BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwire - Feb 26, 2012) - As Hollywood prepares itself for its biggest night of the year, Academy Award^® nominees and presenters joined some of the most powerful and well-known industry influencers for the tenth annual "Night Before" party to benefit the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF). Funds raised during the evening support the numerous programs and services the MPTF provides to more than 60,000 members of the entertainment industry every year.

This year's presenting sponsors were AOL, HP, L'Oréal, Relativity Media, Target and Variety. The sold-out event was held at the beautiful and historic Beverly Hills Hotel, with featured chef, Gregorio Stephenson of Nobu Malibu, providing his trademark cuisine for guests.

"For ten years, the 'Night Before' has been a celebration of so much that we as an industry can be proud of," said Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation and Chairman of the MPTF Foundation. "It is extraordinary year after year to see the selfless generosity across our community that makes it possible for the MPTF to continue to be there for those who need its outstanding services."

The "Night Before" benefit brought out the world's biggest stars from film, television, and music, including: Amy Adams, Jennifer Aniston, Jack Black, Kenneth Branagh, Gerard Butler, George Clooney, Glenn Close, Bradley Cooper, Bryan Cranston, Chace Crawford, Katie Holmes & Tom Cruise, Ted Danson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Hudson, Kristin Davis, Viola Davis & Julius Tennon, Laura Dern, Zooey Deschanel, Michael Douglas, Kirsten Dunst, Anna Faris, Colin Farrell, Fergie, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Tina Fey, Morgan Freeman, Topher Grace, Jennifer Westfeldt & Jon Hamm, Tom Hanks, Salma Hayek, Katherine Heigl, Elton John, January Jones, Diane Keaton, Taylor Lautner, Rooney Mara, Julie Chen & Les Moonves, Matthew Morrison, Gary Oldman, Timothy Olyphant, Amy Poehler & Will Arnett, Chris Rock, Maya Rudolph, Octavia Spencer, Kate Capshaw & Steven Spielberg, Ben Stiller, Taylor Swift, Channing Tatum, Sofia Vergara and Harvey Weinstein.

"What is extraordinary about the event is that it has raised over $50 million for the MPTF charitable services over the 10 years," said Ken Scherer, CEO of the MPTF Foundation.

The "Night Before" was produced for the tenth consecutive year by Robyn Leuthe Norris, with Silver Birches creating the décor for the party.

The event has been held annually the night before the Academy Awards^® since 2003 when it instantly became one of the most coveted invitations in town and kicks off what is now a much-anticipated awards season tradition.

Event sponsors provided activities for event guests and support to the MPTF, contributing to an evening filled with entertainment and fun.

AOL
"AOL is proud to support the incredible work of the MPTF and the artist community," said Tim Armstrong, Chairman and CEO, AOL.

Having helped millions of Americans to get online, AOL Inc. (NYSE: [ AOL ]) is on a mission to inform, entertain and connect the world. The home of a world-class collection of premium brands, AOL creates original content that engages audiences on a local and global scale. We help marketers connect with these audiences through effective and engaging digital advertising solutions.

HP
"A long-time supporter of the Motion Picture & Television Fund, HP is committed to providing Hollywood's creative artists and studios with the innovative technology needed for them to entertain audiences worldwide," said Eric Keshin, senior vice president, Strategy and Marketing, Personal Systems Group, HP. "Our newest consumer Ultrabook, the HP ENVY 14 Spectre, commands attention with its unparalleled use of glass and stunning performance, and we are excited to showcase it to attendees at the 'Night Before' event."

HP, a returning sponsor of the "Night Before" event, invited guests to meet the award-winning HP ENVY 14 Spectre. Guests received an intimate look at the Spectre's innovative design, which features lightweight, scratch-resistant glass on the lid, display, palmrest and HP ImagePad -- an industry first. Tough yet beautiful, the Spectre boasts up to 9 hours of battery life and features a high-definition Radiance display and Beats Audio™ technology.

L'Oréal
"L'Oréal Paris and our sister brands LANCÔME and Kiehl's Since 1851 are honored to support the MPTF 91^st year of giving back to the entertainment industry," said Karen T. Fondu, President, L'Oréal Paris. "'Because You're Worth It,' is our brand philosophy at L'Oréal Paris, and we are pleased to support an industry that enlightens, entertains and empowers people all over the world."

The L'Oréal Paris division of L'Oréal USA, Inc. is a total beauty care company that combines the latest technology with the highest in quality for the ultimate in luxury beauty at mass. The L'Oréal Paris brand encompasses the four major beauty categories -- hair color, hair care, skincare and cosmetics -- and includes such well-known brands as Preference, Excellence, Féria and Healthy Look hair color; Elnett Satin Hairspray, EverPure, EverStrong, EverSleek, EverCrème, EverStyle, VIVE Pro, Studio Line and L'Oréal Kids hair care; Youth Code, Revitalift, Age Perfect, Go 360 Clean, Sublime Bronze, Sublime Sun and Men's Expert skincare; and the Colour Riche, True Match, Infallible, and Studio Secrets Professional cosmetics collections, along with a portfolio of mascara including Voluminous, Double Extend and Telescopic among many others. For more information on L'Oréal Paris and its brands, and to get comprehensive, personalized beauty information from the experts, visit [ www.lorealparis.com ] for access to unique content and dynamic interactive features, including the exclusive "Can I Help You" diagnostic tool.

Relativity Media
"Relativity Media is proud to once again support the 'Night Before' party for the Motion Picture & Television Fund, an organization whose steadfast commitment to its mission has been so vital for our artistic community," said Ryan Kavanaugh, CEO, Relativity Media.

Relativity Media is a next-generation studio engaged in multiple aspects of entertainment, including full-scale film and television production and distribution, the co-financing of major studio film slates, music publishing, sports management and digital media. Additionally, the company makes strategic partnerships with, and investments in, media and entertainment-related companies and assets.

Relativity also owns and operates Rogue Pictures, a company that specializes in films targeted to the 13-25 year old audience, and RogueLife, Relativity's digital studio which is developing original content for the Web and creating sustainable online platforms and communities. RelativityREAL, Relativity's television arm, has 67 projects in production, including 17 original series that are currently airing or will air in the upcoming television season including Police Women for TLC, Coming Home for Lifetime and The Great Food Truck Race for Food Network. For additional information, please visit [ www.relativitymedia.com ].

Target
"Target is pleased to sponsor the 'Night Before' and celebrate our partnership with Gwen Stefani and the exclusive Harajuku Mini for Target collection for babies, kids and tweens," said Shawn Gensch, vice president of marketing, Target. "This ongoing fashion-forward designer collaboration brings together playful styles and bold designs that will evolve each season."

Last November, Target partnered with Gwen Stefani to launch Harajuku Mini for Target, an exclusive collection of affordable apparel and accessories for babies, kids and tweens. Harajuku Mini for Target is inspired by the cute and playful kids clothing found in Japan. The collection allows kids to express their individuality while having fun getting dressed. Our partnership with Gwen Stefani delivers on our commitment of offering fashion-forward design for all. Harajuku Mini for Target is available exclusively at Target and [ Target.com ]. We are excited to feature the spring line of Harajuku Mini for Target at the "Night Before."

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: [ TGT ]) serves guests at 1,763 stores across the United States and at [ Target.com ]. The company plans to open its first stores in Canada in 2013. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers branded proprietary credit card products. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. For more information about Target's commitment to corporate responsibility, visit [ Target.com/hereforgood ].

Variety
Brian Gott, Variety Publisher says, "Variety was a founding partner of the 'Night Before' Fundraiser and is proud to continue its support of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, an organization that works so tirelessly to help a community that Variety is passionate about and serves on a day to day basis."

Variety is the leading publication for business entertainment news, recognized and respected throughout the world of show business. The Variety Group -- Daily Variety, Daily Variety Gotham, Weekly Variety and Variety.com -- are all owned by Reed Business Information (RBI), the largest business publisher in the U.S. RBI is a member of the Reed Elsevier Group plc (NYSE: [ RUK ]) (NYSE: [ ENL ]). [ www.variety.com ]

About the Motion Picture & Television Fund
For 90 years, the MPTF has served as a beacon of hope for entertainment industry members in their time of need. As a charitable organization, the MPTF provides financial assistance and services essential to the wellbeing of the community and is a leader in the development and implementation of services and programs for seniors and those who care for them. The charity is supported by the generosity of corporate donors and fellow entertainment industry members who contribute their time and money knowing if they were ever in a tight spot, the MPTF would be there for them too. For more information, visit [ www.mptvfund.org ].