RentBoy.com Calendar Release Party at HK Lounge

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My Lovely Madonna Ad Never Had a Chance...

We didn't have the rights to use this image (can you imagine?) so it never ran :(

Wanted to share it with the world anyway :)

John Agnesini at the Film, Stage & Showbiz Expo

I had the pleasure of being the official designer of this year's Film, Stage & Showbiz Expo at the Hilton Hotel in New York City. I was responsible for the 68 page showguide, which is pictured in the photos above along with the poster, postcards and other various event material. This year, I also handed out 500 custom John Agnesini Designs water bottles. Special thanks to Hillary for her dedicated work with those this year :)

The showguide can be downloaded by visiting www.johnagnesini.com/showguide08

The Pride Issue!!

It's nearly midnight here on West 35th Street and we're 80% finished with the Annual Pride Issue. Here's a sneak peek...

Sex and the City - The Covers

So we had a few cover ideas bouncing around the office. I really liked the one with Sarah and the flowers but was told that it looked too "Modern Bride"...I took that as a compliment :) In any case, here's the concept we ended up running with.

A Look Inside the HX Offices

Want to see where Manhattan's politically incorrect party paper is put together? Here's a little peek at our new digs in the Fashion District. This is where I spend my day (and often times, nights)

Anyone who has seen my apartment can now see where the inspiration for the kitchen came from :)

Look What's Heating up Fire Island this Summa!!

Wah Wah Wah...The Hot Bois of "Cry Baby" the Musical

That's right kids...just did a photo shoot with the three hotties of "Cry Baby"

Shoot was originally going to be shot on a New York City rooftop but due to the ongoing rain that week, we had to think of a Plan B.

We decided to go digital with a twist and have the shoot at this new restaurant/bar in Chelsea called Ate Ave. They have LED tiles that span across the entire bar which was cool becasue we got to have our "beach" scene despite mother nature.

If you think these guys are hot in the pictures, you should see them work it on stage, be sure to catch Marty Lawson, Spencer Liff and Charlie Sutton in TONY nominated musical, "Cry Baby" playing now at the Marquis Theatre.

Photography by WilsonModels.com
Makeup by William A. Marshall/KenBarboza.com
Special Thanks: Ate Ave, 169 Eighth Avenue www.ateave.com

I finally did MADONNA!!

Ever since catching that fever for design way back when...I have always dreamed of designing something for/with Madonna. Way back in my early days, my Aunt Christine was playing her "Immaculate Collection" album and it was then I realized two things....1) I LOVE THIS WOMAN and 2) I'M GAY hahah

Several years later, Madge releases "Hard Candy" and i just happen to be working at one of New York City's largest gay magazines where of course, she would be a staple. This week, my small dream came true...Madonna is the cover feature for Issue 869 that will be hitting the streets tomorrow night.

We got a standard stock photo from her people but wanted to do soemting different. In keeping with the "Hard Candy" theme, I decided to incorporate the old-fashioned rainbow lolipops, both classic and fun. I incorporated this treatment throughout the editorial spread as well.

Whatcha think?

Armani Casa Ad

Just created this ad for Armani Casa's 20 Pine in the Financial District...My gosh, I would love a unit in the building :)

The White Party!

This was my version of the White Party cover...didn't run with this one though...you'll have to find one on the streets to see the one we ran ;)

My first cover as Design Director!

I was recently promoted to Design Director here at HX. Whatcha think of my first cover?

The New York Blade

Besides HX magazine, I layout the New York Blade, a GLBT newspaper distributed throughout New York City. Within a little over a full business day, this little paper is conceptualized, layed out and sent to press. The design of the cover seems to change every other week. There's a re-design happening in the near future but for the time being, it has a nostalgic "NY Post" look and feel.

HX Gay & Lesbian Travel Expo Branding

Just finished rolling out the branding for this year's HX Gay & Lesbian Travel Expo. We wanted a "passport" feel but didn't want that cheesy, generic passport stock photo look. We wanted the tagline, "Start Here. Go Everywhere" included on all materials as well.

After several versions, a logo was approved. It's a modern typeface utilizing the already recognized "HX" logo that features a subtle dotted line with a plane taking off.

I made the tagline, "Start Here. Go Everywhere" look like a passport stamp, combined with the Paris and New York icons. This allows us to "plop" it down on each one of the cities the Expo will be premiering at. (West Hollywood, Seattle, Boston, New York City, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, DC, Vancouver, San Francisco, San Diego and Fort Lauderdale)

Whatcha think?

www.gaytravelexpo.com

We're featured on PerezHilton.com

That's right kids...someone leaked next weeks cover out and pooof...there it is on PerezHilton.com

Check it out:



Quoted from Perez:

We love Janet. AND we love Madonna. However, there isn't much love between the two!

The pop superstars are reported to have a very icy relationship towards each other.

Miz Jackson sharpened her claws a bit during a new interview with fag rag HX.

Meow!

HX: I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but there's an Internet war between Janet and Madonna fans. I know you and Madonna had some beef in the '90s, but do you think the heat between Madonna and Janet fans has any validity?
Janet: No—I didn't know this was going on. [Laughs]

They argue, make videos and, of course, it's mostly the gay fans. So people are curious: What are your thoughts on Madonna now?
I think she's done wonderful things. She's done great things in her career, in her life, and more power to her. I think fans will always be that way—always. They're just incredibly loyal and they love you so much that if anyone says anything remotely negative, they're there to just immediately jump on them. It'll always be that way—very loyal.

If a "Janet" drag queen had to battle a "Madonna" drag queen, what advice would you give the "Janet" queen?
Kick the bitch's ass!

Join Team Williams-Sonoma for our Second Year participating in the NYC AIDS WALK

Last year, I initiated the participation of Williams-Sonoma for the first time ever in the NYC AIDS WALK. We joined forces with our sister company, west elm and together recruited over 45 participants and raised a little over $4,000

This year, we are combining all brands (Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, west elm, Williams-Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn Kids and PB Teen) in hopes of recruiting over 100 people and raising over $10,000!!

If you would like to join on May 18th or would like to sponsor one of the associates, you may do so by visiting: http://aidswalknewyork2008.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=262058&lis=0&kntae262058=2D5AF805056847B5A3FADB0F7BB835CB&team=2704129

For those of you joining our team for the 2008 walk, we would like to remind you that being part of Team Williams-Sonoma is not about the t-shirts or goodies, or even good publicity, it is about coming together as a team, comprised of our friends and family, to change the course of the AIDS epidemic.

This year, when you join the team, we ask that each walker ensures that they have raised at least $25 in donations in order take part in the post-walk breakfast. If you raise $75-$99 you will also receive one of our team t-shirts and if you raise $100 or more you will be included in our raffle for many great prizes donated by our various brands.

We look forward to coming together as one great team and one loud voice on May 18th!

Second Annual Entertainment Industry Expo - NEW YORK CITY!!!

TaDa...my table at the expo. I had a little over 500 water bottles that each featured a custom johnagnesini.com label that was made possible by the generosity of Hillary, Alisa and Ruben. I also had a little over 1,000 mini candy bars that acted as a "One Sweet Deal" coupon, comp cards, postcards and a Williams-Sonoma popcorn bucket raffle :)

As many of you know, I just showcased some of my design work at the Second Annual Entertainment Industry Expo in New York City. Since it's inception last year, I have been the official designer of EIE. Responsible for all advertising including posters, trade ads, media kits and of course, the 74 page show guide which is available for download on my website: www.johnagnesini.com/EIE2008_web.pdf

A special thank you to my dear dear friends Heather and Alisa for working my table that day. you were the perfect representation of my brand :) I also would like to thank all my friends who attended the expo: Landon, Mellina, Oscar, George and of course, Ruben :)

A little over 5,000 people registered online and a little over 6,000 showed up!! It was a ton of fun and I look forward to many more shows in the future. :)



Ruben and I



Some of my promotional postcards and chocolate bars.



And of course, my darling friend Heather...Thank you sooooo much for all your help that day.

OMG...Time is Flying By

Can you believe my FIFTH issue of HX is already on the streets. Gosh, timegoes by when you're working on a weekly magazine.

This issue is especially fun...Our Editor-in-Chief, Brandon Voss came up with the idea of bringing nine of New York City's nightlife kings and queens (literally) and bring them all into our offices on a Sunday morning on 35th Street and have a "last supper-esk" photo shoot. We had the hottest DJs. Go-Gos, Drag Queens, Promoters and more!

On the web: www.hx.com www.myspace.com/hxmagazine

The Enchantress

This week, Idina Menzel casts another spell on the gays with her magical new CD.

Read more by visiting www.hx.com

Helloooo Docta!!

New Gig at HX!

I interviewed for this position a little over two months ago. Initially, they went with another candidate who only a month on the job, walked out. HA! The Creative Director dropped me an email asking if I wanted to freelance for the time being, I accepted and after my two days there...was called on an over-paid temp assignment at Edelman. That assignment was only for three weeks. Half way through, I received an email from the CEO of HX asking me to contact him after my assignment. I did just that. I met with the CEO on Monday morning and that evening was hired as Art Director.

BEHOLD!!! My first issue of HX, the Totally Biased Politically Incorrect Party Paper! It's tons of fun and I think I'm really going to enjoy my stay there.

Besides HX, I also work on The New York Blade, The Gay Life Expo, The Gay Travel Expo and The Gay Erotic Expo.

If you're a mySpacer, be sure to friend us at www.myspace.com/hxmagazine