When Microsoft and creative agency Dialogue Live sought a world class thought leader to deliver inspiration and insight to an important audience of global business decision makers, they turned to Empire to deliver the appropriate candidate. Empire ultimately delivered Ian Bremmer, an American political scientist who specializes in U.S. foreign policy, states in transition, and global political risk.

Set “In the round” at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., an audience of nearly 18,000 people watched as Ian Bremmer participated in a 30-minute fireside chat with Microsoft President and Chief Legal Officer, Brad Smith, discussing recent geopolitical events and the role the technology sector can play in advancing solutions to some of the world’s biggest issues.

The conversation also touched on a wide range of current affairs, including climate change, education, trade, and regulation, and the implications it has on business and society. The conversation ended with a discussion on artificial intelligence and its impact on jobs, and how the role of industry will change to advance sustainability.

It was evident that both the audience and Microsoft were inspired by Ian Bremmer’s insights, as they remained in rapt attention throughout the discussion.

Empire handled the negotiation and contracting of Ian Bremmer, coordination of all logistics, as well as all onsite management.

Empire is a leading resource in delivering keynote speakers, political experts, and speakers of all areas of expertise for a variety of organizations.

To watch the full discussion, visit: https://partner.microsoft.com/en-us/assets/2017/08/04/16/26/754561

OZY, the start-up media brand focused on bringing its readers the new and the next, brought their second installment of OZY Fest to Central Park's Summer stage.

This year’s line up featured the best in musical, intellectual, culinary, and artistic talent, and OZY Fest 2.0 enjoyed substantial growth from the previous year in terms of audience, media coverage, and stature.

Empire, working together with OZY, delivered several of the festival’s tent-pole headliners including closing headliner Jason Derulo, Samantha Bee, Malcolm Gladwell, Zara Larsson, and Eddie Huang.

Empire is a leading source for A-list talent for festivals, and public and corporate events throughout the world.

Empire was called upon to recommend and contract some of the most interesting keynote speakers in the world for a Fortune 500 company’s annual incentive and retreat program in spectacular Banff, Canada. The client collaborated with Empire to arrange a lineup that would wow their leading employees. Day one of the conference featured a moderated conversation and debate with David Axelrod (the Chief Strategist for President Obama’s campaigns) and conservative commentator and syndicated columnist, Dr. Charles Krauthammer. The two men shared their views on the current political and economic climate, with both providing tremendous insight and humor throughout the discussion.

The second day kicked off with a surprisingly emotional keynote from Dr. Robert Gates, who served as the 22nd United States Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011. Dr. Gates teared up when talking about how difficult it was for him to send young American soldiers into battle in Iraq and Afghanistan, and allowed the attendees a look inside his thinking while he served under Presidents George W. Bush and Obama.

Immediately following Dr. Gates, Empire presented Brian Muirhead, the current Chief Engineer for the NASA Engineering and SafetyCenter. Brian’s discussion of the Mars missions he has been involved with fascinated the attendees before they headed out for their afternoon activities.

The final speaker was J.R.Martinez, the wounded U.S. Army Veteran best known for winning season 13 of ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars”. Martinez’s message of never letting obstacles stand in your way and always looking for new peaks to climb left the audience on a high note on their final day in Banff.

For the evening events, the client asked Empire to suggest the ideal concert performer for a beautiful outdoor amphitheater surrounded by the Canadian Rockies. After much discussion, it was agreed that Grammy-winners Train would fit the bill, and they didn’t disappoint. Performing shows on two consecutive evenings, the band played hits including 2001’s Grammy winner for Best Song, “Drops of Jupiter”, as well as their most recent smash “Play That Song” (and all of their hits in between such as “Hey Soul Sister”, “Drive By”, “Meet Virginia”, “Marry Me”, “50 Ways to Say Goodbye”, and “Save Me San Francisco”). And the crowd also was thrilled with the band’s choice of covers which included “Ramble On”, “Under Pressure”, and especially “Don’t Stop Believing”, during which lead singer Pat Monahan invited a couple of attendees onstage to sing along.

Empire is proud of our track record in securing many of the world’s leading speakers and performing artists for special events in Canada and other international destinations.

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To welcome in the next generation of the NMD shoe line, adidas sought out to create a bi-coastal pop-up experience in both Los Angeles and New York City. The activations themselves featured repurposed shipping containers which included a camera obscura and retail space, allowing passersby to experience the optical illusion through a unique photo booth experience.

Consumers received a printed copy of their camera obscura experience and were welcomed to engage with the retail portion of the pop-up displaying exclusive NMD product. In New York City, the installation was decorated with photography from Dondre Green, a street photographer hailing from the Bronx.

Over the course of a week, the New York City pop-up located in Soho saw over 1,000 customers pass through, just blocks away from two of the brand’s flagship storefronts.

Empire, in partnership with Roundhouse Agency, was tasked with sourcing the location of the pop-up as well as securing all necessary permitting and providing on-site support to ensure a smooth event from end to end. We are proud to once again work with the adidas brand and continue to act as a leader in producing global fashion brand events.

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​Empire was proud to help produce the "SUPER ENERGY" fashion event for Kansai Yamamoto, one of the most famous Japanese designers, at the dynamic Roppongi Hills Arena.

The day-long festival is part of a massive effort to lift Japan out of the post-3/11 tsunami doldrums and energize it as it gets ready to host the 2020 Olympic Games.

The show featured approximately 250 big names, including Hip Hop artist, Tyga, actor/film director, Yusuke Iseya, model, Akimoto Kira, model/talent, Ahn Mika, model/artist, Tsuchiya Anna, actress/photgrapher, Miyuki Matsuda, movie commentator/talent, LiLiCo, and many more. The show also featured original clothing from Kansai Yamamoto’s archive collection and a range of performances that lit up the stage.

Other highlights of the show were energetic performances from the African Percussion Group "Wagan Ndiaye Rose with sophie ker gi" and the 100 brass band and dance department of Gakuen Hachioji Senior High School. It was a night of electric stage performances, unique acts, and various workshops backed by the voice of Kansai Yamamoto.

The family-friendly "SUPER ENERGY" event drew around 10,000 people.

Empire is a major producer of public events and is very proud to be a partner of this year's celebration.

For the fifth consecutive year, Empire served as producer of the Fragrance Foundation Awards, the fragrance industry’s premier event celebrating outstanding achievement and creativity.  

Held at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, the evening began with guest arrivals and an elegant cocktail reception in the Hall’s outdoor sunken plaza and soaring glass atrium. Amidst a series of freestanding walls, printed with this year’s design motif, guests mingled and sipped champagne while attending celebrities walked the red carpet and posed for photographers.

Once seated in Alice Tully Hall, the evening's host, comedian and actor, Joel McHale, kicked off the star-studded award program in his signature style. His humorous opening monologue covered the Fragrance industry and this year’s nominee achievements.

Notable program participants included Hall of Fame Honoree and CEO of Puig, Marc Puig, Lifetime Achievement Perfumer, and Master Perfumer of Firmenich, Harry Frémont. Country singer Trisha Yearwood performed a moving rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".

Celebrity presenters and attendees included Karlie Kloss, Katie Holmes, Carolina Herrera, Judith Light, Adrian Grenier, NinaGarcia, Debi Mazar, Dascha Polanco, Jessica Pimentel, Mario Contone, Tommy Dorfman, Elettra Wiedemann, Carly Chaikin, Annie Parisse, Anna Clumsky, Lais Ribiero, and Rose Gilroy.

Following the seated Awards program, guests returned to the Alice Tully Hall atrium which had been transformed during the program into an elegant, seated dinner—the perfect summer evening dining experience.

The evening ended with an afterparty held at the Lincoln Restaurant where guests danced to music by fashion-favorite DJ Mia Moretti.  

The Fragrance Foundation Awards bring together virtually every luxury and consumer brand in the fragrance industry, including Estée Lauder, Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Diana Vreeland, Burberry, Giorgio Armani, ToryBurch, Marc Jacobs, Victoria’s Secret, Michael Kors, Givenchy, Elizabeth Arden, LVMH, Puig, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Cartier, Jean Paul Gaultier, Hermès, Lancôme, Zegna, Clinique, and Gucci.

Empire is a leading producer of events, award shows and programs for the luxury brand, fragrance, cosmetics, and fashion industries.

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When TNT wanted to launch its new series, WILL, an unconventional period drama centered on a young William Shakespeare, they turned to Empire to deliver an attention-getting premiere event to reflect the unique character of the series.  

The premiere took place in the center of New York City on the iconic Bryant Park lawn. Empire worked closely with the Park to secure the venue and all permissions and to present the episode on the giant 40’x20’ screen used for the Summer Film Festival.  

After a set by DJ Jon Blak, themed festivities, and red carpet arrivals, the episode was introduced by EVP of TNT Original Programming, Sarah Aubrey, as well as executive producers Craig Pearce (The Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge!, Romeo+ Juliet) and Shekhar Kapur (director and Golden Globe nominee for Elizabeth).

On a perfect summer evening, guests sat atop colorful blankets on the expansive lawn and enjoyed treats from Hester Street Fair vendors, including the aptly named “To Banh Mi or Not to Banh Mi”.  

Following the episode, Vanity Fair Senior Writer Josh Duboff brought the cast onstage fora live discussion, including Laurie Davidson, who plays William Shakespeare, Olivia DeJonge (The Visit, Hiding), Colm Meaney (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Hell on Wheels), Mattias Inwood (The Shanara Chronicles), Jamie Campbell Bower (Sweeney Todd, The Twilight Saga) and Ewen Bremner (Trainspotting, Snowpiercer).

After the stage presentation, the cast and friends headed over to the Bryant Park Grill which had been tented and transformed into a festive Elizabethan party hall. Shelves stacked with books and skulls, tapestries, and British rustic furnishings were juxtaposed with posters that combined the aesthetics of Elizabethan England with edgy punkrock street art, setting the perfect tone for the party.

Guests enjoyed British pub food and drinks while participating in a branded photo booth, tattoo, and calligraphy activities, all to a soundtrack of the Sex Pistols, The Clash, and The Jam.

For this large-scale public event and VIP afterparty, Empire was responsible for securing the venues, handling all staging and technical production, audience logistics, and activities as well as the décor, design, and production of the afterparty.  

Empire is a frequent producer of large-scale premieres and is a trusted activation partner to networks and studios in the all-important New York City market.  

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On a crystal clear evening, guests arrived at the Observatory at the top of the World Trade Center building to a stunning sunset over the New York City skyline. The tone was set for a beautiful and warm evening to celebrate and raise support for one of Empire’s most beloved long-time clients, Happy Hearts Fund.

The Happy Hearts Fund, founded by Petra Nemcovain 2006 after she survived the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, is dedicated to providing ongoing support by building schools and providing opportunities for education to children in countries effected by natural disaster, long after primary rescue efforts have left these struggling communities. Celebrating the success of these school programs, the theme of the the night was Graduation: Class of 2017!

The evening kicked off with a cocktail reception, passed canapes, and remarks by Petra, Tomas Alvarez-Bolon, also a survivor of the Indian Ocean Tsunami, and Edna Candelaria, a student at one of the Happy Hearts Schools in the Philippines. Many major supporters were honored with an award and “diploma” for their tireless involvement in the cause, including motivational speaker and dedicated philanthropist Tony Robbins, long-time Happy Hearts Fund supporter, Ramzi Mussalam, and Founder of All Hands Volunteers, David Campbell.

After this, guests took part in a live auction hosted by the ebullient auctioneer, Simon de Pury, and they were off to the races! In no short order over a million dollars was raised and some very pleased guests would be going home with a variety of priceless trips and experiences, fantastic jewelry, and fine art by modern masters like Bosco Sodiand and Helidon Xhixha. Guests also won premium tickets and backstage passes to John Legend and U2, a once-in-a-lifetime South African excursion, and more, all of which was donated from supporters from around the world.

Following the extremely successful auction, guests enjoyed a whimsical buttermilk and berry panna cotta as they enjoyed a high energy performance by Just Kool from Kool and the Gang with hits like“Fresh,” “Get Down On It,” and “Celebration”.

As dinner and the performances came to an end, guests were then invited to the next room for an after party hosted by DJ Cassidy, who had them on their feet dancing until the wee hours of the morning.

Empire is proud to continue our partnership with many purposeful and impactful non-profits like Happy Hearts Fund, and to help them successfully host these thrilling fundraising events.

To learn more about Happy Hearts Fund, please visit www.happyheartsfund.org

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Global advertising and powerhouse marketing agency, Grey, launched its year-long centennial celebration with a kick-off week featuring a mix of business meetings as well as celebratory social events. Grey called upon Empire to produce three of their biggest events for the week.

Grey welcomed agency leaders from around the world with a reception and seated dinner in the Whitney Museum of American Art. After remarks by Debby Reiner, CEO of Grey New York, Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer of P&G, and Sir Martin Sorrell, CEO of WPP, guests had the chance to explore the Whitney. During dinner, Jim Heekin, Chairman and CEO of Grey Global, unveiled the gorgeous, warm red coffee table book profiling Grey’s first 100 years. These books were also showcased on bookshelves spanning the Whitney lobby. Michael Houston, Grey Global President, revealed the commemorative Grey centennial logo – one that celebrates the colorful, diverse minds of Grey's 5,000 global employees by turning scans of their brainwaves into art. A video also introduced Grey's Rising Stars, recognizing young talent and their worldwide contributions to the agency.

The 68th floor of 4 World Trade Center was the perfect setting for the Global Meetings. Floor-to-ceiling windows provided an expansive 360° backdrop of skyline views while executives attended keynotes and breakout sessions. To balance the sun-filled venue, window tints were customized with elements of the Grey centennial logo to add another layer of branding and dimension to the space. Similar vinyls also subtly called out iconic New York City landmarks for newcomers.

The Centennial Gala dinner at Madison Square Park concluded the week of events. Guests enjoyed cocktails inside elegant tents surrounding the main bar set up in the central fountain, while DJ Lina provided music throughout the evening. The clear expansive dinner tent featured a stunning ceiling installation of sheer fabric panels printed with Centennial graphics. The dinner program featured comedic throwbacks to some of Grey's most famous ads, and presented awards to teams behind iconic campaigns featuring Volvo, Gillette, the E*TRADE baby, the Swedish Number, and more. As part of the future-facing announcements, Houston introduced the UNICEF + Grey Global Kids Council, vowing to drive social change by working together with the next generation to solve cultural challenges with creative solutions.

Additional visual aesthetics and brand messaging were creatively integrated into the event. Floral arrangements in the warm red tones found in theGrey logo were displayed in modern vessels to offset and match the monochromatic, minimal, and geometric designs of furniture and table settings. Red colors were also featured in the custom-designed "brainwave" barback drop and sculptural dinner centerpieces cut from acrylic panels.

Empire is proud to collaborate with Grey to celebrate their monumental achievement and reveal a commemorative visual identity for the 2017 Centennial year – highlighting Grey’s global range of creative perspectives and solutions in creating Famously Effective work.

Screenvision Media is a premier cinema, video, and media organization that curates powerful and uncluttered storytelling for brands, exhibitors, and audiences at movie theatres nationwide. For this year’s Screenvision Media Upfront, the company chose the theme “The Most Memorable Impression” to represent their ability to deliver impact before, during, and after the in-theatre experience. The Upfront demonstrated how Screenvision Media connects brands to every part of the moviegoer’s journey, driven by data and technology, interactivity and integration.

To bring the “Most Memorable Impression" theme to life, Empire developed a design and concept, working closely with Screenvision Media, to transform New York City’s PlayStation Theater into a fully immersive theater and afterparty experience for its high-level attendees.

As guests checked in to the event, they were encouraged to download an app that functioned as both a digital passport and tool to unlock special AR content throughout the evening. Guests then moved into the theater space where top Screenvision Media executives, including CEO John Partilla, unveiled its “10 Pack” offering, a package giving advertisers access to blockbuster films along with an advanced targeting tool, Cintel. Through Cintel, brands will have the ability to target advertising based on behavioral and psychographic data, in addition to movie genre and demographics. Highlights from the industry were also showcased, including the upcoming 2017/18 movie slate and record-breaking box office figures.

After a reveal to the afterparty, guests were welcomed to a large, inviting space featuring a 24’ bar, innovative atering stations by Creative Edge, and interactive movie sets inspired by some of the most anticipated feature films. The main attraction was on the existing concert stage, where guests stepped into the jungle of Sony’s “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”, Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok”, Sony’s “The Emoji Movie”, and Fox Studio’s “Deadpool 2”. Within each set were a series of custom guest activities including actual movie props and an interactive photo booth in “Jumanji”, a Whiskey tasting bar and pool table in “Deadpool”, and arm wrestling table in “Thor: Ragnarok” meant to depict the film’s gladiatorial contest between Thor and the Hulk.

Christie Digital, Vision Media, and Selfie With Me provided interactive video walls and photo booths throughout the event.

Empire is proud to have once again worked closely with Screenvision Media’s team to reach their advertisers with a creative concept and provide a memorable experience for the influencers in attendance. Empire was responsible for all event details including concept, venue acquisition, layout and set design, catering, staging, sound, lighting, graphics, furnishings, carpet, catering, technical production, staffing and partner/studio coordination.

Empire is a leading producer of innovative Upfronts, Newfronts, and other mission critical business-to-business events.

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