Investorideas.com interviews Businessman / Producer Chad A. Verdi as he heads to the Cannes Film Festival to oversee the sale of his three feature films
American Idol Star Paul McDonald’s Music to be used in Chad Verdi's Feature Film, Loosies
Visit this company: http://www.thewpconline.com/
April 20, 2011 – www.Investorideas.com, a leader in sector research including music and entertainment, releases the following Q&A interview with featured up and coming Businessman / Producer Chad A. Verdi. Verdi is President and CEO of both Verdi Productions and the Woodhaven Production Company.
Verdi Productions is in the final stages of post production on its feature film Loosies. The film’s blockbuster cast includes Peter Facinelli, (Twilight), Jaimie Alexander (Thor), Vicent Gallo (Bufferlo 66) ,Joe Pantoliano (Matrix) ,William Forsythe (The Rock) and Christy Carlson Roma (Infected).
Chad A. Verdi the company's CEO and the films producer reports he also recently signed American Idol star Paul McDonald. McDonald's music to be used in Verdi's feature film Loosies.
Interview
Q- Investorideas.com
Can you give us some background on Verdi Productions and The Woodhaven Production Company?
A: Managing Partner and Producer; Chad A. Verdi
VP was founded in 2009 as an independent and fully-funded media production company based in New York City and RI. We currently have three movies in the pipeline and we are just finishing our first feature film Loosies. VP will produce the bigger budget films while; The Woodhaven Production Company will focus on films under 2.5 million dollars. WHP produced and filmed two features in 2010 and both will be release later this year. Both companies are positioning themselves to be a serious contender in the film industry.
Q- Investorideas.com
For a new company in the entertainment industry, you have attracted some very impressive names and talent to your team. Can you give our readers some examples of the range of talent in your portfolio of movies, Inkubus, Loosies, and Infected?
A: Managing Partner and Producer; Chad A. Verdi
We are extremely excited about the caliber of talent already signed and on board in both VP and WHP.
We have some great actors that include names like Peter Facinelli ( Twilight / New Moon / The Scorpion King, Loosies ) Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs / Kill Bill: Vol. 1 / Kill Bill: Vol.2 Loosies, Infected), Vicent Gallo ( Buffalo '66 / The Brown Bunny / Tetro/ Loosies ), Joe Pantoliano ( Memento / The Matrix / The Fugitive/ Loosies ), (Jaimie Alexander Thor /Rest Stop / Ground, Loosies / The Other Side) (William Forsythe, The Rock / Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo / Raising Arizona and Inkubus that are under are VP company. Robert Englund (Freddy vs. Jason / A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child / Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare, Inkubus), Christy Carlson Romano (Guiding Light / The Cutting Edge, Mirrows two.: Going for the Gold / The Even Stevens Movie, Loosies) Jonathan Silverman, (Weekend at Bernie's / 12:01 / Brighton Beach Memoirs, Inkubus) Joey Fatone (My Big Fat Greek Wedding , Music Group n sync, Inkubus) and Michelle Ray Smith (Salt and Inkubus).
Q- Investorideas.com
Any other big names involved in your movies?
A: Managing Partner and Producer; Chad A. Verdi
Yes, I just signed a deal with American Idol star Paul McDonald. We will be using many of his songs in our film Loosies.
Q- Investorideas.com
He is one of my favorites, an artist that I would buy. How did that come about?
A: Managing Partner and Producer; Chad A. Verdi
Peter Facinielli who is very good friends with Niki Reed, who is also in Twilight, told Peter about Paul's music. Peter then sent his music to me and my wife Michelle, who is the head of music and talent for both companies. My wife loved his music and gave the ok to sign him. She feels that Paul's music brings Loosies to life.
Q- Investorideas.com
Can you tell us what stage the companies are at right now and what can audiences expect to see in the future?
A: Managing Partner and Producer; Chad A. Verdi
Our WHP Company just completed, a horror film entitled "Inkubus", starring Robert Englund. and Whilliam Forsythe and is in post production on its second horror film Infected, staring Michael Madsen and Christy Carlson Romano. Both films will be released in 2011.
VP, is in the final stages of post with "Loosies," the tale of a New York pick pocket that began filming July 15th 2010, that includes stars like Peter Facinelli, Michael Madsen, Vicent Gallo, Joe Pantoliano and Jaimie Alexander with Michael Corrente directed. Loosies will also be release in 2011.
.
Q- Investorideas.com
In terms of selling the films, who is representing you?
A: Managing Partner and Producer; Chad A. Verdi
I am in the final stages of signing some of the most respected sales agents in the business and will release that information at a later date. I am also heading to the Cannes Film Festival in May, were we willing be selling oversea territories for each film. There has been a lot of attention and interest in all three films.
Bio for Chad A. Verdi:
Mr. Verdi is an Entrepreneur that at the early age of 18 years old Mr. Verdi acquired his first business, a RI television listing newspaper called TV Facts that is still in publication today.
By the age of 21 Verdi acquired several other businesses in the food service sector throughout RI. By age 30, Verdi owned, co-owned or had investments in over a dozen businesses that ranged from food and toy manufacturing to restaurants and hi-tech developments in the biotechnology field.
Over the last 13 years, Mr. Verdi has been involved in over 750 million dollars in business mergers, reverse mergers, start-ups and acquisitions and currently owns, co-owns or has investments in more than two dozen businesses in diversified industries with more than 500 local employees and sales of more than $100 million nationwide. He also holds a large real estate portfolio that includes the 175-year-old former United Methodist Church in East Greenwich where the constitution of RI was adopted.
View the full company profile for Verdi Corrente Productions (VCP):
http://www.investorideas.com/CO/VCP/
About the Verdi Productions and Woodhaven Production Company:
Both Verdi Productions and The Woodhaven Production Company are fully funded film production companies, covering all aspects of filmmaking from conception of script through postproduction.
Contact: Chad A. Verdi, President, The Woodhaven Production Company: 401-884-0655
http://www.thewpconline.com/
Michelle L. Verdi, Head of Music and Talent http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4090091/
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Music News; Clear Channel Radio Releases iHeartRadio App for iPad on the App Store
Music News; Clear Channel Radio Releases iHeartRadio App for iPad on the App Store
NEW YORK--http://musicinvestornews.blogspot.com/
--Clear Channel Radio today announced that its new iHeartRadio App for iPad is now available on the App Store.
“iHeartRadio has been an incredibly successful app for iPhone because we’ve focused on how our listeners want to interact with their favorite music”
.With the new iHeartRadio App, iPad users can listen to Clear Channel’s 750 digital radio stations from 150 cities, along with the company’s digital-only commercial-free stations, and take advantage of new and enhanced features, including:
•Sharing stations and videos via Facebook, Twitter and email;
•Displaying a station’s Twitter feed when users listen to the station;
•Previewing what a station is playing by pressing its logo;
•Enabling users to save favorite stations and songs;
•Conducting a slideshow of artists as their songs play;
•Searching for a station by location, name or music genre.
The iHeartRadio App can also be streamed wirelessly via AirPlay to Apple TV from iPad. All stations are streamed in ACC format for a high-quality listening experience.
“Based on listener feedback, we have reimagined the iHeartRadio App experience by taking advantage of iPad’s screen size and wonderfully simple and intuitive interface,” said Robert Pittman, Chairman of Media and Entertainment Platforms for Clear Channel. “The iHeartRadio App for iPad is the most complete and engaging digital radio experience possible – it recasts the radio experience in a compelling visual way, and enables users to engage more deeply with their favorite stations and favorite artists.”
“iHeartRadio has been an incredibly successful app for iPhone because we’ve focused on how our listeners want to interact with their favorite music,” said John Hogan, CEO of Clear Channel Radio. “Now, the iHeartRadio App for iPad represents another major step in Clear Channel’s leadership in the digital space as a company that is capable of leveraging all of our powerful properties and platforms.”
The iHeartRadio App is available for free from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.
About Clear Channel Radio
With 237 million monthly listeners in the U.S., Clear Channel Radio has the largest reach of any media company in America. Clear Channel radio serves 150 cities through 850 radio stations. The company’s radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM stations, HD digital radio channels, Sirius/XM satellite, on the Internet, at iheartradio.com, on the iHeartRadio mobile application on iPads and iPhones and used via navigation systems from TomTom, Garmin and others. The company’s operations include radio broadcasting, syndication and independent media representation. Clear Channel Radio is a division of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (OTCBB:CCMO), a leading global media and entertainment company. More information on the company can be found at www.clearchannel.com.
Contacts
Clear Channel Radio
Wendy Goldberg, 212-549-0965
wendygoldberg@clearchannel.com
Research Music Stocks at http://www.investorideas.com/
http://www.musicindustrystocks.com/
NEW YORK--http://musicinvestornews.blogspot.com/
--Clear Channel Radio today announced that its new iHeartRadio App for iPad is now available on the App Store.
“iHeartRadio has been an incredibly successful app for iPhone because we’ve focused on how our listeners want to interact with their favorite music”
.With the new iHeartRadio App, iPad users can listen to Clear Channel’s 750 digital radio stations from 150 cities, along with the company’s digital-only commercial-free stations, and take advantage of new and enhanced features, including:
•Sharing stations and videos via Facebook, Twitter and email;
•Displaying a station’s Twitter feed when users listen to the station;
•Previewing what a station is playing by pressing its logo;
•Enabling users to save favorite stations and songs;
•Conducting a slideshow of artists as their songs play;
•Searching for a station by location, name or music genre.
The iHeartRadio App can also be streamed wirelessly via AirPlay to Apple TV from iPad. All stations are streamed in ACC format for a high-quality listening experience.
“Based on listener feedback, we have reimagined the iHeartRadio App experience by taking advantage of iPad’s screen size and wonderfully simple and intuitive interface,” said Robert Pittman, Chairman of Media and Entertainment Platforms for Clear Channel. “The iHeartRadio App for iPad is the most complete and engaging digital radio experience possible – it recasts the radio experience in a compelling visual way, and enables users to engage more deeply with their favorite stations and favorite artists.”
“iHeartRadio has been an incredibly successful app for iPhone because we’ve focused on how our listeners want to interact with their favorite music,” said John Hogan, CEO of Clear Channel Radio. “Now, the iHeartRadio App for iPad represents another major step in Clear Channel’s leadership in the digital space as a company that is capable of leveraging all of our powerful properties and platforms.”
The iHeartRadio App is available for free from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.
About Clear Channel Radio
With 237 million monthly listeners in the U.S., Clear Channel Radio has the largest reach of any media company in America. Clear Channel radio serves 150 cities through 850 radio stations. The company’s radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM stations, HD digital radio channels, Sirius/XM satellite, on the Internet, at iheartradio.com, on the iHeartRadio mobile application on iPads and iPhones and used via navigation systems from TomTom, Garmin and others. The company’s operations include radio broadcasting, syndication and independent media representation. Clear Channel Radio is a division of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (OTCBB:CCMO), a leading global media and entertainment company. More information on the company can be found at www.clearchannel.com.
Contacts
Clear Channel Radio
Wendy Goldberg, 212-549-0965
wendygoldberg@clearchannel.com
Research Music Stocks at http://www.investorideas.com/
http://www.musicindustrystocks.com/
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Music/ entertainment Stocks News; Chris Gannett Named Chief Marketing Officer at CKX (NASDAQ: CKXE)
Music/ entertainment Stocks News; Chris Gannett Named Chief Marketing Officer at CKX (NASDAQ: CKXE)
http://musicinvestornews.blogspot.com/
Brings strong background in global brand management to owner of IDOLS franchise as well as Elvis and Ali rights
NEW YORK--()--Kraig G. Fox, Chief Operating Officer of CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKXE), today announced that Chris Gannett, a seasoned marketer with broad experience managing global brands, has joined the company as Chief Marketing Officer.
“We are convinced there will be exciting growth and innovation under his leadership.”
.“Chris’s experience working with leading consumer and business-to-business brands including Sony Music, Citi, Oreo and Dr Pepper, combined with his strong strategy, digital and partnership expertise make him the ideal CMO for CKX,” said Mr. Fox. “We are convinced there will be exciting growth and innovation under his leadership.”
“I am very excited to be joining CKX at such a pivotal time in the company’s history, marked by the return of Michael G. Ferrel as CEO and appointment of Kraig Fox as COO,” said Mr. Gannett. “I look forward to working with my CKX colleagues to strengthen our brands and drive improved growth across the properties.”
In his role as CMO, Mr. Gannett will be responsible for stewarding CKX’s corporate marketing efforts as well as driving strategy within its portfolio businesses during a time of transition and change in the media and entertainment industries. The company’s existing properties generate recurring revenue across multiple entertainment platforms, including music and television, licensing and merchandising, talent management, themed attractions, and touring/live events.
Mr. Gannett’s track record includes consumer packaged goods, digital media, entertainment, and financial services as well as agency experience. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Sony Music Entertainment’s Commercial Music Group, where he led its Strategic Marketing and Business Development unit. Prior to Sony, he served as a Vice President of Citigroup’s Corporate and Investment Bank. Before that, he held brand marketing positions of increasing operational and financial responsibility at Nabisco and Cadbury Schweppes, among other companies.
Born in Dallas, Texas, Mr. Gannett holds an MBA degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from The University of Kansas.
About CKX, Inc.
CKX, Inc. is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of globally recognized entertainment content. The Company's current properties include the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali and the operations of Graceland. Through its wholly-owned division 19 Entertainment Ltd., CKX owns proprietary rights to the IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance television brands, including the American Idol series in the United States and local adaptations of the IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance television show formats which, collectively, air in more than 100 countries, as well as other television properties. Also through 19, CKX has relationships and partnerships with some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Adam Lambert, Kelly Clarkson, David Cook, Jordin Sparks, Kris Allen, among others. For more information about CKX, Inc., visit its corporate website at www.ckx.com.
Contacts
42West
Allan Mayer, 310-477-4442
Research Music Stocks at Investorideas.com
http://www.musicindustrystocks.com/
http://musicinvestornews.blogspot.com/
Brings strong background in global brand management to owner of IDOLS franchise as well as Elvis and Ali rights
NEW YORK--()--Kraig G. Fox, Chief Operating Officer of CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKXE), today announced that Chris Gannett, a seasoned marketer with broad experience managing global brands, has joined the company as Chief Marketing Officer.
“We are convinced there will be exciting growth and innovation under his leadership.”
.“Chris’s experience working with leading consumer and business-to-business brands including Sony Music, Citi, Oreo and Dr Pepper, combined with his strong strategy, digital and partnership expertise make him the ideal CMO for CKX,” said Mr. Fox. “We are convinced there will be exciting growth and innovation under his leadership.”
“I am very excited to be joining CKX at such a pivotal time in the company’s history, marked by the return of Michael G. Ferrel as CEO and appointment of Kraig Fox as COO,” said Mr. Gannett. “I look forward to working with my CKX colleagues to strengthen our brands and drive improved growth across the properties.”
In his role as CMO, Mr. Gannett will be responsible for stewarding CKX’s corporate marketing efforts as well as driving strategy within its portfolio businesses during a time of transition and change in the media and entertainment industries. The company’s existing properties generate recurring revenue across multiple entertainment platforms, including music and television, licensing and merchandising, talent management, themed attractions, and touring/live events.
Mr. Gannett’s track record includes consumer packaged goods, digital media, entertainment, and financial services as well as agency experience. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Sony Music Entertainment’s Commercial Music Group, where he led its Strategic Marketing and Business Development unit. Prior to Sony, he served as a Vice President of Citigroup’s Corporate and Investment Bank. Before that, he held brand marketing positions of increasing operational and financial responsibility at Nabisco and Cadbury Schweppes, among other companies.
Born in Dallas, Texas, Mr. Gannett holds an MBA degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from The University of Kansas.
About CKX, Inc.
CKX, Inc. is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of globally recognized entertainment content. The Company's current properties include the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali and the operations of Graceland. Through its wholly-owned division 19 Entertainment Ltd., CKX owns proprietary rights to the IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance television brands, including the American Idol series in the United States and local adaptations of the IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance television show formats which, collectively, air in more than 100 countries, as well as other television properties. Also through 19, CKX has relationships and partnerships with some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Adam Lambert, Kelly Clarkson, David Cook, Jordin Sparks, Kris Allen, among others. For more information about CKX, Inc., visit its corporate website at www.ckx.com.
Contacts
42West
Allan Mayer, 310-477-4442
Research Music Stocks at Investorideas.com
http://www.musicindustrystocks.com/
Music Stocks; MakeMusic’s (NASDAQ: MMUS) First Quarter Earnings Conference Call Scheduled for May 4, 2011
Music Stocks; MakeMusic’s (NASDAQ: MMUS) First Quarter Earnings Conference Call Scheduled for May 4, 2011
MINNEAPOLIS--MakeMusic, Inc. (NASDAQ: MMUS) today announced that it will hold a conference call to review operating results for the first quarter of 2011 on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. CDT. The earnings release will be issued following the close of the market that day.
Participants should call 877-840-1316 and reference Conference ID Number 60774927. Two hours after the completion of the conference call, a digital recording will be available for replay by calling 800-642-1687 or 706-645-9291 through May 13, 2011.
About MakeMusic, Inc.
MakeMusic®, Inc. is a world leader in music technology whose mission is to develop and market solutions that transform how music is composed, taught, learned and performed. For more than 20 years, Finale® has been the industry standard in music notation software, enabling composers, arrangers, musicians, teachers, students and publishers to create, edit, audition, print and publish musical scores. MakeMusic is also the creator of SmartMusic® interactive software that is transforming the way students practice. With SmartMusic, students and teachers have access to thousands of band, orchestra and vocal pieces allowing students to practice with background accompaniment and get immediate feedback on their performance. SmartMusic allows teachers to individualize instruction and document the progress of every student. Additional information about this Minnesota company can be found at www.makemusic.com.
Contacts
MakeMusic, Inc.
Karen VanDerBosch, 952-906-3690
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
kvanderbosch@makemusic.com
Research Music Stocks at Investorideas.com
Musicindustrystocks.com
MINNEAPOLIS--MakeMusic, Inc. (NASDAQ: MMUS) today announced that it will hold a conference call to review operating results for the first quarter of 2011 on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. CDT. The earnings release will be issued following the close of the market that day.
Participants should call 877-840-1316 and reference Conference ID Number 60774927. Two hours after the completion of the conference call, a digital recording will be available for replay by calling 800-642-1687 or 706-645-9291 through May 13, 2011.
About MakeMusic, Inc.
MakeMusic®, Inc. is a world leader in music technology whose mission is to develop and market solutions that transform how music is composed, taught, learned and performed. For more than 20 years, Finale® has been the industry standard in music notation software, enabling composers, arrangers, musicians, teachers, students and publishers to create, edit, audition, print and publish musical scores. MakeMusic is also the creator of SmartMusic® interactive software that is transforming the way students practice. With SmartMusic, students and teachers have access to thousands of band, orchestra and vocal pieces allowing students to practice with background accompaniment and get immediate feedback on their performance. SmartMusic allows teachers to individualize instruction and document the progress of every student. Additional information about this Minnesota company can be found at www.makemusic.com.
Contacts
MakeMusic, Inc.
Karen VanDerBosch, 952-906-3690
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
kvanderbosch@makemusic.com
Research Music Stocks at Investorideas.com
Musicindustrystocks.com
The Black Eyed Peas’ Peapod Foundation and Adobe Foundation Launch Youth Academy in New York
The Black Eyed Peas’ Peapod Foundation and Adobe Foundation Launch Youth Academy in New York
Fourth Music and Multimedia Academy Fosters Creativity and Expression for Underserved Youth
Adobe Systems Incorporated (NasdaqGS: ADBE )
NEW YORK----The Black Eyed Peas Peapod Foundation and the Adobe Foundation are launching a new Peapod Adobe Youth Voices music and multimedia academy in New York City. Building on the success of existing academies in Oakland, Los Angeles and Redwood City, Calif., the collaboration between the two non-profit foundations focuses on empowering underserved youth. The academies make leading technologies available for art, dance, music and video production which, in turn, nurture self-expression, creativity, community involvement and digital literacy among young people.
“Our passion for music and media was fueled by many generous people on our road to success”
.The New York academy will be located at 21 Howard Street in a facility operated by Urban Arts Partnership, an organization designed to advance the intellectual, social and artistic development of underserved public school students through arts-integrated education programs. The site will feature professional-grade multimedia creation software and an innovative curriculum developed by Adobe Youth Voices, the signature program of the Adobe Foundation, combined with high-tech music studio tools and a premium recording facility provided by the Peapod Foundation. Through the creation of digital media projects and expression via the performing arts, underprivileged teens are given the opportunity to find their voices, comment on important topical issues and inspire social change in their communities.
Six-time Grammy Award-winning recording artists The Black Eyed Peas – will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo and Fergie – will officially announce the new Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academy at a private ceremony today. Beginning July 2011, programs and services will be offered for youth ages 13-19. An estimated 150 youth are expected to participate in the academy annually.
“We are thrilled to work with the Peapod Foundation and Adobe Foundation to provide cutting edge programs to our youth,” said Philip Courtney, executive director, Urban Arts Partnership. “The academy will provide our young people with ongoing, multi-year opportunities to advance their artistic, academic and social development and make a difference in the world around them. Our goal is to motivate students to express their views in fresh, powerful ways – whether in a video documentary they produce themselves, a music recording or a dance performance.”
“Our passion for music and media was fueled by many generous people on our road to success,” said will.i.am. “Expanding the network of Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academies enables us to pay it forward, giving more youth the skills and encouragement they need to realize their dreams.”
“We have seen tremendous results from our youth participants since we first partnered with the Peapod Foundation in August 2009,” said Michelle Mann, executive director, Adobe Foundation. “Not only are these teens building self esteem and exploring their creativity with leading-edge technologies, they are bringing change and awareness to social issues affecting their communities and acquiring the critical, real-world skills they need to prosper in the global 21st century economy.”
The Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academies have served more than 1,000 teens to date. A fifth site, planned for San Jose, Calif., will be opened later this year. Students from the Redwood City academy have traveled as far as Washington, D.C., and Munich, Germany, to screen and perform their projects at conferences such as the U.S. Department of Education’s National Youth Summit and the Digital Life Design Women's Conference.
About Urban Arts Partnership
Urban Arts Partnership, founded in 1991 as a not-for-profit cultural organization based on the belief that art is essential to human development, education and culture, provides arts education and integration programs to underserved schools and communities throughout New York City. Urban Arts Partnership currently partners with 65 underserved schools, impacting more than 12,000 students annually with the mission of advancing the intellectual, social and artistic development of underserved public school students through arts-integrated education programs to close the achievement gap. For the past 18 years, UAP has created in-depth partnerships with schools and communities by implementing art programs that help youth better understand essential academic content while exploring new tools to support their social and emotional development. UAP’s theater, video, visual arts, dance, design, poetry, and music education programs have visited over 250 New York City public schools and engaged more than 30,000 young people, teachers and community members. An emphasis on inquiry-based pedagogy challenges young people to become active learners, eager to exercise critical thinking, leadership and creative skills.
About The Black Eyed Peas Peapod Foundation
The Black Eyed Peas Peapod Foundation encourages social change by uniting people, especially children, through the universal language of music. In 2008, the foundation opened the first Peapod Music & Arts Academy, a state-of-the-art music and educational center and recording facility serving foster care youth and other at-risk teens, at the Watts/Willowbrook Boys and Girls Club. The Peapod Foundation was established as a Charitable Service Fund administered by the Entertainment Industry Foundation. For more information, visit http://www.thepeapodfoundation.com/.
About Adobe Youth Voices
Adobe Youth Voices is the Adobe Foundation’s global philanthropic initiative that empowers youth from underserved communities with digital media skills so they can comment on their world, share their ideas and take action on issues that are important to them. By harnessing the energy and insight of youth 13-19 years old, Adobe Youth Voices aims to inspire a dialogue for change in their communities. The program engages youth to express themselves through documentary videos, photography, print media, radio diaries, animation, Web communications and other media. Since 2006, the Adobe Youth Voices global network has grown to more than 700 sites, grantees and organizations in 45 countries, and has engaged more than 76,000 youth and 4,000 educators in schools and out-of-school programs. For more information, visit http://www.youthvoices.adobe.com/.
About the Adobe Foundation
The Adobe Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation created and funded by Adobe Systems Incorporated to leverage human, technological and financial resources to drive social change and community improvements.
Contacts
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Jodi Sorensen, 408-536-2084
jsorensen@adobe.com
or
Edelman
Victoria Chu, 650-762-2834
victoria.chu@edelman.com
or
EIF/The Black Eyed Peas Peapod Foundation
Maurine Slutzky, 213-240-3923
mslutzky@eifoundation.org
Fourth Music and Multimedia Academy Fosters Creativity and Expression for Underserved Youth
Adobe Systems Incorporated (NasdaqGS: ADBE )
NEW YORK----The Black Eyed Peas Peapod Foundation and the Adobe Foundation are launching a new Peapod Adobe Youth Voices music and multimedia academy in New York City. Building on the success of existing academies in Oakland, Los Angeles and Redwood City, Calif., the collaboration between the two non-profit foundations focuses on empowering underserved youth. The academies make leading technologies available for art, dance, music and video production which, in turn, nurture self-expression, creativity, community involvement and digital literacy among young people.
“Our passion for music and media was fueled by many generous people on our road to success”
.The New York academy will be located at 21 Howard Street in a facility operated by Urban Arts Partnership, an organization designed to advance the intellectual, social and artistic development of underserved public school students through arts-integrated education programs. The site will feature professional-grade multimedia creation software and an innovative curriculum developed by Adobe Youth Voices, the signature program of the Adobe Foundation, combined with high-tech music studio tools and a premium recording facility provided by the Peapod Foundation. Through the creation of digital media projects and expression via the performing arts, underprivileged teens are given the opportunity to find their voices, comment on important topical issues and inspire social change in their communities.
Six-time Grammy Award-winning recording artists The Black Eyed Peas – will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo and Fergie – will officially announce the new Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academy at a private ceremony today. Beginning July 2011, programs and services will be offered for youth ages 13-19. An estimated 150 youth are expected to participate in the academy annually.
“We are thrilled to work with the Peapod Foundation and Adobe Foundation to provide cutting edge programs to our youth,” said Philip Courtney, executive director, Urban Arts Partnership. “The academy will provide our young people with ongoing, multi-year opportunities to advance their artistic, academic and social development and make a difference in the world around them. Our goal is to motivate students to express their views in fresh, powerful ways – whether in a video documentary they produce themselves, a music recording or a dance performance.”
“Our passion for music and media was fueled by many generous people on our road to success,” said will.i.am. “Expanding the network of Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academies enables us to pay it forward, giving more youth the skills and encouragement they need to realize their dreams.”
“We have seen tremendous results from our youth participants since we first partnered with the Peapod Foundation in August 2009,” said Michelle Mann, executive director, Adobe Foundation. “Not only are these teens building self esteem and exploring their creativity with leading-edge technologies, they are bringing change and awareness to social issues affecting their communities and acquiring the critical, real-world skills they need to prosper in the global 21st century economy.”
The Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academies have served more than 1,000 teens to date. A fifth site, planned for San Jose, Calif., will be opened later this year. Students from the Redwood City academy have traveled as far as Washington, D.C., and Munich, Germany, to screen and perform their projects at conferences such as the U.S. Department of Education’s National Youth Summit and the Digital Life Design Women's Conference.
About Urban Arts Partnership
Urban Arts Partnership, founded in 1991 as a not-for-profit cultural organization based on the belief that art is essential to human development, education and culture, provides arts education and integration programs to underserved schools and communities throughout New York City. Urban Arts Partnership currently partners with 65 underserved schools, impacting more than 12,000 students annually with the mission of advancing the intellectual, social and artistic development of underserved public school students through arts-integrated education programs to close the achievement gap. For the past 18 years, UAP has created in-depth partnerships with schools and communities by implementing art programs that help youth better understand essential academic content while exploring new tools to support their social and emotional development. UAP’s theater, video, visual arts, dance, design, poetry, and music education programs have visited over 250 New York City public schools and engaged more than 30,000 young people, teachers and community members. An emphasis on inquiry-based pedagogy challenges young people to become active learners, eager to exercise critical thinking, leadership and creative skills.
About The Black Eyed Peas Peapod Foundation
The Black Eyed Peas Peapod Foundation encourages social change by uniting people, especially children, through the universal language of music. In 2008, the foundation opened the first Peapod Music & Arts Academy, a state-of-the-art music and educational center and recording facility serving foster care youth and other at-risk teens, at the Watts/Willowbrook Boys and Girls Club. The Peapod Foundation was established as a Charitable Service Fund administered by the Entertainment Industry Foundation. For more information, visit http://www.thepeapodfoundation.com/.
About Adobe Youth Voices
Adobe Youth Voices is the Adobe Foundation’s global philanthropic initiative that empowers youth from underserved communities with digital media skills so they can comment on their world, share their ideas and take action on issues that are important to them. By harnessing the energy and insight of youth 13-19 years old, Adobe Youth Voices aims to inspire a dialogue for change in their communities. The program engages youth to express themselves through documentary videos, photography, print media, radio diaries, animation, Web communications and other media. Since 2006, the Adobe Youth Voices global network has grown to more than 700 sites, grantees and organizations in 45 countries, and has engaged more than 76,000 youth and 4,000 educators in schools and out-of-school programs. For more information, visit http://www.youthvoices.adobe.com/.
About the Adobe Foundation
The Adobe Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation created and funded by Adobe Systems Incorporated to leverage human, technological and financial resources to drive social change and community improvements.
Contacts
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Jodi Sorensen, 408-536-2084
jsorensen@adobe.com
or
Edelman
Victoria Chu, 650-762-2834
victoria.chu@edelman.com
or
EIF/The Black Eyed Peas Peapod Foundation
Maurine Slutzky, 213-240-3923
mslutzky@eifoundation.org
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