The FOX Upfront
FOX’s 2023 Upfront at New York’s Manhattan Center broke new ground by blending presentation with celebration for over 1,000 attendees. The event reimagined the traditional Upfront format, emphasizing connection and engagement over the usual theater-style approach.
At the heart of the experience was a striking 360-degree full-service bar, dubbed the “pill stage” for its sleek, elongated oval shape, which served as the Upfront’s centerpiece. Complementing it was a massive 70-foot Apex Hero Stage, angled to spotlight speakers and hero content. The design fused Manhattan Center’s classic New York charm with modern sophistication, creating a timeless yet contemporary atmosphere.
The program boasted an impressive roster of talent, including Gordon Ramsay, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Michael Strahan, Erin Andrews, Carli Lloyd, Rob Gronkowski, and DJ Natasha Diggs. Cabaret-style seating spread across three levels encouraged conversation and connection. FOX’s signature branding was woven throughout the space, with rich blue as the hero color, accented by burgundy, gold, magenta, and amber to represent the network’s subdivisions.
Every detail was thoughtfully crafted—from the furnishings to the strategic branding placement—to transform the venue into a stunning, camera-ready backdrop. The result was an unforgettable event that set a new benchmark for the Upfront experience.
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
