Copyright 2006-2013 Unless otherwise noted, all contents copyright 2006-13 Joy Kennelly. If you are quoting this blog, please provide a citation and link back. Thanks for this courtesy!
I'm still working on a blog about the recent Grand Opening of Rock & Brews PCH featuring Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, but in the meantime, wanted to share some fun stuff I've been collecting which I thought you might enjoy as well.
First off, if you have a bikini ready body like Volleyball players, Michelle Lafigliola and the entire MCHS champion volleyball team, then check out the new styles from Breathe Bikinis showcased here.
Recognize Olympic Volleyball player, Eric Fonoimoana? He's the only guy in case you don't know.:)
Now if you're looking for some good summer reads while you hit the beach, here's a few famous female memoirs I recently finished which I recommend:
If you've always wondered what it would be like to be married to a famous rocker from the Rolling Stones, then wonder no longer. Her book will tell you all about it.
Lots of drugs, food, and music. Oh, and sex. Don't forget the sex. Oh, and even more drugs. Have to admit, that got a little tedious, but there is a happy ending to that section so keep reading.
All that said, I enjoyed hearing how Jo Wood pulled herself together after her husband's affair with a teenager (is 19 still a teenager? It's been so long I forget.) and created a whole new life for herself.
I also enjoyed learning about her organic business and how that came to be. She's definitely had an interesting life and this sneak peek behind-the-scenes is factual, funny, poignant and entertaining. Now I know why I am drawn to musicians so often.:)
On the flip side, Reba Merrill's book about creating an amazing career launched as an Arizona housewife and building a whole new genre of publicity - video interviews, was extremely interesting, especially as I launch my own video show. She spoke at a recent women's event I attended and was so inspiring I bought her book.
And I never buy books at book signings. Ever.
Seriously.
Her down-to-earth style of sharing about her amazing life interviewing celebrities over the past 20 years was such an easy read I finished it in two days. She dealt with sexism back in the 70's which I wished more young girls would read about to know how far we've come baby. She also dealt with sexual harrassment - promised her show would air if she performed sexual favors three days a week on some studio pig. She also has faced ageism and shared how that influenced her style and offerings. Very interesting book and if you're in the industry especially, you will enjoy her life story.
One of my favorite Real Housewives of New Jersey has also penned a memoir, the fiery redhead, Caroline Manzo, and if you're a fan of the show you will really enjoy this book. Just know the font size is extremely small for some reason making it hard to read at night if you're tired. However, it's very enjoyable and she doles out wisdom, advice, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, Italian recipes, and other information on the show which isn't gossipy, just sharing it like it is.:)
If you're a fan of Carol Burnett, or in the mood for a heartwarming story about the love of a child and their mother, then you must pick up Carol Burnettt's book (seen above) about her relationship with her wild child daughter, Carrie.
Reminded me of a friend of mine's child there was so much creativity and life in her story. It's broken into two parts and tells of Carrie's career aspirations and accomplishments, Carol's life as her mother and famous person, and is poignant, lovely and very easy to read.
However, it does break your heart, but then in Part Two, it lifts you back up by turning into the fictional story Carrie had been writing with Carol before she died.
I really, really, really enjoyed this story on many levels.
First, as a huge fan of the humor and career of Carol Burnett, then as a fan of her relationship with her daughter and lastly, as a fan of good writing. Very thoughtful, lovely story.
Now it can't be all about women, now can it?
In light of the fast approaching Father's Day, here's some fun suggestions on where to take Dad and what to possibly buy him, if he's a sporting kinda Dad, old sport. (Sorry, couldn't resist. The Great Gatsby has GROUND that word into my brain permanently. It's a fantastic film however.:)
Now if you haven’t made your plans for Father’s Day, then consider joining Firefly Bistro for some down-home southern music, fantastic beer and delicious BBQ at the 10th Annual Father’s Day Blues Barbequeat Firefly Bistro!
Here's Chef Paul Rosenbluh, executive chef and founder of Firefly Bistro, who was named Best Chef of America (in the ultimate guide of Chefs.) Now, if that's not an endorsement of driving out to Pasadena for some good 'ole Southern cooking with dear old Dad, I don't know what is!
Let Chef Paul take care of all your Father’s Day needs with Firefly’s homey ambience, southern charm and hearty cuisine perfect for the special BBQ menu.
Can you spell delicious? I knew you could.:)
Now to make sure Dad is looking fine, here's Cash Warren (Jessica Alba's house husband) sporting the Lacoste Corbon suede boat shoe – perfect for all family outings and a great gift for under $100 for dad in time for this Sunday!
And lastly, don't forget to watch Dexter's summer premiere on June 30th. We won't forget after enjoying this special ice cream treat delivered to the office!:)
Kinda creepy, eh?:) And that's all for now. Enjoy!
Fashion Digital LA recently wrapped up at the Director's Guild of America and what a powerful conference it was. I met upper-level executives from Nordstrom, ShoeDazzle, Jurlique, numerous smaller fashion brands like Apliq and Ellie, and major tech companies like Google, Amazon and more.
This is my kinda conference - where tech intersects fashion and people have been in the business a little longer than their 20's, but they're there to liven things up too like the founder of Apliiq.
Founded in 2008, Apliiq is a customizable clothing company that collects rare, deadstock and recognizable textiles and applies them to everyday garments. (From his press release.) Aren't these cute?
The reason I enjoy fashion is I have an AA in Fashion Merchandising, represented a few stylists, worked in retail for five years and have covered LA Fashion Week and other major fashion events across the country for over 7 years. My wardrobe may not always reflect the latest fashions, but if money was no object I would be a fashionista!:)
I love hearing amazing fashion icons discuss their passions, business practices and experiences in this realm. Especially as I continue to build my online women's community for female travelers. I always find you learn something from everyone regardless of whether or not it's in your exact industry. This one just happened to fit in perfectly with what I'm working on.
Smart people's practices translate across every industry.
And smart people were there at the DGA in full force. First up, was Lubov Azria, Chief Creative Officer, BCBGMAXAZRIA GROUP, who was interviewed by Annie Georgia Greenberg of Refinery 29, both true fashionistas.
Lubov was warm, gracious, humble and nothing like I expected from one of the world's most recognizable tastemakers. And Annie was a very good moderator, not injecting herself into every question. What a breath of fresh air!
Sometimes younger fashion people can be so snobby and none of the speakers, attendees, and vendors at Digital Fashion LA were anything like that which was really refreshing. It was an extremely professional conference on many, many levels. I was very impressed. Green Pearl knows what they are doing.
Back to the conversation.
Lubov explained rather than selling a brand, she feels they are selling a lifestyle. I heard that a lot from many of the speakers and it made sense. She also explained the simple truth, "No one needs more clothes." That's why her company focused on consumer's wants vs. needs and catered to those who really believe in the brand, in particular, her elite customers - those who spend money. She stated that 20 elite customers can bring in 1 million in sales. Whoa!
Her motto is based on Henry Ford's quote, "If I asked people what they wanted, I would have heard faster horses, but I made cars." She wants to inspire people to live inspirationally. She also said they are driven by providing a mix of high and low design, not merchant driven.
Now this is the part I found fascinating and other e-tailers will too potentially. When asked her e-commerce strategy, Lubov said they believe in engagement specializing in how the customer goes on their site. They listen to customer feedback, consider communication very important and make it easy for the consumer. They also believe in Geo targeting, use Facebook, emails, and blogger partnerships - they create events because both experiences online and in-store are very important.
See? Us bloggers are important!:)
Lubov supports a charity helping disadvantaged children and was touched to hear a young child had enjoyed her site because it's "the store that's open and never closes. It's fun and you can shop whenever you want." Thus, providing a small escape from the harsh realities of this child's life.
When asked by the moderator for an example of another company doing it right, Lubov offered Net-A-Port as an example of catering to consumers as a brand that does it best. She loved the whole experience of buying from them - the smell, the art and the packaging. Packaging is key! Made me want to buy something just to see what she was talking about!:)
Back to online though, she did share they are limiting their partnerships to keep consistency with their brand. Too many people don't properly use logos, colors or style which affects the brand overall. It's very important to stick to your brand dna - be very clear to your customer who you are. People buy because of what you do. The company's main focus now is on personalizing the experience across all platforms and methods of outreach. She wasn't the only speaker to mention that either.
Many were limiting affiliate marketing except for Pinterest to keep their content consistent with their brand. Currently, BCBG is redesigning the site, including more video (great to hear since that's something I'm including in mine!) with bigger windows, more zoom ability - making it so the customer doesn't have to think and making it easier, more effortless through digital.
She kinda pooh poohed many of the 360 camera shots of images claiming video was much more interesting and engaged more consumers.
However, for many companies I'm sure it's a viable alternative. Plus, as a consumer, I like those visuals. What I hate are tiny thumbnails that make it hard to see the image. Otherwise, I'm cool with seeing it rotate and find it fun to spin the product.:)
Lubov wasn't the only person to say video was key throughout the day either.
Both Mary Cooney, AVP - eCommerce, Kérastase & Shu Uemura Art of Hair (seen above) and Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, Founder & CEO, Joyus.com said basically the same thing. (Loved her site name.:)
Here's a fun example from Joyus:
Sukhinder said with video there is more of an implicit trust because people don't feel like they're being sold to. It's just part of an authentic story about the brand. She said it's rare that the founders are involved in the actual video because she preferred to use Network Chefs, stylists, makeup artists and others who are known and unknown to tell the story.
One interesting tool they also employ is adding the shopping cart right in the video making it very easy for the consumer to purchase if they like what they're watching. "We want our customer to be serendipitous," said Sukhinder. "Video is very impactful."
Her company uses curation with a trusted personality aligning with the woman they are selling to which creates a user experience akin to discovery. There's a direct connection to the consumer similar to many of the popular direct selling companies like J. Hilburn which was mentioned in another session.
David Towers, Vice President – Ecommerce, Wet Seal's advice regarding how video is presented was to keep it short, focus on one item, 2-3 min max, and don't give too many choices. A sample merchandising formula is to create a look, but don't talk about everything. Keep the focus on one product.
Good advice, don't you agree?
That said, make sure it's viable from multiple viewpoints - ie Kindle, cell, mobile and PC. David feels mobile is taking over with his demographic - teenagers. That's why he felt it was very important to have a responsive design.
Eric Koger, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, along with his wife/partner, Susan Gregg Koger, Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder, ModCloth, agreed during their session too. With over 1 million sales in 2012 alone, I think I'll listen to what they have to say.
They employ many cute marketing programs that have been extremely successful in engaging their community. They keep their product line live on the web forever and as a result, any time someone is shopping if they see something they like, Modcloth will accomodate their request if enough people click their "I need it" button. This allows Modcloth to bring back outdated and sold-out items according to customer demand.
It also provides Modcloth with an accurate assessment of customer trends. Another cute idea was having a "love list" which entails clicking a heart similar to a "like" button on Facebook. There was a much higher engagement on mobile with this. When someone clicks the heart button, cute phrases pop up like, "XOXO" or "We were made for each other." The person who came up with all of those had a lot of fun creating these phrases!
Interesting facts presented throughout the day on conversion rates were as follows:
A good e-commerce site will have a 20% conversion rate.
A bricks-n-mortar store will have a 20-30% conversion rate.
Modcloth receives 40% of their traffic from mobile and that has doubled since January. Weekends are growing for interaction and Wed too with Thanksgiving their highest sales. They surmised all their users were probably sneaking in shopping while visiting relatives.:)
Modcloth has experienced a 40% increase in revenue every year. They have found installing an app makes a user shop more.
They aren't the only company to benefit from mobile. 21% of all users buy 44% of the volume sales. 25%+ are Paypal active and 10% of all payments are made on mobile. Overall transactions are 38%. Now this is the fact that really blew me away. Did you know that Ebay has 112 million active users whereas PayPal has 123 million? That's amazing to me.
On Gorjana Griffin, 88% have PayPal accounts and customers spent 2.5 million on Ebay during a 12 month period. Wallets were the top sellers with Louis Vuitton and Chanel in the 25 - 50 dollar range were the highest purchases. This fact was courtesy Roy Rubin, Co-Founder, Co-General Manager & COO, Magento if memory and my notes hold true.
3. If someone buys online and picks it up in person, there is a 300% conversion rate.
Interesting fact, isn't it? The experience in the "physical" world is still very important.
Now one program that kept coming up throughout the day as a way to track this online activity was InSparq. It tracks customers as they interact socially. Helps a marketer learn who is driving traffic to your site and then provides a way for you to use that info to segment your audience.
Kinda creepy to the lay person, but as a marketer, you really do want to know what is making your readers, viewers, shoppers "click." How do you like that play on words?:) Many, many of the top online retailers were using it and the Insparq moderator was very sharp. If I were an ecommerce site, I would recommend checking it out. The other popular one was Looker which provides data flexibility, reporting, and decisions in real time.
Another popular program was called MyThings which Expedia and AirBnB employ. It creates ads to drive traffic back to your site which explains why everywhere I looked after I wrote about Tailored Republic, I saw only their ads everywhere. I had always wondered why that was true and my lunch mate explained this was actually part of a software program he sold.
Hadar Paz, North America CEO, inside.tm, gave a very interesting presentation of how his program worked which essentially re-creates the real world shopping experience with a virtual one inside his online store floor plan.
Imagine you're an online shopper searching around a website looking for an item, how would you like someone to pop up and say, "Hi, how's your weather today?" Here's an example of a sample conversation and experience shown visually.
I'm giving you highlights because I think these are the key take-aways, at least for me. The whole day was really interesting and I learned a lot.
Here's some random shots to showcase the day's events...
The Polo season in Southern California jumps forward with a spectacular match between the Beverly Hills Polo Club and the Celebrity Ranch Polo Club for a Charity event in tribute to The Great Gatsby motion picture on behalf of the Celebrity Foundation for Children on Saturday June 8th at the Will Rogers State Park Polo Fields at 1:30PM.
Polo and celebrity fans will experience a spectacular day at one of Hollywood’s most nostalgic past times, competitive Polo.
“ This famous polo field boasts celebrity actor polo players for over 75 years such as Spencer Tracy, Clark Gable, Darryl Zanuck, David Niven, Hal Roach, Walt Disney, Will Rogers and the Maharajah of India.”, said Michael Farah, the organizer and El Patron of the Celebrity Ranch Polo Club.
More contemporary stars also play here including Tommy Lee Jones, Sylvester Stallone, Stephanie Powers, William Devane, Conan O’Brian, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Argentina’s Nacho Figueras polo champion and spokesperson for Ralph Lauren, and John Walsh.
Some of them will be dropping by to watch the home team. Joining in to play will be some of Southern California’s most famous polo players including Scott Walker, Joe Anthony, Denny Geiler of Pacific Polo Circuit Government, Dr. Rick Paicius, El Patron of the Nacho Figueras Southern California Team. Members of the United States Military Armed Forces Polo players and many others will attend including two Argentine pro players who will each be competing against echo the Topo Mendez for Beverly Hills Polo and Alejandro Nordheimer for Celebrity Ranch Polo.
Celebrity horsewomen and other supporters expected will include Shirley Jones, Ed Lauter, Frank Stallone, Lou Ferrigno, Robert Davi, Bo Derek, Renee Taylor, Joe Bologna, Martin Landau, Rebecca Holden, and many others being added on now. Also expected is polo player Stefanie Powers, Maria Conchita Alonso, Tyrone Power Jr., Martin Landau, Chuck McCann, Ken Davitian, George Hamilton, Jacob Diamond(Fast & Furious6)Ron Masak, Charles Fleischer, Deborah Shelton (new Dallas) Bai Ling, cast members from ‘The Great Gatsby’and many others.
The Will Rogers State Park Polo Fields
1501 Will Rogers State Park Road
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
DRESS THEME: Great Gatsby- 1920’s- Voluntary. Weather will be warm and sunny.
1930’s Classic Auto cars will drive onto the field between Chukkers and halftime.
Special recognitions for Best Hats.
About Celebrity Foundation for Charity: www.celebrityfoundation.com 5000 Children have attended the Celebrity Ranch in Temecula.
Finally in the mindframe to write my wrap-up of the amazing Fashion Digital Los Angeles conference I recently had the pleasure of covering. To give you an insight into the caliber of the show, I'm copying their wrap-up first and then will begin my more personalized version after.
Here's Part I lifted from their website directly:
Fashion Digital Los Angeles
Fashion Digital Los Angeles was a great success! Over 450 attendees from over 210 firms participated in May 16th’s event. See who!
Attendees heard from several of the most influential leaders of fashion e-commerce throughout the day of networking and informational panels and workshops.
See our recap from the event and check out more pictures from Flickr. (Side note, isn't Flickr's new design stunning? Or else it's Fashion Digital's brilliance.:)
As Chief Creative Officer of BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP, Lubov Azria embodies both the aesthetic and spirit of the successful, global fashion house. Taking inspiration from art, music, film and travel, Lubov designs for today’s woman with a point of view that is informed by her own life and style. Lubov joined BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP as a Designer in 1991 and was named Creative Director in 1996, the same year the company’s core brand, BCBGMAXAZRIA, first debuted its Runway collection during New York Fashion Week. Under Lubov’s influence, the BCBGMAXAZRIA brand has evolved from an emerging contemporary line to one of America’s leading design houses.
Eric Koger, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder,ModCloth
Eric co-founded ModCloth, an innovative online retailer of vintage inspired fashion and décor, known for collaborating with its global community of female customers on the development of inspiring merchandise. Eric hopes to eventually change the way fashion and décor are developed, discovered, and delivered around the globe. He has been recognized by both Inc., BusinessWeek, and Forbes as a top entrepreneur under 30.
Susan Gregg Koger, Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder, ModCloth
Susan started ModCloth when she was just 17. ModCloth was operated out of dorm rooms and basements for four years, and after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University in 2006, Susan and husband/co-founder Eric Koger made the decision to expand and sell vintage-inspired clothing from talented indie designers all over the world. Today ModCloth has grown into a thriving business of over 270 employees, and the company has gained attention for its dedication to customer engagement on the site, as well as for being a vanguard in the social media sphere. Susan was recognized by Inc. Magazine as the “#2 Top Entrepreneur under 30 ” and named to BusinessWeek’s 2010 list of the “Best Young Tech Entrepreneurs.” She was also named to Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs List in 2010, Forbes’ “30 Under 30 in Technology” List, and she was named a White House Champion of Change in 2011.
Eric Koger, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder,ModCloth
Susan Gregg Koger, Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder, ModCloth
Michelle Lam,Chief Executive Officer,True&Co
Jeff Lunsford, Chief Executive Officer, Tealium
Heather Nigro,Retail Practice Lead, Corra
Jim Okamura, Managing Partner, Okamura Consulting
Hadar Paz, North America CEO, inside.tm
Hilary Peterson, Head of Business Development, Lyst
Jon Provisor, CIO, Guidance
Elizabeth Ragone, Director – Digital Merchandising, HSNi
Michael Relich, Executive Vice President & CIO, Guess?, Inc
RJ Rowntree, eCommerce Manager, Rackspace
Roy Rubin, Co-Founder, Co-General Manager & COO, Magento
Danielle Savin, Director – Retail Strategy Consulting, Lyons Consulting Group
Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, Founder & CEO, Joyus.com
John Squire, President, eCommera
David Sobie, VP – Marketing & Business Development, HauteLook
Andy Solomon, Chief Operating Officer, Sole Society
Veronika Sonsev, CEO & Founder, inSparq
Jeremy Swift, Vice President – Strategic Accounts, BlueHornet
David Towers, Vice President – Ecommerce, Wet Seal
Philippe von Borries, CEO & Co-Founder, Refinery29
Sarah Wallis, Chief Operating Officer, Indochino
Craig Wax, Chief Executive Officer, Invodo
David Weissman, President & Co-Founder, Little Black Bag
Okay, was this cool, or what?:)
Now, here's a list of what was discussed based on what I heard (there were others, but you can find them on the website here: http://lafashiondigital.com/
Conference Agenda Joy Attended Included:
Content + Commerce = More Sales. Fresh, interesting content engages customers, creates site “stickiness” and creates a talking point. However, great content is neither easy nor inexpensive. Despite these challenges, some retailers have learned how to make compelling content work for them. Meet a panel of retailers who have cracked the content code.
Beating Amazon with Inspiration-Based Commerce? Yes, It’s Possible! Amazon has proven to be the king of “fulfillment-based” e-commerce. If you know what you want, Amazon makes it very hard not to buy from them. There is a weakness in this approach that competitors can exploit – the key is inspiration. Hear from industry experts on how they have been able to inspire customers to buy products that they didn’t yet know they needed when they first visited your site, or only came to buy a single product.
Growing your Business in a Rapidly-Changing Customer Acquisition Landscape
The ground is shifting under the feet of online marketers. Google is changing its algorithms and campaign rules, group buying is affecting affiliates and retargeting is now part of most retailers’ business development strategy. New technologies and startups are bringing a host of services to give retailers more bang for their marketing buck. This panel discussion will feature innovative companies that are taking a fresh approach to improving customer acquisition efforts.
E-Commerce Ballet: The Need for Agility
In e-commerce, a “build it and they will come” approach is not sustainable. Customers are more demanding competition is fierce. Retailers must be agile to keep pace while building differentiated customer experiences. Hear how leading retailers have made their e-commerce business agile and allowed them to stay a step ahead of customers and competitors.
Please subscribe to our mailing list for updates to the program.
I've been SLAMMED and finally able to come up for air to write. Have a lot to cover, but wanted to bring you up-to-date first.
I really enjoyed working with Actress Suveria Mota to launch her appearances in the two-part stage play, "What Would You Do For Love?" by GMC, (renamed UP effective June 1) which is also when the 2nd original stage play continues where Part I left off.
Suveria & I are on a brief hiatus, but both of us are very excited to have the second part of her show entitled "Love Will Find A Way" air June 1 as I mentioned above. Here's a teaser for that show:
Here's the official UP press release for "What Would You Do For Love?" and a 30 second teaser too:
Part One of a Two-Part Romantic Dramedy Starring Christian Keyes, Gabrielle Dennis, Jason Weaver, Vanessa Simmons, Carl Payne, Shanti Lowry and Suveria Mota
Premieres Saturday, May 11 at 7 PM, 9 PM and 11 PM ET/PT, Exclusively on GMC TV
ATLANTA – May 3, 2013 – GMC TV, America’s favorite channel for uplifting family entertainment, presents the original GMC World Premiere Stage Play “What Would You Do For Love” (www.watchgmctv.com/stageplay, #StagePlay), the first of a two-part romantic dramedy starring Christian Keyes (What’s Done In The Dark, Madea Goes To Jail), Gabrielle Dennis (“The Game”), Jason Weaver (Drumline, ATL), Vanessa Simmons (Dysfunctional Friends, “Run’s House”), Carl Payne (“Martin,” “The Game”), Shanti Lowry (“The Game,” “The Closer”) and Suveria Mota (Larry Crowne, “Glee”). “What Would You Do For Love” makes its world television premiere exclusively on GMC TV on Saturday, May 11 at 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET/PT.
“We love working with Atlanta’s very own Sid Powell and absolutely loved this script,” says Leslie Glenn Chesloff, GMC TV’s executive vice president of programming. “After discovering Sid through 2011’s The American Black Film Festival’s GMC Faith and Family Screenplay competition and bringing the hit Somebody’s Child to GMC, we’re proud to continue to support her strong, funny, unique voice with “What Would You Do For Love.’”
“What Would You Do For Love” continues in part two of the play, entitled “Love Will Find A Way,” premiering on June 1, 2013.
GMC’s “What Would You Do For Love” is produced by Swirl Films’ Eric Tomosunas, who has produced and taped numerous stage plays and feature-length films for television and DVD, including "35 & Ticking," "Love for Sale," "A Mother’s Prayer," "There’s a Stranger in My House," “Love Will Keep Us Together,” “Love Me or Leave Me,” “The Ideal Husband,” “The Love You Save” and “Sugar Mommas.” Follow Swirl Films on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Swirl-Films-Inc/178293836335 and Twitter on @SwirlFilms.
“What Would You Do For Love” is the fourteenth original stage play to air in GMC TV’s hit World Premiere Stage Play series following the success of GMC productions “Love Will Keep Us Together,” “Between Sisters,” “Love Me or Leave Me,” “The Ideal Husband,” “She’s Not Our Sister,” “The Love You Save,” the NAACP-nominated “Sugar Mommas,” “If You Really Love Me,” “For Richer For Poorer,” “From This Day Forward,” “In Sickness and In Health,” “To Love and To Cherish,” and “Community Service.” GMC is the only network producing this popular medium and introducing new, original works to a broad television audience. For photos and more information, please go to:www.watchgmctv.com/GMC/WhatWouldYouDoForLovePressRoom.
So, that's all on Suveria Mota at the moment, but stay tuned more to come!
Next up is my coverage on the recent Fashion Digital Conference and Grand Opening of Rock & Brews PCH featuring KISS Co-Founders, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. I know, hard life right?:)
WHO: Dominican Actress Suveria Mota (Las Pandillas de Los Angeles) co-stars as Raquel
alongside:
Christian Keyes (Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Lets Stay Together), Carl Payne (Martin, Rock Me Baby), Jason Weaver (Smart Guy, The Jacksons: An American Dream), Shanti Lowry (The Game) , Vanessa Simmons (Run's House), Gabrielle Dennis (The Game, Blue Mountain State).
WHEN: This Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 4pm, 7pm and 9pm
WHERE: GMC can be viewed on the following stations in LA:
4DTV Channel W5292
DIRECTV Channel 338
DISH Network Channel 188
FAVE Channel 113
Sky Angel Faith TV Channel 113
Time Warner Cable Channel 160
Dominican Actress Suveria Mota getting feisty with Actor Christian Keyes in GMC TV's "What Would You Do for Love?"
WHY: Raquel is a sassy, out-spoken Dominican woman with a great heart who works at
Fit & Fab Gym with fitness trainer, Actor Christian Keyes and the popular cast.
After inheriting millions, Christian’s character seeks true love in 30 days while
keeping his newfound wealth a secret.
Since one of my favorite past times when traveling is to visit the public library in a city, I thought I'd share that Tuesday, May 7, 2013, hundreds of people will gather in Washington, D.C. to tell Congressmen to protect library funding.
Libraries are a safe haven, they're where people who can't afford the internet find access, it's where children learn to read and enjoy having books read to them, it's where you can find all kinds of research, escape the world in new worlds built in your imagination and we need them as a society.
Here's some information that was presented to me you may not know about your favorite celebrities. Who knew they read too?:) That's George Lucas' personal library. Awesome, eh?
To mark the annual day, here's some facts about celebrities who love libraries:
*Beyoncé has her own personal librarian that catalogues nearly 50,000 reams of footage of herself that she amassed for ten years.
*Bill Cosby, winner of the Library of Congress' "Living Legend" award, has raised funds for the Brooklyn Public Library's Support Our Shelves fundraising campaign.
*NBA player and Olympic gold medalist Dwayne Wade was the Honorary Chair of the American Library Association’s Library Card Sign-up Month.
*Bestselling author Ray Bradbury has said “Most of you can afford to go to college, but if you want to educate yourself completely, go to the library and educate yourself. When I was 28 years old, I graduated from Library.”
*Karl Lagerfeld, Rod Stewart, Diane Keaton, Woody Allen, Joan Rivers, Kelsey Grammer and Oprah all own large, private libraries.
*Oprah’s large library collection contains autographed first editions of “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee and John Steinbeck’s “Cup of Gold.” (This is hers.)
*Kirk Douglas has said “"My mother and father were illiterate immigrants from Russia. When I was a child they were constantly amazed that I could go to a building and take a book on any subject. They couldn't believe this access to knowledge we have here in America. They couldn't believe it was free.”
LOS
ANGELES, CA Actress Suveria Mota
co-stars as Raquel, in “What Would You Do for Love,” alongside Christian
Keyes, Carl Payne, Jason Weaver, Gabrielle Dennis, Vanessa Simmons and
Shanti Lowry. Raquel is a sassy, out-spoken Dominican woman with a great heart who
works at Fit & Fab Gym with fitness trainer, Actor Christian Keyes.
After
inheriting millions, Christian’s character seeks true love in 30 days while
keeping his new-found wealth a secret. This two-part World Premiere adapted
stage show is scheduled to air on the GMC network this spring
(2013).
On the set of GMC's What Would You Do for Love?
“I loved playing the part of Raquel and had the best time
with the cast on and off the set,” says Suveria. “Working alongside veteran
actors helped me learn a lot about trusting my comedic choices. I'm
also very thankful to the Director Drue Powell for letting me make a few
improv choices in some scenes like adding in a few simple Spanish words here
and there.”
Within three months of moving to Hollywood, Actress
Suveria Mota joined SAG and AFTRA working as a stand-in on top-rated television
series and films which included "Glee," "Honey 2," "Larry Crowne," and "Spores." Not one
to let grass grow under her feet, she continued to hone her craft by taking
acting and production classes, all the while auditioning for major parts.
Her
hard work has paid off as Suveria now has a starring role in Swirl Films’ “What
Would You Do for Love.”
Born in Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, the
bilingual beauty with an exotic look has put her
Spanish language skills to good use in Producer/Director Lamonte Moore’s
animated cult film, “Las Pandillas
Actress Suveria Mota and Estrella TV News Anchor, Myrka Dellanos
de Los Angeles,” as well as being seen on
stage in the Spanish theatrical play, “Madres & Heronias.” She has also
done guest spots on the web series’ “Screensters” and
“Bridges to Bridges.”
Suveria Mota moved to New York City at the age of four.
Her abilities as a dancer found her performing all over the city while in High
School, but acting was always her true calling. She attended Lehman College and
graduated with a degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology, and a minor in
English Literature.
Suveria’s ear for language, grace as a dancer, beautiful
exotic look and cosmopolitan outlook bodes well for her success in
Hollywood.
About GMC TV
GMC TV (www.watchGMCtv.com) is America’s favorite network for uplifting music and
family entertainment. The network presents original and acquired movies,
series, stage plays and music specials along with gMovies, the first
faith-friendly streaming movie service. The GMC TV brand is reflected in
“Uplift Someone,” the network’s successful pro-social initiative. GMC TV can be
seen in more than 62 million homes on various cable systems around the country,
as well as DISH Network on channel 188, DIRECTV on channel 338 and Verizon FiOS
on channel 224. Follow GMC TV on Facebook and Twitter.
Suveria Mota has attended OK! Magazine's "So Sexy" party at the Mondrian Sky Bar, and Estrella TV's launch party for News Anchor, Myrka Dellanos with more appearances planned.
Every so often, there comes a point in my journey where I realize I can't do it all by myself no matter how hard I try. I need help. As an entreprenuer it's easy to get so focused on what you're working on that you forget there are people in your life who are struggling too and we're not alone in this.
We're all in this together. We all want each other to succeed.
Sometimes it doesn't feel like that. Sometimes it doesn't look like that. But when you peel away the facade, hear someone's story and realize they're struggling to make it just like you it's really encouraging. I'm not alone. I can relate to someone else. They get me too.
It was another reason I returned to LA after living in GA. I missed the entreprenuerial spirit, the "we're going to make something big happen," and the excitement of seeing people find success when they worked hard enough and long enough towards a goal. The skies the limit out here. You never know when you'll meet the next Bill Gates, Ralph Lauren, Van Gogh, or Jennifer Lawrence and that's exciting.
I also love the international aspect of CA. My new client is from the Domican Republic, I have a Russian friend I'll be telling you about in a little bit, and LA is such a melting pot you're always meeting new cultures, new personalities and new people. Love it!
Being an entreprenuer is something I've been all my life. I don't really know how else to be. When I was very young I picked flowers from our yard and sold them to our neighbors. When I was in high school my sisters and I sold the most candy bars in the entire school to earn a TV because we didn't have one growing up and really wanted it. We went door-to-door, sold them outside grocery stores and just made it happen.
My Dad wanted us to read and not be influenced by TV, but gave in when we won one of our own. What could he say? He's very entreprenuerial too and despite having stability with his teaching career, always invested wisely in real estate and taught us the value of a dollar and working hard to achieve it.
I've tried corporate life and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Each time has been a learning experience, a growing experience, and a chance to see how other people run their companies - what works, what doesn't. What systems are in place, what roles people play, how people accept certain things, or not. Also, a chance to make friends, many I've kept in touch with long after.
I've been working at Shopzilla, a shopping portal, off and on for a few years now and it's one of my favorite companies I have ever worked for. They're chill, low-key, low stress, no drama, and everyone genuinely likes each other and working there. At least that's what I've observed.
I always feel welcome when I pop in for my gigs and like I have value. It may be a minor role I play, but I feel accepted, supported and like I have friends who care. When I'm not there I don't think about them or hang out, but keep up on Facebook and when I'm back, it's like no time has passed at all.
All that to say, it's what I realize is missing in my life more and more. Working on my new web series/travel show and corresponding online social community for women has been a lonely, isolated experience. I don't have an office I go to, I don't have co-workers to bounce ideas off of, and I am not actively encouraging or supporting anyone else in their endeavors until recently.
That's why I was so happy to work with an actress to help her launch her career now that she has a starring role in a big TV movie airing on GMC this spring called "What Would You Do for Love." She's beautiful, talented, grounded, humble and smart. Everything you could ever ask for of someone you represent.
Her name is Suveria Mota and mark my words, you will remember her name because this is just the start of something big for her. She's too talented, too beautiful, and too motivated not to succeed. Plus, she has the support of her family which makes all the difference in the world.
Actress Suveria Mota - Pretty in Pink
Sultry Actress Suveria Mota
See what I mean? Beautiful inside and out.
And we're just getting started working together! It was so fun to have her join me at the OK! Magazine's "So Sexy" party at the Mondronian Sky Bar recently because it was a great party filled with lots of beautiful people. Recognize anyone?:)
It feels good to sow into her life and help her achieve her goals because I love helping women move forward in their lives.
It's why I started my Goal Gals group and it's why I'm starting my travel adventure website/show for women too.
I want to show women they can have fun traveling, escape the worries of their life and come back with a renewed, refreshed outlook and perspective to attack life more joyfully, with an open-heart and feeling fulfilled. Travel does that as a by-product of new experiences and new people.
It's life-changing.
I may not have a lot of physical possessions, but the memories I've developed over the years from traveling is priceless. I'm not materialistic, never have been.
I like nice things, but don't need them to feel I have value as a human being. I learned that volunteering with Hungarian orphan children right after college and through my spiritual studies. The orphans gave freely of the little they had and were the happiest children I have ever met. It's why I ran a toy drive to give them toys for four years after meeting them until a Hungarian woman took over the toy drive for me.
That's why I wanted to share another friend's story with you too. You have probably seen Victoria Kashtan at various Silicon Beach events shooting pictures, smiling, always gracious, always kind, but her humble demeanor hides her brilliance which I really feel needs to shine and why I felt compelled to share her doc with you today.
Plus, her doc, Notes of a Freshman, includes another tech startup company I respect and support, Enplug. Win, win.:)
Here's the story line: "They are both Freshman – they’re both dreamers. An amateur Russian filmmaker struggling for her life in America meets a Chinese entrepreneur – David – building a new media Empire in Hollywood.
Inspired by David’s personality and deeply believing in his ideas, she rises to the challenge of making a movie about him and his company. Treating his character as a future celebrity in the beginning of his way she stakes her career on creating the story of the American Dream in the twenty-first century."
Watch and see...
Isn't she talented? And so interesting too. I find her Russian background very unique and also, Enplug's story too. If you care to contribute, or get involved, click here for info: http://www.victoriakashtan.com/#!notes-of-a-freshman/c23eb
So, all this to say, even though our LA Tech and Entertainment scene can be disjointed. Even though it sometimes feels like you're not really supported, you are. We're not alone. We are in this together. We really do want each other to succeed. I know I need to immerse myself even more by moving closer and getting involved even more.
Find an accelerator to be around more like minds. Find funding to move my project along faster. Find business people I can learn and grow from even more. Find more cool events to take my client to and introduce her to the right people.
I need the support and encouragement of friends who get me and what I'm doing too. I also need some distance between me and my family to be able to focus on what I need to accomplish for my client and myself more fully.
Even though I have no idea what the future holds, I'm excited for it. I know if I work hard enough I will find success for Suveria and myself. And hopefully other women who need a positive role-model to see they can make it too against incredible odds.
I gain encouragement from the youthful optimism of the young female entreprenuers I meet at various tech events who haven't faced road blocks yet, or experienced aging parents yet and all the dynamics that brings.
Here's something Victoria has on her website which encapsulates this feeling:
“Very quickly I realized that if you really want to become Someone in America you have to create something unique and be persistent in promoting yourself. Even if you can only show your naked ass in the window you have to show it every day at the same time so finally you’ll start to get paid for it”
– Vica for Notes Of A Freshman
I need to be reminded by younger entreprenuers that it is possible. Life can be good. And everything's going to be ok. Sometimes I just wish I had someone strong to lean against to gain strength from, but since I don't have a guy in my life right now I gain encouragement from my friends and my church. And God.
"For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:13
9 "And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12: 9,10
And I'll leave you with this because it's one of my favorite songs to listen to and sing along with. Gives me such hope and encouragement too. Christina Perri's A Thousand Years
One of the many reasons I moved back from Georgia after living there a year is I really missed my daily, almost hourly infusion of celebrities we are fed through the news, internet and simply by virtue of living in CA. Shallow, I know, but there's something special about being around people who have achieved something many others in the world only dream about.
That said, now that I'm attending more A-list events, it's something I'm adjusting to because it's been a little while.:) Living in Georgia, I was out of the loop in that regard because no one knew me back there in the same way my fellow publicists and friends do out here.
There was also more of a, how do you say, "distinction" because for some reason back there, every high-end event also had a high price tag which made it prohibitive to attend regularly and it was hard to find out about events because I wasn't as tapped in as I am here.
It was a weird feeling to start over in Georgia professionally when I'm used to the perks and ease that comes along with years-old business relationships built on trust, mutual respect and professional standing. Plus, having a blog that people in the industry read makes a difference too.
However, I'm glad I took the break because it has helped me appreciate what I do have in my life professionally and personally that much more. Like being invited to special events!:)
I do find though, that certain people who only saw me in a certain way in GA, have more difficulty accepting the fact that I do attend celebrity events and enjoy this lifestyle very much. There's jealousy and weirdness that comes with those friendships and as a result, sometimes I find it's difficult to share because I don't want to offend or make someone jealous.
But now that some time has passed, I don't care as much.:) Plus, my CA friends see so many celebrities too that it's not a big deal to them which levels the playing field.
That's why I want to share with you who else was in attendance at the recent cool Onyx and Breezy Foundation Fundraiser and the rest of the evening now. Even I was impressed to be included in such cool company and I'm not easily impressed too often.
Here's some highlights of people you may recognize:
Emmy Rossum and guest
Peter Facinelli of Twilight renown
Katherine Ross (The Graduate, Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid) Diane Warren (Honoree of the evening and music icon), Sam Elliott (Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, Tombstone & many more)
There were other red carpet appearances which you can peek at here.
We all enjoyed performances by American Idol, Lee Dewyze and Dominic Scott Kay and listened to a funny announcer who auctioned off an amazing picture of Marilyn Monroe created by one of the youngest artists to ever be accepted into the Louvre and then listened to Ken Howard introduce Diane Warren and Christopher Ameruoso as the esteemed honorees of the night, and James Costa introduce Foundation Founder, Wanda Shefts.
Here's the sweet note I received from them after I shared Part I: "Joy, thank you so much for the beautiful write up. We're glad you enjoyed yourself. It was a big night for us and we had a great response to our formal introduction of the O&B to L.A.
The need is so great in L.A. and we've spent so much money in grants saving animals in L.A. it just made sense to finally have a fundraiser there. We've saved over 1600 animals from the euthanasia list in L.A. alone in the last couple of years. That's not counting the funds spent on spay/neuters or medical emergencies. Thank you again for your lovely description of the party. We hope to do something even larger next year and if so, we hope you'll be there to join us."
Here's some pictures I snapped when my camera died. Please make sure to watch the highlight video because it really gives you a broad overview of what they do!
Lubov Azria, Chief Creative Officer,BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP
Eric Koger, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder,ModCloth
Susan Gregg Koger, Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder, ModCloth
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