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It’s the season of szns – with spooky szn, cozy szn, cuffing szn, and football szn (the list goes on) upon us. |
And there’s nothing quite like Halloween to tap into our collective imagination and inspire a sense of self-transformation, self-expression, and make believe. |
In a celebration of spooky szn, we’re looking at how brands are creatively leveraging the moment to connect with their audiences in the lead up to Halloween. |
From entertainment and streaming services, to brands across verticals – we’ve rounded up the best of what is happening this October. |
You’ll also hear from BMFers about event production horror stories – and what they did to turn things around when everything went wrong. |
So grab a PSL or pumpkin spiced anything and dig into this issue of The Pulse. |
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Bruce, Brian, Ed + The BMF Team |
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The POV |
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 | Pulse Check: Event Horror StoriesBMFers recall event horror stories – and what they did to turn them around. Reader beware, you’re in for a scare. ➔ |
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The New + The NoteworthyEverything Worth Doing/Seeing/Getting/Booking |
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| BMF client Belmond is hosting it’s legendary ‘Travel With Pride’ trip, returning in 2023 for its second edition with some incredible live performances aboard the glittering carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. This wonderful journey will celebrate the pioneering spirit and boundless glamour of the queer community while supporting trans-led charity Not A Phase. Learn more here. ➔ | |
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 | Photo via Tyson’s Corner Center | BMF client Macerich is hosting a Fall Festival at Tyson’s Corner Center. Attend pumpkin carving demonstrations from Maniac Pumpkin Carvers, enjoy live music, a Candytopia photobooth, Spookie Poochie pet costume contest, Barrel & Bushel beer bar, face painting, and more. Learn more about the event here. ➔ |
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 | | Show off your Halloween costume at the one and only West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval. Every year thousands of people attend the event to party, enjoy live entertainment, and participate in costume competitions. This year BMF is cooking up something legendary, so be sure to keep a look out for our thrilling activation. Start planning your West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval adventure here. ➔ |
|  | Photo via Universal Studios | Universal Studios is once again extending an eerie invitation to guests for a petrifying night at Halloween Horror Nights. Visitors will find themselves transported to the world of Hawkins, Indiana, inspired by the popular Netflix series, Stranger Things. The Orlando location is set to host a record-breaking 48 nights of spine-tingling horror leading up to the holiday. Secure your tickets here. ➔ |
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 | Photo via Snapchat Youtube | Snapchat is gearing up for Halloween with their Phantom House activation. Snap creators Tony Talks, Sofie Dossi, and Ezee will star in this weekly snap series as they race against the clock to escape the Phantom House. Users can tune in to watch the series, help the creators find clues and solve puzzles. Users will also get a chance to take photos with AI filters inspired by the Phantom House. Learn more about it here. ➔ |
|  | | Our fears of artificial intelligence advancing to replicating humans, often drawn from sci-fi scenarios, might not be as far-fetched as we thought. Meta raised eyebrows when they introduced an AI chatbot named Billie that looks identical to Kendall Jenner. A video showcasing this unsettling doppelganger has set the internet abuzz with shock and curiosity. Is AI becoming too scary for consumers, read about the project here. ➔ |
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 | Photo via Hard Rock Hotel | BMF client Hard Rock Hotel is embracing the holiday festivities and hosting a highly anticipated Halloween party. The Skyline Scream event will be at the RT60 rooftop on Saturday, October 28th at 11pm. The Hard Rock Hotel is going all out to make this ticketed event the best way to celebrate the spooky evening, reserve your table here. ➔ |
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The FrequencyWhat We’re Listening To Now. |
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 | | Are you planning out your costume, throwing a Halloween party, or just trying to get into the Halloween spirit? The Halloween Havoc Playlist by BMF music PR client ONErpm sets the vibe. ONErpm is a next-gen music company and leader in new revenue opportunities and their Halloween Havoc playlist is as creative as the company itself, giving us a taste of every genre's spooky throwbacks and modern jams. You’ll hear songs from acts like Billie Eilish, David Bowie, Micheal Jackson, Rihanna and more. Let this playlist put you in the Halloween spirit and help you discover new music! ➔ |
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The DestinationNow Departing... |
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 | Photo via Ghost City Tours | Charleston has long been the cultural epicenter of South Carolina. However, it is also known as one of the most haunted cities in America. Founded in 1670, Charleston has survived fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, and two wars. With such a complex and often dark past, there is no shortage of ghost stories and haunted places. Comb through this curated travel guide and plan your trip to this offbeat Southeast city this spooky season! ➔ |
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The SublimeCreators, Innovators, And Cool $#!+ You Should Know About. |
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Assembling a Halloween costume can be stressful. However, you can always look towards fashion icons for some refreshing ideas. 2023 has a plethora of eye catching red carpet looks, wacky runway shows, and viral stories for you to choose a unique costume from. Find inspiration for your 2023 Halloween costume here. ➔ |
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 | Photo via MoMA - Tim Burton | Tim Burton is one of the most visually recognizable filmmakers. A Tim Burton movie is like entering a macabre fairy tale with a range of delightfully deranged characters. His twisted urban landscapes, deserted amusement parks, ghostly towns and homes, and eerie circuses make for the ideal backdrops for his blend of humor and terror. Explore Tim Burton’s visual aesthetic here. ➔ |
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Alexander McQueen often includes a few eerie pieces in each of his collections and is famously quoted for saying “I want people to be afraid of the women I dress”. Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen for the past 13 years, has carried on his legacy and made no exception for her finale S/S collection. Red treads alluding to blood from claw marks were seen across multiple pieces in the collection here. ➔ | Photo via Alexander McQueen |
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| A spooky glimpse into our future, courtesy of a TikTok filter, became a sensation as dermatologists started noting its uncanny accuracy. This filter provides a sneak peek into our appearances 50 years down the line, and many have struggled to come to terms with the alarming reality of aging's effects. The eerie filter not only highlights strides in technology but has also motivated people to invest in anti-aging products such as sunscreen. Take a look at the spooky filter here! ➔ | |
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Heidi Klum: International supermodel and TV host by day, the official queen of Halloween by night. She has been hosting the season's most anticipated event for the past 23 years, earning a reputation for creating the most inventive and well-executed Halloween costumes among celebrities. Every year, Heidi seizes the holiday as an opportunity to outdo herself. Some of her most famous looks include a worm, a werewolf, and an elderly version of herself. Each year, the media eagerly awaits her transformation. Take a look through her past costumes here! ➔ | |
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The Week in ReviewICYMI... |
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TravelThis 100-Minute Spooky Train Ride Through The Scenic Pennsylvania Woodlands Is Perfect For Halloween — With Goblins, Ghosts, And A Haunted Maze ➔ The True Crime Obsession Fuels Haunting Halloween Travel ➔ Salem, Massachusetts, Is An Iconic Halloween Destination — How To Plan A Trip ➔ Here Are The Most Haunted Hotels In The U.S. ➔
Fashion & BeautyThe 41 Best Halloween Makeup Ideas And Products To Complete Your Costume, According To Beauty Experts ➔ These Are The Most Popular Costumes At Spirit Halloween This Year ➔ From T. Swift-and-Kelce Couples’ Costumes To Gory Decor, The Top Spending Trends For Halloween 2023 ➔ 48 Easy Halloween Makeup Ideas To Get You Through Spooky Season ➔
EntertainmentWhere To Watch The Halloween Movies In Order By Release Date ➔ Best New Halloween Movies And TV Shows To Watch In 2023 ➔ 30 Best Halloween Songs, Including Alice Cooper, AC/DC, Michael Jackson And Black Sabbath ➔ The Spectacularly Spooky Cocktail Recipes For A Frighteningly Festive Halloween ➔
TechnologyAI Reads Text From Ancient Herculaneum Scroll For The First Time ➔ Video Game Cyberpunk 2077 Uses AI To Replace Deceased Voice Actor ➔ AI Voice Clones Mimic Politicians And Celebrities, Reshaping Reality ➔ This Isn’t Kendall Jenner: People Are Freaking Out Over Meta’s ‘Creepy’ AI Bot ‘Billie’ ➔
Media'I Am Lewis': Target's Halloween Jack-O’-Lantern Decoration Goes Viral On TikTok ➔ Halloween 2023: Ken’s Mojo Dojo Casa House Costume Goes Viral On TikTok ➔ 153 Halloween Instagram Captions Just In Time For All Your Spooky Szn Content ➔ The Best Celebrity Halloween Decorations Of 2023 ➔
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