What do actor Susan Sarandon, jazz musician Esperanza Spalding, Tumblr founder David Karp, Momofuku chef David Chang, and Gregg Breinberg, the music director of NYC's P.S. 22’s kids chorus, the Oscars-performing YouTube sensation, have in common?

They are all – along with Laura Linney, John Leguizamo, and Glee star Darren Criss, and 23 other big name (and should-be-known) New Yorkers – being featured in the latest Japan-based Uniqlo advertising campaign, “Voices of New York,” released in time for New York Fashion Week.Continue reading...

The Oscars has a new tagline: "You're invited."

According to Ad Age, the marketing slogan — now being used in all messaging, including promos featuring cohosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway — was finalized last summer by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, Disney's ABC network, the producers of the Feb. 27 broadcast, and agency executives.

In addition to tuning into the TV telecast, viewers can create a MyOscars page on the official AMPAS website, or find out if Colin Firth* wins Best Actor via a mobile app. 

*Don't miss The Atlantic's piece on whether The King's Speech tweaking of British history and The Social Network's inaccuracies may throw a spanner in their Oscar hopes. Doubtful; as Aaron Sorkin has commented, Hollywood (and moviegoers) prefer a good story over the truth.

After the jump — the cutest Oscars marketing stunt ever.Continue reading...