VANITY FAIR & USA NETWORK'S SECOND ANNUAL CHARACTER APPROVED AWARDS: CELEBRATING CULTURAL INFLUENCERS AND TRAIL BLAZERS

To recognize the Character Approved honorees and their accomplishments, USA Network, in partnership with Vanity Fair, hosted an invitation-only VIP cocktail reception in New York City on Thursday, February 25.  I was thrilled to have been invited, and can say that this special event was nothing short of my greatest expectations.  I've never seen so many flashing lights, gorgeous people, and overall cheer in the face of one of the city's messiest evenings of 2010 (snow, sleet, rain, slush).  

The event was held at the iconic IAC Building, which was designed by Frank Gehry.  USA’s Mark Feuerstein officially unveiled the 2010 honorees and their on-air vignettes (Dan Barber's is attached below).  The cast of Green Day’s “American Idiot" performed their first live appearance in New York City ahead of the show’s Broadway debut on Wednesday, March 24.  Alexandra Richards held court as the DJ for the evening and several from USA’s roster of stars were in attendance, as well as many of the 2010 Character Approved honorees.

More about the event:

USA Network's second annual Character Approved Awards is a multimedia campaign honoring ten individuals who are changing the face of American culture.  Inspired by USA’s Characters Welcome brand, the initiative is dedicated to celebrating the true trail blazers across a variety of disciplines such as art, philanthropy, new media and film. 

“Character Approved is a celebration of the real Characters making an impact on our culture today,” said Chris McCumber, USA executive vice president, marketing, digital and brand strategy.  “Our honorees are all at the top of their game, and we’re thrilled to shine a light on their unique accomplishments.”

Character Approved honorees are innovators in their field who are influencing our opinions, our style and our view of the world. They surprise us and inspire us with fresh ideas. They are celebrated by their peers and have an authentic style. USA recognizes these ten individuals for their cultural impact, legacy and persona with the hallmark of recognition, the USA Network “seal of approval”:

• Green Day, Grammy Award-winning rock band (Music)

• Kathryn Bigelow, Academy Award-nominated film director, “The Hurt Locker” (Film/TV)

• Nora Ephron, best-selling novelist, Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and playwright (Writing)

• Narciso Rodriguez, multiple award-winning American fashion designer (Fashion)

• Angela Brooks, groundbreaking sustainable architect, principal of Pugh + Scarpa Architects (Architecture)

• Kehinde Wiley, revolutionary urban arts painter (Art)

• Yves Behar, innovative industrial designer of the Jawbone Bluetooth headset and the $100 XO laptop (Design)

• Dan Barber, renowned restaurateur, Blue Hill and Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture (Food)

• Jessica Jackley, social entrepreneur and micro-financier, co-founder Kiva.org (Giving)

• Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, game creators of Guitar Hero and Rock Band (New Media/Technology)

*In the program’s inaugural year of 2009, USA honored seven visionary characters including Lupe Fiasco, Shepard Fairey, David Chang, Patrick Robinson, Charles Best, Jimmy Wales and Jennifer Siegal.

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Until we eat again,

Lindsay, The Lunch Belle