Renaissance Hotels and Marriott's Content Studio's Original Short Film "Business Unusual" Premiered at the Newly Transformed Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel Last Night

BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Renaissance Hotels and Marriott's Content Studio premiered their short film "Business Unusual", with a global YouTube launch followed by a screening and party at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel last evening.  The multi-platform, all-screens distribution strategy includes limited theatrical release, inside Renaissance Hotels' guest rooms, as well as on Marriott.com and to the nearly 55 million Marriott Rewards members.

The 12-minute film, shot throughout Chicago and on location at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel, boasts an impressive cast including Yoshua Sudarso ("Power Rangers Dino Charge"), Jason Gerhardt ("General Hospital," ABC's "Mistresses"), Grant Bowler ("Defiance," "True Blood," and "Ugly Betty"), Tia Carrere ("Wayne's World") and Brian Poli-Dixon (artist, actor, and former NFL receiver). Featured cameos from Chicago natives include former White Sox player Ozzie Guillen and the Chicago-based band The O'My's (Chicago-based band) and the world's best parkour athletes and dancers from Substance Over Hype. The film's executive producers are David Beebe, Dan Vinh, Daniel Cabrera, Scott Ehrlich, William Spencer and Caine Sinclair. Click here to view "Business Unusual".

"With 'Business Unusual' we hope to encourage our audience to explore the city that they are visiting to uncover and discover new things about the city, as well as themselves," said David Beebe, Vice President, Global Creative + Content Marketing, for Marriott International and its portfolio of 19 brands.  "The film is engaging content that will inspire them to delve deeper within themselves to find success."

"Renaissance Hotels is designed for today's business travelers and our goal is to create experiences for them to connect with the city that they are visiting," said Dan Vinh, Vice President Marketing, Renaissance Hotels. "'Business Unusual' highlights the heart of Chicago and allows our guests the chance to acquaint themselves with all that the city has to offer."

Situated on the banks of the Chicago River, the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel captures a spirit of wanderlust that inspires guests to explore the neighborhood and discover the unexpected. Indigenous touch points are infused into the design of the new Lobby, Marriott Rewards® Elite Club Lounge, The Artist Studio, Staytion Market and Bar, and The Library to capture the high energy, whimsical character and ebullience of Chicago. A high-low design approach pairs luxurious high-end finishes with raw, gritty, concrete and graffiti-inspired surfaces. Experiential works of art by homegrown artists are placed to intrigue; CTA bus-inspired windows from the early 1900s serve as a gateway into the chef's display kitchen at Staytion Market and Bar; wallpaper and elevator lobby artwork illustrate the Chicago "L" map, immersing guests in the heart of the city's transportation system; a specially commissioned artwork made of colored pencils melds into a local taxicab and even the lobby pillars are works of art, each featuring local images, which when viewed at a certain vantage point blends together harmoniously to form a single scene, encouraging guests to change their perspective and to look – and look again.  The multi-million dollar renovation is part of the globally recognized Renaissance Hotel brand's focus on discovery, provoking both guests and locals' interests to explore the Windy City.

To celebrate the film's location- arguably one of the stars of the picture- the Renaissance Chicago Downtown hotel is currently offering a Business Unusual Movie Package.  The package includes a #5-9 Passport, inspired by the brand's commitment of helping guests make the most of evenings, 5pm-9pm, plus a one-day pass on Chicago's Mass Transit System. The #5-9 Passport includes exclusive access to discoveries featuring the best tastes, sights and sounds of the Windy City;  an in-room bar program where guests receive a bar kit including highball glasses, sphere ice molds, and other cocktail making accessories as well as to 100 Bonus Marriott Rewards Points to contribute towards future discoveries.

"Business Unusual," written and directed by Daniel Malakai Cabrera & Caine Sinclair, is the third original short film produced by Marriott's Content Studio, following the successful releases of "French Kiss" and "Two Bellmen."  Post-production on "Two Bellmen Two," the Content Studio's fourth original short film, which was shot in Dubai at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, the tallest hotel in the world, is underway. The studio has also produced two original YouTube Series for Marriott International, "Hot Shoppe" and "DO NOT DISTURB." In addition, Renaissance Hotels launched season two of its "The Navigator Live" series in October, which is currently airing on AXS TV, www.youtube.com/renhotels, www.facebook.com/renhotels and in-room at Renaissance Hotels.

The original soundtrack and score for the "Business Unusual" film were composed and inspired by the musical cues throughout the film.  As an homage to the film's location, local Chicago band The O'Mys, plus Los Angeles artists including 9 Theory, Alan Paris, Dawn Mitchele, Doobie Dalil, D-Rae, dUSTIN tAVELLA, Malakai, Open Optics, Scarub, Tensei, The Cosmic Sea and were featured.  The soundtrack will be available on all major digital distribution outlets including iTunes, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon. The album will also be available on SoundCloud as a free download through February 2016. The album was produced by Daniel Malakai Cabrera and Fingazz and was executive produced by David Beebe and Dan Vinh. Click here to listen to the "Business Unusual" soundtrack.

Images from the premiere of the "Business Unusual" film at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel can be accessed by clicking here.

About Marriott International's Content Studio:

Launched in September 2014, Marriott's Content Studio is dedicated to publishing, distributing and sharing digital content across multiple platforms and on all screens. To further the company's focus on next-generation travelers and to drive new business, the studio aims to own original content marketing and to produce engaging content that builds worldwide communities of people passionate about travel that will drive commerce to the company's hotels.

About Renaissance Hotels:

Renaissance Hotels believes in defying business travel conventions for guests who crave unexpected experiences. At Renaissance Hotels, It's Business Unusual. Each of the brand's 160 hotels, located in over 35 countries around the world, is unique and every stay offers unconventional programs that help business travelers discover rich, local experiences. We promise to feed the curiosity, fuel the imagination and excite the senses of our guests who see their business trip as an exciting opportunity for new, interesting, and sharable experiences. We understand their desire to make the most out of every moment and we offer signature events in our lobbies, bars and lounges designed to showcase emerging talent in music, the arts, mixology, gastronomy and more. Renaissance Navigators are neighborhood experts who are ready to assist guests in discovering true local flavors and activities. R.E.N. Meetings offers groups an experience beyond a traditional meeting, rooted in creative sensory meeting design and custom-curated local Navigator excursions and networking events. At Renaissance Hotels, we work to ensure that every trip is transformed into an eye-opening, unforgettable journey. To discover more visit www.renhotels.com. For upcoming events visit www.renhotels.com/events.

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Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 4,300 properties in 85 countries and territories.  Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.  

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SOURCE Renaissance Hotels

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