Spotlight: Al Roker TASTE AWARDS Acceptance Speech

Billionaire TWITCH founder Justin Kan presents a TASTE AWARD

JustinKan-2010The TASTE AWARDS have always had personalities, stars and leaders as part of the event. This includes not just winners and nominees, but also the Presenters.

When Justin Kan presented this award he was famous for Justin.TV, which chronicled in a streaming feed every moment of his life.

Now he is known for selling his firm, Twitch, to Amazon for over $1 Billion, an example of a real life unicorn.

Below, The Billionaire founder of Twitch and Justin.TV, Justin Kan presents the Best Film or Documentary award at the very  TASTE AWARDS. Justin is joined in this video by food and TV host Leslie Sbrocco.

The TASTE AWARDS celebrate the year’s best in food, fashion, and lifestyle programs on television, in film, online and on radio.

Marisa Churchill stars in new international Baking series

Marisa_Churchill_MARISAPORTRAITMarisa Churchill, a long-time celebrity awards presenter for the TASTE AWARDS, as well as food television star from shows like “Top Chef”, is starring in a new baking series with Fage Greek yogurt.

The series is called “MY SWEEΤ & SKINNY LIFE.

Says Marisa, “We filmed 20 episodes geared towards the Greek-American market in the US and also the Greek market,. The show as the show played in Greece too.”

Marisa has also been quite busy in the US, where she appears on The Talk on CBS and also Home & Family on the Hallmark channel

Episode one of here Greek baking series can be seen here:

Levi’s goes Viral with new Video Series

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For several generations, the Levi’s brand has used television commercials as a major vehicle to promote their popular jeans. Now they have turned to the Internet and Social Media to expand their reach, as well as to try a few new concepts, some with viral potential.

A popular new spot, often called ‘The Boyfriend,’ ‘Coffee,’ and the ‘The Morning After,’ is actually called “Beautiful Morning.”Set to Adrian Torres Pacheco’s song You Rascal You, it has a :30 second and 1 minute version, as well as other derivatives.

The spot is conceived and produced like short film with a dating-oriented storyline that some viewers may find familiar, it is charming, witty, and with a surprise ending that leaves the audience smiling.

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The TASTE AWARDS took a moment to chat with Jen Sey, CMO at Levi‘s, about the inspiration and strategy for this piece.

 

Jen_Sey_option11TA: What was the creative inspiration for this video?

Jen Sey / Levi’s: We were inspired by the Levi’s advertising in our archives – the narrative structure of past 501 films in particular, where there was always a fun and sexy twist at the end. Films like “Laundrette” featuring Nick Kamen, which introduced the 501 shrink to fit in stonewash.

For the introduction of the 501CT, the latest twist on the original 501, we wanted to showcase the modern Levi’s guy. Our 501CT hero is cool and sexy, but turns out to be a really nice guy in the end as well. The perfect modern hero.

TA: How does it fit into the overall Levi’s brand campaign?

Jen Sey / Levi’s: One of the core tenants of the Live in Levi’s campaign is storytelling: all generations of our fans have stories to share, and that’s something that you’ll see coming to life throughout the campaign work. From the Live in Levi’s Project (where we share stories from our friends of the brand as a way to inspire fans to share their Levi’s stories with us), to the launch of the new women’s collection, where we partnered with Alicia Keys.

So for this season – that we’re able to connect with such a broad audience to celebrate Levi’s stories – we pivoted to use TV as a bigger storytelling platform.

levis-logoTA: Who worked on the spot?

Jen Sey / Levi’s: The Levi’s Global Consumer Marketing Team and our advertising agency FCB West. And it was directed by Sara Dunlop.

TA: The video is in Macy’s stores and on YouTube. Where else can it be seen?

Jen Sey / Levi’s: On TV and cinema across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, as well as in our stores and on digital pre-roll globally.

It’s everywhere.

TA: Any plans with social media?

Jen Sey / Levi’s: The spot was teased through our global social channels encouraging and directing fans to see the full length on our Facebook and youtube channels. What’s great is that so many of our fans spread the word themselves by sharing on their social media channels.

WATCH HERE:

YouTube Star MoreZoella Cookie Recipe video hits over 650K Views in 3 Days

Reinforcing the star power and appeal of YouTube stars in all of their various endeavors, comes proof that this applies even to cookie recipes made by non-chefs.

Case in point, MoreZoella, with over 3.4 Million Subscribers on YouTube. Her video, “Baking Cookies & Louise Live” soared past the half million viewers mark within 3 days, or in other words, in about 78 hours. Ironically, she’s not even famous for her cooking, but for her beauty and other vlogging topics.

It is obvious to state that most major networks, cable channels, and media outlets would be thrilled with this type of immediate impact and viewership.

Recently it was announced that Zoella (Zoe Sugg) is releasing a new line of beauty products, as well as has at least two book deals in the works.  (see announcement video below).

What is clear is that if she did decide to expand into the food realm, both fans and sponsors would be lining up.

Either way, Zoella is a good candidate someday for a TASTE AWARD.

 

 

Web Travel Series #HEYUSA is Back on the Road with Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart

The girls of the popular, crowd-sourced travel show #HeyUSA are back with Season 2 on THE SCENE!  Saddle up with social media stars and real life besties – E! Channel personality Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart – as they embark on the adventure of their lives across America. Watch Here.

Hey-USA-hqdefault-1 The Scene is Condé Nast Entertainment’s premiere digital video storytelling network. It features the  original programming from over 20 iconic brands, with a window into the worlds of fashion, sports, culture, comedy and more.

New for Season 2:  Hart will star alongside five fan-selected YouTubers for different adventures each week. Helbig takes on a new role as “puppet master” and will control which cities Hart and company visit, all selected from the fan recommendations. Each new location will be revealed at the top of every episode. #HeyUSA airs every Thursday and Sunday on THE SCENE.

In Episode 4 of #HEYUSA premiering today, Mamrie visits San Francisco with Youtube star Colleen Ballinger. These ladies are trying their luck at Trapeze Arts in Oakland. With a bit of acrobatics training under their belt, can they swing to the other side of the trapeze? Did you know that fortune cookies were created in San Fran? Mamrie and Colleen learn how these hand-made delights are produced at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory as well as read their fortunes. As the girls enjoy some drinks, they learn about Chinese herbal remedies to cure hangovers at The Great China Herb Company.

Mamrie and Colleen jump on the opportunity to visit Drag Kings where they dress up as older gentlemen and head to Oasis for Baloney the gay- all male revue. And what’s a trip to San Fran without checking out the FULL HOUSE house?

WATCH