Monday, January 16, 2006
So big, you can't say yes to Entertaining well!
Well, I am on my way to planning another event and this one has its own unique story just like the rest. Every event has its issues to overcome. This is an event with a mix of people...some are conservative New England types who don't like to spend money on the frivolous and there are some attendees who love the splash of it all...how do you appeal to everyone? Well come along for the ride, here is my first step to overcome.This celebratory event is for 250 people and it is an open house lunch...some will stay, some won't, some like extravagance and some like simplicity. We are waiting to hear about the space but I am betting that we will get it based on connections within this group. I am now onto searching for the right caterer, right florist and right entertainment. I have started with the caterer. The order for the food is a cross between upscale and sophisticated but a simple menu so as to not go overboard with the costs. The owners of the space will demand that the staff work it properly (take care of the kitchen, total clean up....).
I called on a new caterer who I have just recently used. He prefers doing smaller more elegant events but was open enough to try and help out. Thanks so much for being honest and kind!! Love that Tim Labant (www.timlabant.com). Here is one of my things when choosing vendors...they have to be comfortable and confident with the situation or I might as well cook myself...I am on to calling my next choice.
Called on someone that I felt I owed something to...someone who had done me a couple of favors and someone who was a close friend to an old partner. I called her and much to my surprise, this event was just not enough for her...it wasn't her style, it wasn't her thing and boy did she let me know it!
Wow! I am shocked because I couldn't imagine ever doing business that way. If the job seems small or somehow less than my usual business, I still consider all of the possiblities and frankly I make it happen..you never know how a favor you do for someone turns into a gift for you and/or your company.
Anyway, on a positive note, I will call on my old favorites, Aux Delices Foods in Greenwich (www.auxdelicesfoods.com). Every time I think of going elsewhere, fate always brings me back to them. They say yes to anything and always follow through with the best service, the best food and the best overall management. What was I thinking? Just trying to return a favor to someone who thinks they are so big that they don't have to say yes (btw, you can never have too much business and can never extend too many favors but you can have too much self importance for your own good and for the good of your business!).
And now I am on to my next step: negotiating with the caterer and calling the entertainment!
Stay tuned!!!
For help with your next party, call Valorie Luther at White Linen Events, 203.254.4490 or email info@whitelinen-events.com
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Friday, January 13, 2006
Valentine's Day is Coming!
Here is the sweetest thing....a widower with a broken heart wants the world to experience what he did with his wife before she died...enter the contest and see what you can win for loving someone so much!Grieving Millionaire Strikes Again, Challenging New Yorkers to Write Love Letters and Take Free Romantic Horse and Carriage Rides
WHO: For the second year grieving millionaire Henri Zimand challenges New Yorkers and the world to get romantic --particularly on Valentine's Day, which is only 30 days away. Zimand, who lived a cinderella love story with wife Anda, who died of breast cancer, has dedicated his life to creating awareness of the importance of love and cure breast cancer.
see http://www.andaspiritusa.com.
In 2005, Zimand, offered New Yorkers 500 free carriage rides in Central Park and gave the winner (NYPD cop John Briano and wife Kathleen) of the love letter contest a first class trip to Monte Carlo. This year he is upping the ante, offering 1000 carriage rides and opening the love letter competition to the world. 15 romantic couples will be flown to New York and all finalists will be eligible to win prizes ranging from trips, iPods to jewelry.
WHAT/WHERE/WHEN:
a) Love letter contest: entries until January 30. See love letter contest information at http://www.andaspiritusa.com. Winners announced early February.
b) Free horse and carriage rides (at Columbus Circle) from February 11-14: Apply for a voucher at http://www.andaspiritusa.com. First 1000 applicants will get rides.
WHY: Zimand is personally paying for the entire promotion, a non-commercial venture. Every year he and his wife came to New York for Valentine's Day and took a romantic horse and carriage ride in Central Park. "My hope is to spread the word of how enduring love and support can get you through the hardest times. Love is the most important thing in life," stated Zimand and "Valentine's Day is the day to express your love."
CONTACT: Annabelle Stevens
Passion Marketing
(310) 435-6996
Hopefully you don't need a contest or holiday in order to celebrate the love in your life!
For entertaining or party information, contact White Linen Events, info@whitelinen-events.com or call Valorie Luther at 203.254.4490
Happy pre Valentine's Day!
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Healthy, Loose Weight and more
Here is something new that I haven't heard of...nobody is asking for this at their parties but they may be drinking it at home and feeling great. Take a look!VANCOUVER, Jan. 12 - For those looking to shed a few poundspost- holidays, pre-bikini or simply making healthier lifestyle choices, the solution may be found within a daily cup of matcha green tea. A part of Zen Buddhist culture for well over 800 years, matcha is a fine tea powder that isblended and consumed in a drink rather than steeped and discarded like tealeaves. Clinical research has shown matcha increases metabolism, offers a hugeantioxidant hit and gives a gentle stimulating effect superior to steepedteas.
In 2005, testing on matcha revealed
that the tea powder contains the highest levels of antioxidants per gram over
any other fruit or vegetable including other green teas.
Matcha's processing technique means that drinkers consume the tea plant
itself, not just a brew of its leaves. This allows an exponential increase in
any health benefits offered. For example, one cup of matcha tea is equivalent
to ten cups of steeped green tea. "Matcha may also be a healthy alternative to coffee," added Takeda.
Japanese matcha lovers have claimed for centuries to feel greater mental clarity, sustained energy and an overall feeling of relaxation from the tea's consumption. Consumers wishing to add drinking matcha to their list of healthyactivities for the New Year can find matcha in major North American cities atJamba Juice, Booster Juice, select Whole Foods, and local tea shops and onlinehttp://www.infuzeteahouse.com. For more information, a sample of matcha or to arrange an interview withDr. Mary Anne Della-Fera, Chief Scientific Officer of AptoTec, Inc., pleasecontact: Dana Sissons 604-647-2985 Dana.sissons@cossette.com
For more tips on entertaining or special products or services, call White Linen Events, 203.254.4490 or email info@whitelinen-events.com
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Chris Botti is very Entertaining!
here is the latest about Chris Botti who produces wonderful jazz on his trumpet. Check it out!Critically-Acclaimed Concerts, Filmed December 1 & 2 at Historic Wilshire Theatre in Los Angeles, Feature Guest Artists Sting, Gladys Knight, Paul Buchanan, Jill Scott, Rene Olstead, Burt Bacharach & Paula Cole
NEW YORK, Jan. 11 -- The critically-acclaimed Grammy-nominated trumpeter Chris Botti, whose recent albums To Love Again: The Duets(2005) and When I Fall In Love (2004) have raised the bar of excellence in theinterpretation of pop jazz standards while creating a uniquely contemporarysound and style, stars in "CHRIS BOTTI LIVE with Orchestra & Special Guests,"set to premiere during the March PBS Pledge Week (check your local listings).
For additional questions about music or event planning, call White Linen Events, www.whitelinen-events.com or email info@whitelinen-events.com-- Valorie Luther
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
A night out with friends, great wine, beautiful villas
I never knew about such a group or such a place but it is worth checking it out. A night out with your girlfriends, drinking great wine in a beautiful villa sounds very entertaining and well like a vacation!Online Lifestyle, Travel and Wine Community for Women to Offer Beautiful Places Inventory of Wine Country Villas and Estate Homes
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10 -- Women & Wine(TM) announces itspartnership with BeautifulPlaces(TM) (http://www.beautiful-places.com), a luxurywine-country villa rental company located in Sonoma, Calif. Beginning January1, Women & Wine will feature Beautiful Places' complete inventory onhttp://www.WomenWine.com as part of Women & Wine's overall strategy to offer villarentals in wine destinations around the world. "Sharing a villa with friendsor family in wine country is the ultimate experience," says Women & Wine(TM)founder Julie Brosterman. Founded in January 2005, Women & Wine(TM), http://www.WomenWine.com , offerswomen worldwide the opportunity to create a custom itinerary to one of 23domestic and international wine-country destinations. The site also hasluxury hotel and travel packages for wine lovers as well as trips for solo andgroup travelers. The company offers a wine club and wine recommendations foreach of the winemaking regions of the world to "bring the experience home."There are over 300 pages of original content with winemaker profiles,interviews, sips and a very personal blog for readers to share their wine andtravel experiences. BeautifulPlaces(TM), established in 2003, is a lodging company thatmanages and markets the rental of upscale wine country houses and villas inNapa and Sonoma counties to affluent vacationers. The homes in Napa andSonoma sleep from two to 30 people and range in price from $250 to $4,500 pernight. "We are delighted about this relationship because both companies arefocused on creating memorable wine country experiences," says JulieBrosterman, founder and CEO of Women & Wine. "Curling up with friends in themorning with a cup of coffee in your pjs, or having an incredible meal withgreat wines on the terrace overlooking the vineyards is an experience thatcan't be replicated, and creates the opportunity for sharing and re-connectingwith friends, family or that special someone." Brosterman also says wine country home rentals work well as settings forcorporate team building or incentive programs and are ideal for multi-familygetaways. Women & Wine(TM) will augment the wine country villa or estaterental experience with their concierge services, which can include winetasting in the area's top wineries, meetings with winemakers and vintners,private chefs or spa treatments in-home, personal trainers, babysittingservices, and sports and recreational activities, to name a few. "We saw a tremendous synergy between our product and Women & Wine'smembership," says Patrick Smith, founder and CEO of BeautifulPlaces. "Womenwho love wine are looking for ways to experience daily life in wine country ingracious, private surroundings -- something we've noticed from the start inour bookings. We offer a great alternative to hotel and resort stays." Brosterman and Smith agree that until now women have been an underservedsegment of the leisure travel industry. In addition, women buy over 60% ofthe wine in the United States and are interested in being introduced to winesthat may not be sold in their local supermarket. "Women don't buy wine basedon a rating or a score. They're more likely to buy wine they feel aconnection to, perhaps because they learned the story behind it or met thepeople who made it," says Brosterman. "Women see wine as part of their socialand emotional life." For more information please visit http://www.WomenWine.com, emailvillas@WomenWine.com or call 877-80-4WINE (9463).
for more information about cool places, fun parties and good wine, call White Linen Events (203 254-4490) or email info@whitelinen-events.com.
A night out with friends, great wine, beautiful villas
I never knew about such a group or such a place but it is worth checking it out. A night out with your girlfriends, drinking great wine in a beautiful villa sounds very entertaining and well like a vacation!Online Lifestyle, Travel and Wine Community for Women to Offer Beautiful Places Inventory of Wine Country Villas and Estate Homes
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10 -- Women & Wine(TM) announces itspartnership with BeautifulPlaces(TM) (http://www.beautiful-places.com), a luxurywine-country villa rental company located in Sonoma, Calif. Beginning January1, Women & Wine will feature Beautiful Places' complete inventory onhttp://www.WomenWine.com as part of Women & Wine's overall strategy to offer villarentals in wine destinations around the world. "Sharing a villa with friendsor family in wine country is the ultimate experience," says Women & Wine(TM)founder Julie Brosterman. Founded in January 2005, Women & Wine(TM), http://www.WomenWine.com , offerswomen worldwide the opportunity to create a custom itinerary to one of 23domestic and international wine-country destinations. The site also hasluxury hotel and travel packages for wine lovers as well as trips for solo andgroup travelers. The company offers a wine club and wine recommendations foreach of the winemaking regions of the world to "bring the experience home."There are over 300 pages of original content with winemaker profiles,interviews, sips and a very personal blog for readers to share their wine andtravel experiences. BeautifulPlaces(TM), established in 2003, is a lodging company thatmanages and markets the rental of upscale wine country houses and villas inNapa and Sonoma counties to affluent vacationers. The homes in Napa andSonoma sleep from two to 30 people and range in price from $250 to $4,500 pernight. "We are delighted about this relationship because both companies arefocused on creating memorable wine country experiences," says JulieBrosterman, founder and CEO of Women & Wine. "Curling up with friends in themorning with a cup of coffee in your pjs, or having an incredible meal withgreat wines on the terrace overlooking the vineyards is an experience thatcan't be replicated, and creates the opportunity for sharing and re-connectingwith friends, family or that special someone." Brosterman also says wine country home rentals work well as settings forcorporate team building or incentive programs and are ideal for multi-familygetaways. Women & Wine(TM) will augment the wine country villa or estaterental experience with their concierge services, which can include winetasting in the area's top wineries, meetings with winemakers and vintners,private chefs or spa treatments in-home, personal trainers, babysittingservices, and sports and recreational activities, to name a few. "We saw a tremendous synergy between our product and Women & Wine'smembership," says Patrick Smith, founder and CEO of BeautifulPlaces. "Womenwho love wine are looking for ways to experience daily life in wine country ingracious, private surroundings -- something we've noticed from the start inour bookings. We offer a great alternative to hotel and resort stays." Brosterman and Smith agree that until now women have been an underservedsegment of the leisure travel industry. In addition, women buy over 60% ofthe wine in the United States and are interested in being introduced to winesthat may not be sold in their local supermarket. "Women don't buy wine basedon a rating or a score. They're more likely to buy wine they feel aconnection to, perhaps because they learned the story behind it or met thepeople who made it," says Brosterman. "Women see wine as part of their socialand emotional life." For more information please visit http://www.WomenWine.com, emailvillas@WomenWine.com or call 877-80-4WINE (9463).
for more information about cool places, fun parties and good wine, call White Linen Events (203 254-4490) or email info@whitelinen-events.com.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Entertaining with Organic food
Organic food is a big part of my life. When my first was born, I studied every item in the health food store. That is how I learned about organic. Then I cooked only with organic and I noticed a big difference. The first was price (more expensive) but it was all worth it cause the vegetables were super fresh (especially spinach and potatoes had a different taste) and the meats had no anitbiotics or growth hormones. My kids are strong and healthy because of these choices (the doctors are amazed at how they never come into for a visit outside of their yearly exam). The organic industry is trying to make life easier for those who don't have time to study the labels in grocery stores. Check it out:Get Smart About Organic Labels
GREENFIELD, Mass., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- With organic industry growth
continuing at a steady pace of nearly 20 percent per year, new organic
offerings have proliferated in the marketplace. From snack foods and baked
goods to frozen items and dairy products, grocery shelves carry organic
alternatives in nearly every food category. There are even non-food products
that carry the organic seal, too. With many resolving to change their habits
in the New Year, consumers will be seeking out more organic products. That is
why it is important to understand the various organic labeling options.
"The U.S. organic standards were designed to give consumers choices in the
marketplace," says Katherine DiMatteo, executive director of the Organic Trade
Association. "Some of those options contain 100 percent organic ingredients,
others only a few. But regardless of the amount of organic ingredients within
the products, every organic choice encourages farming methods that build
healthy soil and a healthy environment."
There is a growing body of evidence that organic farming practices help
reduce exposure to toxic chemicals in our food and the environment. Some
health issues linked to the use of toxic and persistent chemicals used in
farming include cancer in humans, birth defects, infertility, and antibiotic
resistance. Environmental pollution and degradation such as greenhouse gasses,
tainted drinking water, soil erosion and loss of natural resources are also
linked to the use of toxic and persistent chemicals in farming. Organic
farming offers an alternative that helps protect the environment and public
health.
National organic standards offer U.S. consumers the assurance that all
food products labeled as organic in the United States are governed by
consistent standards. U.S. organic standards, as implemented in 2002, allow
four different labeling options based on the percentage of organic ingredients
in a product. These include three distinct categories, and a fourth option for
products that contain organic ingredients but not at a high enough level to
meet one of the three labeling categories:
* 100 percent organic. Only products that have been exclusively produced
using organic methods and contain only organic ingredients (excluding
water and salt) are allowed to carry a label declaring "100 percent
organic."
* Organic. This signifies that at least 95 percent of the ingredients (by
weight, excluding water and salt) in a processed product have been
organically produced. The remaining contents can only be natural or
synthetic ingredients not available in an organic form that are
recommended by the National Organic Standards Board and allowed on the
National List (for specific information on the National List, see
http://www.ota.com/listbackground05.html). The product cannot use both
organic and non-organic versions of any ingredient that is listed as
organic. For instance, if a loaf of bread is made with organic wheat,
all of the wheat in the bread must be organic.
* Made with organic. Products with 70 to 95 percent organic ingredients
may display "Made with organic [with up to three specific organic
ingredients or food groups listed]" on the front panel.
* All three categories prohibit the inclusion of any ingredients produced
using genetic engineering, irradiation, or sewage sludge.
* Products with less than 70 percent organic ingredients can list the
organic items only in the ingredient panel. There can be no mention of
organic on the main panel.
To assist consumers, USDA has designed a seal that may be used only on
products labeled as "100 percent organic" or "organic." Use of the seal is
voluntary, but is seen as a useful tool. Grocery stores are increasingly using
the "USDA Organic" seal on shelf talkers and other point of purchase materials
to help identify organic sections in the store. Non-food products that meet
the requirements for using the "USDA Organic" seal can also use the seal.
Consumers choosing organic products have the assurance that by doing so
they are supporting farmers committed to maintaining the long-term health of
our environment.
The mission of the Organic Trade Association is to promote and protect the
growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and
the economy. OTA envisions organic products becoming a significant part of
everyday life, enhancing people's lives and the environment. As a membership-
based business association, the Organic Trade Association focuses on the
organic business community in North America. OTA's more than 1,600 members
include farmers, processors, importers, exporters, distributors, retailers,
certifiers, and more. For further information, visit OTA's web site at
http://www.ota.com.
For more information, contact: Holly Givens (413-774-7511, Ext. 18)
Friday, January 06, 2006
Entertainment's Future provied by Mercedes Benz
This is along the same lines as my entry from yesterday...the corporate world is providing for those who may not be able to provide for themselves which ensures that we all have a strong future in entertainment and other industries. Take a look!Special Edition GL-Class Sales to Benefit Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Arts and Music Education Initiative & New Performing Arts Scholarships
MONTVALE, N.J., Jan. 4 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) announced today that it has pledged $1.5 million to arts and music education through theMercedes-Benz DRIVE YOUR FUTURE Performance Awards; a new initiative which aims to inspire young people to reach for the stars and achieve their dreams by providing access to music and arts education programs as well as financial support in the form of scholarships. As part of this commitment, Mercedes-Benz USA has formed a new collaboration with the Entertainment Industry Foundation, the official charityof Hollywood. Together, by combining the power of the entertainment industry with corporate support, they hope to bring attention to the declining resources available for arts and music programs and reverse this trend.
Arts and Music Programs
A total of $1 million in sales proceeds of 750 Special Edition GL-Classvehicles, scheduled to debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2006, will be donated to the Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Arts and Music Education Initiative (NAMEI), which funds exemplary programs for kids nationwide. "By nurturing creativity, fostering a commitment to excellence and a commitment to driving the future, some of the best ideas are born," said Paul Halata, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. "Through the DRIVE YOUR FUTURE Performance Awards, we can offer even more students a chance to achieve their dreams by providing access to higher education - including music and theater. We are honored to work with the Entertainment Industry Foundation toward an important common goal: fostering a dynamic spirit and creative vision among young people." "Research shows that arts education engages students in learning, gives them a sense of identity and self-direction, and equips them with the skills and attitudes that are the keys to success," said Entertainment IndustryFoundation President and CEO Lisa Paulsen. "Thanks to the generosity ofMercedes-Benz, we are able to fund outstanding arts and music education organizations across the country as an investment in our children's futures."
Scholarships
An additional $500,000 will establish performing arts scholarships for graduating high school seniors who are the first generation in their families to attend college. MBUSA will grant $10,000 scholarships ($2,500 per year for four years) to 50 high school seniors across the country who plan to pursue adegree in performing arts (music, theater/drama, dance and film) and who are also the first generation in their families to attend college. These new scholarships are an extension of DRIVE YOUR FUTURE: The Mercedes-Benz USA Scholarship Program, which already commits $1 million in scholarships annually to first generation college-bound students who demonstrate financial need and exceptional achievement in the areas of academic performance, leadership and school and community activities. Students interested in the 2006 DRIVE YOUR FUTURE Performance Awards or the 2006 DRIVE YOUR FUTURE: The Mercedes-Benz USA Scholarship Program may visit http://www.mbusa.com/drivefuture to learn more. Application materialswill be available online beginning Jan. 4, 2006 and will be accepted throughthe Feb. 10, 2006 deadline. Scholarship recipients will be announced in May2006.
Mercedes-Benz DRIVE YOUR FUTURE
The Mercedes-Benz DRIVE YOUR FUTURE Performance Awards and DRIVE YOUR FUTURE: The Mercedes-Benz USA Scholarship Program are educational initiatives developed for MBUSA's philanthropic program which aims to educate and empower future generations by helping young people reach their full potential andbecome the leaders of their generation. Now in its third year, the DRIVE YOUR FUTURE scholarship program was created to respond to a critical need for scholarships to help students who are the first generation in their families to attend college and offset the costs of post secondary education.
Mercedes-Benz USA
In 2004, MBUSA achieved its eleventh consecutive year of sales growth by setting the highest sales volume in its history with 221,610 new vehicle sales and expects to continue the momentum with another record year of sales in 2005. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., MBUSA is responsible for the sales,marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States.More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet athttp://www.mbusa.com.
Entertainment Industry Foundation
As the philanthropic leader of the entertainment industry, the Entertainment Industry Foundation has distributed hundreds of millions ofdollars - and provided countless volunteer hours - to support charitable initiatives addressing some of the most critical issues facing society today.The Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Arts and Music Education Initiative (NAMEI) was launched with the support of the entire entertainment industry to help reverse the declining public resources available and furtherthe arts for children and young people. For more information, please visithttp://www.eifoundation.org.
For help in planning outreach efforts which includes fundraisers or help with any event, call Valorie Luther, White Linen Events, 203.254.4490 or email info@whitelinen-events.com
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Give and Get Back
Fundraisers are an important part of the party planning world. More importantly, it is wise to give back where and when you can whether you are planning an event or assessing your tax form, give from the heart and the return is endless. Check this out!Women Bring Big Money and Big Ideas to World of Philanthropy
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Nov. 7 -- Oprah Winfrey has given
$100 million to education to empower women and families. EBay's president
Meg Whitman has pledged $30-million to her alma mater, Princeton University.
Entertainer Rosie O'Donnell has awarded more than $20 million through her
foundation to help children.
But for every Oprah, Meg, or Rosie, there are thousands of other
"millionaire" women across the country like Kathleen Pavelka, part of the
first generation of women spending fortunes they've earned to expand
opportunity for others -- especially women and children. Pavelka's largest
pledge -- $100,000 -- went to the Women's Foundation of Genesee Valley, a
nonprofit that helps women gain the skills to support themselves and their
families. See http://www.womensfoundation.org.
"If successful women don't pick up the torch for women's self-sufficiency,
who will?" asks Pavelka, founder and president of Telecomp, a company that
helps nonprofits raise money.
If giving is good, leveraging your gift is better, Pavelka believes. She
inspires others to give by talking about her own decision process. "We all
worry sometimes about whether we will have enough money to take care of our
needs and still give to others. I talk about having 'me' to fall back on. As
I share my story, women believe in themselves a little more, and give a little
more."
Pavelka says she has learned a lot from women of inherited wealth like J.
Christine Wilson, daughter of Xerox founder Joseph Wilson, who has pledged
more than $750,000 to the Women's Foundation.
Wilson, in turn, says that women of earned wealth like Pavelka bring more
than money to the philanthropic table: "Women like Kathy know how to implement
a great idea -- to put the systems in place to make it actually happen," says
Wilson.
Pavelka's giving history dates back to college days, when she rallied
fellow students around the idea of creating a student center at Syracuse
University.
"Students made pledges payable upon achieving a certain salary level. For
me, that happened soon after graduation, and I started paying on my pledge.
Giving has always been part of my life -- even when I first started my company
and had no money."
For more information, see http://www.womensfoundation.org.
For more information about local giving or putting on a fundraiser, contact Valorie Luther at White Linen Events, www.whitelinen-events.com, 203.254.4490.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Pomegranate flavored Vodka is the latest
Looking for the latest drink around? Try this new one!New Super-Premium Pearl Persephone Vodka Fuels Pomegranate Trend and Satisfies Adult Consumers' Thirst for Exotic Flavors
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 12 -- As the pomegranate's popularitycontinues to soar, Pearl Vodka is introducing Pearl Persephone, the firstsuper-premium pomegranate-flavored vodka. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051212/NYFNSU05 ) Pearl Persephone Vodka combines the balance and smoothness ofaward-winning Pearl Vodka with the appealing flavor of the popularpomegranate. The resulting first-of-its-kind flavored vodka has a fresh bouquet and subtle sweetness that makes it a satisfying discovery for vodka connoisseurs. "Today's consumers are constantly searching for unique flavors," said Todd Nickodym, executive marketing manager for David Sherman Corporation. "Its delicious flavor caters to individual tastes and can be enjoyed chilled, mixed with juice or soda, or as an exotic addition to your favorite martini." Pearl's marriage of super-premium vodka and pomegranate, both red hot in their respective categories, is also being hailed by bartenders, Nickodym reports. Pearl Pomegranate-Flavored Vodka In 2005, pomegranate juice sales increased 800 percent over the previousyear, according to AC Nielsen. And vodka is the most popular liquor in the country, accounting for more than 25 percent of sales, according to AdamsBeverage Group. Super-premium vodka sales were up 17.5 percent between 2003and 2004, while spirits sales overall rose by 3.1 percent. "Creative bartenders are always looking to remain cutting edge and beresponsible for introducing customers to tastes they've never experiencedbefore. We're hearing that bartenders at high-end clubs and upscalerestaurants are discovering Pearl Persephone and embracing it because it isversatile and the only one of its kind," Nickodym said. Bottled at 70 proof, Pearl Persephone is available nationwide in foursizes: 50 mL, 750 mL, 1 LT and 1.75 LT. The super-premium vodka is pricedcompetitively within its category, at approximately $20 for the 750 mL. Pearl Vodkas are imported from Canada by David Sherman Corporation. The super-premium vodka is produced from the finest ingredients including softwinter wheat and crystal pure water from the Northern Canadian Rockies, and isexpertly hand-crafted in micro-batches to maintain the quality, taste andintegrity. Headquartered in St. Louis, David Sherman Corporation is a leading importer, bottler and marketer of quality wines and spirits. Its Pearl brandportfolio includes Original Pearl Vodka, Pearl Lo Coco and Pearl Persephone.
for more tips or total event planning, call White Linen Events, www.whitelinen-events.com and ask for Valorie Luther!
Entertaining Radio moves from phone to car to home Seamlessly
Check out this new radio technology that entertains us in the car, in the subway, at the office, at home or even in the woods! This is where entertainment becomes one with stream of thought! Check it out!Award-Winning Service Incorporates Portability, Acquisition and Discovery of Music, Debuts With 435 Commercial-Free Channels
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 3 -- Motorola, Inc.
revolutionizes radio with the public introduction of the award-winning
Motorola iRadio(R), a subscription music service that seamlessly moves from
home, to car stereo, to wireless headphones -- powered from the one device
you're never without: your mobile handset.
Motorola iRadio is initially launching with 435 commercial-free radio
channels, already one of the widest selections of subscription music
entertainment available. The service's unique delivery platform enables it to
bring content portability together with acquisition and discovery of music.
This creates a powerful new medium for artists and labels to directly connect
with fans, and for wireless service providers to deepen relationships with
subscribers.
"Motorola iRadio is truly a revolution in digital radio -- offering more
choice, higher audio quality than satellite radio, and features that allow
listeners to identify and purchase the music they like," said Mike Gaumond,
vice president and general manager, Motorola Digital Media Services. "Today,
we've taken a giant leap beyond traditional and Internet-delivered radio by
introducing a single service that incorporates incredible choice, the
discovery of new music, impulse acquisition, and seamless portability."
Seamless Portability
ONE DEVICE YOU ARE NEVER WITHOUT. 700 million mobile phones were sold
worldwide in 2005(1), making the mobile phone a ubiquitous hub to distribute
music, talk and other digital content. Motorola iRadio unifies content that
has historically been segmented across different devices and mediums, such as
traditional radio, MP3 players, Internet radio and car audio.
LISTEN WHEREVER YOU ARE. Using Bluetooth(R) wireless technology, a user's
customized choice of content moves automatically from the phone, through the
car stereo, across the home stereo system or on-the-go. When a call is
received on the phone, the music is automatically paused, resuming after the
call has been completed.
"Motorola iRadio lets us deliver top-rated talk content and custom music
channels to listeners wherever they are throughout their day," explains Jeff
Littlejohn, executive vice president at Clear Channel Radio. "Whether they're
underground in a subway tunnel or traveling outside their local radio market,
they can still take along their favorite Clear Channel Radio content. We
believe iRadio is an important addition to the choices now available to
consumers and the service has our unqualified support."
Motorola offers optional Bluetooth accessories to extend iRadio, including
stereo headphones for on-the-go use, an adapter for a home stereo, and a
wireless car kit compatible with virtually all car stereos from major
manufacturers such as Pioneer, Alpine, Sony and Kenwood.
"Motorola has really raised the bar for consumer choice and portability,"
said David Del Beccaro, president and CEO of Music Choice. "We're thrilled to
be a part of this radio revolution."
Bringing Together Music Discovery and Acquisition
UNPARALLELED CHOICE. Motorola iRadio's initial 435 commercial-free
channels cover genres and styles that break the mold of competing radio
services. Consumers can personalize their radio listening by choosing from a
comprehensive selection of musical styles, including:
-- Over 40 styles of Rock, from Grunge to Heavy Metal to Hair Bands to
Classic Rock
-- Twelve different Jazz stations, from the fusion sounds of Miles Davis
to the smooth stylings of Lee Ritenour and David Sanborn
-- Individual artist channels, such as 12 stations featuring the music of
Nashville's top Country stars
-- Genre channels for every decade since the 1900's
-- Specialty channels spotlighting specific themes such as 1 Hit Wonders,
Rockin' Cowboys, Just Broke Up, and Angry Women
EXPANDING SELECTION. Unlike other radio services, iRadio's proprietary
technology frees it from bandwidth limitations. This means the service can
offer a nearly unlimited selection of channels, and new ones can be added
without removing older ones. Motorola currently has a number of new channels
in development to expand iRadio the service offering even further.
GET HEARD. The Motorola iRadio platform also allows independent artists,
radio personalities and talk show hosts to create their own iRadio channels.
The Motorola iRadio Get Heard Network provides a digitally protected
distribution channel for music and spoken word artists to expand their
audiences and to be discovered by new listeners.
New Options for Monetizing Content
DIRECT CONNECTION BETWEEN ARTISTS AND FANS. Motorola iRadio establishes a
more personal connection between artists and fans. Listeners can go far
beyond the Top 40 to discover new genres and artists. Labels now have a new,
low-cost forum for introducing music or reviving long forgotten songs from the
back catalog.
Legendary multi-platinum musician Graham Nash, who will contribute music
and interview material to an upcoming Crosby, Stills, and Nash channel, noted
that, "Motorola iRadio is a fantastic new way for us to reach our fans with
our music. We can improvise, and experiment, and let the people decide what
they like to listen to."
Another exclusive independent artist channel is produced by Academy Award-
winning writer, actor, director, and musician, Billy Bob Thornton. "Motorola
iRadio is the best thing to happen for variety in music since Jimmy Hendrix
opened for the Monkees," said Thornton. "This is radio like it used to be,
like it's supposed to be."
NAME THAT TUNE. Listeners can bookmark an individual song by simply
pressing a button on their phone or car stereo, making it easy to recall the
name of a long-forgotten favorite or to discover a new artist. Artist, album
and song information along with offers to purchase downloads, CDs or even
concert tickets will appear on the iRadio "Wish List" viewed on the computer.
SECURE PLAYBACK. Motorola iRadio's proprietary rights management
technology offers content owners and artists an advantage. Using the single-
play model of radio, labels can introduce consumers to new content and be
protected from piracy and unauthorized file-sharing.
Completing the Wireless Carrier Music Offering
ACQUISITION AT THE POINT OF DISCOVERY. Motorola iRadio completes the music
service ecosystem for the wireless carrier, by placing the element of
discovery right on the mobile device. Carriers can now introduce subscribers
to new music played from the handset, and drive them to their wireless music
store for over-the-air acquisition of the tune they just heard. For example,
listeners can hear a song on their car stereo, and simply press a key to
purchase and download the track over-the-air.
INCREASED REVENUE AND CUSTOMER RETENTION. Wireless carriers can extend
their relationship with the customer beyond the handset, by offering a branded
music service that's accessible from the mobile phone and the car stereo. This
seamless service offers the opportunity to increase customer loyalty and
monthly subscription revenue.
TURNKEY. Motorola iRadio has aggregated hundreds of channels of content
through agreements with major labels and other producers, and continues to
develop compelling new content. Carriers can differentiate and customize
iRadio's vast selection to enhance their existing music offerings.
EASY TO DEPLOY. Motorola iRadio can be deployed to subscribers through a
simple software application that can be downloaded to a handset over-the-air.
NETWORK EFFICIENT. Motorola iRadio combines over-the-air delivery with a
sophisticated caching system that reduces the cost of delivery for wireless
carriers.
Award-Winning Variety, Innovation and User Experience
The Motorola iRadio(R) Service was recently honored as the "Best Radio
Service" at the 2005 Digital Entertainment and Media Excellence Awards,
recognized by a panel of judges from across the entertainment and digital
media industries as the "the best radio service (digital, Internet, satellite
or other format) with respect to variety, innovation and user experience."
Other finalists in this category included XM(R) Satellite Radio, America
Online's AOL(R) Radio Network, and Yahoo! LAUNCHcast Music Radio Service.
The award ceremony was part of the two-day Digital Entertainment and Media
Expo (DEMXPO), co-sponsored by Billboard(R) Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter,
AdWeek, Nielsen Entertainment and Digital Media Wire.
Availability
Consumers can subscribe to the Motorola iRadio Service by simply tapping
an icon on an iRadio-enabled mobile phone, available through wireless service
providers later this year. Individuals interested in previewing the Motorola
iRadio service now may contact iradio@motorola.com.
System requirements include:
-- iRadio-enabled mobile phone
-- High-Speed Internet connection (cable modem or DSL) (2)
-- PC running Windows XP
-- USB port on the PC
For more information, visit http://www.motorola.com/iradio .
About Motorola
Motorola is a Fortune 100 global communications leader that provides
seamless mobility products and solutions across broadband, embedded systems
and wireless networks. In your home, auto, workplace and all spaces in
between, seamless mobility means you can reach the people, things and
information you need, anywhere, anytime. Seamless mobility harnesses the
power of technology convergence and enables smarter, faster, cost-effective
and flexible communication. Motorola had sales of US $31.3 billion in 2004.
For more information: http://www.motorola.com.
For more unique ideas on entertaining and party planning contact White Linen Events!
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
India, music, coffee equals entertainment and money to be made!
Hello all,Here is something new that I am doing. Outside of my own experieneces in event planning (Valorie Luther, White Linen Events, www.whitelinen-events.com), I am going to bring you interesting updates in the world of food, music and entertainment. Below is an interesting release that just came out today involving India, coffee, and music. Take a look:
Country's Largest Coffee Chain to Play Satellite Radio in its Stores
SILVER SPRING, Md., Jan. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WorldSpace(R)Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: WRSP), one of the world leaders in satellite-baseddigital radio services, today announced that its India subsidiary has formedan alliance with Cafe Coffee Day, India's largest coffee chain. Through thisnew relationship, WorldSpace's wide variety of satellite radio content will beplayed throughout the day for patrons at approximately 100 Cafe Coffee Dayshops across India. The WorldSpace/Cafe Coffee Day alliance gives coffee lovers across India an opportunity to listen to different genres of music offered on theWorldSpace Satellite Radio Network while enjoying the cafe atmosphere. More than 40 stations will be available in participating cafes -- from Spin, an international Pop & Rock station; UpCountry, the country music station; toJhankaar and Farishta, 24-hour Hindi music stations, which have become very popular in the Indian market. "WorldSpace's relationship with Cafe Coffee Day is intended to reach music lovers in India and create an appreciation of the unique value that WorldSpace offers its subscribers," said Andy Ras-Work, WorldSpace COO. "Our diverse range of content in combination with Cafe Coffee Day's relaxing atmosphere, is sure to please India's coffee lovers and music lovers alike." In addition to showcasing more than 40 radio channels of premium music andentertainment, Cafe Coffee Day will also host exclusive consumer entertainment and promotional activities at the outlets organized by WorldSpace. The year-long alliance includes the installation of WorldSpace satellite radio receivers in 100 Cafe Coffee Day outlets across India. In the firstphase, Cafe Coffee Day outlets in Cochin, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad will be outfitted with equipment.
About WorldSpace, Inc.
WorldSpace(R) (Nasdaq: WRSP) is the world's only global media and entertainment company positioned to offer a satellite radio experience to consumers in more than 130 countries with five billion people, driving 300million cars. WorldSpace delivers the latest tunes, trends and informationfrom around the world and around the corner. WorldSpace subscribers benefit from a unique combination of local programming, original WorldSpace content and content from leading brands around the globe including the BBC, CNN,Virgin Radio UK, NDTV and RFI. WorldSpace's satellites cover two-thirds ofthe globe with six beams. Each beam is capable of delivering up to 80 channelsof high quality digital audio and multimedia programming directly toWorldSpace Satellite Radios anytime and virtually anywhere in its coveragearea. WorldSpace is a pioneer of satellite-based digital radio services(DARS) and was instrumental in the development of the technologyinfrastructure used today by XM Satellite Radio. For more information, pleasevisit http://www.worldspace.com .
About Cafe Coffee Day
Cafe Coffee Day is India's largest and most popular cafe chain with 252 cafes in 60 cities and growing. Cafe Coffee Day serves the coffee it grows on its 5,000 acres of coffee estates and is India's only vertically integrated coffee company. Cafe Coffee Day's menu ranges from hot and cold coffees toseveral exotic international coffees, food items, desserts and pastries. Inaddition, exciting merchandise all of which are affordably priced. Music is an intrinsic part of the ambience at Cafe Coffee Day, while 100 of the 252 cafes will now tune into WorldSpace, the rest either have digital jukeboxes or play recorded music at all times.
Starbucks watch out!
For more information about events or entertaining, call Valorie Luther, 203.254.4490 or go to the site, www.whitelinen-events.com
Have a great day!
