January 24, 2011
Ferrari FF
Ferrari‘s flagship fastback, the four-seat, four-wheel-drive FF. The initials stand for Ferrari Four in reference to the seat configuration and the new all-wheel drive system, which Ferrari says weighs only half as much as those made by their competitors.
The novel traction system is mated to an all-new 6.3-liter V12 engine with direct injection that produces 651 horsepower. That’s enough, says Ferrari, to propel the FF to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 208 mph – both faster and quicker than the 612 Scaglietti it replaces.
It’s also lighter than the 612, and features an innovative “shooting brake” body-style that is at once both sleek and versatile, providing as much luggage space as a small hatchback.
January 20, 2011
INFLUENCERS: Steve Stoute
Last year saw the release of a short documentary titled INFLUENCERS: How Trends & Creativity Become Contagious. The work highlighted the whole notion of trends and how they gain traction, and eventually come to integrate themselves into the very fabric of everyday society. The movement has gone more in-depth as Steve Stoute becomes the first to speak in a greater light. As CEO and founder of brand management firm Translation, he has provided guidance for many icons such as Jay-Z, Gwen Stefani, LeBron James and Justin Timberlake among others. The concept of artists and brands as successful collaborators is a central theme to his video.
via hypebeast
50 Cent's "10 Smartest Business Decisions"
1.
The Decision: Spending the first $300,000 he made to trademark the "50 Cent" and "G-Unit" names
The Year: 2002
The Bottom Line: Just about every dime 50's made can be traced back to this decision. While most artists spend their advance on new cars, icy chains and the latest threads, Fif used part of his to trademark his name and his future label's name, which eventually helped him make money to buy all the cars, chains and clothes he could have ever imagined. New artists, take note: Before you do anything else, invest in yourself.
2.
The Decision: Starting G-Unit Records shortly after releasing his debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin'
The Year: 2003
The Bottom Line: Thanks to the immense popularity that he enjoyed at the beginning of his career, 50 didn't have to wait to drop a few albums before Interscope gave him the chance to start his own label. And once they gave him the green light, he used it immediately—releasing a G-Unit album as well as albums from Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and The Game. That means Fif was filthy rich before his sophomore album, The Massacre, ever even dropped.
3.
The Decision: Teaming up with Mark Ecko to found the G-Unit Clothing Company
The Year: 2003
The Bottom Line: Once his music took off and his label was established, 50 immediately started using the G-Unit name to build a brand. That's when he flipped a deal to start a clothing company that—unlike other rapper-endorsed clothing companies—was tied to an established name thanks to Mark Ecko's involvement. Had he done the label without Ecko's backing, it probably wouldn't have been anywhere near as successful or profitable as it ended up being.
4.
The Decision: Signing a five-year deal with Reebok to create and distribute G-Unit Sneakers
The Year: 2003
The Bottom Line: Sure, Jay-Z had a deal with Reebok first. But regardless of how it actually went down, Fif signed a better sneaker deal than most NBA players get off the strength of just one album. Ballin'!
5.
The Decision: Agreeing to help peddle Vitaminwater for a company called Glaceau in exchange for part-ownership of it.
The Year: 2004
The Bottom Line: You want to talk about forward-thinking? The deal 50 struck with Vitaminwater is, quite possibly, the best deal any rapper has ever struck with a company. Back when he agreed to help push it in '04, no one could have possibly known that he'd one day sell his stake in it for $100 million (after taxes!) when Coa-Cola bought Vitaminwater for $4.1 billion. Except for Fif, of course.These are the deals that business honchos, not rappers, dream about—and 50 made it happen.
6.
The Decision: Eschewing the opportunity to do the voice of the lead character in the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas video game to instead provide the voice for his own character in the game, 50 Cent: Bulletproof
The Year: 2005
The Bottom Line: 50 could have very easily signed on to voice the GTA character and got a nice little check for his time. But instead of doing that, he turned down the GTA gig and lent his entire name to a project and walked out with way more zeros on the end of his check. Sorry, GTA, but that is what we call highway robbery.
7.
The Decision: Launching his G-Unit Books imprint at the Time Warner Building in New York City
The Year: 2007
The Bottom Line: After seeing the success that his autobiography, From Pieces To Weight: Once Upon a Time in Southside, Queens, enjoyed, Fif decided he could probably flip books into paper. And that's exactly what he did when he took his G-Unit brand into the publishing world and put out a series of street-lit novels. Could a book about doing good business be too far off in the future?
8.
The Decision: Partnering with billionaire Patrice Motsepe in South Africa to brand his own line of platinum
The Year: 2008
The Bottom Line: Fif's bought his fair share of platinum chains over the years. But he went from rich to wealthy when he decided to partner up with Motsepe to buy a platinum mine for a different reason: to brand his own line of it. We're not sure how much dough he's actually seen off this decision, but still, it sounds like something you'd want to have on your resume if you're a rapper, right?
9.
The Decision: Striking a deal with Right Guard to release his own "Pure 50" body spray
The Year: 2008
The Bottom Line: Don't sleep on body spray. From Axe to TAG, there's a big market for it out there. Especially from tweens and young adults looking to avoid paying top-dollar for actual cologne (but don't worry: Fif's got that, too!).
10.
The Decision: Establishing his own film company called Cheetah Vision and later landing more than $200 million in funding for it
The Year: 2008
The Bottom Line: 50 invested well at the start of his Hollywood career by starting G-Unit Films and later Cheetah Vision and he's reaped the financial rewards as a result of it. And it's definitely been another great look for him
via thisis50
Facebook takes in $1.86 billion in 2010 Advertising Revenue
Analysts are claiming that Facebook and Google may have more in common than previously believed, especially when it comes to how Facebook handles advertising. In new results from eMarketer, Facebook is raking in quite a bit of revenue based on advertising through the site. But, what’s most surprising to analysts, is not so much how much money that Facebook is drawing in, but the fact that it’s not coming from major advertising agencies, but more from small- and medium-sized businesses.
Facebook’s self-service ad platform is seeing a lot of business as of late. The popular social networking site has seen a worldwide advertising revenue increase of 86% versus the previous year’s results, courtesy of the $1.86 billion in revenue in took in. Of that, $1.21 billion was earned within the United States, adds the analyst.
The main takeaway of the results, though, is where the majority of the money is coming from. According to eMarketer, 60 percent –or $1.12 billion– stems from small- or medium-sized business that are more than likely using self-serve tools to advertise on the social website. That’s compared to the $740 million that’s being produced by major marketers, like Coke, Match.com, and P&G. According to Debra Williamson, the principal analyst at eMarketer, these small- and medium-sized businesses are taking advantage of Facebook’s rapid growth (which now has over 650 million users), and using the strategies they used to promote themselves on Google to do the same thing on Facebook.
Williamson adds that, “Facebook is the biggest storehouse of consumer data on the internet.” With that being said, it’s no surprise that marketers and advertisers, and anyone else that can prosper from the data that Facebook collects every day, is flocking to the social networking website.
January 11, 2011
Tom Ford: 15 things every man should have
'A sense of humour.'
2. Starting The Day
'A daily read of the newspaper.'
3. Fancy A Game?
'A sport that you love and are good at.'
4. Grooming Essential
'Tweezers.'
5. A Signature
'A good cologne that becomes a signature.'
6. The Right Suit
'A well cut dark suit.'
7. Style Classics
'A pair of classic black lace-up shoes.'
8. Tailoring
'A smart blazer.'
9. Denim
'The perfect pair of dark denim jeans.'
10. Wardrobe Staples
'Lots of crisp white cotton shirts.'
11. Good Underwear
'Always new socks and underwear (throw away the old ones every six months).'
12. Something Smart
'A classic tuxedo.'
13. Efficient Accessories
'A beautiful day watch with a metal band.'
14. Cool Accessories
'The perfect sunglasses.'
15. A Great Smile
'Perfect teeth - if you don't have them, save up and have them fixed.'
Casio G-Shock Bluetooth 4.0 Prototype
Casio has just revealed its Bluetooth 4.0-enabled prototype model. The technologically pioneering timepiece can be synchronized to your smart phone and can alert you of incoming calls, texts, emails and other such activities. The watch is not only equipped to receive information but is also able to set off an alarm to allow you to locate your phone, should you have misplaced it nearby. Each of the features will soon be integrated to some of Casio’s most popular lines, including the G-Shock series. The release of the first model is expected somewhere between the next 12 to 24 months.
January 10, 2011
January 09, 2011
January 07, 2011
Nike & TomTom
Maybe you've been there: a room in a hotel that doesn't have a gym, having packed your running kit with the best intentions but at the same time not exactly relishing the prospect of getting lost. Which is why this collaboration between Nike and TomTom - a sports watch with a built-in GPS - is so smart. Easier to run with than your iPod or iPhone, plug it into a USB port on your Mac or PC and you can download routes for your location catalogued by length, difficulty and even landmarks, so you can sightsee while getting a workout in. It also records the total miles, pace and elevation of your last run, which comes in handy if you want to improve your performance on the road well pounded. Unveiled today at CES, this is arguably the most useful timepiece we've seen since the one that opened our Aston Martin.
via QG
Casio Tryx Camcorder
Designed for ultra-portability, the camera’s body swings out of the frame and can be rotated up to 270 degrees, whilst the frame itself can rotate a full 360, ensuring maximum utility. The Tryx boasts an impressive 12.1 megapixel sensor and is able to capture slow motion videos as well as panoramic views using its wide angle 21mm lens. The Casio Tryx will be available through select retailers from April for $250 USD.
January 05, 2011
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento
soooo 'batman'!!
It is looking like the Sesto Elemento could become a reality, Lamborghini suggested that the concept presented recently in Paris, could become a production model on the market and may be up for a short production run of 10 vehicle. The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento comes with an overall curb weight of just 2,202 lbs, a V10 power unit, and permanent all-wheel drive, as well as innovative carbon-fiber technologies. The concept is the only vehicle manufactured in the world to have mastered the complete CFRP process across a range of technologies, from 3D design through simulation, validation, production, and testing.
The Sesto Elemento features a lightweight carbon-fiber structure with the entire front frame, exterior panels, and crash boxes also made of CFRP. The major suspension components and the rims are also made from carbon fiber and the tailpipes are made from Pyrosic, which is an advanced glass-ceramic matrix composite. Carbon fiber is also present in the interior on the floor and roof of the monocoque, on the doors, and on the cockpit and center console.
The V10 engine delivers an amazing 570 hp and has a power-to-weight ratio of only 1.75 kilograms per hp. This allows the concept to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a sensational 2.5 seconds, while top speed will be higher than 186 mph.
via stdp
It is looking like the Sesto Elemento could become a reality, Lamborghini suggested that the concept presented recently in Paris, could become a production model on the market and may be up for a short production run of 10 vehicle. The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento comes with an overall curb weight of just 2,202 lbs, a V10 power unit, and permanent all-wheel drive, as well as innovative carbon-fiber technologies. The concept is the only vehicle manufactured in the world to have mastered the complete CFRP process across a range of technologies, from 3D design through simulation, validation, production, and testing.
The Sesto Elemento features a lightweight carbon-fiber structure with the entire front frame, exterior panels, and crash boxes also made of CFRP. The major suspension components and the rims are also made from carbon fiber and the tailpipes are made from Pyrosic, which is an advanced glass-ceramic matrix composite. Carbon fiber is also present in the interior on the floor and roof of the monocoque, on the doors, and on the cockpit and center console.
The V10 engine delivers an amazing 570 hp and has a power-to-weight ratio of only 1.75 kilograms per hp. This allows the concept to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a sensational 2.5 seconds, while top speed will be higher than 186 mph.
via stdp
January 04, 2011
Undercity Film NYC by Andrew Wonder
pretty cool
Between breaking into New York City’s subway system, Andrew Wonder has worked with directors like Antoine Fuqua, Harris Savides, ASC, Paul Schrader and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer David Turnley and is known for his ingenuity and unique style. Recently, Andrew completed a project that lasted four days deep under the streets of NYC and has released a short film documenting the whole thing. Using footage shot last summer, check out the film below!
via sd
Between breaking into New York City’s subway system, Andrew Wonder has worked with directors like Antoine Fuqua, Harris Savides, ASC, Paul Schrader and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer David Turnley and is known for his ingenuity and unique style. Recently, Andrew completed a project that lasted four days deep under the streets of NYC and has released a short film documenting the whole thing. Using footage shot last summer, check out the film below!
via sd
January 02, 2011
Jay-Z NYE Las Vegas Performance
"Empire State of Mind w/ Frank Sinatra Opening"
Oprah Launches "OWN" Network
'on to the next one..'
One of the world’s most powerful media figures is launching a risky new project this week — OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network. When the basic cable channel debuts on Jan. 1, its success or failure may rely on the talk show host’s core audience following her to cable.
Now, to be clear, that largely female audience is so famously passionate about the so-called Queen of All Media, they’ve been repeatedly parodied on the Onion News Network. The online comedy channel once spoofed a segment that had Oprah inviting “fans to be buried along with her in her tomb upon her death” and arranged in a giant sarcophagus so as to receive their guru’s wisdom in the afterlife.
But all jokes aside, television critic Eric Deggans of The St. Petersburg Times says Winfrey’s leap from network to cable television is well-timed. Deggans notes that since Winfrey started her show 25 years ago, a daily national syndicated show is less powerful than it used to be. If her regular daily talk show had continued, there’s a strong chance Winfrey would have faced pay cuts and the loss of some important markets.
via newsone
One of the world’s most powerful media figures is launching a risky new project this week — OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network. When the basic cable channel debuts on Jan. 1, its success or failure may rely on the talk show host’s core audience following her to cable.
Now, to be clear, that largely female audience is so famously passionate about the so-called Queen of All Media, they’ve been repeatedly parodied on the Onion News Network. The online comedy channel once spoofed a segment that had Oprah inviting “fans to be buried along with her in her tomb upon her death” and arranged in a giant sarcophagus so as to receive their guru’s wisdom in the afterlife.
But all jokes aside, television critic Eric Deggans of The St. Petersburg Times says Winfrey’s leap from network to cable television is well-timed. Deggans notes that since Winfrey started her show 25 years ago, a daily national syndicated show is less powerful than it used to be. If her regular daily talk show had continued, there’s a strong chance Winfrey would have faced pay cuts and the loss of some important markets.
via newsone
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM A.R.!!
"Happy New Year! Now is your chance to make it the best one yet." ~ Ralph Marston
December 31, 2010
'X Factor' Alum Cher Lloyd signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation
Jay-Z reportedly signed Cher Lloyd to Roc Nation after winning a bidding war with Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am.
Before sealing the deal with Roc Nation, Cher reportedly was in the middle of bidding war between Will.I.Am and Jay. "All the labels are on the lookout for sassy, young female artists with bags of attitude, and Cher fits that bill perfectly," the source gushed. "Will.I.Am's backing only intensified the battle to get her signature."
Actually, Cher has caught Hov's attention before Will.I.Am set his eyes on the girl. Early this month, Jay's partner Tinchy Stryder testified, "Cher is a real target for Jay-Z because she's proved she can sing really well, rap - and she's got great stage presence."
The insider went on, "After weighing up the pros and cons, it was thought that the team at Roc Nation would be best placed to turn her dreams of stardom into a reality." Now the singer who finished at the fourth place on the "X Factor" is sharing home with young rising star Willow Smith.
via. ti50
WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie Denim Laptop Bag
The bag features a tan interior with multiple compartments and space to hold a 13″ laptop. Priced at $395 USD.
December 26, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)