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Thursday, February 02, 2017

80S AD ICON, DOG SPUDS MCKENZIE 2 RETURN FROM THE GRAVE.

Bud Light, the Official Beer of the NFL, will debut a new 90-second Super Bowl spot as part of the brand's new campaign, "Famous Among Friends," re-introducing the brand's beloved  '80s pop culture icon and man's best friend, Spuds MacKenzie.

In the new Super Bowl spot, "Ghost Spuds," Spuds MacKenzie returns to visit an unsuspecting man, and along the way, helps him realize that sharing a Bud Light with friends is more than just drinking beers; it's about creating meaningful memories with friends.
"Bud Light has been present at memorable moments – big or small – among friends for decades," said Bud Light vice president Alex Lambrecht. "There's no one better than Spuds to celebrate Bud Light, and remind everyone that we don't just make beer, we enable moments that build and strengthen friendships."

The release of "Ghost Spuds," created by Wieden + Kennedy New York coincides with the 30th anniversary of Spuds' first appearance in Bud Light's Super Bowl XXI spot. The beloved Bull Terrier first appeared in the Super Bowl in 1987 and quickly won over the hearts and minds of Bud Light drinkers everywhere, and cemented his status as a pop culture staple. His affinity for living life to the fullest with friends, both old and new, embodied the spirit of Bud Light that we still honor today.

Although Spuds will be shedding his former persona, his message of lasting friendships is one that intends to resonate across generations, and integrate with Bud Light's broader "Famous Among Friends" brand campaign. Since 1982, Bud Light has been the most social, sessionable beer on the market, and the ultimate ice-breaker among strangers who are just friends you haven't had a Bud Light with yet. Spuds is coming back temporarily to help spread Bud Light's message of friendship in 2017 and after the Super Bowl will return to the after-life following the big game.

"It's been 30 years since we last saw Spuds MacKenzie. Or 210 if you are counting in dog years," says Wieden + Kennedy New York executive creative director, Karl Lieberman. "Nevertheless, it was the right time to set the record straight about what Spuds always represented: bringing friends together."

The ghost of Spuds is voiced by actor Carl Weathers, known for his roles in "Rocky," "Happy Gilmore" and more. "Ghost Spuds" is the second spot in Bud Light's recently launched campaign. The first spot, "Between Friends" aired during the AFC and NFC Championship games.

For more Bud Light updates and news follow @Bud Light on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and #FamousAmongFriends.  

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

SHAKIRA INVOKES ROCKY 4: "EVERYONE CAN...CHANGE!'

VIOLA DAVIS MAY MEND FENCES WITH TRUMP.

THE REPUBLICAN CLINTON CONTINUES...

"OVERRATED" REALTOR DONALD TRUMP ATTACKS, ACTUALLY ACCLAIMED ARTIST.

CAN GSN'S DIVIDED, UNITE AMERICA AGAIN?

PBS CELEBRATED MLK DAY, WITH THE LATE MAYA ANGELOU.

 Distinctly referred to as "a redwood tree, with deep roots in American culture," Dr. Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928-May 28, 2014) led a prolific life. As a singer, dancer, activist, poet and writer, she inspired generations with lyrical modern African-American thought that pushed boundaries. Best known for her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Random House), she gave people the freedom to think about their history in a way they never had before. The first feature documentary about her life, American Masters – Maya Angelou: And Still I Risepremieres nationwide Tuesday, February 21 at 8 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) during Black History Month as part of the 31stseason of THIRTEEN's American Masters series. PBS Distribution will release the film on DVD the same day, with additional bonus features, and on Digital HD February 22.
With unprecedented access, filmmakers Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack trace Dr. Angelou's incredible journey, shedding light on the untold aspects of her life through never-before-seen footage, rare archival photographs and videos and her own words. From her upbringing in the Depression-era South and her early performing career (1957's Miss Calypso album and Calypso Heat Wave film, Jean Genet's 1961 play The Blacks) to her work with Malcolm X in Ghana and her many writing successes, including her inaugural poem for President Bill ClintonAmerican Masters – Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise reveals hidden facets of her life during some of America's most defining moments. The film also features exclusive interviews with Dr. Angelou, her friends and family, including Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Common, Alfre WoodardCicely TysonQuincy JonesHillary ClintonLouis Gossett, Jr.John SingletonDiahann CarrollValerie Simpson, Random House editor Bob Loomis and Dr. Angelou's son, Guy Johnson.
"It was a unique privilege to be the first filmmakers to tell Dr. Angelou's full story and exciting to uncover stories that most people hadn't heard," said co-director and co-producer Bob Hercules (American Masters – Joffrey: Mavericks of American DanceAmerican Masters – Bill T. Jones: A Good ManForgiving Dr. Mengele).
"The film reflects on how the events of history, culture and the arts shaped Dr. Angelou's life, and how she, in turn, helped shape our own worldview through her autobiographical literature and activism," said co-director and co-producer Rita Coburn Whack (Curators of CultureRemembering 47th StreetAfrican Roots American Soil).
"It is bittersweet that Dr. Angelou takes her rightful place in the American Masters series posthumously," said executive producer Michael Kantor. "We are fortunate that Bob and Rita captured these insightful interviews with her just prior to her death so we can all learn from her wisdom firsthand."
Today, American Masters launches a year-long online campaign, #InspiringWomanPBS, based on themes central to Dr. Angelou's life: artistic expression, academic success, active community engagement and acceptance of difference. People can share stories of inspirational women in their own lives via text, images or videos on the American Masters website (http://pbs.org/americanmasters) or via Tumblr, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #InspiringWomanPBS. 
A video compilation series of the best submissions will be featured on PBS' Instagram Stories and Snapchat channels throughout the year. Additionally, previously unreleased videos from Maya Angelou: And Still I Riseand In Their Own Words: The American Masters Digital Archive will be released as part of the campaign, as well as new episodes of the American Masters Podcast
WNET Education will work with local PBS stations and local arts organizations across the country to engage diverse audiences in the campaign through a series of free, community-based screening events. They will also create educational resources based on the film for PBS LearningMedia. Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, #InspiringWomanPBS is the latest example of American Masters and WNET's commitment to educate and entertain audiences beyond broadcast. 
Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise premiered to critical acclaim at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. It won the Audience Award at AFI Docs and was featured at notable film festivals worldwide, including Full Frame, Sheffield, IDFA and Seattle, winning 17 awards on three continents, and has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award.
Launched in 1986, American Masters has earned 28 Emmy Awards — including 10 for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series and five for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special — 12 Peabodys, an Oscar, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards and many other honors. The series' 31st season on PBS features new documentaries about Patsy Cline (March), Chef James Beard (May 19) and Chef Jacques Pépin (May 26). American Masters is a production of THIRTEEN PRODUCTIONS LLC for WNET and also seen on the WORLD channel.
American Masters – Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise is a co-production of The People's Poet Media Group, LLC, THIRTEEN's American Masters for WNET, and ITVS in association with Artemis Rising. Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack are directors. David E. Simpson and Lillian E. Benson are editors. Keith Walker is director of photography, with original music by Stephen James TaylorRita Coburn WhackBob HerculesJay Alix and Una Jackman are producers. Reuben CannonMarquetta GlassSteve SarowitzMichael KantorRegina ScullyChris GardnerRaymond LambertSusan Lacy and Sally Jo Fifer are executive producers. Michael Kantor is American Masters series executive producer. 
Funding for Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise is provided in part by IDP Foundation, Ford Foundation/Just Films, National Endowment for the Arts, National Black Programming Consortium, Anne UlnickMichael Metelits, and Loida and Leslie Lewis
Major support for American Masters is provided by AARP. Additional funding is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Rosalind P. Walter, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Judith and Burton ResnickEllen and James S. Marcus, Vital Projects Fund, Lillian Goldman Programming Endowment, The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation, Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family, The André and Elizabeth Kertész Foundation, Michael & Helen Schaffer Foundation and public television viewers.

Later.