Posts tagged with "publisher"

Donna Kalajian Lagani × Hearst Foundation via 360 MAGAZINE

Donna Kalajian Lagani × Hearst Foundation

DONNA KALAJIAN LAGANI NAMED VICE PRESIDENT AND EASTERN DIRECTOR OF THE WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST FOUNDATION OF CALIFORNIA AND THE HEARST FOUNDATION, INC. OF NEW YORK

Hearst today announced that Donna Kalajian Lagani has been named vice president and Eastern director of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation of California and the Hearst Foundation, Inc. of New York, succeeding George B. Irish who passed away on September 13 after serving 14 years in that position. She begins her new role immediately.

The announcement was made by William Randolph Hearst III, chairman of the board of directors of Hearst, president of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and a director of the Hearst Foundation, Inc., and Virginia Hearst Randt, president of the Hearst Foundation, Inc.

Kalajian Lagani joined the Hearst Foundations in 2019 as senior program officer after nearly 25 years at Hearst Magazines.

Separate from the corporation, the Hearst Foundations are national philanthropic resources for organizations working in the fields of culture, education, health and social services. In addition, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation operates two programs, the United States Senate Youth Program and the Journalism Awards Program. Since its inception, the Foundations have made over 22,200 grants to 6,300 organizations, totaling more than $1.4 billion in funds awarded. Paul “Dino” Dinovitz is executive director of both foundations and leads the Western operations.

“For years, Donna was a high-energy executive at Hearst Magazines,” said Hearst. “She brings the same passion for making things happen to her role in philanthropy. I know Donna will make a positive impact on people’s lives — creating the kind of opportunities that my grandfather envisioned when he started the Foundations in 1946. The entire team looks forward to working with her. Donna will sustain our mission to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits and ensure that people of all backgrounds have the chance to build healthy, productive and satisfying lives.”

Said Randt: “Donna has already made a profound impact at the Foundations and has worked tirelessly to identify the organizations who can make the most impact with our grants.”

“The past four years with the Foundations have been among the most fulfilling of my career,” said Kalajian Lagani. “The Foundations are committed to helping organizations make lasting, positive changes in our world and I am honored to be able to be a part of it and to carry on that mission.”

Kalajian Lagani joined Hearst Magazines in 1995 as publisher of Cosmopolitan and was named publishing director in 1999. She added oversight of Seventeen in 2014 and of Women’s Health in 2018, following Hearst’s acquisition of Rodale. During her career at Cosmopolitan, Kalajian Lagani introduced groundbreaking initiatives, most recently through mobile and artificial intelligence technology. She developed and immortalized the “fun fearless female” mantra used by Cosmopolitan editions worldwide. During her tenure, she helped launch CosmoGIRL! and Cosmo for Latinas and was a strong force in bringing Cosmopolitan to new platforms, including Snapchat and Sirius XM Radio.

The Hearst Foundation, Inc. was founded by William Randolph Hearst in 1946. In 1949, Hearst established the California Charities Foundations, later renamed the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. Both foundations are guided by the same charitable mission, which reflects the philanthropic interests of their founder.

The two foundations are managed as one entity, sharing the same funding guidelines, leadership and staff. Staff based in New York City review all proposals from organizations located east of the Mississippi River, and staff in the San Francisco office review those from organizations west of it.

General Motors teams with Black Automotive Media Group for The Driving Force Internship Program at HBCU via 360 MAGAZINE

GM × BAMG – TDF

General Motors [GM] and Black Automotive Media Group [BAMG] Internship Returns for Year Two with Clark Atlanta University – Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Across Automotive Media

The Driving Force [TDF] internship program provides HBCU students with multimedia career development, enhancing the automobile industry’s diversity, equity and inclusion.

A unique internship was created in 2020 and is now returning for fall 2022 between the Department of Mass Media Arts at Clark Atlanta University, automobile manufacturer General Motors, and the Black Automotive Media Group.

Dubbed The Driving Force (TDF), the 10-week internship is designed for students interested in covering the automobile industry; and incorporates instruction in editorial content, video content production, and social media outreach, augmented by GM executive presentations.

TDF evolved following discussions between automakers and BAMG related to increased diversity, equity and inclusion for Black media in the automotive sphere. These efforts have created additional opportunities to help prepare the next generation of automotive media professionals.

TDF is led by respected automotive media experts Kimatni D. Rawlins, BAMG founder and publisher of Automotive Rhythms Communications; Greg Morrison of Bumper2Bumpertv; and other key journalists and publishers including Marcus Amick and Teia B. Collier.

“The goal of TDF is to extend educational opportunities to HBCU students who may not be aware of the myriad media paths in automotive communications … My automotive journalism career began with an internship with a major auto manufacturer, so I am thankful for the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience, and the experiences of fellow BAMG members with Clark Atlanta interns,” said Rawlins.

Supported by General Motors, the TDF internship, kicking off September 28th, is designed to highlight career opportunities as journalists, videographers, photographers, publicists, marketers, and digital and social media pundits covering the auto industry. Participants will showcase their work on various platforms at the end of the internship, and will also liaise with GM communications executives, designers, and product planners through a series of presentations and interviews.

“We are excited to enter into a second year of partnership with BAMG to support the amazing students of  Clark Atlanta University,” said Michelle Malcho, vice president Product and Brand Communications, General Motors. “We look forward to learning together and helping to prepare them for exciting careers in communications and journalism.”

TDF’s mission parallels that of the Department of Mass Media Arts at Clark Atlanta University, which provides students with rigorous academic and professional training, complemented by a strong liberal arts education.

“We continue to move with momentum to ensure our scholars at Clark Atlanta University have access to a world-class education and that mission includes offering initiatives that focus on technology and enhancing their analytical thinking skills,” said Clark Atlanta University president, George T. French, Jr., Ph.D. “We want our students to exercise their creativity, be competitive in the world of technology and be included in the technology career pipeline. Initiatives such as this bring them one step closer to that goal.”

Clark Atlanta student, Joshua Paul Williams was a participant in the inaugural TDF session. “The business experience I inherited from participating in The Driving Force Multimedia Internship was far more than I could have imagined,” said Williams. “The program focused on individually developing each student’s communications and networking skills which has given me lifelong connections, practical lessons, and an expanded perspective.”

ABOUT GENERAL MOTORS

Based in Detroit, General Motors is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which powers everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, CadillacBaojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found HERE.

ABOUT CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY

Established in 1988 by the historic consolidation of Atlanta University (1865) and Clark College (1869), Clark Atlanta University continues a 152-year legacy rooted in African-American tradition and focused on the future. Through global innovation, transformative educational experiences, and high-value engagement, CAU cultivates lifted lives that transform the world. To learn more about Clark Atlanta University, visit HERE.

ABOUT BLACK AUTOMOTIVE MEDIA GROUP

BAMG is a distinguished group of Black reporters, publishers, writers, and entrepreneurs representing over 100 years of combined experience in automotive journalism within radio, television, print, experiential marketing, and social media. BAMG members either work for or own various automotive media platforms targeting diverse audiences. BAMG’s primary objective is to bring equity and equality to Black professionals who work in and around the automotive industry. For additional details regarding The Driving Force HBCU internship program, please go HERE.

 

Devery Jacobs is on elle magazine Canada via 360 magazine

Devery Jacobs × Elle

KO Média is excited to unveil the October issue of ELLE Canada featuring Canadian actor and filmmaker Devery Jacobs. Currently giving literal main-character energy in the critically acclaimed TV series Reservation Dogs, Jacobs shares about her Kanien’kehá:ka heritage and the growing representation of Native communities onscreen today. “All of the rezzy-isms that I was shamed for are now being celebrated and universally respected as cool,” she says. As proof, Jacobs just garnered a prestigious role in the upcoming Marvel series, Echo. But her approach to success is unique: Jacobs wants to share it all and build a stronger Native community in the industry as a whole. “It’s my hope that we […] can look back at the things we were able to do together and feel like we have left it in a better place than when we first came into it.”

The October issue is packed with strong female leads, from acclaimed actor Charlize Theron (who dishes on her evolving approach to wellness) to TikTok- and Canadian Drag Race-famous makeup artist Mei Pang. We chat with hilarious Canadian actor Meaghan Rath from Children Ruin Everything, with Vampire Diaries’ Kat Graham about what’s next for her, and with Somali-Canadian musician Landan Hussein about the importance of mental health. Among the most notable heroines in this issue is our own contributor, Marie-Philippe Jean, who opens up in an intimate piece about what a cancer diagnosis can do to dreams of having a family. 

In fashion, our editors look at the rise of big shoulders and coat shapes that will make anyone excited for the cool weather. We enjoy the notes of Canadiana in the latest collection of London-based fashion designer Paolina Russo, and take a deep dive into the fall/winter collections of Bottega VenetaChanel haute couture and Iris van Herpen, who spoke to us about the importance of staying true to her 15-year-old brand. Plus we celebrate the prep look and the versatility of the new weekday dress code, and unveil the season’s ultimate colour (spoiler: it’s brown)

Finally, for readers on the hunt for inspiring destinations, we explore the mindful travel initiatives that are actively helping protect the flora and fauna of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.

The October issue of ELLE Canada will hit stands and Apple News+ on September 19, 2022.  

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Vaughn Lowery President of 360 MAGAZINE

VAUGHN LOWERY


Vaughn Lowery, the president of 360 MAGAZINE, has always strived for positive social change. He graduated from Cornell University‘s ILR School. From there, he became active in modeling, acting and publishing.

A decade or more, Vaughn Lowery became notable when he appeared in Kmart’s smash commercial – Joe Boxer. It helped the retailer roughly sell 20 million dollars per week. By becoming an exclusive spokesperson, he appeared with Leeza Gibbons on Extra, Katie Couric on Today Show, and Jay Leno on The Tonight Show.

At the culmination of college, he relocated to New York City; and thus, Vaughn began a career as an actor and model. It was there where celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine set him up with a fashion photographer, Fadil Berisha. Above Joe Boxer, he worked as a successful print model for many companies such as GAP, Old Navy, as well as a runway model for Tommy Hilfiger, Phat Farm, and Karl Kani. He has graced the pages of Elle, Cosmopolitan and Glamour. Additionally, he flipped the Houston Chronicle.

Years back, ABC News Primetime aired a segment chronicling his life, along with the tragic John Ritter story. Vaughn has also filmed a Super Bowl commercial, completed a high-profile Dasani Water billboard ad campaign, appeared on America’s Next Top Model, guest-starred on the comedy, Scrubs, and screened his controversial 35mm festival film, The Young & Evil, at Sundance 2009. Having been represented by major industry players such as NEXT, he was also named Seventeen Magazine’s 17 Hot Guys. His hindmost project The Company We Keep boasts director Roy Campanella II along with comedic co-star Leslie Jones. At present, Vaughn wrote a short, Chasen Life, which won a writing competition. He adapted audiobook Say Uncle into a feature-length film, pitched a reality series and is in the process of architecting an immersive design experience.

Due to his turbulent upbringing in Detroit, Vaughn has kept his personal promise to be a contributing citizen to those in need. He has lent his name and support to: Women At Risk, Human Rights Commission, March of Dimes, Heart of Los Angeles Youth, Awakening Young Minds and schools across the nation where he encourages adolescents to step into their power.

As of late, Lowery has produced 360 MAG, a podcast on Audible, Apple and Spotify as well as an NFT Animal Series on OpenSea.

Futher, 360 MAGAZINE was named Business of the Month by the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce [NGLCC]. The NGLCC is the business voice of the LGBT community, the largest advocacy organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people, and the exclusive certifying body for LGBT-owned businesses. It possesses deep affiliations with FORTUNE 100 Fastest Growing Companies.

Lastly, hard cover and auditory interpretations of Vaughn’s memoir, Move Like Water × Be Fluid, are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Walmart.


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Vaughn Lowery, President of 360 MAGAZINE, at Jessica Minh Anh fashion show in Manhattan.
Vaughn Lowery in classic fedora for 360 MAGAZINE
Vaughn Lowery tests and reviews NÜR San Francisco for 360 MAGAZINE, wearing eyewear by Valentino and shirt by Allsaints.
Vaughn speaks on the NFT-VIP ‘press panel’ on Sun., June 19 at 2:30pm EST Margaritaville Times Square Resort NYC.

In his spare time, he designs e-bike bras and reconfigures their silhouettes.



MIXED MEDIA ARTIST



PORTFOLIO



Bobby Digital and The Pit Of Snakes by Norzine Lama, Z2 Comics, and Infamous PR for use by 360 Magazine

RZA × Z2 Comics

RZA Announces Forthcoming Graphic Novel Bobby Digital and The Pit Of Snakes  via Z2 Comics

RZA has today proudly announced that he is bringing his exceptional storytelling skills to the comic book medium with the announcement of Bobby Digital and the Pit of Snakes, an original graphic novel to be released in 2022.

The founding member of the multimedia supergroup The Wu-Tang Clan first introduced the world to his alter-ego with the 1998 album Bobby Digital in Stereo, with lush digital orchestral sounds and inventive beats, putting the rapper’s love of comic books on full display through its concept and execution. Now, exactly 23 years since its original release, RZA announces a partnership with Z2 Comics to give the character a story in the medium which inspired his creation.

RZA says “Out of all my creative personas and alter egos Bobby Digital is probably the best fit, for comics and graphic novels. It’s a pleasure for me to collaborate with Z2 Comics and bring this lush world of creativity into the comic space. The readers are going to be hit with something they never seen coming. Bong – Bong.

Who are you, what is real? This is the question Bobby Digital is seeking to answer. Embracing his id, ego and superego he embarks on a quest to figure out the nature of his reality and himself. He will be ambushed by enemies unknown, he will be tried in ways most men can’t endure. Will he be victorious? Most of all, will he survive the Pit of Snakes?! From the mind of the legendary RZA, Bobby Digital and The Pit of Snakes will coincide with the relaunch of the iconic character and be synced to music that will melt your mind.

Z2 Publisher and CEO Josh Frankel says “RZA has always shown himself to be a Swiss Army Knife of creativity, elevating every medium he touches, and to be able to help bring an already existing comic/music hybrid such as Bobby Digital to the page is amazing. I think everyone will be equally amazed at the result.”

Bobby Digital and the Pit of Snakes pairs RZA with White Noise Studios member Ryan O’Sullivan, whose last collaboration with Poppy was widely celebrated by fans and critics alike, with Sound & Fury artist Vasilis Lolos rounding out the team to bring the world of Bobby Digital to life. The book will be released in both softcover and hardcover formats in finer bookstores, comic shops and record stores everywhere in May 2022, with special limited deluxe and super deluxe versions available to preorder now exclusively through the Z2 website.

About Z2 Comics:

Z2 Comics is the premier destination for official music-related graphic novels, created in partnership with top-tier artists, musicians, directors and pop-culture icons. Distributed globally via Simon & Schuster, Z2 has collaborated with such diverse artists as Blondie, Cheech & Chong, Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, Joan Jett, Motley Crue, Ivan Moody, Gorillaz, Machine Gun Kelly, Sublime, Yungblud, Cypress Hill, Babymetal, Major Lazer, Rico Nasty and Alter Bridge as well as debut comic works by Grammy-nominated artists Sturgill Simpson and Poppy, as well as essential album tie-ins by The Doors, Anthrax, Public Enemy, Ronnie James Dio, King Diamond, and All Time Low. Additionally, the company has tapped top talent for the official graphic biographies of such pop-culture legends as The Grateful Dead, Beethoven, John Lee Hooker and Charlie “Bird” Parker.

About RZA:

Wu-Tang Clan mastermind Robert Diggs, best known as the RZA among several other pseudonyms, is one of hip-hop’s most revered, influential producers. With the group’s classic 1993 debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), he established their widely imitated core sound, consisting of stark, booming beats and chilling samples (heavily drawing from vintage soul records as well as kung fu movies), setting the backdrop for the crew’s gritty, violent narratives.

Following the album’s trailblazing success, Diggs participated in the pioneering horrorcore group the Gravediggaz, and produced the first wave of solo releases by his fellow Wu-Tang members. Starting with 1997’s Wu-Tang Forever, he concentrated less on producing Wu-Tang releases and devoted more time to his solo career, with the gold-selling debut by his alter ego Bobby Digital arriving in 1998.

He also successfully ventured into film and television work, beginning with his highly acclaimed score for Jim Jarmusch’s Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) and continuing with a lengthy string of soundtracks (Kill Bill Volume 1 & 2) and acting roles (American Gangster, Californication, Brick Mansions, The Dead Don’t Die). He made his directorial debut with 2012’s The Man with the Iron Fists, and has also directed Love Beats Rhymes (2017) and Cut Throat City (2020). RZA executively produced the Hulu original series Wu-Tang: An American Saga. He’s also written two books: The Wu-Tang Manual (2005) and The Tao Of Wu (2009).

Book illustration by Heather Skovlund for 360 Magazine

Idris Elba × HarperCollins

Iconic and multi-award-winning actor, musician, filmmaker, and activist Idris Elba has signed a global multi-book deal with HarperCollins to publish a range of children’s books launching in 2022.

In a major UK/US co-publication deal, world rights were acquired by Ann-Janine Murtagh, Executive Publisher, HCCB UK, and Suzanne Murphy, President, and Publisher, HCCB US, from Crystal Mahey-Morgan at OWN IT! Entertainment Ltd.

Publishing will include picture books and fiction featuring a character and world imagined and developed by Idris and his writing partner Robyn Charteris, who has written numerous live-action drama, pre-school and animation programs for BBC, Channel 4, the Jim Henson Company, and Endemol as well as educational theatre for schools. Idris Elba said, “I feel privileged to have the opportunity to bring stories inspired by my daughter to life with my incredible partner Robyn Charteris, and the powerhouse team at HarperCollins.”

Executive Publisher HCCB UK, Ann-Janine Murtagh said, “Idris Elba is one of the most iconic and multi-talented creatives of his generation and I am delighted that he is joining the HarperCollins Children’s Books list. From the outset, Idris had a very clear vision of the characters and stories he has imagined and is passionate about creating books that will appeal to all children. Robyn Charteris has a fantastic track record in writing for children, working with some of the biggest producers of children’s entertainment, and I am hugely excited to also welcome her to the world of children’s books. I feel privileged that Idris has entrusted us to bring his stories to life and I cannot wait to share them with children across the globe.”

President and Publisher HCCB US, Suzanne Murphy said, “Idris Elba is a creative force, who has many wonderful stories to tell. We are honored to be working with him and with Robyn Charteris to bring Idris’s rich and imaginative storytelling to the world of children’s books, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the HarperCollins family.”

IDRIS ELBA

Golden Globe and SAG winning Idris Elba captivates audiences as an actor, producer, and director, and continually secures his position as the one to watch in Hollywood. He is the first actor to receive dual SAG awards in one evening.

Idris’s career skyrocketed on the small screen in some of the UK’s top-rated shows. Soon after, he landed the role of Stringer Bell in HBO’s critically acclaimed series The Wire (NAACP Image Award nomination). In 2010, Idris landed the title role on the BBC mini-series Luther, which earned him a Golden Globe, SAG Award, and four Emmy nominations. In 2005, he began his film career; his credits include American Gangster (Golden Globe nomination), Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom (Golden Globe nomination), Beasts of No Nation (SAG Award, Golden Globe nomination), and the Oscar-nominated film Molly’s Game.  He can be seen this April in the Netflix film Concrete Cowboy, which he also produced, and this summer will be starring in The Suicide Squad 2.  Other upcoming films include The Harder They Fall and Three Thousand Years of Longing.

Behind the camera, Idris made his feature-film directorial debut at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival with Yardie. In 2013, he founded his production company, Green Door Pictures, to champion diversity of thought. With Green Door, Idris released the documentary Mandela, My Dad and Me, produced the TV mini-series Guerrilla for Showtime, and created, produced, and appears in the Sky comedy series In the Long Run. He also created, produced, and starred in the Netflix comedy series Turn Up Charlie.

ROBYN CHARTERIS

Robyn began her career writing educational theatre for schools and charitable organizations internationally before graduating to television. For television she has written on numerous live-action drama, pre-school, and animation programs for the BBC, Channel 4, the Jim Henson Company, Channel 5, Initial Kids (Endemol), Carlton TV, Gullane, Hit Entertainment, Granada, SABC, Urban Brew, Disney, and M-Net.

Her credits include a BAFTA-winning children’s drama series for CBBC, creating and writing one of the first original 52-episode pre-school series for the launch of the digital channel CBeebies, creative consultancy for Mattel Toys and Lego, and a master’s degree in Playwriting.

ABOUT HARPERCOLLINS
HarperCollins UK is a division of HarperCollinsPublishers, the second-largest consumer book publisher in the world, with operations in 17 countries, and was named Publisher of the Year at the British Book Awards 2018. With over two hundred years of history and more than 120 unique imprints around the world, HarperCollins publishes approximately 10,000 new books every year, in 16 languages, and has a print and digital catalog of more than 200,000 titles. Writing across dozens of genres, HarperCollins authors include winners of the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the Newbery and Caldecott Medals, and the Man Booker Prize. HarperCollins UK has offices in London, Glasgow, Honley, and Manchester and can be found online.

HARPERCOLLINS CHILDREN’S BOOKS, UK 

HarperCollins Children’s Books, unprecedented three times winner of Children’s Publisher of the Year (2014, 2015, 2016), is one of the leading publishers of children’s books, recognized for nurturing new talent as well as boasting a reputable list of established bestselling authors. Respected worldwide for its tradition of publishing quality, award-winning books for young readers, HarperCollins is home to many children’s classics, including The Chronicles of Narnia, Mary Poppins, the Paddington stories, The Cat in the Hat, and The Tiger Who Came to Tea, and to some of the biggest names in children’s literature past and present, including Judith Kerr, David Walliams, Lauren Child, David Baddiel, Oliver Jeffers, and Michael Morpurgo.

HARPERCOLLINS CHILDREN’S BOOKS, US: 

HarperCollins Children’s Books is one of the leading publishers of children’s and teen books. Respected worldwide for its tradition of publishing quality, award-winning books for young readers, HarperCollins is home to many timeless treasures and bestsellers such as Charlotte’s Web, Goodnight Moon, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Where the Wild Things Are and The Hate U Give; series including the Chronicles of Narnia, Ramona, Warriors, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Pete the Cat, Fancy Nancy, Divergent and Red Queen; and graphic and illustrated novels such as Nimona, Invisible Emmie and New Kid. Consistently at the forefront of digital innovation, HarperCollins Children’s Books delights readers through engaging storytelling across a variety of formats and platforms, including the largest young adult (YA) book community, Epic Reads. HarperCollins Children’s Books is a division of HarperCollinsPublishers, which is the second-largest consumer book publisher in the world, has operations in 17 countries, and is a subsidiary of News Corp.

You can visit HarperCollins Children’s Books at HarperCollins Children, Epic Reads, and at HarperCollinsPublishers.

Rolls-Royce, Cullinan, Vaughn Lowery, 360 MAGAZINE, bespoke, luxury, auto, SUV, NYC, travel

2020 ROLLS-ROYCE CULLINAN

By Vaughn Lowery

As of late, 360 MAGAZINE had an opportunity to glide through the five Burroughs of NYC in an all-terrain super-luxury SUV during the Holiday Season.

Unassuming and illustrious are the best words to describe the 2020 Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV. Worth its weight in gold! Approximately priced around $394,275, it’s the most expensive off-roader in it’s class and by far the most luxurious in the world.

Design

Handcrafted from the soil up, every nook and cranny has the Rolls-Royce stamp of approval. The overall shell of the vehicle is sleek and seamless. Every pillar and appointment makes perfect sense. Outside, the frontfasia is bodacious with integrated laser headlights and a pronounced grill. The Spirit of Ecstasy (SoE) sits on the hood and is retracts at a moment’s notice. 22″ inch part polished wheels and tires have a weighted emblem in the middle so as the car rolls (no wordplay intended) it stays center so there’s no mistaking who fabricated this monster. Swooping lines lead towards the back wisease. At first glance, it’s profile is somewhat reminiscent of an Range Rover Autobiography. On the sides, are LED parking lights. Boxy, beautiful yet masculine. At the rear, are gem-like light fixtures with turning signals. The boot has a clamshell tailgate which opens up and out with dual doors.

Push the button on the door knob to enter. Right before you enter the cabin, you are greeted by illunlminated ‘Cullinan’ treadplates alongside of lambswool floor mats. Even if the interior lights aren’t on, the Charles Blue interior leather seats are just as magnetic as Angelina Jolie’s electric eyes. One will feel like they’re swimming in Bali at Geger Beach wrapped by a navy blue beach towel in leather. Equally drowned by a sea of blue, the moonroof unveils the sky like a drophead, making the cabin feel more open and airy. Literally two to three people can promote their entire bodies out of the dual panel sunroof. It’s definitely one of the largest in its segment hands-down. Per usual, all of the appointments are wrapped in leather and stainless steel as easily as every headrest is embossed by SoE. Classic dials throughout and an analog clock sits on the dashboard with the same kind of realness as Big Ben in London.

Continue along to the back seats, the same luxurious integrity is apparent with large screens with trays which go flush. Instead of a back panel window in the trunk space, it’s laid right on side of back passengers. All of the rear windows possess dark tempered glass fit for the likes of the Queen herself, Beyoncé. As we dropped a passenger off at the Hard Rock Hotel in Time Square, tons of bystanders huddled around to take pictures.

Technology

Once again, the BMW’s iDrive system is dominant in the infotainment unit. The knob toggles through various screens, but this season they have a concierge which makes it a tad easier to locate and designate a destination – similar in type to Lexus Enform. Eight different settings for driver/passenger massages – excellent way for a driver to refresh during a long road trip.

During these colder months, the steering, arm rests and seats are heated. And, if you haven’t received a formal crash course on your Cullinan, you can refer to the animated digital owner’s manual which can easily search many of its amenities. The custom Rolls-Royce signature audio system has tweeters, floor subwoofers and enough watts to make you thump like you’re at a rock concert.

Safety

With more bells than whistles, you won’t leave a lane or come close to a dinging anything on this vehicle. The over the head 360 panoramic backup cam gives you a spaceage Jetson POV of what’s around the vehicle at all times. Night vision with heat detectors can help you navigate through woodsy areas without hitting a deer. In the urban center, we were alerted while behind a school bus – cameras came about when pedestrians accosted the vehicle’s walk around radius. Moreover, with a reinforced steel skeleton and airbags virtually for every piece of your body, you’re pretty safe in this vehicle.

Performance

Weighing in at around 5,863 lbs, this V12 turbo is more than powerful. With 570 HP and 627 pound-ft of torque, this SUV plows. Of course, the AWD allows you to claw corners and steering provides you with turning capabilities as if you’re in a sportscar. We pounded the asphalt and it felt like we could conquer 0-60 mph in less than 4.9 minutes while we entered the Garden State Parkway. There’s a reason why RR makes airplane engines because we felt like we were flying! Mentioning mpg makes no sense if you’re purchasing an automotive beast like this one – but here you go – 12 city / 20 highway.

Conclusion

If you’re in the market to floss and experience what many will never – this car should make it onto your bucket list. Out of all the Rolls-Royce tribe, this is the most practical as you can apply it for everyday use as well as a red carpet experience.

Pre-order.

CÉLINE FEATURED ON KO MEDIA’S FIRST ISSUES

CÉLINE FEATURED ON KO MEDIA’S FIRST ISSUES OF ELLE MAGAZINES

KO Média is proud to present its very first issues as the new publisher of renowned brands ELLE Canada and ELLE Québec. The new team hits the ground running with a cover, on both markets at the same time (a first), featuring the exceptional, brave, unforgettable, legendary and incomparable Canadian icon, Céline Dion!

In the cover story section, punctuated with breathtaking looks, you can read the captivating story about ELLE Canada editor-in-chief Vanessa Craft’s interview with the homegrown megastar!

Also in this issue, discover the season’s top fashion trends. This summer, we’re tripping for boho surfer style. The perfect aesthetic to transition from the beach to the boardwalk. And, we let the structured and soft trailoring of the pre-fall collections inspire our work wardrobe.

The summer issues of ELLE Canada and ELLE Québec will hit stands next week.

ELLE Canada : June 17th

ELLE Québec : June 20th

KO Média also publishes di Stasio, Édition Papier et K pour Katrine magazines.

About ELLE

The ELLE network today, including France and the international editions, reaches more than 33 million readers worldwide: 45 editions of ELLE in 43 countries, 25 editions of ELLE Decoration, 5 editions of ELLE à Table, 2 editions of ELLE Men and 1 edition of ELLE Girl.

It also represents 45 ELLE local websites, gathering nearly 100 million unique visitors per month.

Lagardère Group, owner of ELLE & ELLE Decoration brands, partners with prestigious publishing houses worldwide, through licence contracts:

  • With Hearst Magazines, publishing 15 editions of ELLE and 12 editions of ELLE Decoration, in 14 countries.
  • With Burda, Aller, Ringier and 21 other partners in 29 countries, publishing 30 editions of ELLE and 13 editions of ELLE Decoration.

The Lagardère Group is a global leader in content publishing, production, broadcasting and distribution,

About the Group KO

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Cultivating Company Culture

TRAVEL JOURNALIST THOMAS WILMER INTERVIEWS 360 MAGAZINE PUBLISHER VAUGHN LOWERY

Small to medium sized business often fall short due to high turnover. Vaughn Lowery, Publisher of 360 Magazine, provides listeners with first-hand knowledge on the ever-shifting world of digital publishing and content creation through a youthful lens. Likewise with his innate ability to be accessible, he speaks to working in tandem with emerging generations and how their input could be detrimental to the survival of a brand.

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An Additional Conversation with 360 Magazine’s Publisher Vaughn Lowery

By Tara McDonough

If Vaughn Lowery was asked what his idea of success was 10 years ago, his answer would be very different from what it is today. He may have said that success means doing what he loves to do, being accomplished, or having a certain amount of material things.

“Success to me now is having a purpose in life and feeling passionate and fulfilled by it,” says Lowery.

Lowery got his first taste of the industry while interning for Vibe Magazine while on Summer vacation from Cornell University. His sister drove him into New York City every morning to drop him off and always advised him to be the first one at the office. One morning Lowery found himself alone with the publisher of the magazine at the time, Keith Clinkscales, which gave him the opportunity to speak with him one-on-one. It was due to his sister’s advice that he got the chance to do what no other intern would normally get to do.

After finishing up at Cornell in just three years, Lowery became an executive trainee with Saks Fifth Avenue. He was able to get along with everyone in the office and was doing great when he was called into his boss’s office one afternoon.

“She told me I was in the wrong business; that I was very charismatic and should try acting,” Lowery says, “but, I liked the path I was on at that time.”

It wasn’t until Lowery was asked by someone connected to the talent industry if he was a model that he truly considered breaking into the talent industry. Shortly after taking professional photos and getting them out to agencies, Lowery ended up with Ford Models. From there he did photoshoots, tv commercials, and ad campaigns, all while still working in outside sales at Aetna US Healthcare. Once he began modelling full time his face was in the pages of GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and Gap. By being around people of all different positions, primarily in the magazine publishing industry, Lowery came to understand how content was produced. It was right before the recession hit while he was living in LA that Lowery made the transition from modelling to the publishing industry.

It was his experience in modelling that inspired Lowery’s creation of the 360 Magazine. While working on any given shoot, Lowery was often one of just three or less black men. Often times he was the only black man on a set which drew his attention to the lack of representation in the media industry. Lowery’s goal for the 360 Magazine was that it would fill this niche and promote diversity across the publishing world, specifically the covers of its magazines.

For those wanting to work in the media industry, specifically in the publishing world, Lowery suggests starting from the ground up.

“Being self taught and learning as you go is something you need to be open to,” says Lowery, “Ask tons of questions, and learn everything you can from every position.”

Lowery warns that it’s important to be open and cordial to everyone, because you don’t know when your paths will cross again. Making connections and using them is how most people gain opportunities. He also adds that just by hanging out with people you’ll always learn something that you can apply to aspects of your work.  

Things in the industry have been changing and becoming more digitally focused since the beginning of 360 Magazine’s launch. The magazine was started during a time of e-zines, so it’s not a surprise that the website came first. Lowery had experience with creating websites from a young age so the move from print to digital was natural for him. It was clear to him where the industry was going.

“Print was getting costly, bookstores were looking dilapidated and even Barnes and Noble was focusing on their version of the tablet, the Nook,” says Lowery, “All the magazines were looking alike anyway.”

Print was still important though. Besides the fact that advertising agencies want to see a physical copy of a magazine before working with them, print is taken more seriously due to its cost. Other companies will be aware that a certain magazine has the funds to support itself if they have a print copy to show for it.

360 Magazine printed their first issue in 2009, but it was costly. Lowery began thinking that there had to be some other way to work with print. It was then that he decided to do print on demand publications. 360 Magazine linked with Blurb, which allowed anyone to order a print copy of the magazine right from our website. They’ve been distributing to them for 9 years now.

The magazine’s estimated circulation, which is based on print, is 110,000 from print on demand. This number doesn’t tend to move much, but most people end up reading 360 Magazine’s online articles through WordPress.

When asked what makes a media contributor most marketable, Lowery says that in this industry you need a social following and the ability to network. Being accessible and having a portfolio of published work is a great place to start as well.

Do it all,” Lowery says, “monetize, write, take photos, be on time, and take initiatives.”

The hardest thing about the industry in Lowery’s opinion is breaking into it and surviving on freelance jobs along the way. Writers should be prepared to sacrifice mentally, physically and financially. While working for a publication, Lowery says that writers need to do what they can to become a valuable asset to them. That way, a publication will be more likely to keep you on board and help you in the future.

As for internship positions at 360 Magazine, Lowery aims to teach interns everything that he didn’t learn. He’s assigns articles for interns to write, pushes them to network, has them do coverage and teaches them how to get published or to self-publish.

“We teach interns how to be resourceful and find themselves in the organization,” says Lowery.

When interns can bring business to the magazine, the magazine will bring business to them. Special assignment opportunities are available for interns who finish their program and are still looking to remain involved. Lowery says that while the magazine is specifically looking to groom editors, that if a publication wants to really pop, then they have to have a revolving door.

When asked what goals he has for the future of 360 Magazine, Lowery responded that he aims to keep it three dimensional with podcasts and web series.

“I want to be able to put the brand out to different countries and places in America,” says Lowery, Local presences would strengthen us.”

He also says that he’s interested in the possibility of a reality spin off or docu-series, as well as introducing more formal programs for educational purposes.

VAUGHN LOWERY:
360 Magazine
LinkedIn
Joe boxer TV Appearance
America’s Next Top Model Appearance
Sundance Film Trailer Appearance

Vaughn Lowery, art, 360 magazine, design, entertainer, Male model

MICHAEL LETTERLOUGH JR.

Michael Letterlough Jr. is an Award-winning fashion, commercial and portrait photographer whose work has been seen and published in national and international magazines such as Forbes, Vogue Italia, GQ, Vibe, EuroMoney, Ebony/Jet and Essence to name a few; as well as international selling CD and book covers, national ad campaigns, top modeling agencies, and countless celebrities – including Janet Jackson, Kevin Hart, supermodels Beverly Johnson and Janice Dickinson, and Hip-Hop mogul, Russell Simmons.

However, it’s the work Michael has created with such companies as American Express, Nike, and the Bravo TV Network, as well as smaller businesses and individual personalities that positions his style of imagery as strong, commercial branding tools. When aligned with businesses – big and small – Michael has the ability to creatively and ingeniously produce photographs that not only perfectly represent their brand, but also command an audience’s attention.

Michael was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and graduated with a degree in Communications/Magazine Journalism from Temple University. After beginning his professional career as an entertainment journalist, he eventually discovered his passion for photography and developed much of his photography career living in New York City. Michael currently lives in Los Angeles, California.

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