Platinum Publicity’s 2011 MTV Movie Awards Gifting Suite Benefits Red Cross ‘Prepare LA’ Campaign

In celebration of the 2011 MTV Movie Awards, Platinum Publicity and the Red Cross “Prepare LA†Campaign teamed up to present Southern California with a gifting suite for great brands and an even better cause. On June 3 and 4, Melanie Segal’s Trend Lounge garnered awareness for LA to be a more prepared city when it comes to natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis and wildfires.

Exclusive items were signed by the celebrities in attendance and will be auctioned off with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the Red Cross. The gifting suite contained a variety of vendors in the fashion, cuisine and electronic departments, including My Mixed Nuts (www.mymixednuts.com), Movie Peg for the iPhone 4 (www.movie-peg.com) and Chocolate New York handbags (www.chocolatehandbags.com).

Members of Prepare LA and the American Red Cross’ Los Angeles Region were on hand to educate the vendors and attendees of the MTV Movie Awards gifting suite. Along with a “Just Be Ready, Prepare Together†emergency documentation bag, guests were given a quick list of safety tips in Twitter lingo:

• Earthquakes in LA not a question of IF but WHEN, get ready with #PrepareLA get a kit, make a plan, be informed @RedCrossLA

• LA Red Cross responds avg 1 home fire/day-support your community and the Red Cross #PrepareLA #firesafety #volunteer

• Pets are a part of the family, include them in disaster plans w/week supply of food, any medicine & copy of vaccinations #PrepareLA #petsafety

Sitting above the Luxe Hotel in Beverly Hills, Platinum Publicity’s lounge had a little something for everyone, including several celebrities who decided to drop by in anticipation of the MTV Movie Awards.

Touted as E! News’ Giuliana Rancic’s “secret to movie star skin,†DDF (Doctors Dermatologic Formula) gives users a chance to treat all skin ailments, including acne and hyperpigmentation. Found nationwide, DDF has cleansers, treatments, moisturizers and protectors, like two Anti-Aging Restorative products: Advanced Micro-Exfoliation Cleanser (speeds up surface cell change; stops blemishes) and Advanced Eye Firming Concentrate (quickly strengthens; lessens puffiness and wrinkles). More information can be found at www.ddfskincare.com.

With its store location in Burbank, Unique Vintage offers clothing selections all retro inspired, whether it be the ’20s, ’30s, ’40s, ’50s or ’60s. Children, men and women alike can find something for them in store or online at www.unique-vintage.com.

One of the latest trends is electronic cigarettes, and Blu Cigs was at the MTV Movie Awards lounge in style with its sleek starter kits containing two electronic cigarettes, one wall charger, one USB port and a five-pack of flavor cartridges. In addition, the pack includes a 30-day money back guarantee and a  one-year warranty. They look, feel and taste like a cigarette but without tobacco or ash. (www.blucigs.com)

Dulcenea Lingerie was a hit at the lounge with underwear styles in black and green. Its name comes from Don Quixote’s famed love and also his idea of a perfect woman. Anel Utajara founded the company in 2005, and now it boasts collections of corsets, lingerie and swimwear. (www.dulcenealingerie.com)

Offering attendees a cool treat, Paciugo Gelato & Cafe had representatives from the Hermosa Beach location in to give samples of the famous gelato and coupons for an in-store visit. (www.paciugo.com) Another sweet treat, Sugar Babies Cupcakery had a full table of cupcakes in a tiered formation for sweet toothed guests to indulge with. The company can be seen all around Los Angeles at various food events. (www.sugarbabiescupcakery.com)

If that wasn’t enough for the average dessert fan, Friandise Pastries Inc. handed out cupcake and cookie varieties, including the classic red velvet option. The Los Angeles-based bakery was started by pastry chef Kirby Galli. Galli produces gluten-free and vegan petite desserts and is available for events. (www.friandisepastries.com)

For nearly a full meal, One World Vegetarian Cuisine continued cooking vegan cuisine through the afternoon, displaying their animal-free creations that anyone can enjoy. Located in West Covina, One World Vegetarian Cuisine is available for events and catering. (www.oneworldveggie.com)

Rounding out the edible options was Arta Tequila, meaning “the art of tequila.†Available in several varieties like Arta Silver, Arta Reposado and Arta Anejo, all are made with agave, making a premium alcoholic beverage. (www.artatequila.com)

The perfect award show-ready look was right there in the midst of the vendors as well with Cheeky Cosmetics, one of Los Angeles’ leading make up and hair agencies. The team styles for fashion shoots, print pieces, video opportunities and brides, while staying mobile and always traveling to the client. (www.facebook.com/cheekystyle)

West Hollywood makeup staple Makeup Mandy also gave guests pointers on lash extensions and the newest LAshX Gel Cleanser, which sustains the life of extensions by two weeks and continues lash growth  Started by celebrity lash guru Amanda Jacobellis, Makeup Mandy keeps growing and release new products to its loyal fans. (www.lashxla.com)

Several clothing brands found themselves at the Prepare LA lounge, including the popular Ed Hardy, BB Dakota and Nuico. Accessories were also scattered around, like Hair Flairs (www.hairflairs.com), My B Bag handbag and Sorrelli jewlery.

The Original B Bag from Lisa Berck has designs for all ages and moods and can be worn for the everyday look or a night on the town. The B Bags are small handbags perfect for containing the necessities: card wallet, mobile device, lipstick, pen and even a passport. (www.mybbag.com) Sorrelli brought its Mimi Collection to the lounge and gifted attendees and celebrities a choice of necklace, bracelet or ring. Based in Kutztown, Penn., Sorrelli pieces can also be found in retail stores across the country. (www.sorrelli.com)

Health vendors also were aplenty at Platinum Publicity’s event, starting with the NasaFl’s Neti Pot located at the front of the gifting suite. Gifting starter kits to attendees, NeilMed Pharmaceuticals has developed the Neti Pot, a nose wash that has made washing your nose a much easier and safer process. Available nationwide at pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, the starter kit includes the NeilMed Sinus Rinse, Nasal Mist Saline Spray NasoGel and the porcelain Neti Pot itself. (www.neilmed.com)

To make sure that the guests left knowing how to keep foods cleaned in the proper way, President and Founder of Eat Cleaner Mareya Ibrahim described her product to those interested in a healthy option. A  natural line of food wash and wipes, Eat Cleaner products contain no pesticides, waxes or contaminants. The line offers Food Wash, Biodegradable Produce Wipes and a Seafood and Poultry Wash. (www.eatcleaner.com)

Ritual Cleanser has the tagline, “reset your health†and promises to increase energy and decrease your waistline. The cleanse comes in different varieties: classic, seasonal or custom and also different lengths: one-10 day options. It is a 100 percent organic cleanse that is fully customizable and perfect for home delivery. (www.ritualcleanse.com)

Some just for fun vendors round out the Prepare LA MTV Movie Awards suite, including Hollywood Piano (www.hollywoodpiano.com) and Grace Digital Audio (www.gracedigitalaudio.com), which brought its Eco Extreme product to the lounge. The Eco Extreme is a water proof speaker case with a 30-hour battery life and perfect for rugged terrain. It allows devices like the iPhone, Droid, Blackberry and iPod to be protected in extreme conditions and also play music. It’s floatable and shock proof and available in black, blue, orange, yellow and green.

For more information on the Red Cross and Prepare LA, visit www.redcrossla.org and for more event details, visit www.platinumpublicity.com.