockabilly attire, performed a series of energetic covers of songslike Rihanna’s “Umbrella” in the 1950s rock n’ roll style.

On the final evening, the client presented The Tenors onthe rear deck of a 200 ft yacht moored off the Coast. The quartet of polished vocalists serenaded theaudience with a mix of opera and pop music covers that left themspellbound by the fusion of music and the spectacular sunset views of the Montenegromountain range.

For this project, Empire secured all performers, handling international logistics with artists traveling fromthe UK, Mexico, Amsterdam, Germany, Canada and the United States, and overcamesignificant technical challenges to stage three flawless shows on thewaterfront and at sea.

Empire is the world’s leading producer of headlineentertainment for intimate audiences and bespoke, private concertexperiences. With a track record ofproductions in over 90 countries with many of the world’s most celebratedartists, Empire delivers the capability, experience and adaptability to surpassclient expectations throughout the world.

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​Kid Witness News, KWN, is a global video education program sponsored by Panasonic. The KWN program uses video production to stimulate creativity, build communication skills, and encourage teamwork among children in elementary and secondary schools.

This year the Global Awards Ceremony was held in Singapore, the first ever in Southeast Asia and during its 50th year of Independence. To ensure a smooth and successful event, Panasonic chose Empire Japan to serve as executive producer. Empire's role included venue selection, working with local production vendors and directing the overall look and feel of the Award Ceremony.

For this year, there were seven finalist schools from seven different countries including China, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States. After a full day of exploring Singapore (Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Gardens by the Bay, The Merlion) the main event was be the Awards Ceremony.

To commemorate its new theme “Sports”, the Awards Ceremony began with presentations from its Special Guests. Mr. Hawazi Daipi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Manpower of Singapore, Mr. Ng Ser Miang, Member of the International Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Finance Commission, Mr. Duane Kale, Governing Board Member of the International Paralympic Committee and Mr. Mark Wallace, the Chief Content Officer of the Olympic Broadcasting Services.

The Awards Ceremony included awards presented by the special guests wirh Managing Director of Panasonic Asia Pacific, Mr. Toru Nishida presenting the Grand Prix to Montfort College in Thailand for their work “Blind’s Diary".

The following day, the finalist schools participated in an exciting workshop seminar conducted by the Chief Content Officer of the Olympic Broadcasting Services, Mr. Mark Wallace. Students learned about the long preparation period, the various cameras and techniques used to smoothly broadcast the Olympics.

Empire Japan was thrilled to help Panasonic produce yet another successful KWN Global Awards Ceremony.

For more information about Kid Witness News, please visit http://www.panasonic.com/global/corporate/kwn.html

In late summer 2015, Empire was called upon to recommend and contract some of the most interesting keynote speakers in the world for an insurance company's annual incentive program. The client wanted someone to headline the slate who would not have been seen by their attendees before. Empire was quick to recommend Malala Yousafzai, the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize winner who was singled out and shot by the Taliban for her belief that Afghan girls (and women around the world) are entitled to an education. In a conversation moderated by former White House correspondent Ann Compton (also recommended by Empire), Malala inspired the attendees with her incredible story of surviving the shooting and how it only strengthened her resolve to fight for equal rights for women worldwide.

While Malala was a very tough act to follow, the following morning Empire delivered futurist Ray Kurzweil to address the conference guests. Called “the restless genius” by The Wall Street Journal and “the ultimate thinking machine” by Forbes, Kurzweil wowed the audience with his predictions about artificial intelligence and the possibility that humans may soon be immortal due to exponential advances in technology. And to follow Kurzweil's fantastic thoughts on the triumphs of the human brain, Empire brought in Nando Parrado to amaze the attendees with the triumph of the human spirit. One of the survivors of the plane crash chronicled in the book and movie "Alive", Parrado told his story of walking 150 miles out of the Andes to save himself and many of his rugby teammates more than two months after the accident occurred.

Empire also arranged for CNN National Security Commentator Mike Rogers to talk about ISIS and other threats to US national security, as well as a political-economic debate between conservative economist, television personality, and newspaper columnist Lawrence Kudlow, and American economist Austan Goolsbee who served as the youngest member of President Obama's cabinet.

Empire recommends and contracts keynote speakers for special events around the globe, and is honored to have presented and produced luminaries such as Bill Gates, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Robert Redford, Kevin Spacey, several US Presidents including Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Ralph Lauren, and hundreds of others.

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On August 26, Empire presented two hit-packed performances by nine time Grammy Winner, Sheryl Crow, for a corporate audience at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Approximately 5,000 guests of all ages packed the house for the private shows by the country rocker.

The audience was on their feet as Sheryl and her six-member band performed her greatest hits including, “All I Wanna Do", "A Change Would Do You Good", “Soak Up The Sun", “Everyday is a Winding Road", "Strong Enough", and an amazing encore of Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll".

Empire was responsible for proposing, negotiating, contracting, and advancing all logistical elements for Sheryl Crow. Empire Entertainment is a leading provider of talent for corporate events and celebrations around the world.

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In our 21 years of producing events at Empire Entertainment, we have workedwith an amazing array of artists and creators who inspire, motivate, provokeand enlighten, as well as entertain. We are now proud to announce the launch ofour artist management division, “Empire Artists”.

Over time we have developed a special affinity for a number of talentedindividuals in diverse fields, who change the ways we perceive time, space, andperformance, extending our experience of the world we live in through their individualartistry, without conforming to any creative genre or box.

Unique artists in their own right, we created Empire Artists to support themand bring their talents and mesmerizing skills to a wider world. Combining ourmanagement, organization and promotional expertise with their individual talentand thirst to challenge and explore, we aim to generate appropriateopportunities to bring their amazing art, learning, communication, andentertainment to a larger stage.

The common theme of Empire Artists is their ability to communicate a messagein a different way. To think bigger, explore boundaries, alter perceptions, andpuncture long-held conventions, connecting, intriguing and wowing audiencesone-on-one through to arena crowds, by transforming and integrating experiencesbeyond the reach of ‘normal’ creativity.

Much more than entertainment, our artists channel fields as diverse asadvanced technology to traditional music, thriving on expanding what ispossible in their specialist fields, driven by their individual creativity andsense of wonder.

Enjoy exploring, and if you would like to know more about any of our EmpireArtists and the experiences they create, or feel we could represent you, pleaseget in touch.

artist@empireentertainment.com

www.empireartists.jp​

​On July 24th, Empire Entertainment Japan celebrated its 10th anniversary. Empire Entertainment Japan threw an incredible party to thank all their great clients, partners and friends for helping Empire reach such an important milestone.

Guests ate, drank, and danced the night away at Tokyo Tower Studios, located just under famous Tokyo Tower. The 10th anniversary party featured performances by Mico, enra, DJ Yummy, and also debuted a massive Kinect-enabled preview of the largest giga-pixel image of Tokyo ever taken, produced in conjunction with Empire partner Fancam. On display were a number of awards Empire Entertainment Japan has received over their first 10 years and a movie screen-sized presentation of past Empire projects.

At the anniversary party, Empire announced the formation of Empire’s artist management group “Empire Artists”. While still newly launched, Empire is proud to already be representing such great artists as Alexa Meade, Tom Black, Circus of Now, enra, Han Ahn Soon, Kurt Wenner, Marco Tempest and Mico. The event also marked another milestone: the launch of www.empireartists.jp

Empire’s subsidiary Iroco Design Japan supplied the designer furniture for the event. You can view their imaginative selection here: www.irocodesign.jp

Partnering with Empire to bring together this amazing event were Meguro Kogei, Heart-S, Grid, Kyoeisha, Set-Up and Daiwa Act.

Empire Entertainment Japan would like to thank everyone for their support and looks forward to further supplying award-winning events, entertainment, and artists for many years to come.

On July 2, 2015, Empire had the great pleasure andhonor of producing the Independence Day celebration for Ambassador CarolineKennedy at the Ambassador’s Residence in Tokyo.

The 1,200 person guest list included governmentrepresentatives, military officials, business leaders andcelebrities from America, Japan, and other countries around the world. Theguests enjoyed the refined atmosphere and tasteful decor that featured a red,white and blue color scheme inspired by the American flag. Beautifully decorated tents were set up in the gardens outside the residence foreveryone to enjoy music and the best of American cuisine. Entertainment included the Marine Color Corps Guard march, performances by the Army Brass Band, and the Japanese and U.S. National Anthems sung by jammin' Zeb.

Empire was honored to be a part of the 4^th ofJuly celebrations, creating the atmosphere for the most important event of thiskind in Japan.

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To celebrate the conclusion of the 2015 Waste Expo in Las Vegas, theleading waste removal company in the tristate area, Action Environmental Group,invited their partners, clients, and friends to a luxurious evening inside theChairman’s Salon at the Wynn Hotel.

The newly renovated space offered the perfect setting for thiselegant, supper-club-inspired affair. Against a backdrop of jazz standardsperformed by the female-led Groovin’ High Orchestra, guests were served world- class food & beverages, entertained by sleight of hand magicians, and hadthe opportunity to sample some of the world’s finest cigars.

As the evening drew to a close, friends, family, and a select fewclients made their way to a private poolside bungalow at Surrender, the chicnightclub at the Wynn Encore. Guests sipped on champagne as they danced intothe wee hours of the morning to the popular EDM duo Major Lazer.

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In conjunction with the imminent premiere of Bravo’s first comedy series, Odd Mom Out—a scripted series about New York City’s Upper East Side—Empire was asked to produce a private screening to showcase its premiere episode. Taking place at the Florence Gould Theater in midtown Manhattan, the event hosted approximately 200 guests and included red carpet festivities and a cocktail hour prior to the screening's start.

Attendees of the screening included the Odd Mom Out cast, Bravo executives, industry influencers, and television stars, all gathering to celebrate Bravo's first development in the scripted comedy space.

After the screening, all guests were driven to the after-party, held at the chic and elegant Casa Lever. Here, attendees were able to enjoy a beautiful New York City evening within both the venue’s indoor and outdoor spaces, enjoy Odd Mom Out-themed cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres. In the outdoor garden, a massive #ODDMOMOUT lighting and foliage display served as the backdrop, making for the perfect photo opportunity to commemorate the evening’s festivities.

DJs Natasha Diggs and Ankia kept the party grooving through a variety of dance tracks old and new. The party was still going strong well past midnight — the mark of a truly successful event.

Odd Mom Out officially premiered to the public on June 8th and has received glowing reviews from critics and fans. The show can be viewed on Bravo Monday nights at 10:00pm EST.

Empire is proud to work with our partners at Bravo Media to create and produce innovative premieres, marketing stunts and Upfront events.

For more on Empire’s past work with Bravo Media, please click here.