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THE SONIC FIREFLIES

2013-03-24T20:21:00.003-04:00

TV

2013-03-22T13:48:00.000-04:00

Just a great commercial. Simple fun.

People, Hell and Angels

2013-03-12T15:05:00.000-04:00

Just got the NEW Jimi Hendrix album in the mail (pre-ordered about a month ago). I opened the box….yeah….a box! Inside, a factory sealed, double-album set…wait….let me smell the fresh vinyl…ohhhhh mannnnnn - nice! As you may or may not know, Jimi left behind some tasty tid-bits never heard before until now. Lucky me! Before we get to the music, let me mention the awesomeness of album cover art, design (something to read and peruse in a big comfy chair like you had in your dorm at college while you listen and…well…sort through the 420 'paperwork' if you will). There is also a BOOK inside the first sleeve with pictures, historical reference and liner notes. CD's and mp3's suck.

Time to get into it…..Its a rainy day here in Phily - about 2pm, the streets are quiet and Hendrix is filling the air once again.

SIDE A: 'Earth Blues', 'Somewhere' & ' Hear My Train A Comin' - smooth and silky rock coolness drizzled with blues, soul and talent - what a concoction of aural delight especially when put up against so much of the bullshitery out there today. Just amazing sounds coming off my turntable now - I think the rain is dancing. Those who said they would forever say that side four of 'London Calling' by The Clash was the best album side ever…..Side A of People, Hell and Angels may have just done a smackdown. Oh..but wait….side B is about to play….damn!!

SIDE B: 'Bleeding Heart', 'Let Me Love You' and 'Izabella' - Three deep tracks showing the versatility of arguably the best guitarist in or out of this world. I have had to actually replay Bleeding Heart because it makes you stop and think about modern music all together - I am not just having a yearn for the past, trying to relive a memory or conjure a feeling from yesteryear, this tune features the mastery of tight musicianship, killer lyrics that are not 'candyass' or outright stupid….This in an Elmore James tune for goodness sake as delivered by The Experience. How cool is that!

SIDE C: 'Easy Blues, 'Crash Landing' and 'Inside Out' - Whoa….Billy Cox is walking the bass like you might hear at The Blue Note, the sizzle of a Ziljian ride as played by Mitch Mitchell and face melting blues guitar over the top - rock sophistication I tell ya. Imagine if these guys walked out on the stage of American Idol as unknowns and played. The range of style with this band is surreal - Talent in its purest form. 'Crash Landing' is an early incarnation of what Jimi would develop later as 'Freedom'. 'Inside Out' is the only duet on the album with Hendrix playing both guitar and bass along side Mitch Mitchell on drums.

SIDE D: 'Hey Gypsy Boy', 'Mojo Man' and 'Villanova Junction Blues' - A little Albert King, some John Lee Hooker and full-on chill out - This is the post party album side when the room is filled with empties and butts and everyone has that 'feel good' expression on their face

12 songs previously unreleased are now available to enjoy on this album - I encourage you to by the vinyl and wear some deep grooves into it and take it all in - This is not a blast from the past but rather a timeless romp through greatness - Thanks Eddie Kramer for doing what you do! Nice job. - MG

A Destination for Uncommon Recreation. Revel.

2013-03-07T23:29:00.001-05:00

From build-out through launch I served as Executive Creative Director on this unusual beach-front destination. I provided experiential programming, industrial art design, resort-wide special event creation and creative leadership on all pre-open through launch marketing initiatives including print, outdoor, TV, direct mail and digital. For additional marketing proofs click REVEL under THE PROJECTS to the right.

Could The Hollywood Sign Turn into a Hotel?

2010-04-15T12:43:00.001-04:00

A Hollywood without the Hollywood Sign? Unthinkable. A Hollywood with a Hollywood Sign Hotel? Awesome.

The land behind the iconic Hollywood Sign in Hollywood, California is nearly in danger of being snapped up by private investors and real estate developers who want to build mansions on the site of the famous white letters. While the city of Los Angeles is working hard to raise the money to "Save the Peak", in other words, buy the land back from the private investors, they just filed an extension saying they were about $1.5 million away from their goal.

Yet if the city can't find a way to raise enough money to buy the land back, there could be an alternative way to keep the Hollywood sign and make some money off the land--turn it into a hotel, of course. The idea comes from Danish architect Christian Bay-Jorgensen. The LA Daily News reports:

His plan: Transform the sign itself into a hotel, each giant letter hosting guests marveling at the sweeping views of the Los Angeles basin.

The hotel-letters would be about twice the size of the current 45-foot tall sign, and include amenities such as an observation deck.

The ultimate goal, he says, would be to preserve an internationally recognized landmark while helping the city generate badly needed funding.

We love this idea. Staying a Hollywood sign letter hotel room would be the ultimate Hollywood experience. Sadly, it's probably not going to happen as the Hollywood Sign Trust is firmly committed to keep the Cahuenga peak a resting place for the Hollywood sign, not hotel rooms.

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Selling Off The Singapore Raffles Hotel

2010-04-08T22:36:00.001-04:00

Last year it was noted that Saudi multi-billionaire Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal was looking to unload Singapore's historic Raffles Hotel as part of his great hotel sell-off. At that point the price was reported to be $450 million but it looks like he was willing to accept a lot less. The hotel has been sold to Qatari Diar investment fund in a deal worth $275 million. The legendary hotel was once the home of writer Somerset Maugham and has been around since 1887. This is the hotel that gave us the cocktail known as the Singapore Sling and has been a stopping place for decades of movie stars.

The London Times reports that the deal includes plans to refurbish the hotel and revamp the adjacent retail and leisure facilities adding another 78 guest rooms. Fairmont Raffles would continue to run the hotel. Fairmont Raffles was created from the merger four years ago of the Fairmont and Raffles groups and runs more than 100 hotels. Qatari Diar already owns Le Royal Monceau in Paris, which is set to reopen under the Raffles brand this year after its Philippe Starck-led makeover.

The Founders of Business Chic! C'est Bon!

2010-04-07T13:29:00.003-04:00

April 7th 2010 - Just received a correspondence today from Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel GM Rupprecht Queitsch regarding the 'pull-through' of their Positioning 'The Founders of Business Chic'. Beyond stylish interior change, Rupprecht says:

"You wouldn’t believe it, but our operations are getting “chic-er” by the month! Things are falling into place and business has picked up nicely; we are “way not there yet” but operations and our services have improved greatly, teams are having more fun and the relation between guests and our teams have a nice feel and mixture – that’s what it’s all about."

The most exciting element here for me is that - The teams are having more fun and the relationship between associate and guest has a nice feel and mix. This is a great testament to what happens when you activate a position - It all begins to integrate and everybody can just'feel it'. If a property can not activate its 'unique' personality, the service can disconnect from the enchantment and whimsey the designers are creating. In short, if you don't have a personality, why do I want to hang-out with you!

Something to think about and well done Rupprecht!

Maison Moschino Opens Its Fantastical Doors

2010-04-03T20:15:00.001-04:00

The beauty of a unique position! Maison Moschino, the latest project from Stefano Ugolini of Hotelphilosophy, is a fashion fairytale. Together with the Moschino creative team and designer Rossella Jardini, Ugolini has created a whimsically chic hotel. The hotel was converted from an 1840s railway station in the heart of Milan and has 63 guestrooms and two junior suites over four floors. The rooms, with names like 'Little Red Riding Hood', 'Clouds' and 'Sleeping in a Ballgown' offer sweetly surreal hotel experiences.

Outside, the hotel's neoclassical 19th century facade reveals nothing unusual but once inside guests see a Moschino lampshade dress acting as a lamp to illuminate the main entrance hall where origami clouds hang from the ceiling. Rooms feature imaginative designs, including one where silk rose petals dangle from the chandelier as if falling from the sky. In another, guests will feel as though they really are sleeping in the enormous ballgown that transitions from the headboard to the baseboard. 'The Forest' room, 'Luxurious Attic' and junior suites on the second floor are inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

The hotel's 'Clandestino Milano' restaurant has decorative elements that echo the curvaceous silhouettes of the Moschino dresses. Small lights on the ceilings look like clouds and a bar light was created from a stiletto boot. The restaurant, headed by Italian chef Moreno Cedroni, serves pasta, meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes, including 'Colourful Sushi' creations. An unusual palate cleansing concoction of sake and mint based 'mouthwash' finishes the meal. For breakfast there is the 'Mos kit' that comes in a choice of four, six or eight combinations and is served in a shoe box-like tray. Room rates start at 270 euros.

NO-TIP LUXURY

2010-03-18T20:34:00.001-04:00

Consider this: Part of the hidden expense of staying at a luxury hotels is tipping but one hotel, the Elysian in Chicago has done away with it. USA Today's Hotel Check-In column reports that the hotel has adopted a no-tipping-necessary policy. David Pisor, the developer behind the 188 room hotel says that he finds thinking about tipping detracts from the luxury experience. The article points out that Pisor is also the nephew of Alice Waters whose Chez Panisse has had a service charge in lieu of tipping for years. Customers can tip if they want to but are told when they book the room and check in that tipping is not necessary.
The Elysian is an ultra-luxury hotel where rooms cost around $350 per night. The hotel includes large residence-styled guest rooms and suites. The hotel has two restaurants, a bar and a health club and spa. It offers 24-hour room service and a 24-hour doorman and security. A private fleet of luxury automobiles are available for local transportation and airport transfers.

NOSE UP!

2010-03-17T21:28:00.000-04:00

When we check into a hotel, at the front desk we are greeted, asked our name and from that point forward the person behind the desk rudely buries their nose into their computer processing data trying to 'unearth' us from a giant reservation system. The eye to eye contact is minimal at best and the experience is nothing more than a retail transaction. It does not matter what brand you are - It's the common experience.

Consider this: Try and recall the film 'The Wizard of Oz' and even more specifically, 'the man behind the curtain' in the Emerald City scene. As Dorothy and company watched an apparition of a great wizard appear in front of their eyes, it was really a little man behind the scenes, turning the knobs and dials and broadcasting his voice to create the illusion. Now imagine in this spirit of 'Oz', if at a front Desk of a luxury hotel, a guest could walk up to a clerk, have a short welcoming conversation, ask the guests name and inquire if they had a pleasant trip and just as the guest finishes their brief story, the clerk responds with 'well it our pleasure to serve you, your room number is 222. Please enjoy your stay'...and did so, without ever breaking eye contact! Somehow, the front desk clerk is able to pull up a reservation without striking a keyboard or looking away from the guest for a second.... Fantastic!

Is it so 'space age' that we can not deploy a BOH associate who sits 'off stage' whose sole responsibility is to listen to the guest/clerk conversation through a headset, pull up the information 'out of sight' and deliver it back to the front desk clerk through an earpiece so the front desk person can engage the guest whilst this in process? In other words, is it possible to have your front desk team be the 'wizards' while a couple of people 'turn the knobs and dials, do the reservation search, data collection, etc' behind a curtain? Sure it is....We have done it before, it works beautifully and every guest talks about it.

A CULTURE OF BUILDERS

2010-03-09T14:33:00.001-05:00

Hotel Openings & Acquisitions

Hilton Signs New Property In Cairo

Hilton Worldwide has signed a Management Agreement with High for Touristic Projects for the new-build Hilton Heliopolis in Egypt's capital Cairo, scheduled to open in 2014

MARCH 8, 2010 - The 485-room and 150-apartment low-rise property located in Cairo's upmarket Heliopolis suburb adjoins an integrated shopping complex and is next to the Cairo International Airport.

"We are very happy to have signed this management agreement for this landmark hotel in Cairo - an important development market for us. Hilton Heliopolis will truly complement our existing portfolio in Cairo, while also supporting our position as the leading hotel brand in Egypt. Thanks to Cairo's bustling new international airport, which aims to handle 20 million passengers per year, we see increasing demand for accommodation in the affluent Heliopolis quarter," said Jean-Paul Herzog, President, Hilton Worldwide, Middle East & Africa.

The Classicist: A Perfect Pictorial History of Porsche

2010-03-08T21:05:00.001-05:00

"Porsche means looking at the world from a different angle. The fact that, unlike other cars, the ignition switch is located to the left of the steering wheel is just one indication that this company, these sports cars and this family are different from other automobile dynasties." Thus beginsGeneration Porsche, a brilliant new volume published by teNeues in the wake of the opening of the new Porsche Museum at Zuffenhausen's Porscheplatz in Stuttgart. The most comprehensive and best-designed pictorial history of the marque we've seen to date, it contains a brilliantly curated collection of artfully layered images, taking full advantage of the museum's archives and displays showing how three generations of the Porsche family have defined automobile history, and in particular the saga of the sports car. Until you can actually get over to Germany, this book is the next best thing. Every 'lifestyle hotel' must have a copy of this book resting on a Herman Miller coffee table somewhere in the public space.

JW Marquis Dubai

2010-03-05T11:17:00.001-05:00

The largest hotel is coming to Dubai. The Positioning teaches us to 'focus on X but keep our eye on the Y'...

CLUTTER

2010-03-04T12:27:00.000-05:00

Consider this from the 'Experiology School of Thought". For the past ten tears, we have witnessed a change in the hotel industry. A change that comes in the form of architectural enhancement, interior design makeovers and even the immersion into a mid-century modern lifestyle revival. Hard goods, case goods, FF&E have been at the forefront for a decade now. What I find interesting is that when I stay at anyone of the many outstanding Marriott International properties there are around the world, beneath the new desk lamp or adjacent to the signature bed, tucked in a drawer and hidden from sight, you will find a book. A book that is baked with tradition and heritage - the founding principles on which the entire brand was built. The Spirit to Serve. One would think that this book should be in plain sight, a tribute to what has made the company so great over the years and have it readily available for her guests to absorb. When I asked an industry professional why they thought the book was hidden away, he answered quite simply, 'clutter'. To me, the symbolism is quite strong. 'Clutter' is a design ethic and thus design is overpowering the core essence of the company - The Spirit to Serve. Something to talk about over a glass of wine perhaps.

Al Gezira Palace HBP

2010-03-02T18:50:00.001-05:00

Before we can begin immersive thematic training, we must create the story.......

Historic Hotels of Cairo

2010-03-02T10:06:00.001-05:00

HBP - "A Masterpiece for Guests of Honor"

2010-02-09T12:28:00.002-05:00

Hotel Packages, Renovations, & Awards

Experiology Makes 'Experiential Vitality' the Cornerstone of The Cairo Marriott Hotel Restoration

February 8, 2010 – Experiology LLC of Orlando Florida is an operating participant in the revitalization of one of Cairo’s premier historic hotel properties, The Cairo Marriott Hotel, formerly known as the Al Gezira Palace. The hotel will soon be completely restored to its legendary glory revealing enhancements that will go well beyond architectural renovation to encompass the complete guest experience.

The new Hotel Business Positioning for The Cairo Marriott Hotel, established by Experiology LLC, defines the property as "A Masterpiece for Guests of Honor." The new positioning articulates the property’s return to the authentic Egyptian hospitality, elegance and tradition that made the original Al Gezira Palace a favorite destination for luminaries visiting Egypt for the opening of the Suez Canal.

Mitch Gorshin, Chief Creative Officer of Experiology LLC says, “It is time to bring The Palace back to life. It is time for a new generation of discerning clientele to discover the inherent pleasures of this pillar of Egyptian civility.” Unique guest programming for the hotel and innovative theatrical training for associates will enhance the architectural restorations that the hotel is undergoing.

HBP: 'HISTORICALLY STYLISH'

2010-02-03T12:37:00.008-05:00

February 2, 2010 - Renaissance Hotels has opened the 128-room Renaissance Malmo Hotel in Malmo, Sweden under a franchise agreement with Scandinavian Hospitality Group (SHG). The Hotel Business Positioning (HBP) was created in 2008 by Mitch Gorshin.

The Renaissance Malmo Hotel brings together the best of the Renaissance brand experience as it blends history with ultra-modern design in the hotel's three preserved historical buildings. The location of the hotel building named 'the rose' dates back to the early 1800's. Located in the heart of Malmo, Sweden, the hotel is located at the vibrant Lilla torg and also just a five-minute walk to the Malmo Central Station which offers a short 30 minute train ride to Copenhagen International Airport, Denmark.

And the winner is...

2010-02-01T10:49:00.000-05:00

Experiology's work is 99% International so it is important for us to make guest observations when entering global markets to make certain that experience is aligned with culture. But last night's Grammy Awards had me ponder the North American audience. Taylor Swift won Album of the Year - beating out Lady Gaga, Beyonce and The Black Eyed Peas. A big WOW to many. What this underlines to me is that North America's biggest audience willing to spend money on entertainment, is not on the East or West coast, it's in the heartland and reaching this audience is counterproductive to today's design trend - Ultra lounges, hyper-modern furnishing, digital instead replacing analogue is not what this audience is about - Again, this is North America I am talking about. When you are planning to refurb your property or perhaps building a new one here in the States, consider the outcome of the 2010 Grammy's and really question how you are going to reach this audience. In this era of cosequences, making the right decision is critical.

Twitter-ology!

2010-01-26T12:26:00.000-05:00

Experiology can now be followed on Twitter for 'of the moment' operational tid-bits, activation tricks and comp set observations. Simply go to twitter.com and search: experiology

The New Public Declaration

2010-01-21T10:01:00.006-05:00

With the new year comes new direction - The Brand Manifestos are now being released. As the hotels and resorts begin to tackle this change in strategy, consider these points:

1) New expression must be better than what it replaces:

(Great service is better than most lobbies)

2) Great environments rely on intelligent applications

(Just because you should does not mean you can)

3) Great environments need an assertive public

(Great environments only thrive if there is public demand)

4) Useful experiences must be planned

(Long before they an be operated))

5) Great public space must facilitate better living

(The delights of good design - We all want it but not all can do it)

6) Adapting a good idea into local relevance is the mission

(If your audience does not get it - what good is it)

7) Hotels have an obligation to challenge

(Controversy has a positive role in todays hotel and resort landscape)

To be a great 'change agent' it is sometimes necessary to reach to the outside for assistance to help you interpret 'direction' into relevant application for your audience. Having been educated by corporate on the new Brand Manifestos, Experiology is now ready to help each property adapt standards with cultural nuance in a cost effective manner in this time when owners may be the ultimate success preventers as dollars seem to be getting tighter and tighter.

828 Metres called Burj Khalifa

2010-01-05T05:26:00.003-05:00

DUBAI - As fireworks lit up the night sky last night and fountains danced to the lilting sounds of bagpipes, Burj Khalifa took its place as the tallest building on earth. Whilst this night will stay etched in the ever-changing history of Dubai, Experiology is currently here working on the largest hotel in the Emirate - The JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. Positioned as 'The Spectrum of Business', this forward thinking construct will reinvent how business is executed by creating focused appeal to both the Generation X and Y audiences through advanced guest programming. Is Dubai going through a recession? Hardly. As Frank Sinatra once crooned, 'The best has yet to come'.

A LETTER FROM THE ROAD

2009-10-12T12:20:00.004-04:00

Hi Mitch,

We drove through the mountains and the Sinai desert from Sharm El Sheikh to Taba Heightsn which is about 20 clicks from Aqaba, on the Jordanian boader. It is very dangerous ride, with three check points and through poor driving our Egyptian driver almost killed us twice.

There were road works, signage just a battered cone and an old tire. We swerved to miss that and ended up on the wrong side of the road and then the driver stayed there. Andreas (Wissdorf) and I were both screaming from the back seat move over to the right. There were double white lines as we were approaching the bow of a hill. The driver couldn't understand us and was looking in the mirror saying yes sir. At the last moment he moved over just as the road was split in the center by a barrier.

The next one was on a mountain road he decided to over take on a blind corner. Again we shouted to pull back in, we had a truck flashing his lights and at the last moment he pulled back.

We have to do the tow and half hour drive back to Sharm tomorrow to catch a flight to Cairo, we will use a different driver! Wish us luckJ

All the best,

Paul Downing

Regional Vice President Of Operations United Kingdom, Ireland, Middle East & Africa

Marriott Hotels International Ltd

2009-08-13T22:17:00.008-04:00

The beach at the Curacao Marriott is gorgeous!

Granted, that is not earth-shattering news. This is the Southern Caribbean and I am at a fabulous property … of course, with the sun shining bright, it is not news that a pretty beach exists here, right? However, it is 9:30 at night. The ocean is rich and dark, but the waves are lapping up onto sands washed in deep blues, vibrant yellows and exotic reds. A slow shift in the rainbow unrolls a purple silk of light which glides down the sand to a chorus of “Ouhhs” and “Ahhhs”. Hotel guests are strolling about, drinks in hand, joyously commenting about how glorious this experience is to them. They are taking pictures of each other. I catch the phrase “incredible” and a laugh on the breeze. This is fun! I was talking to a honeymooning couple earlier in the day and I see them approaching, the bride with her head on her husband’s shoulder. As they draw near, I realize there is a tear glistening on her check. Knowing that I had been working on the beach lighting, she tells me, “It is just so beautiful… magical … it feels like they did this just for us.”

Wow! The beach lights are on at the Curacao Marriott Resort.

This has been quite a project and the timetable has been longer than we initially thought, but the final result is stunning. That is what it takes to do something that exists nowhere else. The initial concept was to create a dynamic night tapestry in light on the beach using state-of-the-art LED fixtures, drastically cut energy usage (‘green’ / major energy cost savings) and maintain the same level of security lighting along the back of the property. Severe weather, the marine environment and the limitations of existing LED technologies were obstacles we needed to overcome. Working closely with the manufacturer and a very supportive, helpful resort team, we racked up frequent flier miles and resolved each and every hurdle.

Tonight, I am witnessing a shining success.

Royal Riedinger

Senior Producer

Experiology

PURA VIDA!

2009-04-27T22:20:00.006-04:00

Costa Rica…The Rich Coast is exactly all that the name implies. The richness extends from the colors of the sea, sand, rainforest and coffee to the quality of life that Ticos here enjoy. During a week in Costa Rica every flavorful morsel and refreshing drink I’ve savored has sprung from this bountiful, young land which heaves frequently just to remind you its still in the process of being born. Everything is tree-ripened, local, organic and expertly prepared – the sort of foods you have to seek out and pay dearly for back home. At Los Suenos Marriot Resort, Sous Chef Rodrigo Salazar Loria’s award-winning, innovative Nuevo Latino dishes converted me into a fervent devotee of molecular-cuisine. I leave Costa Rica with newly-acquired tastes: for the flavors of Central American cuisine; for the rush of adrenaline that comes from zip-lining, deep-sea fishing and jungle trekking and for the soothing after-effects of endorphins - enjoyed best with a cocktail at sunset. - Maria Gorshin