When someone finds out that you work in entertainment, particularly booking celebrities for corporate events, one of the first questions they ask is usually “How much is [Insert Big Name Comedian/Singer]?” (Which is often followed by a sheepish refusal to hand out figures without a firm date for the event or a venue.) It seems we’re still fascinated by celebrities in day to day life, but maybe not in our corporate events…
The Event Industry’s version of the X-Factor has reached its inevitable, thrilling and some would say heartbreaking conclusion at this year’s International Confex held at ExCel London, with Singer-Songwriter-Harpist-Guitarist, Iona Thomas coming out on top despite strong performances from Contemporary Dancer Simone, Singer Guitarist Adam Duffield and Basketball-Juggling sports act Andrew Wilding. In our last blog, I mentioned how surprised I was that original material featured so prominently in The Next Big Thing, but another pleasant surprise was the way the audience and panel rejected many ‘safe’ options.
Last week, the o2′s Alphabet City bar played host to the third heat of The Next Big Thing competition – a competition for which A Certain Entertainment Agency Director who occasionally blogs on Event Magazine was a judge. As usual, is was a pleasure to join the rest of the panel in judging some of the best new acts for the events industry, we all saw some great new performers and hopefully gave some good advice even when we weren’t being entirely positive (I still fully expect to be clubbed over the back of the head by the Bee Shes in a dark alley any day now)
The event industry is never one to shy away from a theme, but romance seems like a strange one to be tackling in a corporate environment.
Awful windy lately, eh? Awful windy. Here at Sternberg Clarke, we’ve actually been blocked into the office by a wind-swept piece of corrugated iron that now obstructs the exit to the building. Thankfully, we’ve got such a warm and friendly working environment that no one has any desire to leave. Ever.
Entertainment Agencies are like people, with all the same worries and doubts that that involves. As one year draws to a close, an entertainment agency might start thinking “This year was good, But how can I make next year better?” The entertainment agency might start making outlandish claims of going for a run at 6 every morning or switching to a diet of nothing but raw vegetables for the next 12 months but eventually, the entertainment agency will settle on a few key areas in which realistic improvements can be made and declare them New Years Resolutions to take effect on the first day of the year – or in the case of Sternberg Clarke – the 3rd of December, don’t try and call before then… no one in.
Last week we found out that the Olympic torch will be passing through the set of Eastenders on its way to the opening ceremony in a semi live episode of the show. Quite a coup for Eastenders and quite a snub for a number of real places (Wandsworth!) where the torch won’t be making an appearance. But if the torch is going to pass by the Queen Vic, Craig’s Laundromat and Arthur’s Eel Palace (OK, so I don’t watch it) why stop there? Why not let the torch pass through a few other great British TV shows to show that London isn’t all screaming, crying and “leavin’ it aat”… Read more »
I feel like I’ve written about X-Factor on here a few times, but that’s mostly because it always seems to throw up some interesting issues that relate to Corporate Event Entertainment. This week was no different with wannabe Rock Star Frankie Cocozza getting himself into hot water for swearing and glamorising alcohol consumption during his bleary-eyed performance on Saturday Night. Read more »
At Sternberg Clarke, we’ve rather arrogantly declared that October is Comedy Month and we’ve been celebrating comedy by giving away tickets, reviewing shows and generally talking about what we find funny. It’s all part of the launch of The Next Big Thing Competition that we’re holding with Event Magazine, and an attempt to generate more interest in comedy in the event industry. Hopefully we’ll attract a few aspiring new comics along the way too. Read more »
Our good friends at Merlin entertainment (at least, I hope we’re friends) caused a stir last week by announcing a new Tesco Style ‘Price Matching’ initiative for hire of their venues – venues that include Madame Tussaud’s, The London Dungeons, the Sea Life London Aquarium and the Silver Barracuda among others. Initially the move drew criticism from some quarters but as the week went by, more and more people have come out in support of the scheme in the belief that it will make the industry more competitive and transparent when it comes to pricing. Read more »
Haymarket © 1957 – 2012
