Foot Locker has been stepping up their marketing game lately launching their own Blog site called Foot Locker Unlocked. It’s the #1 place to see what’s new or will be released in foot locker locations. Also keeps you up to date on special midnight launches, has a gaming section, and of course you can order product directly from the site, if you don’t feel like traveling to a Foot Locker.
F.L. has been pushing this “Get Fresh Air” campaign pretty heavy for the past few weeks. The campaign promotes several newly released Nike Air shoes and features athletes Amar’e Stoudemire, DeSean Jackson and Chris Bosh. To create some music for the movement, Foot Locker enlisted Chicago duo The Cool Kids to do what they do best… “Get Fresh.” Check it out.
Gatorade has been doing it’s thing advertising wise for the past couple years now. Check out this piece with Kevin Peterson.
Beyond just its role as a sports drink brand, Gatorade has gone further once again in the realm of lifestyle with a new series of artist collaborations. Illustrator and media graphics artist Kevin Peterson creates a special piece under the theme of “Go All Day” and its meaning. The video showcases his process from start to finish along with three other personalities also on board including Kris Markovich, Neuzz and Cristin Denight. Spotted at Hypebeast
Earlier last week Red Bull announced that the 2011 Red Bull Music Academy will be taking place in Tokyo, Japan. The applications are now available online.
The RBMA is a world traveling workshop, and a platform for artists, musicians, producers, etc. of various genres around the world who shape our musical future. It’s a place to meet other artists from around the globe, learn, work on music, network, and hopefully become better at what you do. In a nutshell, it’s every motivated musicians wet dream!
If you are an musician, singer, emcee, DJ, producer, etc. I STRONGLY encourage you to apply for RBMA. It does not matter if your an artist who makes music from your bedroom for fun, or if you’re a Grammy nominated musician, anybody is eligible to apply.
So… how do you apply? Feel free to check out this video below to give so some more information on the application process. If your ready to go, head over to RedBullMusicAcademy.com where you can download and print the application.
Big Shouts to the homie Stanley Lumax who sent me over this Mountain Dew collaboration project with Jay Electronica.
Just wanted to share the latest project I’ve been working on. We had the pleasure of creating digital film for Mountain Dew Code Red with Jay Electronica in New Orleans. Take a look.
Behind the Scenes Footage:
Jay Electronica recently signed a deal to Jay Z’s imprint Roc Nation and should be releasing his debut album sometime this year.
Recently I was involved with putting together a volunteer holiday event for the Nike Running Store at Lenox (ATL). I partnered up with Carver Boys & Girls Club in the Kirkwood neighborhood of East Atlanta. For two days myself and the Nike team got out into the community to kick it with the youth. We did a lil mentoring, played some games, and gave out some toys. We didn’t do it alone though, along with the amazing Boys & Girls Staff, Chris Tucker, Young Jeezy, and local Atlanta radio personality Ryan Cameron (V-103) also came out for the festivities.
Food for the event was catered by the Chris Tucker Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive impact in youth locally. The foundation was founded by Atlanta comedian/actor Chris Tucker, who grew up not too far from the Kirkwood neighborhood. It was a huge surprise to the teens when Chris Tucker arrived at the center wearing a Santa Claus hat, and started telling jokes to everyone’s amusement.
The kids were also shocked with Ryan Cameron showed up and brought Def Jam rapper Young Jeezy with him.
Nike Lenox Team Day One
Ryan Cameron, Young Jeezy, and Nike Lenox Team.
Kids of Carver Boys & Girls Club with Young Jeezy and Ryan Cameron and plenty of toys.
Chris Tucker – And You Know This Man!
Chris Tucker with Carver Boys & Girls Club Staff. Shouts to Mr. Terrell, Mrs. Pam, and Mrs.
Chris Tucker with the Nike Crew.
The partnership between Nike and the Boys and Girls Club organization is another example of how corporations and community organizations can work together to make a meaningful change in the community.
Recently at the Nike Store Lenox in ATL I had the chance to work on an event with the 411 Brand. Created by John Thomas in 1992, the 411 Brand fuses music, sports, and entertainment figures with education to teach kids the importance of proper decision making. Since the 90′s the 411 Brand has hosted sports camps (Basketball, Golf, etc.) in urban communities across the country, as well as conducted successful panels. The 411 brand has worked with major music artists such as Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Goodie Mob, LL Cool J, Usher, and many more over the years.
“The411 Brand Program was created for the sole purpose of bridging the gap between successful individuals and a generation striving to become successful. We currently live in a world where many young people measure success by the amount of material things you have. Although this could be an indication of your accomplishments, it is by no means what makes you successful. We believe that, success comes from setting a goal and completing the journey it takes to achieve that goal. Each of our programs are designed to provide an opportunity for young adults to hear some of the most amazing journeys by some of the most successful individuals in our world today.” – John Thomas
This past weekends event featured Eshe of Arrested Development, Lamman Rucker (Actor: Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married 1&2) and was hosted by Big Lez (Former host of BET’s Rap City / Choreographer).
I got a chance to speak to the kids ages (16-24) from local Boys & Girls Clubs, and Clark Atlanta University about Nike I.D. and came up with trivia questions to make sure the kids were being attentive. Later in the event we raffled off a Nike I.D. experience to one lucky winner.
Check out some pics from the event…
Me speaking to the youth about Nike I.D.
Big Lez hosting
Lamman Rucker and Big Lez
L to R: John Thomas, Eshe, Big Lez, Lamman Rucker
Growing up as big fan of BET’s Rap City in the 90′s it was an honor to meet Big Lez.
Here is the latest installment from Gatorade and Nigel Sylvester’s short video campaign, “Go All Day,” featuring appearances from Teyanna Taylor, Vashtie, Donnis, and more.
Gatorade has been killing it with the marketing lately for the G Series
I hear the weather is great in nyc right now, which can only mean one thing. Baskebetball Courts are about to be packed for the next 5 months, and tournaments are about to be popping off all over the city.
This video is sponsored by basketball company K1X. Very fresh indeed.
With the news of Guru’s death this morning, a lot of us have been talking about our favorite Gangstarr moments, albums, songs, videos, etc. One of my favorite Gangstarr moments was seeing them live for the first and only time back in the summer of 1999 in Atlanta at Variety Playhouse for the Fat Beats Grand Opening Event.
I was about 16 at the time, and had been working my ass off at my lil job to save up the dough to get tickets (I think the rest of my money at the time pretty much went to sneakers and gear).
I made it to the show, and Guru and Dj Premier RIPPED their set. I took pics that day with a camera (not digital) and I still have the prints, I’ll have to get them scanned in one day so I can share them.
Another one of my favorite moments as a youngster who was into Marketing was when the video for the song “Royalty” came out with KC & Jo-Jo. If you remember the video, you might remember the scenes in the subway, there was a Gangstarr Metrocard that was swiped to get into the station.
When I first saw that, I thought it was a video prop, like a piece of paper made to look like a Metrocard or what not. BUT I was wrong. It wasn’t a prop, but actually a VERY Limited edition Metrocard that the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) issued in New York City.
Apparently there was a 100,000 of these cards issued and sold at select stations throughout the 5 Boroughs of NYC. If you were lucky to get ahold of one, you not only had a way to get around for the month, but you also had a collectors item.
The Metrocards came out right before the album “Moment Of Truth” and featured a picture of Guru and Dj Premier as well as the info on the album, release date, etc.
Don’t believe me, check it out for yourself.
You can see them in the video for “Royalty” as well.
So the BIG question is 12 years later, who still has a Gangstarr Limited Edition Metrocard???
It’s not too many emcees who can say their face has graced a Metrocard. That’s pretty innovative and a GREAT Marketing strategy. Just one of the many things Guru and Gangstarr did to make me a FAN in the 90′s.
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