--- title: Event Awards | American business awards description: American business awards | The live event awards blog of the Stevie Awards, the world's premier business awards programs. --- [![stevie-awards-full-logo](https://blog.stevieawards.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stevie%20Awards%20Blog%20Theme%20Files/stevie-awards-full-logo.png?width=347&height=70&name=stevie-awards-full-logo.png "stevie-awards-full-logo")](http://stevieawards.com) Click to View Posts by Stevie® Awards Categories ## [NASCAR’s Stevie Award-Winning Live Event Works For Toyota](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/bid/88358/NASCAR-s-Stevie-Award-Winning-Live-Event-Works-For-Toyota) Posted by [Michael Gallagher](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/author/michael-gallagher) on Wed, Dec 18, 2013 @ 01:45 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) *The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) of New York won a Gold Stevie Award for Best Brand Experience Event in the [live event awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2179_21310.cfm) categories of The 2013 American Business Awards. (Entries for [The 2014 American Business Awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/aba/) are now being accepted - **[get your entry kit here](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/general/72_194_900.cfm)**.) * *We asked NASCAR how their Stevie-winning [event of the year](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2179_21310.cfm) provided branding opportunities for Toyota.* NASCAR created a first-of-its-kind “fan” event, *NASCAR Contenders Live, Sponsored by Toyota*, to promote The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the most competitive stretch of the NASCAR season.  Presented in September 2012, the event was built upon one of the biggest moments in the sport: the announcement of the top 12 drivers in The Chase. **![Matt Shulman](https://blog.stevieawards.com/hs-fs/file-418814560-jpg/images/mattshulman.jpg)Branding Opportunity for Toyota **For Toyota, the goal was to engage NASCAR fans and build excitement for The Chase by providing access to the top 12 NASCAR drivers. An integrated marketing platform showcased Toyota’s involvement in the sport throughout the entire event cycle. Toyota wanted to highlight its “made in the U.S.” product and incorporate a local manufacturing plant in Chicago’s backyard. The event gave Toyota hospitality and branding opportunities in the Chicago region, as Toyota was able to engage their Chicago-region associates through the VIP hospitality area that was created by NASCAR. NASCAR created an event thematic that would align with the powerful brand identity of The Chase while ensuring that the DNA of Toyota’s brand was integrated. NASCAR secured Chris Myers, a [NASCAR on Fox](http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar) personality, to emcee the event and encourage additional energy at the venue with the questions he had for the top 12 drivers. Some of the questions were collected through Toyota’s Facebook page, and some questions were asked live by the fans themselves. The dual webcast made available by Fox Sports 1 and [NASCAR.com](http://www.nascar.com/en_us/sprint-cup-series.html) captured all the best moments.   **Traditional & Social Media **Targeted media to promote the event and Toyota’s sponsorship were pivotal in generating awareness. This included the #1 rated ABC TV local morning show in Chicago; radio; digital outlets like NASCAR.com, Facebook, and Twitter; and advertising at the track. NASCAR created a partnership with the motoring blog [SPEED](http://msn.foxsports.com/speed) to elevate publicity associated with the event. NASCAR built a multifaceted communications plan to reinforce Toyota’s support and Official Sponsor status. Both national and local media were targeted to deliver on these objectives. Coverage included Speed TV (now [Fox Sports 1](http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsports1)),*The New York Times*, *Sports Business Journal*; and on a local level with the *Chicago Tribune*, *Chicago Sun-Times*, and Crain’s *Chicago Business Magazine*.      Toyota was integrated throughout the entire marketing platform, including key incorporation of Toyota drivers in a social media campaign through Twitter. **Sweepstakes** A sweepstakes was held in the run-up to the event, and as the Official Sponsor of NASCAR Contenders Live, Toyota provided the ultimate sweepstakes prize: a Toyota Camry. The winner attended the NASCAR Contenders Live event to have the keys to their new Toyota presented to them on stage. The Sweepstakes generated over half a million Toyota Facebook Page Views and received over 205,000 Sweepstakes entries in a six-week period. **Sell-Out Event **The event was sold out in its inaugural year. NASCAR conducted a custom survey to ticket buyers following the NASCAR Contenders Live event. As a true testament of the strong alignment with Toyota, 94% of survey respondents could recall Toyota as the sponsor of the event.  Over 143 total media hits were secured--including TV, radio, and online--reaching 34.5 million people. There was zero neutral or negative traditional news coverage, and over 80% of earned media rated “strongly favorable” or better (Source: Carma International Global Media Analysts). Said Matt Shulman, managing director of Marketing Platforms: “Winning a [Stevie Award](http://www.stevieawards.com/) for this [live event](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2179_21310.cfm) is an honor.  With our hard-working colleagues at [JHE Production](http://www.gojhe.com/), we put together a spectacularly successful event for our sponsors, and being recognized for this by our peers at The American [Business Awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/aba) has been a great experience.” Find out more about the importance of [corporate awards here](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/general/72_194_8831.cfm). To view all the awards categories in The 2014 American Business Awards, visit: [http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/70_816_3655.cfm](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/70_816_3655.cfm) **About Matt Shulman **Matt Shulman serves as NASCAR’s managing director of marketing platforms, managing a department that provides strategic direction, content development, and creative solutions to more than 40 official partners, licensees, and automotive partners of the sanctioning body. Based in NASCAR’s New York office, Shulman’s biggest achievements include launching a national marketing partnership with one of the country’s largest retailers; producing award-winning live events; conceptualizing the company’s first web-based sponsorship product; and developing some of the first NASCAR social media campaigns. Before joining the NASCAR team six years ago, Shulman worked in media and film at CBS Altitude Group, Studionext.com, Hypnotic, and Hill Holliday Advertising. **About NASCAR **The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) governs the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. For more information, visit [www.nascar.com](http://www.nascar.com) and follow NASCAR at [www.facebook.com/NASCAR](http://www.facebook.com/NASCAR) and Twitter: [@NASCAR](http://www.twitter.com/nascar). 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/bid/88358/NASCAR-s-Stevie-Award-Winning-Live-Event-Works-For-Toyota#comments-listing) Topics: [live event awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/live-event-awards), [American business awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/american-business-awards), [stevie awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/stevie-awards), [event awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/event-awards), [nascar](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/nascar), [event of the year](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/event-of-the-year), [toyota](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/toyota), [sprint cup](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/sprint-cup) ## [11 Live Event Awards Categories Honored at The American Business Awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/bid/80121/11-Live-Event-Awards-Categories-Honored-at-The-American-Business-Awards) Posted by [Liz Dean](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/author/liz-dean) on Wed, Nov 07, 2012 @ 01:28 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) The first early-bird entry deadline for 2013 [American Business Awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/aba), the premier [business awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/70_816_3655.cfm) program in the U.S.A., is Friday, November 16 and we thought it would be helpful for organizations if we highlighted our [live event awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2179_21310.cfm) categories. (If you haven't yet done so, you can [download your entry kit here](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/general/72_194_904.cfm).) Our categories recognize excellence in live events staged since January, 1 2012. **Our [best event](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2179_21310.cfm) categories include:** 1. ![Gold Stevie Award](https://blog.stevieawards.com/hs-fs/file-13813435-jpg/images/stevieaward.jpg)Best Brand Experience Event (**New category for 2013**) 2. Best Consumer Event (e.g. auto show, boat show, health & fitness expo, etc.) 3. Best Exhibition Display, Stand or Feature (**New category for 2013**) 4. Best Tradeshow or Convention 5. Best Association Event or Meeting 6. Best Corporate Image Event 7. Best New Product Introduction Event 8. Best Internal Recognition/Motivational Event 9. Best Sales Meeting 10. Best Sales Presentation 11. ****Best Public Relations Event (**New category for 2013**)**** **Your [event awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2179_21310.cfm) submissions should include:** 1. An essay of up to 525 words describing the event: its genesis, goals, development, and results. You may include detailed production notes, audience demographics, etc. 2.  Any number of supporting files and web addresses that you may upload to our server to support your entry and provide more background information to the judges. These may include video clips, photographs, press reviews, news articles, and so on. 3. Optionally, you may list creative and production credits for your event - a list of the people and organizations that contributed to its development. **Our 2012 Gold ABA [event of the year](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2179_21310.cfm) winners included:** - **Best Consumer Event ** [The Visionary Group, Los Angeles, CA: Microsoft New Store Openings](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2658_21908.cfm) - **Best Tradeshow or Convention** [BMO Capital Markets, Chicago, IL: 2012 BMO Capital Markets Global Metals & Mining Conference](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2658_21949.cfm) - **Best Association Event or Meeting** [NASCAR, New York, NY: NASCAR Fuel for Business](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2658_21902.cfm) - **Best Corporate Image Event** [Achievers, San Francisco, CA: Annual Customer Experience](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2658_21845.cfm) - **Best New Product Introduction Event** [Zing USA, Inc., Venice, CA: Zing USA - Katy Perry Lashes created by Eylure Launch Event](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2658_21905.cfm) - **Best Internal Recognition/Motivational Event** [Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, VA: Booz Allen Ideas Festival: A Big Idea with Huge Impact](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2658_21991.cfm) 2013 ABA Finalists will be announced mid-May and the 11th Annual award winners will be announced at our traditional banquet in Chicago on June 17. ***If you have any questions about which category your should enter, please email us at [help@stevieawards.com](mailto:help@stevieawards.com) or call us at + 1 703-547-8389.*** 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/bid/80121/11-Live-Event-Awards-Categories-Honored-at-The-American-Business-Awards#comments-listing) Topics: [business awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/business-awards), [live event awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/live-event-awards), [American business awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/american-business-awards), [event awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/event-awards), [best event](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/best-event), [event of the year](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/event-of-the-year) ## [8 Live Event Awards Categories Honored at The American Business Awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/bid/74249/8-Live-Event-Awards-Categories-Honored-at-The-American-Business-Awards) Posted by [Liz Dean](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/author/liz-dean) on Thu, Apr 12, 2012 @ 12:41 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) The entry deadline for The 2012 (10th Annual) [American Business Awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/aba), the premier [business awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/70_816_3655.cfm) program in the U.S.A., is fast approaching on** Wednesday, April 25 **and we thought it would be helpful for organizations if we highlighted our [live event awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2179_21310.cfm) categories. (If you haven't yet done so, you can [download your entry kit here](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/general/72_194_904.cfm).) Our categories recognize excellence in live events staged since January 1 2011. **Our [best event](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2179_21310.cfm) categories include:** - Best Consumer Event (e.g. auto show, boat show, health & fitness expo, etc.) - Best Tradeshow or Convention - Best Association Event or Meeting![American Business Awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/hs-fs/file-13813060-gif/images/head_abalogo1-resized-600.gif) - Best Corporate Image Event - Best New Product Introduction Event - Best Internal Recognition/Motivational Event - Best Sales Meeting - Best Sales Presentation **Your [event awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2179_21310.cfm) submissions should include:** - An essay of up to 500 words describing the event: its genesis, goals, development, and results. You may include detailed production notes, audience demographics, etc. - Any number of supporting files and web addresses that you may upload to our server to support your entry and provide more background information to the judges. These may include video clips, photographs, press reviews, news articles, and so on. - Optionally, you may list creative and production credits for your event - a list of the people and organizations that contributed to its development **Our 2011 ABA [event of the year](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2179_21310.cfm) winners included:** - **Best Consumer Event**- [Sprint Prepaid Brands, Warren, NJ: Virgin Mobile FreeFest](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2649_21288.cfm) - **Best Corporate Image Event**- [SAP Marketing, New York, NY: SAP SAPPHIRE NOW](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2649_21289.cfm) - **Best Internal Recognition/Motivational Event- **[Quality Systems, Inc., Irvine, CA: NextGen Users Group Meeting Attracts Record Attendees; Largest in Company History](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2649_21290.cfm) - **Best New Product Introduction Event**- [MWW Group, East Rutherford, NJ: Showcasing the Surprisingly Sophisticated All-New 2011 Volkswagen Jetta](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2649_21291.cfm) - **Best Tradeshow or Convention**- [Vemma Nutrition Company, Scottsdale, AZ: Vemma Power of Why Convention](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2649_21292.cfm) 2012 ABA Finalists will be announced mid-May and the 10th Annual event award winners will be announced at our traditional banquet on June 18th at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. *** If you have any questions about which category your should enter, please email us at [help@stevieawards.com](mailto:help@stevieawards.com) or call us at + 1 703-547-8389.*** 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/bid/74249/8-Live-Event-Awards-Categories-Honored-at-The-American-Business-Awards#comments-listing) Topics: [business awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/business-awards), [live event awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/live-event-awards), [American business awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/american-business-awards), [event awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/event-awards), [best event](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/best-event), [event of the year](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/event-of-the-year) ## [8 Strategies for Event Success, From a Live Event Awards Winner](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/bid/73384/8-Strategies-for-Event-Success-From-a-Live-Event-Awards-Winner) Posted by [Liz Dean](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/author/liz-dean) on Tue, Mar 20, 2012 @ 11:28 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [*Vemma Nutrition Company*](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2649_21292.cfm)* of Scottsdale, Arizona, USA won a Stevie® Award in the *[*live event awards*](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2179_21310.cfm)* categories of* *The 2011 *[*American Business Awards*](http://www.stevieawards.com/aba)*, the premier business awards program in the U.S.A., **for* *Best Tradeshow or Convention. **(The deadline for entering the 2012 ABAs is March 28. You can start submitting entries by *[*downloading your entry kit here*](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/general/72_194_904.cfm)*.)* ![Vemma Nutrition Company](https://blog.stevieawards.com/hs-fs/file-13813502-jpg/images/vemma-nutrition-company_150_2-resized-600.jpg)Founded in 2004, Vemma Nutrition Company specializes in a premium liquid nutrition formula that makes it easy for consumers to get vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants needed to form a solid nutritional foundation. The company sells their product directly to individuals, and offers an income stream to people and organizations who introduce their product line to others. In February 2011, Vemma held their annual "Power of Why" Convention at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada to share new products, enhance selling techniques, and motivate their Brand Partners. The [live event award](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2179_21310.cfm) winner hosted a successful convention by using the following strategies: 1. **Pay Close Attention to Marketing & Promotion** The [event awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2179_21310.cfm) winner's commitment to convention enrollment was illustrated through their marketing and promotion efforts. The company created a dedicated [convention website](http://www.vemma.com/convention/entry/), produced several YouTube videos, and created buzz through social media outreach. 2. **Connect with Attendees** Vemma Founder & CEO, BK Boreyko, hosted a lavish reception as a way to include all attendees and create excitement about the convention. 3. **Attention to Detail is Everything** No detail was too small at the convention. Vemma staff transformed the MGM into their own little world with everything including interactive floor graphics to Power of Why branded escalators and posted personal Why statements. 4. **Have Distinguished Keynote Speakers** The convention included an array of motivating speakers including: heart surgeon and award-winning syndicated talk show host, Dr. Mehmet Oz; Dr. Michael Roizen; The Sleep Doctor™, and publisher and editor of SUCCESS magazine Darren Hardy. 5. **Offer Insightful Training Sessions** In addition to networking, [best event](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2179_21310.cfm) attendees received training sessions on how to grow their businesses. 6. **Introduce New Tools** Convention attendees got an inside look at new Vemma tools including Success Profiles for personal websites and new iPad apps for download. 7. **Highlight Success Stories **Convention leaders developed “The Power of You. The Power of Why,” a series of approximately 20 videos capturing top leaders’ family and friends secretly interviewed about their journeys to success which were shown throughout the event to inspire attendees. 8. **Award and Recognize** Top income-earners were distinguished throughout the event with onstage acknowledgement and prizes. Through these celebrations, all attendees were motivated to succeed. The Power of Why Convention attendees left Las Vegas with more Vemma knowledge, savvier business techniques, and extra motivation for success. As a result of their efforts, Vemma staff saw an increase of enrollments by 30%, record-breaking March 2011 sales, and immediate sale of 1/3 of 2012 convention tickets. **About Vemma Nutrition Company** Founded in 2004, Vemma Nutrition Company specializes in premium liquid nutrition providing formula in several unique products, making it easy to get for individuals to get the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants they need. The company's mission is to help others by enhancing their well being and offering an income stream to those who share the product with others. Vemma is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona and Vemma products are distributed in over 50 countries. For more information, visit [http://www.vemma.com/](http://www.vemma.com/). 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/bid/73384/8-Strategies-for-Event-Success-From-a-Live-Event-Awards-Winner#comments-listing) Topics: [live event awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/live-event-awards), [American business awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/american-business-awards), [event awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/event-awards), [best event](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/best-event), [Live Event Award](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/live-event-award), [Vemma Nutrition Company](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/vemma-nutrition-company) ## [Virgin Mobile USA's FreeFest Rocks ABA Live Event Awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/bid/55357/Virgin-Mobile-USA-s-FreeFest-Rocks-ABA-Live-Event-Awards) Posted by [Michael Gallagher](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/author/michael-gallagher) on Thu, Jun 23, 2011 @ 01:18 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) *Virgin Mobile USA, a Sprint Prepaid brand base in Warren, New Jersey USA, won the Stevie Award for Best Consumer Event in the [Live Event awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/70_816_3660.cfm) categories of The 2011 [American Business Awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/aba), announced on Monday, June 20 in New York City.* The Virgin Mobile Festival, a two-day music festival and ultimate fan experience based on the legendary U.K. Virgin Fest, launched in 2006 at Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland—and tens of thousands of fans have experienced the magic every year since. In 2009, the music festival became free, with a focus on giving back to people who were less fortunate. It was renamed the Virgin Mobile FreeFest.  Over 25,000 fans attending the first Virgin Mobile FreeFest rocked hard with Blink-182, Franz Ferdinand, Public Enemy, Weezer, and more.   The fans may also have been giddy with good karma, having donated over 30,000 hours of community service through [Virgin Mobile’s FREE I.P. program](http://www.virginmobilefreeip.com/). This program encouraged fans to volunteer eight hours of time at designated homeless youth shelters in exchange for an upgraded VIP seat.  In addition, the music festival raised more than $80,000 to benefit homeless youth organizations. **Commitment to Give Back** Virgin Mobile’s strategy for launching the 2009 event was to lighten things up in the face of a rough economy while raising awareness for the issue of homeless youth through Virgin Mobile’s charitable initiative: The RE*Generation.** ** The RE*Generation is Virgin Mobile’s effort to empower a generation to help its own by bringing together organizations that care about homeless youth, and connecting them with young people who want to help. The RE*Generation program has been a force in creating awareness and support for homeless youth since 2006.** ** The 2010 Virgin Mobile FreeFest brought an amazing group of artists, bands, and events covering more than 40 acres at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. The A-list lineup included headliners Ludacris, LCD Soundsystem, MIA, Jimmy Eat World, and Thievery Corporation.** ** **Paying It Forward to Help Homeless Youth** What really sets FreeFest apart from other events, though, is its Pay-It-Forward commitment. Although 35,000 tickets were scooped up online in just minutes, Virgin Mobile’s FREE I.P. program, returning for a second year, allowed fans still interested in attending to volunteer their time at homeless youth organizations in order to earn their way into the festival. Fans were also encouraged to make a $5 donation in support of The RE*Generation. Those who made the donation received a 2010 Virgin Mobile FreeFest mash-up of the entire lineup. For 2010, Virgin Mobile FreeFest amped up the charitable component and strongly encouraged concert goers and fans to top the 2009 donations.  That goal was achieved. Virgin Mobile FreeFest 2010 raised a total of $200,000—all benefiting homeless youth organizations [Sasha Bruce Youthwork](http://www.sashabruce.org/) and [Green Chimneys](http://www.greenchimneys.org/)—while attendees volunteered a collective 25,000 hours.  ![Ron Faris](https://blog.stevieawards.com/hs-fs/file-13812161-jpg/images/0611sprintfaris.jpg)Said Ron Faris, formerly director of Brand Marketing for Virgin Mobile and currently Director, Brand Strategy & Marketing, Virgin Mobile USA: “Virgin Mobile FreeFest’s main objective of raising money and giving back to the community while providing a rocking experience met and surpassed all our expectations.” Details of the 2011 event will be announced soon at [http://www.virginmobilefreefest.com](http://www.virginmobilefreefest.com/). **About Sprint Prepaid Brands** Sprint’s prepaid portfolio includes the following brands: Assurance Wireless, Boost Mobile, PayLo, and Virgin Mobile. Each brand is customized to appeal to a specific customer segment within the expanding prepaid market, all without contracts and all on the Nationwide Sprint Network. **About Ron Faris** As director of Brand Experiences at Virgin Mobile USA, Ron Faris has been responsible for managing Virgin Mobile’s largest brand marketing programs, including lifestyle marketing, events and sponsorships, branded entertainment, and cause-related marketing initiatives. He oversaw the execution of Virgin Mobile’s sponsorship of The Monster Ball Starring Lady Gaga in 2010 and 2011. Prior to that he conceived and launched the 2009 Virgin Mobile “FreeFest,” the largest free concert in the country.  The Virgin Mobile Festival, now the largest on the East Coast as it enters its fifth year, has boasted the largest acts in the nation, including Kanye West, Bob Dylan, Foofighters, The Who, and The Police. Before that, he was responsible for managing Virgin Mobile’s sponsorship of “The Circus Starring Britney Spears.” As part of Sprint now, Ron’s responsibilities have shifted to oversee more of the broader positioning of Virgin Mobile in the marketplace including advertising and brand communications.  He recently introduced the “Sparah” campaign, which has Virgin Mobile literally manufacturing a celebrity couple to demonstrate the many ways our customers use data and social networking to keep tabs on pop culture. Prior to joining Virgin Mobile, Ron was director of strategic partnerships at Atari, the video game company. There, he was instrumental in building content licensing deals focusing on mobile platforms, interactive TV, and in-game music development. Ron also served as brand director, building robust multi-platform marketing programs for games such as “The Matrix: Path of Neo.” Ron began his career working for six years at Accenture in their telecommunications and media & entertainment consulting practices. He then joined Scient Corporation (now Razorfish) where he spent four years managing digital marketing initiatives, including the re-launch of several web portals in the financial services sector. Ron is a native New Yorker and an award-winning short filmmaker. His films and documentaries have exhibited at several film festivals and cable networks, including HBO.  He lives in Manhattan with his wife and two children. 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/bid/55357/Virgin-Mobile-USA-s-FreeFest-Rocks-ABA-Live-Event-Awards#comments-listing) Topics: [American business awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/american-business-awards), [stevie awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/stevie-awards), [event awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/event-awards), [best event](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/best-event), [virgin mobile](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/virgin-mobile) ### Request an entry kit for one or more of the stevie awards programs [Remove my information](https://blog.stevieawards.com/event-awards/topic/american-business-awards#) Entry kit will be sent to you by email. 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