Posts made in March 2021

Spotify illustration for RADAR by Heather Skovlund for 360 MAGAZINE

Spotify Announces girl in red as Its Next RADAR Artist

Today, Spotify’s global emerging artist development program, RADAR, has announced its latest artist partnership for the US: the Oslo-based pop sensation, girl in red, aka Marie Ulven.
girl in red has also just announced her debut album, if i could make it go quiet, out April 30th, and released its accompanying first single, “Serotonin.”  The result of a collaboration with FINNEAS and a huge pop anthem that speaks to Ulven’s struggles with mental health, the arena-ready tune can be heard HERE

Following her breakout single, “i wanna be your girlfriend,” which has been streamed over 150 Million times on Spotify, girl in red’s music has adorned some of Spotify’s most popular playlists including New Music Friday, LOREM, Oyster, Ultimate Indie, Out Now, and many more — 364 playlists, to be exact! Her cover of Maggie Rogers’s “Say it” for Spotify’s Studio Oyster has been beloved by media and fans around the world, as well as by Rogers herself. With 7 Million monthly listeners on Spotify, her music has also been celebrated by press outlets around the world like The New York Times, Paper Magazine, NME, DAZED, Rolling Stone, Pigeons & Planes and more. 

Today’s announcement is accompanied by new RADAR photos of girl in red located HERE and a blog post on Spotify’s For The Record newsroom blog HERE that includes a full rundown of the program, and a Q&A with the artist, which you should feel free to use for your own coverage.  
girl in red’s appointment to the RADAR program will include features in the RADAR playlist, a Spotify Singles recording, promotional support for her upcoming releases, a full suite of out-of-home advertising and on-platform marketing, and social promotion. girl in red’s RADAR campaign will also include a forthcoming mini-documentary to premiere later this year.
Says Ned Monahan, Spotify’s Head of Global Hits: “We’ve been closely watching girl in red’s steady ascent over the past few years — she’s built a tight-knit community of devoted fans in a remarkably organic way, based on her self-assured songwriting and deeply personal lyrics — all as an independent artist.  We’re beyond excited for her debut full-length, and look forward to helping with her global ascent via RADAR.”

When asked what she looks forward to about being a RADAR artist, girl in red says: “Taking over the world! That’s what I’m looking forward to. Having my music in people’s ears— that’s like the coolest thing ever. RADAR, then world domination!”

girl in red’s appointment as the fifth US RADAR artist follows the success of Spotify’s previous US RADAR artists Alaina Castillo, J.I The Prince of N.Y, The Kid LAROI, and Flo Milli, all joining 175 RADAR-affiliated emerging artists around the world. Last fall, Spotify celebrated the program’s six month anniversary with the launch of its global RADAR hub on-platform.

The program has propelled the success of artists around the globe like Rina Sawayama, Young T & Bugsey,Zoe Wees, Lous and the Yakuza, and more.

Top Latinx Influencers

360 Magazine is highlighting the top Latinx influencers within pop culture. 

By: Carly Cohen

 

Demi Lovato:  Demi Lovato is a well-known singer, songwriter, actress, and producer. Her early acting shows such as Camp Rock and Sonny with a Chance both were huge Disney programs. Demi dealt with addiction but has spoken about it and has made it very public after her overdose in 2018. She has thrived to do better and push her career and doing so has made her an inspiration to the public eye. 

Neymar: Neymar (Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior) is a Brazilian professional soccer player for Paris Saint-Germain. He is known as one of the best players in the world and has a massive following on Instagram with nearly 150 million. Neymar has competed with the title against Messi on ‘who is better.’ 

Jennifer Lopez: Jennifer Lopez is and always has been a huge American actress, singer, and dancer. She is engaged to the famous baseball player, Alex Rodriguez, and has two charming children. She has a following of 143 million on Instagram and is always staying up to date on the latest trends. Jennifer very recently came out with a new makeup line called JLo Beauty that has gotten great feedback from. 

Lele Pons: Lele Pons is the new face of the “ideal celebrity.” Influencers have taken over and Lele is one of many. She is available on platforms such as Youtube, Spotify, Instagram, etc. She consistently is showing her following vision in her personal life. For being somewhat new to the influencer world, she has a following of 43.5 million on Instagram. Lele has opened up about her battle with OCD, ADHD, and Tourette syndrome in a documentary posted on her YouTube channel called The Secret Life of Lele Pons.

Lejuan James:  Lejuan is a comedian and an influencer on Youtube. In 2019 he released his book called Definitely Hispanic which is a comedy and heartfelt book about Lejuan himself. The book walks the readers through Lejuan growing up Hispanic in the US. On his YouTube channel, he creates skits and small clips to express his enthusiastic personality. 

Camila Cabello: Camila Cabello is originally known for being a part of the girl group Fifth Harmony which was created on the  X Factor in 2012. When Camila strayed away from the group she created her songs and sang her music that wowed millions of people. Currently, she is recognized for being partners with the other musically talented, Shawn Mendes. Her socials show the raw, heartfelt women she is. Recently, she has shared many posts regarding her beliefs and what she stands for. She is using her platform to express and show social issues, politics, and pushes her viewers to make a difference in the world. 

Yuya: Yuya (Marind Castrejón Castañeda) is a YouTube star. Her content subsists of beauty tutorials, her authentic daily life, and her style inspiration. Her social media captures alluring photography of herself, styles, food, and a simple day in her life. Yuya has been featured on multiple Mexican television and also on Vogue.  

Bethany Mota: Bethany Mota is known as the Youtube star who raised us all. She started on Youtube sharing content relating to fashion advice, hauls, DIYs, and so much more. She continues to post on Youtube and other socials but has done a great job staying up to date on current trends involving fashion, lifestyle, and content. Bethany strained away from her usual content and was featured on Dancing with the Stars Season 19

Dulce Candy: Dulce Candy is a beauty and fashion vlogger. She has two channels on Youtube, one focuses on tutorial videos while the other focuses on her everyday life. Her socials consist of true and authentic life, have an influencer but also has a mother. 

Selena Gomez: Selena Gomez is one of many talents. She is a singer, an actress, and a producer. Recently she has also become an entrepreneur because of her new skincare brand RareBeauty which is based around mental health. Selena always uses her platforms for inspiring messages and spreading awareness which is why she has always had such a good look to the public eye. 

Leo Messi: Leo Messi is a professional football player for FC Barcelona. He is known as being the world’s wealthiest football player. His socials consist of ads, his family, and his life as a professional football player. An interesting fact about Leo is that he sticks to five key foods – water, olive oil, whole grains, fresh fruit, and fresh vegetables. 

German Garmendia: German is a content creator who targets comedy. He shares content on his authentic daily life. German is now signed to WME talent agency

Maiah Ocando: Maiah is an express and an internet star. She has a background in Fashion Design and shares storytimes, makeup tutorials, and fashion advice on her youtube channel with 735k Subscribers. An interesting fact about Maiah is that she is the host of a web show on YouTube called Visto Bueno and is also a writer of a book called Visto Bueno.

Kathy Cano-Murillo:  Kathy Cano-Murillo is a creative genius! She is an author, and an artist and has created an award-winning brand called CraftyChica. CraftyChica is a space to express ingenuity. It consists of Latino crafts, activities, recipes and so much more. It is the perfect place to express oneself creatively. 

Jorge Narvaez: Jorge is a full-time creator and speaker. He posts content relating to his work and especially relating to his family. He is a first-generation high school and college grad. 

Andrea Espada: Andrea is best known for her modeling, an influencer, and a popular television star. She is always posting content that relates to workout tips and her adorable baby. Her Instagram is exciting and authentic to who she is. Andrea had her baby, Ferran in a past relationship, not with her current spouse. 

Salice Rose: Salice is an Instagram and video star. Her videos always focus on comedy and are super entertaining to watch. She has recently become popular on Tik Tok and has reached a following of 16.8 million. Salice is known for speaking her mind and posting exactly what she wants. She is a rising star. 

Ana Alvarado: Ana is also known as LipStickFables. She is beloved on socials such as youtube and Instagram. She is famous for her captivating and up-to-date videos. Ana gives an understanding of her Honduran life. 

Tiffany Garcia: Tiffany is best known for her gaming videos on her youtube channel IHasCupquake. She talks about different games and gives feedback and reactions to her viewers. She is visionary and has a joyous personality. Tiffany has been nominated such as Shorty Awards for Best in Gaming and Teen Choice for gaming. She is a big deal in the gaming community. 

Nicole Guerriero: Nicole is a fashion influencer with a following of 1.9 million on Instagram. She is always posting insight on her life, adept makeup looks, and outfits of the days. She is one of the original YouTubers in the beauty community. 

JLo illustration by Kaelen Felix for 360 Magazine

Prince Illustration Heather Skovlund for 360 Magazine

Prince Memorabilia Up For Auction

A Prince screen-worn ruffled shirt from Purple Rain will be auctioned by Boston-based RR Auction. The custom-made white ruffled shirt worn by Prince in the iconic 1984 film Purple Rain, lavishly crafted from soft silk and featuring a gathered high-neck collar, three layers of ruffles down the front, gathered ‘puffy’ long sleeves, ruffled faux-French cuffs, faux pearl buttons down the front placket, and light shoulder pads. Sewn inside the neck is a purple-on-white “Prince” label.

Playing ‘The Kid’ in Purple Rain, Prince is seen wearing a white ruffled shirt at several key points in the movie—including his rendition of ‘Beautiful Ones,’ and then later in the finale when he sings ‘Purple Rain,’ ‘I Would Die 4 U,’ and ‘Baby I’m a Star.’ Accompanied by a letter of provenance from Juanita Escovedo, the mother of Prince protege Sheila E., stating that the shirt was made for Prince during the making of Purple Rain and was given by Prince to Sheila E. It was later sold as part of a fundraising effort.

Purple Rain grossed over $72 million worldwide (against its $7.2 million budget), won the Oscar for Best Original Score, and served as the launching pad for Prince’s superstardom. “As an iconic, screen-worn shirt from the classic movie, this is a remarkable museum-quality piece,” said Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction.

Among other Prince-related items from the sale is a remarkable handmade Lords jacket from Prince’s wardrobe worn in a photoshoot with Randee St. Nicholas. Prince’s handmade couture jacket worn in a photoshoot, crafted from cream-colored fabric with three pairs of ornate black corded rope clasps on the front and matching rope links on the cuffs. Concealed in the placket are three white buttons behind each set of clasps. The jacket has two jetted diagonal pockets, a handkerchief pocket on the left breast, and is lined in a fine paisley satin. When Prince posed in this jacket in a shoot with photographer/filmmaker Randee St. Nicholas, he wore a high-collared black shirt and adorned the breast pocket with a black handkerchief—making for an edgy yet sophisticated look. Any piece from Prince’s personal wardrobe is tremendously desirable, and that he chose to wear this jacket in a photoshoot makes it especially significant. From the collection of singer-songwriter Susannah Melvoin.

Prince’s personally worn long white cashmere trench coat by Ashton Michael, from a photoshoot for the June 2014 issue of Essence magazine. The fine white cashmere wool coat features a simple sewn-in chevron design, two slit pockets, a single vent on the back, and a golden zipper on the front; the arms are fine black leather with golden zippers on the wrists. The inside is lined in white satin and has the “Ashton Michael” tag inside the neck.

The sale also features a breathtaking bright yellow custom Cloud guitar created for, owned, and played by Prince. The guitar was custom-made by Minneapolis luthier Kurt Nelson in the early 1990s. The neck-through guitar features a bright yellow finish, golden hardware, and cloud-inspired design to body, horn, and headstock, with a unique series of 18 black Prince symbols to fretboard and top of the neck.

Among other fashion highlights from the sale is a stunning gold sequin dress worn by Lady Gaga during her 2017-2018 Joanne World Tour. This shimmering, form-fitting dress with long sleeves, high collar, and a back-lapped zipper was made by New York City fashion designer Cheng-Huai Chuang, whose tag is sewn into the inner back. A sleek and dazzling dress worn by the award-winning pop sensation during her five-month promotional tour of Joanne. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity.

The Fine Autograph and Artifacts sale featuring Music and Prince from RR Auction began on February 19 and will conclude on March 10. For more information, go to www.rrauction.com.

Accompanied by a letter of provenance from Susannah Melvoin, describing how she acquired the jacket: “My sister wore this jacket many times, which is how I ended up with it. Long story. Prince wanted her to wear it for a show at Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angles in July 2007. He had two shows a night: one in the big entryway of the hotel and the other in a small club room. So, Prince had Wendy wear it for those. Then a week later, on July 7, Prince played three shows in Minneapolis in one day—at Macy’s, the Target Center, and First Ave—and Wendy performed with him there as well. We had flown to Minnesota, where Wendy wore the jacket again. After the show, we were all together and went to give the jacket back. Prince said it looks clean on Wendy and that she should have more made in lots of colors. I’ve had the jacket since.”

Melvoin was the joint lead vocalist to the Prince produced band The Family, singer on numerous historical Prince albums, and extended member of the Revolution during the Parade era, who shared a long-term working musical relationship with and was engaged to Prince during the 80s. Her twin sister, Wendy, was a member of Prince’s band, The Revolution.

RR Auction is a globally recognized and trusted auction house specializing in historical autographs and artifacts. Join us as we make history selling history in March 2021.

Illustration of a Booker by Kaelen Felix for 360 Magazine

Ambition Ladiez: Up-And-Coming Agency Proves That ‘Representation Matters’

In an era that has been ripe for the gradual erosion of longtime social stigmas in seemingly every area of human activity, the emergence of Ambition Ladiez has proven to be quite timely.

Founded in 2018 by Easop Winston, the San Francisco Bay Area-based agency equally fills niches in the urban and women’s markets, both of which feature strong consumer and brand loyal bases.

From its inception, Ambition Ladiez established itself as an urban lifestyle model and marketing agency which specializes in various forms of media, including photoshoots, brand ambassadorships, event hosting, music videos, and television placements. Ambition Ladiez has also branded itself as a disruptive outlier in its industry, having a diverse roster of models — Women of Color ( or BIPOC) — represent the company in a refreshing and empowering manner that would provide a beacon of inspiration for upcoming generations of young women who aspire to work in the modeling world.

Although the company has made its mark on the industry as a model and marketing agency, Ambition Ladiez is currently evolving to be yet another trendsetter — this time venturing into the podcast space. Original programming such as “The Lounge,” the “Cooking With” series, and the “Conversations” series have proven to give viewers a smorgasbord of delectable content for their consumption.

Adding more gas to the blazing path that the brand is currently on, Ambition Ladiez has ramped up its digital footprint, now making it virtually impossible for its movement to be slowed down — or, for the sake of the brand’s most ardent supporters — ignored either. In the past couple of years, Ambition Ladiez was able to successfully launch its app, which includes its featured content (of all forms/genres) uploaded on to major streaming platforms, such as Apple, Google Play, and Amazon Appstore, Roku, Fire TV, and Android TV.

One of the more popular shows on the Ambition Ladiez digital platform  — the “Cooking With” series — allows viewers to get a glance into their more redeeming sides of the models that supersede just their outward beauty by giving a glance of their cooking skills.

Another branch of the marketing and modeling agency’s ecosystem is its magazine. As of this writing, Ambition Ladiez Magazine has already successfully pressed and launched two issues of its quarterly publication, with more expected to be released by the end of 2021. The magazine remains true to its core demographic of longtime supporters and subscribers, providing written features on public figures, Bay Area-based artists, health, politics, and other hot topic social issues which peak the interest(s) of its target audience.

One of the magazine’s featured artists in mind is Yung Lott. A Bay Area Native and well-respected recording artist, Yung Lott’s alliance with the Ambition Ladiez brand has been solidified through him having Ambition Ladiez models featured in his music videos, as well as having a story written about him in the magazine. All of this is a testament to the agency’s reach and streamlined operations.

Prior to the widespread shutdowns of entertainment venues and live events due to the COVID outbreak of 2020, Ambition Ladiez models could be seen at such events, usually working as brand ambassadors, hosts of parties, or even utilizing their interpersonal skills to conduct red carpet interviews with VIP guests at many of the more premier events. 

The events are not only relegated to the San Francisco Bay Area. Ambition Ladiez soon will look to extend its presence to Las Vegas and Los Angeles. These two cities would be an ideal accommodation for the fast-growing entertainment/media centered brand.

In light of the country’s progressive transition towards inclusion, diversity, and proper representation in all industries, Ambition Ladiez is writing the blueprint for how to construct an outlet that’s a great alternative to traditional modeling and marketing agencies by focusing on BIPOC models. The agency then uses its multimedia capabilities to highlight not only the naturally appealing ethnic features of its models, but it can also use its original series to profile them in a favorable light in which they may not have been if they worked elsewhere.

In spite of the company’s fast growing profile among industry peers, Ambition Ladiez has enabled enthusiasts of the brand to actually buy into what it stands for, having merchandise for sale. This helps to expand its already fast growing fanbase, and allows them to feel a sense of connectivity to the brand by donning Ambition Ladiez merchandise.

The movement that the brand is creating can be likened to a record-setting storm, and in the eye of ‘Hurricane Ambition Ladiez’ exists two powerful components yet to be mentioned in great detail: company Founder & CEO Easop Winston, and…the Ambition Ladiez themselves.

A Bay Area Native, Winston has always embodied the very essence of ambition. A man of tremendous vision and unmatched work ethic, he learned the ins and outs of the entertainment and media business as a recording artist. Touring the world, writing and recording countless music projects, and weathering the treacherous paths of ‘The Business’ has molded Easop into a seasoned veteran, and quite the entrepreneur. After witnessing misrepresentation and mistreatment of creatives in the industry for years, he has assumed the role of an emancipator of sorts, allowing individuals who want to step foot into the entertainment or media world a platform to let their light(s) shine. “As a young artist, I would have relished the opportunity to be signed to an agency that thoroughly cultivates its talent with care in the manner that Ambition Ladiez does,” he states. “Once I was in a position to impart the knowledge that I have acquired on to up-and-coming generations of talent, I did not hesitate. This is what compelled me to launch the agency.”

The lucky recipients of Easop Winston’s tutelage are none other than the ACTUAL Ambition Ladiez. This extensive assortment of young women who hail from different places, ethnicities, and skill sets have set the modeling industry’s bar higher for the precise blend of riveting beauty, natural talent, and marketable personalities. Holding true to its ethics as a modeling and marketing agency, Ambition Ladiez has managed to maintain an impressive retention rate — from one of its original ‘Day 1’ signees (Nicole), to one of its newest faces (Lulu). The agency does its due diligence to provide an adequate platform that will allow them placement for other opportunities, while preparing them for longevity in the industry.

The way in which Easop establishes leadership to his company is worth taking notes from. As Owner of Ambition Ladiez, he has built an operation that’s reminiscent of many of the same methods Barry Gordy used to successfully run the legendary Motown Records many decades ago. While from first glance, the business appears to move smoothly and emanates an atmosphere of fun and leisure, Easop gives us a friendly reminder of the figurative blood, sweat, and tears that go into all things Ambition Ladiez. “I preach punctuality (for both in-person and recorded appearances), dedication to excellence, and an open line of communication for the ladies signed to this team (agency).”

With such a strong and rich culture of opulence infused into the Ambition Ladiez brand, the agency could very well forge its own path into the history books as a shining example for industry peers to follow for many years to come. 

Now THAT’s “Ambition.”

Dr. J. Goosby Smith

Named Vice President for Community Belonging and Chief Diversity Officer at Pepperdine University

Dr. April Harris Akinloye will join Smith as assistant vice president for community belonging.

Press Release: The KAIROS Company for Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University announced today its long-anticipated selection of the University’s inaugural vice president for community belonging and chief diversity officer, Dr. J. Goosby Smith. 

Smith will join Pepperdine on June 1, 2021, from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where she currently serves as associate professor of leadership; associate professor of management; assistant provost for diversity, equity, and inclusion; and director of the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Center. 

Smith received her BS in computer science from Spelman College and her MBA and PhD in organizational behavior from Case Western Reserve University. She anticipates earning her master of divinity from Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, in December 2021. 

“What an honor it is today to announce Dr. Smith is returning to the Pepperdine community,” said Pepperdine president Jim Gash. “I’m especially grateful to the Search Committee for identifying an amazing and experienced leader. I simply cannot wait to work alongside Dr. Smith as we chart a distinctively Pepperdine path forward addressing one of the great issues of our time. Our goal isn’t just to have a community of belonging but to train generations of graduates to create the same in their own communities.”

Smith is no stranger to Pepperdine having served previously as an assistant professor of organizational behavior in the Seaver College Business Administration Division from 2002 to 2006, and then as a tenured associate professor of organizational behavior in the same division from 2011 to 2015. She has also served as assessment coordinator for the Seaver Diversity Council and as an adjunct professor in the Graziadio Business School’s MBA program. 

Smith will report directly to President Gash, serve as a member of the University’s Steering Team, and be a principal leader on the University Diversity Council for which she previously served as inaugural faculty co-chair in 2005. 

The selection of a vice president for community belonging and chief diversity officer is one in a series of initiatives the University has been implementing to cultivate a community of deep belonging and to build and model a diverse, informed, loving, and unified community at Pepperdine. 

Joining Smith in leading diversity and inclusion initiatives at Pepperdine will be Dr. April Harris Akinloye (’00, MA ’05), who will return to her alma mater as the assistant vice president for community belonging.

Harris Akinloye is a double alumna of Pepperdine, receiving her BA in speech communication and religious studies from Seaver College and her MA in education from the Graduate School of Education and Psychology. She earned her PhD in education with a focus on cultural perspectives from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Harris Akinloye will join Pepperdine from Social Good Solutions where she is currently a senior consultant for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She previously served as the chief diversity officer at Vanguard University.

“When I was a candidate to be Pepperdine’s eighth president, I made it clear that hiring a chief diversity officer would be among my top priorities,” said Gash. “Though we began our national search for a chief diversity officer, after getting to know these two extraordinarily qualified leaders, each of whom has a deep love for Pepperdine and our mission, we decided to hire a team—and what a team it is! Drs. Smith and Harris Akinloye will be a venerable force to help lead Pepperdine to a new level of inclusion, excellence, and genuine belonging, befitting the Pepperdine community’s unwavering commitment to radical Christian hospitality.”

Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell illustration by Heather Skovlund for 360 MAGAZINE

KRISTEN BELL × DAX SHEPARD

AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM, REDEFINE FAMILY FUN IN NEW NBC GAME SHOW ‘FAMILY GAME FIGHT’

NBC Nabs Groundbreaking Series from Ellen DeGeneres And Warner Bros. Unscripted Television 

Click here.

NBC tests brains, brawn and family bonds with a 10- episode series pick-up of the new one-hour game show “Family Game Fight,” with comedy duo and married couple Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard serving as both hosts and competitors.  

Marking the first time Bell and Shepard will team up for a television project, each episode of the entertaining series will see the twosome part ways and be “adopted” into a family of four as they compete in a series of insanely fun games with a big cash prize up for grabs.

“Family Game Fight” is inspired by Bell and Shepard’s antics on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” 

“For one of our first dates, I invited Dax over for a game night at my house with a bunch of friends,” Bell said. “He said he fell in love with me there because I was a very tiny person bossing everyone around. I fell in love with him too because he’s a very large person who could boss everyone around, but chooses not to. I’m so excited to host ‘Family Game Fight’ and play all day with my best friend.”

“Kristen is my favorite human to work with,” Shepard said. “She’s the most consistently funny, playful and joyful scene partner I’ve ever had. She’s also incredibly fun to look at.”

“NBC is thrilled to be the network bringing Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard together to host a game show for the first time,” said Jenny Groom, Executive Vice President of Unscripted Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “We’ve been wanting to work with them as a duo for years. Their energy is infectious, their comedic sensibility comes so naturally, and their transparency about their relationship is what makes them so relatable and loveable. ‘Family Game Fight’ was born out of the true competitive, yet playful and loving spirit Dax and Kristen have toward each other. We’re excited to work with them as on-camera talent and side-by-side as producing partners.”  

Mike Darnell, President Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, said, “Kristen and Dax are simply magnetic when they’re on screen. They’re a spontaneously funny and loving couple that are also surprisingly competitive in this fast-moving family competition. They are pure magic together.”

“Family Game Fight” is now casting, and NBC is looking for family teams of four. To submit your story or nominate a friend, co-worker, or family member, please visit www.Venertainment.com.

The series is executive produced by Ellen DeGeneres, Mary Connelly, Andy Lassner, Derek Westervelt, Noah Bonnett, Dan Norris, Joel Van Rysselberghe, Jeff Kleeman, Mike Darnell and Brooke Karzen, in addition to Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard. The series is produced by A Very Good Production and Warner Bros. Unscripted Television’s Warner Horizon division, in association with Telepictures.

ABOUT WARNER BROS. UNSCRIPTED TELEVISION

Warner Bros. Unscripted Television is the leading producer of unscripted television in America with over 50 series totaling some 2,500 hours of programming annually across broadcast, cable, streaming, digital, and first-run syndication, as well as high-end documentaries. Led by Mike Darnell, President, the division produces major franchises that include the long-running, powerhouse franchise of ’The Bachelor,’ ‘The Bachelorette,’ and ‘Bachelor in Paradise’; multiple Emmy winning ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ and the primetime hit ‘Ellen’s Game of Games’; the multi-Emmy winning blockbuster ’The Voice’; the Fox hit ‘The Masked Dancer’; the Emmy winning ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ returning to NBC; ’The Real Housewives of New York’; ’The Bradshaw Bunch’; ’Extra’; and ’The Real’; plus, the Greg Berlanti produced signature documentaries ’Helter Skelter’ for EPIX and ‘Equal’ for HBO Max, among others. The unscripted unit also recently announced ‘The Wheel’, BBC’s number 1 game show launch in over a decade, coming to NBC; the upcoming hybrid alternative-scripted series ‘True Story’ with Ed Helms and Randall Park; ‘Ellen’s Next Great Designer’ for HBO Max; the Ava DuVernay produced ‘Home Sweet Home’ coming to NBC; and the highly anticipated ‘Friends’ reunion coming to HBO Max.

ABOUT A VERY GOOD PRODUCTION

A Very Good Production (AVGP) is the Emmy® Award-winning television and film production company of producer/writer/actor/host Ellen DeGeneres. Based at Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTVG) with an exclusive multiyear deal, AVGP produces the nationally syndicated daytime talk show “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and develops television projects for all divisions of WBTVG, including scripted and unscripted primetime series for network and cable, as well as additional syndicated fare. AVGP is currently producing a wide range of television, including NBC’s fan-favorite game show “Ellen’s Game of Games,” NBC’s hit series “Little Big Shots,” “Green Eggs and Ham” for Netflix, and many more. AVGP also produced the film adaptation of “Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase.” In September 2019, Ellen announced HBO Max has ordered four original series including “Ellen’s Next Great Designer,” “First Dates Hotel,” “Little Ellen,” as well as the docu-series “Finding Einstein.” Jeff Kleeman serves as President of A Very Good Production.

Has COVID Clouded Your Retirement Picture? 3 Tips To Plan Clearly

Some people planning for retirement may do most of the right things in terms of saving and investing. But they don’t have a crystal ball and cannot foresee exactly how much money they will need in their non-working years – or for how long.

That uncertainty – magnified by the financial effects of COVID-19 – is one reason why it’s important to always keep the distant future in mind when planning and to consider all options that address those potential needs, says John Smallwood, president of Smallwood Wealth Management and author of It’s Your Wealth – Keep It: The Definitive Guide to Growing, Protecting, Enjoying, and Passing On Your Wealth.

“Too often, people are siloed in their view of their financial plan rather than focusing on the big picture,” Smallwood says. “Sometimes, it’s because they believe in a pitch that one magic product or investment is going to save their retirement.

“The pandemic causes some people to look for fast solutions, but there is no magic wand that you can wave and save your financial plan. The ‘magic’ that is going to help you is to put multiple products and multiple strategies together in an integrated way that is unique to you.”

Smallwood says those either starting or reevaluating a financial plan should consider these points:

  • Avoid cookie-cutter solutions. Because every person’s circumstances are different, a one-size-fits-all approach in financial planning doesn’t make sense for the future retiree, Smallwood says. “Whether it’s a mutual fund, insurance policy, annuity, a stock option, 401(k), or something else, the truth is that banking entirely on a single product or type of investment is setting you up for financial failure,” Smallwood says. “There are always popular products being pushed, but cookie-cutter solutions don’t take into account that every client has different financial pressures. Single products are often focused tightly on rate of return, but they don’t look at everything that’s happening in a person’s life or at erosion principles, which are actually taking away more wealth than is being accumulated in many cases.”
  • Know how to minimize market volatility. Smallwood says having measurable goals and a realistic view are important to success with a financial strategy. And part of that strategy includes understanding and minimizing the impact of market volatility on your money. “One way to make a sense of it all is to know the difference between average rate of return, sequence of returns, and actual return,” he says. “Average rate of return is over the life of an investment. Sequence of returns is the order in which your investments provide you with a return. Actual return is the actual amount of money gained or lost during a quarter or year compared to the initial value of an investment.”
  • Don’t get caught up in chasing returns. “Financial success does not come from chasing returns or selecting a magic product or asset class,” Smallwood says. “It comes from having a balanced plan, and then stress-testing that plan for weak areas to see how taxes, feeds, inflation, medical expenses, market volatility, college expenses and other variables can impact wealth potential. People who chase returns typically buy an asset class, or they buy a fund based on its past performance. If it doesn’t do well, they sell it, and they buy the next hot-performing fund. That’s how they fall into the trap that keeps eroding their wealth.”

“To be successful with your retirement plan,” Smallwood says, “you need to keep an open mind, understand your uniqueness, and not follow the crowd in terms of what are the right solutions for you.”

About John L. Smallwood, CFP®

John L. Smallwood is a senior wealth advisor (www.johnlsmallwood.com) and president of Smallwood Wealth Management and affiliated companies, providing investment consulting and financial plan design for corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals. He is the author of It’s Your Wealth – Keep It: The Definitive Guide To Growing, Protecting, Enjoying, And Passing On Your Wealth, and a previous book, Five Ways Your Wealth is Under Attack.

Art illustration by Kaelen Felix for 360 magazine

Transformed Grief – Estefana Johnson, LMSW

When COVID-19 hit, there was an instant collective response of panic. People rushed to fill their pantries with nonperishables and toilet paper.  Schools closed, businesses closed, and lives were flipped upside down as our routines were disrupted by lockdowns and uncertainty. In a moment in which we most needed comfort and connection, we were forced to isolate for fear of spreading the virus to our loved ones. I remember countless sleepless nights where I obsessively checked the dashboards and reviewed the little data provided on how this virus operated, who was being affected, and the odds of survival. I called my parents frequently to remind them to “stay home, wash your hands, wear your masks”. I knew then if my father were to become infected, he would not survive. He was elderly and his lungs had much damage from decades of exposure to dust and cement as a mason. 

My father was the humblest, hardest-working man with the biggest faith I’ve ever known. He taught me patience, integrity and to never take life seriously as it is but a journey in the span of our existence. As an emigrant from Mexico with an 8th grade education, he faced adversity with relentless courage, and boundless humor. When he contracted COVID in July 2020, my heart shattered and my heart plunged into agony. Even then, Dad persisted: “no te preocupes mija, todo va estar bien” (don’t worry, my daughter, all will be well.) And yet, on July 27th, he passed. 

How can things be “well” when our world is shattered as we face our worst fear? Grief is the price of love. Years of working with trauma survivors as a clinician have allowed me to see that not all people can withstand the weight of tragedy and loss. Grief rips away our sense of normalcy, leaving us feeling broken, raw, and exposed. Many people lapse into survival mode to weather grief, a constant battle of managing misery and pain. Unresolved anguish, like unattended mold, can weaken our body structure, infect our attitude with anger, cloud our vision with resentment and spread toxic spores of bitterness towards others. And yet, there are those who rise up in the midst of adversity, seemingly fueled by the pain, and transformed to a more resilient, truer self. Like steel, refined through the fire. But how?

Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl wrote, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” The human race has continued to thrive through plagues, war, genocide, famine and tragedy. Death is not the only loss we experience; we also grieve the loss of hope, health, relationships, or such as in this pandemic, loss of “normalcy.” Loss creates change. Change is only constant in life and outside of our control. It is in the acceptance and embracing of change that we can refine and solidify the core of what defines us. Even in the face of death, my father’s courage did not relent as he reaffirmed his identity: “I am a soldier and I will fight till the end – bruised and battered, I will fight until I am called home.” And fight he did.

Just like many other ‘essential’ workers, my sisters, both of whom are nurses, and I had to return to work. With the raw pain of loss, we found ourselves facing others in the midst of the tragedy we had just endured. I had never felt such gratitude for the tool that had become my specialty: Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), an evidence-based technique that enables clients to reframe their memories of troubling events. Without ART, I could not have held space for the grief many clients brought to my office.  When we experience severe emotional events, the memory is imprinted into our subconscious mind through images. It is this deeply-rooted, emotionally-laden memory that causes our body to experience reactive responses such as extreme fear or panic long after the event has passed. Talking about painful memories can sometimes exacerbate symptoms since we cannot reason our way out of the pain. The subconscious does not speak in words; it speaks in images. Thus, metaphors are the language of emotion.  

Clients often share an inability to forget the image of their loved one’s death as it haunts them both in their waking life through flashbacks. ART targets these images through a brief, succinct process called voluntary image replacement. Grief work enables us to redefine the connection to our loved ones through memories of their life, rather than their death.  ART helps to facilitate that process. It has enabled me to transform my suffering to fuel my purpose as I help others navigate through the process of healing and post-traumatic growth.  Post-traumatic growth is an undergoing of a significant shift in one’s relation with the self and the world. It’s the ability to extract wisdom from suffering, create purpose from the pain and become more of our truest, most powerful selves as we break through perceived limitations. It leads us to acceptance of reality and enables us to feel more connected to our own humanity and that of others as we embrace our vulnerability.

Through ART, I now hold the memory of my father in a space full of love and resoluteness. I see him sitting in my sister’s living room, watching his children chat and grandkids play with a look of blissful pride on his face. It brings comfort to the void left by his departure, a reminder that life is finite.  And every time a client returns to my office after an ART session and tells me “The images are gone –  all I see is my mother’s smile,” my heart is filled with hope.

For additional information on Estefana Johnson go here.

Herbalife article illustration by Heather Skovlund for 360 magazine

The Entrepreneurs Top Tech Tools

Rhonda VetereChief Information Officer, Herbalife Nutrition

When the world shut down due to the pandemic, everything changed, especially for small businesses. Suddenly, the ability to connect to customers became even more critical, and the safe way to do so is through technology. While companies have long relied on email or text messaging to communicate, many entrepreneurs found they needed to expand their technology toolkit, becoming more creative and resourceful with how they conduct business and compete effectively. As a technology expert who advises more than 3.4 million entrepreneurs around the world on technology solutions that can help them serve their customers and manage their business, I recommend the following tech tips to help you power your business. 

Customer service 

We are living during a time of tremendous technology transformation. Gone are the days when people waited for what seemed an eternity to send or receive a message. Time has sped up, and with it is the demand from customers for immediate attention. According to recent research, 82% of consumers expect a quick response from brands. Keeping up or ahead of customers requires staying on top of technology trends and ensuring that you have the tools to compete in the digital age.  

For website support, many entrepreneurs use a live chat tool that can help customers with basic questions. Many of these tools can be used on social media as well. If paid chat options are price prohibitive, there are also useful and free tools, including Zoho Desk.

Communication and collaboration 

Video conferencing and video chat applications grew exponentially during the pandemic. In March, video conferencing apps saw 62 million downloads. Entrepreneurs are using video apps for connecting with customers, partners and vendors. While these tools are excellent for meetings, they are also useful for maintaining connections with industry organizations and networking groups. Many of the tools allow break-out rooms for a small meeting within a session, creating an intimate and collaborative space. 

As you continue to build your reputation as an expert in your industry, video conferencing can also be used to host a webinar for existing and potential customers. Many entrepreneurs are hosting panel discussions, bringing in other partners and collaborators. These sessions can be taped and repurposed as content for your social media channels, website and email marketing. There are many video conferencing options, including, Joinme, which has a free plan that lets you invite up to 10 video participants 

Social media 

Social media is not just for sharing videos and memes – it is a top business tool. Your customers are on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, YouTube, and Instagram. Once you identify which channels you want to use, you need to post engaging content. These can range from news about products, sales and impactful information. Posting across several channels every week can be daunting. Thankfully, many social media tools help you schedule and publish your content that can be calendared and posted automatically. These tools range from Hootsuite (which has a free option) to Zoho Social to Buffer

Slack  

More and more brands, companies and entrepreneurs use Slack to communicate with their customers. It’s a great place to provide relevant updates, tips and advisement, and new product announcements. It also gives your customers a place away from social media to share stories and entrepreneurs a place to connect with their team more visibly easily. 

Storage  

There is a lot of discussion about the term “the cloud.” Think of the cloud as an off-site storage locker, where all your critical information is safe and secure – and easily sharable. Google DriveDropbox, or Microsoft Sharepoint safeguard your backups and allow users access from any location. Moving your work to the cloud not only benefits you to work from anywhere and any device, but it also makes it easy to share content with your customers.  

Email Marketing 

Your marketing toolkit may contain a variety of options – one of which is email marketing. Sending professionally designed, informative newsletters to your customers is a great way to keep in touch. One of the most popular companies in the business is Mailchimp. Even better, If your company sends fewer than 12,000 email messages per month to fewer than 2,000 subscribers, you can take advantage of Mailchimp’s Forever Free plan. 

E-commerce 

The pandemic has changed how we shop. Overnight, people began to purchase everything from groceries to furniture online and in record numbers. Customers now expect to buy their products online. They expect the experience to be easy and fast. There are many great e-commerce platforms out there, such as Shopify, a one-stop-shop for setting up your e-commerce store, to Amazon’s beyond popular platform. Shopify offers a 14-day free trial, and you can use it to chat with customers online, track orders and send invoices.  

One final note. As a technologist, I remind everyone that interaction with your customers is up to you. Nothing supplants human interaction and connection. With limits on our in-person meetings, it is even more essential to find ways to build businesses. Mix up how you connect with others – pick up the phone, or schedule a Zoom, to call a handful of customers every day. Don’t forego a personal email that is not meant to sell a customer or colleague – but to check-in with them and see how they are doing. Technology is a fantastic tool that helps small businesses act big. The challenge is to make the technology connections feel more three-dimensional vs two-dimensional. Technology can help us be more efficient and productive, and while it can enhance our communication, it will never replace the incredible power of the human relationship. That part is up to you.  

Eddie Murphy illustration by Heather Skovlund for 360 Magazine

Eddie Murphy to Receive Distinguished Artisan Award

Eddie Murphy to Receive Distinguished Artisan Award at 8th Annual Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards

Awards to be presented on April 3, 2021

Award-winning actor Eddie Murphy, best known for his work in the films Coming to America, Beverly Hills Cop, The Nutty Professor and Dreamgirls, among many others, will receive this year’s Distinguished Artisan Award at the 8th Annual  Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706), celebrating the prolific spectrum of his versatile four-decade acting career on screen and television. Presenting the Distinguished Artisan Award to Murphy will be Arsenio Hall, star of Murphy’s upcoming movie Coming 2 America. For registration and information visit this website.

The reimagined awards gala, honoring outstanding achievements of both make-up artists and hair stylists in motion pictures, television, commercials and live theater, will be held virtually on Saturday, April 3, 2021.  The announcement was made today by Julie Socash, President of IATSE Local 706.

“From The Nutty Professor to Prince Akeem, Eddie Murphy is a legendary actor whose myriad of characters live in our hearts forever. He has expertly created memorable personalities in numerous award winning films, often portraying multiple characters in the same film. This award recognizes all the hours that he has spent in the make-up chair collaborating with our talented and innovative make-up artists and hair stylists, and we celebrate these great relationships and Eddie’s enormous talents,” said Socash.

Eddie Murphy is the most commercially successful Black actor in the history of the motion picture business, and is one of the industry’s top five box-office performers overall. At the tender age of 59, Murphy is on the very short list of actors who have starred in multiple $100 million pictures over the past three decades, from Beverly Hills Cop to Daddy Day Care.

Murphy was most recently seen portraying the legendary underground comic personality Rudy Ray Moore in Dolemite Is My Name from Netflix, a performance which garnered him widespread critical acclaim as well as a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor – Motion Picture —Musical/Comedy and a Critics Choice Association nomination for Best Actor. He also recently received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his return to his comedy alma mater, Saturday Night Live.

In 2007, Murphy received rave reviews and critical acclaim for his portrayal of James “Thunder” Early in the Dreamworks film Dreamgirls, a performance which would garner him the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture, as well as earning him his first Academy Award nomination in the same category.

He is also the voice of Donkey in the Oscar®-winning animated film Shrek and its sequel, Shrek 2, which is the top-grossing animated film of all time. Murphy won an Annie Award and earned BAFTA and MTV Movie Award nominations for his performance in the first Shrek, and reprised the role of Donkey in the final installment of the hugely successful franchise, Shrek Goes Fourth. Murphy began his career as a stand-up comedian 45 years ago. In 1980, at the age of 19, he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live, and has since gone on to establish a successful career on the big screen.

His films have been among the highest-grossing comedies in the industry; they include  48 Hrs.Trading PlacesDr. DolittleComing to America and the Beverly Hills Cop franchise. Murphy garnered Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor in a Comedy for his performances in Beverly Hills CopTrading Places and 48 Hrs.

In 1989, Murphy made his directorial debut with Harlem Nights, a period comedy he also wrote and starred in, opposite Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx. In addition, Murphy starred in and produced the hit comedy Life, co-starring Martin Lawrence, and starred opposite Steve Martin in the comedy Bowfinger. He was also the voice of Mushu the Dragon in the successful animated epic Mulan.

In 1996, Murphy portrayed seven different characters in the worldwide box office smash The Nutty Professor, for which he received another Golden Globe Award nomination. He added a character to play a total of eight roles in the sequel, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, co-starring Janet Jackson. He also starred in Dr. Dolittle 2, Daddy Day Care, The Haunted Mansion, the romantic comedy Norbit — in which he played three characters as well as serving as the film’s producer and screenwriter, the caper comedy Tower Heist opposite Ben Stiller, and the drama Mr. Church.

The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild’s Distinguished Artisan Award is given annually to those whose body of work in the film and television industry was richly enhanced by the consistent collaboration of make-up and hair styling artistry creating memorable characters throughout their career. Previous recipients include Sir Patrick Stewart, Melissa McCarthy, Gary Oldman, Johnny Depp, Ryan Murphy and Guillermo del Toro.

As previously announced, Matthew Mungle, Oscar® and Emmy®-winning make-up artist, and Terry Baliel, Emmy®-winning hair stylist, will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards honoring an extraordinary spectrum of acclaimed work, exceptional contributions to the motion picture arts and sciences, and outstanding service to their union or the entertainment industry. The 8th Annual Awards Gala is produced by IngleDodd Media and Erick Weiss/Honeysweet Creative. Final ballot online voting closes on Thursday, March 18, 2021. Winners will be announced at the virtual 8th Annual Awards Gala on Saturday, April 3, 2021.

The Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards is sponsored by Presenting Level: HASK Beauty; Sapphire Levels: Nigel Beauty, Schwarzkopf Professional; Platinum Level: Ardell; Gold Level: The Criterion Group; Silver Level: Cinema Secrets, Premiere Products, Inc, Skindinavia, Skin Illustrator; Gift Box Sponsor: HMUA PAX, RCMA Makeup; Media SponsorsVariety, InStyle, ON MAKEUP Magazine and SHOOTonline.