Empire once again served as producer to Target Corporation for their Target Financial Community Meeting, an annual presentation by the company’s leadership to analysts and media. Target announced their 2023 growth plans, earnings, and recent accomplishments, along with strategies for continued growth.

After a networking breakfast, Target CEO Brian Cornell took the main stage to provide financial perspective for the upcoming year, highlighting updates on Target’s partnerships with Apple, Starbucks, and Ulta Beauty, as well as growth in the company’s owned brands such as Good & Gather and All In Motion.

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

Additionally, Target leaders had one-on-one live broadcast interviews where they further discussed Target’s financial performance and plans.

As in past years, Empire worked closely with Target’s team to plan and execute each component of the event. Empire oversaw permitting, venue management, technical production, programming, budgeting, creative design and catering. Empire also managed new accessibility such as virtual and in-person American Sign Language Interpreters.

Empire is proud to work with leading corporations like Target to present their important business communications events.

As part of a unique collaboration with Vietnamese singer Hà Anh Tuấn, Empire delivered the Grammy Award-winning artist Kitaro as the special guest performer for a two-night concert event in Ninh Binh, Vietnam.

In the months prior, Kitaro collaborated with Hà Anh Tuấn to rearrange and record five songs for an upcoming digital release. The track list includes Kitaro’s classic songs “Koi” and “Silk Road” with new lyrics written in Vietnamese for the project. The other three songs are hits by Hà Anh Tuấn: “Một Mình Một Sớm Ban Mai”, “Xuân Thì”, and “Tháng Tư Là Lời Nói Dối Của Em”. The collection is expected to release globally in mid-2023 with versions in Vietnamese, English, and Japanese.

Nearly 12,000 attendees made pilgrimage to the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital in the beautiful mountainous region of Ninh Binh for Hà Anh Tuấn’s sold-out concert series THE GLORIOUS HORIZON, featuring Kitaro’s first-ever show in Vietnam.

Following Hà Anh Tuấn’s performance of Kitaro’s “Koi” & “Silk Road”, a 40-foot high globe rotated 180-degrees to reveal the master himself. Kitaro’s show-stopping performance included his well-known compositions “Aqua” and “Matsuri”, for which he played both synthesizer and taiko drums.

Backed by the 34-piece live band, including the Saigon Pops orchestra, Kitaro also performed his arrangements of the three hit songs by Hà Anh Tuấn. As a final surprise song for Kitaro, Hà Anh Tuấn presented the master’s song “Caravansary”, with new Vietnamese lyrics and featuring the rapper Đen Vâu.

As part of his visit to Ninh Binh, Kitaro joined the environmental organization RỪNG VIỆT NAM to unveil a reforestation and wildlife protection project at Cúc Phương National Park. After a brief press conference deep within the national park, Hà Anh Tuấn and Kitaro spent the morning planting trees for future generations.

In addition to artist booking and contract negotiation, Empire advanced all technical and creative aspects of Kitaro’s participation for these events, including staging, sound, lighting, run of show, schedule, rehearsals, and hospitality. Working with our long-time partners in Vietnam, Empire coordinated all air transportation, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, and visa acquisition.

Empire also provided consulting on all matters regarding music arrangement and production, live video recording, content release and distribution, licensing, interactions with press and media, interviews, and press releases.

Empire is proud to develop unique collaborative projects between global musical artists for events in new markets such as Vietnam and beyond.

The FISU World University Games Winter is an international collegiate multi-sport competition held biannually. In January 2023, Empire was proud to produce the ceremonies of the 31st World University Games in the historic Herb Brooks Arena, bringing together teams from more than 50 countries centered around the theme of Saving Winter.

The Opening Ceremony began with an ancestral welcome and land acknowledgement by Theresa Bear Fox, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, and Oneida Indian Nation. Following the opening address, the parade of Nations began. The lively parade set to a bespoke musical composition included 1,500 athletes from 50 nations and featured dancers from the Joffrey Ballet School and skaters from the Skating Club of Lake Placid.

Following the parade, Christopher Kinney, a bobsledder who competed in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, sang a moving rendition of the National Anthem. Welcome speeches were made by Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games Organizing Committee James Mckenna, FISU President Leonz Eder, and New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, who declared the games officially open.

As the lights dimmed, dancers from the Joffrey Ballet School and aerialist Sarah Sporich set the stage for the torch relay featuring Environmentalist, Bill McKibben; FISU alumnus and Adirondack Park Commissioner, Art Lussi; and Olympians: Jim MIller, Andrew Weibrecht, Mark Grimmette, and Billy Demong.

The creative portion of the show was divided into three segments. The first, Gathering in the Light, featured a diverse group of skaters from American Ice Theatre wearing custom costumes from designer Liz Vandal. Skating cameraman Jordan Cowen captured their modern movements and a quick-change costume element midway through the song. The second segment, Sharing in the Light, was an elegant and moving piece backed by a set piece featuring the mountains of the Adirondacks. Aerialists Angela Kim and Pawel Walczewski wowed the crowd with their acrobatic feats 40 feet above the ice. The third segment, Celebrating Winter, featured five 40-foot tall kabuki trees native to the region, an uplifting skating performance by American Ice Theatre, and the daring moves of aerialist Sarah Sporich. At the end of Celebrating Winter, the audience watched as the hydro-electric powered cauldron was lit to signify the start of the Games.

The Closing Ceremony celebrated the 11 days of competition while also paying tribute to Torino, Italy, the host of the next FISU University Games Winter in 2025. The ceremony welcomed back Christopher Kinney to sing the National Anthem. Remarks were made from James McKenna, President of Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games Organizing Committee; Robert Rodriguez, New York Secretary of State; and Leonz Eder, Acting President of the International University Sports Federation. The Mayor of Torino, Stefano Lo Russo, welcomed the world to join him in Torino and introduced Pinguini Tattici Nucleari, an Italian rock band who made their US debut. Theresa Bear Fox and representatives of the Akwesasne Nations returned to close the circle opened 11 days prior, extinguishing the sustainable cauldron and honoring the heritage of this very special area, bringing the ceremonies and Games to a close.

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SHOWTIME® continues to be a pioneer in LGBTQ-inclusive programming and has carried on making these often overlooked stories accessible to the masses through their hugely popular revival, The L Word: Generation Q.  This reboot has something for everyone by bringing back some of the original show’s favorites as well as a new, younger cast to relate and empower this new generation of queer youth.

This winter, SHOWTIME® called on Empire again to help promote the third season of The L Word: Generation Q by enhancing a series of 10 weekly viewing party events in New York City and Los Angeles leading up to the season finale. Empire sent brand ambassadors, L Word swag, and custom-made neon signs to each location. The wedding-themed finale viewing parties featured additional enhancements including temporary tattoos, a photo booth, and even a wedding cake for guests to enjoy afterwards.

At Henrietta Hudson in New York City and The Semi-Tropic in Los Angeles, fans were treated to surprise attendance from many of the show cast including Jacqueline Toboni, Jamie Clayton, Jordan Hull, and Rosie O’Donnell, as well as appearances by celebrities such as Chrishell Stause and Fletcher. SHOWTIME®’s enhancements to the weekly viewing parties brought in record attendance at the bars, peaking at around 650 total guests for the finale episode watch parties in New York City and Los Angeles.

The third season of The L Word: Generation Q is available on-demand on SHOWTIME™.

Photo Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/SHOWTIME®

Nearly a year after bringing John Legend to Vietnam for the inaugural VinFuture Prize, Empire delivered Grammy Award-winning artist Christina Aguilera for her first-ever performance in Vietnam. The second annual VinFuture Prize award ceremony took place on December 20, 2022, at the historic Hanoi Opera House before a live audience of 250 VIPs including the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Phạm Minh Chính. It was broadcast live throughout Southeast Asia and the world on Vietnam Television (VTV). Christina Aguilera’s show-stopping performance included her hits “Beautiful" and “The Voice Within“ with her band, and for the finale, an intimate performance of “A Million Dreams”. The event also featured the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra with acclaimed Conductor Honna Tetsugi and traditional Vietnamese ballet performances.

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 Grand Prize, three special prizes recognized female innovators, and outstanding achievements in emerging fields and developing countries. In addition to artist booking and contract negotiation, Empire advanced all technical and creative aspects of Christina Aguilera’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 interviews, press releases, broadcast/livestream, and music licensing concerns. Working with our long-time partners in Vietnam, Empire coordinated all air transportation, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, visa acquisition, and local sightseeing excursions.

Empire Entertainment is proud to deliver global musical artists for events in new markets such as Vietnam and beyond.

Endeavor was able to hold their annual Gala after a two-year hiatus. The gala brought together 500 network members, including global entrepreneurs, top investors, and international industry leaders, to celebrate 25 years of Endeavor. Empire was proud to support this year’s gala to raise critical funds to support the high-impact entrepreneurship movement around the world.

This year’s gala took place at Glasshouse, which features floor-to-ceiling views of New York City and the Hudson River. At cocktails, guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres served on innovative serving vessels and specialty cocktail bars featuring a selection of hand-crafted cocktails provided by Codigo and Casa Lumbre. After, guests proceeded through an experiential hallway into the main area for the seated dinner in the massive, designed space with table centerpieces, screen content, flown lighting, and printed collateral—all mirroring Endeavor’s colorful themes.

The dinner program included keynote remarks by Endeavor Global Chairman, Edgar Bronfman Jr., and Co-Founder and CEO, Linda Rottenberg. This year, the Gala featured a candlelight performance by Fever composed of string musicians amongst a backdrop of thousands of candles, and The Multiplier Effect recital featuring spoken word by Marco Fisbhen and percussion by Roger Squitero.

Endeavor celebrated the achievements of Martin Migoya, Mudassir Sheikha, Nadine Hachach-Haram, Peter Njonjo, and Songe LaRon by presenting them with The Lindas award. This spectacular dinner segment was catered and serviced by Pinch Food Design.

After dinner, guests moved through a starlit tunnel to the High-Impact afterparty in the cocktail space, which had been transformed into an upscale lounge featuring music by DJ MICK.

Empire and the Endeavor team collaborated closely to ensure that the organization’s mission was showcased at the Gala in addition to highlighting entrepreneurs in their network. This year, guests had the opportunity to try their hand at a wheel of fortune to win prizes consisting of products from Endeavor Entrepreneurs. A secluded networking space featuring decor by Bearaby and Havenly allowed guests a retreat to speak with one another and foster these important entrepreneurial relationships. Attendees were able to document their time at the gala with a photo booth provided by Mashbooths. Attendees experienced an interactive projection activation brought to life by Rise New York & Partners, mapping the Endeavor multiplier-effect while the DJ spun.

Empire is a leading producer of innovative not-for-profit galas and is proud to support Endeavor Global’s work. Endeavor is transforming the economies of 40+ growth markets by helping entrepreneurs scale, create jobs, and multiply their impact by becoming outstanding role models, mentors, and investors to the next generation of founders.

To learn more, visit www.endeavor.org

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To celebrate all that Dartmouth alumni, friends, and family have done to make The Call to Lead capital campaign an audacious success, Dartmouth continued to collaborate with Empire to produce the event series titled “Give a Rouse", convening the Dartmouth community and thanking them for their contributions and support.

Following the inaugural event of the series at New York City’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Give a Rouse Tour continued on to four more shows around the nation: Wang Theatre Boch Center,  Boston; Warner Theatre, Washington D.C.; Moonlight Studios, Chicago; and August Hall, San Francisco. Hosting over 1,300 guests, the cross-national event was a huge success.

Each event followed a similar format, with adaptations and localizations for each city. Upon arrival, guests were met with a Dartmouth-themed exterior presence and live music. Guests registered at Dartmouth-branded, wooden check-in desks and then entered a theater space to enjoy the program.

The 45-minute stage program included monumental screen projections, a series of videos that told the story of A New Day at Dartmouth and summarized the achievements of The Call to Lead comprehensive campaign. The program paid tribute to Dartmouth’s outgoing President, Philip J. Hanlon, and re-energized the community about how Dartmouth’s future leaders will shape a better world.

The conclusion of the stage program included a multimedia effects sequence that combined video projection, animated special effects, remote-activated light-up bracelets, and theatrical lighting to emphasize the idea of Dartmouth “greenlighting” the future.

Excited guests wearing bracelets lit in green exited the theater program to attend the afterparty. Guests mixed, mingled, and networked while enjoying a curated menu of food and drinks; a live jazz band; and multiple activities including ping-pong on green and white tables, a photo booth, an interactive social media wall, and a variety of Instagram-worthy backdrops including a sculptural installation of large-scale letters spelling out “Dartmouth.”

Empire worked closely with several Dartmouth departments, faculty, alumni, and volunteers, as well as many creative, communications, production, and events partners to plan and execute the events. Empire’s role included concept development, venue acquisition, registration, run of show and program development, scripting, screen content production, technical production, catering, permitting, security, scenic, décor, budgeting, staffing, and guest logistics & experience.

Empire is honored to work with Dartmouth to help them scale their unique educational model around the world. The Call to Lead has raised over $3 billion overall to realize three overarching goals: advancing Dartmouth’s distinctive educational model to its fullest potential; making discoveries that improve the human condition; and preparing students for lives of wise leadership. To learn more about The Call to Lead: a Campaign for Dartmouth, visit: https://calltolead.dartmouth.edu/

Empire is a leading producer of high-level events, both on and off campus, for Ivy League schools and many of the world’s leading educational institutions.

BVLGARI JAPAN hosted the BVLGARI AVRORA AWARDS Golden Carpet and Awards Ceremony at the newly built Ariake Arena (created for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games). Empire is proud to have produced the event for the sixth time and to be a part of fulfilling BVLGARI’s vision for this important movement.

The BVLGARI AVRORA AWARDS shine a spotlight on the achievements and activities of inspiring women who possess unparalleled creativity, intellect, and talent in a range of areas, celebrate the way they live, and bestow them with awards. This celebrated format has been successfully reproduced by BVLGARI around the globe, including in China, Europe, and South Korea.

In attendance for the star-studded event were 400 VIP guests and 5,000 public spectators, including awardee/model, Hikari Mori, global music sensation, Miyavi, and actress/model & BVLGARI ambassador, Kōki. Also in attendance, as well as gracing the stage for an enthralling musical performance was actor, artist, and BVLGARI ambassador, Tomohisa Yamashita.

The grand scale of the arena location was enhanced by a 120'-wide screen with a 3-story high dynamic Kinesys motion-controlled central LED screen. The event’s afterparty included performances from renowned DJ’s AmiAya and a 360-degree projection mapping that completely immersed the guests in a world of dynamic beauty and color fitting of BVLGARI and the many honored guests.

As the AWARDS continue to grow and evolve, we look forward to being a part of the team that further builds their reach, recognition, and impact.

evian, the premium natural mineral water brand renowned for its annual limited-edition bottles in collaboration with top designers, has forged a significant partnership with Balmain, the historic fashion house in Paris. United by a shared vision of "dreaming of the future," these two brands, deeply rooted in the French heritage, have announced the release of a limited-edition glass bottle.

To commemorate this collaboration, a three day event, "Dream our future together," took place at CÉ LA VI Tokyo.

The Empire team devised a strategy to enhance both brands' iconic status and the shared passion in sustainability credentials. The objective was to create engaging and shareable content for the media, influencers, and the public, fostering social buzz. This initiative aimed to cultivate a community of media and influencers to support future communications.

The launch party welcomed guests from the media and over 30 influencers. The event featured an exhibition of the "Tree of Dreams" made from the limited-edition bottles, a photo booth, and curated drinks using evian water. Attendees, all dressed in white to complement the event's theme, witnessed a tree-of-dreams light-up ceremony for the festive season. evian's management thanked attendees, and guests added to the festive spirit by sharing their dreams on evian-bottle wishing cards.

For the next two days, the “Tree of Dreams” and the wishing cards continued to be displayed in CÉ LA VI Tokyo, allowing guests to savor curated drinks and experience the innovative collaboration between two leading French brands.

The successful events received extensive media coverage and buzz.

Empire’s comprehensive scope of work included strategy planning, PR planning, invitation management, influencer casting, creative concept development, construction, audio, visual, lighting, and overall event management.

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Empire was honored to work with Ketch to launch the Privacy Matters Conference at the Public Hotel in New York City.

This ethically-minded conference, hosted by Jonathan Joseph, Ketch’s Head of Solutions and Marketing, focused on how companies can be more mindful in their usage of consumer data in a progressively digital world. The daytime conference began with a networking breakfast, including a Ketch-branded coffee bar, and an opening session featuring remarks from Ketch CEO, Tom Chavez. A series of main stage sessions and panels took place throughout the duration of the day featuring presenters such as TedX speaker, Linnette Attai, UM Worldwide’s Chief Privacy Officer, Arielle Garcia, and President and Chief Operating Officer of MMA Global, Lou Paskalis. A case study on Data Stewardship by Ketch’s Director of Sales, Diego Mejia, and DISH Network’s Senior Privacy Counsel, Coleman T. Lechner, and Head of Data, Measurement, & Analytics, Kemal Bokhari, closed out the morning session and led the attendees into a catered lunch by the Public Hotel.

After lunch, the data privacy education continued with sessions featuring speakers from organizations such as Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, Connecticut Attorney General's Office, SafeGuard Privacy, Loeb & Loeb, IAB Tech Lab, Network Advertising Initiative (NAI), 6sense Revenue AI, Sandals Resorts, Publicis, Digitas, and Habu. In the evening, attendees headed over to Hotel Indigo's 15th floor bar, Mr Purple. This posh spot with terraces served hors d’oeuvres & cocktails to the data-conscious crowd into the night. Empire’s scope of work included overall project and production management, talent booking, technical production, venue management, programming, development, and creative design. Empire is proud to have worked with Ketch to produce their Privacy Matters Conference.