Anna Huddleston

For its May release of the animated movie “Up ” Disney created excitement in the fickle and saturated Los Angeles market by building a full-scale replica of the film’s iconic flying house at The Grove shopping center which boasts about 45 000 daily visitors. Now the house is back just in time to inspire voters before the Academy Awards.

On Dec. 7 New York City’s Bryant Park looked as if Santa’s elves had invaded it. In actuality ABC Family set a new Guinness World Record for the most Santa elves (607 consumers in elf costumes) gathered in one place. The stunt was created to drive tune in for the network’s original movie “Santa Baby 2 Christmas Maybe” and 25 Days of Christmas programming.

WIRED magazine’s annual tech gallery and retail experience is a launching pad for new technology and cutting-edge products and this year will feature a creative collaboration with recording artist Moby who will combine artwork with electric paint that seems to come to life when touched. The breakthrough technology uses conductive inks to replace wires heat sources speakers lights power sources switches buttons and sensors making technology as thin and weightless as a layer of ink. Moby also performed a special dj set at the opening night party on Nov. 20.

On Nov. 9 IGN Activision GameStop and Microsoft Xbox 360 leased the entire south end of New York City’s Union Square Park and created a full-scale military experience featuring military vehicles laser light shows perimeter guards and external big-screens featuring live game play. The objective was to create a launch event by which all video game launches in the future would be compared to drive buyers to retail and to win some new gaming fans in the process.

To promote its Nov. 29 four-hour airing of the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concert which was recently held in Madison Square Garden HBO set up its own hall of fame in the busy Time Warner Center 10 days prior to the show.  

The exhibit included 27 framed and mounted photos taken during the concert by rock and roll photographer Kevin Mazur. In addition it featured rock memorabilia like a handwritten set list by B.B. King and the denim vest worn by Bruce Springsteen during his U.S. tour.