...where RedKarpet challenges event/party organisers to create our event

The organiser - Imagination

With full service offices on four continents, Imagination’s design and communications work is global in reach and focuses heavily on branded experiences.

We asked Guy Stevenson, event group director at Imagination (London), to create a lavish product launch with £120,000 for a forthcoming DVD release. This is what he came up with....

The brief -                     

The client is a film company, Metro-Gold-Major, which wants to mark the much anticipated DVD launch of its latest James Bond film with impact. The film is rated "15" and contains the classic James Bond themes - beautiful women, amazing cars and luxurious locations.

Number of guests: 200 VIP guests, the majority of which are press and Metro-Gold-Major senior employees.

RedKarpet has given us a budget of £120,000 and Imagination will stake most of this on an imposing venue. Cliveden House (left) is perfect. The grand stately home is set in the heart of the Berkshire countryside, surrounded by magnificent formal gardens and parkland. The house also has the infamy of being the venue at which Christine Keeler and John Profumo started their affair when it was owned by Lord Astor in 1961.

The budget - £120k

The delivery -

Guests arrive at Cliveden on the red carpet and are immediately struck by an eye-catching display of vehicles used in James Bond movies throughout the years. The display includes the Carrerra DB5 used in Goldfinger, the Lotus Turbo from For Your Eyes Only and the Aston Martin DB7 driven in Casino Royale. As the night wears on, guests will have the opportunity to have their photo taken with the car and James Bond lookalikes.

On entering the house, guests are met by glamorous "Bond Girls". Once inside, waiters in crisp white jackets serve pre-dinner drinks of Martinis – shaken, not stirred of course. After the drinks reception the Bond Girls will usher the guests through to dinner in the main hall.

At dinner, the themed "wow factor" is achieved with black-wall drapes and low-level room lighting creating a dramatic impact, while beautiful over-size chandeliers add a touch of panache. Tables are dressed with elegant black cloths, with beautiful white floral displays replicating the iconic Bond colours. Golden candelabras and crisp white china are added for a decedent look and feel.

Guests are served with a themed meal which is inspired by places or characters featured in the Bond stories.

Cliveden's Great Hall

Elements of  From Russia with Love would conjure up a starter of finest Royal Osetra Caviar served with fresh asparagus and a piquant vodka cream. You only Live Twice, with its Japanese influence, would be reflected in the main course of rock shrimp tempura with wasabi pea seasoning and fresh lime. During dinner the James Bond themed band, ‘The Goldfingers’, will play Bond ballads setting the scene and creating a relaxed atmosphere.

After dinner, guests can move through one of a selection of  "entertainment zones". In the "simulation zone" in Q’s Laboratory they can try their hand at a Bond-style laser shooting game or maybe ski and car simulators with impressive multimedia displays, played on plasma screens. Guest could also try their luck in the 007 Bond Casino Royale, fully equipped with Black Jack, Roulette and Poker tables.

For those wanting to party, the ultra-cool Die Another Day themed ice bar is the perfect place to "chill out".

A selection of classic and modern adaptations of the Martini will be served at the fully functional bar, constructed entirely of ice, while a DJ will be spinning party tracks until the early hours.

Ice Bar (courtesy of Philip Hughes-The Ice Box)

For guests who want a more languid setting, the tranquil lounge bar will be the perfect place to relax with a brandy and cigar while Bond films play on plasma screens mounted in gilt frames.

On leaving the event guests will be given a goodie bag containing the new James Bond DVD, a set of Martini glasses and framed vintage movie posters.

The bill - £115,500

RK_________________________________________________________