Introducing.."DC's Dish"...You asked for it, you got it.
WASHINGTON, DC (BlackPressMagazine.com) -- For the past decade or so, I've been blessed to have incredible access to some of the nation's most important people. From hip hop stars to political heavyweights to regular people doing extraordinary things, I've seen it all. From the watching Beyonce's new Deja Vu video on our Web site to sneak preview of SpiderMan 3, I've enjoyed a lot of cool experiences.
Over the years people have asked me to share my stories about my career in journalism and working with celebrities by writing a book or a syndicated column, but I always refused. I come from the school of "Report the news, don't become the news" so, except for a few close friends, I usually file the information away in my head and keep moving.
But recently I began to realize the importance of sharing the "back story" of my career with my readers so I am releasing my exclusive column here at Black Press Magazine.com, the nation's most important Web site for Black media professionals.
My syndicated column is called DC's Dish. The full version of the reports will always run here but from time-to-time, I'll let my favorite publications run the reports first. (Hey, a girl's gotta eat) but there will always be some new twist here on the site. From exclusive photos to a special tidbit, my online readers will always be the most connected so stay tuned. You'll also be able to get some good information on my MySpace.com site, which is currently under development. But when it's ready, visit MySpace.com/dcdish and add me as your friend.
I have to warn you. This won't be your average column as I'm no average person. I'm not in PR and I don't feel it's my job to shield celebrities. My readers come first so I've been known to be frank. You'll get an honest, candid, "hodgepodge" of reports and memories much like my career has been. In most cases, you'll read about the business side of media or entertainment. After all, I'm a journalist. My column is intended to make you feel like you're right there with me experiencing the behind-the-scenes chaos that is American journalism.
Many of you know what I mean since you are yourselves journalists, media professionals and public relations pros. But for those who are new to the business or what to break into it, I hope to give you a real-live taste of what you don't always get to see.
From accidentally running into celebrities in the ladies room to sneaking my way into events, you'll get the real deal straight from the horse's mouth. So stay tuned for periodic updates from DC's Dish exclusive available at Black Press Magazine, MySpace.com/BlackPress and MySpace.com/DCDish. If you have a story idea or what me to attend your event, please feel free to contact my assistant Jessica at [email protected]. Editors: To purchase this column call 646-322-3047.
Sneak Peak: Spider-Man 3 promotional information is here!
(BlackPressMagazine.com) It may not be released until May 4th, 2007 but Spider-Man 3 is already making headlines.
Although Spider-Man 3 may prove to be a bright spot for the struggling movie theater industry, be warned. This Spider-Man is the darkest release to date. Even his normally colorful spidey suit is Black after a specimen from the moon gives Spider-man new powers. Plus, expect lots of suspenseful fight scenes as
Spider-man does battle with the likes of a second Green Goblin, Sandman, Venom, and other evils.
The third installment in a multi series release, Spider-Man 3 promises to be one of the most exciting releases of all times according to the promotional materials released from the movie company, Columbia Pictures.
During the 4th quarter earnings conference call last year, Marvel Comics executive Avi Arad told the investors, "[Superman 2 was] a big movie, and we would rather play it safe and talk about the 2007 [release of Spider-Man 3] at this point." Industry insiders speculate that while multi-year gaps between movie sequels of a franchise is standard but it makes sense that Marvel will began marketing the much anticipated movie this summer. I for one can't wait. Watch the Spider-Man 3 trailer here.
Losing Essence: Bobby Brown booed at Essence Festival; New Edition reunites
(BlackPressMagazine.com) About the time Lil Kim was making her way out of jail, about 50,000 people were witnessing the latest "act" of R&B megastar Bobby Brown, 37, the nation's premiere bad boy in Houston, TX during the 2006 Essence Music Festival. Earlier this year, Brown and his embattled group New Edition announced plans to launch a new album and begin a national tour in 2008. The Essence Music Festival was supposed to be the prelude to the kiss. But like many things Brown gets involved with, things did not go according to plan.
Born Robert Beresford Brown on February 5, 1969 to Herbert & Carol Brown in the Roxbury section of Boston, MA, Brown, who managed to perform the nostalgic hit Mr. Telephone Man with the 5-member New Edition band, offended the audience and embarrassed the conservative communications company when he stayed on stage over 30 minutes past his scheduled time. While onstage Brown shocked the crowd, which ranging in age from mid-20s and 30s to several thousand senior citizens with lewd references to his sex life with singer Whitney Houston, whom he married in July 1992.
Attempts to silence Brown went unheeded and the Essence Music Festival producers were forced to lower the curtain on him, an act considered a big "dis" in the showbiz industry. Not to be upstaged, a shirtless Brown proceeded to crawl beneath the curtain and re-emerged on stage where he continued to sing from the photographer's station. The crowd rewarded Brown's efforts with an impressive round of boos. The Essence Music Festival booked Brown for a rare reunion with members of his former band New Edition hoping for a publicity whirlwind. Instead the AOL-Time Warner owned company was left with possible FCC fines for indecency
A reliable source tells me that Bobby was taping the segment for an upcoming episode of his recently renewed hit television show, "Being Bobby Brown," which airs on the Bravo TV network a division of NBC Universal. Here's where things get tricky. Apparently, NBC Universal has plans to off Time Warner (owner of Essence Communications and the Essence Music Festival) as the nation's leading cable network. Headed by Dick Parsons, Time Warner has been the center of many recent disputes involving the Black community and Black media since it acquired Essence. Many have chastised the media giant including Faye Childs, the founder of Blackboard's Top Black Books column.
"I produced the feature for a number of years getting a fee from Essence for my work," Childs told me in May at the African American Pavilion a sub-section of Book Expo America. "Now [Essence] has stolen the list from me and taken it over without my permission or without compensating me."
Essence moved its musical event from New Orleans to Houston after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. There has not be any word on how much money the company raised on the event or what amount they plan to donate to the victims of Katrina.
Brown's Discography
King of Stage went Gold (1987) | Don't Be Cruel sold 10 million copies (1988) | Dance!... Ya Know It! went Platinum (1990)
Bobby sold 2 million copies (1992) | Remixes N the Key of B (1993) | Forever (1997) | Greatest Hits (2000)
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Hip Hop Scholarships (BlackPressMagazine.com) Diamonds may be forever, but money still works.
That's why it's so cool to hear that hip hop star Kanye West and music retail chain Musicland have teamed up for The Free U. Giveaway, which seeks to give away $150,000.00 in scholarships to be used toward the cost of a four-year college education.
"I'm excited to have this opportunity to partner with Musicland," West said. "We're not just giving away money; we're sponsoring someone's dreams."
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DC Livers, MochaCrush.com featured in VIBE Vixen magazine (BlackPressMagazine.com) Mocha Crush.com, the hot new urban professional relationship management company, is featured in the June 2006 issue of VIBE Vixen magazine along with founder and CEO (yours truly).
Originally slated for Valentine's Day article, the piece with is entitled, "Dating 101," features tips on finding peace with yourself, getting the love you need and how to have fun in the process. Mocha Crush.com has had over 60,000 hits since it began in February 2006.
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Janet Jackson Chooses Nelly (BlackPressMagazine.com) Janet Jackson has just wrapped a week in Los Angeles with one of the industry's hottest men. But it wasn't famed boyfriend and producer Jermaine Dupri. Instead, Jackson chose to spend time with rap star Nelly. The pair were filming a hot new video directed by directing wonderboy Hype Williams for Janet's new CD.
"The video is really fun and whimical. I think [my fans] are going to love it," said Jackson, who is about to embark on a major marketing push surrounding her new CD by appearing on the covers of W, Hollywood Life and Giant magazines with photographer Michael Thompson. She'll begin the photo shoots next week. At the end of the month, Jackson will fly off to Europe to for a photo shoot for V magazine and a some much anticipated time in Paris. Source: janetjackson.com
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Valdes, staff to leave VIBE magazine after sale to Wicks Group; Burnett will stay put (BlackPressMagazine.com) First come the investors, then come the layoffs. That's soon to be the case at VIBE magazine, which was started over 15 years ago by music mogul Quincy Jones.
Oddly, the recent sale of VIBE magazine has
many perplexed. On one hand, it was never Black-owned so like Essence, we read and paid attention, but the Historical Black Press Foundation never really got down with VIBE because we work to preserve heritage owned publications, Black-owned media. Some say White people can report Black news better and if that's the case, VIBE's future should be on solid ground as even its long-time editor turned celebrity, Mimi Valdés is calling it quits.
Valdés was appointed managing editor in 1998 and then editor-in-chief of Blaze magazine. In 2000, Valdés was named executive editor of VIBE. She is perhaps best known for her national feud with Mary J. Blige last year. Len Burnett is expected to remain at the publication.
Here's the rub: With the recent sale of Univision, Corporate America has spent about $30 billion acquiring Black-owned and minority-owned publications. Are big businesses so impressed with our media that they can't wait to get their hands on it, or are they seeing a legal way to neutralize Black communities? After all, if they own the shop they can write (or worse NOT write) what they want.
But VIBE flourished without much trouble. In fact, according to recent media reports, VIBE successfully grew its brand across multiple media platforms, paid circulation fell 2.8 percent to 836,611 through the second half of 2005, missing its 850,000 rate base, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations.
Still, despite making money VIBE has struggled for years to attract the attention of the Black community, opting instead to be known as an urban publication. The photos, the articles, the people, VIBE has never really known what it wanted to be and as a result its readers never quite got it either. Without Valdés, VIBE has much work to do and until it understands where it's going, that's one vibe many can do without.
Crossing over?
VIBE has recently announced it will launch V-STYLE, a new publication dedicated for African American men who are fashion forward. The management insists the publication isn't just for gay Black men, but industry insiders say that VIBE is testing the waters to see if the nation's first national Black gay men's magazine can be lucrative and well received by America. The jury's still on out on V-Style, which is slated for a 2007 launch but the magazine is sure to make waves. Source:MediaWeek.com, Vibe.com
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