Las Vegas Weekly

February 12, 2009 · 12:29 PM

Strip Scribbles: Magic Johnson subs for Phelps with motivational message

By Robin Leach

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Earlier this week, Vegas DeLuxe reported on the last-minute decision by marketing managers of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps to keep him out of our city. Michael, now on a three-month suspension by U.S. Swimming, had been booked for a speech and meet and greet with IBM executives at the MGM Grand. NBA legend Magic Johnson stepped in as the substitute, and when he arrived from Los Angeles for the Pulse 2009 conference, he had a motivational message at the ready.

Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was on hand for this great photo gallery. In his speech, Magic urged sales executives to make their marketing skills shine during these tough economic times. He said the first question to every customer should be, “What can we do for you?” Magic urged them to tackle the real challenge of retaining customers, and then work on new and old customers to return them from “lost” to “found.”

*Hidden cameras and microphones were rigged all over Hash House a Go-Go for ABC’s What Would You Do?. Host John Quinones and his staff worked for four full days at the restaurant with setups of interesting and sometime controversial public scenarios. They got customer reactions to two themes: a polygamist family and a way-too-friendly customer. The show, which airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m., will feature the episode next month.

*It’s going to be a fashion and music show with a difference! On Monday at Fashion Show, Angela and Vanessa Simmons, daughters of hip-hop legend Reverend Run from Run-DMC, will host a showcase to celebrate their new Pastry line. The girls, who first appeared in Run’s House, now star in their own MTV reality show Daddy’s Girls. It chronicles their jet-setting bi-coastal lives from Hollywood stardom to East Coast fashion designers. They’ll also present a live concert with Sophia Fresh and Alycia Bellamy, plus Keri Hilson, known for her hits “The Way I Are” with Timbaland and “Superhuman” with troubled headliner Chris Brown. Who knows if their TV producers P.Diddy and Russell Simmons will be watching from the wings?

*We’re expecting an invasion of thousands of party deejays from all over the next few days for the Mobile Beat conference. It’ll wrap with a dance party Tuesday at the Riviera with Ron Dante, Otis Day and Vanilla Ice among the stars. Ron, who returns twice to Vegas next month for shows, plans to see Jersey Boys and Donny & Marie over the weekend.

Star surveillance

Reality TV and real-life brothers Ahmad Givens (Real) and Kamal Givens (Chance) from VH1’s Real Chance at Love shared hosting duties at Jet in The Mirage. … Retired Orlando Magic star Sean Rooks, Cleveland Browns linebacker Willie McGinest and poker prince David Williams were all at separate VIP tables on the main stage at Pure in Caesars Palace. … Rapper, songwriter and record producer Jermaine Dupri is cooling his heels waiting for Usher to return from Brazil so they can continue their recording sessions at the Palms studio. Jermaine brought three male friends with him to Moon in the Palms Fantasy Tower, and the guys bonded over Three Generations Tequila and Tourment Green Absinthe! … On his first day of newfound freedom after the cancellation of Evening of La Cage, star female impersonator Frank Marino hit Hash House a Go-Go for a late breakfast with two friends. Frank ordered up the Brown Sugar Banana Flapjacks, aka as the Tractor Driver Special.

Tonight’s tip

There’s a celebrity shoe auction at Blush in the Wynn where shoes worn and autographed by Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, Avril Lavigne and Lauren Conrad are being sold to the highest bidder. It’s part of designer Ruthie Davis’ shoe show as the World Shoe convention arrives in town. … Valentine’s Day is two days early at the Paris with a Georges DuBoeuf wine tasting in Mon Ami Gabi, followed by a 50-story ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower for the romantic Strip view. … Don’t forget the other attractions we highlighted earlier today: X’s second anniversary, the opening of Fuego at The Rio and the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue party at LAX in the Luxor.

Tomorrow’s tease

Cupid has his arrow at the ready for Valentine’s Day weekend, and Vegas DeLuxe opens its heart and PDA to list all the star-studded events for the romantic celebration. Everybody from Billy Joel to Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt to The Girls Next Door star Bridget Marquardt make certain that love is in the air. Fresh from the Grammys, cherry Chapstick-lipped Katy Perry jets into town solo -- without a boyfriend -- and is ready for a Saturday night date, plus oh-so-single Marie Osmond has a special invitation, too!

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