X Factors Fifth Harmony signs record deal

February 19, 2013

We have all heard it said; “winning isn’t everything”. Well, for this year’s third-place finishers on the Fox reality competition X-Factor it is especially true. The group has recently been signed by L.A. Reid’s Epic Records (via Simon Cowell’s Syco Music).

The girls are also about to hit the studio in L.A.. Among the priorities of their first sessions is to record fresh, studio-quality covers via UStream, while A&R execs present the girls with potential song options to one day make their own. Along with writing some of their own material, Fifth Harmony will be working with songwriters Autumn Rose (Leona Lewis, Chery Lloyd) and Lil’ Eddie (Usher, Pink, Cody Simpson). Julian Bunetta is executive producing the album.

We can certainly expect a pop sound with an R&B edge from these very talented harmonizers.

http://youtu.be/_CeRg1gvrSE

Disneys Paperman introduces groundbreaking animation technology

February 15, 2013

Already a winner for Best Short at this year’s Annie Awards (the highest honor given for excellence in animation), Walt Disney Animation Studios “Paperman” has also received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Short.

Paperman Introduces a groundbreaking technique that seamlessly merges computer-generated and hand-drawn animation techniques, first-time director John Kahrs takes the art of animation in a bold new direction with the Oscar®-nominated short, “Paperman.” Using a minimalist black-and-white style, the short follows the story of a lonely young man in mid-century New York City, whose destiny takes an unexpected turn after a chance meeting with a beautiful woman on his morning commute. Convinced the girl of his dreams is gone forever, he gets a second chance when he spots her in a skyscraper window across the avenue from his office. With only his heart, imagination and a stack of papers to get her attention, his efforts are no match for what the fates have in store for him. Created by a small, innovative team working at Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Paperman” pushes the animation medium in an exciting new direction.

Watch the full length short of Paperman!

http://youtu.be/aTLySbGoMX0

The Band Fun sets the bar high

February 11, 2013

In our article, “Are Marketing and Ad agencies the new music labels?” , we pointed out that the use of indie music in commercials as well as movies and TV continues to rise. Advertising is now one of the best channels for music distribution, and music is one of the most powerful channels for commercial message distribution. Some artists also get their first big hits via music that is featured in ubiquitous commercials.

It very well may be that the New York based indie pop band Fun., has set the standard for the use of music in advertising channels.

Their first single, called “We Are Young,” from the album “Some Nights” featuring Janelle Monáe, has been used in several other media including television series Gossip Girl, 90210, Glee, and Chuck, commercials for Chevrolet and Apple, and in the trailer for Judd Apatow’s film This Is 40.

On February 10, 2013, Fun won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist and won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for “We Are Young.” Additionally, Fun was a nominee for four other Grammy Awards: Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (both for “We Are Young”) along with Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album (both for Some Nights).

Fun’s single “We Are Young” reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This makes Fun the first multi-member rock band to have a No. 1 Billboard debut on the Hot 100 since Nickelback’s “How You Remind Me” in December 2001/January 2002. On April 11, 2012, Billboard.com announced that Fun’s “We Are Young” also made Digital Sales history. As the song was at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for a sixth consecutive week, it has become the first, and at this time only, song that has ever gained 300,000+ downloads for seven weeks straight.

Congratulations Fun. !!!

New Campaign Alert

January 21, 2013

Katie Holmes is expanding her presence in the beauty world! The actress, who is the first celebrity face of Bobbi Brown cosmetics, just signed on as the co-owner and spokesperson for Alterna haircare. According to Holmes, one of the driving forces behind her decision was the brand’s eco-friendly nature. “I love that Alterna uses natural and organic ingredients and stays away from harsh chemicals like sulfates and parabens,”

Disney Studios earns 17 Oscar nominations

January 12, 2013

Congratulations to Disney Studios for a banner year in film! Disney Studios earned 12 nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Lincoln (the most for any film this year), including for the coveted title of Best Picture, and one nomination each for Brave, Frankenweenie, Wreck-It Ralph, Paperman andMarvel’s The Avengers.

Summary of Oscar® nominations:

Lincoln (DreamWorks/Touchstone)

— Best Picture

— Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role

— Daniel Day-Lewis

— Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role

— Sally Field

— Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role – Tommy Lee Jones

— Directing – Steven Spielberg

— Adapted Screenplay – Tony Kushner

— Music (Original Score) – John Williams

— Cinematography – Janusz Kaminski

— Costume Design – Joanna Johnston

— Film Editing – Michael Kahn

— Production Design – Rick Carter, Jim Erickson

— Sound Mixing – Andy Nelson, Gary Rydstrom and Ronald Judkins

Lincoln has already been recognized with prestigious award nominations from the Art Directors Guild, the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the Directors Guild of America, the Producers Guild of America, the Screen Actors Guild, and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), among others. The film has also been nominated for seven Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture – Drama, and has been featured on over 150 Best of 2012 lists.

Brave (Disney•Pixar)

— Animated Feature Film

Brave has received award nominations from the Producers Guild of America, the Broadcast Film Critics Association, and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), among others. The film has received 10 Annie Award nominations and is up for Best Animated Feature Film at Sunday’s Golden Globe ceremony.

Frankenweenie (Disney)

— Animated Feature Film

Frankenweenie has received award nominations from the Producers Guild of America, the Broadcast Film Critics Association, and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), among others. The film received five Annie Award nominations and is nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film.

Wreck-It Ralph (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

— Animated Feature Film

Wreck-It Ralph has already been recognized with award nominations from the Producers Guild of America and Broadcast Film Critics Association, among others. The film received 10 Annie Award nominations and is nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film.

Paperman (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

— Animated Short Film

Marvel’s The Avengers

— Visual Effects – Janek Sirrs, Jeff White, Guy Williams and Dan Sudick

Marvel’s The Avengers has received an award nomination from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in the category of Special Visual Effects and received five nominations from the Visual Effects Society.

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