Tag: James

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Coming to Phrases With the Legacy of Rick James

Coming to Terms With the Legacy of Rick James

“We’re being sat in the back of the bus, television-style,” he tells a reporter. “This isn’t ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ There are Black people here, and we make music. Don’t we exist?”

He had the loud, unapologetic flair of a Black man who grew up powerless, getting beat up by white kids on the block, and who proved revolutionary in another white space: the music industry. In 1981, he called out law enforcement brutality in the song “Mr. Policeman.” “I’m very vocal about injustice,” he says in archival footage. “I’ve never been one to bite my tongue and I never will.”

So, in some ways, James was a hero. Even Jenkins, a musician himself, relates to him. “I was someone who liked rock ’n’ roll, hip-hop, skateboarding — a broad range of things. And I was sort of an oddball,” recalled the director, known for “Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men” and “Word Is Bond.” He continued, “But today, you can have rappers who are influenced by heavy metal, and no one’s going to say, ‘You’re a white boy or you’re a sellout.’ Rick was an early proponent of that.”

But the empowerment he gained from his success also granted him excess and entitlement he’d never experienced growing up. “You mix all of those early learnings with an environment where no one tells you no, that math adds up to a bad equation,” Jenkins continued.

This “bad equation” included, by the singer’s own estimate, a $6,000-to-$8,000 weekly cocaine addiction, a parade of women in and out of his home — some of whom, the film claims, he videotaped performing sexual acts at parties. “Daddy had his share of women, that’s for sure,” Ty James says in the film.

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Entertainment

James Whiteside Thinks ‘The Legend of Zelda’ Would Make a Nice Ballet

James Whiteside Thinks ‘The Legend of Zelda’ Would Make a Great Ballet

5. Late 90s / Early Aughts Music Videos

I was born in ’84 so when 1999 rolled around I was fully the age to appreciate TRL [MTV’s Total Request Live]. I would watch TRL every day while doing homework and learning the dances – Janet Jackson, ‘N Sync, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Destiny’s Child, TLC. They spent the time and money on these music videos because they were the best marketing for their music at the time. It’s not quite the same now – I watch so many lazy music videos.

6. Video games

I find video games a real way for me to calm down. If I have time to play it means I have time, which is rare. I often play Super Smash Bros. at ABT in the lounge during my lunch break. I like video games because the structure reminds me of a classical ballet. There are many similar story elements and musical structures, and the main characters tend to be similarly heroic. “The Legend of Zelda” would be such a great ballet. It has everything you want – magic, beauty, great music.

7. Musical numbers from Hollywood’s golden age

I often go to YouTube and watch fabulous dance numbers from Old Hollywood. I love the tap number “Abraham” from “White Christmas”, where Vera-Ellen wears a yellow dress. She has another named “Mandy” who is really great. There’s one with Bob Fosse and Tommy Rall called “Alley Dance” down an alley and it’s that virtuoso kind of “I-can-do-it-better” jazz number. And “Cabaret” is exquisite, tense, perfect.

8. Gay bars

You never know what’s going to happen, and that’s a good thing. Some of my favorites are The Phoenix in the East Village; Holiday Cocktail Lounge, which is not a gay bar per se, but is frequented by gays; and Julius’ in the West Village. In the UK, The Village, GAY is fun, Heaven – these are my clubs.

9. Fire Island Pines

I went to a dance festival at the Pines for the first time in 2017 and every time I go there I meet people who are innovators in their field, free thinkers or just fascinating people with interesting stories. It reminds me of Andy Warhol and his clique – it has the element of all these creatives that come together.

10. Clothing basics

I moved to Boston when I was 18 and as a young person struggled to find a comfy look for myself. I railed against the extreme, collegiate, straightforward look the Bostonians had, so I bought all that junk from H&M and just wore ridiculous, loud, disgusting outfits. But it got to a point where I thought, “Oh my god, I’m exhausted and these clothes are all plastic.” So I turned to simpler clothes to accept that the sound was inside for me. I’m not saying that I don’t like looking noisy every now and then, but I find comfort in loose, relaxed clothing like Levi’s, Converse, Adidas Sambas, plaid LL Bean button-downs, and vintage t-shirts.

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Politics

James Hormel, America’s First Brazenly Homosexual Ambassador, Dies at 88

James Hormel, America’s First Openly Gay Ambassador, Dies at 88

James C. Hormel, the first openly gay person to represent the United States as ambassador, died in San Francisco on Friday. He was 88.

His death at California Pacific Medical Center has been confirmed by a family spokesman. His son Jimmy said Mr. Hormel had been in the hospital for two weeks.

Mr. Hormel, a philanthropist and grandson of the founder of Hormel Foods, was Ambassador to Luxembourg under President Bill Clinton. But his nomination process met with public opposition, led by conservative Republicans who portrayed Mr. Hormel as a sinner and equated homosexuality with addiction or kleptomaniacs.

Mr. Clinton first nominated Mr. Hormel for this post in 1997. By then, Mr. Hormel had been openly gay for three decades. He also had an impressive track record.

As Dean of the University of Chicago Law School from 1961 to 1967, he founded the James C. Hormel Public Service Program to encourage law students to enter the public service. In the early 1990s, he served as deputy US delegation to the 51st General Assembly of the United Nations, founding director of the City Club of San Francisco, and director of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.

In 1997, Mr. Hormel also served as chairman of Equidex, a San Francisco-based company that manages the Hormel family’s philanthropic endeavors and investments, a position he held for years. He was active as a donor in the Democratic Party for a long time and was a member of the board of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the largest gay and lesbian organization in the country.

But his nomination was an issue for Republican Senators James Inhofe from Oklahoma, Tim Hutchinson from Arkansas and Robert Smith from New Hampshire, who were in the 11. The Senate Majority Leader, Trent Lott from Missouri, eventually prevented the Senate from taking the nomination voted.

Senators cited Mr Hormel’s political views and his activism for gay rights as reasons to oppose his nomination. “We are concerned about the political views of this candidate,” said Gary Hoitsma, a spokesman for Mr. Inhofe. “He was an outspoken advocate of things like same-sex marriages that we disagree with.”

Mr. Hormel steadfastly met with each of his skeptics and challenged their resistance. It is unclear whether these talks had any effect, but Mr. Hormel was finally appointed ambassador in 1999 when Mr. Clinton bypassed the normal verification process and appointed him during the recess of Congressional. Mr. Hormel was ambassador until December 2000.

“He was a man of immense integrity and dignity,” said his son. “He was always proud to be who he was and he never tried to change.”

James Catherwood Hormel was born on January 1, 1933 in Austin, Minnesota, the youngest son of Jay and Germaine (Dubois) Hormel and the grandson of George A. Hormel, founder of Hormel Foods. He grew up in Austin, where much of the city worked for the Hormel meat factory that his father ran.

Mr. Hormel received a bachelor’s degree in history from Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania, in 1955, where he met his future wife, Alice McElroy Parker. They married that year and divorced in 1965.

After graduating from Swarthmore, Mr. Hormel earned a law degree from the University of Chicago. He eventually returned to Swarthmore to serve on the college’s board of directors. He met Michael PN Araque in 2008 when Mr. Araque was there for his sophomore year. They got married in 2014.

For over three decades, Mr. Hormel has worked providing resources to organizations that support people living with HIV and AIDS, or that address substance abuse and breast cancer.

Michael Hormel, his husband, said that Mr. Hormel has a “beautiful, very sweet, but full, round singing voice” and that they are both “keen advocates of the arts” who support the San Francisco Symphony and other arts organizations. He added that Mr. Hormel liked simple things like dark chocolate and an orange note in his gin.

Mr. Hormel received a variety of awards for philanthropy, including the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association’s Silver Spur Award for Civic Leadership and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Human Rights Campaign. He has also received honorary doctorates from Swarthmore, Hamline University in Minnesota, and the California Institute of Integral Studies.

In addition to his husband, who collaborated with him in his philanthropic and charitable work, Mr. Hormel had five children, Alison, Anne, Elizabeth, Jimmy and Sarah; 14 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

During Mr. Hormel’s time in the hospital, his husband said he pondered how Mr. Hormel’s passion for the legal profession had enabled him to be recognized as his wife and enabled them to spend the final hours of James’ life together .

“Without his determination to make the world fairer and more just,” says Michael Hormel, “I wouldn’t be sure whether even hospitals would have been so open-minded.”

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Entertainment

Dolly Parton and James Patterson Are Working On a Novel, ‘Run, Rose, Run’

Dolly Parton and James Patterson Are Working On a Novel, 'Run, Rose, Run'

“She wasn’t messing around, and neither have I,” Patterson said. “We both get down to business and chop wood.”

In the press release announcing the book, Little, Brown seemed dizzy at the commercial prospect of a multimedia project targeting Patterson and Parton’s audiences: “This double release will be a No. 1 for the first time. Being a bestselling author and an entertainment icon who has sold well over 100 million albums worldwide has collaborated on a book and an album. “

Patterson has long relied on a number of contributors to accomplish his frenetic publication cycle. According to his publicist, he has written 322 books and sold around 425 million copies. He has worked with around 35 co-authors and currently has several best-seller books including “The Shadow,” which he wrote with Brian Sitts, and “The President’s Daughter,” a political thriller he and the former president Bill Clinton wrote. It is a sequel to her previous novel “The President Is Missing,” which has sold more than 3.2 million copies worldwide.

But working with a celebrity as popular as Parton could spark even more interest in the upcoming book. She is one of the few public figures with seemingly non-partisan appeal, hailed by some as the southern heroine of the working class and venerated by others for her support for LGBTQ rights and uncompromising kitsch. (Parton has created their own Dollywood theme park in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, which includes a water park, dinner theater, roller coaster rides, and a replica of their two-bedroom children’s home.)

“People love her,” said Patterson, stating the obvious.

After their first casual meeting (“No agents, no lawyers,” Patterson said), Parton and Patterson spent the next six to eight months working out scenes and pacing chapters and notes. Parton called him JJ, short for Jimmy James, he said.

They kept the project a secret, despite Parton derailing that she was a fan in an interview with the New York Times late last year. When asked to name three writers she would invite to a dinner party, she named him along with Maya Angelou and Charles Dickens.

“First would be James Patterson,” she said. “Since we’re both in the entertainment industry, we could write it off as a business expense.”

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Politics

NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed a number of girls, Lawyer Common James says

NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, Attorney General James says

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually molested several women and then retaliated a former employee who publicly complained about his behavior, according to a bombshell report released Tuesday by Attorney General Letitia James.

The month-long investigation concluded that Cuomo “sexually molested several women in violation of federal and state laws,” James said at a press conference.

The 165-page report, which includes interviews with 179 witnesses and a review of tens of thousands of documents, also stated that Cuomo’s office was steeped in fear and intimidation and was a hostile work environment for many employees.

Cuomo molested 11 women, including members of his own staff, members of the public and other government employees, one of whom was a state trooper, the report said.

The results show “a deeply troubling but clear picture,” said James, describing Cuomo’s office as a “toxic workplace”.

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The announcement came about two weeks after Cuomo was interviewed by investigators hired by James’ office to investigate. Cuomo was reportedly interviewed for 11 hours.

The investigation into numerous allegations of sexual harassment by Cuomo began in March after the State Executive Chamber granted James’ inquiries.

Later that month, dozens of the state’s Democratic lawmakers – including New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, with whom Cuomo has long had a strained relationship – called on the governor to resign.

New York Congregation spokesman Carl Heastie, also a Democrat, authorized a panel in mid-March to open an impeachment investigation into allegations of harassment and other allegations of wrongdoing by Cuomo, including whether his staff tried to gather data on coronavirus deaths in New to hide or change York nursing homes.

Cuomo has defended himself against all allegations, repeatedly rejecting requests to resign, despite apologizing for making some women feel uncomfortable.

“I never molested anyone, I never attacked anyone, I never abused anyone,” Cuomo said in March. “I will not resign.”

This is the latest news. Please check again for updates.

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LeBron James advisor exhausted from Me Too, Black Lives Matter

LeBron James advisor exhausted from Me Too, Black Lives Matter

NBA player LeBron James and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in Los Angeles, California.

Chelsea Lauren | FilmMagic | Getty Images

Longtime white advisor to black NBA superstar LeBron James was caught on tape telling an ESPN white reporter, “I’m exhausted. I have nothing left between Me Too and Black Lives Matter, ”revealed a report on Sunday.

Communications expert Adam Mendelsohn’s outspoken comments – referring to catchphrases used for the movements aimed at reducing sexual violence against women and police murders and brutality against blacks – came during a taped phone call he made last summer with the NBA Reporter Rachel. from ESPN had Nichols, the New York Times reported.

Mendelsohn apologized for these specific comments in an email to CNBC after being asked about them on Sunday.

Nichols, who is white, had complained to Mendelsohn during that July 2020 call about a black reporter, Maria Taylor, getting the pre-game NBA final hosting spot from her sports cable TV network had, a spot Nichols expected her to, The Times reported.

Nichols on this tape implied that Taylor received this gig to the detriment of Nichols because Taylor is black – and because ESPN was under pressure to have more racial diversity in its lineup of on-air talent.

In his initial comments on the Black Lives Matter and Me Too statements, Mendelsohn told CNBC, “I made a stupid, negligent comment rooted in privilege and I am truly sorry.”

“I shouldn’t have said it or even thought it,” Mendelsohn said in an email.

“I am working to support these movements and I know that the people affected by these problems are never exhausted or left with nothing. I must continue to review my privilege and work to be a better ally.”

Nichols apparently did not know that the conversation was being recorded by a video camera broadcasting images and audio from her hotel room at a resort in Walt Disney World, Florida. Walt Disney Company is the majority owner of ESPN.

The video from the camera she used to appear on the network’s shows was fed into ESPN’s control room in Bristol, Connecticut. A tape of the call later circulated within ESPN and was leaked.

Mendelsohn has been an advisor to James for over ten years. Last year he co-founded James’ Black Vote Promotion Group More Than A Vote and is a senior advisor to the group.

The More Than a Vote website notes that the group was launched “amid the protests against Black Lives Matter following the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Our goal: energy, education and protection of black voters. “

Taylor joined More Than a Vote last summer and recorded videos as a member of the group supporting the group’s efforts.

Mendelsohn is also a Senior Advisor at the private equity firm TPG, where he previously worked as Managing Director for Global Communications. Previously, he was Deputy Chief of Staff to then California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Times reported that the video of the call lasted more than 20 minutes, with “continuous talk”. The newspaper only put two audio snippets online, which together last 2 minutes and 47 seconds.

Anthony Davis # 3 of the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James # 23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Quinn Cook # 28 of the Los Angeles Lakers kneel down during the National Anthem with VOTE shirts before the start of the game against the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at the AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 22, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Mike Ehrmann | Getty Images Sports | Getty Images

The Times article stated that “many employees were outraged when they saw the video” because they believed that Nichols “reflected a common criticism used by white workers in many workplaces of non-white colleagues Denigrate – that Taylor was only offered the job of hosting because of her race, not because she was the best person for the job. “

And The Times reported that ESPN staff had also said Nichols made Taylor’s job difficult because Taylor had to deal with Mendelsohn to get interviews with people in professional basketball.

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Last May, The Times reported, the stars of ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” discussed whether they would refuse to appear in protest against changes to production they believed were made in Nichols’s favor .

These changes included Nichols becoming the game’s main reporter, which in turn resulted in three colored side reporters being given fewer tasks.

The bomb report comes weeks before Taylor’s contract with ESPN expires.

The New York Post reported last week that Taylor turned down a contract proposal last year that would have increased her current annual salary from $ 1 million to nearly $ 5 million a year. Taylor reportedly held out after significantly more money.

The Post also reported that ESPN’s current offering to Taylor is valued at $ 2-3 million per year. The lower amount reflects a move by the network to cut salaries across the board, according to The Post.

Nichols called Mendelsohn on July 13, 2020 to request an interview with James and another Lakers player, Anthony Davis, who is another client of James’ agent, Rich Paul. Mendelsohn is also an adviser to Black Paul.

Nichols also took the time on the same call to ask Mendelsohn’s advice on how to deal with the situation at ESPN, and was denied the assignment, which went to Taylor.

“I wish Maria Taylor all the success in the world – she reports on football, she reports on basketball,” said Nichols during the phone call with Mendelsohn, whose audio was posted online by The Times.

“If you have to give her more to do because you are feeling pressure because of your shitty long-term record in terms of diversity – which, by the way, I know personally from the female side – then just do it. Just find it somewhere else. You won’t find it from me or take my thing away. “

She also noted that the assignment to moderate coverage of the NBA finals “is written in my contract,” the newspaper reported.

After Nichols said she was planning to wait for ESPN’s next move, Mendelsohn paused, then said, “I don’t know. I am exhausted. I have nothing left between Me Too and Black Lives Matter. “

Nichols laughed at that, as the tape reveals.

Mendelsohn then suggested to Nichols that the situation be so that ESPN played two women, Nichols and Taylor, against each other.

“About the fact that it is just so very white men that they turn two women against each other to compete for the one point that they dangle over them,” said Mendelsohn.

“A broader discussion of all the points that should be considered.”

Nichols then said on the tape, “There’s not just one place at the table for a minority of the version we’re trying to try this week.”

Mendelsohn replied, “If you think about it, this is exactly the problem we’ve been talking about for a long time, which is white men – it’s an example of the one black person on the boardroom … you don’t? Not having a black woman in a prominent position and feeling, OK, all the work is done. “

“And you certainly can’t say, ‘Okay, we have a white woman, we have a woman in a critical place, and now that we’re going to put a black woman in the same place,” he said.

“The question is, what other seats do white men sit in?”

The Times reported that he told the paper for its article, “I will share what I believed then and what I still believe to be true. Maria [Taylor] earned and earned the position, and Rachel [Nichols] must respect it. “

“Maria deserved it because of her job, and ESPN realized that, like many people and companies in America, she needs to change on purpose,” said Mendelsohn.

“Just because Maria got the job doesn’t mean Rachel shouldn’t get what she deserves. Rachel and Maria shouldn’t be forced into a zero-sum game by ESPN, and Rachel had to challenge them. “

The Times reported that Mendelsohn did not answer follow-up questions about the taped call.

In his statement to CNBC, Mendelsohn said, “I’ll reiterate what I believe advised Rachel on the call and told the Times. Maria deserved and deserved the position and Rachel had to respect her. If Rachel wanted to challenge ESPN, she needed” to focus on their overall culture. “

ESPN has declined to say if an employee has been disciplined in connection with the case.

The Times reported that the only known person known to have been punished was a black digital video producer who was suspended for two weeks without pay after telling ESPN Human Resources that they were sending the video to Taylor had sent.

Josh Krulewitz, spokesman for ESPN, declined to speak to CNBC, but cited statements he had given the Times for its article.

“A diverse group of executives thoroughly and fairly examined all facts related to the incident and then handled the situation appropriately,” said Krulewitz.

“We pride ourselves on the coverage we continue to produce and our focus will continue to be on Maria, Rachel and the rest of the talented team that collectively serve NBA fans.”

Krulewitz also told the newspaper that ESPN emphasizes diversity, inclusion and equity, and that the company “arguably has the most diverse talented professionals in the sports media business, including those behind the scenes”.

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James Murdoch spent $100 million to fund political causes throughout 2020 election

James Murdoch spent $100 million to fund political causes during 2020 election

James Murdoch, co-chief operating officer of 21st Century Fox Inc.

Christophe Morin | Bloomberg | Getty Images

James Murdoch, one of billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s sons, quietly invested $100 million into his nonprofit foundation, which then used a large chunk of the money to fund political groups during the 2020 election cycle.

CNBC found the enormous contribution from James Murdoch and his spouse, Kathryn Murdoch, after reviewing the 501c3 group’s 990 tax return from 2019, which the foundation provided. The Murdochs launched the foundation, called Quadrivium, in 2014.

The $100 million donation marks the couple’s largest known contribution to their foundation or any political effort. It came as James and Kathryn Murdoch were building their own political operation. They have largely backed nonpartisan and Democratic-leaning causes. Kathryn Murdoch has previously criticized former President Donald Trump for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Murdoch family, headed by Rupert Murdoch, is worth over $22 billion, according to Forbes. The family controls Fox Corp. and News Corp. James’ brother Lachlan Murdoch is the CEO of Fox, which has multiple assets including the conservative Fox News cable network.

It was previously known that James and Kathryn Murdoch backed President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign. But it was unknown until now just how much they were spending behind the scenes to impact the election. Combined with the millions they gave to campaigns and political action committees, the $100 million donation would make the couple one of the top donors in the last election cycle.

The 2019 tax document shows that of the $100 million given to the foundation, over $25 million went toward grants, including for several political causes. The $25 million also represents the most the Murdoch couple has spent through their foundation on political causes such as fighting climate change and helping people vote.

Yet, according to a person close to the family, that $25 million two years ago was only part of massive Murdoch investments through the 2020 election cycle. This person declined to be named in order to speak freely about the situation.

Since 2019, Quadrivium directed over $43 million to climate-related groups. Over $38 million, including $14 million in Quadrivium donations and $24 million in individual contributions from the couple, went toward election organizations, including those dedicated to protecting voting rights.

The Murdoch couple also donated over $20 million to both Biden’s campaign, groups supporting him and opposing Trump, and organizations dedicated to disrupting online threats and extremism. They also donated to groups dedicated to getting out the vote during the Georgia Senate runoff elections in January. Democrats won both of those seats.

A spokeswoman for James and Kathryn Murdoch declined to comment.

According to the 2019 tax document, the Quadrivium foundation had more than $100 million on hand going into 2020, just as the primary and caucus season was beginning.

The Murdochs’ $100 million donation came the same year James was the CEO of 21s Century Fox before Disney bought the bulk of the company for $71 billion. He was also on the board of the family-owned News Corp. at the time.

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The $100 million contribution to the foundation came in the form of Disney stock, and it was made the same day that the Fox-Disney deal was completed. James Murdoch made a reported $2.1 billion from the transaction.

Murdoch would later step down from the News Corp. board citing “disagreements over certain editorial content published by the Company’s news outlets and certain other strategic decisions.” News Corp. includes The New York Post and Dow Jones, which publishes The Wall Street Journal. Both newspapers have conservative opinion sections.

The Murdochs’ foundation in 2019 donated to several organizations it had supported in the past, although nonprofits received significantly more funds that year than other groups. Quadrivium supports issue-based groups that fight against climate change and try to improve access to voting.

The Murdochs’ support for voting rights groups comes as Republicans in states such as Georgia and Texas are passing laws that critics say restrict people ability to vote. James Murdoch was one of hundreds of executives and corporations that signed a public statement opposing “any discriminatory legislation or measures that restrict or prevent any eligible voter from having an equal and fair opportunity to cast a ballot.”

Democracy Works Inc., a nonprofit that promotes itself as having tools to help people register to vote, received $2.5 million from the Murdoch-run foundation.

The education fund for Represent.Us, which claims to be nonpartisan and says it works to “pass powerful state and local laws that fix our broken elections and stop political bribery,” saw $2 million from the Murdochs in 2019. The group includes a cultural council of celebrities, including J.J. Abrams, Michael Douglas and Jennifer Lawrence. The Represent.Us fund, according to its website, “made grants to Represent.Us to support public education activities and dedicated cross-partisan outreach activities.”

The Brennan Center for Justice, which also calls itself nonpartisan, saw $1 million from the Murdochs two years ago. The Brennan Center has become a resource for voters and reporters to keep up on various bills that the organization deems restrictive. The group’s website notes that state legislatures have introduced over 380 bills in 48 states that are considered restrictive.

As for fighting climate change, Kathryn Murdoch has been a trustee at the Environmental Defense Fund for years. That organization saw $11 million in 2019 from Quadrivium.

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Business

LeBron James on Pepsi partnership after 17 years with Coca-Cola

LeBron James on Pepsi partnership after 17 years with Coca-Cola

“Mom, who is LeBron James?” asked my 4 year old daughter.

“He’s one of the best basketball players in the world,” I replied, explaining some of his accomplishments. “Why?”

“I really like his drink,” she said after stealing a sip of Mtn Dew Rise from a sample package Pepsi sent me prior to my interview with James. Pandemic parenting at its best. With just one taste of the energy drink, she was thrilled – and immediately became a LeBron James fan.

PepsiCo is counting on this type of response after luring James away from arch-rival Coca-Cola, whom he has supported for 17 years. The four-time NBA champion is considered one of the most marketable athletes in the world.

Pepsi launched its first James ad campaign on Thursday. It will include a commercial that will air during the NBA playoffs.

In the new ad filmed earlier this year, James imagines what his life would be like if he idled instead of rising above him every day.

“Who would I be if I dozed? Skipped an exercise? If I was distracted … If I’d lost sight of my goals,” he asks in the ad. “No, I’ve decided to get up.”

James told CNBC he is excited about this new partnership and hopes he can put Mtn Dew Rise on the menu despite an already overcrowded energy drink room.

“I think the concept behind the energy drink is what I’m getting into,” said James. “Rise above self-doubt and rise above opportunity.”

Given that 36-year-old James dominates the basketball court and leads various philanthropic and social justice initiatives alongside leading the LeBron James business empire, which consists of a portfolio from restaurants to media companies, he may be the last one who needs it an energy drink.

A crowded but growing category

For everyone else, Pepsi executives hope Mtn Dew Rise is differentiated enough to stand out. It contains roughly the same amount of caffeine as two cups of coffee and is full of vitamins.

The brand is launched to “start the morning with a mental boost, immune support and zero grams of added sugar”. It’s available in six fruity flavors including Berry Blitz, Peach Mango Dawn, and James’ favorite pomegranate Blue Burst.

The Los Angeles Lakers star will be his face alongside other influencers named over time.

“We know it’s a crowded category,” said James. “But we believe there is more space.”

Energy Drinks had retail sales of $ 14.15 billion last year, according to Euromonitor.

“It’s a category that is growing significantly,” said Duane Stanford, editor and publisher of Beverage Digest.

The category is seen as the next frontier for Cola and Pepsi as soda consumption has subsided as people become more health conscious. The volume leader in the category is Monster Energy, marketed by Coke.

Pepsi isn’t new to the category. Rockstar Energy was acquired for $ 3.85 billion in March 2020, and initial results have been positive. Ramon Laguarta, CEO of Pepsi, said Rockstar sales are growing again after years of weak or declining demand. Laguarta said it was too early to say if new consumers would join the category but the brand’s revival was encouraging.

“Energy is a high priority for PepsiCo right now and they basically pulled out all the stops by signing LeBron,” Stanford said. “It gives you an indication of how serious you are about energy, but also how much you believe LeBron can really help you.”

In March, Pepsi renewed its sponsorship with the NBA as the league’s official soft drink. Mtn Dew remains the title sponsor of the 3-point competition during the All-Star Weekend. Pepsi took over the relationship with the NBA in 2015 after Coke worked with her for nearly three decades. Pepsi also has ties with NBA stars Zion Williamson and Joel Embiid.

“An Incredible Ride”

James was an 18 year old phenomenon when he signed his contract with Coke and started working with the Sprite brand. While at the company, he helped commercialize Sprite and Powerade by appearing in many commercials, and even introduced a limited edition. Last September, he mutually agreed to part with Coca-Cola.

The decision came when Coke was re-evaluating its finances in response to the pandemic. The company’s sales were hurt as fewer consumers went to restaurants, sporting events, and movie theaters. At the time, Coke said it wanted to invest in places that would ensure long-term growth. In addition to shedding more than 2,000 jobs, Coke has trimmed its global beverage portfolio from 430 to 200 brands and retired brands like Tab Soda and its smoothie business.

“I had an amazing ride with Coke and I still have some great friendships there and it’s going to last forever,” said James. “But when that opportunity arose, it was the perfect time for us to move on.”

Stanford said it was likely that Coca-Cola couldn’t justify the cost of working with James. It is unknown how much the deal was worth, but from a perspective, Nike’s deal with James is worth over a billion dollars.

“He’s got a lot of buckets up now in the media, sports and entertainment sectors and that is becoming a much stronger asset when it comes to reaching young consumers,” said Stanford.

Pepsi wouldn’t comment on the value of its business. It is said that James was the first athlete to bring an entirely new brand to market, and the partnership was using a new model to support James who was not just an athlete. Pepsi will work with him on issues related to education, social justice, and initiatives in underserved communities.

“Pretty much all of the partnerships and things I do at this point have something to do with my foundation and making sure we continue to highlight my community and other communities that need a voice, need an opportunity,” said James .

His foundation’s philanthropic endeavors include the I Promise School in his former hometown of Akron, Ohio. He has also participated in More Than A Vote, a group supported by athletes to fight voter suppression.

“I think we can all do more,” said James when it comes to social justice issues and bridging the wealth gap. “We can all do better,” he said.

When asked if he could have a future with Pepsi’s sports drink Gatorade, a seemingly natural fit, LeBron didn’t rule it out.

“We’ll see, we’ll see,” he laughed. “Of course we want to start with small steps – crawl before you go. We’re in a good place right now and will see which options are best for us,” he said.

Gatorade mocked and apologized to James for a 2014 tweet saying “The person who had cramps wasn’t our client. Our athletes can take the heat” after James about Game 1 of the NBA Finals Had left leg cramps.

Pandemic deal

James signed this endorsement contract in the middle of the pandemic and an NBA season that had strict protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“I haven’t had a chance to meet anyone face to face and that’s because of the season we’re stuck in our hotel rooms,” he said. “I look forward to the opportunity to meet the CEO and all the great people at Pepsi.”

He was involved on the creative side through Zoom calls and emails.

“Because my name is linked to it, when you do something that means something to you and it hits your home, you absolutely want to be there,” he said.

With seemingly endless energy, the Lakers star said it was his family and the kids at Promise School who make him get out of bed every morning and urge him to get better.

“You need that motivation. You need this person who gets up every day, who wants to get better and bigger, who wants to challenge things that other people don’t want to,” he said.

But James said even he had lazy days.

“There are weeks, there are days, there are months when I also lack a little energy because how hard I work, hard I go, and how hard I try to be the best at what I do. So every little kickstart from a drink, a person, or from music – I try to take full advantage of it. “

For Pepsi, getting King James on board is a huge asset, according to marketing managers.

“He’s an icon,” said Bob Dorfman, Baker Street Advertising’s creative director. “He’s definitely going to help get the product moving, and on the PR side, it looks kind of cool that they stole it from Coke.”

And if you’re wondering about my daughter – possibly the youngest fan of Mtn Dew Rise – then the drink works. She was up until midnight and bounced off the walls.

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James Hampton, Bumbling ‘F Troop’ Bugler, Dies at 84

James Hampton, Bumbling ‘F Troop’ Bugler, Dies at 84

James Hampton, a character actor who achieved some level of sitcom immortality in one of his earliest roles, the inept signaler Hannibal Dobbs in the 1960s series “F Troop,” died Wednesday at his home in Trophy Club, Texas. He was 84 years old.

Linda McAlister, his agent, said the cause was complications from Parkinson’s disease.

Mr. Hampton had a kind face that lends itself well to comedic roles characterized by bumblebees or gullibility. He was among them on a handful of television shows like “Death Valley” and “Dr. Kildare” when the director of a “Gunsmoke” episode he was in drew his attention to a casting director at Warner Bros. That led to the role in “F Troop,” a spunky ABC comedy about a military outpost, Fort Courage, in the 1860s.

The show featured Forrest Tucker, Larry Storch, Melody Patterson and Ken Berry, but Mr. Hampton made an indelible mark in his supporting role as the horn player, whose playing bore only a passing resemblance to music. (In the show’s opening montage, an arrow hits the bell end of his horn directly as he plays.) The show only ran two seasons, but its exaggerated humor in an era of milder comedies like “The Andy Griffith Show” made it known to a specific audience segment .

Mr. Hampton was known to a later generation from the 1985 film Teen Wolf, in which he portrayed the title character’s father, a werewolf played by rising star Michael J. Fox. He was also in the sequel to “Teen Wolf Too” with Jason Bateman in 1987.

Mr. Hampton also played a more serious role, including the utility company’s PR man showing Jane Fonda’s character in a nuclear power plant when a disaster strikes in The China Syndrome (1979).

He has occasionally directed, including episodes from the 1990s series “Hearts Afire,” which cast Billy Bob Thornton. When Mr. Thornton wrote his acclaimed film “Sling Blade” (1996), he ensured that Mr. Hampton played a role in it as the hospital administrator.

Burt Reynolds was another major influence in his career. They met while they were working on Gunsmoke together when Mr. Reynolds was a regular cast member. The two appeared in the 1974 soccer film “The Longest Yard,” and Mr. Hampton wrote and directed episodes of Mr. Reynolds’ 1990 series, “Evening Shade.”

James Wade Hampton was born in Oklahoma City on July 9, 1936. His father, Ivan, owned a dry cleaner, and his mother, Edna (Gately) Hampton, worked in a fashion workshop.

He grew up in Dallas and studied speech and theater at North Texas State College (now the University of North Texas). He was drafted into the army in 1959 and served in Europe. He returned to Texas in the early 1960s and worked in the local theater before moving to New York in 1962.

Recognition…Barry Crowbar / WireImage

Mr. Hampton worked non-stop for the next four decades, getting roles occasionally, even after he retired in 2002 and settled in Texas. He is survived by his wife, Mary Deese Hampton, whom he married in 2002. two sons, James and Frank; a daughter, Andrea Hampton Doyle; and three grandchildren.

After “F Troop”, Mr. Hampton returned in 1976 in the movie “Hawmps!” He played a mid-19th century lieutenant assigned to oversee an experiment in Texas using camels in the cavalry. Mr. Hampton was a Johnny Carson favorite at the time and was a frequent guest on his “Tonight Show,” including the night of the Hollywood premiere of “Hawmps!”

When Mr. Hampton told The Community Common in Portsmouth, Ohio in 2007, he was Mr. Carson’s first guest so he could leave early to get to the premiere. He happened to mention to Mr. Carson that his mother was in the studio audience. Mr. Carson turned on the house lights and congratulated her on her son’s big night.

His mother replied by saying, “You just go to the premiere, James. I’ll stay and watch the rest of Johnny. “

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James Levine, Former Met Opera Maestro, Is Useless at 77

James Levine, Former Met Opera Maestro, Is Dead at 77

James Levine, the leading maestro of the Metropolitan Opera for more than 40 years and one of the world’s most influential and admired conductors until allegations of sexual abuse and harassment ended his career, died on March 9th in Palm Springs, California. He was 77 years old.

His death was announced on Wednesday morning by his doctor, Dr. Len Horovitz confirmed. The cause was not released immediately.

After the Met investigated reports of Mr. Levine’s sexual inadequacies with younger men that spanned decades, the Met initially suspended him and dismissed him in 2018, a steep fall from grace. Mr. Levine filed a defamation lawsuit.

Before the scandal arose, he was a popular maestro who for decades helped define the Met, the country’s largest performing arts organization, expand its repertoire, and polish its world-class orchestra. And his work went way beyond this company. Starting in 2004, he was music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra for seven years, and in its early seasons was highly praised for reviving this prestigious ensemble, promoting contemporary music and commissioning major works by living composers.

Mr. Levine was also music director of the Munich Philharmonic for five years (1999-2004). He had longstanding connections with the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as music director of the Ravinia Festival for more than 20 years.

His last years as a maestro were marked by health crises, including a cancerous growth in his kidney and surgery to repair a rotator cuff after he stumbled on stage at Boston Symphony Hall in 2006. The problems forced Mr. Levine to miss weeks. even months of performing. In March 2011, faced with the reality, he resigned from his post in Boston.

A full obituary will be released shortly.