The 2015 Samsung Hope For Children Gala Featuring Demi Lovato and More
September 2015. New York City, Manhattan Center
On September 17, 2015, Empire was honored to serve as the producers of the star-studded, 14th annual Samsung Hope for Children Gala, which took place within the Grand Ballroom and the Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center in New York City. The Hope for Children Gala is Samsung’s principal cause-marketing event dedicated to supporting children’s health, education, and sustainability.
The evening kicked off with a star-studded blue carpet, packed with celebrities and athletes including Demi Lovato, Mark Messier, Tara Lipinski, Tony Bennett, Henrick Lundqvist, Katrina Bowden, Dascha Polanco, Jim Gaffigan, and Meredith Viera.
Once inside, the 700 guests were invited to enjoy a cocktail reception in the Grand Ballroom, which featured interactive elements for the guests to enjoy, along with a large-scale orchid chandelier display over a center bar. Following cocktails, guests were invited into the Manhattan Center for dinner. On their way in, they were treated to another impressive floral display featuring thousands of calla lilies blanketing the ceiling
The seated dinner program featured many participants and performers including emcee, Josh Lucas, Students from Exploring the Arts Frank Sinatra School in Brooklyn, The Roots, Rob Thomas, Ingrid Michaelson, Boomer Esiason, Nick Cannon, 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’s Champion of Hope Award to Brad Pitt and the Make it Right Foundation for their work rebuilding New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward after hurricane Katrina.
While the Gala took place downstairs, for the first time ever, Samsung invited Galaxy Owners to attend a pre-reception in the Grand Ballroom, where they interacted with the latest Galaxy devices and had the chance to win a variety of prizes. Guests enjoyed refreshments, music curated by DJ Nick Cannon and an exclusive live performance by electro-pop duoIcona Pop that was broadcast live to YouTube via the Galaxy Note5. Following the pre-reception, consumers joined Gala guests in the Hammerstein Ballroom for Demi Lovato’s memorable performance.
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, Only Make Believe, Sidewalk Angels, Staten Island Museum Foundation, Stiller Foundation, and the United States Olympic Committee.
Empire was proud to work closely with the Samsung team to deliver a flawless evening for such a worthy cause. To learn more about Samsung’s Hope for Children visit http://www.samsung.com/us/hopeforchildren/