Monday, October 5, 2009

Manny Pacquiao

The Filipino pride and prizefighter — better known as "Pac-Man" — stunned the boxing world in December by defeating Oscar De La Hoya, then came to fight British' "Hitman" in May and floored him in under 2 rounds. He's readying a fight of his life with Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto, predicted by many to land him another knockout: Pacquiao's bouts are so heavily viewed in the Philippines and all around the world.

Manny Pacquiao should consider re-shaping his branding & identity, and create a business game-plan now to better prepare himself for the future in the entertainment and/or boxing promotion arena -- since he's planning on or one step away from retiring as a boxer.

There are talks between Top Rank and Pacquiao's camp of him facing "Money" Mayweather in the spring of 2010. Still, Bob Arum said that should everything falls into place – meaning Pacquiao win over Cotto – he will begin talks with the camp of Floyd Mayweather.

"Evrything is going great in Manny's training camp" said Arum on an interview during his visit in the city of Pines -- Baguio City, Philippines.

Friday, November 30, 2007

What I've Learned

Dear friends:

In working with clients on public relations and marketing communications issues during the past few weeks, I've learned that Lorenz clienteles are mostly self-reliant, and are busy people that they don't have the time to market themselves or their business. As an independent p.r. + marketing communications, I'm always interested in helping such individuals. Whether it is brand creation, marketing solutions, or public relations they need, I'm there. Since I'm establishing solid reputation for Lorenz Communications, I often offer complimentary creative solutions and consultancy to chosen registered friends I have on myspace, even if it means giving away complimentary work to prove our capability. Besides we like helping people and enjoy giving back. We figured if we help enough friends and if they succeed along the way, so would we.

In recent hours I received several messages with respect to rates. It varies and it depends on the project, the amount of time required, and what you want to accomplish. When in need of p.r. or marketing solutions, it is a good idea to first study your goal, find a need fill that need. Then, find that someone that you truly idolize, he or she can inspire you and help boost your will to formulate a plan, that's step two. Lastly, create that plan (a brief business plan) and it does not have to be "Harvardly" written, the shorter and simpler the better. In this plan write a synopsis (a brief or condensed statement giving a general view of your subject) of where you see yourself or your business in five years. It'll be much easier for both of us to determine the type of creative and effective solutions once you've completed these steps.

As an advocate and a brand building expert for the company, I'm in constant mode of finding ways to move brands in a manner geared towards success. It's the attitude I wake up with when I get up in the morning. So feel free to hit me up and bring your concerns, questions, or ideas you wanna let out, I'm all ears. And together we'll unlock your brand potential.

- JL

About the writer:

Jun Lorenz has tremendous enthusiasm years of experience as a marketing communications professional, strategic thinking and a mine of brand-building experience. He leads Lorenz Communications with fresh strategic directions and communications approach that ensure results.

For more info visit www.myspace.com/lorenzcommunications

P.R. Plan

IN SIMPLEST TERMS A P.R. PLAN CONSISTS OF
A FEW STEPS:

OBJECTIVES - identify your goals and what you want to
accomplish for your business.
- i.e., become a well known; well respected music producer.

POSITIONING - decide how you want to be perceived by your
target audiences.
- i.e., as an American musical composer, record producer, singer.

KEY MESSAGES - prioritize the most important facts about you
and your expertise.
-i.e., as a 14 time Grammy award winner music composer in the
business of creating lush r&b ballads to dance floor raves.

ONCE YOU HAVE DEVELOPED THESE CORE CONCEPTS, YOU
CAN CREATE:

STRATEGY - how you can accomplish your objectives.
- i.e., you may adopt your strategy of marketing your music to those
in a certain age group who likes your type of music.

TACTICS - the ways or means to carry your masterplan.
- i.e., media outreach, becoming a brand over the internet by simply
joining and marketing your music through the web-communities
such as myspace, youtube, etc.

AND THEY NEED NOT BE COMPLEX.

- JL

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Jay-Z Wants to Be Called Shawn Carter

Multi-millionaire rapper known as Jay-Z announced he dropped his stage name in favor of his birth name, Shawn Carter. Invited at a party after London's GQ Awards, the singer issued invitations but refused to sign them with his recording pseudonym.

Journalists were told: "Please make sure that when referring to him in your article, you call him Shawn Carter. It's how he wants to be known now because he's exploring business opportunities in the UK."

The 'rebranding' came just after his close friend, rapper Diddy announced he dropped the "P' letter from his nickname, because he felt it was time to change something at him and his name.

On Shawn Carter:

Shawn Corey Carter was born in Brooklyn, NYC . He's the current president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. In addition, he co-owns The 40/40 Club, and is co-owner of the New Jersey Nets NBA team. He is one of the most financially successful hip-hop artists and entrepreneurs in America. Known for his flow and blending of street and popular style, he can compose lyrics without the use of pen and paper. His critically acclaimed album The Blueprint was allegedly written in only two days. After announcing his retirement from recording music in 2003 he returned in late 2006 with the album Kingdom Come which sold 680,000 copies in its first week, Carter's highest-selling album in a one-week period.
Along with Damon "Dame" Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, Carter was one of the founders of Roc-A-Fella Records, a hip hop record label. Shawn Carter is the richest hip hop Entertainer (followed by Sean "Puffy" Combs, a.k.a. Diddy), having a net-worth estimate of $547 million.

Humble years:

Originally from Marcy Houses housing project in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City, Carter was abandoned by his father Adnes Reeves when he was twelve years old. Carter attended Eli Whitney High School in Brooklyn, along with rapper AZ until it was closed down. After that he attended George Westinghouse Information Technology High School in Downtown Brooklyn, with fellow rappers The Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes, and Trenton Central High School in Trenton, New Jersey but did not graduate. He claims to have been caught up in selling drugs, which he refers to in his music.

According to his mother Gloria Carter, the young man (formerly known as Jay-Z) used to wake his siblings up at night banging out drum patterns on the kitchen table. Eventually, she bought him a boom box for his birthday and thus sparked his interest in music. He began freestyling, writing rhymes, and followed the music of many artists popular at the time. It is stated that he beat Busta Rhymes in a rap battle, but also has lost to DMX.

In his neighborhood, Carter was known as "Jazzy", a nickname which eventually developed into his stage name, "Jay-Z". The moniker is also a homage to his musical mentor Jaz-O (a.k.a. Jaz, Big Jaz) as well as to the J/Z subway lines that have a stop at Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn. Today, Carter co-owns the 40/40 Club, an upscale sports bar that started in New York City and has since expanded to Atlantic City, NJ. Future plans will see 40/40 Clubs in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Singapore. Roc-A-Fella also distributes Armadale, a Scottish vodka, in the U.S. Apart from being President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, Carter also one of the owners and founders of the Roc-A-Fella empire, which includes Roc-A-Fella Records, Roc-La-Familia, Roc-A-Fella Films and Rocawear.

Carter has also established himself as an entrepreneur like his fellow hip-hop-moguls, and friends, Russell Simmons, Dr. Dre and Sean "Diddy" Combs, who also have business holdings such as record companies and clothing lines. He redirected the hip hop culture from hooded sweatshirts and baggy jeans to button-ups and crisp jeans, and received GQ's International Man of the Year award.

Back in the days:

I remember meeting this guy back in 2001 in Vegas for the "Radio Music Awards", and I knew he was really something. Not only did he take his time to shake my hands at the lobby, he also completely stopped, told the valet and his bodyguards to pause for a sec to allow my peers to have pictures with him. Now that's what I call P.R. and a mogul with sense of social responsibility. A genuine man. I don't wonder why he's on top of his game.

American Gangster:

You can now purchase Carter's newly released and tenth album entitled American Gangster. Carter reports, “When I saw the movie, the way Denzel portrayed the character, you know, we never seen a Black guy ascend this high in a movie before, to being over the mob. So immediately that struck with me. Like, the success of it all. [...] I took that emotion and pulled it into my song. So it’s my own movie. I call it an indie film now – that’s my new shit. It’s the indie-film version of American Gangster.”

- JL

Lorenz Communications
www.myspace.com/lorenzcommunications

Friday, November 9, 2007

Maurice White from Earth, Wind, & Fire

The legendary producer/musician Maurice White from Earth, Wind, & Fire is introducing a new element to soul, "Interpretations", celebrating the music of his band Earth, Wind, & Fire is now out in stores and available on iTunes music store.

In this album you'll hear a collaboration of some of the best musicians like Music Soulchild, Chaka Khan, Angie Stone, Lala Hathaway, Mint Condition to name a few. These artists gave soul a new meaning by adding a spark of decadent funky-flavor to every number this album has to offer. If you like the music of Earth, Wind & Fire, and if you love soul, funk, then "Interpretations" is your album.

To check out snippets from the album, visit Stax Records dedicated website:
www.stax50.com/interpretations.

Maurice White:
www.myspace.com/158545018

- JL

Lorenz Communications
www.myspace.com/lorenzcommunications

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Starbucks Coffee in China

SHANGHAI, China; Nov. 1, 2007
Starbucks® Bottled Frappuccino® Coffee Drinks Now Available in China Starbucks and PepsiCo Distribute Their First Coffee RTD Beverages in China Through
International Coffee Partnership ‘Rich Experiences’ Highlighted in Starbucks® bottled Frappuccino® Coffee Drinks

With a ceremonious “pop” of the cap off several Starbucks® bottled Frappuccino® ready-to-drink coffee (RTD) beverages at Pacific Lake of Xin Tian Di, Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) and PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) celebrated today the launch of the rich and creamy coffee beverage that is now available in China. This indulgent RTD coffee product extends the signature Starbucks Experience beyond the Starbucks stores, making it easier for consumers to enjoy the taste they love at home, at work, or on the go.


The new joint venture between Starbucks and PepsiCo, the International Coffee Partnership (ICP), is bringing to China an exciting Starbucks ready-to-drink coffee beverage, leveraging Pepsi’s established beverage distribution channels. This partnership also creates new opportunities and new ways of thinking in developing China’s premium ready-to-drink coffee market. Additionally, ICP’s innovative and breakthrough experiential marketing strategy for the Starbucks® bottled Frappuccino® coffee beverage will give Chinese consumers a unique and rich experience.


The Starbucks® bottled Frappuccino® coffee drink is made with authentic Starbucks® Italian Roast coffee, which is a medium-bodied blend of Latin American coffees roasted a bit darker than Starbucks® Espresso Roast. When blended with creamy milk and the right amount of sweetness, it provides an irresistible taste experience, highlighted by the sweet, slightly smoky flavor of the Italian Roast coffee.

“We believe that the best way to enjoy Starbucks® coffee is in one of our stores, or that Third Place between work and home, when it has been handcrafted and served by one of our knowledgeable baristas,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, Starbucks Coffee Company. “But we know that our customers are not always able to visit one of our stores. Now the delicious taste of Starbucks® coffee is available both inside and outside of our retail stores.”

Sold at select convenience stores, grocery and other retail locations, including Starbucks stores, Starbucks® bottled Frappuccino® coffee drinks are available in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong. The first two flavors introduced in these markets are Coffee and Mocha.

Rich Experience in Every Bottle

With a tagline of “Rich Experience in Every Bottle,” consumers in China are now able to taste and experience the irresistibly rich and creamy blend of aromatic Starbucks® coffee, milk and sweetness that is found in a distinctive glass bottle. After enjoying the beverage, consumers are encouraged to use the bottle to hold personal photos of their own lives’ rich experiences. This will allow the rich experience to continue on and to be shared with family, friends and other loved ones.

“Pepsi will leverage its distribution channels and years of marketing experience to bring the exciting Starbucks® bottled Frappuccino® coffee drinks to Chinese consumers,” said Daniel

Shih, Chairman of PepsiCo Investment (China) Limited. “The launch of Starbucks® bottled Frappuccino® will continue the successful International Coffee Partnership between Pepsi and Starbucks. The China market is the largest beverage market for PepsiCo. Chinese consumers are of significant importance to both companies.”

Starbucks® bottled Frappuccino® coffee drink was initially launched in 1996 in North America through the first joint venture between Starbucks and PepsiCo, called the North American Coffee Partnership. At that time, the introduction was credited with creating the premium ready-to-drink coffee market in the U.S. and Canada. To date, this Starbucks coffee beverage innovation remains the No.1 product in its segment of the RTD coffee category in the U.S. In September, the companies formed a new joint venture, called the International Coffee Partnership, to address additional markets outside of North America.

“Now, leveraging PepsiCo’s extensive sales and distribution network through the newly-formed International Coffee Partnership, we are able to bring Starbucks® signature coffee to consumers in China in another convenient manner,” said Gerry Lopez, president, Starbucks Global Consumer Products Group. “We believe that Starbucks® bottled Frappuccino® coffee drinks will create a premium RTD coffee market in China and will soon become a beverage of choice with Chinese consumers.”

World’s First New Media Subway ‘Soap Opera’ Debuts in China

For the first time anywhere in the world, the International Coffee Partnership is collaborating with Digital Media Group (DMG), China’s leading operator of digital media networks inside subway systems, to introduce a subway ‘soap opera’ called “A Sunny Day.” Featuring popular Chinese artists Huang Xiao Ming (CC) and Liao Jun Jia (Sunny), this romantic ‘soap opera’ will be broadcast in the Shanghai subways and will feature an uplifting story of hope and kindness.

“We are excited about this never-been-seen-before experiential marketing tool that will enable us to reach out to the young professionals in China more effectively,” said Richard Lee, Vice President, PepsiCo International Marketing. “With ‘A Sunny Day,’ we hope to bring romance and rich experiences into the everyday lives of our customers, even when they are traveling in the subway. This project demonstrates our commitment to providing our consumers with innovative ways to experience our products.”

Each story episode will run three minutes, timed perfectly to appeal to subway commuters, and a new episode will be unveiled everyday beginning in mid-November 2007. At the same time, this innovative, first-in-the-world, multi-touch point experiential marketing tool will engage consumers via an online blog that will be updated at the end of everyday, capturing the character’s daily encounters and rich experiences.

“As soon as we saw the concept, we embraced the subway soap opera opportunity because of its perfect fit with our mission of providing consumers with daily inspiration,” said Rich DePencier, vice president of international, Starbucks Global Consumer Products Group. “The message of the film focuses on the importance of kindness and hope in our communities, which is something that we strive for and is built into the core of Starbucks values.”

About Starbucks:

Starbucks Coffee Company provides an uplifting experience that enriches people’s lives one moment, one human being, one extraordinary cup of coffee at a time. To share in the experience, visit www.starbucks.com.

About PepsiCo:

PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, with 2006 annual revenues of more than $35 billion. The Company employs approximately 168,000 people worldwide, and its products are sold in approximately 200 countries. Its principal businesses include: Frito-Lay snacks, Pepsi-Cola beverages, Gatorade sports drinks, Tropicana juices and Quaker foods. The PepsiCo portfolio includes 17 brands that generate $1 billion or more each in annual retail sales. PepsiCo's commitment to sustainable growth, defined as Performance with Purpose, is focused on generating healthy financial returns while giving back to communities the company serves. This includes meeting consumer needs for a spectrum of convenient foods and beverages, reducing the company's impact on the environment through water, energy and packaging initiatives, and supporting its employees through a diverse and inclusive culture that recruits and retains world-class talent. PepsiCo is listed on the Dow Jones North America Sustainability Index. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com.

Contact Information:
Lara Wyss

Starbucks Coffee Company

(206) 318-7100

press@starbucks.com

Caren Li

Starbucks China

86-21-2412 5802

caren.li@starbucks.com


Chris Tung

PepsiCo China

86-21 2305 8000

Chris.tung@intl.pepsico.com


Rain Wang

Edelman

86-21-62892929 x 101

rain.wang@edelman.com

Catherine Jiang

Edelman

86-21-62892929 x 340

catherine.jiang@edelman.com

Courtesy: Starbucks Coffee Company

New Album from Alicia Keys

Nine-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys returns with her long-awaited third studio album, As I Am, set for a worldwide release on November 13 on J Records. Within 10 hours of being serviced to radio, Alicia first single, 'No One,' became one of the fastest moving and highest charting single on Billboard?s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. This also marks the highest first single debut for a female artist in 2007 on the R&B Monitor?s Urban Mainstream chart!'No One' was written and produced by Keys, longtime collaborator Kerry 'Krucial' Brothers and Dirty Harry. The Justin Francis/The Saline Project-directed video for 'No One' was recently shot in LA and will premiere on national video outlets on September 17. Her first studio album since the critically-acclaimed 2003?s The Diary of Alicia Keys, Alicia showcases her songwriting and producing talents on all 13 songs on As I Am, but also joins forces on several tracks with her longtime collaborator Kerry 'Krucial' Brothers, award-winning songwriters Linda Perry, John Mayer, Harold Lilly, Sean Garrett and producers Mark Batson, Dirty Harry, Swizz Beatz and Jack Splash.One of the few artists who can capture an old-school vibe and make if feel refreshingly new, Alicia tackles this feat once again with an album she describes as 'Janis Joplin meets Aretha Franklin.' Punctuated with rich powerful vocals, Alicia?s vocal muses can be felt on songs ranging from the anthemic 'Superwoman'and power-charged 'Go Ahead' to the misty-eyed ballad 'Like You Never See Me Again' and the soulful 'Sure Looks Good To Me.'

Courtesy of J Records + Arista