Jordan Fletcher

Sony Music Masterworks has strengthened its live entertainment division with the acquisition of a majority stake in Black Sky Creative. The Los Angeles-based company specializes in creating immersive experiences, retail activations and live events for a wide range of brands and intellectual properties. Led by founder Jeff Delson and partners Lee Rosen and Shannon Ramirez, Black Sky will continue to operate independently while aligning its expertise with Masterworks’ broader strategic goals. The partnership aims to create scalable, fan-centric experiences that bridge the gap between music, film, television and gaming. Black Sky’s impressive portfolio includes projects like the Stranger Things Official…

Hurricane Ernesto has had a severe impact on Puerto Rico, having been upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane upon landfall. The storm's strong winds and heavy rains have caused widespread power outages, affecting thousands of residents in Puerto Rico and the neighboring Virgin Islands. Local authorities are working tirelessly to restore power and provide relief to those hardest hit by the storm. While emergency services are mobilizing to address immediate needs, the broader implications of Ernesto’s passage are becoming clear. Roads are blocked by debris and several communities are reporting significant flooding, complicating relief and recovery efforts. The local government…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stepped up its response to the mpox outbreak by declaring it a global health emergency. The declaration came on Wednesday, marking the second such declaration in the past three years as the virus rapidly spreads to multiple African nations. Currently, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing the most severe impact of the outbreak, with a reported count of 15,600 cases and 537 deaths. The current outbreak has surpassed the severity of the 2022 episode, during which a similar emergency was declared. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was renamed in 2022 following concerns…

WASHINGTON — In a recent judicial review, the Court of Arbitration for Sport criticized the handling of the judging at the Paris Olympics, particularly in the women’s floor exercise event involving American gymnast Jordan Chiles. Despite the obvious mismanagement, the court confirmed that it could not award bronze medals to all three competitors: Chiles and Romanian gymnasts Ana Bărbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea. A detailed 29-page ruling outlined the reasons why Olympic authorities revoked Chiles' first individual medal, highlighting significant errors by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). The FIG was criticized for failing to properly oversee the scoring investigation filed by…

Embracer Group, the entity that owns the rights to The Lord of the Rings, has reported a significant decline in revenue in its Entertainment and Services segment in the first quarter of 2024. The Sweden-based company reported entertainment sales of SEK 848 million ($81 million), down 54 percent from the same period last year, in the months of April through June. Total net sales fell 24% to SEK 7.93 billion, with declines recorded across its various divisions, including PC/Console Games, Mobile Games, and Tabletop Games. The company reported a loss before interest and taxes of SEK 1.44 billion, a stark…

Former President Donald Trump has scheduled a press conference at his golf resort in New Jersey, marking his second media event in recent weeks as he takes a fresh, force-infused approach ahead of next week's Democratic National Convention. Trump has also stepped up his criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris, despite not having held any recent press conferences or interviews with President Joe Biden, who ended his reelection campaign in an effort to regain his position. Vice President Harris has had limited interactions with the media since becoming the Democratic nominee. Although she has traveled with reporters on Air Force…

During his recent visit to New Orleans, President Biden announced a substantial investment of $150 million to advance cancer research. The funding, part of the administration's ambitious Cancer 'Moonshot' initiative, was unveiled during his visit to Tulane University with First Lady Jill Biden. The grants are intended to benefit eight leading research institutions, improving their capabilities in precision cancer surgery. This innovative approach aims to improve the accuracy of tumor removal and minimize the need for subsequent surgeries by using advanced imaging technologies to ensure complete removal of tumor cells at tumor sites. In his speech, President Biden emphasized the…

Disney has announced the appointment of Adam Smith as the new Chief Product & Technology Officer for Disney Entertainment and ESPN. The announcement was made by Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, along with ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. In his new role, Smith will lead a comprehensive global product and technology division, encompassing both Disney’s entertainment businesses and its sports media operations. He will lead the technology vision and execution, focusing on advancing the company’s streaming services, digital consumer interfaces, in-house advertising technology and cutting-edge technology innovations. Smith’s team will include a diverse group of professionals ranging from…

A new chapter opens in Ames, Iowa as Brock Purdy’s rapid rise to NFL stardom is celebrated. Brock Purdy, the current San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback and MVP runner-up, hasn't always been a household name. This story delves into Purdy's journey from a little-known freshman at Iowa State to a dominant force in the NFL. A diamond in the rough Years ago, Iowa State offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser unearthed a hidden gem: a piece of practice film that showcased the exceptional talent of a young Purdy. The play? A dazzling touchdown run on a well-executed fake pass that stunned the…

The United States recorded its lowest annual inflation rate in three years in July, signaling a slowdown in the smallest price increases seen in nearly four decades. That development could allow the Federal Reserve to consider cutting interest rates as early as September. The Labor Department reported that consumer prices rose just 0.2% from June to July, marking a slight acceleration but the first of its kind in four years. On an annual basis, the inflation rate came in at 2.9%, down from 3% in June, marking the lowest annual rate since March 2021. This easing of inflation could play…