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CSG Xponent Unleashes the Power to Create Extraordinary Customer Experiences for Leading Brands
CSG® (NASDAQ: CSGS) is transforming the way companies engage with customers by arming today’s leading brands with future-ready, innovative solutions that drive extraordinary customer experiences and inspire loyalty. Today the company launched CSG Xponent™, a unified, cloud engagement hub that takes uninspired customer engagements and turns them into extraordinary customer experiences. By bringing together holistic customer data, industry-leading customer journey orchestration and analytics, proven omni-channel communications and an unmatched passion for customer experience excellence, Xponent enables leading brands to impact the entire customer lifecycle from awareness to purchase and long-term retention. With CSG Xponent, companies deliver personalized, predictive and proactive customer connections that drive better business outcomes, quicker time to value and lower risk. Winning through the creation of the absolute best customer experience (CX) is the optimal way to stand out in today’s highly commoditized world. Business leaders recognize the power of customer experience, journey mapping and customer data, but most struggle to bring it all together and take meaningful action. CSG Xponent delivers a differentiated experience that overcomes data silos and the complexity of disconnected assets with an end-to-end platform that taps into real-time customer interactions across all points in the customer lifecycle. The capabilities within the Xponent platform provide advanced CX analytics that uncover insights, which can be turned into actions that make a meaningful difference at every customer touchpoint. “Businesses have been building large data warehouses and mapping journeys for years and now they’re anxious to realize more tangible benefits from their investments,” said Alfred Binford, president of customer engagement for CSG. “The window of opportunity to wow your customers is fleeting and precious, which is why companies need their technology investments to deliver immediate results at every ‘moment of truth’ in the customer lifecycle. CSG Xponent powers brands to predict and create the customer’s best next action and drive ROI for the business.” With Xponent’s industry-leading approach, companies can: Harness the power of a single, unified hub to manage all aspects of customer experience and engage with consumers in real time via their channel of choice Optimize and complement their existing technology stack, avoiding the pains of infrastructure replacement Eradicate internal silos and take data from any source to inform a unified, 360-degree customer record at scale alongside real-time analytics that drive consumer actions, deliver tangible outcomes and inspire loyalty Leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and real time interaction management (RTIM) to know their customers better than they know themselves, and determine and pursue the best next action that delivers impactful results Use preconfigured customer journeys and use cases, analytical models and packaged data libraries to hit the ground running from day one. With a robust library of customer journeys and use cases that produce tremendous results for market-leading firms, Xponent enables brands to boost customer acquisition and win in the battle for customer retention. “As companies strive to retain or reclaim customers post the pandemic, customer experience has emerged as the clear differentiator,” said to Alan Webber, program vice president, customer experience, IDC. “Product diversity and lower costs are no longer enough in this hyper competitive environment. Organizations that prioritize the customer’s experience and emotional response in their interactions have the advantage in winning and retaining the business. End-to-end technologies, which overcome customer data siloes, disparate solutions and unpredictable outcomes, are what the industry has been waiting for to truly capitalize on the potential of mastering customer experience.” In a world driven by consumers’ ever-increasing demand for improved experiences and value, the competitive stakes are high. CSG Xponent is today’s future-ready CX solution built on CSG’s nearly 40 years of trusted insight and knowledge. Xponent powers companies to get the outcomes they have been looking for with the only partner who has the executional expertise to guide them there, fearlessly. For more information on CSG Xponent, visit https://www.csgi.com/portfolio/csg-xponent/
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FIFA set to widen gaming and eSports portfolio
FIFA will adopt a new commercial positioning in gaming and eSports to ensure that it is best placed to make decisions that benefit all football stakeholders. FIFA is bullish and excited about the future in gaming and eSports for football, and it is clear that this needs to be a space that is occupied by more than one party controlling all rights. Technology and mobile companies are now actively competing to be associated with FIFA, its platforms, and global tournaments. Consequently, FIFA is engaging with various industry players, including developers, investors and analysts, to build out a long-term view of the gaming, eSports and interactive entertainment sector. The outcome will ensure that FIFA has a range of suitable parties with specialist capabilities to actively shape the best possible experiences and offerings for fans and consumers. Gaming and eSports are the fastest-growing media verticals on the planet, with new and diverse types of games launching continuously. It is therefore of crucial importance for FIFA and its stakeholders to maximise all future opportunities for football and gaming fans. FIFA also has a duty to support its 211 member associations to fully capitalise on the inherent opportunities that have been emerging over the recent years. As part of this strategy, FIFA also commits to continuing to organise skill-based eSports tournaments under the umbrella of the recently launched FIFAe competition structure and consumer brand (www.fifa.gg). The relationship and affinity that the gaming and eSports market has developed over time with the FIFA name clearly underscore that football-based gaming and the FIFA name are intrinsically intertwined. Finally, FIFA has also determined that the overlaps between virtual sport and FIFA’s football competitions must be more closely aligned. In this respect, FIFA is excited about using the FIFA World Cup™ (with four billion viewers) and FIFA Women’s World Cup™ (with an audience of 1.2 billion) as platforms to launch and integrate exciting new games and eSports offerings.
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Velocity Global launches next-gen technology to power its global work platform
Velocity Global scales its leading global work platform with the launch of its next-generation technology. Built on proprietary code and best-in-breed cloud solutions, the latest version streamlines the client and talent experience to deliver real-time insights to compliantly manage distributed teams. Velocity Global unveiled the technology experience at the HR Technology Conference and Exhibition in Las Vegas. “Our global work platform delivers compliance, accuracy, flexibility, and customization, which inspired our next-generation technology for a seamless client and talent experience,” said Dave Martelon, Velocity Global chief technology officer. Velocity Global’s next-generation technology introduces several features including: Streamlined Supported Employee Onboarding: New team members are guided through a seamless step-by-step experience customized to their country of employment. Interactive Global Dashboard: Clients can view all of their supported employees and their employment status across the globe at a glance, and drill down into details at the country level. Simple Time Off Management: Clients view and approve time off requests for all supported employees in one place. Flexible Payroll Requests: Clients generate, view, and manage recurring and one-time payment requests based on their custom payroll schedule with ease. Consolidated Invoicing and Payments: The platform generates consolidated invoices so clients can pay their talent with a single click of a button. 3rd Party Integrations: The platform is built to reduce the overhead of manual data entry through integrations with clients’ internal systems. “Our team makes the complex simple,” said Martelon. “We built a proprietary infrastructure that connects with leading talent management systems and removes friction for clients and HR departments. The underlying infrastructure is flexible and enables the future of work.” Velocity Global’s work platform combines the company’s proprietary cloud-based workforce management technology, personalized expertise, and unmatched global scale to build globally distributed teams. More than 1,000 clients rely on Velocity Global’s platform without the need to set up their own legal entities in other countries or other states. Velocity Global is exhibiting at HR Technology Conference and Exposition at booth #5514.
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Game-Changing New Feature, SimpliFi, Changes the Way IR Pros Issue Market-Moving News
News Direct, the state-of-the-art news and content distribution service purpose-built to meet the demands of modern media outreach, introduces SimpliFi, an innovative feature specifically for IR pros. SimpliFi streamlines the process of creating and distributing financial content, including earnings releases, mitigating security risks and maximizing cost savings in the process.
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TV anime “Platinum End” Official Trailer #2 has been released with 10 language subtitles including English
Today, the TV anime “Platinum End” official trailer #2, which is going to be on air from October 2021, has been released. This trailer shows many new scenes from the TV anime “Platinum End” and also introduces a line up of voices of new characters like, Saki Hanakago (CV:M・A・O) ,Nanato Mukaido (CV:Toshiyuki Morikawa), Kanade Uryu(CV:Kaito Ishikawa), Revel (CV:Natsuki Hanae), Mimi Yamada (CV:Kaori Maeda). This trailer shows the world view of the production and gives a glimpse of Mirai Kakehashi’s mentality. When watching the visuals of this trailer the viewers must be excited for the new anime! The trailer has subtitles in 10 languages including, Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Korean, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian, Thai and Russian. Please check the trailer out! And also the key visual has been released. All 5 God candidates, Mirai Kakehashi, Kanade Uryu, Nanato Mukaido, Saki Hanakago and Hajime Sokotani, appear and these visuals will give you a hint of the beginning of the story. Look out for each character’s catchphrase as well. The opening theme song, “Sense”, will be created by BAND-MAID and the ending theme song, ‘Koufukuron’, will be created by Yuu Miyashita. BAND-MAID is the band which will make the opening theme song. BAND-MAID is based in Japan, and despite the visuals of their maid costume, they create hard rock music. Their hard rock sound is supported hugely by many fans and media coverage across the world. The ending theme song will be created by Yuu Miyashita. He is a singer and illustrator and his talents are vast. He is active mainly in the internet scene. His work includes making lyrics, composing and arranging songs and also producing music videos of animation. BAND-MAID’s song “Sense” is partially released in the official trailer #2 today and it will be released on the TV Size version from tomorrow, the 6th of September. It’s now only one month before the TV anime ”Platinum End” starts. You can’t take your eyes from how the story will evolve.
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Porsche Korea Unveils a New Cinematic Road Movie ‘Off the Grid’ Episode Starring Kim Hee-ae, Together with Studio Discovery
Porsche Korea (CEO Holger Gerrmann) announced the screening of the road movie, ‘Off the Grid’ featuring actress Kim Hee-ae and her solo journey on Jeju Island in the brand’s first ever electric sports car, the Taycan, on September 2nd in collaboration with Studio Discovery. ‘Off the Grid’ is a reality program that captures the freedom of travelling in solitude, and was designed to show Porsche as the brand for those who follow their 'dreams.' The first episode of ‘Off the Gird’, which received favorable reviews in May starring Kim Da-mi, embarks on its second journey with Kim Hee-ae and will heal viewers by taking them on her three day experience. The ‘Off the Grid’ episode will be aired in two parts, starring Kim Hee-ae, an actress who shows strong presence with excellent acting skills. Together with the Taycan, Kim Hee-ae will escape from the everyday mundanity and reveal a healing journey enjoying the vast nature of Jeju Island. Through a sensuous video featuring the beautiful sceneries of Jeju Island against a backdrop of comforting narration by the actress Kim Hee-ae, the Taycan’s quality of everyday usability to Porsche's sustainable future mobility concept, Porsche’s design DNA, and the dynamic E-performance strategy, will be conveyed to the viewers. Porsche Korea will sequentially introduce Porsche vehicles through the road trip format of the ‘Off the Grid’ series, with the concept of famous actors ‘travelling in solitude’ without any script nor advanced production plans. In particular, this collaboration is drawing attention as producer Seo Seung-han, who planned and directed the nation's one and only car variety program ‘Top Gear Korea,’ took charge. CEO of Porsche Korea Holger Gerrmann stated, “I hope the ‘Off the Grid’ series gives the viewers the opportunity to enjoy the excitement of limitless traveling in a car and let them experience the Taycan's charm while driving across Jeju Island’s dense forest and beautiful coastal roads." He also added, “Porsche Korea will continue to release new innovative contents on various plat-forms, expanding opportunities for consumers to experience the brand and products.” The cinematic road movie ‘Off the Grid’ will be broadcasted for the first time on the 2nd on Discovery Channel Korea and Sky Channel at 10:30 p.m. One week prior to the airing, it will be pre-released on KT seezn’s OTT platform ‘seezn’. Detailed information can be found on Discovery Channel, Sky TV, KT seezn’s website, and official SNS accounts.
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Jeff Garlin and Jimmy Vivino's Couch of Guitars; New Series Streaming Worldwide Now on Gibson TV
Gibson TV, the iconic, American guitar maker’s award-winning, worldwide online network--features original series about music and culture from the world’s best storytellers. Today, Gibson TV has premiered the second episode of “Jeff Garlin and Jimmy Vivino’s Couch of Guitars.” The new, original series features HBO star Jeff Garlin and guitarist Jimmy Vivino as they discuss their love for guitars, comedy, and music, all from the comfort of their couch. Watch and share Episode 2 of “Jeff Garlin and Jimmy Vivino’s Couch of Guitars,” where Jeff and Jimmy have a lively conversation from the couch with guest Elliot Easton of The Cars. In this episode, the good times definitely roll as Jimmy and Jeff talk all things Cars, the Boston music scene, palmetto bugs, Neil Diamond, and their mutual love of Chicago blues with The Cars guitarist Elliot Easton. Watch as Jeff and Jimmy dig into the impact the genre-bending band had in the 80s and beyond with Elliot Easton who opens-up about the legacy of The Cars, their humble beginnings, and how an influential DJ in Boston helped launch their career with an old-school demo tape. Maybe growing up across the street from Neil Diamond had something to do with Elliot Easton’s musical destiny, or maybe not. Elliot’s impact on rock music cannot be denied. In 1976, Easton joined Ric Ocasek, Benjamin Orr, David Robinson, and Greg Hawkes to form The Cars, a new wave ensemble that went counter to the big hair and blistering guitar solos of the day. Elliot and The Cars recorded several platinum albums and Top 40 singles and were a mainstay on MTV. Elliot released his only solo album, Change No Change, in 1985 while on hiatus from The Cars and later toured with Creedence Clearwater Revisited. In 2018, The Cars were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To this day, with nearly 5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, The Cars enjoy a passionate following among old and new fans. Jeff Garlin is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He plays family patriarch Murray Goldberg in the ABC series “The Goldbergs” and Jeff Greene in the HBO series “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Garlin has also had recurring roles in other TV shows, including “Mad About You” and “Arrested Development”, and has also appeared in several movies, including Safety Not Guaranteed, WALL-E, ParaNorman, and Toy Story 3. For the latest information on Jeff Garlin, visit https://www.jeffgarlin.com/ Jimmy Vivino is an American musician who plays guitar and keyboards and is renowned for his singing, producing, and work as a musical director. He was the leader of Jimmy Vivino and the Basic Cable Band, the house band for the TBS late-night TV show, “Conan.” Vivino was also a member of the “Tonight Show Band” and the house band for NBC’s “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” Jimmy has also performed with numerous rock bands and respected musicians, including Al Kooper, Levon Helm, John Sebastian, Johnnie Johnson, Hubert Sumlin, Son Seals, Donald Fagen, Phoebe Snow, Laura Nyro, and more. For the latest information on Jimmy Vivino, visit: https://www.jimmyvivino.com. Watch and share the debut episode of “Jeff Garlin and Jimmy Vivino’s Couch of Guitars,” where Jeff and Jimmy have a lively conversation from the couch including stories about Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Peter Green, Jeff Tweedy, Johnny Greenwood and more. Garlin also reveals his favorite guitar and explains his hesitation for playing in front of an audience.
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Team17 reveals new games and release dates at gamescom
Team17 has confirmed a series of release dates and games at gamescom. Revealed during the Future Games Show was Trepang2, a fast-paced horror first-person shooter heading to Steam in 2022; further highlights included confirmation that adventure roguelike Crown Trick is launching on 7th September for PlayStation®4 and Xbox One, adding to its current availability on Nintendo Switch™ and Steam; the indie games label also revealed kooky culinary adventure Epic Chef would be arriving in November together with dwaven mining sim Hammerting, which is full launching onto PC on 16th November. The announcement continued a flurry of news from Team17, which this week also announced it has added Australian studio Drop Bear Bytes’ isometic role-playing game Broken Roads to its 2022 release schedule alongside Stormind Games’ Batora: Lost Haven. Today’s reveal also confirmed two titles – Honey, I Joined A Cult and The Unliving – will be launching into Steam Early Access on 14th September and 26th October respectively. Also featured was online strategic World War II shooter Hell Let Loose, which will be expanding onto new-generation platforms this autumn, adding to its recent launch on PC. The announcements were made days after the recent launch of Navegante Games’ platformer, Greak: Memories of Azur, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, as well as PC and Nintendo Switch. [Team17 Presents… full list] Greak: Memories of Azur – Navegante Games – Out Now Sheltered 2 – Unicube Games – Coming 21st September 2021 Crown Trick – Next Studios – Out Now (PC & Nintendo Switch), Coming 7th September 2021 (PlayStation 4, Xbox One) Honey, I Joined A Cult – Sole Survivor Games – Steam Early Access, 14th September 2021 The Unliving – RocketBrush Studio – Steam Early Access, 26th October 2021 Hammerting – Warpzone Studios – Coming 16th November 2021 Epic Chef – Infinigon Games – Coming November 2021 Hell Let Loose – Black Matter – Out Now (PC), Coming Soon 2021 (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S) Batora: Lost Haven – Stormind Games – Coming 2022 Broken Roads – Drop Bear Bytes – Coming 2022 Trepang2 – Trepang Studios – Coming 2022
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Lemmings documentary will celebrate 30 years of a games icon
A new documentary will shine a light on the iconic video game Lemmings, which is celebrating its 30th birthday this year. Lemmings is a stalwart of the Britsoft establishment. Originally developed by DMA Design in Dundee, it was first published for the Commodore Amiga by Liverpool-based Psygnosis in 1991 and has made its way to many other platforms since, including Sony’s PlayStation and, most recently, mobile. The documentary, Lemmings 30th: Can You Dig It?, celebrates this icon of Scottish and UK games culture by speaking to the people behind its original success, while also celebrating its legacy in gameplay. The documentary was commissioned by Lemmings Mobile publisher Exient and is directed by leading video game film producer Richard Wilcox of That Video Company. It will be released online in Q4 2021. Among the DMA team members, industry folk, media and superfans to be featured in the documentary so far are:- Adrian Powell (original Lemmings cover artist), Chris Scullion (journalist), Chris van der Kuyl (developer & Kingsway Club alumni), Eli Mouawad (streamer), Enrique Hervas (Lead Designer at Exient), Gary Penn (ex-DMA & journalist), Gary Timmons (ex-DMA), Gary Whitta (screen writer & journalist), Ian Hetherington (ex-Psygnosis), Jake Montanarini (Norwich University), James Roadley-Battin (Art Director at Exient), Kish Hirani (BAME In Games, ex-PlayStation), Larry Bundy Jr (TV presenter, YouTuber), Nia Wearn (Staffordshire University), Nick Gorse (Coventry University), Paul Farley (ex-DMA), Peter Molyneux (games industry legend), Robin Gray (Gayming Magazine), Russell Kay (ex-DMA), Ryan Locke (Abertay University), Silvio Micalef (Lead Artist at Exient), Tim Wright (ex-DMA), Trista Bytes (superfan, YouTuber) and more. Players of Lemmings can already celebrate the game’s 30th year with amazing new content available every month for the mobile game, available for iOS and Android devices – including retro graphics, ‘90s inspired Lemmings tribes and an ‘old skool’ soundtrack. Lemmings Mobile, first published Exient in December 2018, refreshes the classic ‘90s platform experience for smartphones and tablets, tasking players with saving the adorable critters once again as they search for a new home in the face of environmental catastrophe. Since its release, players of Lemmings Mobile have saved more than 25bn of our furry friends. “We’re excited to help to celebrate the 30th birthday of Lemmings, which has to be one of the most-loved games ever made,” said Jamie Wotton, Creative Marketing Manager at Exient. “It’s a game that has touched the hearts of so many fans, old and new, so with the documentary we want to give them something special in recognition of the impact Lemmings has had on global games and games culture.”
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Jerry Cantrell “Wino” Les Paul Custom Guitar Marks First Collaboration with Gibson Custom Shop and Singer-Songwriter-Guitarist and Alice
The Gibson Custom Shop is the pinnacle of craftsmanship, quality, and sound excellence through accuracy, authenticity, and attention to detail. NASHVILLE, TN (August 24, 2021) For the past 127 years, Gibson--the iconic American instrument brand--has been synonymous with creating and shaping sound across genres of music and generations of players. Today, Gibson Custom Shop has announced the release of the limited-edition Jerry Cantrell “Wino” Les Paul Custom guitar, the guitar marks the first official collaboration with Gibson luthiers and the legendary singer, songwriter, guitarist, and ALICE IN CHAINS co-founder Jerry Cantrell. “The Wino has always been one of my favorite guitars,” says Jerry Cantrell. “It’s a really good-looking guitar.” Only 100 of the new Jerry Cantrell “Wino” Les Paul Custom guitar were hand-crafted by the expert luthiers of the Gibson Custom Shop. Each guitar in this very special limited run is personally hand-signed on the back of the headstock by Jerry Cantrell. The Jerry Cantrell “Wino” Les Paul Custom guitar is available worldwide via www.gibson.com Made to replicate the Alice in Chains guitarist's iconic Les Paul™ Custom, the new Jerry Cantrell “Wino” Les Paul Custom guitar has many personal touches, including a stunning Murphy Lab aged "Wino" Wine Red finish over a maple top and 9-hole weight-relieved mahogany body, aged gold hardware, Grover® Kidney tuners, and 490R and 498T pickups with a gold cover on the neck pickup and exposed coils on the bridge pickup. The Jerry Cantrell “Wino” Les Paul Custom also features a Fishman Powerbridge piezo pickup-equipped bridge for acoustic-like tonal options. There are two volume controls (one for each magnetic pickup), and a third volume (where the bridge tone control would normally be) for the Powerbridge piezo pickup. A master tone and a three-way toggle pickup selector round out the controls, while a stereo output jack allows for discrete electric and acoustic signal routing. A Jerry Cantrell Custom Case is included. Jerry Cantrell recently announced the forthcoming release of the new album Brighten, out October 29. Co-produced by musician and composer Tyler Bates, and long-time engineer Paul Fig, Brighten features a diverse group of music luminaries including Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses) Greg Puciato (The Black Queen / Killer Be Killed / The Dillinger Escape Plan), as well as drummers Gil Sharone (Stolen Babies / The Dillinger Escape Plan) and Abe Laboriel Jr. (Paul McCartney). Additional supporting players include pedal steel master Michael Rozon, Vincent Jones on piano, Wurlitzer and organ, Jordan Lewis on piano, Matias Ambrogi-Torres on strings, and Lola Bates on additional backing vocals. Brighten is available for pre-order everywhere now, here: https://hoo.be/jerrycantrell. Tickets to Cantrell’s recently announced 2022 Brighten Tour are on sale Friday, August 27. For more information, visit: https://jerrycantrell.com/
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Watch Dave Mustaine of Megadeth on Gibson TV's "Icons," Streaming Now
Gibson TV, the iconic, American guitar maker’s award-winning, worldwide online network--features original series about music and culture from the world’s best storytellers. Gibson TV has premiered the fifth episode of the show titled “Icons”--a longform interview series featuring some of the most iconic artists, producers, and music business pioneers in the world. In the new episode of “Icons” out today, Gibson TV sits down with the legendary guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and GRAMMY®-winning founder and leader of Megadeth, Dave Mustaine. In this intimate look into his musical journey, Dave lets viewers in and shares very personal stories about his childhood, his music career, and the enduring legacy of Megadeth. Rare photos and footage from Dave’s storied career and tumultuous life paint a picture of a man who has overcome so much and yet never, ever lost his absolute love of playing guitar and creating music. Renowned worldwide, the thrash metal pioneer Dave Mustaine founded Megadeth 35 years ago, developing the thrash metal genre with the band’s debut album, Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good! Megadeth has sold more than 38 million albums, earning many accolades along the way, including a GRAMMY® Award and 12 additional GRAMMY® nominations, and five, consecutive platinum/multi-platinum albums, including 1992’s multi-platinum-selling Countdown to Extinction. Megadeth has headlined many of the biggest stages in the world and sold-out arenas as part of “The Big Four.” Across the entirety of his recorded catalog, Mustaine has achieved a staggering sales tally of nearly 50 million albums sold worldwide. Megadeth is currently co-headlining the Metal Tour of the Year in North America with Lamb of God. For dates, tickets and VIP packages, visit: metaltouroftheyear.com. The band is currently working on their 16th studio album. Listen to Megadeth, https://megadeth.lnk.to/stream “Dave’s ‘Icons’ interview takes an intimate look into his incredible career highs and lows, showing how strong he is and everything he has done to keep Megadeth moving forward,” says Cesar Gueikian, Brand President, Gibson Brands. “The interview also reveals a heartfelt and vulnerable side of Dave that people have never seen before, and it’s truly inspiring how he’s transcended his own personal struggles. Gibson is beyond honored to work with Dave Mustaine and bring his creative vision to life.” Watch and share the Dave Mustaine episode of “Icons” on Gibson TV,
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Gibson Announces Partnership with Kirk Hammett of Metallica
Gibson, the iconic American instrument brand, has announced an official brand partnership with Kirk Hammett of Metallica, one of the most iconic rock guitarists today. The new partnership will span across Gibson Brands including Gibson and Epiphone guitars. “It’s a really great and exciting time for me to be joining forces with Gibson,” says Kirk Hammett. “I look forward to achieving great things together in the future.” “It’s an honor to welcome the icon, the ripper, Kirk Hammett back to the Gibson family,” says Cesar Gueikian, Brand President, Gibson Brands. “Kirk has been carrying the flag for hard rock and heavy metal for decades, and his Gibson guitars have been there with him from the very beginning. From his first Gibson, his 1979 Flying V to ‘Greeny’ and everything in between, Gibson guitars have been an integral part of Kirk’s sound. All of us at Gibson are looking forward to this collaboration and are grateful that Kirk has trusted us to begin a new partnership.” Watch and share the new interview with Kirk Hammett and Cesar Gueikian (Brand President, Gibson Brands) on Gibson TV, Today, Thursday, July 29, at 10am PT. Born in San Francisco in November 1962, Kirk Hammett quickly found himself obsessed with watching monster movies and reading books and comics. Transitioning through his teenage years meant taking up guitar and teaching himself how to play by ear for hours on end. In 1979, Kirk Hammett named and founded the metal band Exodus. After recording a three-song demo in 1982, Hammett was called out to New York to audition for Metallica, and by the time Kill ‘Em All was released in July of 1983, he was officially part of the Metallica plan for world domination. Adding his style and passion into the mix helped define and shape the sound of Metallica as they grew into the band they are now, and Hammett’s solos and signature licks have inspired a legion of musicians young and old. From Hammett’s early sonic experiences with a guitar out of a Montgomery Ward store catalog special, progressing to hitting Hendrix vibes with a ’78 Fender Stratocaster, then moving on professionally to Gibson Flying Vs and Les Pauls, and customized ESP’s. It goes without saying that Kirk Hammett is a guitar geek and has an affinity for anything with six strings including his 1985 Jackson Randy Rhoads Flying V or a frequently played Gibson 59 Les Paul Standard that once belonged to the immortal genius of both Peter Green and Gary Moore - affectionately known and celebrated worldwide as “Greeny.” Now as Metallica celebrates their 40th Anniversary in 2021, Kirk Hammett is ready to let those strings shine once again.
