Author: kevin

FIRST PODCAST SITE DEDICATED TO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE PREMIERES

FIRST PODCAST SITE DEDICATED TO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE PREMIERES

Radio Facts’ New Podcast Port Accepting Both Established and New Shows

LOS ANGELES, Dec 23, 2016 – The first all-urban podcast site, PODCAST PORT, featuring a range of topics pertinent to African Americans, continues to expand in 2017. The portal gives listeners a choice of broadcasts available from a single platform, and gives producers and hosts an opportunity to expand both their listenership and their production expertise. The unique portal is produced by the long-running radio trade organization Radio Facts.

“Our Radio Facts Radio Show Podcast on Podbean received close to 1.5 million downloads,” says Kevin Ross, CEO of Podcast Port. “I realized we had the potential for a much greater audience on a site dedicated to African American concerns and topics. While there are a lot of amazing podcast shows out there, it’s a lot of work to find the shows that are of specific interest to African Americans.”

Podcast Port is actively looking for new and established shows targeted to African Americans, which will be premiered and promoted directly to the broadcast industry as well as radio listeners. “We are not married to commercial radio concepts,” says Ross, who hosts the podcasts “Pennies from Kevin” and “Radio Facts Radio Show,” which have garnered more than 1 million downloads on an independent site. “We want shows from all walks of the black experience,” he says, adding that podcasts focusing on problems should discuss solutions, while listeners will sign online consent to access adult content.

Podcast Port will consider podcasts based on the following topics: Tech * Commercial Radio * Syndication * Education * Media * business * Politics * Health * Food * Real Estate * Money * Psychology * LGBT Subjects * Mental Illness * Social Media * Life after 40 * Hip Hop * Jazz * World Issues * Show business * Women * Advertising * Law * Crime * Love and Relationships * Music * and more. Interested parties can submit podcasts right now at this link:
http://podcastport.com/podcast-port-submission/ .

The Podcast Port website will also post blogs, news, and tips about the podcasting industry. Subscribers will also gain access to content with advice on production and hosting techniques to create compelling podcasts. Follow Podcast Port on TWITTER at @podcastport; FACEBOOK at facebook.com/podcastport; and Instagram at @podcastport.

ABOUT KEVIN ROSS AND RADIO FACTS:
Kevin “KevRoss” Ross is a music industry pro with stints in radio programming, on-air hosting, marketing and promotion, record promotion, magazine editing, and black entrepreneurship. Ross started Radio Facts as an industry trade magazine in 1995. Targeted to radio programmers, DJs, members of the music industry and consumers, RadioFacts.com offers up-to-the minute news and information about the radio and music industries. Additionally, Radio Facts news is delivered daily to subscribers via email; and a print edition appears quarterly. Radio Facts is also an aggressive online marketing and promotions company that caters to Urban, Urban AC, CHR and Rhythmic stations as well as consumers, niche markets, clubs, DJs and specific industries.

For more information, contact:
kevin ross at [email protected]

Podcast Port Site www.podcastport.com * Radio Facts www.biztipper.com * Rhythmic Radio Site www.rhythmic.fm

December 23, 2016
Bounce TV Acquires The Trumpet Awards Star-Studded Annual Event

Bounce TV Acquires The Trumpet Awards Star-Studded Annual Event Set to Celebrate 25th Anniversary, World Premiere Sun. Jan. 29 at 9:00 p.m. (ET) on Bounce TV

Bounce TV has acquired all assets of The Trumpet Awards, the prestigious annual event celebrating African-American achievements and contributions, in an agreement with The Trumpet Awards Foundation announced today.

Bounce TV, the fastest-growing African-American network on television, will now own, produce and world premiere the star-studded event annually. Bounce TV will also syndicate The Trumpet Awards to television stations around the country as well as internationally for broadcast after the Bounce premiere.

Set to celebrate its 25^th Anniversary in 2017, The Trumpet Awards will world premiere on Bounce TV on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 9:00 p.m. (ET). The black-tie ceremony will be held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, Jan. 21. Hosts and talent will be announced shortly.

Xernona Clayton, Founder and Executive Producer of the Trumpet Awards, will become Chairman Emeritus of the awards and continue to play an active role in the event. Ms. Clayton will remain President and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc.

Ms. Clayton commented, “After 25 years, I felt it was a good time to find a strategic partner to take The Trumpet Awards into the future. Bounce TV is the ideal custodian to continue to enhance the level of excellence that is our standard. I am thrilled to have my beloved Trumpet Awards become part of Bounce TV.”

Ambassador Andrew Young, co-founder of Bounce TV and a board member of The Trumpet Foundation, commented, “Bounce will continue the legacy of the Trumpet Awards and everything Xernona has lovingly created, while driving growth and scale across the next 25 years and beyond.”

The Bounce acquisition is the next chapter for the venerable and meaningful Trumpet Awards. Originally presented by Turner Broadcasting in 1993, The Trumpet Awards were created to herald the accomplishments of Americans who have succeeded against immense odds.

Bounce TV (@BounceTV) airs on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage and features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more. Visit BounceTV.com for more info.

December 23, 2016
The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group To Acquire SpinMedia\’s Iconic Music Brands

The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group To Acquire SpinMedia’s Iconic Music Brands, Including Spin, Vibe, And Stereogum Combined entity of music and entertainment properties will reach 45 million unique visitors and one in every three U.S. millennials

The Hollywood Reporter–Billboard Media Group today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire SpinMedia’s storied music assets Spin, Vibe, and Stereogum, establishing the world’s largest music brand by digital traffic, social reach, and audience share.

“In recent years, we set out to own the topic of music online, and the acquisition of these incredible music assets helps us do just that,” said Media Group co-president John Amato. “By making these brands part of our family, The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group will be able to fully capture the value of millennials and music, and continue to strengthen its leadership position in this critical arena.”

“Bringing in these historic brands under Billboard allows passionate music audiences to enjoy rock to urban to pop in one massive portfolio,” said Media Group co-president Janice Min. “The power and scale of these combined, complementary digital assets will deliver more ways to reach our audience through TV, video, live events, social and online through these brands.”

SpinMedia CEO Stephen well will be named Chief Strategy Officer of the newly acquired company and will oversee revenue, digital growth, and product, reporting to Amato.

The deal expands The Hollywood Reporter–Billboard Media Group’s online audience to 45 million readers a month, strengthening its reach among social-media savvy millennials who value listening to music digitally and live experiences in equal measure. The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard both launched aggressive moves into video earlier this year, with the brands currently delivering over 100 million video views monthly. The Media Group has also partnered with Facebook to create custom content for the recently launched Facebook Live. In all, the acquisition will boost the Media Group’s revenues to more than $100 million a year, two-thirds of which will come from digital and video.

SPIN magazine became fully digital in late 2012 after BuzzMedia acquired the 27-year-old publication and rebranded it as SpinMedia. It bought the hip-hop and R&B magazine VIBE and its digital properties the following year, growing its footprint in music and entertainment.

December 23, 2016
RICK ROSS DEFEATS TRADEMARK SUIT OVER ALBUM ANNOUNCES NEW business VENTURES

RICK ROSS DEFEATS TRADEMARK SUIT OVER MASTERMIND ALBUM

Targets Further Expansion Into Food Industry Through Checkers Acquisition

Announces New business Partnership With Luxury Hair Care Line Rich Hair Care

It has been a year of successful turnovers for Grammy nominated recording artist and expanding black entrepreneur, Rick Ross. The Maybach Music Group CEO and Universal Music Group won a Motion for Summary Judgment in the United States District Court for the Central District of California in a trademark suit brought against them by a hip-hop artist that owned the trademark “Mastermind.” The Plaintiff sought millions of dollars in damages claiming Ross and Universal had infringed on his trademark by using the Mastermind name in Ross’ sixth studio album released in 2014 entitled “Mastermind,” the ensuing “Mastermind” tour as well as Ross’ taking on the persona of “Mastermind.”

When asked for a statement, Rick Ross’ attorney Leron E. Rogers states – “when claims are made against our clients, we litigate them very aggressively. We are happy that the court not only ruled in Ross and Universal’s favor, but also took the extra step to cancel Plaintiff’s trademark.

Broadening his ever-expanding portfolio of business ventures, Rick Ross has also just announced two very special new partnerships. The boss is partnering with his sister Tawanda to join the Checkers & Rally’s restaurant “Flavorhood,” by purchasing his favorite hometown hangout in Miami Gardens, FL. Most recently,

Rick Ross has announced what is perhaps his most unforeseen business venture – a close partnership with luxury hair care line RICH Hair Care. Known to have coined the “Rich” term as the title of one of his most successful mixtapes Rich Forever, Rick Ross will now use the word association to help further develop the RICH Hair Care brand.

December 20, 2016
Radio One Approved for Entertainment Complex

Radio One, Inc. Finalized $40 Million MGM National Harbor Investment

Radio One, Inc. announces the completion of its $40 million investment in MGM National Harbor, LLC. On November 17, 2016, Radio One Entertainment Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Radio One, Inc., received approval from the Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to become a Principal Entity of MGM National Harbor, LLC.

Following this approval, on November 30^th, Radio One Entertainment Holdings, LLC contributed $35 million to MGM National Harbor, LLC, bringing its total investment to $40 million, as planned. The $1.4 billion MGM National Harbor property successfully opened to the public on December 8th.

Radio One, Inc. CEO Alfred Liggins said, “I congratulate Jim Murren, Bill Hornbuckle, Lorenzo Creighton and the whole MGM team on an outstanding job. MGM National Harbor is a world class facility that brings the very best in luxury, glamour and entertainment to our nation’s capital. We could not be happier about, or more proud of, how the project has turned out.” The investment by Radio One, Inc. in the non-voting economic interests in MGM National Harbor, entitles it to an annual cash distribution based on net gaming revenue and further diversifies the business away from dependence on advertising revenues.

December 15, 2016
DJ Khaled Collabs with Skin Care Favorite, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula

Major Key Alert: DJ Khaled Collabs with Skin Care Favorite, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula! Snapchat Star to Launch Capsule Collection with Trusted Cocoa Butter Brand

Major Key Alert: DJ Khaled Collabs with Skin Care Favorite, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula!

This holiday season, music mogul and “King of Snapchat,” DJ Khaled is dropping “another one” of his major keys for his fans. Teaming up with classic skin care brand, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula, DJ Khaled is launching his own standout capsule collection for fans to “live life smooth.” From the masterful mind of DJ Khaled, the DJ Khaled x Palmer’s capsule collection will offer three different collectible varieties of Khaled catchphrases, including “We The Best Glow,” “Live Life Smooth” and “They Block” and will also feature DJ Khaled’s trademark gold key and signature on the packaging.

For more than 15 years, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula lotion has helped DJ Khaled to #BlessUp his skin during his extensive career. In 2015, Khaled called out his love for the brand in a tutorial on his wildly popular Snapchat channel, pegging the brand’s trademark lotion as a “major key” to his glowing skin. The video quickly went viral leading to frequent fan requests for Khaled to sign their Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula products. Palmer’s took notice of the social media frenzy and an organic partnership followed.

I only work with brands that represent my lifestyle and Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula is a product I’ve been using for 15 years,” said DJ Khaled. “The DJ Khaled x Palmer’s capsule collection is a passion project of mine because my fans can now have a piece of my ‘glow’ thanks to Palmer’s and our collaboration.”

A favorite of celebrities and consumers alike, Palmer’s is the No. 1 Cocoa Butter brand in the world, available in 80 countries. Formulated with Natural Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E, the Cocoa Butter Formula Lotion provides skin with 24-hour moisture to heal rough, dry skin. The classic daily moisturizer is a winter skin care must-have that softens, smooths marks, and tones skin.

“We’re so excited that DJ Khaled is joining our Palmer’s family as a partner in the new DJ Khaled x Palmer’s collection” said Paul Carpino, E.T. Browne Director of Marketing. “With this limited edition line, we’re thrilled to give millions of DJ Khaled fans his signature Cocoa Butter ‘key’ for smooth skin.”

The DJ Khaled x Palmer’s capsule collection will be available to consumers in both the 8.5 oz. bottle and 13.5 pump bottle beginning on December 13, 2016 on both www.palmers.com and DJ Khaled’s online marketplace, www.WeTheBest.com for a price of $6.50 (8.5 oz.) and $7.95 (13.5 oz.).

To learn more about Palmer’s, visit www.palmers.com or Facebook, Twitter or Instagram – #DJKhaledxPalmers! For a special sneak peek at the collection, don’t miss DJ Khaled’s teaser videos for They Block, Live Life Smoothand We The Best Glow at his Instagram handle, @DJKhaled!

December 14, 2016
RICK ROSS ANNOUNCES NEW business PARTNERSHIP WITH LUXURY HAIR CARE LINE RICH HAIR CARE

RICK ROSS ANNOUNCES NEW business PARTNERSHIP WITH LUXURY HAIR CARE LINE RICH HAIR CARE

L to R: Indrek Lohmus (CEO, RICH Hair Care), Will Kurik (CCO, RICH Hair Care), Rick Ross, Erkki Lohmus (CFO, RICH Hair Care), Toivo Promm (Logistics Director, RICH Hair Care)

(December 13, 2016 – Atlanta, GA) – Music mogul and expanding black entrepreneur Rick Ross has announced another new and exciting business partnership. His most recent business venture and perhaps the most unforeseen one is a close partnership with luxury hair care line RICH Hair Care. Rick Ross, also known as The Boss, has coined the “Rich” term as the title of one of his most successful mixtapes Rich Forever, his Instagram handle (@richforever) and will now use the word association to help further develop the RICH Hair Care brand. The news comes shortly after Ross announced his debut studio album under Epic Records, titled “Rather You Than Me” and his investment in the burger industry with Checkers/Rally’s restaurants. For more information, visit www.us.RichHairCare.com Last night, Ross held an intimate event titled “Beauty & Belaire” in Atlanta, Georgia to officially make the special announcement.

The event was presented by Maybach Music Group and took place at Ross’ massive 235-acre home. The night was hosted by Tahira Joy, co-founder of The Cut Life with cocktails courtesy of none other than Ross’ signature champagne, Belaire Rosé. The room was filled with Atlanta’s top beauty influencers, press, and bloggers. “We are extremely excited to partner up with such an icon as Rick Ross. He’s a master of blurring the lines between commercial and entertainment worlds, not to mention his ability to generate a brand halo,” said, Indrek Lohmus, CEO of RICH Hair Care. “This is an amazing new venture for me, and one that I am most excited about. Beauty and Hair care are both huge markets” says Rick Ross. “I appreciate and understand quality products, especially when those products are used to enhance your overall personal health and appearance.

Being a supporter of men’s grooming and healthy facial hair in specific, I was more than pleasantly surprised with RICH Hair Care products and had personally used them before this partnership. I’ve always been asked about my beard, hair care and what I use to take care of myself. It was something that I always overlooked until I sat down and really thought about the benefits and the message that could be created by partnering with the great guys at RICH Hair Care. I am excited to build a global network around this new RICH Hair Care venture, continue the black entrepreneurial conversations and offer additional exposure to an incredible brand.” Ross has previously invested in Belaire champagne, Wingstop, Checkers/Rally’s, and now RICH Hair Care. Please see more photos of last night’s intimate cocktail event “Beauty & Belaire” below:

December 13, 2016
Legendary Artist’s Lack of Radio Airplay, Catalyst to Entrepreneur and Direct to Consumer Concepts

Over the past year, 2016, we have seen many older R&B artists take advantage of tech and direct to consumer incentives to keep their brands going and to garner revenue in what would otherwise be a dead career. Diddy’s reunion tour, as well as groups like New Edition and BBD are nothing less than genius in an industry that has largely eliminated airplay and current influence over their fanbase. On the other end of that spectrum, legendary groups like A Tribe Called Quest to continue to prove fans, both past and present, still have an appreciation for established artists on commercial radio in lieu of what research companies have been telling radio for years which is often the opposite. These artists are not only making new music and doing deals with (mostly) independent labels for distribution, they have also gained astute business acumen that gives them a much higher return on their self-investment. Now it’s being announced that Mariah Carey and Lionel Richie are about to combine forces and hit the road, neither of which gets substantial airplay in today’s commercial radio climate.

It’s a ~~Whole~~ Old/New Industry

Social media has played an integral role in today’s new never-say-die (unless you want to) industry. From a business standpoint, It’s also easy to understand where radio is coming from. By having a very tight playlist, the station creates a huge demand for a very small supply. That, in essence, is the nature of any great businesses bottom line but it also opens the door for opportunity for those artists who are ignored. You’re not going to survive if you have a huge supply as the demand will almost be nonexistent. While content is paramount, without question, supply and demand is the first lesson in creating “value.” So remember that the next time you complain about hearing the same songs over and over. It’s just business.

We can’t leave out that many stations that have adopted the “BOOM” format which is bringing new life into the careers of older hip hop artists. The format is not working in all markets yet doing exceptionally well in others. The question that the industry is constantly asking is, is there enough product (music) to keep this format going? Considering Hip Hop is 40 years old, the answer is yes and stations would be foolish not to take advantage of some of the smash R&B hits heavily influenced by the hip hop era. It would behoove older hip hop artists to take advantage of renewed interest in their brands, surround themselves with the right team (those who truly KNOW their legacy, culture, influence and understand business) hit the road and collect. Tech has given them a second chance at an extended career.

To understand today’s music industry, one also must understand business, the middleman, marketing and promotion, branding and over-all black entrepreneurialism. While that may seem like a lot, what it really boils down to is how much an artist has learned during his tenure in the industry, and how much he depended on others to handle his business. Obviously, the ones that learned the business and understand their leverage will benefit the most.

Watch the Youngins

A wise older artist has his or her eyes open to what today’s artist is doing, especially with social media. They’re seeing huge endorsement deals and the artist communicating directly with fans, something that was completely not available during their tenure. The difference between today’s artist and yesterday’s artist is legacy and relationship which is actually a greater benefit to the older artist. The post 40 consumer, is quite often ignored by the middlemen (as in marketing, promotion and ad agencies), but the question becomes do people over 40 really stop buying product or are they rarely measured or marketed to? I would venture to say it’s the latter, As older consumers are rarely viewed as”Sexy,” the look of money remains consistent.

While it is true that there are industry people over 40 that shun current technology models such as social networking, there are still many consumers over 40 who are elated at the second chance to learn, grow, run their own businesses and reach a worldwide audience with their brands that were previously unavailable to them unless they hired an outside company and paid enormous fees. Social media has changed ALL the rules and it’s hard to fathom people ESPECIALLY black creative people resisting it.

In today’s music industry, there is the direct-to-consumer approach, easily utilized, that obliterates the middleman. In business, the middleman is the one who controls the connection between an artist and his fans who have often been motivated by monetary gain only, no passion, no emotional connection, no motivation and no inspiration all of which an artist is much more capable of delivering.

Previous poor and biased research, based on samples of the population (if at all) instead of the population itself are being shattered right before our eyes. Many marketing companies over the years that served urban radio, for example, didn’t/don’t have any black employees who manage or measure the black audience? They have ALWAYS second-guessed. Marketing companies must have a disdain for social media as it continues to allow us to get closer to the population itself and biased research is getting harder to manipulate, present, discriminate with and explain.

In 2016 we have seen some brilliant moves by older artists, who could have faded into the ~~history books~~ I mean history SITES, but for those older artists who have a tight grasp on their industry legacy and most important… THEIR VALUE, it’s not over until THEY say it’s over in today’s industry. The older artist has become the black entrepreneur and he is finally learning how to market himself as long as he still has the energy to work. Any black entrepreneur knows that running your own business model and creating and understanding your value is what allows you to generate and maintain well-deserved income. Social media and tech has changed the landscape making the end of a career the artist’s option instead of the industry’s.

December 12, 2016
biztipper.com Makes the Best 100 Small business Blogs on the Planet!!!
Small business Blogs Best 100 List

The Best Small business blogs from thousands of top Small business blogs in our index using search and social metrics. Data will be refreshed once a week.

These blogs are ranked based on following criteria
- Google reputation and Google search ranking
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Top 100 Small business Blogs Winners

CONGRATULATIONS to every blogger that has made this Top Small business blogs list! This is the most comprehensive list of best Small business blogs on the internet and I’m honored to have you as part of this! I personally give you a high-five and want to thank you for your contribution to this world.

If your blog is one of the Top 100 Small business blogs, you have the honor of displaying the following badge on your site. Use the below code to display this badge proudly on your blog. You deserve it!: See list here
December 10, 2016
Two-time NBA Star and Entrepreneur Baron Davis Launches New Start-up: The Santa Company

Two-time NBA Star and Entrepreneur Baron Davis Launches New Start-up: The Santa Company

A brand focused on promoting positive role models – all year round

December 2nd, 2016 [Los Angeles, CA] – Just in time for this holiday season, Baron Davis announces the launch of Santa, a new brand offering innovative products, branded apparel, and other consumer items, which will remain culturally relevant year-round. The two-time NBA All-Star and black entrepreneur created Santa to promote positive role models, which aim to inspire and entertain the world.

Originated with the mission to elevate the Christmas spirit beyond commercialism, Santa will offer contemporary and diverse holiday products and characters that inspire a new view of a traditional holiday. These holiday products and characters will be incorporated into non-Christmas holidays. Through the unique concept of presenting Santa year round, the brand hopes to kindle its followers by promoting good spirit and giving regardless of the time of the year. Santa is more than a brand; it is a movement that touches on personal cultural elements such as tradition, religion, and race – utilizing cultural relevance. It centers on diversity, inclusivity, giving back, and bringing people together on issues that they care about.

“We live in a world that needs a constant reminder of hope and positivity, particularly in neighborhoods like where I grew up. I want to give people the ability to dream and imagine something different. I want to make people feel good about themselves.”-Davis

Beyond the holiday season, people will be able to engage with the brand through social media and video content, highlighting positivity and good in their communities. Even more than a brand, The Santa Company is a movement making a statement that seeks to inspire the young and young-at-heart to celebrate diversity, giving, and doing good for others. It will offer relevant content, characters and product year-round, starting with the campaign #GivingHasNoSeason.

“With all that’s going on in this country, and particularly in the African-American community, I want to offer heroes and role models through storytelling. Santa is the first character. His mission is to celebrate diversity, the joy of giving and the magic of good. He’s here to bring people together and have fun.” – Baron Davis

The line, ranging from $5.00 – $79.99, features t-shirts, long tees, hoodies, baby onesies, beanies, wrapping paper, ornaments and more.

December 3, 2016