The 2012 Bravo Upfront Party

Cable's leader in reality programming, Bravo, held its annual upfront party, celebrating another successful year of growth in viewership as well as new initiatives into the digital marketplace. The party was held at the multi-level Center 548 in the Chelsea art district, where guests arrived on the iconic Bravo blue carpet and were greeted by a fleet of registration staff.

Guests were escorted inside the venue’s massive 300 square foot industrial freight elevator, dressed with blue carpet and bathed in light from the custom chandelier, comprised of linked neon tubes in Bravo’s passion colors. As the elevator began its ascent, the walls came to life with columns of LED lights while Bravo's on-air announcer Rick Gomez introduced guests to the night’s party theme: Powered by Bravo. The first visual element as the elevator doors opened was a 12' high array of light strips, crawling up to a warmly glowing canopy of light bulbs dropping at varying heights. Screens of steel conduit brimming with LED lights ran from floor to ceiling, piping in Bravo's passion colors throughout the space. The pipe motif continued to the stunning 20-ft custom bar, constructed entirely of horizontal runs of gold conduit pipes of various lengths. Caterer Creative Edge Parties collaborated with Roblé to execute the menu and provide staffing. Sleek lounge areas were designed for Bravo’s passion colors for Food, Fashion, Beauty, Design & Pop, and featured white tufted ottomans over round custom printed area rugs and topped with matching printed throw pillows and custom drop chandeliers.

To highlight their newest Passion Point, Digital, a digital mosaic was fabricated out of iPads, iPhones, Macbooks, and flat screen TVs, each showcasing the multitude of apps, games and websites Bravo is launching in the digital marketplace. A sculpture of 16 clustered talk bubbles emerged from a wall, serving as the stage backdrop and a focal point in the room. While simply up lit during cocktails, the talk bubbles came to life with a spectacular 3D video animation show to kick off executive remarks. Guests were then invited to head downstairs for a live taping of Bravo's hit late-night talk show, Watch What Happens Live! Seated cabaret-style alongside "Bravolebrities", guests were treated to an hour-long “All-Star Party” show -- all ringmastered by the ever-entertaining Andy Cohen. After this one-of-a-kind show, guests headed back upstairs where the room had been transformed for the after party. Gaming areas were revealed, treating guests to a variety of activities from skeeball and ping-pong, to a giant set of Connect Four. The talk bubble sculpture came to life again with a series of custom animations timed to the beats spun by DJ Mick Boogie which kept guests dancing.

Empire Entertainment worked closely with Bravo’s Trade Marketing, Creative and Press teams and served as overall event producer and designer for the program. Empire’s responsibilities included overall design and management, coordinating custom scenic, decor, audio/visual, catering, activities, venue, red carpet, talent travel logistics, graphic design, printing, permits and security.