2. Promotions / Charity Events

Promotions … In the early 80’s, New York City’s major clubs were all eager to host large events for the magazine, asking me and our staff to invite as many as 1,000 people for complimentary parties. And hold parties we did, at the hottest clubs of the day: The Red Parrot, Xenon, The Palladium, Limelight, The Underground, and Studio 54.

Many of the models and celebrities featured in the magazine would attend, and soon restaurants too extended still more invitations. I felt privileged to be offered such promotions. But having worked at a number of charities since my days as a student in Boston, I saw this generosity as an opportunity to refashion the company as a media outlet which also hosted important charity events.

I formed a Charitable 501(c)3 Foundation, focusing our charitable efforts on the city’s Shelter Children and Breast Cancer Research, and assembled a high-profile committee. In 1987, we held our first charity fundraiser. It was a black-tie dinner-dance at The Plaza Hotel that honored William S. Paley, the legendary founder of CBS, with the first Manhattan Award. (Photography immediately below: by Rick Bard)

Charity Events … As General Chairman of these charity events, I was responsible for all details. I had to get gowns and tuxedos for the models and friends who had volunteered, choose the cocktail hour and dinner menus, hire the musicians and the photographers, create invitations, select flowers and decorations, organize the journal and other printed materials, write the speeches, select the introducers and presenters, choreograph the evening, and create the seating lists for several hundred guests.

I felt I was throwing A Huge Wedding — with some of the most important people in the country, while also raising money for the charities. Once more, I needed help. So I turned to the Bridal Magazines for help in creating our first event. But at the time, all they had were tips about looking pretty. Supermodels Carol Alt and Cheryl Tiegs, both of whom I had photographed for our magazine covers, helped as co-hosts at our early events. Many of the models I had photographed for our fashion features also helped. Looking pretty wasn’t a problem.

I realized that, if I ever figured this out, there was a huge need for a comprehensive bridal magazine addressing all the tasks that had to be handled. It wasn’t until some 40 Events Later that I felt ready to do so. But for the moment, I was still publishing Manhattan magazine and organizing events every six months, mailing and calling some 2000 people to get our 400 or so event guests. If only emails were not a decade away! (Photography immediately below: Press Photos)

About Us … Background > 1. Happy 25th Anniversary/Getting Started … 2. Annual Charity Events … 3. Celebrating Creativity
4. Globe-Spanning Photography … 5. Celebrating Love … 6. A Word of Thanks