The market for private shows with budgets over $1 million is growing rapidly. All Stars U.S.A. is … [+]
By Julius Reynolds-Canilli
We have been told time and time again that retail has moved increasingly online since the pandemic. For example, trends that favored online retail experiences even for luxury goods have only increased since the pandemics.
However, in other aspects people are looking for first had experiences more than ever as pent-up demand explodes. Every major city, it seems, has immersive art experiences from Van Gogh to Banksy can now be seen on massive screens.
It isn’t just people who have stepped out more since the pandemic but the companies catering to them with experiences as well. AllStars U.S.A. has sought to put on million-dollar events for CEO’s of large scale companies in recent years including some of the Forbes 400 names and as well as the Forbes Global 2000 corporations.
Indeed, two entrepreneurs Yakut Tarman and Onur Yazicibasioglu have spent the last 23 years building a global luxury performance brand that now works with brands like
Coca-Cola, Nokia, JTI, Philip Morris, Reebok, Microsoft, Pepsico, Diageo, Unilever, Hyundai, BAT, L’Oréal, Vodafone, Intel, Henkel, Ericsson, Koç Holding, Turkish Airlines, Adidas, Sony, and Universal Music Group are just some among the illustrious Forbes 2000 companies that have savored the AllStars USA touch.
Yazicibasioglu, an engineer, and Tarman, a qualified doctor, embarked on remarkable second careers in the world of show business. Under the dazzling lights of this industry, Onur Yazicibasioglu and Yakut Tarman flourished. This is in part due to the mentorship of Ahmet Ertegun, a titan in the modern recording industry. Tarman launched her journey in Los Angeles, working as a booking agent for A-list music artists like Whitney Houston, Ray Charles, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, and many more. She also honed her expertise with established top DJs and producers. Meanwhile, Yazicibasioglu booked top 100 DJs for Forbes 4000 Company-sponsored events among other prestigious clients. The brand grew from there to become @allstarsusaent/allstarusa.com.
Yakut Tarman and Onur Yazicibasioglu at one of their events in Europe
The demand for luxury shows that are private and cost over more than 1 million to produce is rising rapidly. The business has taken them far from their roots in Istanbul they have done events at the historic Palazzo Pisani in Venice, and the modern Madinat Theater in Dubai.
“As much as consumers enjoy virtual consumption, they want to be in creative and unique moments as well, even if that just means Instagramming them,” said Yazicibasioglu, “more than that its about enlivening their live experiences to be more engaging and memorable.”
Like the current craze for immersive 3D art, the AllStars U.S.A. seeks to combine both digital and live elements for a unique show experience. The days when VIP events for CEOS could get by with just an ice sculpture, a couple action food stations and a juggler are long gone.
Key to the creative duo’s success was an early focus on combining the virtual and live experience to create phygital moments for guests. Their diverse backgrounds in engineering and medicine allowed them to see the market differently than the competition.
“The innovative idea in this business is to make Insta and TikTok come alive for audiences with amazing casts of super-talented artists, many of whom already have many followers and audiences on social media. Among them are the crème de la crème and celebrities who have always wished to watch such icons perform on live stage.” said Tarman.
CEOS increasingly want an atmosphere like a SuperBowl half halftime show, and AllStars U.S.A has shown leadership in this space by driving the production values and performances ever higher. No stage is too big, but corporate events often want unique venues. Like a special forces unit, they are ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice and have been for events from Dubai to Ibiza.
“The market for entertainment events is more spontaneous, especially for private or corporate events, so we have full-hour live stage shows ready to tour, including ‘American Dream Spectacular.’ Our newest show concept aligns also perfectly with the EDM and dance music scene from the TOP 100 DJs in the world. It’s also easily scalable to fit major show theaters, from Vegas to Paris, any luxury lifestyle resort, venue, or entertainment complex,” said Yazicibasioglu.
With streaming revenues dropping and other methods of profit in the entertainment industry. Conversely, ticket prices for live events are out-stripping demand and inflation.
“We confidently attract audiences and investors from the highest echelons, encompassing the top 1-2% of the highest socioeconomic status. This means that we may connect with our audience through luxury cruise ship operators, theater venues, or mega nightclubs,” said Tarman.
The two shared a passion for innovative entertainment tailored for luxury brands and jetsetters, which helped drive their entertainment careers. Both also had experience in marketing and communications, which has helped propel them to seek new opportunities and allowed a heterodox perspective.
“Virtual Reality platforms present unprecedented opportunities for reimagining entertainment,” said Tarman, “We envision the potential to create entirely new artificial worlds and virtual experiences that can be seamlessly translated into reality, offering limitless possibilities in terms of content, originality, and scale – all contingent on the size and budget of the venue.”
From virtual reality, celebrities, and special effects, whatever the trend, the truism remains – there ain’t no business like show business, regardless of your background.
