Posts tagged with "engagement"

NYBFW Roundup

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New York Bridal Fashion Week (NYBFW) has continuously highlighted the crème of the crop in the world of designer bridal twice for wedding fanatics. With two dedicated weeks of bridal fashion occurring in April and October each year, this April we’ve been dazzled by a few of the new collections showcased at NYBFW.

Let’s recap some our most beloved collections that debuted this season.

Sheila Frank SS23 – Victorian Modernism

Through her new collection, Sheila Frank blends modern femininity with a historical point of view. Conservative styles were adorned with contemporary fads that made for a beautiful fusion of two periods of time through design.

Entitled ‘Victorian Modernism,’ the collection shares elements from both the Victorian and modern era. Shown impeccably through the styling, an era known for the industrial power advancements of the British Empire, we see these elements of the Victorian age vividly in the collection. Elements of structuring from previously conventional work wear are shown through the sharp lines and masculine aspects of Frank’s work.

Through the combination of the two time periods, we also see apparent components of fresh fashions in the collection. From the feminine features of gleaming fabrics to innovative beading techniques, ‘Victorian Modernism’ provides a seamless fusion of the two times. Modern styling approaches, too, transform the bridal pieces to a 21st century point of view.

In terms of her inspiration point, Frank stated that, “This season I explored Victorian Menswear from pre-Victorian 1830s to late 1890s. Each look is designed with a garment in mind from the frock coat, waist coat, shirt variations to the cravat. Fabrics include matte and shiny satin, crepe, tulle, and beaded mesh. Gowns are adorned with bronze and gold buttons and styled with pressed flower pendant necklaces and belts. I explored the idea of vintage meets modern with clean lines and pleated fabrics that flatter the female form.”

Sheila Frank "Victorian Modernism" via Leah Gross Coded Agency for use by 360 Magazine

Justin Alexander and Savannah Miller SS23 – Love in A Mist

Just in time for wedding season, post a hard reset on large celebrations, Justin Alexander Warshaw in collaboration with Savannah Miller resurge with their new SS23 collections of timeless Bridal fashion. Derived from legacy, the family-owned bridal business was established in 1946 by Justin’s grandparents. Rooted in humble beginnings with T&G (Thanks & Goodluck) Veils, an accessory company now empire at the hands of meticulous business of the budding mogul. A sequel to the family-owned business, the Justin Alexander brand is a pioneer in design, manufacturing including distribution. Expanding their portfolio with Adore x JA, Lillian West, Sincerity Bridal, Viktor&Rolf Mariage and now Savannah Miller Bridal founded in 2016.

“I knew I would be in Bridal; I absolutely love the fashion side & the business side, it’s in my blood.” -Justin Alexander

Reintroduced and the precursor to New York Bridal Fashion Week, 360 Magazine was cordially invited for a sneak peek at an industrial Midtown showroom. The luxury reception themed event showcased wedding dresses of both Justin & Savannah. The befitting return to NYC by Miller who decodes romance and elegance through her understated designs. Each garb overflows with personality, not to mention love which Savannah trusts prevailed within the last two years. A collection befitting of its title ‘Love in A Mist’, inclusively curating her brand with detailing inspired by her tenure at Alexander McQueen.

Armon, Creative Director for 360 Magazine met with the designers for a ‘No No-sense Conversation’ where they shared advice and candidly shared each will be preparing for their own nuptials in the coming future. When asked, what inspires them and why Bridal? Justin shares “It’s nothing better when a bride lights up when she found the dress or enters walking down the aisle with everyone in awe.” Miller goes on to say, “As a woman, you know when it’s right and how it feels on your body,” encouraging liberation. One thing they both agreed on is the significance of what a moment such as a wedding means. Therefore, having positive influences involved in your overall process.

Justin Alexander Warshaw and Savannah Miller SS23 images via Armon Hayes for use by 360 Magazine

Dana Harel SS23 – Acqua

Designed with rich inspiration points of past-time Europeans with an added Mediterranean taste, Dana Harel’s new ‘Acqua’ collection utters elegant chic. The SS23 collection was created to commemorate all things life, creativity and freedom while incorporating elements of the energy from our beloved oceans. Each piece of ‘Acqua’ resembles pieces that modern princesses would adorn during their wedding days.

The collection effortlessly showcases distinctions between western and eastern cultures through the varying designs. An array of 11 designs stem from the collection, offering for a wide selection of aesthetic preferences. Whether the bride to be is in search of a sexy, simple look or a more conservative, luxurious piece, ‘Acqua’ has all the components to make you feel like a new-day princess.

Pictured below are the Vittoria and Nicola dresses. The Vittoria elevates a modern design with a classic European cut. Dripping in the finest sequin/crystal fabric, the Vittoria is a sexy take on the contemporary, romantic essence of the 21st century. The Nicola takes on a more moderate fabric with Italian double satin. Also showcasing a slit like the Vittoria, the Nicola sports a gathering affect that reminds us of the rifts and waves in the ocean.

The Vittoria Dana Harel SS23 'Acqua' image via Marissa Chiechi (Coded Agency) for use by 360 Magazine — *The Vittoria*

The Nicola Dana Harel SS23 'Acqua' image via Marissa Chiechi (Coded Agency) for use by 360 Magazine — *The Nicola*

The Atelier Couture SS23 – Shakespeare in Love

The Bridal by The Atelier Couture transports us all the way back to the Elizabethan Era when British theatre was at its peak with their new collection ‘Shakespeare in Love.’ Distinctly crafted with bold Avant-Garde visions reminiscent of gowns that were sported in Shakespeare’s plays, The Atelier Couture captivates us with a new bridal take on classic Europeans drama.

Ball gowns adorned with extravagant beading and lacing; the ‘Shakespeare in Love’ collection encapsulates the essence of Shakespeare’s work. Each gown tells its own story through shifting necklines, silhouettes and train lengths. Mostly consisting of over the top, out of this world fluffy ball gown silhouettes, The Atelier Couture’s latest bridal collection looks as if it would be worn by the Queen of England on her wedding day.

The romantic essence of the collection references old-school fairytale silhouettes. The contents of this collection are elaborate and poetic, similar to Shakespeare’s plays. Renowned as one of the greatest writers in the English language, ‘Shakespeare in Love’ lives up to this accolade.

The Atelier Couture 'Shakespeare in Love' collection images via Serena Chang (Coded Agency) for use by 360 Magazine

Dress Hunt x HOUGHTON Pop-Up

Dress Hunt and HOUGHTON collaborated to bring forth an exclusive bridal pop-up event this season. Dress Hunt is a bridal hub where brides can find a selection of wedding dresses and bridal accessories essential for their big day. Ensuring access to everything that a bride may be in search of for her big day, Dress Hunt sources the finest bridal fashions into one location for a leisurely shopping experience.

Founded by Katharine Polk, the pop-up showcased HOUGHTON Season 2, seven celebrity-inspired looks crafted for seven individual women. With a luxurious reference to celebrity fashion, designs ranged from cocktail dresses to elaborate gowns. The styles were created to reflect that of what the modern woman is in search for.

Coming together to create a hands-on experience for brides in search of their perfect dress, the event turned out to be a smashing success. Aside from HOUGHTON Season 2, other collections were platformed from ASAR By Nikeen Asar, NOVA, Deesigns and more.

Dress Hunt Bridal pop-up collection image via Jules Barker (Coded Agency) for use by 360 Magazine

HOUGHTON Season 2 collection image via Jules Barker (Coded Agency) for use by 360 Magazine — *HOUGHTON by Katharine Polk*

Sophie Et Voilà SS22 – Cristóbal

Individualism and philosophy blend together to create the meaning behind Sophie Et Voilà’s 2022 Cristóbal collection. A women-founded and ran company, Sophie Et Voilà prides themselves on their commitment to sustainability. Focused on handcrafting pieces for their clientele, each piece is unique and distinct. The theme of their brand follows that of their new collection, Cristóbal.

Standing alone and not conforming to the modern trends was one of the key elements of the Cristóbal collection for Sophie Et Voilà. Inspired by the ways that we think, the ways that we choose to learn and live past our mistakes throughout life, came Cristóbal. Each piece from the collection takes on their own name, one and only one. With classical structures, sleek lines and advanced styles, Cristóbal embodies potency and independence.

Regarding the collection, they stated, “At Sophie Et Voilà we never wanted to be commercial. We never thought about being others. Being different was never our goal. Doing something different has been the consequence of opting for doing things our own way. In a world where adaptation is everything, being true to oneself is a luxury that very few can afford.”

Sophie Et Voilà 2022 Cristóbal collection via Asia Anderson (Coded Agency) for use by 360 Magazine — *The Giovanna*

STAR WARS ENGAGEMENT RINGS

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Say ‘I Do’ With STAR WARS™ Fine Jewelry

Brides can now channel the romance of the galaxy far, far away… Star Wars™ Fine Jewelry debut a collection of engagement rings suited for any couple to celebrate their galactic love. The rings are the newest additions to already existing collections from Star Wars Fine Jewelry, while a collection of wedding bands will soon follow suit.

The GUARDIANS OF LIGHT Diamond Engagement Rings feature 14k white, rose gold or black rhodium bands and diamond or black diamond center stones. Each ring is designed with the star motif iconic to the Jedi Order™ symbol. Prices from $1,299 to $2,499.

A JEDI’S MARK Engagement Ring features a 14k white and yellow gold band with a half carat rose cut diamond center stone with a diamond halo. It’s inspired by Luke Skywalker™ and crafted with details from his lightsaber’s hilt design, diamonds extend along the shank and green diopside gemstone sits in the gallery. Priced at $3,499.

The DARK ARMOR Engagement Ring is for the bride who loves the dark side. This black diamond engagement ring is inspired by Darth Vader™. Crafted with details from his lightsaber’s hilt design, this ring features a half carat rose cut black diamond center stone with a white diamond halo and shank. The gallery features a garnet pyramid design inspired by Lord Vader’s powerful armor. Priced at $1,499.

These unique pieces are a perfect way to tell your partner “I love you,” which will sure to evoke the response: “I know.” All available at Star Wars Fine Jewelry.

There are seven distinctive fine jewelry collections inspired by Star Wars, so every fan can connect with their favorite character’s journey, from R2-D2™ to the Mandalorian™. Shop assortments that honor the light side or the dark side of the force. All pieces in all seven collections are beautifully crafted in gold or silver with diamonds and gemstones. Star Wars Fine Jewelry is an officially authorized fine jewelry collection crafted by Renaissance Global.

About Renaissance Global Limited:

Renaissance Global Limited is a highly differentiated luxury lifestyle products company. It is the largest exporter of branded jewelry and supplier of licensed branded jewelry through its licensing agreement to sell “Enchanted Disney Fine Jewelry” and “Heart of Hallmark” jewelry collections. The company has long-standing relationships with marquee global retailers like Amazon, Argos, Helzberg, Malabar Gold, Signet, WalMart, Zales Corp. etc. The Company has successfully expanded its product portfolio, backed by strong design capabilities, offering a wide range of studded jewelry namely Diamond Fashion, Diamond Bridal, Gemstone Jewelry in line with latest fashion trends. The company has diversified operations across key markets in USA, UK & Middle East with its global marketing presence through own subsidiaries and via strategic acquisitions over the years.

Dr. Jerome Adams × Purdue

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Dr. Jerome Adams, former Indiana state health commissioner and the 20th U.S. surgeon general, will join Purdue University on Friday (Oct. 1) as a Presidential Fellow and the university’s first executive director of health equity initiatives, professor of practice in the departments of Pharmacy Practice and Public Health and a faculty member of the Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering at Purdue.

The appointment was announced Thursday (Sept. 30) by Purdue President Mitch Daniels.

“Dr. Adams represents the highest level of excellence through decades of caring for patients and service to the nation in public health,” Daniels said. “He has consistently demonstrated commitment for health equity prior to, during and subsequent to his time as surgeon general. We are thrilled to have him provide leadership at Purdue and represent Purdue globally in this important strategic area.”

Eric Barker, dean of the Purdue College of Pharmacy, and Marion Underwood, dean of Purdue’s College of Health and Human Sciences, said Adams’ leadership will bolster Purdue’s efforts to be a leader in public health and health equity as he works alongside colleagues across multiple colleges and units at Purdue, around the state of Indiana and beyond to elevate the awareness and impact of Purdue’s science-based public health programs, research and engagement.

“We know there are many societal determinants of health that transcend a person’s biology,” Underwood said. “Our efforts both in terms of urban and rural health can address many of these factors. Culture, family backgrounds, socio-economic status, and education all influence health and wellness. The College of Health and Human Sciences is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities. We are eager to work alongside Dr. Adams to expand HHS research and outreach in the areas of public health, HHS Extension and beyond.”

Barker added, “Through the extensive learning, research and engagement missions of our College of Pharmacy and, broadly, across the Purdue system and our extensive networks, we have a chance to really study these issues and continue our vital work on initiatives that will improve the health of populations of our state and our nation.”

Pavlos Vlachos, director of the Regenstrief Center, said he expects Adams to be a catalyst to translate Purdue’s research to the health care systems and communities and to ultimately and positively impact population health.

“Often, some of the best health care technologies, scientific contributions or interventions fail to impact society because they are disconnected from the exact needs of the communities and what is needed for their successful implementation,” Vlachos said. “Jerome’s long experience and deep understanding of the complex U.S. health care landscape and the current population health challenges will help us best navigate these challenges, and position Purdue as a national and global health care innovation leader.”

Adams, who comes to Purdue after having served as the 20th U.S. surgeon general from September 2017 through January 2021, said he intends to help amplify the efforts of the Purdue Extension program to promote health equity through Indiana and particularly in rural communities, as well as work specifically with the business community to make the case for health equity as workforce and economic issues.

“Purdue is a storied institution that has the legacy, the talent and thanks to President Daniels, the commitment to being a national leader in the promotion of health equity,” Adams said. “Never before in American history has the need been greater or the community been more desirous of such an effort. I’m excited to combine my experiences in public health and public policy with the resources and opportunities afforded by Purdue to help coordinate, amplify and innovate in the health equity space.”

Before his service to the nation, Adams served as Indiana state health commissioner from 2014 through 2017. In that role he oversaw the state’s response to Ebola and Zika, as well as an unprecedented HIV outbreak in southern Indiana and a lead contamination crisis in northern Indiana. Dr. Adams also has served as an associate professor of anesthesia at Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis, where he still sees patients and helps train residents and medical students.

Adams received his Master of Public Health with a focus on chronic disease prevention from the University of California, Berkeley, and his medical doctorate from Indiana University School of Medicine. His postgraduate internship was at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis and he completed his anesthesiology residency at the Indiana University Department of Anesthesia in 2006.

PEOPLE.COM REVEALS LEWIS BRICE’S ENGAGEMENT

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During a fishing trip to Alaska, country singer/songwriter Lewis Brice proposed to his girlfriend Denelle Manzer, People.com exclusively reveals.

“I’ve had the ring for a minute, just waiting for the right time. Then I started thinking Alaska would be a cool place — a really memorable spot. So I booked a trip and a gig to Alaska. I knew Denelle had never been and would be excited to go,” Brice recounts to People.com. “It worked out well, I had a gig and a fishing trip planned at this awesome place I had been before, Lake Creek Lodge. I proposed on the second day of fishing, I don’t think she had a clue!”

Brice adds that he knew of a “spot up the river” with cool rock beds and decided to pop the question there

“That morning I went out with our guide Paul and let him know what I was going to do,” Brice tells People.com. “I told him about the spot I had in mind and he knew exactly where I was talking about. We headed there after fishing and get out of the boat to take a picture. Paul helped me out by recording the whole thing.”

“While standing together on a cool rock bed right beside a running river with beautiful Alaska as the backdrop I proposed, and she said yes!” he adds. “Biggest catch of my life I’d say.”

Brice’s fiancé, Manzer, is part of the inspiration behind Brice’s hit single “It’s You” and starred in the “subtle yet goosebump-inducing music video” (People.com / Tricia Despres) which People.com exclusively premiered in February. The endearing single was co-written by Brice with Ben Simonetti and Niko Moon and co-produced by Lee Brice and Simonetti. The single has been one of Brice’s most successful to date, amassing more than 15 million streams since its release.

For more information and the latest news on Lewis Brice, follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and visit LewisBrice.com.

ABOUT LEWIS BRICE:

Lewis’s debut self-titled EP, produced by himself and his brother Lee Brice, was released via Pump House Music on July 14th, 2017 to glowing reviews, landing at No. 11 on the US iTunes Country chart. Since then, Lewis has been named one of Rolling Stone Country’s “New Country Artists You Need to Know” and Billboard’s “Country Artists to Watch in 2018”. Tracks from the EP were featured on SiriusXM The Highway, CMT Music, and Spotify’s New Boots & Wild Country playlists, and its lead single ‘Best Ex Ever’ reached the Top 40 of MusicRow’s Country Breakout radio chart. The next chapter of Lewis’ music was unveiled with “Blessed” as the first single from his forthcoming second collection of songs and was introduced to the world by a special Thanksgiving acoustic performance premiere with his brother Lee Brice. The single was also recognized internationally when Brice received a British Country Music Award for International Song of the Year. Followed by “It’s You,” a huge streaming success, amassing more than 15 million streams since its release and placement on key playlists including Spotify’s Global Viral, Hot Country, US Viral, Breakout Country and New Boots, Apple Music’s Breaking Country, Pure Country Radio, Pandora’s New Country Radio playlists and many more. Brice’s streaming continues to flourish as his music garners more than 30 million overall streams. With more new music on the horizon, 2021 promises to be the best year yet for Lewis Brice!

Media’s New Currency

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What Marketers Need to Know About Media’s New Currency

Source Digital, a leader in providing innovative video advertising, is helping marketers to stop wasting money

It’s estimated that digital advertising grew 12% over the last year, as many people were at home more during the pandemic. With billions being spent on trying to reach people as they watch videos, it only makes sense that marketers turn to new technology to advance key messaging to targeted consumers. Source Digital is leading the way in helping them maximize their revenue with media’s new currency: SAMs or Source Activated Moments. The innovative platform is helping companies stop wasting money and get more out of their video advertising efforts.

“Many marketers are frustrated because they are spending more and more on digital advertising but are not seeing the results they want,” explains Hank Frecon, the chief executive officer of Source Digital. “This is where we come in. We have helped many of these companies gain more control of their digital marketing efforts to get a result that justifies their expenditure. We are here to help to grow their business, and at the same time give consumers what they are looking for in a seamless way.”

Many advertising campaigns are being switched to Source Digital’s patented platform. The new platform gives businesses what they have needed all along, which is a way to offer their products or services to customers that have indicated interest, during videos. Here are five things to know about this new way to reach consumers through digital advertising with SAMs:

New media currency (SAMs) focuses on not disrupting the viewer. People love to watch videos, but they have been turned off by the ads that interrupt what they are watching. Having a platform that will seamlessly allow you to watch a video without ad interruption but still allow the marketer to promote something without stopping their video makes a world of difference.
Many businesses turning to the new media currency are able to greatly increase their revenue, because Source Digital is offering them an entirely new inventory to access to help grow their business.
Rather than traditional advertising working with particular networks, the new method of advertising works across platforms. This makes it easier for marketers to reach more people without having to put in more effort.
The more you know about the audience, the more you can tailor ads to them and improve engagement. The new media advertising platform helps advertisers get more insight into the audience, so they can use that to improve user experience and increase engagement.
The new currency is completely changing how online video advertising is done, and it’s doing so for the better. We all learned a lot from the prior ways that video ads were done, and that information has helped to create a better experience for all moving forward.

“We see the way our platform is helping to transform the efforts put forth by marketing teams,” added Frecon. “We look forward to helping many others get on board. It’s a more efficient way of reaching your audience, increasing profits, and in getting the most from your investment.”

Source Digital’s platform quietly works in the background, gathering important data points about the person, so that it can provide a better user experience and increase engagement. Source Digital has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies to help create a more engaging and effective video advertising experience. To learn more, visit Source Digital.

About Source Digital, Inc.

Developed by seasoned technology leaders and inventors, Source Digital delivers a new era of contextual commerce and advertising. Offering the first in-video, contextually driven, frictionless acquisition experience, Source Digital’s technology allows content creators, owners, brands, and retailers to seamlessly engage with viewers across any device or screen in real time. An immersive approach to interactive video, Source Digital’s patented technology inspires brand loyalty organically through continuous, personalized engagement, reducing audience drift while yielding nuanced measurements and substantially increased avenues for monetization.

Digital Transformation: ByondXR

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Digital Transformation: ByondXR Develops virtual commerce platform used by World-leading Retailers

Web-based Virtual eCommerce: Transforming the Future of Retail

The online shopping landscape is continuously changing, with companies finding new solutions to bring unique experiences to their customers. When the coronavirus pandemic shook the world, brands had to adapt to the virtual landscape, as in-store shopping became nearly impossible quickly. With the fear and apprehension that the pandemic created, naturally, people lost the motivation to shop in-person as much as they used to.

Companies that rely on physical shopping lost their customers and floundered, while companies that already had a significant digital presence increased their business. As businesses struggled to stay afloat, ByondXR, a company specializing in building online virtual storefronts and showrooms, was positioned to assist them in building their digital presence and offering new experiences for customers despite the pandemic.

Industry veterans Noam Levavi and Eran Galil founded ByondXR in 2016, intending to help businesses acclimate themselves to the growing virtual commerce market. Having as much familiarity and expertise with online retail merchandising as they did, after COVID-19 quarantining forced people to isolate themselves and remain in their homes, companies like Lancôme, Target, and P&G turned to ByondXR for their technical know-how.

Their innovative technology caters to wholesale and retail businesses who seek to improve their digital marketing presence. With their team of experts, they truly revolutionize the virtual commerce market by creating the most stunning visual web experiences that significantly improve conversion rates, engagement, and reduced return rates.

The virtual showrooms allow customers to browse through a store as if they were moving through a physical space. Customers can pan around, viewing colorful and appealing displays of items. By simply clicking on an item or display, an information box pops up where the customer can view more info about the product, interact with the product in 3D, or place the product in their physical space using ByondXR AR capabilities. To close the loop, users can click to purchase the products directly.

Using the full 3D store simulation that ByondXR creates for top fashion retailers, the Virtual Merchandising teams invite VM, store managers, and customers to take immersive virtual tours of their digital storefront. Visitors can view and interact with new clothing and merchandise hanging on racks and displayed on tables or mannequins by visualizing the store, its fixtures, and garments.

This kind of experiential retail provides customers with a far more interactive and engaging experience than simply scrolling mindlessly through pages and pages of products on Amazon or any other retail website. Customers can view items and read product descriptions on a company website as much as they like, but online shopping can rarely be as effective as shopping in a real, physical store. These virtual storefronts give customers the feeling of in-person shopping without leaving their homes and risk getting sick.

The broad range of clients that ByondXR has worked with have found that customers are looking for new shopping experiences, different from the ones that they are used to, especially when over-use of traditional digital shopping venues has rendered them mundane and unengaging. Virtual storefronts like those they have built for Lancôme and P&G are only the beginning of ByondXR’s technological revolution.

Take, for example, 3D visualizers that they have created for home decor companies like CaesarStone. In these online stores, customers can view a realistic 3D room like a kitchen or a child’s bedroom. With a click of a button, they can place down a crib or a wardrobe in this 360 environment, viewing the item in a digital space as if it were actually in their home and use AR to visualize the product in their own home. They can change the decorations and furniture’s colors and designs and pan around, viewing the items with the depth and authenticity that they would get from a physical store.

One of the most important parts of buying a piece of furniture is visualizing what it might look like in a customer’s own home, and with technology like this, customers won’t be left scratching their heads in the middle of a store. No more wondering what a product might look like when delivered to the customers’ houses with ByondXR storefronts, and they get what they see.

The public interest in digital shopping has only grown since its inception, and the global pandemic has only sped up the growth of virtual commerce. The boom in digital shopping has led to such revolutionary techniques as ByondXR’s virtual stores and showrooms seem to have ushered in the future of shopping, where people can browse items and walk-through stores without ever leaving their homes.

As the pandemic continues, both in the US and abroad, the apprehension that people feel about shopping in person has only increased. People don’t want to risk getting the virus and then spreading it to their friends and family, and so they have turned to online shopping in droves to fill their needs. Although the most important aspect of retail business is to provide customers with quality products, the aesthetics and the art of the way these products are displayed play a large role in what brands customers decide to shop with.

With this kind of technology becoming more and more popular with companies and with the customers that they serve, the question arises: Will shopping ever return to the way it was before?

The pandemic has certainly altered the world forever, but many have wondered if customers will return to physical stores once they can safely and healthily do so. With specialized technical advancements in the virtual commerce market like those that ByondXR provides their clients with, customers may decide that they don’t have to visit stores in person to get what they need.

In fact, home decor technology of the kind they built for Caesar Stone is often found more useful to customers than shopping for furniture, tiles, or decorations in person. Why go to a physical store if customers can get the same experience by shopping online from the comfort of their homes while losing none of the in-person stores’ appeals?

There is also another angle to it: while utilizing VR, retail brands can improve brand messaging, boost online influence, and create unique touching points with customers, something that regular eComment lacks.

No matter what the future holds for the virtual commerce market, ByondXR and their CEO Noam Levavi have positioned themselves at the forefront of digital shopping innovation, and they are ready to meet the next challenge head-on.

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.

Join the A SHOC Challenge!

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Adrenaline Shoc (aka A SHOC), a modern fitness enhanced energy drink designed for an active lifestyle, recently launched their first fitness challenge.

www.ashoc.com/challenge

A SHOC Challenge Description:

Join the A SHOC community from November 2nd to 22nd and complete in their virtual challenge: A 3-week fitness virtual event with 2 main challenges and multiple bonus challenges presented by pro athletes. The main challenge is to crush 300 minutes of activity each week and to get outside and cover 10 miles of distance. Any sport, any time; run, bike, walk, or surf, just get after it. Compete with top Olympic, X Games, and professional athletes from Billy Kemper, Big Wave Surf World Champion, to Gwen Berry, U.S. Olympic Hammer Thrower, who will guide you through some of their unique workouts. View your results on the leaderboard for motivation to push your limits. Whether you are a runner, cyclist, speed walker, weight lifter, or weekend warrior– you were made for this challenge.

About A SHOC

Stay Energized this Fall with Adrenaline Shoc’s newest flavors Blue Raspberry and Orange Freeze, which just hit shelves.

Adrenaline Shoc (aka A SHOC) is a modern fitness enhanced energy drink designed for an active lifestyle, and is growing in popularity by the day amongst fitness enthusiasts. Designed as a performance energy drink, A SHOC was created to inspire people everyday to live an active and healthy lifestyle, offering a natural smart energy blend that is a guilt-free boost to maximize the day.

With 300mg of natural caffeine sourced from yerba mate, green coffee beans, coffee fruit extract and guarana, electrolytes sourced from ocean minerals, 9 essential amino acids to boost performance, and BCAA’s for muscle recovery, A SHOC is the smart energy and a guilt free choice. But it doesn’t stop there! A SHOC also contains zero sugar, zero chemical preservatives, zero artificial flavors, and zero artificial colors, what more can you ask for?

A SHOC is sold at retailers nationwide including 7-Eleven, Target, CVS, and is now available on Amazon. The flavor offerings include Acai Berry, Shoc Wave, Peach Mango, Frozen Ice, Cotton Candy, Fruit Punch, Watermelon and Sour Candy, with two new flavors Blue Raspberry and Orange Freeze. To find a store near you visit the store locator on www.ashoc.com

Follow A SHOC on Instagram @AShocEnergy #ReachYourPeak

Talkwalker – Most Loved Brands

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No Ordinary Love – From Sirius to Hyatt, New Report Draws Consistent Findings on Sentiment vs. Engagement in Capturing Brand Affection

Who do you love? Consumers clearly have their favorites when it comes to brands and international social media analytics firm Talkwalker has the data to prove the most loved brands on social media. But just because a brand is mentioned more often in social media, doesn’t mean that it will always trend higher in terms of how consumers feel about that brand.

Talkwalker used a quarter billion conversations around 781 brands in 28 different industries to create its Brand Love Story 2020 report, identifying the 50 most loved brands from across the world, through the power of social listening and highlighting just what these brands do to be loved. Talkwalker measured social media mentions that are specific symptoms of a brand that generates actual love from its social media fans. Analysts studied everything from consumer engagement and sentiment in both social media and the news, as well as the percentage of mentions that were categorized as related to “joy” and the percentage of mentions that contain love-related words. So brands were actually rewarded for a higher percentage of joyful mentions, and love-related keywords.

One of the key metrics the report studied was engagement – the number of posts mentioning those brands – and sentiment – how people feel about those mentions based on likes, comments and shares. Generally, as engagement goes higher, sentiment drops, as brands open themselves to a wider audience and more criticism. However, in compiling this data, Talkwalker found that loved brands broke this trend, with either exceptionally high engagement or sentiment or both.

“There’s a clear pattern across all these brands,” says Todd Grossman, CEO Americas for Talkwalker. “As engagement goes up – more people react to a brand – the more overall sentiment drops – the more those interactions are negative. There were 25 brands with over 100 million engagements – the biggest brands in the world. Not one has a net sentiment over 75%.”

This report compares engagement rates of brands and their competitors. If a brand posts a great deal, it will get a lot of engagement, but a competitor can get that same engagement through fewer posts. Engagement rate is the total engagement divided by total followers or total views. The higher the number, the better. Overall, for all brands, the average net sentiment is 61.5% and average engagement rate is 8.32.

“Virality is great – it helps brands get content to more people,” adds Grossman. “But it also opens those brands up to a bigger risk, with an increased chance of negative comments or responses. Companies must monitor their viral content constantly, and respond to detractors quickly, to prevent unwanted backlash.”

Talkwalker studied brands in a number of industries, including airlines, automotive, broadcasters, eCommerce, fashion and beauty, finance, food, hospitality, household, insurance, investment, leisure, manufacturing and engineering, medical, mining and utilities,pharmaceutical, professional services, retail, software and technology, and telecoms.

In the travel industry, 27 airlines, hotels and cruise lines were considered and studied for the final list and the seven who made the Top 50 Loved Brands overcame the challenge of high engagement, but low sentiment, whereas the others suffered in the rankings due to that measure.

“Across the travel industry, regardless of whether it’s airlines, hotels or cruises, social media can be a double-edged sword,” adds Grossman. “It’s easier to tweet a complaint publicly than register it to customer service over the phone or at the desk. Companies invariably try to take these conversations private, but consumers understand it’s in their best interest to keep things public. Other viewers can very easily relate, and are quick to judge these responses.”

For example, an Atlanta Marriott (40th on the U.S. list) where LSU players stayed before playing in a playoff game last year, ran out of beer 25 hours before kickoff – and on this thread generated 134 comments and more than 6,000 engagements along with another 225 on a Reddit thread that quoted this Tweet. While hosting the team is an honor for the brand, not meeting fans and guests needs is a failed moment.

Another example exists as Talkwalker studied 11 broadcasters and found a high engagement rate, but low sentiment, as evidenced by this Twitter thread. In the period studied Sirius had 47,000 social media mentions, of which 23 percent (1,100) were positive. In that same period they generated nearly 22,000 engagements of which 13,700 occurred on negative or neutral posts. 9,900 engagements came from the 1,100 positive mentions.

In the period studied Sirius had 47,000 social media mentions, of which 23 percent (1,100) were positive. In that same period they generated nearly 22,000 engagements of which 13,700 occurred on negative or neutral posts. 9,900 engagements came from the 1,100 positive mentions.

Moreover, In the period studied, across all mentions (news and social – totaling 5,300) the Sirius brand generated nearly 81,300 engagements. However, 78,200 of those engagements are occurring on posts that are classified as “not positive”, either neutral or negative!

“People love to engage with their favorite shows, sharing and liking content associated with their fanbase,” Grossman notes. “But sentiment is tough. A new show can promote positive sentiment, but a cancelation or disappointing ending to a series, can easily drag the sentiment of the brand down.”

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 efforts.

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 use 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.

5 Ways to Enjoy Morro Bay

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The crowds are gone, the sunsets are as breathtaking as ever, and the weather in this seaside town of Morro Bay is extraordinary – which is why locals call October and November Morro Bay “Secret Season”. In the fall the coast is clear, sunny, and warm, and this years Secret Season is infused with new ways to enjoy Morro Bay. The opening of Port House, a new waterfront restaurant, the new Fire Pits at Morro Rock, and the new Estero Adventures are bringing smiles to everyone’s faces this fall. On top of miles of beaches and the unavoidably beautiful 576-foot tall volcanic rock sitting at the front of a bustling harbor filled with sailboats, kayakers, pelicans, sea lions and otters, here are 5 new and fun ways to enjoy Morro Bay this fall.

1) Dinner with a Sunset View at the NEW Port House Restaurant

Soak up the amazing sunsets while you drink hand crafted cocktails and dine on California coastal cuisine with an Italian flairߞand really great steaksߞat the new Port House Restaurant. That’s how executive chef Joe White describes the menu at this new eatery that recently opened on Morro Bay’s Embarcadero at 885 Embarcadero, the former site of Otter Rock Cafe. The location has been completely renovated with a nautical theme throughout, expanded waterfront seating, overstuffed couches and a beautiful bar, this restaurant is a new addition to the fine dining establishments in the middle of the Embarcadero. Don’t miss out on the Port House’s weekend brunches or rent out the entire location for your holiday party! Specialty drinks recipes like this one called the Port House will make any occasion special. Port House Cocktail, basil Hayden’s bourbon, 20 yr port, bitters, luxardo cherry, straight up. Delish!

As well as renovating the entire building, there’s also a NEW marina waterside at the Port House. The marina consists of five new docks, and a newly installed kayak and standup paddleboard launch area. Tiki bar tours, whale watching excursions, a charter boat company offering deep sea fishing excursions, and boat rentals are located only steps away from your delicious Port House. There’s even space for transient boaters, so you can cruise over for excellent food and a table by the window.

2) Enjoy the NEW Morro Rock Fire Pits

An excellent way to witness the stunning sunset is to take your surfboard at dusk and surf Morro Rock’s epic waves. Afterwards, enjoy an evening bonfire at the city’s new Morro Rock Fire Pits that overlook the beach or the bay, where you can stargaze to the sound of the waves cashing on the shore or enjoy watching the sea otter families in the harbor as they dive and dine on local shell fish. Sprawling from the base of Morro Rock to the north, Morro Beach is perfect for playing, beach combing or taking a cruise on a beach cruiser from Beachfront Kites and Surreys. Morro Bay’s Harbor Department also offers beach wheelchairs for people who are mobility challenged. Call the harbor department at (805) 772-6254, let them know when you’ll arrive and they will bring the equipment to you at the Morro Rock parking lot.

3) Cruise the Bay or the Boardwalk with the NEW Estero Adventures

Estero Adventures is a one stop for active adventurers offering a large selection of outdoor activities including electric pontoon boats, kayaks, standup paddleboards, and fat-tire beach bike rentals. Perfect for making memories and going on adventures, Estero Adventures is conveniently located along the Embarcadero inside the Estero Inn. The dock is located right in front of the Inn, close to the sand spit with an easy launch area perfect for all skill levels.

4) Romantic Engagements abound in Morro Bay

We must mention that in Morro Bay, being home to two oyster farms that deliver local oysters to restaurants throughout town, romance and getting paramours in the mood for love is kind of our thing. Romance reaches new heights at the iconic Morro Rock, especially if you or your future someone is expecting a “big rock” for their engagement ring and want the perfect Insta location. The blufftop of Black Hill is a memorable location to pop the question, and with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Morro Rock Éc;Yes!Éd; will definitely be the answer. Or, take the engagement to the water on a tour of the bay while cruising the harbor with Chablis Cruises, a 50-foot, two-story riverboat serving up elegant brunches and beautiful views, perfect for dropping that ring in a glass of champagne. Want something more traditional? Windows on the Water or the Galley offer beautiful waterfront settings for any engagement, offering floor to ceiling views of the bay from their restaurants, patios and lounges. For those who’d like to say “I do” at any of Morro Bay’s amazing venues, Toes-In-the-Sand Weddings will help take care of everything.

5) FUN Outdoor Patios Great for Dining and Sunsets

Morro Bays restaurants serve up a bounty of produce and award-wining California wines grown in nearby farms and vineyards from Paso Robles to Edna Valley, not to mention the abundance of fresh local seafood caught by Morro Bay’s multi-generational fishing families. Find a plethora of great places to eat and drink featuring outdoor patios like Bayside Cafe, a hidden gem located next to the Marina in Morro Bay’s own California State Park, or Dorn’s Original Breakers Cafe, a Morro Bay favorite since 1942. Downtown, Pizza Port has an amazing yard for family games and outdoor dining and Shine Cafe, offers vegan and vegetarian street side patio dining under the city lit trees that line Morro Bay Boulevard. Blue Sky Bistro sits right on the water’s edge above the Morro Bay Marina and, offer al fresco dinning. And, let’s not forget Morro Bay’s local seafood markets that double as fantastic seafood restaurants: Tognazzini’s Dockside, Too and Giovanni’s Fish Market & Galley. They offer fantastic menus and patio seating with views of wildlife, kayakers, and fishing boats coming in from a long day at sea. Additional waterfront locations with patios that offer a wide variety of cuisine include Thai Bounty & MIlanes Cuban Cuisine, Lil Hut, Hofbrau and Beach Burger, so donߣt wait any longer if you are hungry for great patio dining, Morro Bay is the spot!

For more information about visiting the seaside town during the secret season, check out www.morrobay.org !