‘Young Film Composers Competition’ Turner Classic Movies – USA, Canada, Spain, France, UK 2003 ~ 2007

Objective
TCM created this competition in 2000 because there were hundreds of silent films in their library that were not being shown because they had no score. Silent films were originally shown in theaters with live musical accompaniment. It was also an opportunity to give young composers an opportunity to score a film to be aired on TCM, win cash and prizes and be mentored by top composers in this industry…as well as film preservation.

Tactic
Reach a niche but important industry in Hollywood film and television to find young up-and-coming composers using:
On-Air – Ran daily call-to-action spots and interstitials on TCM announcing the competition and direct viewers to TCM.com.
Print – Composer, Musician and Industry magazines; TCM Now Playing Guide.
Direct Mail – Sent CD’s and printed materials to appropriate university professors in 5 countries.
On-Line – via TCM/YFCC Microsite; Web-based competition; Online Newsletters (TCM and Sponsors).

Elements
YFCC Microsite:
Rules and Regulations
Contest FAQ
Prize descriptions
Choice of silent clips for composers to download, then create an original score and upload back to the microsite
Previous Winners and their scores
Sponsor logos and links

Events
Award Ceremony in LA (500 guests).
Composer Expo in LA – Full day of seminars with top rated composers on panels (400 attendees).
4 rounds of judging with top rated composers
Premiere screening in LA for Winner, press, judges, sponsors and all involved in scoring process.
On-Air:
Premiere film, with new score, on TCM with behind the scenes documentary and introduction from Robert Osborn (TCM On-Air host).

Results
Impressions: Over 67 million yearly impressions via On-Air, Print and On-Line
Cash prize raised from $5,000 in 2000 to $15,000 in 2007.
Renowned composer Elmer Bernstein signed as first Judging Chair and Mentor in 2002; Hans Zimmer signed from 2004 ~ 2007.
200 entries were received in 2000; 850 entries received in 2007
CBS Sunday Morning News followed (and filmed) the competition in 2005 and aired a 20 minute segment story .
Apple signed as official prize sponsor in 2006 and 2007.
Photos from the 2007 Award Ceremony aired on the PR Newswire LCD electronic billboard in Times Square.
Various sponsors include AOL, Apple, Guitar Center, Film Music Media Group, Todd-AO Studios, Napster, Universal Audio, JBL, Digi Design, Neumann USA and Tascam.
TCM opened the competition to Canada and the U.K. in 2006; France and Spain in 2007.

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‘Planet in Peril’ CNN Screening – The Tabernacle, Atlanta October 2007

Marketing Objective
CNN Marketing hired Piedmont Events in fall 2007 to produce and manage a screening in Atlanta for their first documentary in high definition, “Planet in Peril. CNN takes viewers around the world in a two-part, four-hour documentary that examines our changing planet. This worldwide investigation, shot in high definition, looks at four key issues: climate change, vanishing habitats, disappearing species and human population growth. 

To tell this story, Anderson Cooper, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Animal Planet’s Jeff Corwin traveled to some of the most remote and remarkable places on Earth. From exposing illegal wildlife trading undercover in Southeast Asia to seeing first–hand the devastating effects of deforestation in Brazil, they have gathered evidence on the unsettling changes taking place all around us. 

The screening was created to bring awareness and promote the premiere of the documentary and showcase the first CNN documentary in high definition. 


Marketing Tactic

The screening, an invitation only event, took place at a very well known music venue in Atlanta, The Tabernacle, in October 2007. Piedmont Events, converted the large music venue into a screening theatre by bringing in a large screen placed on the stage, with seating and a reception area. A high-end projector was used in conjunction with a blue-ray playback unit.

Event Elements
Amazing designed entrance with hosts to direct guests to various areas
Gift bags for all guests
Full catering and reception for 500 guests
20’ x 20’ screen with high-definition equipment and documentary
Dramatic draping in screening room to soften the ‘music venue’
Prizes for guests
“Planet in Peril” posters inside/outside venue
CNN President introduced film
CNN gobos used to project logo around the venue

Event Results
Documentary was well received and the quality of the high-definition with blue-ray technology was visually astonishing and exceeded client expectation. Goal of promoting awareness of the documentary and showcasing CNN’s new technology was successful.

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‘Black in America’ CNN Screening – Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta June 2008

Objective
CNN Marketing hired Piedmont Events in Spring 2008 to produce and manage a reception and screening in Atlanta for their upcoming documentary “Black in America”. CNN correspondent Soledad O’Brien reported for CNN Presents: Black in America, a sweeping CNN on-air and digital initiative breaking new ground in revealing the current state of Black America 40 years after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The landmark programming features six hours of documentaries and weekly reports with a focus on fresh analysis from new voices about the real lives behind the stereotypes, statistics and identity politics that frequently frame the national dialogue about Black America. The screening was created to bring awareness and promote the premiere of the documentary and showcase the CNN documentary in high definition. CNN also partnered with the High Museum of Art for the event to showcase their new photo exhibits ‘History Remixed: Road to Freedom and After 1968’.

Marketing Tactic
The screening, an invitation only event, took place at the Woodruff Arts Center and High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Piedmont Events, converted the large Alliance Hall Theatre in a high definition screening venue. A high-end projector was used in conjunction with a blue-ray playback unit. A pre and post reception was set-up in the Woodruff Arts center main lobby, the outside Piazza and various areas at the High Museum.

Event Elements
Amazing designed entrance lobby with hosts to direct guests to various areas
Full catering and reception for 1,000 guests (pre and post screening)
20’ x 20’ screen with high-definition equipment and documentary
“Black in America” posters and banners inside the venue
CNN President introduced film and Soledad O’Brien held a post screening discussion with Q & A
CNN gobos used to project logo around the venue
A ‘Black in America’ slide show showcased the documentary on two large white boards in the lobby walls
A 25 member drumline band played after the screening
Hired a 4 member jazz band to play pre and post screening

Event Results
Over 1,000 guests attended and the documentary was well received and the quality of the high-definition with blue-ray technology was visually astonishing and exceeded client expectation. The discussion and Q & A will Soledad was amazing and the goal of promoting awareness of the documentary and the exhibit at the High Museum was achieved. The band was amazing and played for 4 hours.

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