Miami New Times Out to Brunch 2017

Soho Studios is hosting New Times’ Out to Brunch on Saturday, May 20, transforming mundane brunch specials into a big-time Miami feast. The squad is here, and we’re ready to host one of this year’s most memorable Miami events.

If you're a brunch lover, get your squad together for New Times' Out to Brunch. Saturday, May 20, Soho Studios will transform into the biggest brunch party Miami has ever seen. There’ll be food. There’ll be drinks. There’ll be a carefree environment packed with the area’s tastiest providers.

South Florida’s Finest

Taking place between noon and 3 p.m., Out to Brunch will feature some of South Florida’s finest dishes—each delivered from local hotspots and small shops. Gables Delight, Amour de Miami, Agave Taco Bar, the Brick, White Star Café, Dunkin’ Donuts, South Beach Lean and Sushi Sake will be present, powering a scrumptious lineup.

All ticket proceeds go towards Special Olympics Florida, giving customers full hearts alongside full bellies. All tickets for patrons over age 21 cost $40 through April 2. April 3 through May 19 tickets, meanwhile, are $60. Admission prices include unlimited booze samplings, brunch and event activities. Here at Soho Studios, we understand the importance of refreshments. Patrons can enjoy mimosas, a bloody mary bar and crowd-favorite cocktails.

Unlimited Brunch Bites and Sips

Out to Brunch wouldn’t be much if servings were limited. Eventgoers can expect unlimited sips and brunch bites, straight from Florida’s leading hot spots. Soho Studios wants to give back to its community, and South Florida restaurants deserve some love. It’s more than a boozy Miami brunch. It’s a way of life, and we’re here to celebrate it. By providing limitless samples, Soho Studio guarantees equal representation for all participating locations.

Participating brunch cocktails, meanwhile, are still under wraps. They’re coming soon, though, and they’ll arrive to delight Out to Brunch patrons every step of the way.

Hit it Up Online

New Times Out to Brunch is accessible online. Around the web, the event’s featured restaurants will have media coverage. If you’re into the idea, check out the event’s newsletter. Or, connect via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. This isn’t our first rodeo, and we’re excited to amp up the event’s attention with high-end coverage. Use the hashtag #OTBMIA to link your experiences, and hit up out location for more information. New Times Out to Brunch presale tickets are available now, and proceeds—again—go straight to Special Olympics Florida alongside Camillus House & Health.

Contact us or visit https://www.newtimesouttobrunch.com for more information. 

How to Draw a Crowd to Your Live Stream

Live streams are invaluable marketing tools, but they’re constantly evolving. If you’re struggling to gain viewers, broadcast effectively and garner audiences, check out our tips below. Today, an impactful livestream utilizes relevancy, excitement and adaptability to succeed. If you want to boost your viewership, take charge with your creativity.

Tip One: Make a Scene, and Stick to It

While adaptability is important, you should still stick to a general voice. Consistency is key in growing a fan base, and it’s vital to your stream’s success. Be on time, and make sure you have at least 15 minutes set aside for early and late viewers. Your live steam’s predictability, overall, will determine its success.

Tip Two: Get High-Quality Equipment

Poor quality video deters viewers. You won’t sustain a long-term fan base unless you’ve directed your dollars into high-quality equipment. High-quality equipment circumnavigates server congestion, prevents viewing issues and assures good content delivery.

Tip Three: Make the Steam Easy to Find

Don’t try to control your audience’s viewing habits. Make your platform accessible—and make it adaptable. Hook it into Facebook and Twitch, and make sure viewers at all locations can sit down at a moment’s notice. As for location: Make sure it’s flexible. Few things kill a live stream like a rigid, inoperable filming location.

Tip Four: Shareability is King

Invest in engagement tools. If you’re like Toy Group—who’s shareable on Facebook, Twitter and everywhere else—you’ll make a difference. Instead of having thousands of shareable photos, you should align them with your video strategy. Shareable content is well-curated, beautiful and easily digested. Even if your content is text-based, it should be enticing for readers. In the social networking world, power is derived from enticement.

Tip Five: Prioritize Mobile Accessibility

In 2017, mobile access governs digital marketing strategies—and for good reason. If a media campaign is mobile-accessible, it’ll succeed. Don’t segment your audience by restricting mobile access. Instead, make sure mobile access is more than an option. Make it a primary avenue. Today, a large percentage of Internet surfers conduct research, use Facebook and share media via their smartphones. If you can secure a quality viewing space in the mobile world, you’ll succeed.

To draw live stream viewers, make sure your content is worthwhile. Nearly everyone is on a livestream, and modern livestream quality isn’t very high. There’s a lot of white noise out there, and you’ll need to surpass it to survive, thrive and become a sensation. Take your time, plan out your content and prioritize social media and mobile access.

Jack Daniels Breaks New Social Media Sharing Records

In the social media world, success only comes when your message is spread. Sharing of that message, rather than advertising it directly, is what drives most of the views to your ad or other content. This makes it so that the immediate goal of most social media campaigns is to get shares.

Social media sharing comes under many names, most of which depend on the platform in question. On Facebook, you want "likes." If it's Twitter, you're looking for "retweets." Other platforms use different names, but each has some method of sharing that is far better than the platform's other options.

Recently, Jack Daniels nailed this aspect of social media marketing so well that it broke its prior records for shares. Here's what they did:

Set Up an Entire Themed Venue

In the case of Jack Daniels, this was not a bar or distillery, but instead, a motel. "Motel No. 7," to be exact. Visitors "checked in" at the front desk and then were sent through a series of rooms and other areas each with their own themes. In these areas, 25 distinct "photo shareable" attractions were set up. These put the visitors into scenes that they would naturally want to post on their social media accounts. One example was a hair salon where visitors picked their styles by spinning a wheel-of-fortune type selector. It was almost instinctual for the people to post these eye-catching scenes.

Included Themed Peripherals

One such peripheral was the "Bung" donut shop. The donuts were infused with whiskey, but the old-timey set were what made it so photogenic.

A few aspects of the extravaganza were more directly related to the Jack Daniels brand and its actual product. There was a limited-seating discussion on whiskey-making by one of its master distillers, a history area focusing on music photographer Jim Marshall (who is connected to the brand), and Kevin the Barrel Maker who demonstrated his craft. This cemented the association between the Jack Daniels band and the event.

Pre-Event Advertising

Some advertising was still used. After all, a seed group of people have to see an event before they can start sharing its highlights. Jack Daniels generated hype by having two characters from the event promote it over social media channels. It also had a pre-event extravaganza including DJs, bands, and even a pillow fight. This drew people to come in and see the rest.

If you're looking for a venue that can be configured to meet the needs of your event in Miami, check out Soho Studios. We can offer up to 70,000 square feet of space to meet your needs.

Beyond the Music: What Makes a Festival a Truly Memorable Event

Music festival sponsorships have long been parts of marketing, but all too often, the audience only remembers the band after it's all over. This is because companies tend to stick to boring signs of sponsorship, such as banners on fences, that do nothing to engage the audience. Even if a banner is plastered across the top of the stage, it fades from notice the moment a hot band strikes the first note. What can you do to ensure that your brand actually becomes part of the show instead of another thing in the background? The key is to give the audience a serious chance to truly interact with your products or services in a way that matches the look and feel of the rest of the event. Toyota is a master of this, and looking at what they've done should spark some ideas for your own events.

The Cars Are Really Parts of the Event

Many automakers do no more than park their cars around when they host an event. This isn't the case for Toyota, though: They made their vehicles an interactive part of one of their music festivals lately. There, patrons partook in activities like competing to see how many objects they could cram into the cargo area of a car or minivan, using the back of a minivan as a climb-in vending machine, and more.

Interactive Zones

Say goodbye to boring souvenir stands with standardized trinkets. Toyota had guests make their festival mementos on the spot using Shrinky Dinks and other such craft items. This gave everyone who got one a unique memory to go with the experience, so they'll remember this part of the event for a long time. Of course, all mementos were also branded so everyone will always have that extra reminder of the sponsor's identity.

Taking the Test Drive Up to 11

At exciting events like these, it would be a letdown to just have people putter around in a regular car. Yet, it is important to get people into Toyotas in driving situations so they're one step closer to buying. The solution? Have the people take the company's trucks over an off-road course. Logs and ramps make the vehicles' maneuverability come to life as drivers have fun.

Choosing a Venue

Music festivals can be held in all sorts of venues, ranging from arenas that are fully under roof all the way to fairgrounds that are entirely outdoors. When you want to be under roof in Miami, consider Soho Studios. Our venue offers up to 70,000 square feet and can be configured any way you'd like.

How to Create a Buzz Worthy Event

Every company wants its event to create plenty of buzz. In fact, it's usually the entire point of putting on an exhibition or other show. Despite this, hundreds of events pass by almost unnoticed every year. How can you make sure that yours is remembered and talked about instead of fading into obscurity? Set Your Goals

Your event needs a goal beyond simply entertaining people. As an event planner, you need to ask your clients what they want to accomplish with their expo. Do they want to introduce a new product, increase buzz about an older one, or promote their company in a more general way? By having a clear end-goal in mind right from the start, you'll be able to better focus your event.

Know Your Audience

An internal, corporate audience will respond to a far different type of presentation than a crowd from the general public. Playing to the media requires a presentation style all its own. For corporate audiences, keep things crisp and concise so they don't start thinking of other things they could be doing. The public and media, on the other hand, may be glad to immerse themselves in your show for hours if it's compelling enough.

Plan

One of the biggest dangers of putting on an event is that it'll seem aimless. The other danger is that it'll end up beset by snafus. Worst of all is some combination of the two. Avoiding these issues is as simple as planning everything down to the last detail. Everything from the venue to the brochures on the tables should be carefully thought out. Be sure to have backup plans just in case you have to adapt to unexpected changes in your original one, too.

Be Ready for On-Site Surprises

All of the best planning will go awry if you aren't prepared for the inevitable turns of events that occur whenever big crowds come together. Make all of your props and sets resistant to jostling, spilled drinks, and other such things. No matter what happens, keep your cool – you want attendees to focus on the event itself, not your reaction to an unplanned surprise.

Assign Clear Roles to All Staff

In order for a team to work efficiently, everyone must know what their responsibilities are. A team without clear roles is like a football team where nobody knows who's supposed to be the quarterback – it wouldn't be remotely effective. Make sure everyone has a clear plan for their own individual roles.

Host Your Event in the Proper Venue

Our 70,000-square-foot venue here at Soho Studios in Miami can be configured for both small and large events. If you're hosting an exhibition in the area, be sure to stop by. You'll find that it's perfect for both corporate and public events.

Why Having a Mobile App for Your Event Is a Must

It’s become more important than ever to have a dedicated mobile app for your event. Not only is a larger portion of consumers online time spent through mobile, but consumers expect the ease of navigation of real time events and life that comes from having all the capabilities of a smartphone at their fingertips at all times. While it’s still possible to use a dedicated website for an event, a mobile app will not only give your event a greater sense of importance, but in taking the time to build the app, you’ll be able to ensure that users on all platforms are having the experience you want them to be having. Here are some of the latest trends in event mobile apps as well as musts that every app needs to be sure to have.

The Latest Trends

Live Video Streaming Capability: People are using live streaming more than ever before and by offering the ability for people to do so within your app, you’ll be creating a powerful way for people to interact in and around your event.

Social Media Integration: An event can only reach those who have attended, right? With social media it’s possible for events to cast a wider net than those who are physically present, and there’s no better way to encourage tweets, hashtags and Instagramming than by making it as easy as possible, direct from the app. Combined with the live streaming, you’ll be creating an army of marketers from your attendees to promote your brand and event.

Fitness: While this one certainly sounds a little off the wall, wellness is huge right now, as is the use of technology to monitor fitness stats and stay in shape. Take advantage of this by integrating to an existing app to help people plan out healthy walks to take between sessions or including a meditation feature to relax before the event starts.

Must Haves

Scheduling and Details: If your event app isn’t helping users navigate the actual event, then it’s failing at its most basic job. From easy to use maps to allowing customized scheduling, make sure that your app is making it easy for attendees to keep track of all the details.

Keep It Simple: An event app is only as good as its UX (user experience). And the best way to ensure that your app has a great user experience is to not let things get too complex. Sometimes less is more, especially when designing an app.

Networking Opportunities: If you include in-app messaging you’ll be raising user engagement and providing a valuable service. People often attend events for networking opportunities, and being able to do so from within the app can prove invaluable.

What to Expect: Event Marketing Trends for the 2017 Super Bowl

Every year, the Super Bowl yields a wealth of advertisement opportunities. As one of America’s most televised events, it’s a great venue for TV campaigns, significant brand moves and digital ad support. Today, the event’s latest news hits, advertisements and brand moves govern new event trends. The Super Bowl might be a televised event, but its ramifications are huge. Below, we’re covering the five biggest, baddest event marketing trends likely to spawn from the 2017 Super Bowl. Consume with caution, as they’re certainly unstoppable.

One: Blackjack

The Elevate Management Group, Dr. Quang & Staci, Wade Smith and Henderson are teaming up, and they’re getting ready to power the massive elite event during 2017’s biggest game. Featuring a Casino-Royale-esque style of play, the Bulls & Blackjack event will be a celeb-fueled tournament guaranteed to drive poker players wild. Get ready for a mad dash to poker-centric marketing events. More interestingly: Get ready for charity-funded gaming.

Two: Recycling

The Recycling Rally kicks off on January 21. While other exciting events, big milestones and multifaceted marketing initiatives are festival-centric, the Recycling Rally serves as a multi-day party to benefit those in need while promoting big-name brands. Another community-centric event, the Recycling Rally is expected to spawn a wealth of communal events in 2017.

Three: Leather

Leather & Laces, to be exact. 2017’s longest-running Super Bowl party is back, and it’s likely to be the hottest place around. Focusing on chic attire, open bars and premium drinks, Leather & Laces constantly promotes glamorous marketing events focused on, well, the love of being alive. Hand-rolled Sushi, hors d'oeuvres and other great selections constantly spawn food-centric marketing initiatives, so be on the lookout.

Four: Fine Cuisine

Where food, itself, is considered, The Taste of the NFL is expected—yet again—to promote fine cuisine marketing initiatives. Take part in a silent auction, experience sports memorabilia and get ready for a general sweep of sports-dining-related marketing initiatives. We’re thinking dine-in-with-player events, coach cookouts and team-centric restaurant partnerships, on this one.

Five: Football Teams

To push the buck further, actual football teams are expected to stand out, this year. The NFL Experience Driven by Genesis is the Super Bowl’s addition to big-scale parties. Presented through Visa, the event’s sessions will bring player-and-attendee interactions to life. Every year, autograph sessions propel football team walks, bee-powered meet-ups and in-depth player sessions.

So, where’ll you be? As a marketer, a promoter, a PR guru or as a future entrepreneur, it’s your job to attend these events. Give them a whirl, and find out what consumers will navigate to, next. There’s plenty of merchandise, social media access and youth football clinics to go around.

The Roadhouse: How State Farm Tailgates with Style

State Farm initiated its RoadHouse mobile tour, and it was awesome. The brand’s jam-packed initiatives, in the past, have been met with praise. Now, it’s multi-tiered engagement strategy is targeting audiences in the best way possible: Via an all-access, digitized mobile tour.  

This Tiny House Made a Big Impact

State Farm’s physical manifestation of marketing prowess combined both auto insurance and home coverage. The “tiny house,” as it was called, offered real-time activation processes utilizing the #Trouse and #Housegating Twitter prompts. While “small,” the house still made an awesome impact.

Situated on the back of a 15-foot Ford F350 Dually, the tiny house benefited from the grit, glamor and splendor only a pickup truck can provide. Tailgaters, of course, were the target audience. NFL games, every football season, flock to the most energized ride around. This year, it belonged to State Farm.

A Digital Game Day Experience

State Farm’s plan included a portable, digital game day presentation. Any fans who loved their games, had big-screen televisions and prioritized “housegating,” as State Farm called it, could enjoy the splendor from their living rooms. The program, which kicked off on September 11, took place at the Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Remote-Powered House

The tiny house, itself, welcomed consumers via a real front door. Its chimney—yes, digitally triggered—belched smoke from an attached smokestack. The house’s interior features, meanwhile, included a smart TV, a stone-accented wall, a multitude of broadcasts and a variety of sports artifacts.

The house had a backyard, too, which welcomed attendees with a low-pressure, all-fun environment. Corn hole was there, as were fan engagement activities. State Farm promoted its Housegating Playbook, which offered instructions for in-depth game-day experience creation.

This highly unique angle gave event-goers the ability to impact the world. Sure, the 360-degree RoadHouse video feature was cool, but State Farm’s best performance surrounded its hosted media outlets, Facebook Live options and fantasy football fan support.

Engagement on the Digital Forefront

As if that wasn’t enough, State Farm additionally offered live Q&A segments—filmed on-site—to promote lineup changes. Already, the State Farm RoadHouse display has been a big hit on Facebook. It’s garnered over 15,500 consumers, 33.6 thousand Facebook video views and massive applause across Instagram and Twitter.

The program’s outreach is incredible. From an experiential marketing standpoint, few locations are better than a good, old-fashioned outback grill segment. State Farm’s message extends well beyond the game-day experience, too. Now, managers and sponsorships have a tighter grasp upon the State Farm priority. At the end of the day, the fans come first. Check out State Farm’s YouTube video on the RoadHouse’s creation, and stay tuned for more great events.

Live Streams Can Make or Break Your Event. Here's How

Instant access is always a good plan, right? Well, not always. As event marketers expand their insight, built their toolkits and innovate on the ground floor, live streaming options are coming under scrutiny. Emergent technology should be considered, sure, but it shouldn’t be the crux of your every move. To execute effective marketing campaigns, you’ll need to stream seamlessly, promote your brand and target social media comprehensively. Before hopping into the live stream world, check out the best practices below. More importantly, check out the times it’s not a good idea to prioritize instant access.

To Make the Event

First, it’s a good idea to know when live streaming is a good idea. Above all, live streaming is a solid avenue for businesses seeking mass connectivity and visibility. If your business wants to get a “sneak peak,” or an otherwise hard-to-get shot, live streaming is often a good answer. Why? Because it’s instant. You’re guaranteed to be the first with the story.

It’s also a solid foundation for Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes journeys and big events. If your marketing event is going to be a bash, and if you’re expecting celebrity appearances, make sure you’re using a live stream feed. In 2017, live streaming is intended to be an integral part of emergent experiential marketing programs. As marketers become well-acquainted with technology, live streaming will become a powerful low-cost alternative to lengthy film processes.

To Break an Event

Live streaming has its downfalls, too. Above all, live streaming can be burdensome to an untrained crew. While crews are certainly becoming experienced with live stream filming, the act of filming footage seamlessly is simply difficult to micromanage. You should remember that anything can happen during a live stream. It might sound obvious, but you’ll need to take extra precautions when filming live appearances.

You can’t edit live footage. So, if you’re planning a breakout event, promoting a new product or are otherwise revealing your business’s “finer” side, consider traditional media first. Sometimes, it isn’t worth the quality loss to secure a hot spot on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram media. Today, constant challenges await live streamers. Digital marketers are working hard to reduce the physical footprint, prioritize low-cost live streaming services and dish out crystal-clear video quality.

For now, however, live streaming shouldn’t be considered a “must-have” in your event marketing arsenal. If you’re planning a big party, want to capture guest experiences and draw in more visitors, a live stream can certainly help. If, however, you feel your event can’t suffer a little choppiness, quality loss and on-site improvisation, you’d best stick to traditional media.