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Porsche Celebrates Facebook with Special 911 Hybrid

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid Facebook Edition

Porsche has arrived at a milestone with over a million fans on Facebook, and to celebrate has unveiled a special version of its 911 GT3 R Hybrid. The German automaker took its hybrid race car – equipped with a 480-horsepower flat-six engine and a pair of 80-horsepower electric motors – and gave it a special paint scheme to celebrate the milestone, complete with over 27,000 Porsche fans' signatures. The car will be displayed at the Porsche Museum at its headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.

Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Others Join Giving Pledge

Filed under: Charity, Big Givers

mark zuckerbergFacebook's Mark Zuckerberg is the one of the latest billionaires to sign on to the Giving Pledge campaign started by Bill Gates and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. The Giving Pledge calls for billionaires to pledge at least half their net worth to charity, in their lifetimes or at death.

The list of those signed on to the Giving Pledge now has 57 families. The recent batch of billionaires include AOL co-founder Steve Case, investor Carl Icahn and Michael Milken who join Larry Ellison, George Lucas and Michael Bloomberg in the ultimate big givers roll call.

"People wait until late in their career to give back. But why wait when there is so much to be done?" said Mark Zuckerberg in a press release. "With a generation of younger folks who have thrived on the success of their companies, there is a big opportunity for many of us to give back earlier in our lifetime and see the impact of our philanthropic efforts."

A full list of those taking the pledge and personal letters by many of these pledgers outlining their commitment to give is available online at www.givingpledge.org. Carl Icahn said that "until Bill, Melinda and Warren started this project, I never considered going public with my intentions. However, I certainly see the value of a project that encourages wealthy individuals to step forward and commit to use their wealth for the common good. I hope that by adding my voice with those who are supporting this project, we will all encourage others to participate."

RSVIP: Cinema Society Toasts "the social network" with Justin Timberlake

Filed under: Events

Barreling down the red carpet at The Cinema Society New York screening of "the social network," Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody ("The Pianist") grappled hands firmly with RSVIP and stated categorically that while he is not on Facebook, "There is a bogus me on there."

A breakout success, "the social network" is based on a book by Ben Mezrich called "The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook."

Mezrich also wrote "Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions," made into the hit film "21."

In "the social network," pop icon Justin Timberlake plays Napster founder Sean Parker, a dangerously slick character who arranged considerable early funding for Facebook. "Justin was always the suave one," former fellow 'N Sync band member Lance Bass told Luxist on his way into the theater. "Even at 13, he was Mr. Joe Cool. He's been ready for this role ever since he was a kid."

At the theater, Timberlake wore a sleek, double-breasted sweater and Clark Kent glasses. "We had a lot of fun making this movie together," he mentioned at the side of his new BFF, Jesse Eisenberg, far right.

"Never met the guy," Timberlake answered a reporter when asked if he had ever encountered Parker.

"500 million members becomes a phenomenon," continued Timberlake. "And this movie is the catalyst . . . the story of how [Facebook] came to be."

The film depicts Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg as brilliant, conflicted, and socially awkward in the extreme. But the truth may be more complex. "Dozens and dozens of lawyers have vetted this script within an inch of its life," explained Aaron Sorkin, who penned the screenplay and indicated that some insightful scenes had to be cut.

Belvedere Vodka In Search of New Global Ambassador

Filed under: Spirits

Super-premium vodka Belvedere is holding a global competition to recruit its next global brand ambassador.

The public can apply via Belvedere's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/BelvedereDreamJob!!. Entrants can upload videos demonstrating why they think they have the right stuff. The campaign kicked off on the 'Chelsea Lately' show hosted by Chelsea Handler.

The cut-off date for uploading videos is October 16 for the chance to win a one-year $100,000 contract, and the opportunity to gain international recognition while traveling the world with current Belvedere ambassador Claire Smith!

After the polls close on October 16, the semi finalists in each region around the world will be contacted about the next challenge. In December, both Chelsea Handler and Claire Smith will join the celebrity judges panel during the Finalist Competition to determine who will win the role of the Belvedere Global Ambassador in 2011.

Belvedere, named after the presidential palace of Poland, comes from a century old distillery in the small town of Żyrardow, just West of Warsaw.

Dankowskie Gold Rye is the single grain ingredient, and it is distilled four times. It typically retails for around $40.00 for a 750 ml bottle.

Luxist Giveaway: DKNY Be Delicious Fragrance

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance, Celebrity Design

Luxist Giveaway: DKNY Be Delicious Fragrance
Luxist loves DKNY, and DKNY loves us, and our readers, right back. So much so that in celebration of the launch of a brand-new digital community for fans of DKNY fragrances, aka the DKNY Fragrance Facebook community, DKNY is sharing one bottle of Be Delicious, its first highlighted fragrance, with us to give away to one reader. Read more about DKNY Fragrances at the Delicious Core Club, which will house fresh content, interview series, behind-the-scenes, interactive contests, and more.

Log on, become a fan, and read all about the new community. Then to enter the contest, follow these rules:

* Leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 10, 2010.
* One entry per person. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing and notified by e-mail.
* One winner will receive one bottle of DKNY Be Delicious 5th Anniversary Edition eau de toilette, valued at $60.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

Official rules here.

The contest is closed. Thank you for participating! The winner will be notified on September 12, 2010.

Schedule Your Beauty Appointments on Facebook

Filed under: Services, Spas

facebook schedulicity
Addicted to Facebook? Well now you don't even have to log off for a minute to schedule beauty and spa appointments at your favorite service providers. Schedulicity has created a new Facebook widget that allows you to set appointments within the social networking program as easily as 'liking' or 'sharing' -- with a simple click of the mouse. Advanced Bodywork Center, Kennett Square Massage, and Sunrise Acupuncture Clinic are just a few of the businesses already taking advantage of the technology (see it by clicking on the "Schedule Now" tab on the top of their pages) and so far the reviews are good. Ginny Ozelton, hairstylist, commented "My clients love being in charge of their own scheduling because they don't have to play phone tag with me anymore."

What do you think, convenient and time-saving use of technology or just another way the internet is making life more and more impersonal?

Lorien Hotel Offers Social Media Detox Package

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

photo of Lorien Hotel in Alexandria VA

Here's a fun one: The Lorien Hotel (managed by Kimpton) in Alexandria, Virginia, is offering a Social Media Detox package, designed to get you off of Facebook, Twitter and any other network that you're currently addicted to, and out into the world of human interaction.

While I was at first imagining that they'd borrowed some cellphone jamming technology from their not-so-far-off US intelligence neighbors -- was this relatively new hotel built with a Faraday cage in its structure? -- it turns out that the Lorien is relying on more of a carrot than stick approach.

The Social Media Detox package includes various incentives to step away from the internet, including a 10 minute chair massage at the hotel's spa, a $20 credit to BRABO or BRABO Tasting Room just next to the hotel for appetizers and drinks with friends. (Suggested cocktail: "The Face to Face", which is Belvedere vodka, pear puree, apple juice, lime juice and fresh rosemary.) There's also a push to get you out into the real world: you'll also receive a walking map of town, or if you prefer, they'll let you borrow a bicycle, gratis, and give you a route map. At night, the package includes an item off the hotel's "Dream Service" menu -- if you're traveling alone, you could select the teddy bear, who will be happy to hear your whispered, otherwise wasted, witty status updates.

(Since you'll still probably be pacing all night long, I'd go ahead and book the Presidential Suite, which has a 550 square foot private terrace overlooking Old Town Alexandria, and runs about $550 a night.)

It's not all teddy bears and sunshine, however. You'll only get the package's $25 certificate towards a future stay at the hotel if you prove "non-activity" on Facebook or Twitter, which you do via print out from an in-room computer or cellphone.

Clever, huh? Personally, as a frequent traveler, I think I'd feel much more stressed out not being able to be in contact with my friends and family on Facebook -- since it's replaced email communication for so many people, I wonder what the response would be if a hotel decided to offer a package contingent on not emailing or calling home? (In fact, there are programs like that: Outward Bound and the National Outdoor Leadership School, although they don't include massages and cocktails.) On the other hand, I'm sure I could be persuaded to let Twitter go for a few days. Especially if I got a teddy bear.

Facebook App Turns Friends Into Temporary Landlords

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels


The relationship of Facebook friends is a curious one in today's society. Even friends you've never met start to seem familiar to you when you learn, through status updates, how they like their coffee and what they do on Saturday nights. A new Facebook application makes a novel use of all that information. SecondPorch.com has launched a Facebook app called "Rent & Trade Vacation Homes," which helps vacationers and vacation home owners find each other on Facebook. Users can search based on budget, location, amenities, recommendations and through their relationship to the owner. Owners can choose to show their second home for rent only to their network of friends or to members of Facebook at large. Homes can be rented or traded with other homeowners. This app would be great for friends across the country or around the world planning to meet for a vacation somewhere or for planning a family reunion.

Tiffany & Co. Attracts Facebook Fans

Filed under: Jewelry


Jewelry companies seem to be a bit behind the times on social networking. It took Cartier until last June to get a MySpace page and now Tiffany & Co. has joined Facebook. The company already has more than 124,000 "fans" on its official Facebook page which was created in February. The company uses the center of the page to showcase Tiffany eyecandy as well as video relating to Tiffany designers such as Paloma Picasso.

Green My Vino Encourages Renewable Energy Via Facebook

Filed under: Wine, Green


A new Facebook application has been launched to help winelovers go green. Four Napa and Sonoma County vineyards: Girard Winery, Iron Horse Vineyards, Windsor Sonoma Vineyards, and Windsor Vineyards, are behind Green My Vino. The application lets Facebook users to give each other free online gifts worth an one, five or ten minutes of renewable energy. For each of these gifts Village Green Energy will purchase the equivalent amount of renewable energy on the user's behalf. Each winery has a set minutes goals and once the goals has been met at one, the focus moves to the next winery. First up, Iron Horse Vineyards which has has agreed to power their entire operation with renewable energy when Facebook friends have gifted each other with 10,000 minutes of solar and wind power. Girard Winery has a goal of 17,000 minutes, Windsor Vineyards has a gold of 30,000, and Windsor Sonoma's goal is 45,000 minutes.

Village Green estimates that if the app is successful the wineries will purchase over 1.2 million kWh of renewable power to power the four initial wineries entirely with green energy for a year based on their past electricity use. They will purchase the renewable energy certificates from Mountain View II Wind Facility in Palm Springs and several solar arrays in Los Angeles.

[via Wine Business]

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