Posts made in December 2020

Holiday Gift Round-Up

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The team at 360 MAGAZINE has curated a list of their favorite products and we’ve put them into a Holiday Round Up to show our readers even more excellent gifts. We know 2020 hasn’t been easy on anyone so this holiday season is the best time to show those one’s you love how much they mean to you with a personal gift. From everything from stocking stuffers or a big gift, for those near and far, these items are sure to be special for your friends and family.

Check out our favorites below from bottles to snacks to everything in between.

360 x INTEGRITY BOTTLES

To ring in the holiday season, 360 Magazine launched its very own collection of bottles, stemware, and glasses in collaboration with Integrity Bottles. The bottles are sand-carved by hand with the 360 logo, painted, and etched with our trademark in either deep etch (no color), silver, or gold. The collection features seven products. Use the code “360MAG20” for 20% of your first purchase of glassware from the 360 Magazine collection. Also, the code “GIVEBACK” will save you 5% on a separate order, not limited to the 360 Magazine collection.

Glasses, Decanters & More – Starting at $19.99

SKECHERS DR. SEUSS COLLECTION

All can agree that 2020 has been quite Grinch-y year, so just in time for the holidays, the whole family can dress the part with the new Dr. Seuss Collection. Available in both women’s and kid’s sizes, even Cindy Lou will love these fun and festive sneakers featuring The Grinch. The Dr. Seuss Collection is available on Skechers.com for $42 – $85. And hey, once you buy, you can go back to your regular at-home schedule… “4:00, wallow in self-pity. 4:30, stare into the abyss. 5:00, solve world hunger, tell no one. 5:30, jazzercize; 6:30, dinner with me. I can’t cancel that again.” – The Grinch. Get your street beat sneakers in style for the holiday season!

Dr. Seuss Skechers – Starting at $42

SUGAR PLUM NUTS AND SWEETS

Mother & son duo Frann and Neil Edley have made it their mission to work together and bring a little more sweetness into the world with Sugar Plum Chocolates, offering premium chocolates and confections to worldwide customers for over 25 years. Using only the finest ingredients for their delectable treats, generations of customers have trusted Sugar Plum with all of their snacking and gift-giving needs and have been coming back for seconds, thirds, and more! All of their delicious gourmet treats are lovingly hand crafted and made from their bakery and kitchen in Kingston, PA. Ideal for the small get togethers you might be hosting this season, or for sending to a loved one you can’t quite reach. Delicious for all!

Varying Sweet and Nut Boxes – Starting at $11

MUCK BOOT COMPANY

The Original Muck Boot Company has been rolling out the sturdiest muck boots for all outdoor activities. From mud to snow, these boots ensure to keep your feet dry and warm no matter the conditions. The camouflage pattern ensures to blend in with all your hunting gear. They are 100% waterproof which makes them a great gift for any outdoor lover. The boots above are currently on sale for $130, marked down from their original price of $205. However, some styles start as low as $100, an amazing price for such a sturdy shoe.

The Original Muck Boot – Starting at $100

RADO’S WHITE CHRISTMAS

The Rado Winter Selection for 2020/2021 defines exquisite watches. The selection includes expertly chosen watches that open up infinite possibilities for the new year. The timepieces have been designed to be sturdy while still elegant, so they will last a lifetime. The watches have shimmering accents that will look beautiful no matter the occasion. The watches in this collection make the perfect gift for anyone who values style and wants a high-tech timepiece. Rado offers both men’s and women’s watches which makes these watches a perfect gift for a loved one.

Rado’s Winter Selection – Prices vary based on selection

BLUE RIDGE CHAIR WORKS

Blue Ridge Chair Works makes the most versatile chairs for everyone that loves relaxation. The Caravan Chair is a smaller version of the classic model and is perfect to bring to the lake or beach. It’s also the perfect size to fit in a small room or apartment. Made from sustainable materials entirely in the United States, this is a gift to feel good about giving. There is a variety of styles available on the Blue Ridge Chair Works’ website and these chairs are a wonderful gift for anyone that wants a functional and easy to use seat.

The Caravan Chair – Starting at $148

Russell Wilson’s Good Man Brand

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A November 7 article on Sportscasting reports on NFL Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson’s generosity in using his clothing brand to give to communities in need. The article notes that Wilson’s clothing company, Good Man Brand, donates 3% of all purchases to the Why Not You Foundation, another one of Wilson’s charitable endeavors, to provide food and career guidance for those in need.

Los Angeles-based manufacturer Hi-Tech Printing & Labeling Inc. says that brands big and small should be sure to take advantage of all marketing opportunities available to advertise their unique message and branding.

Hi-Tech Printing & Labeling Inc. says that while the most obvious locations to include a brand’s ethics are on the company’s website, online product descriptions, and in-store marketing, clothing tags, and labels are just as important and are often overlooked for their benefits.

The Los Angeles manufacturer adds that by including a brand’s message on fabric tags and labels, it reminds customers of the causes they’re supporting each time they wear a product, which helps to encourage future purchases as well.

Without a message’s integration on clothing tags, Hi-Tech Printing & Labeling Inc. says customers will only be reminded of the charitable connection if they actively visit a physical store or the company’s online shop. Even a big fan of a product is going to see clothing labels many more times than they are ever likely to see its website or advertising, says the manager.

For a brand’s message to remain visible over time, Hi-Tech Printing & Labeling Inc. says it’s important for clothing tags and labels to be made from high-quality materials that will not wear or fade for a long time. The Los Angeles manufacturer notes that product tags can only be effective if they can remain fully intact even after numerous wash cycles. Brands that invest in durable fabric labels demonstrate their attention to detail to customers.

Hi-Tech Printing & Labeling Inc. says that telling customers of a brand’s ethics is crucial for brand loyalty. Whether it’s sustainability or supporting a local community, customers are more likely to purchase products from a company whose mission they support. The Southern California company adds that oftentimes, individuals are more than happy to donate to a good cause; they just don’t know where to start.

By ensuring that a clothing brand’s message is clearly advertised across all marketing opportunities, including clothing tags and labels, customers will always remember the company and causes they’re supporting and where they can return to for more.

Readers interested in learning more about Hi-Tech Printing & Labeling Inc. and its offerings can call (213) 746-7772 or visit its website at https://www.fabriclabels.com.

Skye Drynan

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Skye Drynan has everything anyone could ever dream of. Surrounded by glitz and glamour and sparkle to whatever occupation she holds, there is more than meets the eye. Behind the physical observation, there is a powerful tour de force that the world will soon recognize as a household name, simply, Skye. From climbing the echelons of Wall Street, to researching mysteries in scientific labs, philanthropic pursuits, struggling with the pen-to-paper tasks of an author and budding song writer, to sharing her life in front of a live camera, and now designing and creating a fashion empire, Skye Drynan tells us exactly why “The Beast in You is the Best in You.”

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SHEFF G “Proud of Me Now”

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Sheff G, the leader of Brooklyn’s premier crew and label, Winners Circle Entertainment, closes out 2020 with the release of his debut album Proud of Me Now (Winners Circle Entertainment/RCA Records). With Great John (“on the beat by the way”) helming production, Proud of Me Now is a coming-of-age lyrical journey where Sheff details his evolution – from his slip-ups to his come ups. Click here to listen.

Sheff kicked off Proud Of Me Now with the release of two singles, “No Negotiations and Lights On,” both of which further exemplified why Vulture named him as part of “NY’s Next Rap Generation.” Throughout the album, Sheff continues to play between a smooth flow and guttural style, leading beyond the Brooklyn drill movement.

“‘Proud of Me Now’ is my first album in partnership with RCA and my label Winners Circle. A lot of hard work went into making this album. I’m proud of the music I’m making. I’m proud of my team. I’m proud of being a CEO. I’m proud of me, now!!!,” says Sheff G.

Sheff G has also gained positive attention from the media. “When Flatbush drill rapper Sheff G is at the peak of his powers, his songs are exhilarating…His raps feel like wind sprints,” said Pitchfork.

Sheff G is also proud to have been chosen as Audiomack’s latest UpNow artist, their signature program dedicated to spotlighting and promoting the next generation of global music superstars. Announced earlier today by the streaming platform, Sheff G currently graces the cover of their popular UpNow Playlist and will be prominently featured across their channels with specialized marketing, editorial, social support, playlisting, custom videos, and more.

Over the past two years, and particularly throughout this summer, Sheff G kept the streets of Brooklyn and beyond ablaze with several drops, including his previous mixtape Just For Y’all, which garnered over 9.6M streams across all platforms, and the One and Only EP, ranked #21 on Complex’s list of 2020’s best albums so far.

Sheff G’s rise to stardom began in 2016 creating a local hit, “Nightmare,” produced by Great John in his living room. The following year, he released his breakout hit “No Suburban,” followed by the acclaimed 2019 project, The Unluccy Luccy Kid. Sheff showed no signs of slowing down dropping “No Suburban Pt. 2” which received over 21.2M streams. With each release, Sheff G displays a raw style addressing blunt realities with authenticity.

Listen to Proud of Me Now here. You can also watch “Lights On” here.

ABOUT WINNERS CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT

Incorporated in 2019, Winners Circle Entertainment includes label co-owner Sheff G, Sleepy Hallow, Eli-Fross and producer Great John, who handles a majority of the label’s music production. Co-owned and operated by a solid management conglomerate which is made up of Jeremy “Jerm” Soto and Karel “White” Jorge.

On the heels of the partnership with RCA Records and Winners Circle Entertainment co-led by Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow, the collective is on a mission to create a culture-defining legacy and sound. Winners Circle kicked off the partnership with a Sleepy Hallow single, “Tip Toe,” featuring Sheff G. The track delivered gritty verses while juxtaposing a playful sample popularized by Tiny Tim’s ukulele driven hit, “Tiptoe Through the Tulips.”

Be sure to keep up with Sheff G on Instagram and Twitter.

YOUNG BOMBS “WRONG SIDE OF LOVE” VIDEO

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Today, Young Bombs shared the official video for their wistful, country-tinged single featuring three-time GRAMMY Award winner Darius Rucker called “Wrong Side of Love.” The song, described by ABC News Radio as “a brooding ode to a doomed love story, set to a catchy and dance-able beat,” has racked up over one million global streams since its release.

Directed by Conan Jurek Karpinski and produced by Andrew Dixon, the amusing clip sees the Canadian duo embark on a journey to see their favorite country superstar—none other than the legendary Darius Rucker—in concert. With a few fellow quirky Rucker fans in tow, Martin and Tristan set their sights on Nashville only to find that the Canadian border has been closed. It’s only fitting that what would follow this disastrous road trip is a dance party in the wilderness with Bigfoot—who happens to be just as big of a Rucker fan as Young Bombs themselves. View the video HERE.

Built around Rucker’s honeyed croon, “Wrong Side of Love” is the final single from the duo’s debut EP, The Young Bombs Show, also out now on Astralwerks. Listen to the song HERE and the EP HERE. The set gathers a string of singles that have established the duo as among the dance-pop world’s most vibrant and versatile producers, including the openhearted “Better Day” with Aloe Blacc and the swooning, optimistic “Starry Eyes.”

“Wrong Side of Love” shows off Young Bombs at their most emotional, lending a textured arrangement to Rucker’s poignant pining for a lover who’s fallen “right back in somebody else’s arms.” The song starts with roiling pianos and other homey instrumentation that might feel familiar to fans of Rucker’s country singles, but from there the song soars. Rucker moves beyond his pain into anthemic whoa-ohs as the track ascends into a synthy daydream.

It’s a different look for the duo, but “Wrong Side of Love” is a brilliant capstone to the run of singles that make up The Young Bombs Show. Young Bombs first came to widespread acclaim as esteemed remixers, sharing upwards of 50 beloved reworks of tracks for artists like Nick Jonas, Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, and Billie Eilish, among others. Since 2019, they’ve applied the same lively production to their own original tracks, which has resulted in the colorful singles on their new EP, spanning from heavenly bangers like “Starry Eyes” to more sensitive, stirring tracks like the Robinson-featuring “High Road.” As these songs have traveled, so has the duo. In recent years, they’ve played Lollapalooza, Ultra, Firefly Music Festival, and the Billboard Hot 100 Festival. They’ve also shared the stage with dance music luminaries like the Chainsmokers, Alesso, Galantis, and Diplo.

The Young Bombs Show tracklist:

Wrong Side Of Love (feat. Darius Rucker)
Better Day (feat. Aloe Blacc)
Loyal (feat. GiGi)
Don’t Let Them
Starry Eyes
High Road (feat. Robinson)

About Young Bombs:

In 2019, Young Bombs make the bold leap from sought-after remixers to artists. That leap remains driven by a personal and creative chemistry forged way back in the Vancouver high school where they became best friends. With nearly 100 million streams in four years, the duo of Martin and Tristan cooked up 53 remixes by 2018. Along the way, they lent their talents to everyone from Nick Jonas, Selena Gomez, and Lady Gaga to Billie Eilish, Alessia Cara, Post Malone, Khalid, and Bazzi.

In addition, they attracted the support of Tiësto, Kygo, and Don Diablo. Simultaneously, they graced the stages of blockbuster festivals such as Lollapalooza, Ultra, Firefly Music Festival, and the Billboard Hot 100 Festival. Not to mention, Young Bombs supported The Chainsmokers, Galantis, Diplo, and Alesso on tour around the globe and launched a coveted residency at Drai’s Beachclub in Vancouver. The upbeat and undeniable anthem “Starry Eyes,” their debut Astralwerks single, introduced a musicianship-centric style reliant on real instrumentation and genre-less creativity, shining a bright light on the future.

About Darius Rucker:

Rucker first achieved multi-Platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the GRAMMY Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish. Since releasing his first Country album in 2008, he’s earned a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart, including RIAA Platinum-certified Learn to Live and True Believers, plus nine No. 1 singles at Country radio. In 2014, Rucker won his third career GRAMMY Award for Best Solo Country Performance with his 8x Platinum version of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel.” His latest single, “Beers And Sunshine,” was written via a Zoom session earlier this year and calls for slowing down to enjoy the simple things in life when the world feels out of control.

As a lifelong philanthropist, Rucker is a constant supporter of the MUSC Children’s Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. He has also raised millions of dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through his annual Darius & Friends benefit concert and golf tournament, as well as for more than 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation. Rucker spent 2019 on the road with his Hootie & the Blowfish bandmates for the Group Therapy Tour as they celebrated the 25th anniversary of generation-defining smash Cracked Rear View in addition to the November 1 release of Imperfect Circle, their first album in nearly 15 years.

For more information, visit www.dariusrucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.

Top TV Social Conversation for 2020

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In a year of superlatives – unprecedented, unbelievable, unexpected, one thing that could be counted on was how much more screen time we’d all be adding to our day. Lockdowns and quarantines meant that, film and television viewing saw quite a boost; by the second half of 2020, TV streaming had increased 25%.

Talkwalker Social Content Ratings measured the social conversation around this increase to understand what people were saying about their favorite shows, actors and networks this year according to online engagement numbers through its Top Social TV report.

While 2020 was a year of many challenges, the results from this report will not disappoint TV fans. Top programs saw millions of engagements, with many new series getting just as much buzz as returning hits. From “The Last Dance” to “Dancing With The Stars,” the results show that TV and film provided a welcome respite to audiences (and a nice way to escape the 24-hour news cycle) during a pretty heavy year.

The analysis shows not only which programs people were talking about most in social media, but what they were saying, too. Combined with social listening data, we can see how cultural moments, emotional drivers, and product tie-ins impacted conversations around top series, films, and talent in 2020, according to Talkwalker Social Content Ratings.

“Talkwalker Social Content Ratings’ Top of 2020 lists showcase programming that captures consumer attention and buzz generated across social platforms,” says Sean Casey, Head of Media, Talkwalker. “As consumer behavior evolves and television expands, SCR is able to keep pace with the growing volume of programming, network promotional strategies and dynamic consumer conversation to provide comprehensive social ratings across the television marketplace.”

The full report is available here. Some highlights include:

Top Primetime & Late Fringe Series

1. The Last Dance 4.1 million interactions /episode

2. WWE Monday Night Raw 2.15 million

3. American Idol 1.92 million

Top New Series

1. The Last Dance 4.1 million interactions/episode

2. The Undoing 210.3 thousand

3. Celebrity Game Face 203.2 thousand

Top Scripted Series

1. Grey’s Anatomy 1.12 million interactions/episode

2. Riverdale 885.6 thousand

3. This is Us 602.7 thousand

Top Premium Cable Series

1. Insecure (HBO) 410.4 thousand interactions/episode

2. The Undoing (HBO) 210.3 thousand

3. Lovecraft Country (HBO) 162.1 thousand

Top Ad-Supported Cable Series

1. The Last Dance 4.1 million interactions/episode

2. WWE Monday Night Raw 2.15 million

3. WWE NXT 790.7 thousand

Top Spanish-Language Prime & Late Fringe Series

1. Tu cara me suena 172.1 thousand interactions/episode

2. La Voz 135.4 thousand

3. Quien es la mascara? 35.9 thousand

Top Prime Series Talent Overall

1. Katy Perry (American Idol) 16.3 million owned engagements

2. Sean Hannity (Fox News) 13.9 million

3. Terry Crews (America’s Got Talent) 7.44 million

Top Spanish-Language Prime Series Talent

1. Ana Brenda Contreras (Tu cara me suena) 573.4 thousand owned engagements

2. Luis Fonsi (La Voz) 536.5 thousand

3. WISIN (La Voz) 472.6 thousand

Top TV Specials

1. 2020 MTV Video Music Awards 40 million engagements

2. 2020 American Music Awards (ABC) 33.4 million

3. The 62^nd Annual Grammy Awards (CBC) 24.9 million

Top Sports Events

1. Super Bowl (FOX) 43.9 million interactions

2. NBA Finals (ABC) Oct. 11 27.5 million

3. NBA Basketball (ESPN) Jan. 31 21.9 million

*Total Interactions = Original social media posts across Facebook, Instagram Business/Creator Accounts, and Twitter related to a linear TV episode and the engagement with that content.

**Owned Engagements = Social media activity generated off of the original posts sent by accounts owned or affiliated with TV programming. Owned engagement for Facebook includes comments, shares, and likes. Owned engagement for Instagram includes comments and likes. Owned engagement for Twitter includes retweets, quotes, replies, and likes.

About Talkwalker

Talkwalker is a social listening and analytics company that empowers over 2,000 brands and agencies to optimize the impact of their communication effohttp://bit.ly/2KnRvjbrts. We provide companies with an easy-to-use platform to protect, measure, and promote their brands worldwide, across all communication channels.

Talkwalker’s state-of-the-art social media analytics platform uses AI-powered technology to monitor and analyze online conversations in real-time across social networks, news websites, blogs and forums in 187 languages. Talkwalker has offices in New York, Luxembourg, San Francisco, Frankfurt, and Singapore. It is also the home of Talkwalker Alerts, a free alerting service used by over 500,000 communications and marketing professionals worldwide.

USDA Forest Service Reflects on 2020

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Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, the USDA Forest Service today announced it surpassed goals and set records in 2020.

“2020 was a challenging year, with record wildland fire activity and the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the Forest Service, we have risen above these challenges and set our minds, hands and hearts to carrying out our mission to meet the needs of the communities we serve,” said Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen.

The Forest Service relied on its strong science, innovation and partnerships to overcome this year’s challenges as the agency found new solutions to serve the public during a time of unprecedented need.

Creating healthy, productive forests and supporting rural economies

In 2020, the Forest Service provided jobs and stability for local economies through a year of historic timber production, selling more than 3.2 billion board feet of timber, the second-highest level in 20 years. The agency also improved forest conditions and reduced wildfire risk on over 2.65 million acres, removing hazardous fuels like dead and downed trees, and combating disease, insect and invasive species infestations.

The Forest Service undertook a suite of regulatory reforms to meet the goals of the Secretarial Memorandum to the Chief of the Forest Service modernize and align agency directives with new legislative authorities and reduce regulatory burdens. By the end of December 2020, the Forest Service will have nearly completed all guidance to implement new legislative authorities in the 2018 Farm Bill. In addition, Forest officials quickly began implementing President Trump’s Great American Outdoors Act to increase access to national forests and grasslands and make progress towards reducing the agency’s $5 billion infrastructure backlog.

Managing wildfire, and providing for health and safety

The Forest Service was successful in prioritizing early suppression of wildfire ignitions while facing a record-breaking fire year, with the most acres burned on national forests since 1910. The agency’s modeling research on how COVID-19 may spread between firefighters or in communities during response efforts led to new interagency safety protocols to better support fire camp management. The protocols not only successfully minimized the spread of COVID-19 among the agency’s 10,000 firefighters, but early learning suggests the safety measures resulted in additional health benefits to fire crews, reducing ailments common in fire camps, which translated to a healthier and more resilient firefighting workforce available to protect lives, homes, and communities threatened by wildfire.

Sharing stewardship responsibilities and being better neighbors

The Forest Service made significant strides toward Shared Stewardship this year, working more closely than ever with Tribes, States, and local partners to make sure the right work happens in the right place at the right time. So far, 44 states and territories are now involved in a Stewardship Agreement. The agreements allow the Forest Service to employ the latest tools and share decision making on the highest priorities to improve forest conditions across broad landscapes. These new agreements have resulted in increasing resiliency of forests, protection of communities and reduction of wildfire risks. They have also produced jobs and stabilize economies.

Increasing access and improving recreation experiences

This year, Americans sought out their public lands in tremendous numbers, finding relief in the Great Outdoors, showing us once again how public lands unite our nation. In response, the Forest Service generated solutions to ensure visitors had every opportunity to safely use and enjoy their national forests and grasslands during the pandemic. The Forest Service welcomed record-breaking numbers of visitors, many of whom were first time users, with 95% expressing satisfaction with their experiences.

“Next year, we will continue to build on these successes to improve conditions on America’s national forests and grasslands to ensure they are healthier, more resilient and more productive,” added Chief Christiansen. We will keep building on the partnerships that make these successes possible and commit to increasing access to better connect people to their natural resources, so these national treasures endure for generations to come.”

For more information about the Forest Service visit www.fs.usda.gov

Q×A With Griffin Matthews

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By Justin Lyons

360 Magazine had the opportunity to sit down with actor, Griffin Matthews, to discuss his successful career. Matthews has been able to work on shows such as Dear White People, Ballers and The Flight Attendant, as well as co-writing a successful musical. We were able to discuss his future career plans as well as his activism in the community.

Among acting, writing, directing and other creative positions, which one do you like the best, and which one allows you to best express your own creativity?

I love acting. I love writing. But I ultimately think I’m a director through and through. The responsibility of guiding the entire vision is so exciting to me. It’s such an honor when I get to direct because every story is a little baby that needs to be nurtured properly and guided along her way. And guess what? I’m such a dad.

How has working with streaming services like Netflix and HBO Max changed the way you address your audience?

When you work on Netflix or HBO you get to really find your unedited voice. You get to be risky, controversial, imperfect, fabulous, complicated, political…I’ve been so lucky to get to work on Dear White People, Ballers and The Flight Attendant because I always felt like I could fire from all cylinders on day one. I did not need to ask for permission. I got to bring my entire self to each role. I got to curse. And kiss boys. And wear g-strings. And travel the world.

How do you use your experience acting in productions like The Flight Attendant to inform and influence your ideas on the stage?

I will always go back to the theater. I’m a theater kid. It’s where I honed my talent. So every experience that I have, I think about how I will translate that to the stage. I was lucky enough to travel the world and meet incredible people and see exotic places while we were shooting The Flight Attendant. I spent afternoons alone rummaging through the Bangkok market and got lost in the streets of Rome. I made friends with strangers and made peace with being a grown man and also homesick. As a writer, I’m a sponge. I soak up life and then look for an opportunity to let the water run out all over the stage.

How do you approach the assembly of a theatre show differently from how you approach the direction of a concert?

I approach concerts the exact same way that I approach theater. When I directed Shoshana Bean and Cynthia Erivo’s holiday concert at The Apollo, we had endless conversations about story and themes and vulnerability. All of those things make for an exciting night in the theater! I think a lot of concert directors only think about pyrotechnics, but I like to think about the heart of the performers. The message. The mission. And let all of those things spill out…and of course, we add some pyrotechnics, too!

How does your activism influence the projects you choose to be involved in or choose to create yourself?

Activism is such a sexy word these days. It seems like everyone claims to be. For me, my personal pledge is to be an activist when everyone’s looking, but more importantly when no one’s looking. That pledge always checks my motives and my ego as I navigate projects and stories that I want to be a part of it. Every time I sign on to a project, I bring my whole self, my whole truth, the parts that are great and the parts that are ugly. That’s what I’ve learned running a nonprofit for over 15 years. So much of the work is tough. It’s messy. But it’s real.

What are you most excited about with your career in the near future?

I’m currently developing a musical series with Ester Dean that will center black queer voices. It’s really exciting because I’m a fan of Ester and her work (Pitch Perfect, songwriter of Katy Perry’s “Firework” and Rihanna’s “Rude Boy”). She’s broken many ceilings in this industry as a songwriter, actor, musician, and host. We both want to create a show where young people (who look like Ester and I) will see their truths accurately and joyfully reflected on screen. I’m also directing a film called The Amish Project by a playwright named Jessica Dickey. When I tell people that I’m working on it, it can raise eyebrows because people don’t often hear about black directors working on pieces that don’t center black narratives. But here’s the thing: black directors want to direct EVERYTHING. And we can. And we will. And I’m excited to finally get my shot!

What is a creative role you haven’t taken up that you’d like to at some point in your career?

I really want to direct for TV. For some reason, the thought scares the hell out of me! There’s so much to manage: logistics, people, locations, safety, technology, performances, but I’m fascinated by it. It’s time for me to tackle that fear and get behind the camera ASAP.

NHL All-Star Dylan Larkin Joins BODYARMOUR

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BODYARMOR Sports Drink, the fastest-growing sports drink in the category, today announced a new partnership with Detroit Red Wings Centerman and NHL All-Star Dylan Larkin as the brand’s newest athlete partner.

Larkin’s partnership with BODYARMOR makes him the latest addition to BODYARMOR’s impressive athlete roster, including Kyler Murray, Mookie Betts, Christian McCaffrey, James Harden, Naomi Osaka, Mike Trout, Ja Morant, and Megan Rapinoe. In addition to its robust athlete partner roster, BODYARMOR is the Official Sports Drink of the UFC, Major League Soccer, and the US Open.

Larkin joins the BODYARMOR team at a pivotal time for the brand as its growth continues to accelerate and challenge competitors in the category. Now the No. 2 sports drink sold in convenience stores nationwide, BODYARMOR has incredible momentum and is on track for nearly $1 billion in retail sales by the end of 2020.

Tickets on Sale for New Three-Day London Concours

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The London Concours presented by Montres Breguet, returns to the Honourable Artillery Company from 8-10 June 2021, expanded with an all-new ‘Style Edition Day’ and a ‘Supercar Day’. Tickets are on sale now, starting from just £25.

Previously held over two days, the London Concours will capitalise on visitor demand for more luxury brand content – from jewellery to bespoke suits – and modern supercars. At the heart of each day will remain the collection of nearly 100 rare and iconic luxury cars of all ages that has quickly cemented London Concours as one of the UK’s top motoring events.

First established in 2017, the London Concours attracts an extremely high calibre of cars and luxury partners to the Square Mile. In 2020, cars were on display across nine classes and three major features. In 2021, the organisers will gather an even higher standard of cars in classes as diverse as The Italian Berlinettas, The Young Timers, Great Marques – Porsche and a 60^th anniversary celebration of the Jaguar E-Type.

Visitors to day one of the show, the VIP Preview Day, will be treated to exclusive previews of the cars, along with live judging of the classes throughout the day and an Awards Evening with cocktails and champagne. On day two, some of the world’s most sought-after luxury brands take centre stage, with live watchmaking classes, talks with fashion and design luminaries and a host of luxury shopping boutiques. Day three welcomes a collection of the latest supercars into the venue, lining up alongside the London Concours’ existing selection of vehicles.

The London Concours is famed not just for its displays, but also for its atmosphere. For 2021, the event welcomes a host of new food and drink partners, as well as all-new hospitality experiences, including live mixology, and a Veuve Clicquot drinks evening on each day of the event.

Andrew Evans, London Concours Director, said: “As the London Concours continues to evolve, we’re always looking for ways to develop a show that’s perfectly in tune with our audience’s wants and needs. The message we’ve received loud and clear, both from partners and visitors, is that there’s demand for even more of the luxury, supercar and hospitality elements of the show, which is exactly where we’re focusing for 2021. We’ve always created the London Concours around the idea of an automotive summer garden party and next year, more than ever, London Concours will be a party to remember.”

The London Concours takes place from 8-10 June, 2021. Tickets are available here with 20% off using the code LCEARLYBIRD21