Follow Fridays Top 3 from SXSW 2011! #FF Charlie Annenberg, @DMScott, @Paula_Moore, @RShotel
Posted on 15. Apr, 2011 by JohnKnowles in Community, Hotel
We haven’t done a Follow Friday in a while and I feel it is time to re-introduce the notion to our audience.
My top 3 people to follow from SXSW are as follows.
1. “Dog Bless You!”, Charlie Annenberg
Our first five minutes in the convention center in Austin, John Birdsong and I collided into Charlie Annenberg, who was immediately on point with a plan of action to help in the Japan Earthquake relief.
A message from Charlie Annenberg, founder of explore.org and Dog Bless You:
“The mission of explore.org is to champion the self less acts of others, to create a portal into the soul of humanity and to inspire life long learning. The most important thing for me is to create a portal into the soul. What is the easiest way to do this? Through dogs – they see our soul like no other. That is why as we build dog bless you, I believe that its mission should be to “champion the selfless acts of animals.”
Please feel free to share your stories about how your dog uplifts the human spirit.
Dog Bless You.
Charlie and Lucky
http://facebook.com/exploredogs
2. David Meerman Scott connected us to an network of interesting minds and influences. Of these we engaged with Renee Alexander of Unisef, Tim Washer of Cisco, John Jantsch of Ducktape Marketing and Aliza Sherman from the Social Media capital of the world, Toke Alaska to name a few. Both Tim and David were “In search of the outrageous” in Austin TX.
3. Paula Moore and Massive CIA
The transitional days between the Interactive and the Music is when all the magic happens at SXSW. As people were leaving after a week of the Interactive and Film portion, the music festival was just getting underway. Arriving into the city there is an energy of excitement. Being the last day in Austin, I left John and Adam to get some emails done at the Driskle hotel. I went strait to the second floor back patio where a couple of hip entertainment executives we setting up meetings and interviews. I politely asked if I could share the space and soon sat down next to them and began to tell them about the interactions between Roger Smith and Ben Franklin. #Rogersrewards.
Paula Moore turned to me and asked if I wanted to go out with her and her business partner Ralf Cavallaro… What else could I say. Not knowing at the time that I was hanging out with one of the Top Talent Scouts in the music industry, Paula introduced me to an amazing network. The connections made that night, have helped drive and inspire a new wave of professional and personal relationships. Founder of Massive Creative Intelligence Agency, Paula is a trip. Powerful and important, as she is a professional connector.
SXSW: The spies with Golden Ears
Through Paula I me Rev. David Ciancio of Yeah! Management who runs the the Social Media Rewards programs for Thrilllist. Rev’s energy and drive is going to bring wild excitement to the Pop up Marketing madness that is going around. I look forward to working with him in the future.
The common thread that connects Charlie, David and Paula is the fact that they are natural connectors. Great people of course with amazing sense of people in the room. Always interesting to follow.
Till next week.
If you like my list please RT #FF Dog Bless You and Charlie Annenberg, @DMScott, @Paula_Moore, @MassiveCIA SXSW 2011 @RShotel Follow Friday Pick!
Please leave a comment and connect with us to be part of our @RShotel culture.
Thanks,
John
RSNews Interview w/ Axel
Posted on 10. Apr, 2011 by JohnKnowles in Community, Hotel
You gotta watch out for the next generation of talent… They are creative, they technical and they are 6 years old. With a flip camera, and an experimental approach, Axel Bengtsson and I set out to make a couple of videos in Are Sweden.
Our objectives in Sweden, was to establish and grow the Swedish connection in NYC.
You can follow the chain of events from our travels here our blog to keep up with our @RShotel travels. Building human connections from the Roger Smith Hotel is one of our goal. We aim to engage different audiences while keeping our stories real, fun and interactive.
I am believer in rewarding those who participate in our Roger Smith Hotel culture. Recently we have initiated a program called ROGERSREWARDS. Todays Rogersreward is a 100 dollar voucher good towards the booking of a Roger Smith Hotel Suite. If you leave a comment on this blog post, with a suggestion for the next video you would like Axel Bengtsson to make, I will reward each new user comment with a 100 dollars Rogersreward. The best film idea for Axel to direct will receive a free night at the Roger Smith Hotel.
As always, please share and engage. I am @pancity on Twitter. Follow me and @RShotel to be in the know with things that are happening at the Roger Smith Hotel.
Cheers,
John
@RShotel Marketing Nuggets at SXSW 2011
Posted on 27. Mar, 2011 by JohnKnowles in Community
A marketing nugget is a trueism about best practice in marketing. It is a bit of information encouraged to be shared and contemplated by the masses. While at South by South West 2011, we @RShotel, asked top marketing minds to share their valuable insight in to the world of digital and offline marketing.
Thanks to all who participated.
Please share, comment and engage…
Enjoy
Marketing Nuggets #SXSW 2011
Carl Smith Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Matt Johnston Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Sarah Prevette Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Jon Schmidt Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
David Meerman Scott Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Renee Alexander Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
John Jantsch Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Aliza Sherman Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Ronald Waters Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Jon Edwards Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Khayyam Wakil Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Jeff Pulver Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Thomas Edwards Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Kosha Dillz Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Richard Propper Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
John Knowles Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Jim Caruso Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Jon Lazar Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Jamie Scheu Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Daniel Delaney Marketing Nugget SXSW 2011
Mark Horvath Marketing Nugget #SXSW 2011
10 things to take away from David Meerman Scott
Posted on 14. Feb, 2011 by JohnKnowles in Community, Hotel
1. Create and understand your buyer persona.
2. Follow the Grateful Dead. There are great marketing lessons to be learned from one of the world most iconic bands.
3. Cultivate eccentrics.
4. Talk about the snow. Man there was a lot of snow. Keep it human. Keep it current.
5. Real-Time Marketing and PR.
6. Old Rules v. New Rules
7. Is this Popup Marketing?
8. “You are a marketing company that has a hotel!”… Lightbulb.
9. Beware of the snap!
10. Communicate with your buyer persona.
Having David speak with us has transformed our marketing identity at the Roger Smith Hotel. We are beginning to look at our business in new light with a focus on persona rather than product. Personally, I look to be a utility. How can I help you? I aim to connect with more people within the thought leader positions, the trend setters, the brands that are looking to expand their reach, and the people who actively participate in their communities. There are opportunities popping all over the place. Come share in the glory!
Voicenote DMScott RS Consulting by Panman
If you are still paying attention, now is the time to act. I look forward to engaging with you. Reach out. Become part of the Roger Smith Culture. How can I help you?
Thanks
John Knowles
Director of Innovation
What do The W, The Empire, and The Roger Smith Hotel have in common?
Posted on 12. Feb, 2011 by Birdsong in Events, Hotel
They are all hotels that offer their own fashion events.
Hotels in New York City have long offered after-parties during fashion week. But this season, the trend extends beyond inviting well-paid international DJs to spin for the fashion set when the shows are over. Hotels are increasingly taking their marketing a step further by pairing up with designers and fashion purveyors to host their own shows and events.
Beauty stat a beauty web site, and the Roger Smith Hotel, held four daily contests this month that offered a stay in a suite for the first four days of Fashion Week. BeautyStat.com visitors entered the contest by leaving a comment about why they should win. The suites housing the four winners will be furnished with a survival kit filled with beauty and spa products, produced with fashionistas in mind.
Already we have received two comments on the New York Times Article showing customer appreciation for their stay at the Roger Smith Hotel. It is been great brand exposure for Repêchage, great circulation of beauty stat and great exposure for the Roger Smith Hotel.It has been a pleasure.
John Knowles
Director of InnovationFeel free to reach out if you have any question about what we are doing with our branded suites @RShotel. @pancity is my handle!
RS POP Holiday Bazaar 2010 (Video Archive 12/7/11 and 12/8/11)
Posted on 06. Dec, 2010 by melissagonzalez in Events, fashion, RS Pop
On December 7th and 8th the RS POP Holiday Bazaar 2010 was held for the emerging designers shopping event.
December 7th – Part 1
December 7th – Part 2
December 8th – Part 1
December 8th – Part 2
Meet Some of Our Favorite Designers & Musician for the 2010 Holiday Season
Share the gift of being cutting edge! Get a jump start on the holidays at RS POP Holiday Bazaar and shop from the next big IT designer.
But the fusion doesn’t stop at apparel & accessories, with both nights showcasing an invite-only group of artists brought to you by FOLK YEAH! Productions including:
Halina Larrson (www.myspace.com/halinalarsson).
Check out www.rspopshop.com to see more on each artist and get a jump start on your holiday shopping list with unique one of a kind gifts- for others AND YOU!
Complimentary Gift Bags for the first 20 purchases each night!
AND With each purchase you will be eligible to win a two night stay in a suite for two, with hot breakfast for two as well! *One winner per night*
ANIMATED CLOSET OPENS AUGUST 3rd AT RS POP SHOP
Posted on 02. Aug, 2010 by melissagonzalez in fashion, Hotel, RS Pop
Forward fashion, clothes that actually fit, independent designers, AND 10% of our profits go towards supporting economic development initiatives for women and children.
Inspired by women who love color and lead an active lifestyle, Animated Closet is something new, fresh and truly unique. Drawing comparisons to Custo Barcelona and Desigual, with an emphasis on creativity and individuality. At the epicenter of their look is an upheaval of contrasting patterns and colors. The prints and patterns are splashed boldly across our asymmetrical skirts, fun tops and outerwear, and flattering dresses.
You can’t go wrong!
FREE EVENT: Roger Smith Shorts 2010 Screening this Wed 9pm @RSHotel
Posted on 26. Jul, 2010 by Birdsong in Arts, Community
Dear friends,
you are cordially invited to attend a screening of the 2010 Roger Smith Shorts this Wednesday July 28th 9pm @RSHotel. The screening will be held on the second floor in the Starlight ballroom.
Six handmade short films: by us, for you.
The Roger Smith Shorts Series started in 2009 as a short film festival /workshop and was designed to facilitate filmmaking opportunities for up and coming directors. The Roger Smith Hotel has become the backdrop for filmmakers as they put their creative talents to the test. The 2010 Roger Smith Short Directors are John Knowles, John Birdsong, Aleks Degtyarev, Melissa Gonzalez and Abianne Prince.
Facebook invite, Eventbrite invite
Film Trailers and information:
Title: CHECK MATE
Directed by: Abianne Prince
Written by: Robyn Day
Running Time: 3min 30 seconds
Cast: Robyn Day, Lars Gerhard
Crew: Screenplay by: Robyn Day & Abianne Prince – Executive Producer: John Knowles – Producers: Abianne Prince – Line Producer: Cedric Youngelman – Director of Photography: John Birdsong – Lighting Design: Pete Eilenberg – Sound Director: Pete Eilenberg – Editor: Abianne Prince
Email – abiprince@gmail.com
Website: www.rogersmithsshorts-myshorts.tumblr.com/
Synopsis: This short experimental film explores one woman’s active imagination and how it keeps her mate in check.
About the Director: When Abi was 6 years old her Uncle Bob told her that life wasn’t worth living if she didn’t find a passion and follow it no matter what. Once Abi discovered photography and filmmaking she realized that she had found her vocation. As a Producer, Director, Editor & Director of Photography, Abi has seen all sides of filmmaking. Her experience spans from live television production to commercials, documentaries and webisodes. Her passion is storytelling. Abianne started her professional career at Plum TV as a “preditor” (producer/director/editor) and continued to practice all the tricks of the trade with Panman Productions in New York City. Her recent endeavors also include working with the art news website RogerSmithLife.com, as well as projects with Voluntary Instinct Productions. V.I. is a non-profit media company, whose purpose is to enhance public awareness of under-represented social and environmental issues. When not making films, she enjoys swimming in the ocean, lost causes and painting.
Film Title: THE COUNTERPANE FAIRY
Director: John Knowles
Running Time: 15 minutes
Cast: Justin Hall, Lauren Frances, Aleks Degtyarev, Betsy Holt, Craig Russell , John Knowles, Phoebe Knowles
Crew: Assistant Director: Melissa Gonzalez – Directors of Photography: Adam Wallace and Abianne Prince – Editor: John Knowles – Line Producer: Cedric Youngleman – Special Effects Supervisor: Aleks Degtyrev – Sound: Aleks Degtyarev – Set Design: Peter Eilenberg – Light Design: Peter Eilenberg – Assistant Set Design: Lucinda Lin -Production Assistant: Rex Leung – Costume design /Hair and Makeup: Joel Yapching – Hair: Katie Arbore – Makeup: Denise Mojica – Wardrobe: Veronica Zhou
Email: jknowles@panmanproductions.com
Website: www.thecounterpanefairy.tumblr.com
Synopsis: Teddy (played by Justin Hall), an 11 year old boy left alone in a hotel, decides to wander after his parents go out for the evening. In an empty penthouse he encounters The Counterpane Fairy (Lauren Frances) who takes him on a storybook adventure. He is put to the heroic task of saving an enchanted princess while freeing her from a spell that has been cast on her by a little gray spider (Aleks Degtyarev).
In the real world, the adults around him are constantly trying to box him into a conformed norm. His adventure reminds us that a child’s imagination is pure. The Counterpane Fairy is a modern day fairy tale that takes place at the Roger Smith Hotel.
The story of the Counterpane Fairy is an adaptation from the “The Counterpane Fairy” by Katherine Pyle.
About the Director: John Knowles is the CEO of Panman Productions, an interactive production company based out of New York City that focuses on live broadcasting, film, fashion, art and social media. Panman Productions consists of a five member team that operates collectively with the understanding that ours is a company where “All of your dreams come true.”
After being introduced to Live production at Plum TV, John worked to adapt the Live production model to his endeavors online. In the last several years, John has worked in collaboration with the Roger Smith Hotel on a number of projects. He helped to create and build the Roger Smith Social Media program and was the executive producer of the 2009 Roger Smith Shorts Film Festival which generated six original short films.
Title: THE END
Directors: John Knowles & Melissa Gonzalez
Running Time: 10 minutes
Cast: Starring: Melissa Gonzalez, Jerome Richards & David Henry Gerson
Crew: Screenplay by: Melissa Gonzalez & Michael G. Richards – Executive Producer: John Knowles -Producers: Melissa Gonzalez & Abianne Prince – Line Producer: Cedric Youngelman – Assistant Director: Lucinda Lin – Director of Photography: Aleks Degtyarev – Lighting Design: John Birdsong – Sound Director: Pete Eilenberg – Editor: John Knowles – Costume Design: Veronica Zhou – Production Assistant: Rex Leung – Makeup: Denise Mojica – Hair: Katie Arbore
Email: Melissa Gonzalez, Lion ‘esque Productions mg@lionesqueproductions.com
Website: www.theendfilmblog.tumblr.com
Synopsis: In the mid 1940s Sam Clarke fell madly in love with a young woman named Clare Hayes. It was WWII in Europe, a time of heightened emotion and adventure. Their time together lived in his heart forever and inspired the project of his lifetime. With hope and doubt, he hires actress Alex Keyes to assist in his endeavor.
Will Alex be able to embody the woman who stole Sam’s heart half a century ago? “The End” is a screenplay adaptation of the novel “A Century of Dust” by Michael G. Richards.
About Director Melissa Gonzalez: Melissa is no stranger to the camera or producing. Melissa, former co-host of Latin Beat on BET, has made numerous television appearances on NY shows including Chappelle’s Show, SNL and the FOX Pilot NY-70. In addition she produced and starred in the indie feature Spanglish Girls and Broken Hearts which premiered at LAIFF. Currently you can catch Melissa online hosting Homemade BFF’s and uncovering new fashion icons on http://www.rspopshop.com
Film Title: HAIR BALL
Directed by : John Birdsong
Running Time: 13min
Cast: Brett Siddell, Bari Hyman, Matt Semler, Mala Wright, Wayne Soares, Fanny (Cat), Tomas Terstad
Crew: Written by Morgan-Jo Teller and John Birdsong Director, Producer, DP, and Editor: John Birdsong – Executive Producer: John Knowles – Producer: Melissa Gonzalez – Assistant Camera: Abianne Prince – Sound Designer: Aleks Degtyarev – Wardrobe: Morgan-Jo Teller – Boom Operator: Victor Reznik
Email: john.birdsong@yahoo.com
Blog(trailer): http://hair-ball.tumblr.com
Synopsis:
The only thing Louis loves more than being a bellboy is dancing. He makes the most of guests’ unattended rooms and personal possessions, practicing dance moves for nights at the club. Using a stranger’s toothbrush or sleeping in their bed was a victimless crime till now. Could a lude act with a suitcase send him back to prison? Can you taste another man’s mouth by sharing his toothbrush? Hair-ball is loosely based on a phone call from “Car Talk” on NPR.
About the Director
John Christopher Alexander Michael Birdsong was born March 19th, 1981 in Brooklyn and raised in Texas and the Hamptons. His first job was as a counter boy at a Chinese take-out restaurant. John is not Chinese. He studied photography before interning and working as a Producer/Director/Editor for Plum TV. John’s passions include looking for the end of the internet, smelling things, and staying up late. John works with Panman Productions in midtown and lives with his girlfriend Morgan-Jo Teller in Brooklyn with their cat Fanny and a Siamese Fighting Fish named Rufio.
Title: MOTHER TERESA’S HIATUS
Directed by: Abianne Prince
Written by: Robyn Day
Running Time: 2min 30 seconds
Cast: Staring Kana Sato Supporting cast: Jay Cutler, Anwar Uddin, Dennis Lowell, Chad Miller,Sunjay Mishra,Chris Cotten, Rocco George, John Knowles, Roni Mazumdar, Dan Chen, Klive Robinson
Crew: Screenplay by: Robyn Day – Producer: Abianne Prince – Line Producer: Cedric Youngelman – Assistant Director: Melissa Gonzalez – Director of Photography: Aleks Degtyarev – Lighting Design: John Birdsong – Editor: Abianne Prince – Sound Director: Victor Reznik – Costume Design: Lucinda Lu – Art Direction: Lucinda Lu – Production Assistant: Susanna Lewitt – Makeup: Denise Mojica – Hair: Katie Arbore
Email: abiprince@gmail.com
Website: www.rogersmithsshorts-myshorts.tumblr.com/
Synopsis:
A woman’s epiphany about the role she plays in the lives of the men that surround her.
Title: SHOE FITS
Directed by: Aleks Degtyarev, aka Marlo L. Brown
Running Time: 21 minutes
Cast: Aleks Degtyarev, Kelly Jo Johnson, John Larmor, Lucinda Lin, Frank Martinelli, Brett Siddell, Rich Staab
Crew: Written by: Aleks Degtyarev – Executive Producer: John Knowles – Line Producer: Cedric Youngelman – Assistant Director: Lucinda Lin – Director of Photography: Abianne Prince – Script Supervisor: Melissa Gonzalez – Casting Director: Melissa Gonzalez – Lighting Design: John Birdsong – Sound Director: Pete Eilenberg – Costume Design: Veronica Zhou – Boom-Pole Operator: Vic Reznik – Choreographers: Alex Smith and Eric Jacobson – Graphic Art: John Larmor – Special Effects and post production: John Chiarelli
Email: floatingopera@gmail.com
Website: www.shoefits.tumblr.com/
Synopsis:
The Original Hooligans are back. Another shoe fit another dolla! This time Marlo Lovely Brown has missplaced his dancing shoes. Confidant and partner in deviance, Pipe Adams is back on the scene to help Marlo locate his magical footwear. Marlo’s lover LuLu beckons from another dimension, while friend, and maddened inventor Bradrian W. Tangaurey laments at Camp Villain. Will Marlo be able to navigate his way through this fever dream to find the shoes or will humanity be doomed forever? If the Shoe Fits…
About the Director - Written by Pipe Adams
Born into a family of fur traders working their way through the Aleutians and the Bering Strait in the late 16th century, Marlo Leelan Brown was not always destined to make films. His name, literally translated, means the universal, or invincible prince. Young Marlo’s conception was nary cause for celebration, and his gestation and eventual birth a mere insurance policy to guard against the stark, endless Siberian winter. Just another maw to feed and, with hope, hands that would eventually grow strong enough to tear and render the priceless flesh from countless seals to add to the meager family coffers.
Time however, was on Marlo’s side and so Marlo danced the earth, a being reflected in the eyes of G-D, but yet a dead man inside, until the mid 90s. It was at this time that Marlo fell in with a bunch of like minded gents. Not immortals per say, but timeless characters nonetheless. For posterity’s sake, we shall call them the Original Hooligans. It was with the hooligans that Marlo discovered his true passion. Slowly, the hidden embers inside his mind, cold with age, began to warm, to glow. A fire was ignited inside of him. No longer the dancing dead, little Marlo Leelan was born anew. And the vehicle that brought young old Marlo back from the dead: Making Films.
But as he discovered his new found passion, changes began to occur. Each time Brown would look through his viewfinder a wrinkle would appear, a gray hair would sprout. Marlo Leelan Brown the foreverman, was now becoming just man.
Over the past decade Marlo has aged. Less like a fine cheese and more like a rusting washing machine in a dewy Bedford-Stuyvesant project courtyard, Marlo has forsaken eternal life for mortality to join the ranks of the Original Hooligan brotherhood and make films.
“Rabid Rocky” a Roger Smith Short by Daniel Brothers
Posted on 14. Jul, 2010 by Birdsong in Arts, Hotel
Love can be painful to swallow. In this blacker than black comedic treatment of a lost romance, director Daniel Brothers touches on more than just pain caused by lost love. Coping is just half the battle.
Directed by Daniel Brothers
Roger Smith Shorts Film Festival Workshop 2009
Cast: Bryant Sullivan, Serene Aandahl, Cameron Mayo, Anna Bauer, David Green
Crew: Executive Producer: John Knowles, Brendan Crane – Associate Producer: Thomas Henwood – Assistant Director: Joseph E. Torres – Camera: Mitchell Frye, Daniel Brothers – Editor: Janna Hochberg – Sound Mix: Anton Kreisl
About the Roger Smith Shots
With support from Ghetto Film School, Brooklyn Brewery and the Roger Smith Hotels patronage to the arts, the Roger Smith Shorts 09 (Festival Workshop) was conceived. The concept was envisioned as a collaboration of creativity and ingenuity among visual storytellers and those who form the structure behind it.
http://www.crashrecordsfilms.com
http://www.panmanproductions.com
http://www.rogersmith.com
“Clean the Room” a Roger Smith Short by Dmitry Povolotsky
Posted on 07. Jul, 2010 by Birdsong in Arts, Events, Hotel
A whimsical reinterpretation of mistaken identity, Director Dmitry Povolotsky explores this classic subject matter focusing his comedic vision on a hotel maid, a diva actress, and her lover.
Written and Directed by: Dmitry Povolotsky
Roger Smith Shorts Film Festival Workshop 2009
Cast: Susan Brady, Michael Mason, Sarah Lilley
Crew: Executive Producer John Knowles, Brendan Crane
DP: Christina Voros – Art Direction: Julia Cairo – Asst. Director: Rebecca Conroy – Sound Recordist: Marcin Tyszka – Editor: Julia Kots
About the Roger Smith Shorts
With support from Ghetto Film School, Brooklyn Brewery and the Roger Smith Hotels patronage to the arts, the Roger Smith Shorts 09 (Festival Workshop) was conceived. The concept was envisioned as a collaboration of creativity and ingenuity among visual storytellers and those who form the structure behind it.
