​A Fortune 300 financial services firm had its annual incentive program in Nashville in and asked Empire to recommend entertainment for each night that fit in with the "Music City" setting.

The first night was at the storied Grand Ole Opry, and Empire presented country legend Vince Gill. Gill showed why he has been the recipient of 20 Grammy Awards, mesmerizing the crowd with his virtuoso guitar playing and soulful vocals on classics such as "Bread and Water" and "Threaten Me With Heaven". And his storytelling between songs had the audience hanging on every word.

For the second night, Empire brought in the youngest Grammy Award winner ever— LeAnn Rimes. Rimes alternately rocked the crowd with hits like "Can't Fight The Moonlight" and a cover of Janis Joplin's "Me and Bobby McGee". She also had the attendees in the palm of her hand with ballads including "How Do I Live" and "Amazing Grace".

For the final evening, Empire encouraged the client to bring in an artist with country roots, but who has more of a pop/rock vibe. Nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow fit the bill, performing cuts with a country flair like "The First Cut is The Deepest" and "Strong Enough", but also tearing the roof off with rockers like "Every Day Is A Winding Road", "All I Wanna Do", and even a blistering cover of Led Zeppelin's "Rock & Roll".

Empire contracts headline entertainers for special events worldwide, and has presented and produced dozens of Grammy Award-winners for our clients' programs around the globe.

The setting: an outdoor stage on the beach at the idyllic Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Cancun, Mexico. The purpose: an incentive program for one of the world’s leading communication technology companies. The perfect headline entertainment: multiple Grammy winning band, Train.

Train’s participation in the event was a secret until the moment they were announced onstage to the excited audience of approximately 200 guests and spouses. Once onstage, Train did not disappoint. Their eighty-five minute set included all of their biggest hits, including “Drops of Jupiter,” “Meet Virginia,” “Hey Soul Sister,” and “Drive By,” as well as several covers including, “Ramble On,” and “Don’t Stop Believing,” which included inviting two guests up on stage to sing along with lead singer, Pat Monahan.

Throughout the show, Pat took “selfies” with the audience, and threw several t-shirts into the crowd, including one that he had signed onstage by all band members. In addition, following the performance, Pat graciously greeted and talked with VIPs, taking photos with all of them.

For this incentive program, Empire worked closely with the client’s production company, Swift Smart Solutions, to identify talent candidates, negotiate the performance contract, and facilitate the development of a working production and logistical plan. The collaboration with Swift further included all technical requirements for a stage, sound, lights, and video on the beach, as well as freight into and out of Mexico, local musician’s union requirements, and work permits.

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

​On the eve of the nation’s first 2016 Presidential primary in New Hampshire, the Bernie Sanders campaign contacted Empire to assist them in presenting an inspiring public concert and rally at the University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore Center. The catch: we had only 72 hours to plan and execute this historic event. Undeterred by the impossible time frame or the impending blizzard, Empire worked quickly to arrange the deliverables necessary to make the show happen.

The incredible lineup included performances by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Young The Giant, Fantastic Negrito, Big Data, Matt Nathanson, Jon Fishman of Phish, and Kat Wright & Friends, and was hosted by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, Emily Ratajkowski. Senator Bernie Sanders was then introduced by this star-studded group and delivered a powerful speech to the crowd of thousands of students, teachers, parents, and children, encouraging them to be part of the political process, and to get out and vote. Sanders’ speech was well received and culminated with an original, never-before-played live song by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Feel the Bern. The entire star-studded lineup then joined them on stage for a sensational finale.

Empire partnered with C3 Presents to produce the concert, providing all technical coordination, lighting, audio, video projection and playback, show calling communications, and onsite talent wrangling services. Working in tandem with the Bernie Sanders campaign and C3 Presents, Empire was able to deliver this one-of-a-kind performance supporting Senator Sanders in the hours leading up to the New Hampshire Primary.

Empire is a non-partisan company that supports political campaigns, social and environmental rallies, not-for-profit fundraisers, and activations with headline talent, production, and technical and design expertise.

Once again, the Grammy Awards had Los Angeles buzzing with high-profile events. For the fifth year, Empire was called upon by the visionary artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist will.i.am to produce the annual TRANS4M Gala, benefiting his i.am.angel Foundation. This year’s Gala honored Producer Norman Lear and was co-hosted by Marc Benioff, Ron Conway, Laurene Powell-Jobs, Sean and Alexandra Parker, and Dean Kamen. The foundation supports transfomation and revival in will.i.am’s hometown of Boyle Heights in east Los Angeles by providing opportunities in STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering,Arts and Math) and college readiness.

Over 200 supporters gathered at will.i.am’s studio and headquarters known as ‘The Future’ for an intimate evening that showcased the Foundation’s programs and students. i.am.angel’s donors enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres as they made their way through The Future’s space, engaging with students in a variety of demonstrations related to i.am.angel’s STEAM programming.

Students showed off their innovative technology projects including a solar car, catapult, hand-built robots, and ESRI maps. Guests also had the opportunity to view and bid on work by artist Janne Kyttanen, best known for his revolutionary work with 3D printing. In addition, “Made ofJapan”, a 3D-printed light sculpture, was available for guests to bid on. This work was originally created as the centerpiece for Onitsuka Tiger’s multi-award-winning Electric Light Shoe campaign, and features a network of Tokyo-inspired streets and highways.

After cocktails, guests made their way to Milk Studios, which had been transformed into an elegant dining room with long rustic wooden tables. Flourishes including hanging greenery, pin-spotted tabletop florals, and flickering candlelight gave the space a warm yet forward-looking style.

Cynthia Erenas, an i.am.angel success story, kicked off the program and warmed the stage with her heartfelt tribute to will.i.am for his commitment to STEAM education. will.i.am was joined on stage by i.am College Track Site Director, Silvestre Vallejo, i.am.angel Director of STEM, Lilly Kam, STEM Academy of Boyle Heights, Teacher Leo Magallon, and their students.

As the evening progressed, auctioneer Zack Krone took the stage and led guests to bid on a 3D Printed Fashion Masterclass, tickets to the GRAMMY Awards and afterparty, an autographed guitar from Sting, a private tour of DEKA Research and Development Facility with Dean Kamen, yoga with Russell Simmons, and tickets to the taping of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon with a backstage tour with The Roots.

The evening’s highlights also included a performance by the first lady of neo soul, Erykah Badu, and an intimate conversation between the evening’s honoree, Norman Lear, and Touré that covered Mr. Lear’s seven-decade career. Guests wrapped up the evening by dancing the night away with DJ Adam 12.

Empire is honored to continue our long-term partnership with the i.am.angel Foundation and to serve as producer of this exclusive event.

For more information on this innovative foundation, please visit www.iamangelfoundation.org

Empire was proud to work with Ebony and Apple iTunes to present Celebrate Black Hollywood on the eve of the Academy Awards.

This inaugural event took place within the historical and repurposed Studio A, located within the brand new industrial co-working space, the NeueHouse Hollywood, which occupies the landmarked 1938 CBS Radio Building.

Following a packed red carpet and guest check-in via iPads, a brief and moving speaking program was presented to the room full of black actors, directors, producers, writer, executives, and entertainment industry veterans.

The program included remarks by Linda Johnson Rice, Chairman of the Johnson Publishing Company, Bozoma Saint John, head of global consumer marketing, iTunes, and Apple Music at Apple, and EBONY magazine Editor-in-chief, Kierna Mayo.

Following the executive remarks, actor Anthony Anderson, star of Black-ish, took to the stage to share his experiences in Hollywood, and introduced Nate Parker, the writer, director, producer and star of The Birth of a Nation, which premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and set a new record for selling price. Parker spoke about Black Hollywood banding together to win success at its own terms.

After a celebratory toast, celebrity DJs Nick Cannon and D-Nice kept the room dancing until the wee hours of the morning.

Empire is a leading producer of high-profile events and is proud to have been chosen to support this remarkable event for EBONYMagazine, The Johnson Publishing Company, and Apple iTunes.

For additional editorial coverage, please visit http://www.ebony.com/photos/entertainment-culture/embracing-black-hollywood#axzz41lmU0wKA

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Over the last 10 years, charity: water has redefined thetypical fundraising gala through its signature event, charity: ball. They constantlyutilize new technologies to bring their work to life and inspire guests to give,which has resulted in bringing clean water to hundreds of thousands of peopleover the years. In line with the organization’s model, 100% of every dollarraised at the gala goes straight to the field to bring more people clean water. The 2015 charity: ball was no different.

charity: water hosted its first ever black-tie, sit-downdinner at the legendary Temple of Dendur at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Uponarrival, guests mingled in the Great Hall amongst charity: water’s hallmarkbeautiful photographs from the field in Ethiopia. Following cocktail hour,everyone made their way through the Egyptian galleries to dinner at The Templeof Dendur in The Sackler Wing. A stunning backdrop, thanks to lighting fromFrost Lighting and décor by Van Vliet and Trap.

Taking advantage of the seated dinner format, charity: waterfocused its energy on a brief and impactful stage program. Scott Harrison, theorganization’s Founder and CEO, welcomed everyone to the 10th anniversary event with an overview of the evening to come, preparing guestsfor a special experience. Pushing the boundaries once again, charity: waterpresented the largest simultaneous Virtual Reality viewing of a special filmthey produced about a girl from Ethiopia named Salem, thanks to support fromsponsors Verizon and Samsung. The 8-minute video brought you directly into thefield where you experienced firsthand the struggle of life with dirty water andthe difference one well makes for a whole community.

Following the viewing, professional auctioneers from Christie’stook the stage to lead another new iteration of charity: water’s unique liveauction. Similar to years past, guests were invited to pledge donations byswiping their RFID bracelets programmed and provided by Connect&Go. Asalways, the auction didn’t consist of expensive prizes or elaborate trips, butsimply the opportunity to bring communities across the globe life’s mostbasic need—clean water. Whereas in years past it was an individual experience,this year the auction fostered a communal concept where individual pledges combinedto create their tables’ cumulative amount, creating a bidding competitionamongst the tables. Real-time graphics were projected on the wall of the museumthanks to our partner L&M, tracking the donations visually. As certain fundraisinglevels were reached, guests were treated to surprise champagne toasts. Celebratingthe $2.4 million raised and 243 villages that will receive clean water, theevening culminated in a special guest performance by Zach Williams, front manfor the Lone Bellow.

Overall, CBX was one for the books and we’re honored tocontinue to partner with charity: water and help make whatever difference wecan.

To learn more about their work or to get involved pleasevisit http://www.charitywater.org/

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On December 2, 2015, EBONY Magazine presented the 4th annualEBONY Power 100 Gala, honoring the nation’s 100 most influential AfricanAmericans and celebrating the 70^th Anniversary of the publication.

This year’s Ebony Power 100, livestreamed on ebony.com, tookplace at the historic Beverly Hilton's International Ballroom and washosted by Johnson Publishing Company Chairwoman, Linda Johnson Rice, and CEO Desirée Rogers.

Following red carpet arrivals and an elegant VIP cocktail reception, the 500+ guests were seated for adinner program emceed by television and movie star Arsenio Hall. Attendeeswere entertained by a wide array of musical performances, each one representingthe music industry over the past 70 years. Performers included child phenom,Bobby Hill (who recently serenaded the Pope), Jidenna, who wowed with hits like“Classic Man", vocalist Judith Hill (whose forthcoming album is produced byPrince), and a rousing finalé performance by none other than George Clinton andthe Parliament Funkadelic.

DJ Kiss performed throughout the event and spun at the post-reception in the InternationalFoyer and Terrace.

Celebrities and A-listers in attendance included Zendaya andJesse Williams (who graced the cover of the annual issue), as well as AnthonyAnderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Tina Knowles, Loretta Devine, Holly RobinsonPeete, Ledisi, and Verdine White of Earth Wind & Fire. Harry Belafonte, who also appeared on the cover, sent a heartfelt video tribute for the occasion.

The Ebony Power 100 was presented by Nationwide Insurance, with othernoteworthy sponsors and partners including United Airlines, Cadillac, Hennessy, HiltonWorldwide, Twitter, and Home Depot.

Empire was honored to once again serve as event producer forthe Ebony Power 100, responsible for venue selection, décor, production, talentbooking & coordination, registration, livestream, videography, eventlogistics and onsite management.

Empire is a leading producer of branded entertainment and broadcastand non-broadcast, celebrity-driven media events.

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After their successful inaugural gala fundraiser in 2013 honoring Karl Lagerfeld, and their second event in 2014 recognizing the career of Stella McCartney, the Lincoln Center Corporate Fund (LCCF) chose to honor the creative directors of the culturally iconic and internationally recognized fashion house, Valentino, with their Women’s Leadership Award. To produce this prestigious event, the LCCF turned to us for the third year to design and produce the evening.

Held again at Alice Tully Hall, the evening began with a red carpet and VIP cocktail reception. Twenty five pieces from Valentino’s Fall 2015 Collection were on display in the lobby, providing guests with a rare, up close view of the one-of-a-kind dresses. The couture was showcased in custom-designed display units, produced in Italy and installed specifically for this event.

Guests then moved into the theater, where Glenda Bailey, the editor of Harper’s Bazaar, Diane Kruger and Keira Knightley spoke about the Valentino designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, who took over the label in 2008, shortly after the retirement of the company’s founder, Valentino Garavani. Ms. Knightley presented the duo with the awards by Lalique, but not before Valentino co-founder, Giancarlo Giammetti, jumped on stage for an impromptu toast.

To close the program, Bruce Willis took the stage to introduce Debbie Harry, who performed some of her most well-known Blondie hits. Ms. Harry performed alongside a Juilliard string quartet for a unique rendition of her classic songs.

Following the stage program, guests re-entered the Alice Tully Hall lobbies, which had been transformed from the reception space in to a seated dinner for 350 guests, designed in a classic black and white palette, which allowed for a glamorous backdrop to Valentino's designs.

To learn more about the Corporate Fund and to donate please visit http://www.lccorporatefund.org.

We were honored to be involved in another program at Lincoln Center in support of the arts and continue our work with esteemed fashion and luxury brands.

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One of the largest and most influential tech gatherings in the world, the Salesforce World Tour brings together businesses and technology leaders who are focused on opportunities in cloud-based and mobile computing. Empire's Tokyo Office was proud to again produce this industry benchmark event for client Salesforce.

The event hosted over 14,000 registered guests over the course of two days at three different venues, the Ryogoku Kokugikan, the Prince Park Tower, and Toranomon Hills Forum in Tokyo, and the livestream was watched by over 500,000 viewers.

Keynote speakers included Keith Block, President and Vice Chairman Salesforce, Parker Harris, Co-Founder Salesforce, with special performances by Tatsuya Tatsuya,a celebrated Japanese musician, and Konishiki, a former Sumo wrestler. There was also a special presentation on the second day by Professor Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University who was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

A branded exhibition hall was again featured this year at the Prince Park Hotel with displays by partner companies. The Toranomon Hills Forum served as a focal area where Marketing and Developer experts converged for detailed sessions and hands on demonstrations.

Empire’s Tokyo-based Asia division, working closely with Salesforce's Japan and US teams and Salesforce's agency, was responsible for the event's design, production, and direction.

Empire once again proved to be the leading producer of global conferences and events in the Asian region and is proud to be the partner of choice for this and many other such global premier events.

Fast-growing sleep startup Casper approached Empire to assist them with their latest marketing activation, The Nap Tour. To showcase their award-winning mattress while providing naps to those in need of rest, Casper built a custom trailer called the “Napmobile", complete with four luxurious sleep pods, each containing a Casper mattress, dimmable lighting, privacy shades and recorded bedtime stories. The Napmobile made stops between September and November in seven major cities: Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Nashville, Atlanta, and Miami.

Empire took the lead on identifying the locations for each city and executing all strategic scouting and permitting logistics. For such a unique activation with a sizeable footprint, there was considerably planning involved in accommodating space for the installation, while capturing high foot traffic appropriate to their target demographic. Empire's scope of work ranged from preparing multiple location options with Casper prior to tour to the execution of all required permits, security, insurance and logistic considerations for load-in/load-out. Locations were unique to each city and examples span from renting out private parking lots in Boston and Philadelphia; obtaining city permits for public parks and plazas in New York and D.C.; contracting private empty lots in Williamsburg and Miami; and participating as a vendor at the Atlanta Arts Festival.

During the Nap Tour, the campaign gained more attention than we had expected from local passersby in each city as well as from those following Casper on social media. Each activation day saw an average of 300 - 400 nappers in addition to multiple indirect impressions. The program was also picked up by local press outlets covering the eye-catching installations.

Empire is proud to serve leading brands with innovative event marketing activities and branded installations in the U.S. and around the world.

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