News Corporation Washington Office screening Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked– Provided a screening of the 20th Century Fox film Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked. A sequel to the two previous Alvin & the Chipmunks films, Chipwrecked stars Jason Lee and features the Chipmunks on a chaotic cruise voyage. A balloon artist and face painters entertained children in attendance during the reception. Guests included Armed Forces Foundation military families and local industry executives. (December 2011)
Food Network and Share Our Strength Update on the Battle to End Childhood Hunger - Hosted a reception at which Food Network President Brooke Johnson and Share Our Strength Founder & CEO Billy Shore discussed their organizations’ pro-social partnership to fight childhood hunger and provide nutrition education. U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), co-chair of the House Hunger Caucus, spoke about the importance of Food Network stepping up to the plate in the battle against hunger, and also noted the efforts of his colleague Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), who was in attendance. Food Network host Sunny Anderson talked about her work with the Good Food Garden at the Boys & Girls Club in Houston, and NCTA President & CEO Michael Powell welcomed guests, discussing how the Food Network/Share Our Strength partnership is an example of the cable industry making a difference in its communities. Food Network also provided an excerpt of its upcoming documentary, Hunger at Home. Guests included congressional and FCC staffers, media and Food Network advocacy partners. (December 2011)
MTV and Viacom Washington Office premiere (Dis)connected – Gave an advanced screening of the MTV original film (Dis)connected. Part of MTV’s multi-year “A Thin Line” campaign against digital abuse, the film tells the story of four teens whose lives unexpectedly collide online, serving as a powerful call to action to help end digital abuse. MTV also provided a look at research on digital abuse it had recently released in partnership with the Associated Press, and hosted a panel after the screening to continue the conversation. Guests included congressional staffers and MTV’s advocacy partners. (September 2011)
News Corporation Washington Office premiere Rise of the Planet of the Apes – Provided an advanced screening of the 20th Century Fox film Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Featuring digital effects from WETA Digital – the team behind Lord of the Rings and “Avatar” – the film stars Academy Award nominee James Franco, Andy Serkis and Freida Pinto. Guests included congressional staffers, News Corporation’s partners and cable industry executives. (August 2011)
ESPN 3D – Summer X Games – A live telecast in 3D of ESPN’s Summer X Games from Los Angeles, featuring extreme sports such as skateboard big air and moto X freestyle. The event also included demonstrations of the WatchESPN app on mobile devices. ESPN’s affiliates group provided the viewing for its Washington, DC based cable operators, congressional staffers, media and cable industry executives. (July 2011)
Comcast/NBCUniversal Washington Office premiere Cowboys & Aliens – Provided an advanced screening of the Universal Pictures film Cowboys & Aliens. From Jon Favreau, director of Iron Man, and producers Steven Spielberg, Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, Cowboys & Aliens stars Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig and Olivia Wilde. The film crosses the classic Western with the alien-invasion movie for an action thriller set in the Old West. Guests included congressional and Executive branch staffers and cable industry executives. (July 2011)
Time Warner Inc. Washington Office screening Green Lantern in 3D – Provided a screening of the Warner Bros. film Green Lantern in 3D. Starring Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, the film tells the story of the first ever human recruit to the Green Lantern Corps – a brotherhood of warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order. The event also featured demonstrations of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters and a sneak peek of Cartoon Network’s Green Lantern: The Animated Series. Guests included congressional staffers, Time Warner Inc.’s partners and cable industry executives. (June 2011)
CNN premiere Education in America – Don’t Fail Me – In partnership with Cable in the Classroom, presented an advanced preview of the latest installment in CNN’s In America series. CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien was on hand to give her thoughts about the documentary, which follows three high school students from across the country as they compete to win the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)national robotics competition. Immediately after the screening, O’Brien hosted a panel discussion among education experts including Dr. Steve Perry, CNN Education Contributor; Linda Rosen, PhD, Executive Officer, Change the Equation; Sean Cavanagh, Staff Writer, Education Week, Jon Dudas, President, FIRST; and Louis Malfaro, secretary-treasurer of the Texas American Federation of Teachers. Guests included congressional staffers, educators and media. (May 2011)
Viacom Washington Office premiere Thor in 3D – In partnership with Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment, gave a sneak preview of the epic adventure Thor in 3D, spanning the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. The film stars newcomer Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins as Thor’s father Odin, and Academy Award winner Natalie Portman as scientist Jane Foster. Guests included congressional staffers, Viacom’s partners, media and cable industry executives. (May 2011)
News Corporation Washington Office premiere Rio in 3D – Provided an advanced screening of the 20th Century Fox film Rio in 3D. From the makers of the hit Ice Age series, the animated film is a comedy adventure about taking a walk on the wild side, featuring the voices of Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway and George Lopez. This premiere marked the debut of 3D cinema screening at NCTA. Guests included congressional staffers, News Corporation’s partners and cable industry executives. (April 201)
BET premiere The Game and Let’s Stay Together – Provided an advanced screening of the debut of popular sitcom The Game, which follows the lives of the fictional NFL San Diego Sabers, and the debut of new sitcom Let’s Stay Together, a romantic comedy about the lives and relationships of two independent-minded sisters. Guests included congressional staffers, media, BET’s partners and cable industry executives. (January 2011)