Kirvin Doak Communications was winner of the Best Communications Campaign at the Tenth Annual AGA Communications Awards on November 17th for its part in assisting MGM Resorts International with the grand opening of CityCenter. The Gaming Voice awards, which recognize outstanding corporate communications, public relations and advertising in the gaming industry, were presented at a ceremony held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in conjunction with Global Gaming Expo (G2E). This is the second time in four years that the agency was distinguished with the highest honor in the gaming industry. Highlights for the six month campaign that began in August 2009 and ended in February 2010 include:
* More than 1 billion global impressions
* 3,464 feature articles and TV airings
* Feature placements in 90 of our top-100 target media outlets, including 12 feature placements in our #1 target – the Los Angeles Times
Natalie Mounier, Account Director, was team lead for the launch of CityCenter and continues to lead public relations outreach for the development which has won dozens of architectural, design and green awards. This month, CityCenter’s Aria Resort & Casino and Mandarin Oriental were awarded AAA Five Diamond designation in their first year.
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Tags: Aria Resort & Casino, CityCenter Las Vegas, Kirvin Doak Communications, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas Public Relations, Mandarin Oriental, MGM Resorts International, Natalie Mounier
Members of United Ways Women's Leadership Council and volunteers from The Links
What could have been mistaken as the hour-long lunch line at your favorite McDonald’s was the influx of cars pouring into United Way’s parking lot to support the Women’s Leadership Council’s annual suit drive. Bags upon bags filled with gently-used, women’s professional clothing and accessories spilled out from the cars. Along with the clothes came stories of encouragement, optimism and inspiration.
A 45-year-old woman spoke of her mother who recently passed away three months prior and the pain of not knowing what to do with her overfilled closets. Stuffed with classic garments channeling Grace Kelly’s demur style, the daughter was heartbroken at the thought of sorting through her belongings, to only have them tossed on a shelf at some dimly lit consignment store. The suit drive was an answer to her prayers. Her mother had always been a supporter of United Way and believed in the lasting change the organization advocates for in the community. Filled with encouragement and the spirit of her mother, the woman tackled the closets to help fill several empty hangers on the racks.
As the day wore on and the stories and apparel came in, the air became drenched with compassion and hope, spread by those behind the clothing-filled bags. It soon became hard to keep the warm tears from staining the cheeks of the donors and volunteers.
Rhonda Clausen, co-chair of United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council credits the inspirational stories she hears as motivation and often finds herself wanting to add just one more suit to an empty hanger. “Each suit represents the chance for a new start in a woman’s life,” she said.
Lexy Capp - United Ways Womens Leadership Council Volunteerism Co-Chair
Her first suit drive, Clausen recalls her most heartfelt moment when a young man in his late 20s arrived with a trunk full of women’s business suits, many with the tags still attached. Meeting his tear-filled glance, she asked where all these suits were coming from. He said they belonged to his wife who was killed by a drunk driver. Over the last year, he had been unable to muster the courage to go through her items. When he heard about the Women’s Leadership Council’s suit drive benefiting local women’s shelters, he felt inspired to take action. Like himself, his wife was a police officer who worked with victims of domestic abuse. Safe Nest, one of the shelters receiving suits from the drive, was dear to her heart. The young man felt the best way to honor his wife’s memory was to give her personal items to other women who needed a fresh start.
United Way of Southern Nevada’s Women’s Leadership Council collected 4,027 gently-used suits and professional attire at its annual suit drive. All items collected were distributed to local area shelters including Safe Nest, S.A.F.E. House, The Shade Tree and Goodwill of Southern Nevada to assist women.
- Jenny Burke
Tags: Annual Suit Drive, Goodwill of Southern Nevada, Jenny Burke, Las Vegas, local women's shelters, S.A.F.E. House, Safe Nest, The Shade Tree, United Way of Southern Nevada, Women's Leadership Council, Womens Business Suits
Last weekend, Las Vegas was invaded by celebrity chefs and notables from Bravo’s Top Chef for the first annual Food & Wine All-Star Weekend at ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa and Bellagio. Here are just a few of the highlights:
FIRST COURSE
The weekend kicked-off at Bar Vdara with a star-studded event and phenomenal cuisine, prepared by Chef Martin Heireling of Silk Road at Vdara Hotel & Spa and Sensi at Bellagio.
In the house were Gail Simmons, host of Bravo’s Top Chef: Just Desserts, Anthony Giglio of Food & Wine magazine and Vinny Dotolo, named one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs of 2009. In addition, Top Chef Masters and Mandalay Bay chefs Hubert Keller and Rick Moonen reunited with Top Chef friends Stephen Hopcraft (SEABLUE by Michael Mina at MGM Grand), Fabio Viviani, Carla Hall, Jennifer Carroll and Hosea Rosenberg. MGM Resorts’ renowned chefs Masa Takayama, Shawn McClain, Julian Serrano, Jean-Philippe Maury, Brian Massie, Vincenzo Scarmiglia, Robert Moore and Claude Escamilla joined in the festivities.
Chef Heierling prepared lamb “Naan-wiches” on Bar Vdara’s patio, in addition to roaming appetizers such as Sweet Potato Fries and Foie Gras Brûlée. Cucumber Martinis were a hit, while other guests were partial to the well-stocked champagne bar as they chilled to the sounds of DJ88.
DEUCE AFTER DARK
The after-party featured Gail Simmons and many of the celebrity chefs each hosting their own blackjack tables at ARIA’s Deuce Lounge.
LUXE LUNCH
Kicking-off Saturday’s events, guests enjoyed a three-course lunch, prepared before them at Bellagio’s Tuscany Kitchen by Bellagio chefs Marc St. Jacques of MICHAEL MINA and Pastry Chef Philippe Angibeau of Le Cirque, as well as Top Chef fan favorite Fabio Viviani. The lunch was hosted by Gail Simmons and Bellagio Director of Wine, Jason Smith, M.S. who paired each course with a complementary wine.
COCKTAIL SEMINAR
Anthony Giglio, FOOD & WINE Contributing Editor, hosted a cocktail seminar at ARIA’s Café Vettro, which featured Chef Julian Serrano’s award-winning cuisine, as well as a surprise appearance by the chef himself.
ALL-STAR TASTING
Featuring cuisine from ARIA restaurants Sage, AMERICAN FISH, Bar Masa, Jean Georges Steakhouse, Julian Serrano, Sirio Ristorante, UNION, Jean Philippe Pâtisserie, and signature dishes from all of the Bravo Top Chefs, the main event was one not to be missed. Set around the gorgeous pool at ARIA Resort & Casino, each chef had a tasting booth and the wine was flowing.
Each of the ARIA chefs’ booth was a spectacular mini representation of their restaurant. Always imaginative, Jean-Philippe Pâtisserie booth featured rotating oversized chocolate flowers and even a sculpture made of sugar with a real goldfish swimming in a bowl at the center.
While all of the food was delicious, some of our favorites included Julian Serrano’s Traditional Spanish Chicken Croquetas, Veal Gnocchi from Sirio Ristorante and Toro from Bar Masa. Desserts from Jean Philippe Pâtisserie included Cream Filled Beignet with Greek Yogurt Panna Cotta and Farmers Market Strawberry and Intense Dark Chocolate Cream with Coffee Emulsion and Dark Chocolate Pearl. Sage served up delicious Dungeness Crab with Cauliflower Panna Cotta, Taylor Gold Pears and Orange Chilli Pearls. Giveaways included personalized muddlers from Patron and gift bags full of ARIA swag.
CHAMPAGNE & CAVIAR BRUNCH
The weekend wrapped up with an exquisite brunch set to the backdrop of the famous Bellagio fountains. Anthony Giglio and Fabio Viviani hosted the event, which included a Specialty Bloody Mary Bar and Fabio’s gourmet version of an egg sandwich.
While we are still a little full, we can’t wait to see what the chefs have in store next year!
- Rachel Feinberg
Tags: ARIA, Bellagio, Bellagio Fountains, Celebrity Chefs, Cuisine, Food & Wine All-Star Weekend, Las Vegas, Rachel Feinberg, Silk Road, Top Chef, Vdara Hotel & Spa
Having the opportunity to work on the world’s number-one musical is a rewarding experience in its own right. Disney’s THE LION KING is one of the most successful and longest-running shows of all time. But it isn’t just the actors, the music, the story or the costumes that make THE LION KING so special. It’s the sense of community the production shows with special activities throughout the year.
Derrick Williams
Recently, 40 young performers from Broadway in the Hood had a meet-and-greet with Derrick Williams, who plays “Mufasa,” before watching a performance of THE LION KING at Mandalay Bay Theatre. Broadway in the Hood was founded to introduce theater to children and teens of all socio-economic backgrounds through free lessons in performing arts. The group also performs incredible productions in the community.
Sitting in Mandalay Bay Theatre, the Broadway in the Hood troupe anxiously awaited Williams’ arrival, thrilled to meet a cast member from THE LION KING. For many of the children in the group, THE LION KING also would be their first experience seeing a professional production.
Williams shared his experience of growing up in theater and being a part of a troupe similar to Broadway in the Hood. “We couldn’t afford dance classes,” said Williams, “so I learned by watching.” Reflecting on his past, Williams said he feels “so blessed and happy to have the role of a lifetime and to be able to share THE LION KING story with people every night.”
Broadway in the Hood Group Photo
Hands shot into the air when Williams asked if the group had questions for him. The children asked if he still gets nervous before auditions. Williams told the troupe that auditioning is still to this day the worst feeling ever; however, he gave them this advice: “Be confident in what you’re doing. That’s the main thing.”
After taking several pictures with his new Broadway in the Hood fans and friends, Williams made his way to his dressing room to begin his transformation into Mufasa. The children took their seats in the Mandalay Bay Theatre, excited for the curtain to rise and to see Williams’ talented performance as king of the jungle and inspired about what their futures may hold.
THE LION KING’s been seen by more than 50 million people in 13 countries and in five different languages. But despite the worldwide phenomenon that it’s become, it’s actions like this – talking and listening to a group of 40 inquisitive children – that has the potential for the greatest impact.
- Maggie Holmes
Tags: Broadway in the Hood, Las Vegas, Longest-running show, Maggie Holmes, Mandalay Bay, Mandalay Bay Theatre, The Lion King
The inaugural FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend , hosted by FOOD & WINE’s Gail Simmons and an array of culinary all-stars, will take place in Las Vegas at luxury resorts
Bellagio, ARIA, and Vdara November 5 -7. For the detailed event schedule, ticketing and more information about the FOOD & WINE All-Star Weekend visit www.foodandwine.com/vegas.
The celebrity chef-filled weekend will include events featuring Bravo’s Top Chef cheftestants Fabio Viviani , Carla Hall , Jennifer Carroll , Hosea Rosenberg and Stephen Hopcraft , Top Chef Masters Rick Moonen and Hubert Keller and FOOD & WINE Best New Chef Vinny Dotolo . These unparalleled culinary experiences will include:
Friday, November 5
8 – 10 p.m. – First Course: Kick-off party hosted by Gail Simmons, Anthony Giglio and Fabio Viviani at Bar Vdara , featuring a star-studded lineup of celebrity chefs and Top Chef Alumni and music from DJ Bree Cohen aka DJ88.
10 p.m. – midnight – Deuce After Dark: After-party featuring Gail Simmons chefs Shawn McClain, Julian Serrano, Rick Moonen, Jean-Philippe Maury, Fabio Viviani, Carla
Chef Rick Moonen
Hall, Jennifer Carroll, Hosea Rosenberg, Vinny Dotolo and Stephen Hopcraft each hosting their own blackjack tables at ARIA’s Deuce Lounge .
Saturday, November 6
Noon – 2 p.m. – Luxe Lunch: Guests will enjoy a three-course lunch, prepared before them by Bellagio chefs Marc St. Jacques of MICHAEL MINA and Pastry Chef Philippe Angibeau of Le Cirque as well as Top Chef fan favorite Fabio Viviani. Hosted at Bellagio’s Tuscany Kitchen by Gail Simmons and Bellagio Director of Wine, Jason Smith , M.S. who will pair each course with a complementary wine.
Chef Julian Serrano
8 – 10 p.m. – All-Star Tasting poolside at ARIA featuring Bravo’s Top Cheftestants and showcasing the signature restaurants of ARIA: Jean Georges
Chef Shawn McClain
Steakhouse , AMERICAN FISH , Sirio Ristorante , Julian Serrano , Bar Masa and Sage. Many of ARIA’s award-winning chefs and restaurateurs will be in attendance including Masa Takayama, Shawn McClain , Jean-Philippe Maury and Sirio Maccioni . Featuring music by DJ 88.
Sunday, November 7
11:30 a.m. – Champagne & Caviar Brunch: The weekend will come to a close with a lavish brunch set against the backdrop of the breathtaking Fountains of Bellagio, featuring guest host Anthony Giglio, who will present a specialty Bloody Mary Bar and Fabio Viviani who will put a modern spin on the classic egg sandwich.
Sponsors and partners for the festival include Alexia, Fiji, Kerrygold, Nicolas Feuillatte, Patron and Stella Artois.
Tags: American Fish, ARIA, Award Winning Chefs, Bar Masa, Bar Vdara, Bellagio, Celebrity Chef, Deuce Lounge, Food and Wine, Jean Georges Steakhouse, Jean-Pilippe Maury, Julian Serrano, Las Vegas, Le Cirque, Masa Takayama, Michael Mina, Rachel Feinberg, Sage, Shawn McClain, Signature Restaurants, Sirio Maccioni, Sirio Ristorante, Top Chef, Top Chef Cheftestants, Vdara
Several of Kirvin Doak Communications’ nightlife clients hosted famous faces and crazy costumes for Halloween 2010. Fright night in photos here or click on preview image below.
Tags: 9Group, Celebrity Costumes, Celebrity Halloween Sightings, Halloween Parties, Kirvin Doak Communications, Las Vegas, LAX Nightclub, Moon Nightclub, Nightlife, PURE Nightclub, Rain Nightclub, Studio 54