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Media of the Future: The free world must understand that Russian propaganda threatens its existence
A special guest of the Media of the Future conference organized by the Polish Press Agency was Nataliia Kostina, Editor-in-Chief of the Foreign Department of the National News Agency of Ukraine - Ukrinform. From the perspective of not only a professional journalist, but also a person directly affected by the Russian aggression, she pointed to the multidimensionality of the war, also taking place in the information domain. "While in the countries located in the vicinity of Ukraine - in Poland or in the Czech Republic, there is full awareness of the threat from the Kremlin, in some Western European countries the situation is not so optimistic. In order to effectively combat the wave of Russian disinformation, the media around the world should first of all clearly tell themselves and their audiences that Russia is the aggressor threatening our common values", said Nataliia Kostina. The fourth edition of the Media of the Future conference was attended by representatives of mass media, technology companies and publishers from Poland and abroad. Special guests of the event were the heads of leading European news agencies. Source: PAP MediaRoom
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Media of the Future: The right technology supports the activity of every newsroom
The latest content management systems are always adapted to the target customer, which allows you to implement innovative projects based on verified systems - this conclusion comes from the presentation of Evi Varsou, Director of the Media and CMS Department of the Athens Technology Center (ATC). During the Conference Media of the Future organized by the Polish Press Agency, Evi Varsou presented her company and the latest trends in the field of content management systems. "ATC provides innovative software solutions worldwide. We specialize mainly in media and content management, and have more than 30 years of experience in the industry", said Varsou. The company was founded in 1987, it employs around 100 people, and the head office is located in Athens. As the representative of ATC emphasized during her presentation, the company has developed a whole spectrum of technological solutions useful for the media, but also for government organizations. From editorial tools and digital asset management systems integrated with multi-channel publishing, to solutions that help media organizations fight disinformation. The latter focus on fact-checking, combating the dissemination of false information and analysing social profiles and trends. "Our solutions are always complete and modular, so depending on the needs of the customer, they can decide which part of the ecosystem best meets his needs", summed up Evi Varsou. Source: PAP MediaRoom
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Media of the Future: Reliable information, like public schools, should be free
"The most effective way to gradually eradicate fake news from the public debate is to make it easier for citizens to access information prepared by press agencies", said Kiril Valchev, General Director of the Bulgarian Press Agency (BTA). Valchev was one of the guests of the Media of the Future conference organized by the Polish Press Agency. The Director of BTA also referred to the strategic agreement with PAP signed a week ago. "As part of the agreement, each agency will publish one article of the partner editorial office every day. We will also be able to use each other's information and photo services. In the era of the fake news pandemic, this type of cooperation takes on additional importance for the societies of both our countries", said Kiril Valchev. The fourth edition of the Media of the Future conference was attended by representatives of mass media, technology companies and publishers from Poland and abroad. Special guests of the event were the heads of leading European press agencies. Source: PAP MediaRoom
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Media of the Future: In the information domain, the war began before February 24
"The fight against Russian disinformation is a priority for all news agencies of the free world today", said Caro Kriel, CNN and Sky News star, currently General Director of Thomas Foundation, during the Media of the Future conference organized by the Polish Press Agency. "First the pandemic, and now the aggression in Ukraine have shown that fake news, even created by amateurs, can destabilize entire societies. Therefore, the number one goal for professional and reliable media must be to constantly improve the qualifications of their employees and provide them with modern tools that allow quick and effective verification of information”, said Kriel. The fourth edition of the Media of the Future conference was attended by representatives of mass media, technology companies and publishers from Poland and abroad. Special guests of the event were the heads of European Press Agencies. Source: PAP MediaRoom
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Slash Partners with Soundscape VR For Virtual Reality Concert; New Album ‘4’ To Make VR Debut In Soundscape
Groove Science Studios, creator of the longest-running virtual reality music platform Soundscape VR (SVR), announces the addition of SLASH FT. MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS “LIVE AT STUDIOS 60” to its Magic Mirror Musical Metaverse. Starting today, music fans can experience the debut of all ten songs from SLASH and the band’s new Gibson Records LP 4, in Soundscape VR’s musical metaverse, a dynamic virtual concert world that captures the band’s unforgettable melodies, soaring vocals, and guitar riffs that will blow your mind. “I'm really excited about this cool VR interpretation of our live performance at Studios 60,” says SLASH. “It's a new and immersive visual that gives it a great ‘in the room’ feel.” “It’s a milestone for SVR to showcase legendary artists like Slash,” Soundscape VR Founder and Creator Eric Alexander explained. “Artists everywhere are seeing SVR & Magic Mirror as the ultimate digital presentation of their art, giving their fans a totally original experience built for the highest levels of immersion. Soundscape continues to lead the world in the exploration & display of the most advanced musical metaverse technologies.” Explore the world of Soundscape VR: https://www.soundscapeuniverse.com With the global AR, and VR market expected to grow to 209.2 billion by the end of 2022, music fans from around the world are participating in a completely new and shared sonic-visual experience that is designed to scale infinitely, with no limit to the number of participants. Soundscape VR’s Magic Mirror is a platform for artists to position their music in an immersive and shared fast-growing digital space that combines virtual reality, augmented reality, and the Internet. Avatar customizations are now available for users to personalize their own virtual appearance, including new hairstyles, outfits, and more. And a new version of SVR’s Sonic AI now helps shape experiences and the worlds like never before. Armed with their avatars, users can explore immersive, audio-reactive worlds like “Twilight Thicket” while rocking out to SLASH FT. MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS. Twilight Thicket is one of six worlds that comprise the Soundscape VR music metaverse. To experience exclusive Magic Mirror performances, users can download SVR for FREE from Steam VR and Oculus Home. For more information about upcoming Magic Mirror content and events in virtual reality, users are encouraged to follow the company on social media and visit the website where a complete compendium of available Magic Mirror content is also available.
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Tetris has placed 10th place in its first ranking on J-POP charts of Indonesian FM radio “DJFM”
“Tetris” is the lead single of WITHDOM’s new mini album called, “JUK3BOX”. This album was released on the 27th of April this year. This song has trendy rhythm and style which is composed with a limited number of sounds. This edgy, cool and minimalist sound is perfect for dancing. Also, the lyrics of the song paint a unique portrait of human beings and the listeners loved it. This song was chosen as a song for official playlists on major streaming sites including Spotify and Apple Music in Japan and is getting so much attention. The song “Tetris” is now popular worldwide and the song has been playing on an Indonesian FM station called DJFM as a “J-POP power play song” everyday. DJFM is the FM radio station in Surabaya Indonesia and the song is featured on the program “JK-POP” which introduces popular J-POP and K-POP specially. WITHDOM’s “Tetris” has ranked at 10th place on the DJFM J-POP weekly charts on Saturday the 11th of June. WITHDOM was lined up alongside other popular Japanese artists including GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE, Kenshi Yonezu, Fujii Kaze and Aimer. A song from their full album called “Synergy”, which was released digitally in 2021, won No.1 in 18 categories on the iTunes Store. This mega album became the talk of the town and they were invited to many TV programs including popular music programs which aired all over Japan. Their song was appointed as a weather theme song for a news program. They also achieved No.1 on music video rankings of a popular music program as well. They have been enjoying the songs’ popularity across various media in Japan. Their success started when Boyz II Men introduced WITHDOM’s cover of “On Bended Knee'' to the world on their Instagram page. Boyz II Men is a worldwide band who have won Grammy Awards. It had a huge impact on them when Boyz II Men recognized their talent. They released a cover of “Gunjo” by YOASOBI officially last November. YOASOBI is a Japanese music duo who have been enjoying their popularity worldwide. This exciting news of their cover has been buzzing around the world including Southeast Asia, China, Brazil and the States. WITHDOM has been getting more attention from all over the world. WITHDOM has been recognized for their excellent vocal talent not only inside Japan but also from artists from around the world. That led them to a successful result as getting onto the top 10 on J-POP charts at Indonesian FM radio station. The music video of their latest song “Tetris” creates a unique world which is almost like scenes from a movie. The members of WITHDOM showed their excellent acting skills in the video. They showed the collapse, struggle and pain that can come with relationships. Every member successfully showed their feelings with their facial expressions and acting and it matched the feeling of the song perfectly. The theme of the song was expressed well and the video received huge applause for its quality as a work of art. The Music Video of “Tetris” has subtitles in languages including Indonesian, Javanese, French, Portuguese, Thai and this song has been shared to the world besides Japan. WITHDOM are good at making magnificent ballads and love songs as a vocal group and they have many fans. With this new song “Tetris,” they demonstrate a totally different approach compared to the songs they have done in the past. Both the lyrics and the music video are so different. Especially for their music video they concentrated on transforming a world of lyrics into a work of art. WITHDOM was formed in Kyoto, Japan in 2017 and was appointed as the Kyoto Tourism Ambassador of Kyoto City until recently. The leader of the group is SMOOTH who is the brain of WITHDOM and plays a very important role. Roy is a singer and an actor. As a singer he has been recognized for the high quality of his great expressions in his voice. He debuted as an actor last year and acted in three totally different roles amazingly. Ryo is the main vocalist for WITHDOM and his own personal YouTube channel has accumulated more than 32 million views. SHVNYA does both chorus and rap. He became No.1 in Karate when he was in university. He stands out and does a brilliant job as a vocalist even though his main role in the group is as a rapper. WITHDOM is a very unique vocal performance group. Since they have a rapper who can also do the chorus, their songs are able to have a much wider variety of sounds. Their vocal work has many different expressions including wildness, coolness and gentleness as though it is wrapping around you. They are able to work on from classic ballads to the latest, modern sounds. Their high understanding of music has been gaining so much attention from the world. Their activity is expanding worldwide beyond Japan. We are so excited to keep following their incredible journey.
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Watch Iconic Producer Matt Wallace Dive Into the Creation of Faith No More’s Groundbreaking Album ‘The Real Thing’
Gibson TV, the iconic American brand’s award-winning, worldwide online network--features original series about music and culture from the world’s best storytellers. In this new Gibson TV Original Series, “Behind The Board,” we put the spotlight on the top music producers on the planet who have created the most beloved albums. All Gibson TV shows stream for free on demand via Gibson.com HERE; subscribe to Gibson TV on YouTube and be notified when new episodes are available. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfPWFpDpmnYO530l9ivmC6Q This debut episode of “Behind The Board,”--directed by Todd Harapiak, Content and Director, Gibson TV--focuses on the making of Faith No More’s groundbreaking, platinum-selling, third studio album The Real Thing. Sit down for a deep dive as record producer Matt Wallace discusses the entire production process and he listens back to the album tracks including “From Out Of Nowhere,” “Epic,” “Falling To Pieces,” “Surprise! You’re Dead” and “The Real Thing.” Watch and share the Episode 1 of Gibson TV’s “Behind The Board” and learn how Wallace found himself working with Faith No More, discover the stories behind the songs and how the band created their unique blend of muscular guitars and melodic keyboards that earned them two GRAMMY nominations and saw The Real Thing go platinum. In 1981, Bay Area California musicians Mike "Puffy" Bordin, Billy Gould, Mike Morris, and Wade Worthington formed a band called Faith No Man. A year later when Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike "The Man" Morris was ousted, the group began calling themselves Faith No More. After going through a series of singers, the band was joined by Chuck Mosely in 1983. The same year, Jim Martin was recruited to replace guitarist Mark Bowen. A four-song demo tape recorded in 1984 led to the band's first real album, We Care A Lot, released on Mordam Records in 1985. Within a year the band signed up with Slash Records and in 1987 their second album, Introduce Yourself, was released. The subsequent tour brought Faith No More a good deal of press in Europe, but when the tour was over the rest of the band chose to part ways with vocalist Chuck Mosely. Mike Patton, frontman of Eureka, California band Mr. Bungle, was a replacement suggested by Jim Martin, who had heard a demo tape that exhibited the long-gone death metal side of Mr. Bungle and was hired in January of 1989. Within a two week period, he had written lyrics for the songs Faith No More were working on for their next album, and The Real Thing was released six months later. The Real Thing was a critical success, and the band toured with Metallica, playing in front of huge audiences. Even so, it wasn't until the song "Epic" was released as a single in January of 1990 that Faith No More's popularity took off in the U.S., thanks in large part to heavy rotation on MTV. Another successful video for "Falling To Pieces" followed and the band received a GRAMMY nomination for “Best Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Performance.” By the end of the year, The Real Thing had gone platinum in the U.S. Producer Matt Wallace believes the best and only music worth making is the kind that pushes boundaries and digs deep emotionally. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Wallace started out making records in his parent’s garage in the early 80s. Inspired by his early exposure to the military radio station, the Far East Network, and his discovery of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, Wallace put his stamp on music that helped shape a generation through his work with artists including Faith No More, Maroon 5, O.A.R., The Replacements and Paul Westerberg’s solo albums, as well as Train. With over 30 years of experience, Wallace now produces at his studio, Studio Delux, located in the Sound City Center in Van Nuys, California. For more information on Matt Wallace, visit: https://www.wallacematt.com
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Partners with Everly Brothers Family for Limited-Edition SJ-200 Acoustic Guitar
For 128 years, Gibson has shaped sound across generations and music genres, emerging as the most-relevant, played, and loved guitar brand around the world. Gibson is proud to announce it has teamed with the family of world-renowned music icons Phil and Don Everly, aka The Everly Brothers, to celebrate their lasting musical legacy all month long. Beginning June 14, Gibson will release the limited-edition Everly Brothers SJ-200 acoustic guitar and the Everly Brothers x Gibson capsule apparel collection, on www.everlybrothers.com and www.gibson.com. On Friday, June 17, the new, hotly anticipated 17-track compilation album HEY DOLL BABY, will be released worldwide via Warner Records, pre-order: Here. On Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, 2022, the star-studded virtual concert, “Hey Doll Baby Festival: Celebrating The Lives & Music Of The Everly Brothers” will feature the legendary songs of The Everly Brothers will air in full on Sunday, June 19 at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT on the official Everly Brothers’ YouTube, Facebook, and Website. Additionally, on June 19, SiriusXM will simulcast the livestream at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT on Tom Petty Radio (channel 31). The “Hey Doll Baby Festival: Celebrating The Lives & Music Of The Everly Brothers” is presented by Gibson and features a superstar line-up, with new and archival performances of classic Everly Brothers songs by Albert Lee, Bob Weir & Chris Robinson, Butch Walker & Bethany Cosentino (Best Coast), Carly Simon & Ben Taylor, Chris Isaak & Nicole Atkins, Dave Stewart & Amy Lee (Evanescence), Graham Nash & Chris Stills, Jakob Dylan, Jimmy Vivino, Lady Blackbird, Lukas Nelson, Mapache, Matt Sweeney, Mike Campbell & Stan Lynch, Paul Simon & Edie Brickell, Sabina Sciubba (Brazilian Girls), Susanna Hoffs & Dan Wilson, Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes), The Cactus Blossoms, The Milk Carton Kids, Waddy Wachtel & Steve Postell and more. Plus appearances from Jason Everly (son of Phil Everly) and Adria Petty (daughter of Tom Petty), who curated the HEY DOLL BABY compilation album. On Saturday, June 18, the night before the Father’s Day virtual concert, Gibson will hold a kick-off celebration with live music, Everly family, friends, and fans at the Gibson Garage—the ultimate guitar experience and music destination--in the heart of downtown Music City, Nashville. “We are overjoyed with the support from all of our friends across the music industry and incredibly grateful. Adria Petty and the Petty estate in particular, have been the most amazing partners and friends through all this. We would not be here today without Adria Petty and her amazing team. I honestly don’t think my father and my uncle really understood their influence or how many lives their music touched. My father said, back in the very early days, every second or third question from a music reporter was ‘What are you going to do when this Rock and Roll thing is over?’ I think our amazing new record Hey Doll Baby, and our absolutely beautiful recreation of the Everly Brothers Gibson SJ-200 will give fans, both new and old, a chance to cherish and fall in love again with these two amazing souls. Better known to the rest of the world as The Everly Brothers”. –Jason Everly “Working with The Everly Families and Don Everly on this record has been the thrill of a lifetime. It is an honor to tribute the Brothers who influenced so much important rock and roll music including my father, Tom Petty’s music. He revered them and passed on the joy of listening to their music to me. I am so proud of the compilation and it is incredible to hear the tracks remastered. To see the music community and Gibson tribute them so warmly is a truly uplifting moment. The SJ-200 is a very covetable and gorgeous instrument. Everyone knows pretty much anyone who writes great songs has an SJ-200… or really wants one. And the performances and archival clips included in the virtual concert invite new and old fans to enjoy the artistry of the Everly Brothers.” –Adria Petty Preferred by famous musicians for decades, Gibson acoustic guitars are known on stages the world over, and in the hands of the most celebrated artists across the globe. Gibson acoustics are cemented in the zeitgeist as the quintessential American acoustic guitar. The Everly Brothers recorded the majority of their hits such as “Bye Bye Love,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” “All I Have to Do is Dream,” and others on Gibson J-200’s. This is back when artists recorded in mono and for all intents and purposes, live. If you needed to turn your acoustic guitar down during a certain section of the song, you had to back up from the microphone exactly the right amount when that time came during the song. The same for vocals and all the other instruments. As Phil Everly once said, “Before there was Pro Tools, there were Pros.” And pros used J200’s. Guitar was their choice instrument and the brothers worked closely with Gibson to develop these new Gibson 200s known as “The King of the Flat-Tops” with double pickguards. The SJ, or Super Jumbo body shape, was first designed by Gibson in 1937 and engineered for volume even with a natural touch, and with Phil and Don Everly’s matching Gibson SJ-200 acoustic guitars and their soaring harmonies, music royalty had finally created the perfect fit. Rare and collectible, these Everly Brothers SJ-200 acoustic guitars are handmade by the expert luthiers and artisans of Gibson Acoustic Custom Shop in Bozeman, Montana and feature the detailed SJ-200 ornamentation and beauty expected from Gibson acoustics. Equipped with a AA flame maple back and sides paired with a thermally aged Sitka spruce top, the guitar is capped with the dual pickguards that The Everly Brothers made famous. The Everly Brothers SJ-200 features a stunning Ebony finish and also has essential SJ-200 cosmetic appointments including classic mother-of-pearl graduated crown inlays on the rosewood fretboard, as well as a “Moustache” bridge with four bar mother-of-pearl inlays. The bridge saddle, nut and bridge pins are bone, while Gold Grover@ Rotomatic@ tuners ensure solid tuning stability; an SJ-200 hardshell acoustic guitar case is included. An acoustic masterpiece, only 30 of these limited edition Everly Brothers SJ-200 guitars will be available alongside the new Everly Brothers x Gibson capsule apparel collection, via: www.gibson.com and www.everlybrothers.com. Watch and share the story behind the Everly Brothers SJ-200 guitars featuring an interview with Jason Everly. Above: the Gibson Everly Brothers SJ-200 Acoustic guitar. Incomparable rock and roll trailblazers and country rock pioneers, Phil and Don Everly’s timeless harmonies made them one of the first superstar acts in music history, profoundly impacting generations of artists to follow. The Everly Brothers’ hits from late-1950s helped lay the very foundation for rock and roll itself and the albums they made with Warner Bros. Records in the 1960s revealed the depth of their talents as both songwriters and singers. The Everly Brothers’ influence has been credited by The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Simon and Garfunkel, Gram Parsons, Tom Petty, and Linda Ronstadt as a North Star. The brothers’ influence continues today, Pearl Jam, Cat Power, and Angel Olsen distill their inspiration. The Everly’s timeless songs and vocal arrangements have been covered by a legendary stable of artists including everyone from Ray Charles, The Who, and Reba McEntire. With a sense of notable homage and devotion from powerhouse duos such as Billie Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss as well. Above: HEY DOLL BABY cover artwork. The 17-track compilation newly remastered by Chris Bellman and Bernie Grundman HEY DOLL BABY collects some of the lesser-known, treasures in the Everly Brothers’ rich catalog with songs assembled by Adria Petty, Tom Petty’s daughter, who worked closely with both Everly families on the project, with help from Phil’s widow Patti and his son Jason Everly, who provided track-by-track commentary for the liner notes, as well as Don Everly, prior to his passing last summer, and his widow Adela. HEY DOLL BABY holds the bittersweet distinction of being the final project Don worked on. HEY DOLL BABY will be available on CD ($14.98), 180-gram black vinyl LP ($24.98), and digitally on Friday, June 17, 2022, via Warner Records with pre-orders available now. Adria Petty says she became a fan of The Everly Brothers through her father. “The Everly Brothers held a special place in his heart because they were the rock ’n’ roll trailblazers he related to the most. Self-made and determined like him. From the time I was around five years old, he passed on his passion for their music and story to me.” HEY DOLL BABY explores The Everly Brothers’ legacy by not revisiting their greatest hits. Petty says, “This compilation was curated with an eye towards celebrating the deeper rockabilly tracks and some great covers, with a small emphasis on hits. Whether you are new to The Everly Brothers or are among the diehard fans, this is sequenced for a great listening experience. Put this record on and get transported to another time and place. It will leave you feeling better.” HEY DOLL BABY delivers on that promise with the swinging rockabilly of “Baby What You Want Me To Do” and the pure pop bliss of “Made To Love,” along with choice covers of Johnny Cash’s “I Walk The Line” and Chuck Berry’s “Maybellene.” The collection features four of the Everly’s original Cadence recordings including the title track and the Top 10 hits “(’Til) I Kissed You” (#4), “When Will I Be Loved” (#7), and “Devoted To You” (#10). The set also includes the #1 smash, “Cathy’s Clown,” which was the Everly Brothers’ first-ever Warner Bros. single in 1960, and the best-selling song of their 54-year career.
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Gibson Gives Donates $30,000 to National Museum of African American Music
For 128 years, Gibson, the iconic American instrument brand has shaped sound across generations genres, and genders, and has emerged the most relevant, played, and loved guitar brand around the world. Last week, top music artists, Nashville luminaries and the Gibson team, gathered kick off an epic celebration for the one-year anniversary of the Gibson Garage--the ultimate guitar experience and music destination in the heart of downtown Nashville, Music City USA. Music fans lined up all week long for Gibson Garage Fest to enjoy live music from a diverse range of top artists, CMA performers, special events, and daily giveaways at the Garage which has become Nashville’s best, must-see music attraction. On Thursday, June 9--Les Paul’s birthday and the official one-year mark of the opening of the Gibson Garage--Darius Rucker visited the Gibson Garage stage for a special donation event with Gibson Gives--the philanthropic arm of Gibson. Gibson Gives donated $30,000 to the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) and its fund for music education while the country superstar thrilled the packed crowd with an intimate acoustic performance of his hit songs. “I couldn’t think of a better place to have an African American music museum than Nashville” says Darius Rucker. “Everybody in the world, should go see NMAAM, it’s such an important place. For as long as I can remember I’ve been playing Gibson’s, and what they’re doing with Gibson Gives is a great thing and now they’re partnered with the NMAAM, it’s a perfect fit. I’m so proud to be a part of all of it.” Above: Darius Rucker and his band perform at the Gibson Garage. Gibson Garage Fest attendees enjoyed artist panels, one-of-a-kind giveaways and experiences, and participated in guitar-playing lessons with Matt Heafy--frontman and guitarist of Trivium and renowned expert Marty Schwartz and enjoyed live music from a wide range of generations and genres spanning country, Americana, rock, blues, and pop including Darius Rucker, Marcus King, Ernest, Charles Esten, Orianthi, Matt Heafy, Kirk Fletcher, Eric Paslay, Hannah Dasher, Tiera, Meghan Linsey, Phangs, Ashley Cooke, Callista Clark, Honey County, Temecula Road, Elvie Shane, Danielle Bradbery, Filmore, Cooper Alan, Stephanie Quayle, Brandy Zdan, Laci Kaye Booth, Sean Stemaly, Alana Springsteen, Love and Theft, Gibson Generation Group G3’s, and the Rex Brown Experience supergroup featuring Rex Brown, Snake Sabo, Jared James Nichols, Dennis Holm and Cesar Gueikian (Gibson). “One year ago, we couldn’t have imagined the impact the Gibson Garage would have on guitar fans in music city and around the world,” says James “JC” Curleigh, President and CEO of Gibson Brands. “It’s the best compliment to hear artists say that the Garage has set a new benchmark and is yet another massive step in the right direction for Gibson.” One year after opening its doors, the all-new Gibson Garage is the place to explore Gibson’s past, present, and future. People from around the world visit the Gibson Garage where fans can experience live music, play more than 400 guitars, plug-in and play all things Gibson, Epiphone, Kramer, MESA/Boogie, Maestro, and KRK. Inside the Garage, catch an icon on the stage, try the full line of electric and acoustic guitars, design a dream custom guitar, and watch a taping of the award-winning Gibson TV series. The Garage is the place to explore Gibson’s rich, 128-year music history with captivating, interactive storytelling and memorabilia displays. At the Gibson Garage, fans can take a piece of history home with one-of-a-kind, in-store offers on limited-edition guitars, instruments, gear, accessories, and exclusive Gibson apparel. Whether a seasoned professional musician, a casual guitar player, a beginner, or simply a music fan, the Gibson Garage is open to all. Take a tour of the Gibson Garage on Gibson TV. Check out what artists are saying about the all-new Gibson Garage: “The Gibson Garage is one of the coolest places I've ever visited” says SLASH. “I am blown away by the attention to detail. & the totally immersive nature of the place.” “I was blown away with The Gibson Garage, it’s the ultimate guitar experience everyone should see”, says Kirk Hammett, lead guitarist of Metallica. “I love the Gibson Garage! It’s one of the best guitar and music experience places I’ve ever been to” says Adam Jones of Tool. “A store where you can buy quality custom guitars or build your own custom designs. A venue where you can attend live music and VIP events, and a museum of sorts displaying historic mementos of Gibson’s iconic legacy. I can see why it’s become one of the ultimate music destinations in Nashville!" CMA performer and country singer-songwriter Tiera adds, “When I walked into the Gibson Garage it was so cool seeing all of the guitars on the walls and sitting down and playing my Gibson for the first time was truly, I’m not being dramatic, it was magical because I played a couple guitars before that and none of them have felt the way my Gibson played and plugging it in, was exactly what I’ve been wanting for so long. Playing the Gibson Garage stage was a special experience.” Blues phenom Marcus King adds, “Whenever a guitar player walks into a place like the Gibson Garage, no matter how long you’ve been doing it, walking in to a room with this many wonderful guitars and this many wonderful people, it’s always going to take you back a little bit to that first time you held a Gibson guitar, the first time you opened the case for a Gibson guitar, and that feeling, it makes you feel like a kid again when you walk into the Gibson Garage. It is a beautiful feeling and I hope I can share it with you again soon. You gotta check out the Gibson Garage. I mean it’s just like when you go to Memphis you’ve got to check out Graceland, and you’ve got to go to Pearl’s Oyster House and you gotta come to the Gibson Garage while you’re in Nashville. It’s just one of them things.” “All roads lead to the Gibson Garage. Whether you are seasoned artist, a beginner, a fan or anywhere in between, this place is a sanctuary” says Lzzy Hale of Halestorm. “It’s a place where you can feel the history of the legends and be inspired by the ever evolving power of music.” “Stepping foot in here for the first time was awesome I felt like a kid in a candy shop,” says CMA performer and rising country star Ernest. “All the super cool guitars, the smell is amazing. Getting to sit around and play them it’s always fun. Playing the Garage is awesome, I loved the whole backdrop looking at the guitars on rotation and playing such a great Gibson J-45 guitar which sounds incredible. My first guitar was a Kramer, a girl that played for my Dad’s high school basketball team, her Dad worked at the factory here in Nashville and he knew I was looking for a guitar, so I bought a Candy Apple Red Kramer and now to have my first legit acoustic, a Gibson J-45, I’m pumped to be a part of the team.” “They’ve got Keith Richards on the wall and Dave Grohl,” says country singer-songwriter Hannah Dasher. “I did my makeup in the vanity room, it was beautiful, the mirror it’s so well-lit. And then the guitars on the walls and you can pick-em up, and play-em, and they probably wouldn’t miss one if I snuck away with it. I was tickled to play the Gibson Garage Fest because it was the first festival I’ve played that’s in air conditioning. Not to mention it’s so fancy in here. It looks great, I love it and all the staff is just a classy team, class acts. The sound was great, don’t tell Fender I’m here.” “The Gibson Garage in Nashville is incredible, all the spaces inside contribute to what this entire brand represents and it’s so cool to have it all under one roof” says pop artist PHANGS. “I had the privilege to perform here a couple times and did an EP release here that was so fun, we used their big wall of images and I got to play this Kramer guitar. Being able to bring people to a place that’s not a stereotypical venue and let them interact with what music does is so special; the Gibson Garage is a special place that doesn’t exist anywhere else.” “I’d heard only good things about the Gibson Garage and if you’re hearing those good things now you definitely have to come on in here to experience it for yourself” adds country musician and actor Charles Esten. “I’m such a fan of Gibson in general, but you need a place like this that serves it up exactly as it should be. It’s a little bit of the church of Gibson here so if you worship them like so many, come on in here and see them displayed so well and treated so right. It a fantastic place to get to play too. Got to sing a little bit with my buddy Eric Paslay and there was a great crowd out there, I’m guessing came all the way out to Nashville, and out of all the things they could be doing during this CMA Fest, they find themselves at the Gibson Garage, and it’s not a surprise to me. I’m gonna be back and you should come here too.” “The Gibson Garage embodies everything a player including beginners, would ever want” adds Rex Brown of Pantera. “It’s the Holy Grail of guitars, every model is on display and available to be played, the ultimate collection of Killer’s! And in the event that your favorite model isn’t on their Vulgar Display trusses, you can pick out the woods of your very own Custom Model! There’s simply not a cooler experience than the Gibson Garage!”
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The 2022 “Visit Korean Heritage Campaign” ready to get rolling!
The 2022 “Visit Korean Heritage Campaign” (the “Campaign”), a joint project between the Cultural Heritage Administration (Administrator: Choi Eung-chon) and the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation (President: Choi Young-chang), is hosting a press conference at the Yeongbingwan Hall (Blue House) on June 14 to announce that the Campaign is ready to open its gates and welcome guests to its programs. Launched back in 2020, the Campaign is in its third year, and despite the fact that it is a relatively new initiative, the Campaign has established itself as a valuable brand, which allows audiences both in Korea and abroad rediscover the value of Korean culture and heritage that helped shape the Hallyu wave spreading across the globe today. This year’s Campaign will feature ten unique themes and 75 different destinations centered on World Heritages and Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in Korea, and also a wide variety of related content. Despite the limitations due to COVID-19 over the past two years, the Campaign has continued to make some remarkable achievements in promoting Korea’s culture, heritage, and the Hallyu movement to people all over the world, including overseas advertisements using large billboards in major cities around the world such as New York and London, participating in the Dubai Expo, and producing 677 pieces of online content, etc. This year, with people given the freedom to travel somewhat normally for the first time since the pandemic began, the Campaign has returned with a much more powerful arsenal of programs visitors can physically visit and experience. In particular, now that the Cheongwadae (Blue House) is open for public access, the ‘Royalty Route,’ which had been headlined by the Gyeongbokgung Palace in past years, includes Cheongwaedae (the grounds of Cheongwaedae constitutes the north-side garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace) in its program. Also, this year, the Campaign has appointed its first-ever celebrity ambassador: actor Kim Min-ha. ■ New places, new faces add to the “Visit Korean Heritage Campaign” experience This year’s Campaign will use Cheongwadae, which has been returned to the public just recently, as a major base of operations, starting with the official press conference for the Campaign. First, Cheongwadae will host “Korea On Stage” to commemorate the National Liberation Day of Korea this August. With Cheongwaedae as its backdrop, “Korea On Stage” plans to introduce audiences across the globe to the beauty of Korean cultural heritage with spectacular performances by artists representing a wide variety of genres, including Gukak (Korean traditional music) and K-pop. Then, in October, an exhibition at Cheongwadae will incorporate media art content introducing the history of Cheongwadae, which is part of this year’s “Royalty Route” program, and give people a new and unique experience. Meanwhile, actor Kim Min-ha, who emerged as a worldwide phenomenon with her role in the TV series hit “Pachinko,” will serve as the official celebrity ambassador for the 2022 Visit Korean Heritage Campaign with video projects promoting the Campaign. As the celebrity ambassador for the Campaign, Kim Min-ha visited Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon as part of her trip through the “Mountain Temple Route” to reflect on the legacy of our ancestors through the Tripitaka Koreana. Her trip to Haeinsa Temple will be included in the “2022 Visit Korean Heritage Campaign Brand Video” (release expected in the second half of the year), which is expected to be aired on one of the massive billboards in Times Square, New York. ■ Virtual Humans and Metaverse - Infinite potential and possibilities for cultural heritage through new collaboration The “contactless” (virtual) content produced by the “Visit Korean Heritage Campaign” this year has also been refreshed with new faces. The cultural heritage visiting program on ZEPETO, a metaverse platform first launched last year, adds new blood thanks to some innovative collaboration with three virtual human siblings, and “Korea In Fashion,” a popular program for the Campaign, is coming back with a new designer as well. Furthermore, the Campaign is looking forward to working with a much larger pool of local governments and businesses to offer new attractions. First, on June 24, ZEPETO will kick off with the “Visit Korean Heritage Campaign x Find the Three Virtual Siblings Ho, Gon, and Haeil!” event. These three virtual siblings, Ho (昊), Gon (坤), and Haeil (海日), which have been created to reflect the appearances of the Millennials and Gen Z’s, have 10,000 followers on Instagram. Late last year, the “Cultural Heritage Visiting Campaign” introduced the “Jeju Mythic Landscape Route” and “Visit Korean Heritage Campaign PR Center,” attracting roughly 190,000 visitors (as of the end of December 2021). This year, the Campaign is hoping to carry on the momentum from last year and earn a positive response from the younger generation working with Ho, Gon, and Haeil. Then, in November, ZEPETO plans to unveil “Namwon Gwanghalluwon,” a new attraction for the Campaign, and introduce up to 300 million metaverse platform users all over the world to Korean culture and heritage. On June 27, the “Journey for the Best Selfie Ever” video featuring Ho, Gon, and Haeil will be released by ZEPETO as well. In this video, Ho, Gon, and Haeil visit the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress on their journey along the “Royalty Route,” Gangneung Seongyojang on the “Kwandong Korean Elegance Route,” Andong Hahoe Village on the “Golden Era Route,” and Andong Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy on the “Korean Confucian Academy Route” to give people a glimpse of what to expect on their own journeys to enjoy Korea's culture and heritage. The video will also be aired on a billboard at Times Square in New York on the same day. Meanwhile, “Korea In Fashion,” which had gathered a massive following while working with designer Tchai Kim for the past two years, is collaborating with designer Kim Ri-eul of the brand “Rieul” for this year’s Campaign. “Korea In Fashion” recorded 650,000 views on YouTube and 700,000 clicks with its photos, effectively suggesting Hanbok as a fashion choice among younger generations. This year, it plans to showcase some new and intriguing aspects of Hanbok once again with designer Kim Ri-eul, who is known for his suits made with Hanbok fabric worn by BTS and Zico. A video of Korean-themed outfits filmed in and around the “Baekje Historic Area” will be released through an outdoor advertisement in Tokyo, Japan, this October. Also, pop artist Hong Won-pyo, renowned for his characters in “Barabapa,” is joining the “Visit Korean Heritage Campaign” this year. This year’s Campaign will feature his characters, depicting key attractions across each of the Campaign’s programs in a cute and lovely way, in some of its special offers. Furthermore, in the second half of the year, the Campaign is looking to launch a limited-edition beverage - “Visit Korean Heritage Campaign X Haneul Bori” - developed in collaboration with Woongjin Foods, new content developed with CJ ENM’s K-POP channel “Studio Choom,” and an event linked to World Heritage Festival with S-Oil. ■ Dawn of the post-COVID-19 era! 2022 is the year we can all actually visit our cultural heritage sites! The “Visit Korean Heritage Campaign” has been monitering previous events every year for improvement. This year, to physically bring more visitors to its attractions for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak, the Campaign is looking to host a variety of events showcasing unique and fascinating stories behind our culture and heritage. This year, the Campaign is debuting its new “traveler passport” and “traveler kit” that includes film cameras and picnic mats they may need along their trips to various culture and heritage sites. In September, the Campaign will launch a collaborative product (Haneul Bori beverage) with Woongjin Foods, and a joint event featuring Korail Tourism Development’s seaside trains along the “Gwandong Korean Elegance Route.” Then, in October, the Campaign will launch a program focusing on Korean royal confectionery (Kohojae) and Korean traditional culture in Tokyo, Japan, specifically designed to attract Japanese tourists with help from the Korean Cultural Center in Japan. * Kohojae (高好齋): “Home for those who like old things,” the premium Korean royal confectionery brand owned by the Korea House Meanwhile, the Incheon International Airport is reopening its PR Center for the “Visit Korean Heritage Campaign.” The PR Center, which opened for three months last year (August-October), is coming back with improved content to welcome domestic and foreign travelers with an immersive video exhibition featuring the “10 Traveler Itineraries” in digital format and other facilities to enhance the immersive experience. With AR/VR and interactive content incorporating immersive technology at the Incheon International Airport Passenger Terminal 1, the Campaign hopes to deliver creative and new ways to interpret Korean culture and heritage, and give visitors a good preview of Korean cultural heritage with advanced and sophisticated visuals. The Campaign will also continue its work to share its content of the local festivals. The “World Heritage Festival” will be held in Andong, Yeongju (both in Gyeongsangbuk-do), Suwon Special Metropolitan City, and the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province from September to October with a wide variety of programs, including concerts, historic reenactments, exhibitions, and experiences centered on UNESCO World Heritage sites in Korea. “World Heritage Media Art”, which combines state-of-the-art digital and IT technology with Korean cultural heritage, is a collection of eight productions featuring the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, Buyeo Busosanseong Fortress, Gongju Gongsanseong Fortress, Iksan Mireuksa Temple Site, Gochang Dolmen Site, Yangsan Tongdosa Temple, Hamyang Namgye Seowon Confucian Academy, Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes. The “World Heritage Festival” will unveil these programs produced by each municipal government in the second half of 2022. The Cultural Heritage Administration and the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation will work hand in hand to give more people a chance to enjoy Korea’s cultural heritage to promote the value of Korea's cultural heritage to people all over the world. More details on the “Visit Korean Heritage Campaign” are available on the Campaign’s official website(https://chf.or.kr/visit), YouTube channel (@koreanheritage), and Instagram account (@visitkoreanheritage).
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Report shows differences in food insecurity, sustainable food purchasing between racial and ethnic groups
Black and Hispanic consumers are somewhat more likely to check food labels and much more likely to face food insecurity, according to the Consumer Food Insights Report. The survey-based report out of Purdue University’s Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability assesses food security and spending, consumer satisfaction and values, support of agricultural and food policies and trust in information sources. The latest report also details differences in food purchasing, preferences and food insecurity between racial and ethnic groups. The team analyzed the survey data from January through May to compare differences in responses across white, Black, Asian and Hispanic households. “Significant disparities exist between racial and ethnic groups, and nearly 30% of Black and Hispanic households have experienced food insecurity this year,” said Jayson Lusk, the head and Distinguished Professor of Agricultural Economics at Purdue, who leads the center. “In addition, around 50% of Black and Hispanic households report waiting on their next paycheck or government payment to buy groceries. These data help us identify where to focus efforts to reduce food insecurity.” Purdue experts conducted and evaluated the survey, which included 1,200 consumers across the U.S. Additional results include: Black and Hispanic food insecurity is more than double that of white and Asian households. 16% of households are food insecure. Total food spending increased 7% from last month to $184 per week. 55% of consumers think farmers should replace synthetic fertilizers with organic. A Sustainable Food Purchasing Index of 68/100. The Sustainable Food Purchasing Index offers insight into how sustainability and health relate to consumer behaviors. It is a self-reported assessment of how consumer shopping habits correspond with healthy diets from sustainable food systems. The survey showed white adults were less likely than the other groups to purchase food that is typically promoted as more ethical or sustainable, for instance local foods, wild-caught fish, grass-fed beef, cage-free eggs and organic foods. The Consumer Food Insights Report, as well as other historical sources, also show Black and Hispanic adults are more likely to be vegetarian or vegan compared to the general population, said Sam Polzin, a food and agriculture survey scientist for the center and co-author of the report. “Eating a plant-based diet is often presented as a cultural movement led by white yuppies, but we found that Black, as well as Asian and Hispanic, consumers are more likely to choose the plant-based and organic options,” Polzin said. “Eating fewer animal products may now be most associated with modern environmentalism, but it is important to remember that many non-Western food traditions — including Hinduism, Rastafari, and many indigenous tribes across the Americas — have long eaten little or no meat.” Lusk notes that higher interest in plant-based diets may also be a result of income differences and the fact that meat tends to be a relatively expensive dining option. Survey responses also showed Black Americans check food labeling, including GMO ingredients and place of origin, more often than other groups. “As debates over sustainable food labeling are expected to heat up, we must understand which groups will be impacted by rapidly evolving policy discussions and accurately represent who new labeling standards are meant to benefit,” Polzin said. “Trust in the food system varies across racial and ethnic group as well, and food labeling can be a critical tool for communicating useful, expert-certified product information and building trust.” The Trustworthiness Index measured by the survey reveals that Black and Hispanic adults trust government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration significantly less than white and Asian adults. Lusk further discusses the report in his blog, and a video is available at Youtube. The Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability is part of Purdue’s Next Moves in agriculture and food systems, and it aims to use innovative data analysis shared through user-friendly platforms to improve the food system. In addition to the Consumer Food Insights Report, the center offers a portfolio of online dashboards.
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Drive every decision. F1 Manager 2022 races on to PC and Console on August 30
Frontier Developments plc (AIM: FDEV, ‘Frontier’) announced today that their officially licensed Formula 1® management simulation, F1® Manager 2022, will launch on August 30 across PC, PlayStation® 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation® 4 and Xbox One. Stepping into the role of Team Principal, one of the highest-pressure roles in motorsport, players will lead their chosen team to glory in the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship™ and beyond. From today, players can receive 10% off the suggested retail price and take their place on the pit wall a whole five days early on August 25*, alongside the FORMULA 1 ROLEX BELGIAN GRAND PRIX 2022 weekend. F1® fans can now grab a first look at actual in-game footage from F1® Manager 2022 through our gameplay trailer, just released. F1® Manager 2022 offers fans an unrivalled F1® experience, capturing in unprecedented detail the world of F1® and the high-octane excitement of running a team. From the paddock to the podium, players will need to manage decisions on and off the track to ensure their success, all while balancing the books and satisfying both the board and the all-important team sponsors. The team headquarters are the beating heart of any constructor, and in F1® Manager 2022 it’s no different. Aspiring Team Principals will control every aspect of their team from their state-of-the-art HQ. From scouting and investing in best-in-class staff, such as Race Engineers and the Head of Aerodynamics, to developing and assessing new car components, players will need to keep their finger on the pulse to ensure they stay ahead of the competition, both now, and for future seasons to come. With a full roster of world-class drivers from across F1®, F2™ and F3™ to choose from, between seasons players will have the option to enlist new drivers and assemble their dream team from an authentic pool of current and future stars. Realistically replicated, each driver from the 2022 F1® line-up has been digitally captured to accurately reflect them and their driving style when out on the track. The skill, temperament and athleticism of a driver is essential to any race team. These attributes are reflected by key performance ratings, providing players with vital information on how to effectively manage their drivers during a race. Just like the real world of racing, over time drivers will retire from the sport, so it’s crucial players think ahead to ensure they’ve got a steady stream of upcoming talent in development if they want to secure their long-term motorsport legacy. Prior to each race weekend, Team Principals will select their allocation of tyres and spare parts, as well as optional objectives from sponsors to bolster their financial position. In practice sessions, drivers will build up their track and car familiarity, reporting feedback to guide car setup ahead of the all-important qualifying session, where it will be in the hands of the player to decide when to send out their cars and maximise their grid position. Races are shown in impressive broadcast-style visuals, with a variety of on-board and trackside camera angles bringing the action to life across all twenty two 2022 Grand Prix™ circuits. Keen eared fans might also notice the familiar tones of David Croft, Lead F1® Commentator at Sky Sports, and fellow commentator and former Formula 1® driver, Karun Chandhok, both of whom lend their iconic voices to the game. From lights out to the chequered flag, players can choose to control every decision on-track, from pit strategy to in-race driver commands. Issuing authentic team-radio commands to their drivers and using real-time data to react to dynamic race events such as changing weather, safety cars and red flags, making those crucial calls that can take them to the top step or leave them at the back of the pack. F1® Manager 2022 launches on August 30 on PC, PlayStation® 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation® 4 and Xbox One for a suggested retail price of £44.99/$54.99/€54.99. Players looking to get ahead of the grid will be able to pre-order the game digitally and experience F1® Manager 2022 a full five days early from August 25*. The game will also be available in physical format for PlayStation® 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation® 4 and Xbox One for a suggested retail price of £44.99/$54.99/€54.99. *Early access and discount is exclusively available to those pre-ordering digitally. On PlayStation platforms, players must be a PlayStation Plus subscriber to receive the 10% pre-order discount.
