MMP Entertainment Blog» The Sunshine Club

Neen James- It’s Australian for Fabulous, mate!

Marcello — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:05:51 +0000

The Aussie Hostess with The Mostess: Neen James with Rachel Gordon and friends.

You know it’s going to be a great party when the hostess greets you at the door and offers you a beverage and a tattoo.

Super-Productivity expert and social media darling, Neen James, along with her Master of the Barbie and technology aficionado husband, Andy, held their annual Celebrate Australia soiree at their lovely home in Bucks County, Pa.

What makes a party fabulous? First and foremost, it’s your guest list. As I mentioned in the last post, 10 Tips for Celebratory Success, when you invite the people you care about and the people who care about you, the rest will fall into place.

Neen & Andy (with a slice of homemade Pavlova Cake) Fresh fruit, meringue, cream and a crispy crust.. Bonzer!

Neen and Andy are connected to an eclectic group of cool people and thought leaders from all over the world. The house was buzzing with teachers, lawyers, publicists, professional speakers, realtors, media specialists, marketing managers, designers, make-up artists, yoga studio owners, tech experts, and even one special event entrepreneur who got a golden e-ticket this year.

The vibe was ultra-friendly and positive. Laughter was a constant- as was a nice mix of aspirational conversation, trips down memory lane and a sprinkle of networking for potential collaborations… Just right for a festively-chic night out.

Neen tweeted her guests earlier in the week reminding them to “bring your appetite.” I’m glad I took her advice and also ran an extra 3 miles in the morning. The constant service of delectable Aussie-inspired appetizers featured; prawns on the barbie, meat pies, sausage rolls, lamb chops and specialty quiches. The aromas were as delightful as the flavors.

Beké Beau showing her love for Neen and the Pavlova

Neen Knows: If you’re planning a party and want to create an intimate affair but don’t want the potential stuffiness and conversational limitations that can result from a sit-down dinner, opt for a heavy menu of passed hors d’oeuvres instead. When paired up with the right mixology offerings, this ‘freedom to mingle alternative’ to being a seating chart slave can really enhance your guest’s experience.

Neen and Andy also came through in what I call the “little things” department. They decorated the house with Aussie flags, played some cool Aussie beats in the pool room, offered everyone temporary Aussie tattoos, and had an awesome ‘Best of Australia’ photo montage playing on their huge living room plasma screen. The images were stunning! All of these elements combine to spark fun and interactive exchanges among your newly-introduced friends.

It was a pleasure meeting everyone in the fabulous network of Neen. No matter who I encountered, everyone agreed that her ability to ignite people’s productivity on both a personal and professional level is uber-impressive. If you think you can keep up, fasten your seat belt and follow her on twitter. @NeenJames

Special thanks to Neen and Andy for their generous hospitality and friendship.

Continued health, happiness and success!

Encore Gallery:

Thumbs Up for Rock and Roll!

Marcello — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:42:34 +0000

This is the kinda stuff that makes you wanna be a kid again.

This is the kinda stuff that makes you wanna inspire and be inspired.

This is the kinda stuff that makes me wanna be an awesome dad.

(Click the link to right to play the video) Thumbs Up for Rock and Roll!

Another Sunshine Club nugget from Mike Walter.

Kudos to Michael Bublé, to Sam and Pushy Mothers

Marcello — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:21:39 +0000

Michael Bublé is a ridiculously-talented and successful entertainer. He’s been mentioned and written about here on the MMP blog numerous times. He’s also brilliant when it comes to improv.

If you’ve ever gone to one of Michael’s concerts, you know that you’re gonna sing along, dance and have a lot of laughs before the night is over. Sometimes, you might even get invited up on stage for a duet…

Another gem sent in from Mike Walter.

p.s Mr. Bublé is the real deal on stage and off so be prepared for a few harmless expletives.

Courage, Love and a Reality Check

Marcello — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 14:03:31 +0000

At the end of the clip, one of the judges says, “It just makes everything you worry about…just.. so pathetic.”

Yep.

Another gem sent to the Sunshine Club from my mom…

The world needs more mothers like her and Emanuel’s mum.

‘Those Who Choose To Make A Difference’- The Sunshine Club Salutes Randy Bartlett and The ADJA

Marcello — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:31:55 +0000

Earlier this year, I featured my good friend, Randy Bartlett, here on the MMP Blog to promote his latest DVD release, “Behind The Scenes.”

He is already well-known by the mobile entertainment industry and his clients as an extremely talented Master of Ceremonies, Wedding Entertainment Director and Keynote Speaker; but the fact that he has a serious philanthropic side to complement the wit and wisdom he shares with the world might be news to many.

Last month, Bartlett, who serves as the President of the Sacramento Chapter of the American Disc Jockey Association, raised over $20,000 for Shriners Hospitals for Children in a collaborative effort with his team and the Granite Bay Golf Club. Shriners provides world class medical care for children, at no charge. Many of these children are burn victims, have orthopedic & spinal cord injuries or cleft lip and palate.

Randy shared a few of his thoughts…

J.D Firestone- ADJA chapter Secretary, Brad Cady- Golf Pro at Granite Bay Golf Club, Dr. Lerman, & Randy Bartlett

“We are all lucky to work in a profession that we love so much, where we earn a living celebrating with people on some of the greatest days of their lives. From simple birthday parties, to Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, school dances and holiday parties, we provide the entertainment that allows us to help others forget their worries and just enjoy life.

While we’re doing this, life goes on for others and unfortunately, it isn’t always happiness and joy. There are countless organizations out there whose sole purpose is to raise much needed funds to deal with everything from stray cats to cancer, all worthy causes that touch each of us in different ways.

It’s said that “with great fortune comes great responsibility” and I feel very fortunate to have a profession that allows me to experience such joy with my clients. With some other great like-minded people in the Sacramento Chapter of the ADJA, we’ve produced fund raising events in four out the last five years that have allowed us to give back some of our great fortune.

From our first effort in 2007, when we raised $2,600 for a local animal rescue facility called Happy Tails, to our latest effort, just completed on October 23-24, 2011, for Shriners Hospitals for Children, we have doubled our funds raised each year, this year reaching the $20,000 mark!”

Bartlett hopes the actions of the Sacramento Chapter will inspire other ADJA chapters and like-minded individuals to pay it forward.

If you’d like to find out more information or inquire about making a donation, please visit www.golf4shriners.com.

Kudos for choosing to make a difference Randy. Good on you my friend.

Would You Sit?

Marcello — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:43:14 +0000

We don’t promote drinking here, but we do promote laughing out loud, creativity, calculated boldness and people getting along with each other regardless of their interests.

This international commercial is a pretty cool study in human behavior. I find this stuff fascinating.

Thanks to my friend and marketing specialist, Keith Christopher, for sharing the latest addition to the Sunshine Club. -mp

A Day Made of Glass

Marcello — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 14:21:32 +0000

This commercial from Corning pretty much blew my mind. With all of its impressive concepts and suggestive actualities wrapped up in such a pristine clear-colored bow, you can be inspired and wow’d simultaneously as you enjoy this reality-based, modern-day version of the Cleaver family.

Another gem sent to the Sunshine Club from Al Gerney.

Conquering Chirripo – An Incredible Three Generation Adventure

Marcello — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:23:00 +0000

An inspiring true story from my dear friend, Norma Kahn.

Norma, Neil and Melanie Kahn Conquer Chirripo Mountain in Costa Rica

“Climbing Chirripo, the tallest mountain in Costa Rica with an altitude of 3820 meters or 12,500 feet, has been what I thought was an impossible dream. With each passing year, it seemed further out of my reach. Several months ago my son Neil invited me to climb it with him before I was too old. I’m 72.

After immediately accepting, the doubts began, but so did the determination to succeed. My husband, Ken, climbed with me daily, giving me his total encouragment. I never was able to train at much above 5,000 feet- and certainly never hiking 14.5 kilometers up, up,up.

Neil, my granddaughter Melanie, age 13, and I set out at 6:30AM on Monday, Sept. 5. LABOR DAY – and labor we did. The first kilometer took us 1 hour – daunting, steep, muddy, rocky – a harbinger of things to come. Let me say that Neil was amazing throughout – incredibly helpful and patient. After a few kilometers, Neil was carrying my pack along with his. At certain points, he was carrying Melanie’s as well. Graceful, strong Melanie made most of the hike look almost effortless. Some sections were more difficult than others. The last one, Cuesta de Arrepentidos, certainly made you want to repent. 9 1/2 hours later we actually made it to the Crestones ‘hut’ at 3,392 meters or 11,130 feet where we were two spend the next 2 nights. We ate lunch and crashed.

The hut had electricity 2 hours a day, internet 4. There was NO HOT WATER – the coldest water ever according to Neil. Neil, Melanie and I did have our own room with bunk beds. The reigning indoor outfits were heavy, heavy coats, sweaters, hats, gloves. Inside my cold weather sleeping bag, I was wearing several layers of clothing. We had hired Oscar to cook for us, but some others fixed their food on little gas stoves. This hut experience added to the adventure.

Tuesday morning we had breakfast at 5:30 and then headed up to the summit. People said this was easier, but I can’t say I agree. It was shorter – 5.5 km, but with the higher altitude and the pure rocky steepness of the last portion, it was TOUGH. I had to stop every 3 steps or so to breathe. Neil got behind me and pushed. I told you he was great. I could not have done it without him.

The feeling of exhileration, pure joy, sense of accomplishment when we arrived at the summit was incredible!!!

The next morning we headed down, which some said was more difficult than up. I didn’t find it so, but when I got to km 1, my body pretty much wilted and Neil held my hand for that last bit.

With every step down I wondered how in the world I had been able to climb that mountain, what had ever possessed me to think I could. But I could, and I did!

Thank you Melanie and Neil for this wonderful gift. I couldn’t love you more.

Norma”

“World’s Happiest Boy”

Marcello — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:54:35 +0000

Yep! How’s that for a business card tag line?

It belongs to the teen-aged classical pianist, Jason Cordero, who’s on a quest for Juliard. Every Sunday he sets up shop in the New York subway to practice, treat passers-by with a free performance… and collect future tuition. Brilliant!

“Pianist, Music Star, World’s Happiest Boy.”

Best wishes Jason! -mp

Thanks again to Mike for sharing another great Sunshine Club Submission with us.

Deal With It

Marcello — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 12:37:30 +0000

Sometimes in life and in business, you find yourself in a situation that isn’t exactly ideal. It could be a result of the weather, the economy or even the local geography that makes for some challenging times.

I’m fascinated by forward-thinking people who simply do the best they can under the circumstances and “make it happen/make it work.”

Life goes in with or without ya. It’s up to you. -mp

Thanks again to Al for sending over another Sunshine Club gem.