The acquisition will accelerate UTA’s already substantial data and analytics capabilities and allow it to drive value for the agency’s clients at scale. UTA IQ – the agency’s research, data analytics, and digital strategy division – will utilize MediaHound‘s proprietary technology, which includes The Entertainment Graph, a deep database of film and television content and talent that has been used by leading studios, streamers, and agencies to produce actionable insights and fuel user recommendation engines.
MediaHound and its team of engineers and product developers will become part of UTA IQ.
“Although Talent and creativity remain the coin of the realm, data aligned with strong insights is also a critical tool for our colleagues and clients,” said Jeremy Zimmer, UTA CEO. “Today’s acquisition is a strong addition to the potency of our capabilities in this space.”
“Since the launch of UTA IQ in 2018, our team has been synthesizing information from multiple sources to create unique tools and insights for our clients and agents, and along the way we became aware of the impressive products and services MediaHound offers the industry,” said Joe Kessler, Partner and Global Head of UTA IQ. “Now that we can combine MediaHound’s capabilities with ours, we can exponentially expand and hasten UTA’s ability to navigate multiple layers of data to support critical client transactions and provide insights to inform their strategies.”
“In UTA, we found a partner that shares our vision and ideals about the growing value and impact of data-driven software solutions in entertainment and media,” said Addison McCaleb, CEO and founder of MediaHound. “We could not be happier than to move into the next phase of our evolution as part of such a dynamic, visionary company.”
In addition to its technical expertise and unique IP, MediaHound operates two consumer web sites, “Autum” and “Date Night,” that help streaming consumers select content that will appeal to them based on their preferences and prior viewership.
UTA unites ideas, opportunities and talent. The company represents some of the world’s most iconic, barrier-breaking artists, creators and change makers—from actors, athletes and musicians to writers, gamers and digital influencers. One of the most influential companies in global entertainment, UTA’s business spans talent representation, content production, as well as strategic advisory and marketing work with some of the world’s biggest brands. UTA is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, New York and London. More information can be found at HERE.
Multi-platinum global pop star Zara Larsson has today detailed plans for her own brand new record label, Sommer House. Sommer House will be licensed through Epic USA and distributed by Sony Sweden for all forthcoming Zara Larsson releases.
In a unique agreement made with TEN Music Group CEO Ola Håkansson – who originally signed Zara – Larsson has also today taken control of her entire recording catalogue (which has been streamed over 9 billion times). Having been signed to the Swedish independent in 2011, Zara’s relationship with TEN has resulted in one of her country’s most successful international exports – a story that continues in this new venture…
Commenting on the deal today, Zara states: “ I really want to say thank you to Ola and everyone at TEN for giving me the opportunity to break out as an artist and helping me start my career. You are now also making something happen that is so, so rare for a woman in the music industry – the capability to own my own catalogue. With that, it makes perfect sense that I would start my own record company. I very much look forward to my future and to a continued collaboration with Sony as well.’
“This is a natural and exciting development in Zara’s continuing music career,” Ola Håkansson comments. “We have worked together for more than 10 fantastic, eventful years and Zara is, despite her young age, an established and respected international artist with extensive experience of the international music scene today. It is going to be really exciting to follow Zara’s ongoing music career. I wish her the best of luck, and I am convinced the she is going to achieve all her musical dreams and get to show her amazing artistry on the worlds biggest stages.”
Epic CEO Slvia Rhone, meanwhile, closes: “Zara has been a cornerstone artist for Epic Records, and we are privileged and excited to be involved in the next chapter in her luscious career.”
Currently featuring on Alesso’s latest single ‘Words’, Zara Larsson has just dropped her Spotify Singles cover of ‘Lay All Your Love On Me’ in a pulsing rework produced by Mark Ralph (Years & Years, Georgia). Zara was also invited to attend the premiere of ABBA’s ‘Voyage’ residency at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, ahead of Larsson’s European tour this summer and brand new music expected this autumn.
All women have superpowers. Wielding those superpowers, Zara Larsson provokes and pushes pop music and culture forward with empowered, enlightened, and energized anthems that soar and seduce all at once. With every move, she continues to quietly make history and break records. Her RIAA platinum-certified 2017 full-length, ‘So Good‘, notably stands out as the second-most-streamed debut on Spotify by a female artist ever. Zara’s growing catalogue boasts one smash after another, including the triple-platinum ‘Never Forget You‘ with MNEK, the platinum ‘Lush Life‘ and ‘Ain’t My Fault‘, as well as the unstoppable Clean Bandit collaboration ‘Symphony‘. Along the way, she has received various awards and honors at the Swedish Grammy Awards, Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, MTV EMAs, and even graced the stage of the Nobel Peace Prize concert. 2020’s second international album, ‘Poster Girl‘,featured breakout hits ‘Ruin My Life‘, and ‘Wow‘, and saw Zara make further strides towards Pop’s top table working alongside the likes of Max Martin and Young Thug. Launched entirely in lockdown, the project has surpassed 1 billion streams, seen Zara perform virtually for Roblox, and host a spectacular show in partnership with fellow Swedish icons Ikea on International Women’s Day, before playing a sold-out European arena tour. “One of pop’s biggest and outspoken stars” (The Guardian). Currently featuring on Alesso’s new single ‘Words’, watch out for more on Zara Larsson coming soon.
In what has become another major year for Blondie, the New York legends mark a career milestone with the release of the first-ever authorized and in-depth archive in their history, a rarity for a band almost 50 years into their career with 40 million records sold. Blondie: Against The Odds 1974-1982will be released on August 26th via UMe and The Numero Group and is available to pre-order now.
See the unboxing of the Super Deluxe Collectors’ Edition HERE, and listen to Blondie’s previously unreleased recording of Moonlight Drive, out today.
Blondie has transcended the realms of mere bands, evolving out of pop and punk to become a vital strand of American music’s core DNA. What the seven members of Blondie, made up of iconic frontwoman/songwriter Debbie Harry, guitarist/conceptual mastermind Chris Stein, powerhouse drummer Clem Burke, keyboardist Jimmy Destri, bassist Gary Valentine, guitarist Frank Infante, and bassist Nigel Harrison, set to tape over those first eight years remains among the most timeless music of its era.
This archive box set—the first band-authorized collection in their 50-year history—is a collective moment to celebrate their legacy and be immersed into Blondie’s genre-bending sonic universe, including their first six studio albums recorded for Chrysalis;Blondie, Plastic Letters, Parallel Lines, Eat To The Beat, Autoamerican, The Hunter,and in turn their catalogue of era-defining hits Heart Of Glass, Atomic, Tide Is High, Sunday Girl, Rapture, and Call Me.These six groundbreaking albums have been expanded to include over four dozen demos (including the group’s first-ever recording session), alternate versions, and studio outtakes, creating a near-complete document of Blondie’s studio sessions before their 1982 hiatus.
Debbie Harry said, “It really is a treat to see how far we have come when I listen to these early attempts to capture our ideas on relatively primitive equipment. Fortunately, the essence of being in a band in the early 70s held some of the anti-social, counter-culture energies of the groups that were the influencers of the 60s. I am excited about this special collection. When I listen to these old tracks, it puts me there like I am a time traveler. As bad as it was sometimes, it was also equally as good. No regrets. More music.”
“I am hopeful that this project will provide a glimpse into the ‘process’ and some of the journey that the songs took from idea to final form,” guitarist Chris Stein said. “Some of this stuff is like early sketches; the old tape machines are like primitive notebooks. The trickiest thing for me was always about getting the melodies out of my head into reality and the changes that would happen along the way.”
“It is amazing that after all this time, and against the odds, our Blondie archival box set will finally be released. It’s been a long time coming and we are all very happy and excited with the final results,” drummer Clem Burke added.
“From the moment I walked into Chris Stein’s barn and saw a wall of tapes I knew we were on the precipice of something extraordinary,” producer Ken Shipley said. “Against The Odds is a treasure chest disguised as a box set.”
”Blondie is a group of extraordinary artists,” producer Steve Rosenthal said. “Years of searching, months of mixing, mastering and restoration, days of decisions went into this box set to highlight the unique path they traveled —from CBGBs to MSG.”
Against The Odds has an unusual beginning; for nearly two decades, the bulk of Blondie’s audio and visual archive sat inside Chris Stein’s unassuming barn just outside Woodstock, New York. One hundred reel-to-reel tapes, half a dozen cassettes, a few storage tubs crammed with records, bits of promotional flotsam, flyers, a stray Warhol print, and mirrored dressing room signage from four sold-out January 1980 nights at London’s Hammersmith Odeon. All of it lay in wait through twenty humid summers and twenty frigid winters.
From this chaotic hoard of ephemera, the long-gestating Against The Odds project was born, serving now as a new map of musical history.
Undeniably one of the most trailblazing and influential bands of our time, Blondie is pioneering frontwoman/songwriter Debbie Harry, guitarist/conceptual mastermind Chris Stein and powerhouse drummer Clem Burke, along with now long-standing bandmates bassist Leigh Foxx, guitarist Tommy Kessler, and keyboardist Matt Katz-Bohen.
Among their hits is the groundbreaking rock-disco hybrid Heart of Glass the equally influential hip-hop fantasia Rapture the stalker-love song One Way Or Another and the lilting calypso The tide Is High. It’s a thrilling journey back to when Blondie pushed punk onto the dance floor and introduced a wider audience to hip-hop sounds, all the while building a catalogue of enduring hits along the way.
For the last four decades, Blondie has become and still remains a true global icon; one whose influence both shaped and continues to inform the worlds of music, fashion, and art. From an irreverent Lower East Side punk outfit to bona fide international ambassadors of New York cool, Blondie will forever be synonymous with that punk spirit that lives somewhere in all of us. Their chart-topping success, fearless spirit, and rare longevity led to an induction into the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and more than 40 million albums sold worldwide to date. As we look back at the band’s storied career, it makes Blondie’s current vibrancy that much more stunning after 40 years of entertaining all of us.
Pre-Order Blondie: Against The Odds 1974-1982 HERE.
The Israel Ministry of Tourism continues to help the local tourism industry, to increase the accommodation supply to lower prices. The Investment Administration in the Tourism Ministry has recently received 107 applications from entrepreneurs seeking grants to build and expand hotels.
Investors, who are optimistic about the rehabilitation of Israel’s incoming tourism industry, are seeking to establish and convert existing buildings to hotels and expand existing buildings or restore them to their original purpose. 70 applications were submitted in the building permit tracking, 22 requests as part of a track to restore buildings to hotel use and convert existing buildings into hotels, and 15 applications were submitted in the implementation track by companies who have a building permit. This year’s grant budget stands at NIS 165 million. The directives of the Investment Administration for 2022 were published last April and the deadline for applications to be submitted was mid-May 2022.
The Israel Minister of Tourism Yoel Razvozov spoke about Israels current tourism opportunities, “There is a great deal of optimism and interest among the tourism industry. This year, we broke the record for the number of grant requests for opening new hotels in Israel, with over one hundred applications submitted. The Israel Ministry of Tourism continues to invest vast efforts in increasing incoming tourism traffic to Israel and shortening the amount of time it takes to build hotels. This will inject billions of shekels into the state coffers.”
As is well known, the corona crisis interrupted the upward growth trend in incoming tourism, which culminated in record figures in 2019 of over 4.5 million tourists. During the crisis, the Ministry of Tourism focused on preserving and nurturing the tourism infrastructure and continued assistance to entrepreneurs. This is to prepare for the return of growth. According to the Ministry of Tourism, the tourism industry’s annual contribution to the economy (before the pandemic) stood at about NIS 40 billion. The ministry is working to restore incoming tourism traffic to Israel and for the industry’s recovery following the crisis.
Despite the effects of the pandemic, progress has been registered in both planning new hotel projects and in building projects that were planned before the outbreak of the pandemic. The ministry continues to work to realize the potential inherent in hotel investments, to increase the number of tourists, and, as a result, to increase revenue from tourism to the economy.
Fresh off his latest No. 1 album, Machine Gun Kelly announces the release of his new song, more than life coming Friday, June 10 via Bad Boy/Interscope Records. The crunching track features rising pop prodigy glaive and exhibits MGK’s gift for relaying passionate pain as he weighs his fears of vulnerability with the acceptance of newfound love in the lyrics. The blistering new track will appear as the one new song on the vinyl edition of MGK’s No. 1 album mainstream sellout, which will arrive June 24. Pre-save More than life.
In addition to the new song and vinyl announcement, the mainstream sellout era reaches a massive moment as MGK begins the album’s namesake tour this week in Austin, TX. The U.S. trek spans 41 dates from June through August and includes MGK’s headlining slot at the 2022 Lollapalooza festival. After that summer stint, he’ll head to Europe for 15 stops in September and October. Supporting acts include a killer lineup of Avril Lavigne, Travis Barker, WILLOW, blackbear, Trippie Redd, Iann Dior, and more rotating throughout the tour. Tickets are on sale NOW – purchase yours HERE.
Upon its release in March, mainstream sellout became MGK’s second consecutive No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, the first rock No. 1 since AC/DC in 2020, and started with the biggest debut week for a rock album since Paul McCartney over a year earlier. The album, which NME declared “will continue to speak to the millions who see Machine Gun Kelly as the savior of punk rock,” also topped music charts around the world, including in the U.K. and Australia. Mainstream sellout contained several Billboard Hot 100 hits with artists like WILLOW emo girl, Lil Wayne ay!, blackbear make up sex, and Bring Me the Horizon maybe. The album also includes twin flame, the emotional track that MGK performed and dedicated to his family at the Billboard Music Awards in May in one of the night’s standout moments. mainstream sellout is available HERE.
Beyond the music wins, fans can also catch MGK in his new stoner comedy film, Good Mourning, available on-demand and select theatres. The film, which NME praised as “providing sheer, silly entertainment, filling the comedy void left by the likes of Seth Rogan and Jonah Hill perfectly,” features appearances from a sea of stars, including Megan Fox, Becky G, Dove Cameron, Zach Villa, Boo Johnson, Pete Davidson, and Whitney Cummings.
Alien Liberty International, more commonly known as ALI, is a renowned hip-hop/funk band that is comprised of multinational members from Japan, Europe, America, Asia, and Africa. Initially, the collective was formulated in Shibuya, a special ward in Tokyo, Japan.
In 2019, their musical journey began. Helmed by vocalist Leo Imamura, ALI offers a unique perspective to the industry today. 360 MAGAZINE’s very own Vaughn Lowery had an opportunity to sit down with Leo and chat all things about ALI.
Founded initially by a selection of four members, ALI started as a group of young people seeking a change in their everyday lives. Inspired by the connection that music creates, ALI was formed to relay the message of unity in the community.
Motivated by the legacy of Muhammad Ali, the band decided to name themselves ALI. Capturing the essence of the legend himself, ALI asserted that they would have strong energy and overall presence to embrace more union throughout the world.
Always hosting and cultivating community around his childhood home, Leo has been intrigued by different cultures all his life. Growing up listening to his parents’ favorite artists like Janet and Michael Jackson, Leo has admired funk and R&B for quite some time. Mainly inspired by the sense of harmony that funk music carries, the group began covering old songs in the genre that blended smoothly with hip-hop roots.
With such a diverse group of individuals in ALI, they made it one of their key goals to show how differing people can come together to fight for peace. It has been vital for Leo to be able to showcase the diversity that Japan encompasses, to reveal what the country indeed looks like and stands for.
Having grown up in the city of Shibuya, Leo is passionate about where it comes from and how it helped him transform into the man he is today. Caring deeply for Shibuya, Leo remembered how there were varying sides to the city that he admired. The rich fashion and cultural influences that his home was full of set it apart from the rest.
Music is what truly matters. With such a deep culture that celebrates lifting up uniqueness, ALI embodies this through and through. Utilizing music as a bridge to bring people together, ALI hopes to demonstrate to the world that they’ve never cared what people look like.
“Music is what can break the wall,” stated Leo.
In 2021, ALI went on a hiatus after controversy erupted with the band’s ex, then-drummer. When discussing the conflict, Leo and another former member of the band Alex explained how one group member having a battle would further impact the rest of the band. In the Japanese culture of some of the band members, dealing problems with authority is looked down upon and not accepted.
Enduring, too, the pandemic during this time, ALI has proved their impeccable persistence despite their struggles. Their creative outlet was forced off for a long time, with Japan shutting down everything entertainment-related.
Nonetheless, ALI is now making their come back. As such an exclusive grouping that stands alone from anything we’ve seen before, their journey is exceptionally admiring. This summer, ALI is fully immersed back into the scene, playing at upcoming festivals for the first time since the pandemic began.
June 25 marks the thirteenth celebration of Global Beatles Day (GBD). Given the state of the world, the event, which began in 2009, takes on a greater meaning this year. The Beatles core message of peace and love is, yet again, a rallying point for a call to action says the event’s founder.
Faith Cohen, Indianapolis-based GBD founder has in the past suggested honoring the contributions of the Beatles in many ways including playing their music exclusively on that day to sharing historic and personal Beatles photos and memories among the band’s worldwide fan community. This year, in addition to celebrating the special day (Ways To Celebrate – Global Beatles Day), she has a new call to action for June 25, the date that commemorates the historic worldwide television broadcast debut of ‘All You Need Is Love’ during 1967’s Summer of Love. As it happens this year June 25 coincides with a scheduled Paul McCartney performance at this year’s Glastonbury Festival and a concert appearance by Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band in Hollywood, FL.
“For 2022, we would like to suggest that the band’s generations of fans around the globe consider sending an online link of the music video of ‘All You Need Is Love’ to 10 people who matter,” says Cohen. “This could be to family, friends and coworkers or elected officials. It could be kings, queens, princes, presidents, ambassadors, military leaders and law enforcement organizations. We want them to send links to 10 people or organizations that matter in running our world and keeping it going. Then we want them to ask those ten entities to send it on to 10 more and ask them to do the same. On and on. From the United States, Europe, Russia, China and even North Korea. Send the link to those in power, from the local to global level, who keep the world running.”
Faith asks the recipients to watch the All You Need video and use it as a measure of what the world could and needs to be. Asked if it is overly optimistic she responds, “That is exactly the point. It’s an idea that needs to be put out there once again, just as in 1967 when another war and societal pressures were at a boiling point.” Cohen feels that the meaning of the message of Global Beatles Day gives hope when hope is all we have. It’s idealistic but that’s what Paul, John, George and Ringo were in the first place. Link 10 people who matter in the world to the message, and then 10 more and 10 more etc.
Participants can click HERE to gain access to All You Need Is Love:
Here’s a suggested message to your chosen recipients but please feel free to ‘get back’ with whatever you deem is appropriate and in the spirit of the band.
In celebration of Global Beatles day I am sending you this video in the hopes of sharing messages of peace and joy. Please share this with 10 more people who can pass on this message and make a difference.
The Beatles music and messages made the world a better place. In continuing to use the date of June 25th for GBD, the holiday invites the world to celebrate the legacy of history’s most famous band. GBD is meant to honor the work of The Fab Four for their artistry and humanity. It is strictly a noncommercial celebration for 24 hours that gives a nod to what can happen when a message and a song join up at the right time for the right reasons. The day has grown to become an internationally recognized celebration that has gained momentum each year it has occurred, having been recognized and celebrated by the surviving Beatles themselves, the Grateful Dead, The Afghan Whigs, Robyn Hitchcock, Peter Tork and many more. This year the All You Need Is Love video will be utilized as its centerpiece as a call to action.
‘Agile, intelligent and convivial. A full-size SUV, that’s sleek with high torque performance … Finally, somebody DDT‘d the QX80!’ – 360
The all-new 2023 Toyota Sequoia lives up to its powerful and legendary namesake, thanks to a head-turning new look, luxurious comfort, impressive technology and the perfect blend of performance and efficiency. Coupled with Toyota’s long-lasting quality, durability and reliability, the three-row SUV is sure to stand tall in the large-size SUV segment when it hits dealerships at the end of the summer with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Pricing (MSRP) starting at $58,300.
“We are excited to write the next chapter in our truck family story with the all-new 2023 Sequoia,” said Joe Moses, general manager of Toyota’s Vehicle Marketing Team. “A three-row SUV must be excellent at many things to succeed in this highly competitive market, and we’ve got that with Sequoia. Our customers will have room for their whole crew, the technology they want to stay connected, and the heavy-duty power and efficiency they need for both on and off road.”
Premium and Powerful
The third-generation Sequoia is completely redesigned and worthy of the “all-new SUV” description. All 2023 Sequoia will feature the powerful twin-turbo V6 hybrid i-FORCE MAX powertrain. First unveiled on Tundra, this exceptional hybrid produces 437 horsepower and 583 lb.-ft. of torque.
The i-FORCE MAX is a cleverly engineered powertrain featuring a unique motor generator within the bell housing between the twin-turbo engine and the 10-speed automatic transmission. This design combines maximum performance with amazing efficiency, and it is built with heavy-duty performance in mind. Sequoia’s fuel economy is expected to be extremely competitive at the top of the segment – and a huge improvement over the previous generation.
Setting Sights on the Open Road
The full-size SUV segment demands a lot, which means the all-new 2023 Sequoia needs to handle – and succeed – at a multitude of tasks. Built with this in mind, the Sequoia is rooted in a modern body-on-frame chassis with a fully boxed frame that shares architecture with the all-new Tundra and all-new global Land Cruiser (which shares its platform with the Lexus LX). The core objective of this platform is to provide excellent handling, supreme comfort and impressive capability.
The engineering team behind this next-generation frame was able to increase rigidity and improve ride comfort by using new techniques, such as new laser welding technology that helps reduce mass and weight in areas it’s not needed while reinforcing the areas that need them most.
Sequoia features an independent front suspension and adopts a new rack-mounted electronic power steering system for improved steering feel. A modern multi-link rear suspension is employed out back to offer a smooth ride and create opportunity to add the available Load-Leveling Rear Height Control Air Suspension and Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) for those looking to tow regularly.
The three-row SUV offers a range of configurations for seating and cargo. Depending upon the grade, second-row passengers get bench seating or captain’s chairs, either of which recline for passenger comfort or fold down/tumble forward if larger cargo space is needed. The third-row passengers benefit from a spacious reclining backseat with available power folding, but the third row also gets one of the most noteworthy new features on Sequoia: the exclusive Sliding Third Row with Adjustable Cargo Shelf System. This segment-first feature allows the third row to slide with 6 inches of adjustment range. The third row can also fold down to complement the different storage positions of the new Adjustable Cargo Shelf System, a removeable shelf that can be set in a variety of storage positions depending upon the situation. The Cargo Shelf System offers the ultimate flexibility in rear cargo and storage needs.
Since full-size SUVs need to do it all, towing – whether it be a trailer, boat or RV – is high on that list of demands. That’s why the all-new Sequoia offers up to an impressive 9,500-pound maximum towing capacity, a 26 percent increase over the previous generation model.
Towing can be an intimidating proposition for some drivers. Not to worry, thanks to impressive technology available on Sequoia. The Tow Tech Package, standard on TRD Pro and Capstone and available on all other grades, offers a suite of features that include Trailer Backup Guide to aid in backing up the SUV with a trailer, and Straight Path Assist, which helps provide steering control to keep the trailer straight on its intended path when backing up.
Drive Mode Select is an all-new feature on Sequoia offering different driving modes depending upon driver preference, and it includes standard settings Eco, Normal and Sport. With available Load-Leveling Rear Height Control Air Suspension and Adaptive Variable Suspension, settings expand to include Comfort, Sport S+ and Custom. Using the SPORT or SPORT S+ settings, for example, the i-FORCE MAX powertrain makes use of the electric motor’s instantaneous responsiveness. While the electric motor does the bulk of the work at lower speeds, once above 18 mph, the gasoline engine assumes primary operation for excellent performance in the mid- and high-speed range. When in TOW/HAUL mode, the i-FORCE MAX system is constantly in tandem operation to provide impressive acceleration and torque for towing.
The view around this stunning SUV is improved as well due to Sequoia’s plethora of cameras, displaying multiple exterior angles that are viewable from the available 14-inch touchscreen or the available digital display rearview mirror. Those trailering will appreciate Panoramic View Monitor, which displays a top-down view of the SUV and its surrounding area. Options include a rear split view to show what’s nearby on each side of the trailer, and a hitch view to assist with connecting a trailer. For the first time on Sequoia, factory available power folding, extending and retracting tow mirrors can provide added peace.
Three Rows, Five Grades
Sequoia offers space for families who need it – whether that be to haul passengers, gear or both. It will be available in five unique grades that include SR5, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro and the new Capstone grade.
Sequoia’s grade lineup starts with the well-equipped SR5 that offers a strong foundation of power, efficiency and technology. It touts impressive standard features that include the i-FORCE MAX powertrain that is mated to the standard 10-speed automatic transmission, standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, moonroof, heated seats and more. It also features a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument display and Panoramic View Monitor (PVM). When upgrading to the SR5 Premium package, Sequoia adds the 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia display, power third row, hands-free liftgate, SofTex-trimmed seats, and cabin and cargo 120-volt power outlets.
Also available on SR5 models is the TRD Sport package, which upgrades the standard 18-inch wheels to 20-inch matte black TRD wheels. To complement sporty handling, it adds TRD sport-tuned Bilstein® monotube shocks, TRD-tuned springs, aluminum pedals and a red TRD push-button start.
Limited builds upon the SR5 with an emphasis on added convenience. Not only does it gain a standard 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen, but it also adds standard heated/ventilated front seats with memory settings, standard heated steering wheel, power-folding third row and a hands-free power liftgate. Limited also receives standard second- and third-row manual sunshades to help keep the back half of the SUV sun-free.
Available for both SR5 and Limited 4×4 models is the first-for-Sequoia TRD Off-Road package. This package enhances off-road capability with the addition of a selectable locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select that helps controls wheel spin for improved traction, and Downhill Assist Control to aid with steep descents. Crawl Control also comes standard, functioning as an off-road cruise control for low-speed trail navigation in 4WD Low. TRD Off-Road also comes with Multi-Terrain Monitor to provide the driver a better view of hard-to-see spots on the trail. TRD-tuned Bilstein® monotube shock absorbers and TRD-tuned springs are added, and a red front axle driveshaft provides added flair. Inside, aluminum gas/brake pedals are included, and a red TRD push-button start button adds to the performance look and feel. Both SR5 and Limited are outfitted with unique 18-inch alloy wheels unique to the package.
Stepping up to the Platinum grade puts an emphasis on added comfort and premium features, thanks to heated and ventilated front and second-row, second-row captain’s chairs, standard 14-speaker JBL® Premium Audio system, standard panoramic moonroof, standard Head-Up Display and more. High-grade LED headlights and taillights are added, along with sequential turn signals. Rain-sensing wipers are added to Platinum, as is standard Qi wireless charging.
TRD Pro is a great option for adventure-minded families that plan to get off the beaten path regularly. TRD Pro is not just an off-roader though, as it is loaded with premium features such as standard second-row captain’s chairs, TRD heated steering wheel, and TRD accents on the seats and shift knob. TRD Pro comes with additional cargo hauling options thanks to the TRD roof rack. TRD-tuned FOX internal bypass shocks offer a smooth on-road ride, but most importantly they can confidently handle off-road terrain when the trail gets rough. A 1/4-inch aluminum TRD front skid plate offers added trail protection. Sequoia TRD Pro also offers additional trail capability with a standard selectable locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, CRAWL Control and Downhill Assist Control. TRD Pro proudly sports a heritage-inspired “TOYOTA” grille with an embedded TRD light bar and marker lights toward the top of the grille. It’s equipped with Pro-specific black 18-inch TRD alloy wheels with an increased offset to provide a wider stance. A dual TRD Pro exhaust tip provides added growl and visual appeal.
The Capstone grade sits atop the Sequoia lineup, building upon the great features of Platinum while adding additional top-shelf features to make it the most luxurious Sequoia to date. Capstone features unique chrome accents to provide an upscale appearance, with the most eye-catching feature being the standard 22-inch chrome wheels – a first for Sequoia and exclusive to Capstone. The premium cabin experience begins at the first step with standard power running boards that provide access to the standard semi-aniline leather-trimmed seats. Not only are the seats luxury-grade, but they also tout stylish perforation and a Capstone-exclusive black-and-white color combination. The center console and passenger-side dash are accented with authentic American Walnut with an open-pore finish that highlights the wood grain. On the dash, the Walnut pieces surround a Capstone logo that is accentuated with LED mood lighting when the doors are opened. For an even quieter cabin, Capstone is the only Sequoia grade to feature acoustic glass in the front doors for more exterior sound deadening.
A wide variety of colors are available on the all-new Sequoia, including White, Wind Chill Pearl, Celestial Silver, Lunar Rock, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Blueprint, Army Green, Midnight Black Metallic, Smoked Mesquite, Supersonic Red and the TRD-exclusive Solar Octane. Premium paint colors* Wind Chill Pearl and Supersonic Red are available, and the premium color Solar Octane is exclusive to TRD Pro models.
*Premium paint colors will be available for an additional cost.
New Toyota Audio Multimedia
Sequoia will be fitted with the new multimedia system first launched in Tundra. It is headlined by large 8-inch or available 14-inch touchscreen that controls the all-new Toyota Audio Multimedia system designed and engineered by Toyota’s Texas-based Connected Technologies team. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system offers an improved user experience thanks to new sight, touch, and voice activation. With Intelligent Assistant available through Drive Connect*, simple phrases like “Hey Toyota” awakens the system for voice-activated commands to search for directions, find POIs, adjust audio controls, change the cabin temperatures and more. The cloud-based native navigation system offered through Drive Connect allows for real-time Over the Air updates for mapping and Points of Interest (POI), and Google POI data is integrated to ensure up-to-date search capability. It also supports standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto compatibility.
Toyota Audio Multimedia allows for simultaneous dual Bluetooth phone connectivity. A Wi-Fi Connect subscription offers 4G connectivity for up to 5 devices by turning Sequoia into an AT&T Hotspot*, and it also offers the ability to link your separate Apple Music® and Amazon Music subscriptions to your vehicle with Integrated Streaming.
Active Safety System: Toyota Safety Sense
All Sequoia grades come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. This active safety system includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection that features multiple enhancements over the previous generation, including not only detecting the vehicle ahead but also a pedestrian in low light, bicyclist in daytime, an oncoming vehicle and a pedestrian at intersections when making a turn. At intersections, the system is designed to detect an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian when performing a left-hand turn and provide audio/visual alerts and automatic braking in certain conditions. Emergency steering assist is an additional function designed to detect pedestrians and stabilize the driver’s emergency evasive steering maneuvers and help prevent lane departure.
Sequoia will be equipped with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC). Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist is designed to notify the driver via audible and visual alerts and slight steering force if it senses the vehicle is leaving the lane without engaging a turn signal. When DRCC is set and engaged, Lane Tracing Assist uses visible lane markers or a preceding vehicle to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane.
Automatic High Beams are designed to detect preceding or oncoming vehicles and automatically switch between high beam and low beam headlights. Road Sign Assist is designed to recognize certain road sign information using a forward-facing camera and display them on the multi-information display (MID).
Toyota’s Rear Seat Reminder comes standard on all 2023 Sequoias. The feature can note whether a rear door was opened within 10 minutes of the vehicle being turned on, or at any time after the vehicle has been turned on, with a reminder message in the instrument cluster after the engine is turned off, accompanied by multitone chimes.
In addition to the TSS 2.5 system, other standard safety features include Blind Spot Monitor which is designed to help detect and warn you of vehicles approaching or positioned in the adjacent lanes. Rear Cross Traffic Alert can offer added peace of mind by helping to detect vehicles approaching from either side while backing out and alerting you with a visual and audible warning. The Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking is designed to implement brake control when there’s a possibility of a collision with a stationary object, approaching vehicle, or while parking.
Limited Warranty and ToyotaCare
Toyota’s 36-month/36,000-mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation. Hybrid-related components, including the battery control module, hybrid control module and inverter with converter, are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The hybrid battery is covered for 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. Toyota dealers have complete details on the limited warranty. Sequoia also comes with ToyotaCare, a plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Stars from the world of entertainment, sport and music got behind the wheel to celebrate 70 years of dedicated service
Jaguar Land Rover joined Her Majesty the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, with 26 of its cars featuring in the stunning Platinum Jubilee Pageant on Sunday. British names Luke Evans, Jason Robinson OBE, David Gandy and Jess Hawkins were just a few of the red-carpet attendees who showed their support by getting behind the wheel of the British automaker’s most iconic vehicles.
To further commemorate the Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years of dedicated service, Land Rover gifted the British Red Cross a new Defender 130 to support its operations in the UK. Land Rover engineers will work with representatives from the charity, of which the Queen is a patron, to adapt the Defender 130 before it goes into service. Land Rover has supported the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies since 1954.
“We are delighted to be receiving the Defender 130 and look forward to working with the team at Land Rover to modify this over the coming months. As the longest version of this vehicle ever produced, we will be able to utilise the increased capacity to incorporate new and unique features that will better support our emergency response and ambulance support work. The vehicle’s off-road capabilities will give us the freedom to access remote areas and reach people affected by emergencies and disasters across the UK.” Chris Davies, Head of Crisis Response.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant was a celebration of the creativity and ingenuity of the people of the UK and Commonwealth during the 70 years of her reign. Two of Her Majesty’s beloved Land Rover Defenders took part in the Pageant, along with three Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles from James Bond films, and a collection of rare Jaguar convertibles including a bespoke 1965 Series 1 E-type Roadster. The one-off renovation features a comprehensive list of enhancements carried out by the expert technicians at Jaguar Classic Works, and metallic blue paintwork inspired by the Union flag.
Chris Thorp, Chief of Staff, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “It is a true honour for our vehicles to play a part in this momentous occasion to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. As the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Head of the Commonwealth, patron of more than 600 charities as well as a mother, grandmother and great grandmother, the Queen is a remarkable role model and we are delighted to celebrate with her today.”
Other Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles of note that participated in the Pageant included the first Land Rover the world ever saw, unveiled at the 1948 Amsterdam Motor Show.
In a celebration of Jaguar’s move towards an all-electric future, the parade also featured an F-PACE Electric Hybrid in a bespoke livery designed with drumming sensation Nandi Bushell and an all-electric I-PACE from the E-Trophy racing series.
The vibrant and colourful procession covered a 3km route taking in The Mall and Buckingham Palace, echoing the route of the Coronation 70 years ago. It featured more than 10,000 volunteers and creatives celebrating each of the Queen’s seven decades on the throne through a carnival of art, music, theatre and dance. The Jaguars and Land Rovers featured throughout the parade with notable brand fans and cultural icons aboard.
“As the classic tennis shoe, I’ve wanted to work on Club C for some time,” commented Mountain Research founder, Setsumasa Kobayashi. “It also reminds me of ‘80s hip hop scenes where everyone wore white sneakers, which I always loved.”
The Mountain Research x Reebok Club II Mid is subtle and practical, drawing inspiration from ‘80s tennis club attire, heritage Club C elements, and cricket footwear.
“The idea was to create something basic yet decorative,” continued Kobayashi. “The minimalistic look is meant to correspond to the strict tennis club dress codes of the era.”
Most notably, the outer tongue features a removable lace guard or “bonnet” that mimics Club C’s original perforated foam tongue and classic cricket footwear protectors called “pats”.
Constructed with white leather and cobalt blue accents, the mid-cut Club C features vintage branding elements, an interior arch bandage with repeating print, and a fold-over tongue label with Mountain Research graphics.
Mountain Research and Reebok first collaborated in spring 2020 on Reebok’s retro-future DMX Trail Shadow. The brands would come together for a second time later that year and once again in spring 2022 via Reebok’s iconic Alien Stomper model.
The Mountain Research x Reebok Club C II Mid (GX9046, $140) is available June 10 from Mountain Research (MOUNTAIN RESEARCH (sett.co.jp) and June 17 from, Reebok., and select retailers.
Founded in 1993 by Setsumasa Kobayashi and originally named General Research, the brand was eventually renamed Mountain Research to better reflect Kobayashi’s love for the outdoors. Utilitarian and functional at heart, each season sees Kobayashi and his team retreat to the woods to envision a novel direction that traditionally takes cues from a wide variety of inspirations. In his collection he highlights anything practical – it might be horse blankets, camping cookware, or fishing vests. Collections take inspiration from nature, but also military clothing, workwear, and mountain climbing gear.
Reebok Design Group (RDG) is the global brand hub of design, development, innovation, marketing, and creative services for Reebok footwear and apparel. As the central source of the brand’s creative vision, RDG provides ongoing support and expertise to Reebok’s network of strategic partners around the world. RDG champions Reebok’s storied heritage, ethos, and DNA to authentically deliver a unified brand directive and consumer experience globally. A division of SPARC Group, RDG is headquartered in Boston, MA.For more information, visit Reebok.
