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Meryl Streep, Josh Brolin, Kyra Sedgwick, Maggie Gyllenhall and Uma Thurman Set as Presenters at The 17th Annual Gotham Awards
Tony Award®-Winning Actress
and Playwright Sarah Jones to Host
http://gotham.ifp.org
New York, NY— Meryl Streep, Josh Brolin, Kyra Sedgwick, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Uma Thurman have been set as presenters at the 17th Annual Gotham Awards taking place at Brooklyn’s Steiner Studios on November 27th, organizers announced today.
Organizers also announced that Tony Award®-winning actress and playwright Sarah Jones will host the awards ceremony. Her critically-acclaimed show, Bridge & Tunnel, captured the 2006 Tony Award® for Best Theatrical Event.
Produced by IFP, the nation’s largest membership organization of independent filmmakers, The Gotham Awards are the leading awards for independent film.
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Adding to the all-star line-up of presenters will be Peter Sarsgaard (Kinsey), Keri Russell (Waitress), Tabu (The Namesake), Kerry Washington (The Last King Of Scotland), Vera Farmiga (The Departed) and director Sidney Lumet (Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead).
A highlight of this year’s ceremony will be presentations to several Gotham Awards Tribute honorees including:
- Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented by Meryl Streep
- Roger Ebert presented by Sidney Lumet
- Javier Bardem presented by No Country For Old Men co-star, Josh Brolin
- Mira Nair presented by Uma Thurman and Tabu
- Jonathan Sehring, president of IFC Entertainment, presented by Maggie Gyllenhaal
This year's Awards will be broadcast to nearly 20 million people through distribution partnerships with NYC TV, Documentary Channel and Netflix. The NYC TV broadcast will air on Tuesday, December 4th at 9:00pm, and Saturday, December 8th at 8:00pm.
Sponsors of the Gotham Awards
Premiere Sponsors for the 2007 Gotham Awards are Axium, The New York Times, and Steiner Studios; Presenting Sponsors are Deluxe, NYC TV, Rainbow Media, and Variety. The awards will be promoted nationally in an eight-page special advertising section in The New York Times on Nov. 6. The awards ceremony will be broadcast locally via New York City’s public television station, NYC TV during the first week of December. Additional digital content from the show and surrounding public programs related to the Gothams will be carried on IFP’s website at www.ifp.org.
About IFP
IFP's mission is to nurture and celebrate independent film and filmmakers, and to foster a vibrant and sustainable independent filmmaking community. IFP seeks to empower individuals with the language of film, and enrich the world of film with a diversity of voices. It passionately believes that creating opportunities for independent, original and often controversial films to be made and seen is an essential part of a free, open and intellectually curious society.
IFP’s programs provide filmmakers with access to tools to develop and present their vision, and audiences with an opportunity to discover new work. Its signature programs include the Gotham Awards, the IFP Market, Filmmaker Magazine, IFP's Filmmaker Conference and IFP's Independent Film Labs. IFP was founded in 1979. It is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in New York City with 10,000 members throughout the world. More at www.ifp.org.
For information contact:
Patrick Kowalczyk (patrick@mkpr.com)
Victor Trevino (victor@mkpr.com)
MKPR, 212.627.8098
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Garrison Keillor to Receive First-Ever Moth Award, Honoring The Art of The Raconteur, at 10th Anniversary "Moth Ball" Gala on November 12th
Acclaimed Storytelling Organization to Honor Legendary Storyteller
www.themoth.org
New York — The Moth, the nonprofit organization that sparked a national storytelling revival, announced today that it will bestow its first-ever Moth Award, Honoring the Art of the Raconteur, on America's consummate storyteller: Garrison Keillor.
The legendary writer, radio host, and monologist will accept his award at its 10th Anniversary Moth Ball Gala. Hosted by humorist Andy Borowitz and actor Gabriel Byrne, the event will be held on Monday, November 12, 2007, at New York hotspot Capitale.
Garrison Keillor is the creator and host of the wildly successful radio variety show A Prairie Home Companion. In the show's highlight, "News from Lake Wobegon," Keillor spins weekly yarns centered around a mythical Midwestern town that has claimed a prominent place on America's pop-cultural map.
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"The Moth Award honors the art of the raconteur, and for the inaugural recipient, the choice was obvious," said executive director Lea Thau. "Not only is Garrison Keillor the undisputed master of the form, but over the past thirty years, his weekly Lake Wobegon monologs have cultivated an enormous and enthusiastic audience for storytelling -- paving the way for The Moth’s success."
Hailed as "New York’s hottest and hippest literary ticket" by The Wall Street Journal, THE MOTH is an acclaimed nonprofit organization dedicated to the art of storytelling. Since its founding ten years ago, The Moth has brought a total of more than 2,500 original stories to more than 90,000 listeners, told by everyone from, Ethan Hawke, Frank McCourt, and Margaret Cho to a firefighter, a reformed pickpocket, and a hot dog eating champion. Every one of its 265 original storytelling shows has sold out in 48 hours or less.
The evening will be hosted by humorist Andy Borowitz and actor Gabriel Byrne. Along with cocktails, dinner, and dancing, The Moth Ball will showcase performances by THE MOTH favorites, including a storytelling duel between literary lights Malcolm Gladwell and Adam Gopnik, refereed by Andy Borowitz.
Attendees will include honorary benefit committee members Kurt Andersen, Darren Aronofsky, Rachel Weisz, Jimmy Breslin, Lauren Ambrose, Lewis Lapham, Susan Orlean, Lucy Sykes Rellie, and Gay & Nan Talese.
THE MOTH was founded in 1997 by poet and novelist George Dawes Green, who sought to recreate the experience of telling stories on a friend's porch in Georgia while moths flew into the porch light. In a tribute to these early sessions, the gala's theme will be "A Moth to the Flame," and Green and his childhood friend Wanda Bullard will present archival footage recounting THE MOTH's genesis.
In addition to all the public yarn-spinning, THE MOTH has also spread its wings beyond the stage, using the power of storytelling to create change in unexpected and surprising places. Its programs and workshops have helped everyone from underserved high school students to business executives use storytelling techniques to better express themselves. THE MOTH has sparked a national storytelling revival, not only by inspiring the launch of local storytelling groups in other cities, but also by hitting the road with the first-ever Moth Storytelling Tour in 2007.
WHO:
Jonathan Adler, Lauren Ambrose, Andy Borowitz, Kurt Andersen, Darren Aronofsky, Jimmy Breslin, Gabriel Byrne, Simon Doonan, Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Gopnik, Garrison Keillor, Lewis Lapham, Susan Orlean, Lucy Sykes Rellie, Gay & Nan Talese, and Rachel Weisz
WHAT:
"The Moth Ball" — The Moth's Tenth Anniversary Gala, a benefit for the acclaimed not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the art of storytelling
WHEN:
6:30pm Monday, November 12th, 2007
WHERE:
Capitale, 130 Bowery, New York City
TICKETS:
$295 for Gala Dinner & Party tickets; $170 for Gala Party-Only tickets
For information contact:
Scott Piro, Scott@mkpr.com
Patrick Kowalczyk, Patrick@mkpr.com
MKPR, 212.627.8098 / Photos Available Upon Request
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Dealnews Shares Holiday Shopping's Biggest Secret: Black Friday Begins on Thanksgiving
Priced-Checked and Verified, dealnews.com’s Black Friday Guide Gives Smart Shoppers a Jump Start on Black Friday Deals
www.dealnews.com/blackfriday
New York, NY — Most call it Thanksgiving. dealnews calls it "Black Thursday".
That's because dealnews says many leading stores will kick off their Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving Day, allowing savvy shoppers to get a jump-start on the season’s best deals from the comfort of the family computer before their dinner guests even arrive.
To help shoppers find the best deals, dealnews will publish its annual Black Friday Guide, the Internet’s only comprehensive round-up of price-checked and verified Black Friday deals, specials, and promotions. The guide will launch on Monday, November 19th.
Named one of the best services of 2006 by PC World, dealnews is the Web’s most trusted guide to the best deals on consumer electronics, computers, gadgets, men’s apparel, and more.
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Last year many stores, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Toys "R" Us, Home Depot, and Sharper Image, as well as online-only retailers, such as Amazon.com, Buy.com, and newegg.com, started offering their Black Friday deals online 24-hours earlier on Thanksgiving Day, according to dealnews founder and editor-in-chief Dan de Grandpre.
The dealnews.com Black Friday Guide will also include a list of brick and mortar deals that are worth lining up early for the next day. de Grandpre said dealnews.com’s guide will include heavy-hitters like Wal-Mart, which released its Black Friday sales a full four days in advance, giving shoppers ample time to plan for Friday morning well in advance.
de Grandpre added that the upcoming holiday season was shaping up to be "a 'perfect storm' for deals."
"Not only are we expecting more online stores to offer Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving Day, but we’re expecting them to offer even steeper discounts and incentives, especially in terms of shipping deals," said de Grandpre, who cited stores such as OfficeMax.com which offered free shipping on all online orders last year. "Retailers know that consumers are more concerned about the economy this year, and they'll be addressing that with more promotions and specials."
According to de Grandpre, all of the deals listed on dealnews must pass the dealnews test: Is it the guaranteed lowest price, is it sold by a reputable store, and is it actually worth it?
On the Monday after Thanksgiving, dealnews will also provide in-depth coverage of the ever-growing number of promotions — free shipping, free gifts, rebates, markdowns — that make "Cyber Monday" a high-tech shopper’s bonanza. Online shoppers can find the dealnews.com Cyber Monday Guide at www.dealnews.com/cybermonday.
Before purchasing any gift throughout the season, de Grandpre said shoppers should always first check out dealnews.com’s Holiday Gift Guide, which showcases unbeatable deals on the season’s coolest gifts, including consumer electronics, computers, gadgets, apparel, and more. The guide (www.dealnews.com/holidaygifts) will be updated daily from November 12th through Christmas.
About dealnews.com, Inc.
dealnews.com, Inc. operates a network of six web sites that guide consumers to the best deals on consumer electronics, computers, men’s apparel, and more. Its flagship site, dealnews.com, was named "one of the best products of 2006" by PC World. Relying on its team of expert editors, reader intelligence, and proprietary research tools, dealnews.com showcases up to 100 of the top deals, coupons, and sales every day. Founded in 1997, dealnews is headquartered in Madison, Alabama with editorial offices in New York City.
Download the dealnews holiday shopping calendar at:
http://static.dealnews.com/about/dealnews-holiday-shopping-cal.pdf
Contact:
Gita Chandra (gita@mkpr.com)
MKPR, 212.627.8098
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SpaFinder’s First-Ever "Spa Experience" Attracts Thousands to Grand Central Terminal
Consumer Spa Event Proves to be Powerful New Marketing Tool for Spa Industry
New York, NY — Signaling an evolution in spa marketing, SpaFinder’s first-ever "The Spa Experience" attracted thousands of commuters and shoppers to Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall between October 31st and November 3rd, 2007.
Presented by SpaFinder, the global spa resource, the inaugural, four-day event showcased beauty and spa treatments, luxury travel, and product demonstrations from more than 50 of the world’s leading spas and spa beauty companies.
In light of the event’s success, SpaFinder CEO Pete Ellis confirmed The Spa Experience will return to Grand Central in the fall of 2008. Ellis also confirmed the expansion of SpaFinder’s signature "Aspen Spa Day" consumer expo into a 2-day event next summer (Aug. 9-10) and that it is considering other cities for 2009, such as San Francisco, Chicago, and Dallas.
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According to SpaFinder COO Sallie Fraenkel, the huge and enthusiastic turnout for The Spa Experience confirmed that a growing number of consumers are eager to incorporate elements of the spa lifestyle, such as travel, wellness, and beauty, into their everyday lives. "The success of The Spa Experience represents a powerful new marketing tool in terms of how the spa industry interacts and connects with consumers," said Fraenkel. "Our exhibitors saw first-hand that consumer events like The Spa Experience can help them expand their audience and grow their businesses."
Grand Central Terminal’s Director of Marketing Karen Weber confirmed the event’s runaway success. "The Spa Experience was one of our best attended events and its unique nature made it an instant hit. We are looking forward to making this an annual event at Grand Central Terminal."
"We were thrilled to be a part of the first-ever Spa Experience," said Michael Bryant, Marketing Director of SunSwept Resorts. "It’s an exciting and valuable new way for us to reach new consumers interested in the spa lifestyle."
The event attracted major media attention, including both national and local TV coverage. In addition, journalists from major beauty, travel and fashion magazines attended an exclusive media preview, where they had the chance to interact with all the spa exhibitors one-on-one.
Exhibitors at The Spa Experience ranged from title sponsor The Cliffs Communities and supporting sponsors Avon Wellness and JetBlue Airways to Ireland’s SAMAS Deluxe Destination Spa at the five star Park Hotel Kenmare and Mexico’s Rancho la Puerta to spa beauty companies like Clarins Skin Spa and Jane Iredale — The Skin Care Makeup®.
Media sponsors included: Moffly Publications, publisher of Greenwich Magazine, Westport Magazine, and New Canaan-Darien Magazine; New York Moves magazine; Wainscot Media, publisher of New York Spaces and Bergen Health & Life; and Westchester Magazine.
A full list of sponsor and exhibitors can be found at www.spafinder.com/select/thespaexperience/exhibitorlist.jsp.
For information on to become a sponsor or exhibitor of 2008’s Aspen Spa Days visit http://www.spafinder.com/select/aspenspaday/index.jsp.
About SpaFinder, Inc.:
The world's largest spa marketing and media company, SpaFinder reaches millions of wellness-focused consumers via its global media network, including the award-winning SpaFinder.com, Luxury SpaFinder magazine and the annual Worldwide Guide to Spas. SpaFinder Europe and SpaFinder Japan offer regional spa marketing programs, including localized, native-language websites showcasing day spas, salon spas, and onsens. Redeemable at 4,000+ spas worldwide and available at thousands of retail outlets across North America and the United Kingdom, SpaFinder Gift Certificates and Gift Cards represent the world's largest spa gifting program. Through its partnership with SpaBoom, the company also provides an array of technology and online marketing services for spas. Founded in 1986, the privately held company is headquartered in Manhattan.
For information contact:
Contact: Scott Piro (scott@mkpr.com)
Patrick Kowalczyk (patrick@mkpr.com)
MKPR, 212-627-8098
PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
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Majority of Internet Leaders at First-Ever WebbyConnect Summit Predict TV Convergence Within Five Years
More than 150 Internet Leaders, including keynoters Michael Eisner, Arianna Huffington, and Vinton Cerf, Debate Future of Internet and Emerging Media at WebbyConnect
www.webbyawards.com/webbyconnect
New York, NY— 62 percent of attendees at the first-ever WebbyConnect summit predict that convergence — especially the merging of TVs and PCs — will occur within the next five years, with 31 percent of those saying it will happen by 2009, Webby Awards organizers announced today.
The survey was taken at WebbyConnect, a three day event held from October 3—5 in Laguna Beach. The summit brought together past Webby winners, Academy members, and leaders in technology, advertising, entertainment, design, and politics, to explore the future of the Internet and emerging media.
Arianna Huffington, Michael Eisner, and Vinton Cerf delivered keynotes, while panelists included del.icio.us founder Joshua Schachter, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, Flickr co-founder Caterina Fake, and executives from Google, MySpace, YouTube, Comedy Central, MTV Networks, and Heavy Networks.
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"The dominant theme throughout WebbyConnect was that media convergence is inevitable, but there are still challenges," said David-Michel Davies, executive director of The Webby Awards. "It’s no longer a matter of when, but how."
Davies said that many of the keynotes and panels focused on the challenges and opportunities facing emerging media, especially in the areas of video and mobile content.
Arianna Huffington, who founded The Huffington Post in 2005, said the debate over "old media versus new media" was pointless.
"It’s not going to be ‘either/or’ in the immediate future; it’s going to be both," Huffington said.
Huffington also emphasized the growing number of major media companies, such as the New York Times and CBS, which have recently announced plans to give away their content online.
"They are finally looking for long-term relationships versus one night stands," Huffington said. "They’ve realized that promiscuity for profit is the way to go."
Eisner, who founded Vuguru, a studio producing short-form video series for the Internet, stressed the importance of filters, explaining that consumers ultimately want "professionally-produced, story-driven" entertainment.
"There is a place for the editor, in fact, I think the editor is essential," said Eisner. "The biggest problem that I see with the Internet is this user-generated stuff that I’m seeing. Like any democracy, an unfiltered democracy can turn into anarchy."
Internet co-inventor Vinton Cerf closed the summit with a future-focused keynote touching on everything from the interplanetary Internet to the future of immersive advertising. He reminded attendees that the Internet is still in an extremely nascent stage.
"Most of the five billion people left who are not yet online will encounter the Internet first through mobile devices," said Cerf.
Other highlights of the WebbyConnect survey included:
- 43 percent of attendees would be willing to have ads appear on their mobile phones in exchange for cheaper or free service.
- 48 percent of attendees predicted that the United States will vote online for president by 2016, with 11 percent of those predicting it could happen as soon as 2012.
- 59 percent of attendees share a link to an online video with friends and family at least once per week, with 18 percent of those sharing at least five videos each week.
- 59 percent of attendees are members of at least one social network, with 13 percent of those members of more than five social networks.
- 66 percent of attendees said their personal memory had declined in the past three years.
- 84 percent "Google" potential employees.
For more on WebbyConnect, including photos from the event, visit www.webbyawards.com/webbyconnect.
About The Webby Awards:
Hailed as the "Oscars of the Internet" by the New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Web sites, interactive advertising, online film and video, and mobile web sites. Established in 1996, the 11th Annual Webby Awards received a record 8,000 entries from all 50 states and over 60 countries worldwide. The Webby Awards is presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include: Adobe; The Creative Group; dotMobi; The Barbarian Group; CondéNast|CondéNet; Level3; Getty Images; Adweek; Fortune; Reuters; Variety; Wired; IDG: Brightcove; PricewaterhouseCoopers; 2advanced.Net; KobeMail and Museum of the Moving Image.
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