AMC Networks 2018 Upfronts

April 2018. New York City, Chefs Club

During the past several years AMC and Empire have partnered to create large-scale, groundbreaking Upfront events worthy of their extraordinary programming. This year, similar to 2016, AMC opted to host a series of intimate, bespoke culinary events in New York and Chicago designed to present a "tasting menu" of AMC Networks’ award-winning programming. Each event was intimate, elegant and created the perfect environment for conversations between the guests, the programming and the network hosts.

Six of the upfronts took place at Chefs Club, a trendy SoHo restaurant that welcomes culinary masterminds into their state-of-the-art chef’s kitchen. AMC Networks took full advantage of this unique space to provide guests a once in a lifetime culinary experience, with menus curated and prepared by some of the world’s best-known chefs including: Chris Santos, executive chef and owner of The Stanton Social, Beauty & Essex and Vandal; Scott Conant, James Beard Award Winner and co-owner of Fusco; Alex Guarnaschelli, executive chef at Butter Midtown and author of Old-School Comfort Food; Tyler Florence, owner of Wayfare Tavern; and Tom Colicchio, recipient of five James Beard Awards and owner of Gramercy Tavern, Craft and Colicchio & Sons.

Each event began with a cocktail hour and passed hors d’oeuvres during which AMC Networks executives and ad sales teams mingled with advertisers and agency personnel. Following cocktails, guests were seated for welcome remarks from Josh Sapan, President & CEO of AMC Networks and Ed Carroll, COO of AMC Networks. Charlie Collier, President & GM of AMC, SundanceTV & AMC Studios, and Scott Collins, President of National Ad Sales, AMC Networks, teased new programming coming to AMC, BBC America, Sundance, IFC, and WeTV. Guests also had the opportunity to preview new shows on screens positioned throughout the dining room. As dessert was served, each chef gave a personalized introduction to the course.

In addition to AMC Network execs and celebrity chefs, show talent from across all five networks also attended the various events, giving clients the opportunity to mingle with the stars. Attendees included Norman Reedus, Julianna Margulies, Paul Giamatti, Kevin Smith, Danay Garcia,and Eli Roth.

In addition to the six Upfronts at Chefs Club, another event was held at Boka Resturant in Chicago.

Empire was proud to work closely with AMC Networks to create these exclusive culinary experiences. Empire served as overall producer of the event series, secured the venues, contracted and worked with each chef on menu and logistics, provided technical production and décor, and executed all needs for the programs.

Empire is a leading producer of standout Upfront events and key business-to-business presentations.

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