Star Studded Event for Syndicated Television Industry's Signature Upfront Event

When a consortium of major entertainment companies that produce syndicated television programming wanted to make a splash for the New York advertising community during Spring Upfront season, they turned once again to Empire Entertainment to produce their star-studded, signature event.The Syndicated Network Television Association, whose members include Buena Vista Television, Twentieth Century Television, Universal, Paramount and others, again chose Empire Entertainment to produce their main event, following a day of presentations of their 2004 programming including shows like That 70's Show, Family Feud and Ellen.

The event, which took place in the ballrooms & foyer of the New York Grand Hyatt, was designed as a hyper-modern lounge party with décor inspired by Philippe Stark and the Delano Hotel of South Beach. The 600 or so attendees came to drink, eat, dance, and mix & mingle with some of the hottest stars of syndicated television including Ellen Degeneres, Regis Philbin, Chris Matthews, Keifer Sutherland, Tony Danza and many others. Empire created an incredible visual feast in this space that was based on colors of chocolate, cream, caramel, flaming red & rich gold. Upon arrival, guests walked through a foyer that was set with lounge furniture and dessert and coffee stations. Once they stepped through the ballroom doors, an enormous wall of white curtain that served as a faux entrance, separated the room and created a backdrop for the large central island bar on the opposite side. Into this curtain were mounted a series of plasma monitors displaying the images of the featured television programs. Turning the corner into the room guests saw a seated area of custom square tables in draped gold organza linens topped with red & cream bunches of roses before an expansive buffet of sumptuous foods.

Behind this buffet, Empire created custom screen surrounds for three large vertical projection screens that fit the contours of the ballroom's columns. Onto these screens were projected the nine sponsor logos and the 27 promoted syndicated television programs. Empire designed a matrix projection that changed throughout the night and offered each of the nine syndicated networks and 27 shows equal time on the main screens. At the center of the room stood a huge, u-shaped white bar with a white frosted plexiglass surface that was lit in flaming red from underneath. This bar was adorned with modern white, angular stools and the rear of the bar was adorned with a towering floral display designed by Michael Kowalski which stood in front of a curtain of white onto which was projected an undulating flame lighting effect. The room also featured several comfortable seating areas of funky velvet and leather couches, club chairs, ottomans and coffee tables. The other end of the room featured two custom-designed stages positioned on either side of a large dance floor. On one stage Todd Londagin (of the Flying Neutrinos) and his all star jazz combo performed upbeat and sophisticated swing jazz, while on the other stage, stunning vocalist Toby Williams (of the band Cocktail Angst) sang duets with Todd from across the room. Each stage was surrounded by comfortable club style seating arrangements and a drink shelf that was built around the bar to allow guests to sit up close and drink while watching the band. For the final portion of the evening, DJ David Chang spun a groovy mix of disco, R&B, hip hop and dance music while dancers and guests flocked the dancefloor and mixed with the guests. All of the hosting companies were thrilled with the success of the event and most people, including many of the celebrities stayed until after the house lights were turned back on.

Empire is a leading producer of trade events and event marketing programs for the television, film, music and video gaming industries among many others.