In the wake of the pandemic-era direct-to-consumer resurgence, retailers have staged quite the comeback. For fashion, lifestyle and beauty brands, retailers serve as key strategic partners (not just points of sale) in “driving brand growth, visibility and conversion,” according to a new …
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Jasmin Brown, Cam Newton
Cam Newton wanted his girlfriend Jasmin Brown’s bodycount & he explains why!
Jasmin also chimed in on how she felt. **ladies, how would you respond if your man wanted to know your list?** ? @funkyfriday
Toni Braxton‘s production deal with Lifetime to spearhead a series of films based on signature hits from throughout her career is officially in full swing.
According to Deadline, the R&B icon’s multi-picture deal will begin with the forthcoming feature, He Wasn’t Man Enough.
Toni Braxton poses in the press room during the 2019 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
Rich Fury/Getty Images
Inspired by Braxton’s 2000 smash single, He Wasn’t Man Enough finds the songstress portraying Mel Montgomery, a best-selling author who is jettisoned by her boyfriend, Richard (Thomas Cadrot).
However, the plot thickens when Braxton’s character discovers that Richard has become engaged to a woman named Monica (Essence Atkins), who happens to be Montgomery’s friend from college.
Essence Atkins at the CBS fall schedule celebration held at Paramount Studios on May 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Gregg DeGuire/Variety via Getty Images
Also starring Yvette Nicole Brown, He Wasn’t Man Enough premieres November 22 at 8/7c as part of Lifetime’s “Love of a Lifetime” programming slate.
The second film in the series, Breathe Again, will follow three contestants who participate in a reality dating show, but fail to find their match.
The trio, which includes characters played by Atkins and A Different World alum Cree Summer, move from Los Angeles to Seattle, where they build a sisterly bond while rebuilding their respective lives.
Cree Summer attends the Ironheart fan event at El Capitan Theatre on June 23, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
Released in 2000 as the lead single from her third studio album The Heat, “He Wasn’t Man Enough” was a runaway hit climbing to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, with four weeks spent at No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.
The second of several successful records from her 1993 self-titled debut, “Breathe Again” became one of Braxton’s early fan favorites, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and he earning the vocalist her second consecutive Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1995.
He Wasn’t Man Enough and Breathe Again are produced by Braxton alongside Tanya Lopez and Kenneth Crear for Lifetime, with Stan Brooks serving as director and executive producer.
Toni Braxton at The Premiere of Hulu’s “Dress My Tour” Hosted by Kathy Hilton, Toni Braxton and Holly Carter held a Private Residence on July 23, 2024 in Los Angeles California.
Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images
SoundPatrol has entered a partnership with Universal Music Group and Sony Music to protect artists from copyright infringement coming from AI music models.
According to a press release, SoundPatrol specializes in using a “forensic AI model for audio-video fingerprinting.” Through neural fingerprinting, SoundPatrol claims it can analyze fully (or partially) AI generated songs to identify influences and traces of human-made music.
For the music industry, finding out ways to fingerprint, track and attribute traces of copyrighted material in AI songs is the key to properly compensating and crediting talent for their work when it’s used to influence AI models. In recent months, AI companies like Udio and Music AI have proactively announced partnerships with Audible Magic to help fingerprint their works.
But UMG and Sony’s approval of SoundPatrol’s “neural fingerprinting” approach represents a major co-sign for this type of technology, which SoundPatrol claims is “a significant advancement beyond traditional audio fingerprinting techniques”
“Traditional audio fingerprinting… primarily rel[ies] on matching exact audio snippets. Neural embeddings capture semantic relationships to identify covers, remixes and generative-AI derivatives,” the press release states. SoundPatrol also has future plans to develop tools and models that will “proactively help third-party platforms and research labs prevent copyright violations,” the press release reads.
SoundPatrol is a company that originated in a Stanford University lab and was founded by top AI, machine learning and cybersecurity academics. This includes Walter De Brouwer Ph. D., SoundPatrol’s co-founder and CEO, and Percy Liang Ph. D. (director of the Center for Foundation Models and leading Stanford’s Marin, the Open Lab for Building Foundation Models), Chris Re, Ph. D. (Stanford AI Lab, Director of FactoryHQ), and Dan Boneh, Ph. D. (Director of the Applied Cryptography Lab and Co Director of the Cybersecurity Lab).
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Lucian Grainge, UMG’s chairman and CEO, says of the deal: “We’re constantly focused on enabling AI — bringing to market the many commercial and creative opportunities that will benefit our artists while establishing effective tools to protect them. Bringing solutions to the table that support the entire industry is at the heart of our relationship with SoundPatrol, who share our commitment to safeguarding our artists’ creative integrity and work.”
“The possibilities of AI present opportunities for artists and creators when used the right way,” says Dennis Kooker, president of global digital business at Sony Music. “We’re committed to navigating this developing landscape by protecting their work while also exploring the innovative potential of these technologies. Our collaboration with SoundPatrol is about respecting artists’ rights to build a sustainable and equitable ecosystem for everyone.”
“Generative AI is transforming music in extraordinary ways, but if we abandon copyright, we risk severing artists from ownership of their own work,” says Walter De Brouwer, SoundPatrol co-founder and CEO. “It is compulsory to proactively feed deep embeddings of these neural signatures into streaming infrastructures so that owners can maintain control, authenticity, and monetization of their intellectual property in the generative AI era. Eliminating copyright to accelerate AI is like changing the speed of light to advance physics — it misunderstands the fundamental laws that sustain creativity.”
Michael Ovitz, SoundPatrol co-founder and chairman of the board, adds: “This is a huge victory for all artists in the creative universe.” He continued: “One of the premier issues affecting artists has always been the protection of their intellectual property rights. SoundPatrol has answered the long-standing problem of IP theft by creating a frontier lab with neural fingerprinting capabilities that can identify all pipelines of directly transmitted content, whether on its own or intermixed, in real time. This is the first of-its-kind technology implemented to protect all copyright holders and creators of any type of intellectual property.”
Nuweb Group has partnered with 3D Digital Venue, a Barcelona-based company known for its 3D visualization technology, to bring “view from seat” experiences directly into online ticket purchase.
Nuweb Group’s partners – which include ticketing platforms, venues, and enterprise event organisers – can now offer interactive 3D maps that let fans preview panoramic seat views before making a purchase.
The technology, already in use by major venues such as FC Barcelona, the LA Lakers, Wembley Stadium, and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, gives fans a clear look at their view before completing a transaction.
“At Nuweb, we believe innovation should serve both fans and partners,” said Jose San Miguel, Managing Director of Nuweb Group.
“We’re always seeking innovations that help partners grow revenue, stand out, and earn fan trust. 3D Digital Venue is a global leader in this space, they tick every box.”
Founded in 2012, 3D Digital Venue (3DDV), powered by Mobile Media Content, leverages gaming engine technology to deliver 360-degree panoramic experience from seat locations.
The software has gathered momentum seeing it implemented in venues such as Crypto.com Arena and Wembley Stadium.
“Our mission at 3D Digital Venue has always been to make the ticket-buying process more transparent and reliable,” said Francis Casado, Co-Founder and CRO of 3D Digital Venue.
“By integrating our technology with Nuweb, we’re helping fans feel confident in their purchase while giving organisers a powerful tool to increase sales and elevate the overall event experience.”
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The annual Westminster Venue Collection showcase last night welcomed over 100 event planners and industry professionals to Central Hall Westminster for an invaluable evening of venue finding and networking. The exclusive event saw the host venue’s latest re-developed space: ‘The Wesley Suite’, transformed into a winter wonderland where guests explored over 50 of London’s most prestigious venues.
Westminster Venue Collection’s sought-after portfolio includes fashionable townhouses, private members’ clubs, luxury hotels, iconic attractions and historic institutes, offering organisers an extensive range of options for corporate and private events. Having launched its re-developed website in March 2025, with advanced features simplifying venue search, shortlisting and enquiries, the showcase further supports planners in their research with venue discovery and matchmaking.
On arrival, guests were welcomed into Central Hall’s brand-new space in which Boo Productions had created a serene, enchanting world where winter came to life. Decorative elements including a frosted twig entrance arch, a beautiful table centre display and cascading chandelier feature, set the tone for a magical experience. The stage featured a bespoke Arctic theme, with a custom-made lectern inspired by frozen landscapes, while a scenic landscape backdrop framed the presentation area. A white winter sleigh photo opportunity provided a memorable moment throughout the evening.
While meeting the collection’s member venues and exploring the history, heritage and versatility the City of Westminster offers as a destination for hosting world-class events, attendees enjoyed a delicious selection of canapés and bowl food from Central Hall’s in-house catering partner, Green & Fortune. Highlights from their new, sustainably-sourced menu collection launching in January, included Aged Corney side Beef tartare with egg yolk emulsion and Slow cooked beef cheek, Peela pilau rice, saffron yogurt, white onion salad – both featuring beef from Green & Fortune’s own farm. Cauliflower salad with chilled puree, smoked Applewood panko, golden raisin and shallot vinaigrette, and Avocado cream, blackened chalk stream trout with foraged confetti and burnt lemon honey were other popular dishes.
The evening also featured games and entertainment from Clownfish Events, which were tailored to the event theme and designed to engage the guests with fun interactive elements. The host venue’s in-house AV partner, White Light, ensured seamless technical delivery, with installed lighting, video and audio to enhance the space. Exciting prizes donated by the members, including luxury afternoon tea experiences, an overnight stay at The Guardsman Hotel and Tate Britain exhibition tickets were won by lucky guests.
Westminster Venue Collection Chair Barbara Wutte says: “Every year, our guests remind us how important our annual showcase is for giving them unrivalled access to such a diverse selection of venues under one roof. This year’s White Winter Wonderland theme perfectly demonstrated the creative possibilities available within our ever-growing portfolio. We were thrilled to host this year’s event in Westminster’s newest space, giving guests a first look at ‘The Wesley Suite’, as well as the opportunity to simplify their venue finding and meet their event needs by connecting with all our members in one fantastic night.”
The Westminster Venue Collection 2025 Showcase was kindly supported by partners Central Hall Westminster, Green & Fortune, White Light, Boo Productions, Clownfish Events, Hire It and Andrew Lunn Photography.
To learn more about Westminster Venue Collection or to enquire about membership, please visit https://www.venues-london.co.uk/
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Story House Partners, the Montana-based production branch of Story House Inc., will begin production on its first feature film in October. Titled “St. George,” the movie is a family drama written and directed by Andrew Pastides.
The film will focus on two brothers dealing with grief in the wake of their sister’s death. One of the brothers has Down syndrome, and the other brother becomes his caregiver as his closest remaining family member. However, when their late sister’s boyfriend re-enters their lives, things take a turn for the worse, forcing both brothers to confront their familial flaws head-on.
“St. George” was developed with the National Down Syndrome Society to ensure authentic representation of its neurodivergent characters and expand conversations about the community. Pastides said in a statement, “I’m drawn to the gray areas — the space where tragedy and humor overlap, where love and loss coexist. With ‘St. George,’ I wanted to explore how silence around grief leaves us unequipped to love fully, and how resilience takes different shapes in different families — especially within the neurodivergent community.”
The film will be shot on-location in Missoula, Mont., bringing production to the Mountain West in accordance with Story House Partners’ investment in the region’s film industry. In addition to the movie, Story House Inc. is developing a 47-acre studio campus in Missoula as well as a 240-acre community in Sheridan, Wyo., dubbed Story House Village.
By working with lawmakers to develop Story House Montana, the company hopes to build a production ecosystem in an underserved part of the United States where other large-scale projects have faltered.
Story House co-founder and chief creative officer James Brown III added, “It’s incredibly meaningful that ‘St. George’ is the first feature film from Story House Partners. To launch our producing journey with a story this powerful feels like both an honor and a responsibility — we’ve been trusted with something deeply human, and it brings me so much joy to share it with the world.”
“St. George” is produced by Sean Patrick Higgins, James Brown III and Matt Lauria, and is shot by Bianca Butti.
Sabrina Carpenter is “pretty transparent” in her approach to relationships.
Sabrina Carpenter has opened up about her new album
The 26-year-old singer thinks her former romantic partners actually feel “pretty flattered” whenever she writes and releases a song about them.
The blonde beauty – whose new album is called Man’s Best Friend – told CBS Mornings: “I feel pretty transparent going into any of my relationships, that I write songs and I think they’re just as down for it. I think it’s also, most of the time, they’ve been pretty flattered when I … when they get a song written about them, good or bad.”
Despite this, Sabrina refuses to confirm who inspired certain songs.
The singer – who has previously dated the likes of Shawn Mendes and Barry Keoghan – said: “It’s more fun for people to picture in their head than the person I picture in my head, I think.”
Sabrina also admits that her music isn’t for everyone.
The Manchild hitmaker reflected: “You don’t have to like what I do. I think there’s this weird misconception that every artist has to check every box for everyone to like everything about them.”
Sabrina released her last album, Short n’ Sweet, in 2024, and she previously described the record as “a more emphasised version” of her real-life self.
The chart-topping star suggested that Short n’ Sweet was more authentic to herself than her earlier records.
Speaking to Vogue magazine, Sabrina explained: “Short n’ Sweet is absolutely me. There’s no, like, alter ego. But it’s definitely a more emphasised version of me.
“It’s interesting because I’m able to dress in this way where you would kind of expect to hear like a voice from the ’60s. But then, when I’m speaking to the audience, I’m just myself.”
Sabrina also claimed that her style and lyrics represent who she is now and how she feels about life.
The Espresso hitmaker – who has enjoyed huge success in recent years – explained: “I started wearing outfits that felt more like myself. And then it sort of bled into, like, I was writing these songs that felt more and more like my personality.”
De Vere, a collection of historic mansion house estates and distinctive contemporary hotels and event destinations, has raised over £100,000 for its charity partners at its first Charity Gala Dinner, held in July at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden.
The midsummer-themed balled welcomed 400 guests to the venue’s iconic Grand Hall, where attendees enjoyed sumptuous food, expertly curated wines and memorable entertainment. Funds were raised in support of three charities, the British Heart Foundation, a movement committed to lifesaving research on heart health, Hospitality Action, an organisation dedicated to supporting hospitality workers in need, and the Willow Foundation, a charity that organises bespoke experiences for young adults dealing with life-threatening and life-limiting diseases.
The auction featured a range of exclusive experiences and items available for guests to bid on. The top prize of the night was a sculpture by world-renowned artist Ed Elliott, which was successfully auctioned for £6,000. Ed Elliott has partnered with De Vere to create an exclusive solo exhibition at De Vere Tortworth Court, which is now currently on show at De Vere Beaumont Estate in Old Windsor.
Laurie Nicol and Alan Corlett, Co-CEOs at De Vere, commented: “We are incredibly proud of the success of our inaugural Charity Gala Dinner. Raising over£100,000 for these outstanding charities is a remarkable achievement, and we are so thankful to our guests, team and partners who made the night possible. The evening was more than just a gala, it was a celebration of purpose, generosity, and community, reflecting our shared belief that business should be a force for good for our guests, our people, and our planet.”
The Network of Women in Events CIC (NOWIE) has unveiled an ambitious line-up of upcoming events spanning all four nations of the UK, plus Ireland, in partnership with some of the most respected names in the events industry.
Collaborations include Safe Events Global, Arena, Event Tech Live, Production Futures, East Anglian Festival Network, The Showman’s Show, and The Event Production Show and more. This diverse programme marks a significant step in expanding NOWIE’s reach while providing more inclusive and accessible opportunities for women and non-binary professionals across all sectors of the industry.
The calendar includes breakfast clubs in London and Bristol, supper clubs in Dublin, Cardiff and Edinburgh, and even partnerships at flagship trade events including The Showman’s Show, Event Tech Live, and The Event Production Show.
Reflecting feedback from members, NOWIE is moving beyond the traditional after-work drinks format to offer a richer variety of experiences – from early morning meetups and regional gatherings to sector-specific collaborations.
Cat Kevern, Managing Director of NOWIE, said:
“This is our biggest ever event drop after pausing our in-person events and community activities over the summer. We’ve listened closely to our members who wanted to see more variety in our programming – not just evening drinks. This new programme represents a step-change for NOWIE, with breakfast clubs, more regional meetups, and industry partnerships offering our community new opportunities to come together, learn and facilitate more peer-to-peer support.”
The initiative underpins NOWIE’s commitment to ensuring events are accessible, inclusive, and reflective of the breadth of the industry, providing opportunities to community members of all levels of experience.
Tickets are now live and available to purchase by all, not just NOWIE members. Head to www.nowie.org/events to learn more and secure your spot today.