On March 30th, Empire Entertainment was proud to produce Bravo’s 2011 Upfront with simultaneous live events in three cities. Heavily covered by the media, Ed Martin of Media Biz Bloggers described the event in one review as “The Upfront Event of 2011” and "one of the most ambitious and impactful events of its kind that I have attended in more than twenty years of covering the television business." He also wrote that "Even without the simultaneous Chicago and Los Angeles parties, Bravo’s New York event alone would have been one of the season’s best."Bravo’s Upfront consisted of three parties on the same night in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. In an unprecedented innovation, these events featured live remote broadcasts from each party aired during the season finale of the Emmy award winning Bravo series Top Chef: All Stars. Ed Martin wrote: "I believe this … was the first-ever live, full-length telecast of a television program from an Upfront event."New York’s event took place in the cavernous lofts of 82 Mercer in SoHo. Guests arrived for elegant cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres in the first room: a sleek lounge that seamlessly integrated Bravo’s five passion points: Food, Fashion, Beauty, Design & Pop. The room had bespoke draped doorways constructed of white textured Tyvek, which were back-lit with LEDs to give the cocktail room a soft glow. When it came time for dinner, the drapes were drawn to reveal a spacious dining room seating 300 guests. 36-ft long dining tables, custom-built with a wood grain finish and sleek orange diagonal stripes, were adorned with glowing white rock crystal in glass boxes and vibrant orange pincushion protea. The clear acrylic La Marie dining chairs and custom LED chandeliers hovering overhead furthered the chic look.The dinner itself was a Top Chef tasting experience. Once clients were seated among Bravo executives and press, Andy Cohen, EVP Original Programming & Development & host of Watch What Happens Live, took the stage to introduce new programming and Bravo’s celebrities, better known as Bravolebrities. Among the Bravolebrities at New York’s upfront were the Real Housewives of New York City and New Jersey, Rocco DiSpirito, Tabatha Coffey and China Chow. Yet, it is safe to say that the two finalists of Top Chef: All Stars, Richard Blais and Mike Isabella, stole the show. (One of the two finalists would be revealed as the winner of Top Chef before the evening commenced.) In coordination with the Top Chef finale, Blais and Isabella helped prepare the same dinner for the guests that was being judged on the final show.While guests in New York were judging the Top Chef finalists’ food for themselves, the party in Los Angeles was just beginning at the Roosevelt Hotel. Meanwhile, in Chicago, Gail Simmons was giving gracious welcoming remarks at The Girl and The Goat restaurant, owned by Top Chef season 4’s winner, Stephanie Izard.The Top Chef: All Stars finale was broadcast on screens in all 3 cities for guests to view alongside the Bravolebrities including the All Stars season’s Chef’testants. To further implement Bravo’s 2011 Marketing motto: Breakthrough with Bravo, there was one final reveal: for the first time in Upfront history, New York’s guests were invited to be part of the studio audience of the full-length telecast of Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live. One guest at each party could text-in to win, allowing them to ask a question on-air.In another write up, Stuart Elliott of The New York Times described how the Upfront gave advertisers the unusual experience of being viewed by the demographic that they cater toward: “It is the first time that Bravo has opened up this manner the upfront process.”We are thrilled Bravo again engaged Empire Entertainment to produce their Upfront for the second year. Empire Entertainment managed all three Upfront events, and was responsible for development of décor, securing sites, schedules, deliverables, transportation and managing all logistics, creating an experience that TV by the Numbers claims, “redefined industry standards”.Please find the reviews referred to in this article below:www.mediabizbloggers.com/http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/21/next-on-bravo-ad-executives-and-all-star-chefs/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/03/22/upfront-by-bravo-media-redefines-industry-standard-on-march-30-with-star-studded-events-in-

Universal Studios Japan kicked off their 10th anniversary celebrations with the unveiling of Kurt Wenner's newest and most technically sophisticated work to date.Featuring the Spiderman character, the new artwork tricks the eye through a combination of Kurt Wenner's user of the effects of anamorphic perspective and stereoscopic 3D. The combined impact of the two techniques is nothing short of amazing, and the lines of guests waiting to see, and have their pictures taken in the work are testament to its success as a new attraction.The work itself is approximately 50 feet long and 20 feet wide, and incorporates original vertical artwork as well as existing elements of Universal Studios Japan (including the famous New York Library set that was used in the film Ghostbusters).Empire Entertainment Japan consulted with Universal Studios Japan on the development of their 10th anniversary trick art concepts, and worked together with artist Kurt Wenner to develop the breakthrough artwork. Empire further supported Universal Studios in maximizing press in association with the artwork's unveiling, successfully receiving both domestic and international coverage.Kurt Wenner is also the author of the recently published Sterling Publishing's "Asphalt Renaissance". Asphalt Renaissance brilliantly recounts Wenner's re-imagining of street painting, and how he revolutionized this ancient art by creating a technique that produces astounding images in 3D that reach out of the pavement toward the viewer and appear perilously deep.Featuring photographs of hundreds of his painting, this volume spans Wenner's career and captures his thoughts on art and the ephemeral nature of this work.

When one of the world's largest restaurant companies sought a humorous host / emcee for their incentive awards ceremony, they turned to Empire Entertainment to help them secure celebrity talent. Empire was able to identify, negotiate for and secure former Saturday Night Live cast member and star of films including Wayne's World and Road to Wellville, Dana Carvey.

Prior to the engagement, Empire worked closely with the client and Dana to prepare the creative integration. Onsite Dana performed a 10 minute opening routine and then appeared in several 3-5 minute segments throughout the awards program, performing both repertoire comedic material as well as originally scripted material specific to the event. Dana worked the crowd and brought the company CEO onstage to lead the company cheer which was one of the evening's many highlights. Carvey added the perfect element of humor and celebrity to the award ceremony and the client was thrilled with his participation.

Empire is a leading source of comedic and celebrity talent for all manner of meetings & events.

When a private client wanted to throw an unforgettable 60th birthday party for his father, he turned to Empire Entertainment to secure his father’s four favorite singers to perform. With an audience of over 350 VIPs from around the world, the event would have to be flawless. While working quickly to contract his father’s favorite artists, Empire worked on technical solutions to accommodate their needs. With some deft negotiating, Empire was able to lock in Julio Iglesias, Natalie Cole, and Tom Jones, all performing with their own full bands, on one small stage in the ornate Grand Ballroom.Additionally, on the other side of the ballroom, a second stage was built where Alexander Kogan would perform with a 29 piece big band on a set that mirrored the orchestra scenes in Meet Joe Black. By alternating performances between opposite stages, Empire managed the time required to reset for the other performances and for the Plaza to serve a sumptuous seven-course dinner. Kicking off the night, Julio Iglesias performed a 45-minute set of his greatest hits, spanning the last four decades. Backed by his full band, Julio took over the room, singing romantic ballads, including a special happy birthday to the guest of honor. Next up on the same stage was Natalie Cole. Performing with a quintet, Natalie’s heartwarming 45-minute set filled the room with an overwhelming feeling of joy. In the middle of her set, Natalie called Alexander Kogan onstage to sing a duet of Charlie Chaplin’s song “Smile.” In addition to many other hits, Natalie included an amazing rendition of “Unforgettable”, a duet with her father, Nat King Cole. Finishing out the night on that same stage was Tom Jones, performing with his 10-piece band. The audience rose to their feet the minute Tom Jones began performing his many rocking hits including “Delilah,” “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” “She’s a Lady,” “Sex Bomb,” and his encore, “Kiss.” Between these exciting performances, Alexander Kogan and his orchestra performed heart-warming renditions of jazz standards, including “Close To You”, “I’ll be Seeing You” and “Accidental Waltz”.During the course of this project, Empire worked to identify talent candidates, negotiate the many elements of the performance contracts, and facilitate the development of a working production plan. Empire also worked to manage complicated logistics including the stage management of an eight-hour show on two completely separate-stages, as well as all travel & logistics for all performers. Empire also oversaw a five-camera HD shoot and multi-track record of portions of the concerts for the client’s archives.Whether it’s securing headline talent with international appeal, handling complicated production and logistical needs, or simply helping a client plan an unforgettable birthday celebration for his father, Empire Entertainment is the ideal producing partner or the most special private occasions in the world! Photos courtesy of Zev Greenfield.

On March 3, 2011, Empire Entertainment, in partnership with @Radical.Media, produced Conservation International’s Gala at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. The second of five national fundraising events that Empire is producing for Conservation International, this event brought together some of the Bay Area’s leading philanthropists with some of the world’s most notable champions of the environment.

The event began with an elegant cocktail reception and proceeded into a seated dinner for over 400 guests. The Four Seasons ballroom was elegantly, yet simply decorated with organic linens and votive candles, reducing to a minimum the use of greenery and florals.Once guests were seated, Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of Apple CEO Steve Jobs and a longtime philanthropist, welcomed the audience and set the stage for the impressive evening to come.Jobs then introduced motion picture superstar Harrison Ford who spoke about his own long-term commitment to the environment and his work with Conservation International for over 15 years.Ford then introduced Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who wowed the guests with his command of the environmental and energy issues he had faced as Governor of California and his strong recommendations for how to confront them.

Next Harrison Ford and Governor Schwarzenegger were seated onstage where they engaged in a lively discussion and debate about the issues. Following dinner, Conservation International Chairman and CEO, Peter Seligmann, delivered a powerful keynote address highlighting critical environmental and conservation issues around the world and focusing on CI’s vital work in these areas.At the conclusion of the evening, Gap Inc.’s Robert J. Fischer took the stage to ask the attendees to remain engaged with what hey had heard on this night and to give generously.

Following the dinner, guests adjourned to an after-party for drinks and desserts.Empire served as overall event producer for this gala and was responsible for all technical production, stage design, and stage management. @Radical.Media provided all screen content and graphics.Conservation International empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature, our global biodiversity, and for the well-being of humanity.

To learn more about Conservation International, visit http://www.conservation.org/

Empire is a leading producer of innovative gala events and is proud to serve Conservation International.

When a global corporation sought an internationally-recognized keynote speaker who could personify exemplary leadership across a diverse organization, they once again turned to Empire Entertainment to recommend appropriate candidates. The chosen keynote speaker would need to be globally-known and able to deliver important messages to the company's CEO and top executives that would reinforce and underscore the content presented by business speakers earlier in the program. Empire ultimately delivered General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), the first African-American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the 65th Secretary of State, and one of the most admired and respected leaders in America today. He is also one of the world's best speakers. General Powell's informative and inspiring keynote presentation exceeded the client's expectations and met their objectives perfectly. General Powell's remarks about the challenges of coordinating across the diverse cultures of the Army, Navy, and Air Force and his insights on dealing with and leading through complexity engaged the executive level audience and the served to strongly support the overall meeting content. Whether the audience requires a motivator, inspirational speaker, a topic-specific expert or just someone to engage and entertain, Empire is the ideal one-stop-shop for every type of keynote speaker.

For the highly anticipated launch of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue 2011, Sports Illustrated Executive Director of Event Marketing Christine Rosa and Events Director Kristen Leoce again selected Empire Entertainment to provide celebrity entertainment for their marquee event in Las Vegas. At Club SI Swimsuit, the final night of launch week at the Hard Rock Hotel's Vanity Nightclub, Empire secured the television host of the “Sing Off” and multi-platinum recording artist Nick Lachey to emcee the stage program before an eager crowd of over 1000 guests and sponsors. Following the stage program and Swimsuit model reveal, Empire also delivered R&B artist NE-YO who performed a 45-minute set that had the entire club on their feet. Empire was responsible for securing NE-YO and Lachey and handled all details relating to their appearance and performances with the Sports Illustrated Events team. Empire also worked closely with Team Epic who staged all of the launch week events.

Empire is a leading provider of high-profile talent for media events.

Beer. Bikinis. Body painting.It's not too often that the Empire is asked to create an event which encompasses those characteristics. But that's exactly what happened when Labatt Blue Light and NY-based marketing agency, STRATEGIC, approached Empire to bring Labatt's brand to life in the form of a one night house party. Set in the beautiful mountains of Stowe, Vermont, the party was the keystone event of a 3-day prize weekend for 50 Labatt consumers and their guests. The event was designed as the manifestation of the brand's current ad campaign which centers around the Blue Light Refreshment Duo otherwise known as two sexy "ambassadors of literal and social refreshment" who travel the country on their snowmobile, saving our social lives one beer emergency at a time. The party's setting would embody the Duo's top secret Headquarters, located deep in the snow covered mountains.After a full day of skiing, snow boarding, and dog sledding, guests were shuttled to an unknown destination. Surrounded in darkness, all that could be seen upon their arrival was an emanating blue light through the trees. As each shuttle pulled into the driveway, guests were wowed by a huge, shining Labatt Blue Light logo across the house, just as it appears in the current ad campaign.Once inside, guests were treated to a multitude of activities, a host of food and snacks, and, of course, Labatt Blue Light beers, which were stocked on every shelf and bookcase throughout the house. Under the blue lights of the 3-story "Refreshment Headquarters," guests were constantly entertained by girls soaking in steamy hot tubs, models and fellow guests getting airbrushed tattoos, drink service from a Labatt Blue Light ice bar, green screen photo sessions, s'mores roasted at the backyard fire pit, and even a video confessional room to share their stories and love for Labatt Blue Light.To top off the evening, the living room hosted a supercharged musical performance by up and coming rock band Halestorm.If all this wasn't enough to complete a memorable weekend, the Labatt Blue Light Refreshment Duo themselves descended on the house to welcome guests, pose for fan photographs, and burn up the dance floor until the AM. With the blue-lighted house, fully beer-stocked shelves, and 25 Labatt Blue Light-costumed models, the house party perfectly integrated the brand's messaging and created a once in a lifetime experience for the attendees.Empire is a leading producer of immersive branded events and experiential marketing.

On January 28th, 2011, Gilt City, the religiously followed online store that provides luxury goods for discounted prices, packed their warehouse onto trucks and neatly unfolded and hung their high-end merchandise in The Altman Building. That evening, the press were greeted with cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres to preview the sale. The sale itself took place on Saturday, January 29th. With the promise of 75% off the high-end brands, 2,000 tickets were sold-out within hours. The lucky Gilt City members who managed to snatch a ticket began lining up behind velvet ropes in anticipation, hours before the sale opened. Once guests were checked in with I-PADs, they could peruse the racks or go to the bar for SVEDKA Vodka’s specialty drink. They could have a RBC coffee brewed just for them or freshly baked cookies provided by E.E. Cookies. Also featured within the event was a Gilt City pampering station where guests were attended to by facialists, hairstylists and make-up artists providing their complementary services. Empire Entertainment was engaged to be the overall production company of the event, handling event design, planning, technical production, staffing, logistics, budgeting and coordination.

Empire is a unique resource for the design and execution of branded pop-up shops and temporary retail locations / brand experiences in New York and in cities around the world.

On January 11th, 2011, Empire was thrilled to serve as production company for One Show Interactive’s “Best of the Digital Decade” program at New York’s Museum of Modern Art.The One Club, a non-profit organization devoted to promoting creative excellence in the advertising industry, had gathered an esteemed group of Interactive Judges to identify the top ten digital works of the last ten years of One Show Interactive pencil winners. Out of 75 nominations, ten advertising projects were awarded a Best of the Digital Decade distinction for their innovative use of digital media.

Guests entered the warmly lit lobby and were greeted with an impressive display of the evening’s sponsors projected onto the existing video wall at reception. Passing through a red carpet press area, the world’s top advertising clients from companies like Nike and HBO, along with executives and creative directors from leading advertising agencies enjoyed cocktails and innovative passed hors d’oeuvres provided by Abigail Kirsch Caterers. A looping reel of the nominated work was projected onto the museum’s wall overlooking the cocktails. After the cocktail reception, guests climbed the stairs into the lofty Atrium for dinner and the awards ceremony. Set beneath the sixty foot ceilings was an all white stage set that watched the minimal space set underneath a large projection that served as the backdrop. Long, rectangular banquet tables were set for individual ticket guests while circular tables were reserved for the chairman circle seating.

After a three-course meal, the emcee, stand-up comedian and host of Australian Idol, Josh Zepps took the stage and introduced the evening’s ten award winners. As production company for this inaugural award show, Empire handled all event design, planning, technical production, stage management and event logistics, budgeting and coordination.

Empire Entertainment is a leading producer of contemporary award shows and is honored to have served as a producer and sponsor for the Best of the Digital Decade.