Empire State Glows Blue As CNN Projects Re-election Of Barack Obama. Brand New Lighting Technology Courtesy Of Philips Color Kinetics.

above: CNN projects the re-election of Barack Obama as President of the United States and the Empire state building is lit up blue to reflect the electoral tally.

CNN joined forces this evening with the Empire State Building to display to New Yorkers, the network’s viewers in the United States (and around the world) the results of the presidential election. As each state was projected by CNN and electoral votes were allocated to the candidates, a vertical LED-illuminated “meter” located atop the spire of the building displayed CNN’s running tally of the race to 270.

This occasion marks the iconic Empire State Building’s first-ever use of their new custom LED panel technology, a state-of-the-art dynamic lighting system from Philips Color Kinetics that is unique to the Empire State Building and allows the building’s façade and mast to change lighting scenes in real-time. The four-sided tower, which sits atop the building more than a quarter of a mile from the streets of Manhattan, was illuminated in patriotic red, white and blue vertical stripes, while the mast was lit in blue and in red on two sides each to represent President Obama and Gov. Romney’s respective electoral vote totals:

CNN, exclusively shot footage from the rooftop of a neighboring building, and aired live images of the illuminated tower as the evening’s results progressed. Once CNN projected Barack Obama as the winner of the presidential election, the tower lights of the Empire State Building changed to all-blue:

above: Instagram photo by facelessnyer

The Empire State Building celebrates many cultures and causes in the world community with iconic lightings. Its tower lights recognize key milestones, events, charitable organizations, countries and holidays, a tradition started in 1932, when a simple searchlight was used to announce the election of New York-born Franklin Delano Roosevelt as President. To honor the United States Bicentennial, the Empire State Building installed colored floodlights to illuminate the building at night, lighting up red, white and blue, leading to today’s very popular Lighting Partner program.

Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan (from base to antenna), the Empire State Building is the “World’s Most Famous Office Building.” With new investments in infrastructure, public areas and amenities, the Empire State Building has attracted first-rate tenants in a diverse array of industries from around the world. The skyscraper’s robust broadcasting technology supports all major television and FM radio stations in the New York metropolitan market. The Empire State Building was named America’s favorite building in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects. The Empire State Building Observatory is one of the world’s most beloved attractions and is the region’s #1 tourist destination. For more information on the Empire State Building, please visit www.esbnyc.com, http://www.facebook.com/empirestatebuilding, or @EmpireStateBldg.

Tune in to CNN’s “Election Night in America” coverage beginning at 6 p.m. ET, or join the conversation on Twitter by following #CNNElection and @EmpireStateBldg.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

5 Different Films, Same Dialogue. And Philips TV Invites You To Make The Sixth.

The last time Philips Electronics used a short film directed by Adam Berg to promote their Cinematic TV, they took home the Grand Prix at Cannes.

This time, their newest marketing push consists of a project in which five different directors created five different films, each in their own genre, that use the same piece of dialogue- a scant six lines.




And, in an effort to get aspiring directors involved, an ensuing competition invites you to make the sixth.



Philips has just launched this global competition, giving aspiring filmmakers the chance to have an original work judged by one of the world’s greatest film directors – Sir Ridley Scott, director of Hollywood blockbusters including Alien (1979), Blade Runner (1982) and Gladiator (2000).

The competition, called "Tell It Your Way‟, will also give one lucky winner the chance to gain a week’s work experience at Ridley Scott Associates (RSA) offices in Los Angeles, New York, London or Hong Kong.

The contest involves creating an original sixth short film to accompany Philips’ ground-breaking Parallel Lines series of short films, directed by RSA talents, Greg Fay, Johnny Hardstaff, Carl Erik Rinsch, Jake Scott and Hi-Sim.

The Five Films

Darkroom – Johnny Hardstaff


Set in a retro future Shanghai, Darkroom opens on a covert surveillance operative as he searches for his criminal quarry. Scanning a polluted city skyline, we see through his technology as he zooms ever deeper into a distant apartment and through the imaginative use of reflections and technology begins to unravel a sinister secret.

Through this voyeuristic journey we are led to a climax with dramatic consequences. Johnny Hardstaff expertly generates intrigue through his development of mood and tension. Namely with the use of the operative’s own hushed voice to provoke a sense of seediness and setting of the tone. As the audience is led deeper we find a fiendish pleasure in this voyeuristic approach. Darkroom proves a clever and absorbing short that packs a very original sting in its tail.


The Hunt - Jake Scott


The Hunt follows two men on a trail to find the ultimate prey. In the eerie woodland something lurks; a mystical creature. Soon we will find that the hunters may well become the hunted.

Jake Scott takes us on a slow pursuit, carefully building the tension through a seemingly desolate and hostile environment. Senses are heightened as Jake brings to life every inch of the hunt, every sound carefully designed to put the audience on edge: the crows in the background, the trickle of a stream, the earth moving under each step. As The Hunt nears its horrifying climax we hold our breath as the huntsman sets his sights. However his companion shows a fear and nervousness in his expression. Something is not right. Perhaps the intended prey is not to be provoked.


The Gift – Carl Eric Rinsch


In this sci-fi thriller, Podarok introduces us to a dystopian future. It’s a winter’s day in Moscow, but the familiar landscape is not all it seems. The traditional backdrop is balanced by the technological hints to the future on show. An experienced KGB Agent is on his way to deliver a special gift. Expressionless and giving the aura of emptiness the lone man makes his way across the city. As the secret of the gift is unveiled to the receiver, the desire for the object becomes evident. The agent must have it. Even at the cost of a man’s life. A high octane chase through Moscow ensues as the dead man’s robotic butler tries to rescue the precious gift. It must not be left in the wrong hands.

Carl Erik Rinsch cleverly uses the pacing of this short to evoke and speak out to our emotions. We feel the bleakness of this post apocalyptic future, the gloomy life of an empty man, the desperation of the chased and climatically, hope.

El Secreto de Mateo – Greg Fay


In this heart-warming tale set on an estate of tower blocks in South America, a boy shows a young girl to a room with a secret. The girl is introduced to a donkey which the boy tells her is a unicorn. Delight and fulfilment fills the young girl as she is left to feel the magic of this moment in a life that has offered her so little. This joy is short lived as we are shown the difficulties of growing up as bullies taunt the pair. The boy stands up for his younger friend. Afterwards though, it all seems too much as the brave boy is left to cry quietly in the corner. Unawares to her friend’s pain the girl returns her attention to the beauty of the animal.

Greg Fay delicately shows us the hardship of growing up and the joy that can be brought on by a child’s imagination. Lighting is used to great effect. The hue and glow of a beaming sun fills scenes with a warmth, comfort and tender security away from the harsh realities of the world. El Secreto de Mateo leaves us emotionally speechless with the feeling of both happiness and sorrow.

Jun & the Hidden Skies – Hi-Sim


Through animation Hi-Sim transports us into the playful imagination of siblings Jun and Aco. We are instantly rushed from the children’s attic into space as a cardboard box transforms into a spaceship. This fantasy adventure excites as our heroes find themselves in the midst of a space battle resulting in the capture of Aco. Jun is left to fall from the skies before being saved by a fire breathing dragon. Jun and his new friend blow away the enemy as the plight to save the captive Aco gathers pace.

Hi-Sim manages to bring out a childlike excitement and curiosity from the moment we enter the attic. This beautifully crafted animation bursts with fantastic colours of an imagined world. Visual details have been carefully considered and realism breaks through from the quality of the effects. This is a polished short that is sure to please the whole family.

Visit their youtube channel to learn more about the competition here.

You can view the amazing Grand Prix winning film Carousel - and the making of it- for Philips TV, here.

SWAROVSKI X PHILIPS Announce CRYSTAL USB Drives

Philips and Swarovski partner to bring a range of innovative fashion accessories

Amsterdam, the Netherlands/Paris, France, Mar 22, 2007 - Leveraging both companies’ strengths, Philips and Swarovski have jointly designed and developed a range of new and unique products that will take technology to a new, fashionable level for women. The Philips and Swarovski alliance will develop new market opportunities for each company by integrating high fashion and technology.

The first fashionable innovations created by Philips and Swarovski are the Active Crystals range of products which will be launched this summer includes sound accessories and storage devices.



"Philips alliance with Swarovski combines two distinct and strong brands in order to create a unique proposition for consumers,” said Rudy Provoost, Chief Executive Officer, Philips Consumer Electronics. “The outcome of the alliance is a range of products that go back to the essence of what many women are looking for: The fusion of functionality and fashion through a unique combination of technology and elegance. We are combining luxurious design with the practical, everyday benefits of consumer electronics to complement Philips’ brand promise Sense and Simplicity and Swarovski brand promise of Poetry & Precision"



Combining Simplicity and Poetry of Precision
The new range is the first result of the Philips and Swarovski alliance focusing on providing performance and class, offering technology with style and demonstrating a feeling of movement and activity combined with fashionable innovation. Targeted towards fashion conscious women, the products combine the technologies of both companies to create unique, high-end products with a luxurious look and feel.

“The Philips and Swarovski alliance brings together the greatness of two companies with common values of uncompromising focus on quality, design and technological innovation,” said Daniel Cohen, Member of Swarovski’s Executive Board. “Both brands have distinct identities, rich histories and a passion to re-invent and enhance their value propositions, pursuing both brand repositioning and commercial goals. The result of this partnership will be a series of products that will provide women and consumers with meaningful and fashionable products that will enhance their lives.”



Swarovski is a well-known brand in the fashion and jewellery industry. It brings credibility, style and design to the alliance and an opportunity to create a unique product proposition with Philips. Unlike other products using the Swarovski crystal stones, the Active Crystals combine unique elements of functionality and fashion: truly jewels with a soul.




A limited collection will be available for a June sneak preview at Colette, the concept store in Paris. The full Philips and Swarovski Active Crystals range will be commercially available in Europe, North America and Asia in department stores/consumer electronics retail and in the Swarovski stores as of August 2007.


Specific product details, pricing and availability will be announced over the coming months.

Note: A limited amount will be available in June for those of you who are true early adopters, but you will need to also purchase yourself a flight to France, because the only place to get the first release of these drives is exclusively at the store Colette, a Parisian boutique specializing in artistic design pieces.