Book Launch Events for Bobby Sager Featuring Performances by Sting

When philanthropist, globe-trekker and photographer Bobby Sager released his photo book entitled The Power of the Invisible Sun, he and innovative not-for-profit initiative executive producer Tracey Durning engaged Empire Entertainment to produce release events in New York City and London. The events, which commemorated the release of Sager's bestselling book of images of underprivileged children throughout the developing world, would feature powerful projection treatments of his photography and philanthropic philosophies, performances by close friend Sting and a high concentration of celebrity attendees.

The first event was held at Donna Karan's Stephan Weiss Studio in New York's West Village, home of her growing Urban Zen activities. The event was attended by over 250 guests including celebrities such as Edward Norton, Donna Karan and Padma Lakshmi among others. Empire transformed the interior of the huge open space into a comfortable and contemporary lounge environment around which the photography was displayed by seven massive visual projections on seven screens. Durning carefully choreographed the projection sequences combining Sager's stirring images with animated handwriting and key phrases from the book with cascading images that surrounded the space, narrating the author's messages, which synchronized at times for emphasis. In addition to the projected images, Empire installed large format prints and text samples to give the space a p hysical image presence, including a custom-made "Hope" bar in black and yellow lacquer. The New York event's stage program included remarks by Donna Karan and Bobby Sager as well as an intimate acoustic concert by Sting and his band which the audience enjoyed while seated on carpets , cushions, and lounge furnishings. The menu for the evening reflected Sager's eclectic tastes with menu items such as snow cones, grain alcohol Jello shots and cotton candy.

The following week, Empire presented the European event in London at the iconic contemporary art museum - The Saatchi Gallery. This event was co-hosted by Sting & Trudie Styler, again featured a high definition, seven projector display of the photography, an eclectic menu of fish & chips and Jello shots, and a performance by Sting that included such hits as Invisible Sun and I'll Be Watching You. Attendees of this event included Annie Lennox, actors Val Kilmer, Neve Campbell and Richard Grant, and Vivienne Westwood among others. The Admirable Crichton provided all catering while Ingenius UK provided all technical support.

For these challenging, back-to-back transatlantic events, Empire served as overall event producer, and was responsible for oversight of elements including venue acquisition, design, decor, catering, staging, sound, lighting, video projection, red carpet, logistics, event flow, security and creating displays of the photography both projected and physical. Empire was thrilled to be involved with the launch of this book of powerful imagery and to participate in an initiative that helps to bring hope and opportunity to the developing world.