AMC Networks 2016 Sidefronts: Great Food and Great Television
AMC Networks is comprised of AMC, BBC America, Sundance, IFC, and WeTV. During the past several years AMC and Empire have partnered to create large-scale, groundbreaking Upfront events worthy of their extraordinary programming. This year, 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 would be intimate, elegant and create a conversation between the guests, the programming and the network hosts.
Five of the sidefronts took place at Chefs Club, a trendy SoHo restaurant created in partnership with Food & Wine magazine 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: Jean-Georges Vongerichten; winner of several James Beard Awards and owner of Michelin star-rated restaurants, Mario Batali; known for Iron Chef America and The Chew, Alex Guarnaschelli, executive chef at Butter Midtown, star of Iron Chef America, judge on Chopped, and author of Old-School Comfort Food; Marcus Samuelsson, known for his popular Harlem restaurant, Red Rooster, and his roles on Iron Chef America, and Tom Colicchio, recipient of five James Beard Awards, head judge on Top Chef, and owner of Gramercy Tavern, Craft and Colicchio & Sons.
Each event commenced with a cocktail hour and passed hors d’oeuvres during which AMC Networks executive leadership and ad sales teams mingled with advertisers and agency personnel. Following cocktails, guests were seated for welcome remarks, a personal introduction to the meal by each chef and a brief speaking program. Arlene Manos, President of National Ad Sales, Josh Sapan, President & CEO of AMC Networks, Charlie Collier, President & GM of AMC, and Scott Collins, EVP of Ad Sales, teased new programming coming to AMC, BBC America, Sundance, IFC, and WeTV. Guests also had the opportunity to preview new shows such as "Feed the Beast", "The Night Manager" and AMC’s hotly anticipated "Preacher" on screens positioned throughout the dining room.
In addition to the five sidefronts at Chefs Club, additional events were held at the offices of one of New York’s biggest media agencies, and another at Morgan’s on Fulton 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 of every kind.
Guests received their first taste of technological innovation at registration, where they were welcomed by name on a reactive LED screen installation covering the full width of the entry wall. A large lunch café was created with a décor scheme that incorporated custom-built, ceiling-high steel LED frames draped with foliage to create smaller, intimate restaurant-style spaces that displayed both technology and nature.
A series of breakout sessions presented content targeted to attendees’ varied interests, while imagery displayed throughout the venue showcased real-life applications of how products designed to empower developers help to unleash the power of data and reimagine possibilities that will improve our world.
Every element of Microsoft Connect(); from registration, breakfast and keynote, to lunch and evening cocktails, were custom-designed to communicate exacting brand messaging and to deliver a high-touch guest experience to this important audience. The keynote and breakout sessions were livestreamed through an onsite studio built for this purpose and content was watched online by millions around the world.
Empire is proud to collaborate with Microsoft on this annual, top-tier business communication event.
To view excerpts of Connect(); 2017, please visit https://www.microsoft.com/connectevent
