Business & Professional
If5 The 001117
Party Layne keeps memories alive with high-tech twists.
Keri Guten Cohen
Story Development Editor
1p
arty Layne may not yet be a household
name, but Jon Layne is working to have his
social entertainment company known in
Detroit, Los Angeles and across the country.
A full-service company, Party Layne offers everything
from emcees and DJs to high-technology touches that
allow partygoers to relive the fun again and again.
Layne came to the business as a teenager. He grew
up in West Bloomfield and worked for local Star Trax
since shortly after his own bar mitzvah at Temple Israel.
DJ Jon Layne, right, next to Serena Seyburn of West
He continued working there as he earned his business-
Bloomfield at her Mardi Gras bat mitzvah party.
marketing degree at Eastern Michigan University in
Ypsilanti.
Five years ago, he ventured to Los Angeles, where he
went from being a promoter to managing artists on major
began his own party business.
labels, to producing TV shows, to producing events. Now
"It made the most sense Layne said. "I accomplished a
I'm bringing it all back together to share with people."
lot in Detroit and was ready to expand my business." Now
A hallmark of his parties is the technological edge that
he runs Party Layne from both cities, splitting his time in
especially captivates the younger set. For example, he will
each. In L.A., he also just finished producing the third sea-
create theme songs for celebrants or employ animation
son of The Captain and Casey Show, a skateboard talk show video using kids' imaginations to create the perfect fantasy
for Fox's Fuel TV.
for their videos. He can customize rap songs, too.
"I've owned a business since college said Layne, 32.1
Each honoree, no matter the age, also gets his or her
own party Web page that can include pictures, messages,
a theme song and videos that can build excitement to the
party. Afterward, they receive a two-minute podcast — like
highlight footage — of the party that's downloadable to
iTunes and iPods.
Party Layne's "Partyrazzis" go around and capture
moments that then go on the Web site for a lasting memory
of the event.
"Like in Hollywood, everyone loves the red carpet',' says
Layne. "When you're at your party, you never get to see
yourself and now you can relive that moment."
At the Estee Reed bat mitzvah, he used technology to
allow distant family members to share in the fun.
"It was March, and part of Estee's family was snowed in,"
he said:At the last minute, we went online and were able to
videoconference with the aunt, uncle and cousins on four
screens at the party so they could talk back and forth with
the girl and her family."
The family was surprised by how well it worked.
"It was an amazing thing',' said mom, Nancy Reed of
Bloomfield Hillsion knew what he needed, and he totally
made it happen. They were housebound in Connecticut, yet
they could 'be there.'
"We have four kids. Jon has done two simchas and
Party Layne on page A34
Vinyl Spin
Art
Party
Pix
Guests are able to decorate
actual vinyl records with
paint in a really fun activity
that takes you back to your
childhood.
Party Pix enhance any event
as guests are given
personalized guitar picks
strung onto earrings,
bracelets, necklaces or key
chains.
Partyrazzi
p
w/ Press Wall
Tag
Wall
Our version of the red
carpet experience complete
with a custom backdrop
with your name and logo,
photos on-line within 48
hours and memories that
last forever.
Is your child a tagger? Did
you know that Graffiti is a
form of artistic expression?
Now your guests can
express their congratula-
tions in a new and distinc-
tive way — the Party Layne
Tag Wall.
Animated
Loop
Now with Party Layne's
Animated Name Loops, your
name and/or logo are
transformed into a 2D video.
Perfect for any event,
company website, trade
show video, or charity
sponsor reel.
1325550
Buy one and get an item of equal or lesser
value for free. Offer valid for our new Party
Add-ons only. items must be booked by
December 12, 2007
Party Layne corn
West Bloomfield, MI • Beverly Hills, CA
CALL NOW (866) 763-5563
November 15 • 2007
A33