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Peloton thrives during 2020 pandemic

Jeffrey Lang
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Peloton thrives during 2020 pandemic

While nearly 17 percent or around 110,000 restaurants have closed permanently in America, some businesses have thrived during the pandemic. The online fitness industry has seen a revolution as COVID-19 forced people to think about their health while stuck indoors for months on end.

Fitness regimens moved from gyms to homes during 2020, and interactive fitness bike/treadmill maker Peloton was one of the biggest winners. Revenue from the first nine months of the year more than doubled to nearly $2 billion as more people ordered their high-end fitness machines. By September, subscriptions rose dramatically to over 1.3 million compared to 563,000 the year before.

Gyms suffered with Planet Fitness seeing its revenue plunge 45 percent through September as memberships shrank. 24 Hour Fitness has been forced into bankruptcy protection.

Peloton Picks Up Precor

With no sign that home workouts will fade out any time soon, Peloton cranked up its manufacturing capacity in a big way this week and it picked up a bunch of new fans on Wall Street.

The maker of high-end stationary bikes and accompanying monthly subscriptions said last Monday that it will spend $420 million to acquire Precor, a company whose fitness machines populate hundreds of commercial and hotel gyms.

The acquisition, Peloton’s biggest to date, gives the company its first manufacturing capacity in the U.S., its biggest market, during a global pandemic that has people cancelling gym memberships and seeking ways to stay fit in the safety of their own homes.

At the opening bell last Tuesday, shares of Peloton Interactive Inc. spiked 12% to an all-time high.

Demand Exceeded Expectations

The ability to churn out its bikes as demand exploded this year has been a challenge for the New York City company. The phrase “manufacturing capacity” came up no less that eight times during its earnings conference call last month.

After reporting that sales surged more than 230% in its first quarter, shares tumbled more than 25% after the company warned in that call that it would face supply constraints “for the foreseeable future.”

The Precor deal will go a long way toward addressing those constraints.

Precor Aid

Precor has 625,000 square feet of U.S. manufacturing capacity with in-house tooling and fabrication, product development, and quality assurance capabilities in Whitsett, North Carolina and Woodinville, Washington.

Peloton can control the entire production process from design to shipping and increase total production scale, while being better able to maintain a high level of product quality. The deal also comes with 100-person research and development team from Precor.

Bringing manufacturing to the U.S. will also allow Peloton to better speed bikes to anyone who orders one at some point in 2021, when the Precor’s manufacturing capacity is rolled into Peloton’s.

“Supply chain execution has remained Peloton’s biggest challenge since demand surged during COVID-19,” wrote JP Morgan analyst Doug Anmuth. “Bike wait times have remained elevated for months, as (Peloton) faced a perfect storm of sorts with much higher-than-expected demand for the new Bike+, port congestion, warehouse closures related to COVID-19, & both West Coast fires & hurricanes.”

It has been a rollicking stretch for Peloton.

Christmas Controversy

Just one year ago, Peloton a released Christmas ad panned by critics as “sexist,” “dystopian” and “elitist.”

The backlash was so severe, the company suffered a valuation drop of more than $1 billion as investors distanced themselves.

That ad featured a woman who already appeared fit receiving a Peloton as a gift from what some perceived to be a controlling spouse. While Peloton said it did not believe the ad was the cause for the stock sell-off, the ad went viral it was pilloried everywhere from YouTube to Saturday Night Live.

Pandemic Hits

Then the pandemic hit.

Company shares are up 470% this year and it’s expecting its first billion-dollar holiday quarter in sales.

Peloton will post second-quarter earnings numbers in early February. It’s price was at $151.72 a share Friday.

Oracle influence on third antitrust suit could hurt Google

Jeffrey Lang
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Oracle influence on third antitrust suit could hurt Google

As Google quickly pushed aside two antitrust lawsuits, it appears the third one is hitting at the heart of the search engine giant. Colorado and Nebraska have pulled together a bipartisan group of 38 attorney generals last week.

This recent suit is much broader than the prior two and much more far-reaching. This focuses on Google’s mobile search and ad-tech market.

It recently came out that Oracle Corp. has been a quiet guiding hand behind the scenes to get regulators and law enforcement agencies in Washington to take action against the giant. The years spent doing this are looking likely to pay off.

Google is pushing back in court this week on antitrust claims brought against it by the Justice Department two months ago.

“The claims being made have been closely examined and rejected by regulators and courts around the world, including the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, competition authorities in Brazil, Canada and Taiwan, and courts in the United Kingdom and Germany, who all agreed that our changes are designed to improve your search results,” Adam Cohen, director of economic policy at Google, said in the blog post.

Google’s quick reaction to this third one is telling as it poses a political threat, especially if it gets combined with a narrower Justice case. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is aiming to do just that.

The Colorado-Nebraska suit drills down on alleged anticompetitive behavior in Google’s search and search-advertising businesses. It contends Google “uses its massive financial resources to limit the number of consumers who use a Google competitor,” especially in the mobile market, where Google is the default search engine on Android and the company pays Apple Inc. billions of dollars annually to be the default search engine on iOS devices.

The suit also claims Google leverages its search-advertising business, SA360, to limit competition by prohibiting interoperability, and the company “throttles” those who attempt an end run around Google to reach sites, products and services directly. Google stymies these so-called “specialized vertical providers” by blocking them from reaching potential customers, especially on mobile, the suit charges.

“As the gateway to the internet, Google has systematically degraded the ability of other companies to access consumers,” Weiser, a Democrat, said during a Zoom conference call with reporters. His suit calls for “structural relief” in the form of fines, penalties and injunctions, but he declined to comment on the potential to seek divestitures when asked by a reporter.

As the lawsuits pile up against Google and its search-engine business practices, so do the costs and intellectual headaches associated with a raft of litigation. The explicit Colorado-Nebraska lawsuit, more than previous suits, illustrates “governments catching up to years of activist and academic warnings,” Frank Pasquale, a professor at Brooklyn Law School said.

In a legal filing with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Google denied or partially rejected almost 200 specific complaints against it. On only one count, that Google was a “founded in Menlo Park garage 22 years ago,” did the company side with the Justice Department.

“The bipartisan enforcement action of the state attorneys general is arguably more significant than previous lawsuits in that it strikes at the foundation of Google’s dominance: its search results,” contended Luther Lowe, senior vice president of public policy at frequent Google critic Yelp Inc.

It said that people use its search engine “because they choose to, not because they are forced to or because they cannot easily find alternative ways to search for information on the Internet.”

In October the Justice Department sued Google for abusing its dominance in online search and advertising — the government’s most significant attempt to protect competition since its groundbreaking case against Microsoft more than 20 years ago.

And last week U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta set a tentative trial date of Sept. 12, 2023 for the landmark case.

Google has fiercely denied government allegations that it has illegally struck a series of deals to thwart competition in the search market to help give it a stranglehold on a digital advertising market that has brought in more than $100 billion in revenue to the company during the first nine months of this year alone.

The company’s insistence that it has done nothing wrong makes a pre-trial settlement seem unlikely.

google fitbit merger may not go through with australia 2021

Google Fitbit Purchase Hits Snag

Australia’s competition regulator on Tuesday delayed for three months its decision on Google’s plan to buy fitness gadget maker Fitbit for $2.1 billion despite the European Union giving conditional approval to the deal.

Shares of Fitbit Inc. tumbled almost 7% before the opening bell.

The European Union regulators last week approved the deal after Google promised to restrict user data and ensure Android phones work with other wearable devices for at least 10 years.

But the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it was not prepared to accept a similar court-enforceable undertaking from the Silicon Valley tech giant.

“We are not satisfied that a long term behavioral undertaking of this type in such a complex and dynamic industry could be effectively monitored and enforced in Australia,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said in a statement.

“The ACCC continues to have concerns that Google’s acquisition of Fitbit may result in Fitbit’s rivals, other than Apple, being squeezed out of the wearables market, as they are reliant on Google’s Android system and other Google services to make their devices work effectively,” Sims said.

The ACCC would continue its investigation and set March 25 as its decision date, Sims said.

Google said in a statement it was disappointed at the delay but would continue to engage with the ACCC to answer the regulators’ questions.

Sims said his concerns about the deal were aligned with those of the U.S. Department of Justice than those of the European Union.

Australia wanted to see what the U.S. decided before making its own decision, Sims said.

The EU decision was largely focused on Google’s use of data, he said.

“We at the ACCC and the DOJ have a very different theory of harm,” Sims told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

“We’re concerned that if Google gets hold of Fitbit, that could mean, just like you’ve got a bit of a duopoly with apps, you’d have a duopoly with wearables, which in our view would significantly reduce competition,” he added.

Human rights and consumer groups have called on authorities to block the deal over privacy and antitrust concerns.

Warner Bros. gives ‘Furiosa,’ ‘Color Purple’ 2023 release dates as ‘Monster Hunter’ tops briefly

George Cando
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Warner Bros. gives ‘Furiosa,’ ‘Color Purple’ 2023 release dates as ‘Monster Hunter’ tops briefly

As the North America box office continues it’s dismal decline during the pandemic, all eyes were on how “Wonder Woman 1984” did in China. Naysayers gleefully reported that the Gal Gadot sequel sputters out with a $38.5 million foreign start.

Milla Jovovich’s “Monster Hunter,” was able to best “The Croods” over the weekends, but it quickly fell to second place on Monday.

North America Box Office

Actual ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Box office number courtesy of Box Office Mojo.

1. “Monster Hunter” $2.2 million.

2. “The Croods: A New Age,” $2.1 million.

3. “Fatale,” $918.112.

4. “Elf,” 2020 Re-release $365,000.

5. “Half Brothers,” $271,605.

6. “The Polar Express 2020 Re-release,” $231,000.

7. “Freaky,” $174,905.

8. “The War with Grandpa,” $170,816.

9. “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2020 Re-release,” $166,000.

10. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2020 Re-release,” $130,000.

11. “Come Play,” $118,660.

12. “The Grinch 2020 Re-release,” $115,000.

13. “Tenet,” $95,000.

14. “The Muppet Christmas Carole,” (Re-release) $92,000.

wonder woman 1984 box office number breakdown

Wonder Woman Global Numbers Not So Hot

The first “Wonder Woman” pulled in $38 million in its first weekend in China. The sequel brought in just $18.8 million, making it less likely to bring in the $90.5 million it made during its first run there. Revenues around the country were down 30 percent, which caused the Chinese action movie “The Rescue” to perform far under projections. It brought in under $36 million during its opening weekend.

The film, directed by Patty Jenkins, started its rollout abroad last week, opening in 32 markets including China and playing on upwards of 30,000 screens. The studio said admissions totaled over 6 million and that the largely positive reviews bode well for its future.

Most of the earnings came from Chinese theaters, where it earned an estimated $18.8 million. It wasn’t enough to take first place in the country, however — that honor went to a local release.

HBO Max

“Wonder Woman 1984” won’t open in U.S. theaters until Christmas Day, when it will also debut on HBO Max. The pandemic has forced studios like Warner Bros. to embrace unconventional release plans to get films out to audiences.

Originally, “Wonder Woman 1984” was supposed to open in theaters worldwide this summer, but its release date kept getting pushed back. The first film made over $821 million worldwide in 2017 and absent the pandemic, the hope was that the sequel, which cost around $200 million to make, would even surpass that total.

Warner Bros. has tried a few different strategies with its films this year, including releasing “Tenet” in theaters and sending “The Witches” straight to HBO Max. Finally last month the studio decided to embrace a hybrid release for “Wonder Woman 1984.” “Tenet” opened internationally first as well, taking off with $53 million from 41 markets in late August.

furiosa prequel mad max movie 2023 release date hits

Warner Bros. Announces 3 2023 Theatrical Releases: Furiosa, Color Purple, Coyote vs. Acme

Warner Bros. did announce on Wednesday theatrical release dates for three of its films, including “ George Miller’s “Mad Max: Fury Road” prequel entitled “Furiosa,” the family film “Coyote vs Acme,” and a musical version of “The Color Purple.

“Furiosa” will hit on June 23, 2023, “Coyote vs. Acme,” debuts on July 21 2023 and “The Color Purple” hits the big screen during the holiday season 2023. Tentatively scheduled for December 20.

Earlier in December, Warner Bros. shared plans to premiere its entire 2021 slate — including “The Matrix 4,” “Dune” and “The Suicide Squad” — simultaneously on the company’s streaming service HBO Max and in movie theaters. The studio called the unprecedented release strategy, one that drew criticism from all corners of Hollywood, a “unique one-year” model in response to the pandemic. Wednesday’s announcement suggests that Warner Bros. intends to continue its commitment to theatrical releases. Chris Hemsworth and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will join Taylor-Joy in “Furiosa,” which takes place before 2015’s sci-fi epic “Mad Max: Fury Road.” Miller, the filmmaker behind 1979’s “Mad Max” and its three sequels, is returning to direct, write and produce “Furiosa,” along with his longtime producing partner Doug Mitchell.

Coyote vs. Acme

Dave Green is directing “Coyote vs. Acme,” centering on the age-old rivalry between Wile E. Coyote and his preferred mail order supplier. “Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn is co-writing the screenplay, based on Ian Frazier’s fictional New Yorker magazine article of the same name. Chris DeFaria and Gunn will produce, the latter under his company Two Monkeys, A Goat and Another, Dead, Monkey production banner.

“The Color Purple” is being adapted from the Tony-winning musical and 1985 film. Blitz Bazawule is directing the upcoming version, which will be produced by Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg. The film, which has yet to be cast, tells the story of Celie, a Black woman living in the South in the early 20th century who learns her self-worth through the help of two friends.

Spielberg directed the original film adaptation of “The Color Purple” in the ’80s, which starred Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg and Winfrey. The coming-of-age story, adapted from Alice Walker’s 1982 novel, was turned into a Broadway musical in 2005.

Understanding 2021 Social Media Influencer Marketing Trends

Curt Johnson
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Understanding 2021 Social Media Influencer Marketing Trends

Social media influencers have seen a rather big change over the past year as corporations and brands are rejiggering what they are looking for in influencers. In 2019 when many fraudsters made it look like they were rolling in money to become influencers got caught, corporations realized it wasn’t all about who had the most followers. It was more about who related best with their followers.

Some users on social media post about their experiences with a brand and earn money for doing this. Typically, the people who earn the most from these posts are popular influencers. Influencers usually have large social media platforms and are trusted by their fans and followers.

The exciting thing about being influencer is that you don’t need a special degree, ten million followers on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube or Pinsterest, or even need fancy software. You can become an influencer with just a few thousand followers.

You might look at some of the more popular influencers and think it’s tough to reach that status, but actually, it’s not. In fact, it’s a lot easier than you think.

Table of contents

This series is part of speaking engagements that Movie TV Tech Geeks has been doing with Wellness In the Woods about social media.

6 Tips TO Becoming An INfluencer On Social Media

Start by Choosing a Niche

Companies and brands want to work with influencers that have built up a following in a specific niche. This means you don’t want your Instagram or Pinterest profiles to be too varied. It might be tempting to split your focus between your passion for dog grooming, the fitness niche, and your obsession with knitting.

You need to choose one niche that you want to be known for. It’s always best if you enjoy the niche and you have a genuine desire to help people. Whether you want it to or not, your motive will shine through as you’re giving information to your audience. That means you want to focus on a niche that you absolutely love.

As soon as you know your niche, you want to check out who your competition is within the industry. For example, if you want to be known for makeup tutorials, look up the most popular beauty users on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Look at what they’re doing right, what they’re doing wrong, and what topics they haven’t covered yet. Maybe you’ll find an area they’ve overlooked or you’ll discover fresh inspiration for your own page.

When you’re choosing a niche in which to become an influencer, make sure it’s profitable. You can do this by researching whether or not there’s a big enough demand for products within that niche.

Look up what the keywords are for your niche. When you use a keyword tool to check, pay attention to how many searches are being conducted by consumers using those keywords. A simple keyword tool you can use is Google Ads Keyword Planner.

That will tell you what the demand is within that niche. If you find that your keywords show a volume of at least a couple thousand searches a month, then it’s a safe bet that there’s a demand for that niche.

After you find your niche and check on it using keywords, make sure that your focus isn’t too broad.

For example, if your niche is fitness, you want to narrow that down to something specific like “women’s fitness.” That niche is still kind of broad, so you may want to take it a step further and break it down into something like “women’s fitness workouts.”

Usually, if you can find influencers making money in your niche, then it’s a solid bet that you can, too. It might take some time as you build your platform but once you do, you’ll be able to profit from your social media profiles for years to come.

Bring Something Unique

Many niches are overrun with similar ideas. You’ll found countless influencers offering the same products and sharing the same ideas. When this happens then the followers can become bored and crave something new.

To stand out in the crowd, you have to stop following trends and focus on creating them. By being the first to try something new, you’re more likely to build a group of followers who are excited to hear from you.

When you’ve chosen your niche, you want your engagement with your audience to keep on topic. You can post off-topic one post out of every ten or so. However, the other nine should always be within your niche. For example, if you follow the keto diet and you want to be an influencer for keto-friendly companies, then most of your posts should be about keto foods. You can still post the occasional selfie with your dog, but make these posts rare.

Focus on being unique. It’s tempting when you’re starting out to imitate other influences in your niche. It makes sense—you want their success so why shouldn’t you copy them exactly?

If you pay attention, you’ll see that the reason most influencers stand out is because they are unique. These influencers succeeded because they had their own style and their own way of engaging with their audience.

You can’t bring someone else’s style to your audience. You need to give them what they can’t get anywhere else—your unique viewpoint. Do that and you’ll build a loyal following and be well on your way to becoming an influencer.

Another way to bring something unique is to be vulnerable. Tell your story, even the parts that are embarrassing or painful. Your followers will connect with your humanity. They want to know that your days are less than perfect, that they’re not the only ones who struggle sometimes. So, don’t be afraid to get real and stay that way.

Let your audience know that you “get it.” Share your story to let them see how much common ground you have. Explain your similar struggles. Empathize with them by connecting with them through your shared feelings. When you do that, your audience will flock to you because they recognize you as someone who’s been “there” and want to do everything possible to help them.

Keep in mind that while you want to be vulnerable, you do want to protect your brand. That means you need to act like a professional on social media. Don’t post about that “wild after-party” unless you’re intentionally going for the “party person” vibe on social media.

Pick A Platform

If you try to become an influencer across multiple platforms all at the same time, it’ll slow your growth. It’s hard to become an expert when you’re busy trying to be popular on every social media site.

Instead of splitting your time, concentrate on one social network in particular and build that one up to where you have thousands of followers. You need to be focused on growing your audience in one central place.

Look at which social networks are most popular in your niche. Instagram is a great network for beauty bloggers, fashion icons, and fitness brands. However, if your niche is business and technology, you’ll have more luck on LinkedIn or Facebook.

This doesn’t mean you can’t be on other platforms. It’s smart to go ahead and claim your username on other social networks. However, you need to develop your main platform first before you move on to expanding to other ones.

Think about your ideal audience when trying to choose your platform. If you want to reach an older demographic, then Twitter isn’t the best place to try to build your influence. Instead, look to Facebook or LinkedIn. Younger audiences like teenagers favor Snapchat and Instagram over Facebook.

Picking just one platform to begin your influencer journey is wise because you’re not going to have the time to do several well. Instead, you’ll end up doing a mediocre job across all of them.

Have an Influencer Road Map

You can’t get where you’re going, if you don’t know how to get there. To become an influencer, you need to create a plan to get from point A to B. You’ll need to build a following and consider how you’ll use that following to grow your business.

You must know what needs to take priority. This is one of the main steps in any influencer plan because it involves knowing where to build your audience and how to gain their participation.

When you have a plan, you can grow your reputation and optimize the interactions that you’re having with other users. This allows you to be able to adapt products or collaborations and engage with followers effortlessly.

It’s not only about what you share; but when you share it. You need to do research to see when is the most popular time to post on your chose social media network. These hours are usually the peak hours when you’ll get the most traffic.

Keep in mind that other influencers are posting about the “optimum” time, too. This means there’s a lot of noise for your followers to sift through. Even worse, some social media posts only have a shelf life of sixty seconds before they’re buried in the home feed.

That’s why you want to focus on experimenting with your times and tracking your results. The ideal time to post on your network might be listed as 6am on Monday. However, your own tests might show that you get the most engagement at ten in the morning.

Your influencer plan should also include hashtags you’ll be targeting. You can look up the most successful influencers and the brands in your niche to get some hashtag ideas.

Don’t stop there. You’ll also want to use a tool to help you find social media hashtags that you may have overlooked. One of the best tools for this is the Ingramer Hashtag Generator Tool. To use this site, upload the image you plan to post and the software will suggest hashtags that might be a good fit.

You can also try All Hashtag Generator. When you enter your keyword, this website will display several lists of hashtags including the top 30 hashtags for your niche, similar hashtags that you’ll want to use, and other keyword phrases that might be a good match.

Keep in mind that every network is different when it comes to hashtags. You can include as many hashtags as you want on a network like Twitter. However, Instagram encourages their users to limit their hashtags to around twenty per post.

An important precursor of becoming a successful influencer is knowing ahead of time what content you’ll be posting. You can’t simply throw something out there and expect great results. Sure, you might hit on something every now and then that resonates with your audience, but it won’t be consistent.

Try to create an editorial calendar for your content. Ideally, you want to be thinking 4-8 weeks in advance. That means you don’t scramble for content at the last minute, desperately searching for something to post.

To make sure your feed is always filled with fresh content, try using a social media scheduler. You can use a tool like HootSuite or Buffer to prepare your updates in advance then select your daily post schedule.

After you schedule your posts, you only need to check in on your social media profile a few times a day. Spend these moments answering comments and engaging with your community.

Bring Value to the Table

Unless you provide valuable content that your audience wants, you won’t have an audience. People don’t stick around when they’re hungry and you’re not feeding them. They’ll move on to the person who fills them up with whatever they need.

When you create content, the value can be found in the format that best suits the audience. So make sure you spread the format across several mediums. Make that content relevant and make it pop.

You can’t make mediocre content and expect to become an influencer. Your content should sound like you. That means what you bring to the table should be made up of your life experiences, your setbacks, and your triumphs. It doesn’t matter if your content is written or spoken; it needs to flow from you and through you.

Stay on topic when you’re posting to social media. Few things are more annoying than someone who rambles on and on, saying a lot but never really imparting any takeaways.

You need to provide value to your followers if you hope to become an influencer. Sometimes, that value will depend on your niche. For example, if you’re in the beauty niche then providing a detailed tutorial on how to use eyeshadow will be valuable in the eyes of your community.

However, if your niche is golfing, then that eyeshadow tutorial is more than just annoying. It’s useless and likely to anger your followers. They wanted golf tips and advice and you didn’t give them that.

Keep in mind that no matter what your topic, you want to make it fun and enjoyable for your followers. So focus on telling stories. Use examples in your content that depict human interest. Emotion is universal and when you tap into that, you connect with your audience and give them content they’ll remember.

For some topics, it might be helpful to bring facts or studies to your content. Give your audience evidence or research backing up your message. Doing this boosts your brand and makes you look trust-worthy.

Don’t forget that it’s not just your followers watching you. As you grow your platform, brands and companies within your niche may begin to pay attention to your profile. That means you always want to have your information updated and your best content on display. If your content is lackluster and there’s no easy way to contact you, a busy brand manager will look elsewhere for his company’s next influencer.

Federal Trade Commission Disclosures Influencers Need To Know For 2021

Be Transparent

Your influencer goals will be to drive traffic, boost sales, build awareness for other brands, and continue to establish yourself as a leader in your niche. It’s not difficult to do these things while still building a loyal following. However, you must always be careful to be transparent.

There are dozens of influencers across social media platforms that are not transparent. Their methods, in some cases, border on fraudulent. They don’t follow the rules of their social media network of choice and they promote any company that’s willing to hire them.

You want to build your following using methods that are authentic. This means that if you work jointly with a brand or you’re promoting someone, you need to be up front about the collaboration, sponsoring, or selling.

Influencer marketing is a good thing but it has a seedy underside where people use or are tempted to use strategies that violate legal guidelines and cross ethical boundaries.

As an influencer who’s transparent the information you’re giving your audience should never be deceptive. Don’t hide your collaboration with a brand or other influencer. By acting like you just happened to find this great service or product, you give the reader the impression that you don’t benefit in any way from mentioning or sharing the info.

Instead, be honest with your followers about how you “found” something, why you trust the person or product, and how you benefit from the business relationship that you have with the brand behind the promotion. This can be as simple as using #sponsored at the end of your post.

If you don’t clearly call an advertisement an ad, then you risk getting into trouble with the social media network. Worse than that, you risk permanently losing the trust of your audience. Once you’ve lost that trust, it can be difficult to rebuild it.

There might be situations where only some of the content you’re talking about is promoted. For example, maybe you’re doing a tutorial on how to bake gluten free cookies.

Most of the recipe uses common household ingredients. However, you’re getting an incentive from the company that makes the almond flour. Even when you only recommend or promote one item, you still need to tell your audience that the company gave you a free bag to try, in exchange for your honest opinion.

It’s important that you’re transparent as an influencer because what you say can affect the buying decisions of your followers. What some influencers and marketers have found effective is to promise to be ethical. For example, you might say, “I’ll never promote a beauty product to you that I wouldn’t recommend to my sister. I promise to only share products that I believe in 100%.”

If you don’t disclose an association with a brand or company, your followers may feel your recommendations were slanted. They may even think that your opinions were “bought” and can’t be trusted in the future.

The most important part about being transparent is showing that you care about your audience. They don’t mind if you bring a product to their attention. What they mind is if it’s not relevant, and you wouldn’t use it frequently yourself. If they feel that you’re only promoting it to make a commission or receive some kind of incentive, you’ve just lost their trust and you’ll see fewer and fewer click-throughs.

Audiences love what’s honest and what’s real. When you practice that, your outreach can’t help but grow.

consumers on influencers

Engagement Builds Influence

If you’re new to influencer marketing, you’ll start out with no audience, or a very tiny one. However, it won’t stay that way if you engage on your platform. The more you invest in your community, the faster your audience will grow.

Your value doesn’t matter, when you want to become an influencer. What matters is how you value others. That’s the creation of a relationship.

When people reach out to you by leaving a comment, you should always answer the comment. This kind of consistent engagement shows your audience that what they have to say mattered and that you’re acknowledging them.

People will follow you or like a post. When that happens, return the action. Don’t follow people just to build up your numbers and then unfollow them. Your audience might feel like you’re just using them to build your numbers and you’ll lose portions of your audience.

You might run into a common problem when you’re trying to become an influencer. The number of people following you might be big but the amount of comments, likes or other engagement you get isn’t.

What this means is that what you have to say isn’t connecting with your audience. It means that you don’t know your target audience well enough. It means you don’t know what they want or what they’re struggling with.

You must show the audience that you understand and empathize with them. Then you need to come up with a way to help your audience get what they want. For example, if you’re in the body positivity niche, you might want to post daily affirmations that your users can repeat when they start thinking negative thoughts about how they look.

When you have a high engagement rate among your followers, it means your message is being well received. It also means that your influence is going to grow because of the quality of your message. The more your influence grows, the higher your popularity will go.

Remember that most social media networks are using algorithms to determine which content gets the best spot in your home feed. The more engagement your content gets, the more likely it is that the social network will place it high in the feed.

Brands about influencers

Collaboration is Key

When you want to become an influencer, you have to put yourself out there and collaborate with others. You don’t always need a big following in order to find someone who’s interested in partnering with you. However, you do have to be trust-worthy and be passionate about your niche.

Don’t hold back thinking you need ten thousand followers before you can reach out. Collaboration does offer a lot of benefits to you but it also has perks for the other influencer that you’re partnering with, too.

Collaborating boosts your reach and can result in hundreds of new followers. When you connect with another influencer in your niche, you bring more attention to their brand, too.

In addition, gaining another influencer’s support or endorsement, makes you look popular and in-demand to your audience. Since the influencer, working with you trusts you, their audience will believe in you, too, which improves your authenticity.

Don’t let your collaboration become a one-way street. When you connect with an established influencer, they’re most likely going to have a bigger following. If you want them to agree to a collaboration opportunity, then you need to know how they’ll profit from this partnership.

Have a plan in place ahead of time, before you approach the influencer. Show them what you might have to offer to them in exchange for the collaboration. One small influencer approached a bigger influencer who was busy. She offered to give this influencer’s audience a free copy of her new recipe eBook. The influencer loved the special perk because she needed content for a few days.

You might be tempted to think that the best way to collaborate is by finding the influencers with the biggest audiences. You may also believe that the influencers with the smaller followings won’t be worth your time. However, that’s not always true.

Influencers with only a few thousand followers are known as micro-influencers and these influencers build a high level of trust among their followers. They come across as ordinary people who are talking about products that they use themselves.

Influencer Tiers for Marketing

The regularly interact with their followers to the point that their audience not only trusts them but feels as if they know them. A micro-influencer may have a higher engagement percentage than an influencer with 100,000 followers. This could mean higher conversion rates.

When you do seek to collaborate with someone else, you want to be sure that you check out the other influencer. You want someone who’s authentic and won’t bring harm to your brand. It could hurt your reputation if you accidentally align with someone who has shady practices or is offensive to audiences.

brands using influencers how

Tips for Becoming a Successful Influencer

Becoming an influencer can feel hard at first. You might wonder what you’re supposed to do, worry about finding followers, and be totally uncertain about what to say in your posts. Don’t worry. These feelings are totally natural. You will learn a lot about how to be an influencer as time goes on. However, if you’re a newbie, here’s what to do:

Start by filling out your profile. Add your real name, a profile image, and your location. Then craft your biography. You only have 150 characters so you must make them count. When you write your bio, try to think about what keywords someone might type in to find you. For example, you might put “Travel blogger” or “Makeup Artist” or “Beauty Vlogger” in your bio.

Next, focus on developing a theme for your content. Think about your brand and what you want it to represent. In many of Cara Jourdan’s (@CaraJourdan) photos, she’s wearing white, has a soft filter, and features her hair in soft waves. It makes her photos stand out in her followers’ busy feeds.

Even though you may not be earning anything from your social media posts quite yet, go ahead and convert your account into a business one. There are two reasons you want to do. The first is that a business account usually means you can schedule content. This might not seem like a big deal right now but as you grow, you don’t want to be chained to your phone, constantly having to post to your account.

Second, a business account gives you access to in-depth statistics. It’s hard to know how well you’re doing if you aren’t tracking your stats. Every two to three weeks, pause and review your most popular posts. Look at what you did differently with them then see how you can re-create that engagement again.

influencer marketing key facts for 2022

Conclusion

Becoming an influencer isn’t something that will happen overnight. Expect to spend a few weeks or months building your brand before you can begin to profit from it. In the meantime, focus on supporting your followers.

Build a community with them and look for ways to solve their problems. Focus on being authentic in your interactions. When you’re real, your followers can tell and that will attract them. They’ll begin to trust your recommendations and look to you when it’s time to make purchasing decisions.

As your community grows, don’t be surprised if you catch the eye of a company or brand. Be prepared for this by regularly keeping stats about how many followers you have and what’s working with them right now. You can also download this in PDF format by going to this link.

FTC zeroes in on tech giants biz model as Facebook cashes in on Georgia elections

Jeffrey Lang
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FTC zeroes in on tech giants biz model as Facebook cashes in on Georgia elections

The Federal Trade Commission’s regulators are going to the heart of the matter after ordering Twitter, Facebook, Amazon, TikTok’s parent and five other social media companies to provide detailed information on how they collect and use consumers’ personal data and how their practices affect children and teens. They know this is where the social media giant’s business plans revolve around.

FTC Goes To Biz Model Heart

The FTC’s action which was announced Monday goes straight to the heart of the tech industry’s very lucrative business model: harvesting data from platform users and making it available to online advertisers so they can pinpoint specific consumers to target.

The agency plans to use the information, due in 45 days, for a comprehensive study.

The other five companies are Reddit, Snap, Discord, WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook, and Google’s YouTube.

Regulators and lawmakers are increasingly weaving their concerns over data power and privacy into their investigations of Big Tech companies’ market dominance.

When the FTC and 48 states and districts filed landmark antitrust lawsuits against Facebook last week, accusing it of abusing its market power to crush smaller competitors, they also alleged that the company’s conduct has harmed consumers’ data privacy.

Facebook, the largest social network, gets the bulk of its revenue — which reached $70.7 billion last year — from online ads.

With its new request, the FTC wants to know how social media and video streaming services collect, use and track consumers’ personal and demographic information, how they decide which ads and other content are shown to consumers, whether they apply algorithms or data analytics to personal information, how they measure and promote user engagement and how their practices affect children and teens.

“Never before has there been an industry capable of surveilling and monetizing so much of our personal lives,” three of the five FTC commissioners said in a statement. They said the planned study “will lift the hood on the social media and video streaming firms to carefully study their engines.”

Twitter said in a statement, “We’re working, as we always do, to ensure the FTC has the information it needs to understand how Twitter operates its services.”

Support has grown in Congress for a national privacy law that could sharply rein in the ability of the biggest tech companies to collect and make money from users’ personal data. Legislation could gain steam in the new Congress next year with support from the Biden administration.

The FTC fined Facebook $5 billion last year for alleged privacy violations and instituted new oversight and restrictions on its business. The fine was the largest the agency had ever levied on a tech company, although it had no visible impact on Facebook’s business.

Also last year, YouTube was fined $170 million — $136 million by the FTC and $34 million by New York state — to settle allegations that it collected children’s personal data without their parents’ consent.

Facebook Allows Political Ads Cashing In On Georgia Election

Facebook said Tuesday it will temporarily pause its ban on political advertising in the U.S. to allow ads for the Georgia runoff elections for the state’s two Senate seats.

The broader political ad ban for the rest of the country still stands.

The social media giant banned new election and political ads six weeks ago, after the polls closed on Election Day. It was an extension of an earlier restriction on new political ads in the week leading up to Nov. 3.

Facebook said in a blog post it will reject political ads not specifically targeted to Georgia.

Early in-person voting began Monday in the Georgia runoff. The two races in which Democrats the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff try to oust Republican Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, respectively, will decide which party controls the U.S. Senate.

Britain, EU Ramp Up Heavy Tech Fines

Big tech companies face hefty fines in the European Union and Britain if they treat rivals unfairly or fail to protect users on their platforms, in proposed regulations unveiled Tuesday by officials in Brussels and London.

The EU outlined the long-awaited, sweeping overhaul of its digital rulebook while the British government released its own plans to step up policing of harmful material online, signaling the next phase of technology regulation in Europe.

Both sets of proposals include specific measures aimed at the biggest tech companies. The EU wants to set new rules for “digital gatekeepers” to prevent them from acting unfairly. It aims to prevent bad behavior rather than just punish past actions, as it has largely done so far.

Big tech companies won’t be allowed, for example, to stop users from uninstalling preinstalled software or apps, nor will they be able to use data from business users to compete against them.

The rules, known as the Digital Markets Act, allow for fines of up to 10% of annual global revenue and, controversially, set out three criteria for defining a gatekeeper: Companies that, for the past three years, have had annual European turnover of at least 6.5 billion euros ($8 billion); or a market value of 65 billion euros and at least 45 million monthly users; or 10,000 yearly business users.

Another part of the EU plan, the Digital Services Act, updates the bloc’s 20-year-old rules on e-commerce by making platforms take more responsibility for their goods and services. That will involve identifying sellers so that rogue traders can be tracked down, being more transparent with users on how algorithms make recommendations, or swiftly taking down illegal content such as hate speech, though in a bid to balance free speech requirements, users will be given the chance to complain. Violations risk fines of up to 6% of annual turnover.

The proposals aim to “make sure that we, as users, as customers, businesses, have access to a wide choice of safe products and services online, just as well as we do in the physical world,” and that European businesses “can freely and fairly compete online,” Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s executive vice president overseeing digital affairs, told a news conference in Brussels.

In Britain, social media and other internet companies similarly face big fines if they don’t remove and limit the spread of harmful material such as child sexual abuse or terrorist content and protect users on their platforms.

Under legislative proposals that the U.K. government plans to launch next year, tech companies that let people post their own material or talk to others online could be fined up to 18 million pounds ($24 million) or 10% of their annual global revenue, whichever is higher, for not complying with the rules.

The proposals, contained in the U.K. government’s Online Safety Bill, will have extra provisions for the biggest social media companies with “high-risk features,” expected to include Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and Twitter.

These companies will face special requirements to assess whether there’s a “reasonably foreseeable risk” that content or activity that they host will cause “significant physical or psychological harm to adults,” such as false information about coronavirus vaccines. They’ll have to clarify what is allowed and how they will handle it.

All companies will have to take extra measures to protect children using their platforms. The new regulations will apply to any company whose online services are accessible in the U.K and those that don’t comply could be blocked.

The U.K. government is also reserving the right to impose criminal sanctions on senior executives, with powers it could bring into force through additional legislation if companies don’t take the new rules seriously – for example by not responding swiftly to information requests from regulators.

The final version of the EU rules will depend on negotiations with the EU Parliament and the bloc’s 27 member states while the U.K. proposals will be debated in the British Parliament.

Meanwhile, the Irish Data Privacy Commission issued Twitter with a 450,000-euro fine for a security breach. The company triggered an investigation after reporting the breach in January 2019, which affected users of the social media company’s Android app.

But it didn’t report it quickly enough, because of “an unanticipated consequence of staffing between Christmas Day 2018 and New Years’ Day,” the company said.

“We take responsibility for this mistake and remain fully committed to protecting the privacy and data of our customers,” Twitter said.

It’s the first punishment for a big U.S. tech company since the EU’s strict privacy rules, known as General Data Protection Regulation, took effect in 2018.

Under GDPR, a single regulator takes the lead role in cross-border data privacy cases as part of a “one-stop shop” system. But the system has come under question, with Ireland’s watching facing criticism for taking too long to decide on cases. The Twitter decision was also delayed after regulators in other EU member states objected to Ireland’s draft penalty.

Solarwinds spotlight drops price while Russian cyberattack sends U.S. agencies scrambling

Jeffrey Lang
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Solarwinds spotlight drops price while Russian cyberattack sends U.S. agencies scrambling

Most companies don’t mind being in the spotlight, but Texas-based software company, SolarWinds is not enjoying its first time in the bright spotlight. This spotlight has cost the company plenty after a nearly 17 percent stock market dive.

That’s because the company providing vital computer network monitoring services to corporations and government agencies around the world got exploited by Russian hackers. Funny enough, while Donald Trump claimed he would be cracking down on hackers in 2017, he his administration hasn’t said a word about Russia’s biggest cyber attack in United States history.

But the revelation that elite cyberspies have spent months secretly exploiting SolarWinds’ software to peer into computer networks has put many of its highest-profile customers in national governments and Fortune 500 companies on high alert.

Solarwinds Spotlight

“They’re not a household name the same way that Microsoft is. That’s because their software sits in the back office,” said Rob Oliver, a research analyst at Baird who has followed the company for years. “Workers could have spent their whole career without hearing about SolarWinds. But I guarantee your IT department will know about it.”

Now plenty of other people know about it too, and not in a good way.

Founded in 1999 by two brothers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ahead of the feared turn-of-the-millennium Y2K computer bug, the company’s website says its first product “arrived on the scene to help IT pros quell everyone’s world-ending fears.”

This time, its products are the ones instilling fears. The company on Sunday began alerting about 33,000 of its customers that an “outside nation state” — widely suspected to be Russia — had found a back door into some updated versions of its premier product, Orion. The ubiquitous software tool, which helps organizations monitor the performance of their computer networks and servers, had become an instrument for spies to steal information undetected.

One of SolarWinds’ customers, the prominent California cybersecurity firm FireEye, was the first to discover the cyberespionage operation. FireEye revealed earlier this month that its own systems were breached by attackers who made off with its defensive hacking tools. Among the other revealed spying targets were the U.S. departments of Treasury and Commerce.

The operation began at least as early as March when SolarWinds customers who installed updates to their Orion software were unknowingly welcoming hidden malicious code that could give intruders the same view of their corporate network that in-house IT crews have. FireEye described the malware’s dizzying capabilities — from initially lying dormant up to two weeks, to hiding in plain sight by masquerading its reconnaissance forays as Orion activity.

The breach has caused a crisis for SolarWinds, which is now based in the hilly outskirts of Austin, Texas. The compromised product accounts for nearly half the company’s annual revenue, which totaled $753.9 million over the first nine months of this year. Its stock has plummeted 23% since the beginning of the week.

Its longtime CEO, Kevin Thompson, had months earlier indicated that he would be leaving the company at the end of the year as it prepared to spin off one of its divisions. The SolarWinds board appointed his replacement just a day before FireEye first publicly revealed the hack.

“This is an unimaginable, unfortunate situation,” Oliver said. “SolarWinds products have always been reliable. Its value proposition has been around reliability.”

SolarWinds executives declined interviews through a spokesperson, who cited an ongoing investigation that now involves the FBI and other agencies. Thompson’s last few weeks at the helm are likely to be spent responding to frightened customers, some of whom are also rankled about marketing tactics that might have made a target of SolarWinds and its highest-profile clients.

The company earlier this week took down a web page that boasted of dozens of its best-known customers, from the White House, Pentagon and the Secret Service to the McDonald’s restaurant chain and Smithsonian museums.

SolarWinds estimated in a financial filing that about 18,000 customers had installed the compromised software, meaning many of them were vulnerable to spy operations at some time this year.

Russian Cyberattack Sends U.S. Agencies Into Overdrive

U.S. government agencies and private companies rushed Monday to secure their computer networks following the disclosure of a sophisticated and long-running cyber-espionage intrusion suspected of being carried out by Russian hackers.

The full extent of the damage is not yet clear. But the potential threat was significant enough that the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity unit directed all federal agencies to remove compromised network management software and thousands of companies were expected to do the same.

What was striking about the operation was its potential scope as well as the manner in which the perpetrators managed to pierce cyber defenses and gain access to email and internal files at the Treasury and Commerce departments and potentially elsewhere.

The intrusion was stark evidence of the vulnerability of even supposedly secure government networks, even after well-known previous attacks.

“It’s a reminder that offense is easier than defense and we still have a lot of work to do,” said Suzanne Spaulding, a former U.S. cybersecurity official who is now a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The identity of the perpetrator remained unclear. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of an ongoing investigation, told media outlets on Monday that Russian hackers are suspected.

The Washington Post, citing unnamed sources, said the attack was carried out by Russian government hackers who go by the nicknames APT29 or Cozy Bear and are part of that nation’s foreign intelligence service.

The intrusion came to light after a prominent cybersecurity firm, FireEye, determined it had been breached and alerted that foreign governments and major corporations were also compromised. The company did not say who it suspected, though many experts believed Russia was responsible given the level of skill involved.

A FireEye senior vice president, Charles Carmakal said the company was aware of “dozens of incredibly high-value targets that have been compromised” by the hackers and was “pro-actively helping a number of organizations respond to their intrusions.”

He said he expects many more to learn in coming days that they, too, were hacked.

U.S. authorities acknowledged that federal agencies were affected by the breach on Sunday, providing few details. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, known as CISA, said in an unusual directive that the widely used network software SolarWinds had been compromised and should be removed from any system using it.

The national cybersecurity agencies of Britain and Ireland issued similar alerts.

SolarWinds is used by hundreds of thousands of organizations around the world, including most Fortune 500 companies and multiple U.S. federal agencies. The perpetrators were able to embed malware in a security update issued by the company, based in Austin, Texas. Though SolarWinds estimated 18,000 customers were infected, most of the malware was not activated.

When it was, the hackers could impersonate system administrators and have total access to the infected networks.

Carmakal said the highly disciplined hackers — though they made few mistakes in masking their presence in networks — only chose targets with highly coveted information because every time they activate the tool remotely the likelihood of detection increases.

“Quite honestly, my heart sank when I saw some of the details, just the amount of information they could potentially have if they are reading everyone’s emails and they are accessing sensitive files within places like Treasury or Commerce,” said Ben Johnson, a former National Security Agency cyber-engineer who is now chief technology officer of software security firm Obsidian.

SolarWinds has said its customers include all five branches of the U.S. military, the Pentagon, the State Department, NASA, the National Security Agency, the Department of Justice and the White House, along with the top U.S. telecommunications and accounting firms.

National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot said Monday that the Trump administration was working with CISA, U.S. intelligence agencies, the FBI and government departments affected by the intrusion to coordinate a response.

“It’s obviously incredibly significant and widespread,” said Chris Painter, who coordinated cyber-policy at the State Department during the Obama administration. “How much was compromised? How much was exfiltrated? There are lots of open questions now.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that Russia had “nothing to do with” the hack.

“Once again, I can reject these accusations,” Peskov told reporters. “If for many months the Americans couldn’t do anything about it, then, probably, one shouldn’t unfoundedly blame the Russians for everything.”

Federal agencies have long been attractive targets for foreign hackers looking to gain insight into American government personnel and policymaking.

Hackers linked to Russia, for instance, were able to break into the State Department’s email system in 2014, infecting it so thoroughly that it had to be cut off from the internet while experts worked to eliminate the infestation. A year later, a hack at the U.S. government’s personnel office blamed on China compromised the personal information of some 22 million current, former and prospective federal employees, including highly sensitive data such as background investigations.

Cybersecurity experts said the goal of the months-long effort appeared to be espionage and not profit or inflicting damage.

In terms of scale alone, the operation seems similar to the 2105 Office of Personnel Management hack that authorities blame on the Chinese government, said Ben Buchanan, a Georgetown University cyber-espionage expert.

“These operators are experienced and capable, adept at finding a systemic weakness and then exploiting it quietly for months,” said Buchanan, author of “The Hacker and The State.”

Members of Congress were pressing the government for more information. “If reports are true and state-sponsored hackers successfully snuck malware-riddled software into scores of federal government systems, our country has suffered a massive national security failure that could have ramifications for years to come,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat who is a prominent voice on cyber issues.

If it was carried out by a foreign government, and the U.S. has the proof, then it becomes a question of what to do about it.

Some obvious options would include expelling diplomats of the offending country, imposing sanctions or filing criminal charges for cyber-espionage, steps that Washington and the European Union have taken against Russia in the past.

“I’m sure that the departments like NSA and Cyber Command are coming up with options, that the Treasury Department is looking at sanction options, that the State Department is looking for how they will send a strong signal,” Spaulding said. “Whether they will get approval for all these things from the White House remains to be seen.”

In the meantime, SolarWinds and its many private-sector clients were working to close any breaches and repair the damage.

The company said in a financial filing that it believed fewer than 18,000 customers installed the compromised product update earlier this year.

“We anticipate this will be a very large event when all the information comes to light,” said John Hultquist, director of threat analysis at FireEye.

Hottest 6 Luxury Gift Watches for 2021: Men and Women

Jackie Warner
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Hottest 6 Luxury Gift Watches for 2021: Men and Women

It doesn’t matter what year it is, watches will always be a statement piece for men and women. Yes, there are smartwatches all around, but while they may look nice, they never quite make a statement like a beautiful watch can. Like a great suit or dress, they also make you feel different when you’re wearing a ‘power’ watch that people can’t help but notice.

Luckily, they don’t all come with a break the bank price as our top ranking watch pick proves. Check out all of our Holiday Gift Guides.

Table of contents

Nordgreen – Copenhagen Style Our Top Pick

Nordgreen is a new company which began in 2017, but they have stood out with award-winning styles that are simple but beautiful. They haven’t let the fact that they are a very environmentally conscious company stop them from making head-turning creations.

Nordgreen’s simple but beautiful selection makes them our favorite pick of 2021.

Their prices are a great fit for those wanting to give a wonderful gift without a big budget. Plus, you can feel a little better supporting a company that highly values sustainability and responsible manufacturing. For this alone, we have made Nordgreen our Number One pick for 2021 when it comes to luxury watches for men and women. You can find their masterpieces here or directly on the Nordgreen website.

jbw cristal womens watch shown on female model 2020

JBW Women’s Cristal

While some may think of luxury watches as a men’s accessory, it’s certainly not uncommon or rare to see women wearing luxury watches as well. They’re essentially just another form of jewelry, and many women like having a watch on them when they’re attending an event or a meeting of some kind. If you’re looking for the perfect men’s watch, look no further than here.

JBW is a well-known watch brand that tends to incorporate a lot of diamonds and precious metals into their watch construction. The JBW women’s Cristal is no exception. Any women who like wearing heavily diamond-embedded jewelry will find themselves right at home with this watch, as that’s likely the first thing you’ll notice about it.

The main construction of this watch is made with stainless steel, giving it a nice strong base that it builds off of. Solid gold doesn’t hold up too well in all kinds of circumstances, so having stainless steel as the primary material makes a lot of sense and ensures that your watch will hold up well.

jbw cristal watches hot 2021 gifts

The stainless steel of the watch is actually gold plated with 18k gold. JBW goes to great lengths to make sure that their gold is authentic and that the stainless steel is plated evenly and entirely.

All around the watch band and face, you can see the Swarovski crystals that they’ve embedded for a dazzling look. Swarovski is an Austrian jewelry company that has been operation for many years, so you know you’ll be getting quality in that regard.

At each of the 12 hour marks, there is a proper, round-cut genuine diamond. The movement of this watch is a Swiss-designed quartz movement, which of course runs off of a battery.

The battery is long lasting, so you don’t need to worry too much about that. It’s nice to know that it’s designed by the Swiss, because they are one of the most reputable countries out there when it comes to watch making.

This watch also features a mineral crystal dial window, which is known to resist scratches and hard impacts quite well thanks to the heat-treating process that it undergoes.

jbw g3 mens diamond watches hot holiday gifts 2021
JBW G3 Men’s Diamond Watches are impressive without trying too hard.

The Cristal watch does use a proper deployment clasp to keep itself attached, which can be important. Some watches use cheap clasps that can unhook if you bump your wrist into something, which could lead to you dropping and losing your watch. However, with this deployment clasp, you’re sure to keep your watch on you no matter what happens. You can find a beautiful array of them to fit anyone on your holiday list. Or just to treat yourself!

michael kors bradshaw womens luxury watches hottest gifts holiday 2021

Michael Kors Bradshaw Women’s

Any woman interested in fashion and accessories is very familiar with Michael Kors. They make very stylish accessories and are well known for their use of high-quality materials.

The Michael Kors Bradshaw is a great choice for any woman looking to get a new watch, as they’re well built, fashionable, and come in a variety of styles. The watch band is a fairly simple and elegant design, with a 3-part band and a solid bezel and face.

The watch is made with a stainless steel band and case, which helps prevent things like rust and corrosion over time while still giving the watch a smooth, clean look. The dial window is a mineral quartz, which withstands most scuffs and scratches that your watch would see in daily wear.

Whether it be other bracelets or your clothing, the Bradshaw watch shouldn’t be easily scratched unless you really try to do so. The watch face has a very classical design. It uses Roman numerals at the 12, 2, 4, 8, and 10 o’clock positions.

It has very simple watch hands, but it does have several sub-dials to help you keep track of time as a sort of chronograph, or stopwatch mixed with clock. One sub-dial keeps track of seconds, going all the way around to 60.

It has a minute sub-dial that tracks all the way to 30 minutes, and finally an hour sub-dial that keeps track up to 24 hours. All of these can be used in different ways to help you keep track of certain things like the length of a meeting, or the time taken to drive home.

michael kors smartwatch luxury gifts holiday 2021
Michael Kors Access Bradshaw 2 – Luxury Smartwatch

This watch does come in all kinds of different colors, some which only go well with a few outfits and styles, and some that are fairly universal. One of the most common options is the gold tone and blush.

This has a mostly gold case with some very light pink accents on the band, with a face mostly colored in the light pink with gold accents. There are no shortage of colors to match different styles.

There’s an all-black, a hot pink with gold accents, a fully gold, a fully red, a deep purple, and more. No matter what your wardrobe looks like, you should be able to find a Bradshaw that matches the rest of it quite well. One of the options even comes with matching earrings to ensure that it all works well together. Find all Michael Kors styles right here for a really good holiday price.

michael kors hot watches for men holiday gifts 2021

Michael Kors Slim Runway

Luxury watches are a great gift for men or women who spend their time attending important meeting and formal events. A watch is an important accessory, and for many people, it’s a quick definition of what kind of person they are.

Having a good quality watch can instantly complete an outfit, whether it be a formal suit or more casual wear. Michael Kors is a very reputable brand in the United States, and their watches are well known.

The Michael Kors Slim Runway watch is a great example of their craftsmanship, being both made with quality while still being very practical and relatively inexpensive. The first thing to note is that this watch is made with a stainless steel band.

Stainless steel is a great choice for a few reasons. It does still have the weight that you would expect with a full metal watch, so it definitely feels like luxury. However, the main point of stainless steel is that it’s very resilient, and will not easily wear or corrode over time, ensuring that this watch will be ready to last you for years.

The face of the watch is made with a mineral crystal, which holds up very well under stress. Mineral faces can withstand most scratches fairly easily, and won’t crack if dropped.

This also helps keep down costs, as sapphire crystal faces are much more expensive. A mineral face keeps up with all of the day-to-day wear and tear that a watch should endure.

michael kors slim runway luxury watches hot holiday gifts 2021

The Slim Runway features a quartz movement, meaning that it uses vibrations from a small piece of quartz along with a battery to tell the time and keep the hands of the clock moving.

This arrangement is fairly common in most watches today. This watch comes in a variety of different color arrangements, ranging from a gold and black design, to a full black or even a gunmetal and rose gold design.

This will of course depend on your style of clothing, whatever that may be. The watch itself is fairly minimalist in its design, with notches for each number on the face and simple hands.

Surprisingly, this watch is actually waterproof as well. While you’re probably not going to be taking it swimming or diving, it is waterproof up to 50 meters. So if you happen to get it wet, or leave it on when you get in a pool, you can rest assured knowing that the watch is unharmed. You can find this beautiful timepiece for both men and women right here at an amazing price.  Under $200!

Seiko Excelsior hottest luxury watches 2021 holiday gifts

Seiko Excelsior

While Switzerland is well known for their watchmaking skills, they aren’t the only high end watchmaking country. Surprisingly, Japan is also known for excelling in this field, and one of their best luxury watch brands is Seiko.

Seiko has quite the pedigree in watchmaking. They introduced the first full production quartz movement watch, which is what so many watches today run off of. They’ve been making watches for over 100 years, and have specialized in things such as micro-gears and motors that all are made at Seiko specifically.

Other watch companies may source parts from less reputable companies before adding them into their watches, but Seiko watches are entirely made by them. The Seiko men’s Excelsior is a great watch for daily and formal wear, and has many interesting features that you might not typically find on other luxury watches.

It uses a gunmetal and silver tone design with a black colored face, which means it pairs well with just about anything. One of the first things you’ll note is the sub-dials. While some watches favor a more minimalist design, Seiko gives you more information than other watches with its multiple sub-dials that are cleanly worked into the watch face.

The top sub-dial is like a stopwatch of sorts. It goes up to 60 minutes, and after that, it stops automatically. This is helpful for keeping track of general time. Say you know that you need to leave in 20 minutes, but you don’t know exactly what time that would be.

All you have to do is set your stopwatch going, and when you see it approach the 20 minute mark, you know it’s time to leave. The other sub-dials aren’t as interesting, but they still serve a good function.

The one of the left hand side is a second counter for precise counting, and the bottom sub-dial is an alarm setter. On the right, there isn’t a sub-dial, but there is a date counter so that you’ll always know that day’s date.

This watch interestingly is powered by two sources. First, it uses your kinetic motion to power the watch, which is actually another feature that they invented. However, there’s a secondary option as well.

This watch can actually run off of solar power, surprisingly. So as long as you’re getting some sun and moving around regularly, this watch will be powered for quite a long time. You can find your perfect match right here, and you’ll be shocked at how great the prices are for the holiday season.

versace mens dylos chrono vqc040014 hottest watches holiday gifts 2021

Versace Men’s Dylos

When you think about luxury brands, Versace is one of the ones that comes to mind. They’re somewhat known for their clothing, but more specifically known for their accessories.

Versace excels at making high quality accessories, such as purses, rings, and especially watches. The Versace men’s Dylos watch is incredibly sleek and stylish, and is made with some high quality materials that will keep it running for decades on end.

It has a two tone band, mostly of silver stainless steel, and with gold stainless steel accents. This pairs well with many suits and outfits, so you’ll be able to wear it frequently.

The face of the watch is a navy blue with an imprinted dot pattern running all across it. The navy blue works best with black and blue suits, though it can also work with grey. At the top of the watch face, there’s the Versace Medusa head logo in gold.

Each hour mark is also in gold, as are the watch hands. The gold and navy contrast very well and work well together. One of the good things to note about this watch is that while Versace is an Italian company, they know where to go to get the best watches made.

versace jump hour dylos watches mttg hottest holiday gifts 2021
Versace Jump Hour Dylos Watch

This watch is actually made in Switzerland, where many legendary watch makers have established their businesses and perfected their craft. Swiss made watches are always very highly revered.

For the dial window, this watch does feature a sapphire crystal. If you’re unfamiliar with sapphire crystal watches, it doesn’t actually tint the window blue or anything. They’re clear, but they simply have unmatched durability.

Sapphire is very hard and scratch resistant, meaning that no matter how much it gets bumped or dropped, it should hold up just fine. This watch has an automatic movement, meaning that it doesn’t use battery power or anything like that, but rather your kinetic energy that it gets from being on your wrist while you’re walking around and doing things.

This is a very complex and well-designed movement, and allows your watch to keep working constantly. Some may be delighted to find that this watch is a continuous sweep watch, meaning that it doesn’t actually tick and make a noise at every second.

Instead, each hand moves fluidly and consistently across the watch face, not producing any sound. While some may prefer the ticking sounds and look, it’s entirely up to personal preference. You can find this here, and there’s still plenty of time to order for it to get there on time.

Benefits of breaking some family holiday traditions

Jackie Warner
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Benefits of breaking some family holiday traditions

Traditions are part of what makes the holidays memorable. Thinking back on your childhood, you might have some amazing memories of holiday’s past that are steeped in tradition. You may have even brought some of them into adulthood and your own family. There’s no doubt that traditions help families stay connected and remind them of their roots but there may come a time when it helps to break traditions and build new ones.

Should traditions always be kept?

Traditions can bring comfort and a sense of familiarity and belonging, but they can also be stifling and keep you from growing and expanding. Holding onto traditions can exclude other possibilities that might be a better fit for you and your family. While traditions can be a wonderful way to hold onto the past, there may be room for change in your future.

Here are some indicators you might be ready to break some traditions:

Your family dynamics change

It might have been fun to participate in a tradition for a season, but a change could be in order. If your family dynamics change and it doesn’t make sense to hold onto a tradition, be open to letting it go, creating a new one or making a modification. Some typical reasons family dynamics change:

  • Marriage, divorce, blending families
  • Children mature or grow up
  • Time constraints or changes in schedules

When the dynamics in the family change, it may be time to break a tradition and begin something new.

You’re bored or changed interests

Some traditions felt great for a time, but everyone is always changing and growing. Adapting and expanding your interests can affect your traditions. What once felt comforting begins to feel controlling. Don’t let familiarity cause you to hold onto traditions that you’ve outgrown.

Creating new traditions can create joy

Finding new ways to create traditions during the holidays can reduce stress and create joy. Growing and expanding with your family as it changes can help you hold onto traditions you love while finding new ones that have meaning for where you are in life at the moment. Ask yourself these questions to help you create new traditions.

What makes sense for your stage of life?

If your children are small, there may be a host of activities that you engage in as part of your tradition. As they age, it makes sense to stop some activities and find new age-appropriate activities. Asking what makes sense for your current stage of life will help you break traditions you don’t need and create ones that everyone will enjoy.

What do you love most this time of year?

Asking yourself…and your family, what they love most and want to do each year will help you engage in the activities that matter. You never know, that one time you had pizza for Thanksgiving dinner could be a tradition they want to experience each and every year. You never know if you don’t ask!

Sometimes traditions can actually weigh families down and cause stress. It’s important to take time and review your beloved traditions and see if there isn’t room for improvement, retirement, or creating new traditions altogether. 

3 Alternatives to Traditional Holiday Celebrations

Depending on where you live, there are typical ways to celebrate the holidays. Friends, family, and culture all influence how special days unfold and what foods and activities usually accompany them. Getting into the habit of celebrating the holidays a specific way can make it hard to break from tradition- though breaking free can actually be a valuable change.

You may be used to celebrating the holidays a very specific way and have never given any thought to trying something new. There are unlimited ways to experience the holidays that don’t include turkey dinners, presents under a tree, or winter wonderlands. As a matter of fact, it can be a ton of fun to try something entirely different for your holiday season. Here are three alternatives to traditional holiday celebrations that might be of interest to you and your family.

Alternative #1. Travel

Most people stay close to home during the holidays. They love the traditions of decorating, enjoying specific foods, and spending quality time with family. Though these are fun traditions, travel can be an amazing alternative.

Try traveling to a location that experiences the holidays in magical ways you can’t get where you live. If you are in a warm climate, head to the snow. Do you live in the snow? Head for the beach. Live in America? Then try a European holiday.

Alternative #2. Friends over family

Some people spend their holidays with family and limit their activities with friends. Family is great, but there’s something wonderful about friendships. That’s why Friendsgiving has become so popular. Try spending a holiday with your friends doing a fun activity that you wouldn’t normally experience on a holiday.

Consider going skiing on Christmas and forgo presents for a VRBO and a lift ticket. Make memories with friends by having a potluck and heading to the movies for a blockbuster instead of cooking a traditional meal.

Alternative #3. Giving back to your community

There are plenty of people experiencing the holidays in hospitals, shelters, and other unexpected places. Consider spending the day in your community serving others who rarely get noticed.

Try volunteering at an animal shelter to walk animals or clean. Serve at a homeless shelter and support your community by donating your time and energy to help those less fortunate. You can get your whole family involved and make an impact on those you’re serving and yourselves.

If you’re looking to shake things up, why not try an alternative holiday celebration this year? Breaking away from the norm helps create memories and can leave a lasting impression for you and your whole family.

Top 40 Spiritual Holiday Gifts for All Beliefs

Jackie Warner
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Trying to find the right gift for spiritual people can be a little stressful as you don’t want to offend anyone or make their beliefs feel left out of the holiday season. To take that worry, we’ve pulled together a list for some of the best gifts for spiritual people and broken it down by group. I personally have fretted what to get my Wiccan or Christian friends for years, so it was nice to help others find the right gift because it can be very difficult. Your friends will truly appreciate you took the time to really think about what to get them.

The table of contents below this makes it even easier for you to find the area you need.

Table of contents

We’ve also added them to our storefront so you can see everything together along with all of our other holiday gift guides. To see all of our gift guides together, just go here.

Top 4 Gifts for Spiritual People

Spiritual people enjoy working on themselves to strive for greater levels of compassion. Many take journeys to show faith in their beliefs.

People who practice spirituality have a mindset of awareness. They use specific tools to help expand their consciousness and practice mindfulness.

Those tools can vary from books to scent sticks. If you plan to give something to your spiritual partner/relative/friend, look for a gift that helps them work on themselves. You can also give them a gift that helps them practice their spirituality.

Many people who are spiritual are into yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and other activities. But you aren’t limited to these techniques to find special gifts for them.

Here are our suggestions for gifts that best suit a person with spiritual beliefs:

Books About Chakras

The chakra system is an exciting and vital topic for anyone spiritual. To understand how energy works in the human body, you need to read many books. Books on the Chakras contributes to a sense of balance and healing itself.

Giving a spiritual person a book on chakras can impact their life. People who practice spirituality value knowledge. A book helps them pursue real change and transformation. Any book with spiritual knowledge assists in their spiritual healing. From beginner to more advanced you can find a great deal here.

set of healing crystals top holiday gift ideas 2020

Crystals

If you want to buy a crystal as a gift for someone spiritual in your life, you may not know which one to choose. There are so many crystals. Here some specific guidelines can help you.

There are many different crystals, but each has its purpose. It would be best to go to a crystal store or online to look at each one’s purpose. Most places online or locally have descriptions of what the crystals help with in life. Look at all the crystals they have and focus on those that best fit the person.

You can even choose crystals that stand out to you the most. Listen to your inner voice and follow your intuition. You can find a great assortment at all price points here.

Subscription Boxes

Subscription boxes are a beautiful gift for everyone, especially when they are spiritual. Spiritual subscription boxes have various items that contribute to self-care and spirituality. Some come with candles, scent sticks, crystals, herbs, and other gift items. Try to find the box that best suits the person’s lifestyle and personality.

best smudging holiday gift ideas

Smudging Kits

A smudging kit is a tool used as an energy cleansing technique. It originated from the Native American population. It is a ritual of removing negativity in which negative energy binds to smoke and cleanses the room. Herbs, such as White Sage, are the most popular for smudging kits. Think of buying and giving this kit to a person who practices energy cleansing.

Top 4 Gifts to Destress and Relax

If you know someone going through a stressful time right now, a gift to destress will help them. The gift can help preserve mental health. There are a variety of gifts available to help de-stress and relax.

Stress can be the cause of many diseases. It is vital to learn how to control our focus and learn to relax. Some items can help in the relaxation process. They also make an ideal gift for stressed individuals.

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A Subscription Box for Destressing and Relaxing

A subscription box for destressing or relaxing can consist of various items. These items include candles, body oils, and bath products.

Such products can help an individual relax their mind, body, and spirit. At the same time, they also distract from the stress.

A subscription box can be an ideal gift for someone who needs to learn the importance of self-care. A subscription box for destressing/relaxing is a spa experience. It’s also fun to open the packages each month. TheraBox is one of our favorites.

Essential Oil Diffuser Bracelet necklace hot holiday gifts 2020 images

Essential Oil Diffuser Bracelet or Necklace

If you want to please your girlfriend, wife, mom, or sister with a gift, give them a useful one. An essential oil diffuser helps promote relaxation throughout the day. An essential oil diffuser bracelet or necklace is a perfect gift.

Jewelry is always a good choice. When you add the relief of stress during daily commitments, it makes it even more helpful.

All it takes is to drop a little essential oil on each piece of jewelry, and that’s it. The scent continues to work during the day. The scent provides relaxation in stressful situations. You can find a great array of them here.

bath bomb candles hottest holiday gift ideas 2020

Bath Bombs & Candles

One of the best ways to relieve stress after a long day full of various obligations is to take a long bath. When you add a bath bomb to a tub full of hot water, it creates a relaxation oasis. Giving the gift of candles and bath bombs raises the level of relaxation in a unique way.

Aromatherapy has a positive and healthy effect on our mood. Each provides relaxation and self-care. Candles and bath bombs are good choices for individuals who are often under stress. You can find a great variety here.

weighted blanket best holiday gift ideas 2020

Weighted Blanket

Weighted blankets are a great therapeutic tool. They help with relieving pain, reducing anxiety, and improving mood. It is an excellent gift for someone who needs an item supporting the nervous system. They create a feeling of relaxation and comfort. Weighted blankets also improve sleep. You can find a wide variety here at all price points and weight charts.

Top 4 Mindfulness Spiritual Gifts

The term mindfulness represents the practice of training our focus and attention. With the help of this practice, we manage to remain present without analyzing the past or the present.

Mindfulness helps direct our attention to everything that happens around us without judgment. We can then accept all experiences without influencing them. We can learn how to surrender our desires to the universe.

People who practice mindfulness know how much this practice helps stop excessive thinking. It also helps stop worry and distractions from experiencing the present moment.

Gifts that are a real hit for those who practice mindfulness:

mindfulness subscription box hottest holiday gift ideas

A Subscription Box for Mindfulness

A unique subscription box filled with various items is a lovely gift. Some subscription boxes have items that are useful in practicing mindfulness. There are many different ones on the market today.

Some subscription boxes have items related to daily self-care. There are also boxes on spiritual healing, relaxation and spa care, and aromatherapy.

Look for a subscription box that will best suit the person you want to give the gift of mindfulness. Cratejoy has some of the best boxes you can find!

beautiful leather bound tree of life journal perfect holiday gifts

Journal

A journal is a perfect gift for those who like to write down their thoughts, actions, or plans. A journal can let their mind roam free. This kind of gift is ideal for journaling about their mindfulness experiences.

There are many different designs. Find one that is peaceful and serene to promote relaxation while writing.

A guided journal is an ideal way to express thoughts and feelings with minimal help in questions. In this way, creativity, self-awareness, and focus exercises help them practice mindfulness. You can find the perfect one to suit you or the one you’re buying for here.

Books on Mindfulness

Reading brings a multitude of benefits. No matter what topic someone prefers, books on mindfulness are an excellent gift.

If someone is beginning to learn about mindfulness, books can be of great help. Get them a book in which teachers and leaders share their knowledge and practices. Some books on mindfulness have exercises in which they can practice.

Help loved ones expand their consciousness through books. A book helps transform their lives through the various practices found in such books. Find the one that suits you or the person you’re buying for here.

lotus ring set holiday gift ideas 2020

Lotus Ring

Our daily lives can often upset our balance and inner peace. If you want to remind someone to stay balanced, a ring with a lotus flower on itself is an ideal gift. In that way, the person will always carry a reminder on their finger.

A lotus flower is a beautiful flower that stands out for its ability to rise from muddy water. It also represents a person’s authentic self and blossoming into expressing themselves. Find your perfect on here.

Top 4 Gifts for Practicing Buddhists

Buddhism began as an Asian philosophy. It is beginning to gain more and more followers in Australia, Europe, and North America.

Buddhism teaches how to reach enlightenment and end suffering in our lives. The ideal gift for a Buddhist relates to meditation, relaxation, art, and statues. Each of these gifts can serve as reminders of their path.

The choice can be challenging, given that there are many options, but some of our suggestions are:

Buddha singing bowls by a bubbling brook hot holiday gifts

Singing Bowls

A singing bowl is a beautiful gift for all those who practice Buddhism. Singing bowls originated in Tibet. Singing bowls come in different materials. They include a bronze alloy of copper and tin, while some craft them with quartz crystal.

A singing bowl produces a soothing sound that allows the person who listens to it to relax. They can be part of a decor that has an essential purpose. People use them in daily life during meditation and mindfulness practices. You can find some great deals on these here.

Buddha Wall Art and Statues hot holiday gift ideas 2020

Buddha Wall Art and Statues

A decorative gift for a practicing Buddhist is handmade and detailed artwork. These make a great present. Any item that depicts the Buddha is ideal. A statue or wall art serves as a reminder of their practice and faith. They can serve as a visual reminder as they continue the path to enlightenment.

The Buddha will give a sense of peace and tranquility. This work of art can be in the form of a painting, statue, or figure.

People usually hang artwork on a wall in a room they meditate in. They also place Buddha statues and fountains in the rooms they frequent. The artwork and statuary contribute to the decor of the room in which they are. You can find one for all price points here.

Water Fountains

Do you want to add the feeling of serenity to a room?

In that case, a Buddha water fountain contributes an element of relaxation to a room. Water fountains come in freestanding or tabletop.

The indoor Buddha fountain promotes meditation, relaxation, and sound sleep. The water in the fountain drips, creating a soothing sound. Find your perfect match here.

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Jewelry

Specialized jewelry is always a reliable choice when we plan to give someone something with meaning. Buddhist symbols is an excellent gift.

These symbols can include an infinity knot, lotus flower, or Buddha shape. Wearing a reminder of their faith and path can help the wearer to keep it. Buddhist jewelry comes in earrings, pendants, bracelets, and rings.

These gift ideas for practicing Buddhists are practical and functional. They serve them in their daily lives. Each gift adds a feeling of relaxation as an element of their faith. You can find a great assortment here.

Top 4 Yoga Spiritual Gifts

Yoga is a mind and body practice with many benefits for health. People start practicing it for body flexibility and stress relief. But it becomes even more self-reflection soon after. Yoga brings kindness, self-compassion, and self-awareness.

Buying yoga gifts for those people into this style of life make great choices. The gift will be personal, and the recipient will feel loved and carried as you bring them good vibes.

Here are some suggestions:

pefect yoga apparel clothing hot holiday gifts 2020

Yoga Apparel Clothing

Buying apparel clothing can be far more creative and with a broader spectrum of choice than it seems. Yoga sweaters or shirts are perfect for those who like to keep warm while practicing yoga. They are available in a range of sizes. Some clothing is crafted from super soft cotton. And they sometimes come with an inspirational quote.

Yoga leggings are a fun gift to give those who practice yoga. There are many different designs available. Some designs for leggings have watercolor crystals and other spiritual elements.

Non-slip yoga socks prevent slipping on the floor or carpet. They give freedom to move your toes. They come in different colors and designs. With the holiday season, you get some amazing deals too.

Tibetan Singing Bowl hot holiday yoga gifts 2020

Tibetan Singing Bowl

A Tibetan singing bowl vibrates when a person moves the mallet against the bowl’s edge. It creates a gentle yet rich and deep sound.

They are ideal gifts for practicing meditation. Buddhist monks even use them in their sessions. Its music helps you reach mindfulness. The bowls improve silence and your mind’s ability to focus. Find the best deals for quality right here.

Energy Clearing Smudge Spray

A few sprays clean the area from unwanted smells. Energy clearing smudge spray also helps to clear the energy in the room. Use this instead of smudging the house with herbs. It’s an alternative to lighting an herb smudge stick. The effect is also helpful to your mental health, as it clears negativity from the room and the body.

It gives a fresh scent to space and makes a person feels balanced and focused. On the market, there are many organic products with no chemicals or toxins. The smudge spray is an ideal gift to use in an office or home. You can find the right ones here where I always get them.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a practice that uses natural plant extracts to reach well-being. It improves your body and mind’s health.

The perfect gift for any yoga lover would be an aromatic body spray. You can also get essential oil or oil for a massage. Aromatherapy also comes in sets that include this and a yoga mat cleanser. Find your perfect gift idea right here.

Top 4 Meditation Spiritual Gifts

Meditation is an excellent way to calm our minds. It helps to improve our focus, relax the complete body, and strengthen our ability to stay in the present. Using specific items in meditation helps with concentration. They can also provide deeper levels of meditative experience.

There are several different items. Each are an ideal gift for someone who practices meditation.

Here are our suggestions for what to gift a person who practices meditation:

Meditation Chimes hot holiday gift ideas 2020

Meditation Chimes/Gong/Tibetan Bowl

Meditation chimes are items made of two rods tuned to almost the same pitch. They may seem to ring in the same tone, but there is a pronounced pulsation of about 12 beats per second.

Meditation Tibetan Bowls is a meditation tool that dates back to ancient times. It is a singing bowl that emits clear sounds the moment the mallet rubs the rim. This sound brings the human brain into a meditative state. The vibrations of the sound have the same wavelength as the brain waves that allow us to feel relaxed.

Meditation Gong is a form of sound therapy that establishes self-healing. This technique originates from Asia. With each stroke of the gong, it creates a feeling of well-being. It comes through the vibration that comes through the sound. Find there perfect one here.

Books with Meditations in Them & Coloring Books

Self-help of any format are an ideal gift for those who like to work on themselves. The ones that have various meditation techniques will help those who practice it.

There are various breathing and meditation techniques. A book can contribute to raising the quality of meditation to a higher level.

Coloring books are also excellent therapy. They represent one form of meditation practice. They are great for improving focus. You find the perfect one right here.

beautiful amazing chakra stones hot holiday gift ideas

Chakra Stones

The stones themselves also send energy that helps in healing. Each stone has its purpose, but the general aim is to magnify or balance the energy or Chakra center we want to focus on.

The stones make a great gift because you can use them during meditation. Each stone has specific characteristics, and a chakra to which the stone corresponds. Find the right stones at a great deal without forgoing quality.

beautiful mala beads hot holiday gift ideas 2020

Mala Beads

If mala beads are something you would like to give to a person who likes to meditate, they help in meditation. They come in different styles and colors. They are also made from different types of crystals and stones. Each different one can also represent a wish the person may want to manifest. They can also promote calmness and relaxation. Find the perfect color and collection right here.

Top 5 Zen Spiritual Gifts

The term ”zen” is a state of calm. You can achieve it through meditation, self-contemplation, and intuition. Zen gifts are perfect for spiritual people. A Zen gift can make a recipient feel great, bringing them peace and comfort.

beautiful Zen Wall Decorations hot holiday gifts 2020

Zen Wall Decoration

Your home is where you spend most of the day, and the goal is to make yourself feel comfortable there. Although Zen decorations make a home beautiful, they also increase spirituality. They can also encourage harmony.

Wall hangings are a great gift. Motifs like stacked stones, a lotus blossom, or the face of Buddha make great Zen art pieces. The art piece serves as a persistent reminder for its owner to slow down and enjoy each day.

For the lovers of more intriguing visual art, the perfect present is a Wooden Hamsa wall decor. The Hamsa Hand is an ancient Middle Eastern amulet and serves as protection. This wall decor should bring good luck.

Yin Yang art has a natural feel and look. It adds balance and harmony to the house. Find the right one here.

Zen Rock Gardens and Sand Gardens hot holiday gifts 2020

Zen Rock Gardens and Sand Gardens

Zen rock and sand gardens are miniatures of traditional Zen gardens. They are ideal for decoration (and for use) of a living room, bedroom, or even a workspace.

The sand set contains a wooden container and the salt grains, while the rock one contains stone and sand. Both come with a little rake to use to relieve stress. Find your perfect one here.

beautiful zen wind chimes hot holiday gift ideas 2020

Zen Chimes

Zen chimes come made from a wooden frame and five silver aluminum rods. Chimes are tuned to G-A-C-D-EB notes, creating a harmonious and gentle yet full sound.

It brings a sense of calm and is ideal for practicing meditation for use at the beginning of the session. Find the perfect one here.

zen clothing hot holiday gift ideas

Zen Apparel

Zen apparel on clothes, a mug, a pillow, or a ceramic ornament is a gift for those who like to live their beliefs. The design varies from minimalist zen signs to humoristic ones. You can find a very big selection and all price points here.

Zen Books

Books are always a good gift because they give both entertainment and knowledge. Zen books show readers how to control their thoughts to reach happiness. One of the most popular is Zen And the Art of Happiness by Chris Prentiss.

You can combine Zen gifts with other passions such as a passion for travel and motorcycles. One of the best sellers is the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig. Through his book, Pirsig shares the emotional side of traveling. The book follows his through his journey on a motorcycle across the country. You can find a wide array for beginners to more advanced here.

Top Gifts for Each Zodiac Sign

When invited to a birthday, wedding, or some other celebration, a gift is appropriate to bring. But often we don’t know what someone likes or what is the most appropriate gift for that person.

To determine an ideal gift, we need to ask the person to know what they desire to make them happy. It can be challenging to decide on one thing: the ideal present. If we already know what a given person likes and know their zodiac sign, finding the right gift can be easier.

We have a few gift suggestions based on Zodiac Sign for you:

beautiful astrology sign subscription boxes hot holiday gifts

Subscription Box For Zodiac Signs

Each individual zodiac sign is unique. They have likes and dislikes. Plus, every person has hobbies and styles that differentiate them from other astrological signs.

A subscription box adapted to each zodiac sign can brighten someone’s day. If you choose a subscription box as a gift, you give them a unique way to display their sign. Subscription boxes are fun to get each month.

Some astrological signs prefer luxury, while others are more interested in practical gifts. As boxes are very popular, you can find a great deal here.

astrology sign jewelry hot holiday gift ideas

Jewelry with Zodiac Signs

For all those proud of their zodiac sign, jewelry that displays it is an ideal gift.

Today, jewelry comes in gold, silver, platinum, and other various materials. You can find bracelets, earrings, chain pendants, and rings for any of the zodiac signs.

What makes a great gift is a wooden bracelet. Even better is one that has engraved astrological symbols. Or you may want to opt for a gold pendant in the shape of their astrological sign. The zodiac signs appreciate the gift of jewelry, and there are many options to choose from. Customize the choice for the person you are giving the jewelry to ensure they love it. You can find the kitschy to high fashion here.

astrology sign candles hot holiday gifts

Candles

If you decide to buy a candle for your friend or relative, you cannot go wrong with this gift. Everyone would love a candle with their astrological sign on it.

There are candles on the market today adapted to different zodiac signs. Check to see which candles offer the optimal production from soy or wax and desired smell.

Candles are always an ideal gift. They invigorate the mood in a room, spread beautiful smells, and promote relaxation. Find your perfect sign right here.

Books

Is your friend, relative, or partner interested in Astrology? If so, the best gift you can give them is a book on the subject.

Today, there are many books from different authors on astrology. Some books share about Astrology in general. And some share characteristics of the zodiac signs.

Opting for a book helps them learn about this topic while making them happy and satisfied. There’s a wide range of books on this that you can find here.

zodiac sign clothing hot holiday gifts 2020

Clothing

If you are still unsure about what you could give someone, clothes are always a good choice.

T-shirts or hoodies with different zodiac signs are ideal for those who like to show off their sign.

Keep in mind which zodiac sign you are giving the gift to and try to adjust the person’s clothing style. Find your perfect fit here.

Top 4 Spiritual and Energy Healing Gifts for Healers

Since healers are people who help others heal, they need time for self-care. They also need to give themselves attention, kindness, and compassion.

If you have someone in your life who is a healer and want to give them a gift, make sure it is thoughtful and unique. A gift that helps them focus on their self-care is perfect. Some healers may want gifts they can use to help others. Think about their needs, desires, and what can make them happy.

There are many options to choose from, and these are our choices:

Angel Cards

Angel cards are comforting and present angels on them. Special cards like these can point out what is happening in someone’s life. These cards also help with things a person is trying to avoid, even though it is essential for their growth. Plus, they can point to something the person has not yet accepted. Angel cards are an excellent tool for healers to help with their clients. Giving someone such a gift can strengthen their communication with divine energy. Angel cards are healing for the healer and for their clients. You can find the best array right here.

beautiful Crystals for Healing the Chakras hot holiday gifts 2020

Crystals for Healing the Chakras

Healing crystals are a wonderful gift for any spiritual person who is also a healer. These crystals can heal the chakras by establishing energy balance in the human body. Crystals come in different sets or as individual crystals. Crystals each have a different purpose and meaning.

Giving crystals as a gift helps healers with balance. They can also support their spiritual path. You can find individual ones to box sets here.

gratitude journal hot holiday reiki gifts

Gratitude Journal

Healers are aware of the power of gratitude. Practicing gratitude helps them live in the moment. That is instead of thinking about the past and the future.

They can be aware of how important it is to be grateful for what they have. That makes a gratitude journal an ideal gift. It is a way to show your spiritual friend you understand and support their beliefs. This can be found here.

Reiki Subscription Box hot holiday gift ideasa

Reiki Subscription Box

Reiki and energy healers work with the flow of divine energy. Most use the palms of their hands as conductors of the energy. While some use crystals and other objects to direct the flow of the energy.

If you want to give a gift to a healer and a Reiki practitioner, the Reiki subscription box is the ideal gift. By giving them this gift, you will help that person improve the flow of divine energy. They could also learn new techniques of Reiki and energy healing. A subscription box also comes with a variety of items. Cratejoy has the best when it comes to this.

Top Gifts for Psychics, Intuitives, & Mediums

Need a gift for a psychic, intuitive, or medium? Whether they practice Reiki, own a Yoga studio, or use healing in their work, you can find the right gift. A spiritual gift fits in line with the lifestyle the person is living.

Be creative and try to come up with a gift that will also help them serve others. Psychics, intuitive, and mediums are helping professions. Many of them enjoy touching other peoples’ lives with their gifts.

There are many choices, and some of our suggestions are as follows:

Tarot or Oracle Cards beautiful hot holiday gifts

Tarot or Oracle Cards

Some like astrology, some like numerology, and for some, Tarot or oracle cards are the right choice.

A psychic, intuitive, or medium will use cards to interpret someone’s life. They also use them to understand their current emotional, business, or family states.

Each card represents one page in someone’s book of life for those in love with tarot cards.

Tarot or oracle cards are a good choice for psychics, intuitives, and mediums. They can use the cards to help make decisions or to help others. Find the right pack here.

Astrology Books hot holiday gifts for psychis 2020

Astrology Books

Although Astrology dates to ancient times, it has become popular.

Each of us belongs to one of the 12 astrological signs based on our date of birth. Most people are curious about Astrology. Your special person will enjoy knowing something about their zodiac sign.

Giving them a book also gives them the opportunity to learn more about themselves. A book can be an ideal gift to give to that person to provide knowledge about the subject. Find the right gift here.

beautiful crystal water bottles hot holiday gift ideas

Crystal Water Bottle

Crystals have protective and healing characteristics. They can change energy to a positive vibration and protect against negative energy. Each crystal has a purpose, properties, and use for different reasons.

Gift a crystal water bottle to encourage positive energy for your loved one. As you pour the water into the bottle, it creates a crystal elixir. The crystal infuses the water with its energy. It can also help heal while increasing their wellbeing. Here’s a great selection of all sizes here.

crystals for psychics abilities hot holiday gifts wicca pagan

Crystals

Everything has energy and frequency at which it vibrates. Still, as we live separated from nature, we lose the ability to feel vibrations. We must reconnect with the natural energy in nature. You can find a great selection here.

Minerals, crystals, or semi-precious stones carry this natural energy. They hold the Earth’s pure power.

That is why crystals are an ideal gift for all psychics, intuitive, & mediums. They can reconnect with nature through crystals. They can also use the crystals to help in manifesting things they want in their life.

Disney Plus onslaught begins with $7 increase, Netflix begins heavy advertising campaign

George Cando
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If you’re noticing that Netflix has been running a lot more ads on tv, you can thank Disney Plus. Walt Disney unleashed a beast of streaming-only titles that are putting fear into all other streamers. Netflix included.

The Walt Disney Co.’s streaming plans shifted into hyper speed Thursday, as the studio unveiled a galaxy’s worth of new streaming offerings including plans for 10 “Star Wars” series spinoffs and 10 Marvel series that will debut on Disney+.

Disney Plus has suddenly become the crown jewel of the Disney empire that was launched in 2019. Having made close to $100 billion worth of acquisitions over the past 15 years makes the Mouse House suddenly the king of streamers.

Dozens of new “Star Wars,” Marvel, and Pixar projects, all based around multi-billion dollar franchises that are adored by kids and adults around the world, all appearing on Disney Plus one right after the other. Movies that would have gone to theaters are now Disney Plus exclusives, and Disney’s various TV divisions will supply a stream of shows. In 2019, Disney introduced an idea of a streamer. Now, Disney Plus will consistently be fed with content audiences have proven they will gobble up.

A brute show of power, introduced by a longtime Disney executive who smirked when announcing, “This is only the beginning.” In many ways, the stream of announcements feels like that. Disney has spent the last year pulling the sled up the hill, trying to get to the highest peak, before jumping on and actually enjoying the ride.

There will come a time when Disney has a new “Star Wars” or Marvel show seemingly every week, and that powerful harnessing of lucrative, sought-after, fan-adored brands should be terrifying to competitors (who have their own advantages. Netflix isn’t going to suddenly crumble.). Plus, even with the new shows — and raising the streaming content budget alone to $9 billion by 2024 — Disney is going to do it all for just $8 a month. That’s a $1 increase for a seemingly neverending supply of Marvel and Star Wars projects.

In a virtual presentation for investors, Disney chief executive Bob Chapek laid out super-sized ambitions for it direct-to-consumer efforts, leaning heavily on some of the company’s biggest brands. Over the next few years, Disney is planning to premiere directly on Disney+ not just an armada of “Star Wars” and Marvel series but 15 live-action, Pixar and animated series, and 15 live-action, Pixar and animated movies.

Chapek said Disney+ subscribers worldwide have reached 86.8 million, up from 74 million last month. The service has easily exceeded most forecasts, reaching that number 13 months since its launch in November 2019. Disney will increase the monthly price by $1 to $8 a month in March. The company forecasts 230-260 million subscribers by 2024.

To keep subscriber numbers climbing, Disney presented a blizzard of remakes, sequels and spinoffs of various shapes and sizes on Thursday — 100 new titles in all — including a “Beauty and the Beast” prequel series, a “Moana” animated series, a “Three Men and a Baby” reboot with Zac Efron, a “Swiss Family Robinson” series and, yes, even the Kardashians.

But Disney also kept its biggest films — including Marvel’s “Black Widow,” Pixar’s “Luca,” a “Lion King” prequel — on course for theatrical release. Whereas WarnerMedia last week pushed its entire 2021 slate to streaming, Disney executives signaled that theatrical release remains essential to its big-budget spectacles and its business, overall.

“We build the franchises through the theatrical window,” said Chapek.

Still, the four-hour presentation presented a more seamless vision of content across platforms that made scant mention of its closed theme parks, or of the pandemic. That included a dizzying amount of series, many of them connected to big-screen movies past and present. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige said a pair of new Marvel series — “Secret Invasion,” with Samuel Jackson, and “Ironheart” — will “tie directly to Marvel future films.” The only difference between the company’s short-form TV content and its theatrical content, said Bob Iger, executive chairman, “is length.”

Not all the news was in streaming. Lucasfilm announced that Patty Jenkins (“Wonder Woman”) will direct the next “Star Wars” theatrical film, “Rogue Squadron,” with a release in theaters planned for Christmas 2023.

Jenkins becomes the first woman to direct a “Star Wars” film. In a video, she said the film, about starship fighters, will satisfy a long-held dream of hers as the daughter of an Air Force captain.

“When he lost his life in service of this country, it ignited a desire in me to turn all of that tragedy and thrill into one day making the greatest fighter pilot movie of all time,” said Jenkins in a video message.

Other films are going ahead with theatrical plans, among them a Buzz Lightyear prequel, due in 2020, and the “Black Panther” sequel. Feige confirmed that the role of the late Chadwick Boseman will not be recast but that its makers are still interested in “exploring the world of Wakanda” in Ryan Coogler’s film, due in theaters July 2022.

Among the “Star Wars” series are two spinoffs of “The Mandalorian,” set during the series’ timeline: “Rangers of the New Republic” and “Ahsoka,” with Rosario Dawson. Shooting also recently began on “Andor,” a series developed by Tony Gilroy (“Bourne Identity”), with Diego Luna’s character from the 2016 film “Rogue One.”

Other, less expected “Star Wars” stars are returning. Hayden Christensen, who played Anakin Skywalker in the prequels, will reprise his role as Death Vader in “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” with Ewan McGregor.

“We have a vast and expansive timeline in the ‘Star Wars’ mythology, spanning over 25,000 years of history in the galaxy with each era being a rich resource for storytelling,” said Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm. “Now with Disney+ we can explore limitless story possibilities like never before and fulfill the promise that there is truly a ‘Star Wars’ story for everyone.”

Disney steered several upcoming movies to its streaming service, including “Pinocchio,” with Tom Hanks, “Peter Pan & Wendy” and an “Enchanted” sequel with Amy Adams titled “Disenchanted.” The animated “Raya and the Last Dragon” will in March debut simultaneously in theaters and by premier access on Disney+. That’s the same approach the company took earlier this fall for “Mulan,” with a $30 early-access fee on top of the monthly subscription.

Disney made other adjustments to reorient its film operations around streaming. Hulu, which this year debuted the Andy Samberg comedy “Palm Springs” and Sarah Paulson thriller “Run,” will be home to more original films from 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures. Hulu will also be the new home of the Kardashians, recently departed from E!. The streaming service also renewed “The Handmaid’s Tale” for a fifth season.

FX is developing the first series based on the “Alien” films, with Noah Hawley (“Fargo”) directing.

Many in Hollywood had eagerly awaited Disney’s response following WarnerMedia’s announcement last week that it will release all 17 of its 2021 films — from “Dune” to “The Matrix 4” — simultaneously on its streaming platform, HBO Max, and in theaters.

That move set off shockwaves prompting a backlash from much of the film industry, including theater chains, producing partners and some of the studio’s top talent. Christopher Nolan criticized the plans as “a bit of a mess.” Some said the long-forecast end times for cinemas had arrived. Others questioned the economics of one of Hollywood’s top studios sacrificing a year of box office — and the cascading windows of release that follow a theatrical run — to salvage the rocky rollout of HBO Max — a service that many HBO subscribers have yet still haven’t activated.

Wall Street approved. Stocks for WarnerMedia’s parent company AT&T are up about 6% since the announcement by Jason Kilar, chief executive of WarnerMedia and a veteran of Hulu and Amazon. John Stankey, the AT&T chief executive, on Tuesday said the pandemic had unleased a new media reality unlikely to fade after COVID-19. “That horse left the barn,” he said.

Compared to WarnerMedia, the present situation is very different for Disney, which has already laid the foundation for a formidable Netflix competitor in Disney+ and which has for years dominated the box office. The company’s films accounted for more than $13 billion in ticket sales worldwide last year and 38% of moviegoing in the U.S. and Canada. Seven Disney films topped $1 billion worldwide.

“Of the 100 new titles announced today, 80% of them will go to Disney+,” said Chapek. “But we had $13 billion of box office last year and that’s obviously not something to sneeze at. For us it’s about balance.”

As Disney made its presentation to investors Thursday, its shares reached an all-time high of $160.

This won’t come without some problems for the Mouse House though. Disney’s streaming division won’t be profitable until 2024. The company is bleeding heavily in areas such as their parks due to the pandemic. Disney had to lay off close to 30,000 employees this year alone. Giants like WarnerMedia are also breathing down Disney’s neck as they are moving quickly to add subscribers while also being less afraid to try risky moves.

Right now, customers will be the big winners. That is until Disney, WarnerMedia and the other giants start the price gouging again.

Upcoming Games to Look Forward to

MTTG Staff
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Upcoming Games to Look Forward to

If you are an avid gamer there is nothing better than looking forward to a new release of your favorite video game. Especially in a world that is requiring us to be more socially distant than ever, gaming might be something you enjoy more than ever.

In some cases, you might want to wait for the newest release of your favorite game, and there are plenty of great updates being made this year.

Or, you might want to consider branching out and trying something new that you have not played yet. Casinos are now available online and could be something that you want to look into playing.

In addition to looking forward to upcoming games, you can also consider upgrading your gaming console as the PlayStation 5 recently was released with amazing new technology.

sony ps4 major upgrade ps5 controllers

Upgrades to your Old Favorites

There are a lot of games, like Madden and other sports franchises, for example that put out new upgrades every year. Avid gamers and followers eagerly look forward to the release date with some even celebrating a “Madden Holiday,” taking a day off work or school to play the game when it is first released.

Sometimes the most comforting feeling is just knowing that something you love is going to come out with an improved version. Think of an upgrade to your favorite video game like a serving of your favorite comfort food. It’s not exactly new and exciting, but it is warm and comforting and brings you a lot of enjoyment.

Typically, many games have new versions released at the same time every year. If that is the case for your favorite, you can most likely look forward to that same release date again this year. Gaming companies love rewarding their customers with pre-releases and other rewards for pre-ordering, so consider ordering your copy today so you have it the day it becomes available. With a pre-order, you might get bonus rewards and other extra features to use when the game is actually released.

Online Casino Games

If you have never used an online casino before, now might be the time you want to start. From online slots to games like poker and blackjack, if you are into casino games, it has never been a better time to start playing them online.

The technology behind online casinos is constantly improving, and online slots actually use a pseudo-random number generator to ensure that the odds of winning are always the same. These types of random number generators are actually producing billions of times each second, so the odds of winning online slots and casinos are always completely randomized.

The software and technology that exist today makes it so many new types of online casino games are coming out all the time. If you are frustrated with the selection at the moment, waiting a month could mean something new and better will come out. But, in general, you should be able to find a casino game you like, as there are many available like:

  • Online slots with many different themes from Pac-Man to Game of Thrones and everything in between
  • Blackjack and other casino table games
  • Video Poker – you can join games at different payment amounts, you can play in tournaments with a random stranger, or you can even use online casinos to host a poker tournament with your friends

The possibilities with online casino games are seemingly endless. You are no longer limited to just what is available in a physical casino. Play online and watch as new games are updated and existing games are made faster and have upgraded graphics.

retro games missile command pac man and defender holidays 2020 gifts

Multiple Platforms

Do you need to own more than one type of gaming system? It might not be a bad idea, since the makers of platforms are always competing to get the best games available. You don’t want to get in the middle of a console war when you are just trying to get your hands on the latest and greatest game.

Before purchasing a platform, consider what games you want to play the most. For example, if you are a baseball fan and want to play MLB the Show, you will need to get your hands on a PlayStation as Xbox and other competitors do not carry that game.

While many games are available on multiple platforms, not all of them are. If you have your heart set on a certain game, make sure that it is available on the platform you are looking into purchasing. Or, purchase games that are available across a variety of different platforms.

New PlayStation 5

If you look forward to more than just game releases, look forward to the new release of the PlayStation 5. Having just come out in 2020, it is well worth the investment. While PlayStation 4 is still a quality platform that you can enjoy for years, if you have the inclination to upgrade, the new PlayStation 5 is phenomenal.

Here are just some of the ways the PlayStation 5 is new and improved over the older model:

  • Audio: you will now have a better audio experience with entire soundscapes in games being changed. You will feel like you are part of the action like never before
  • It’s quieter: in addition to improving the audio quality of gameplay, the machine itself runs quieter meaning you will hear the games better
  • You can still play PlayStation 4 games: sometimes when consoles upgrade they do not allow you to play the games you had for the earlier version. That is not the case here, so you do not need to worry about running out and buying all new versions of your favorite games.

It’s not to say you need to rush out and replace your older consoles, but if you have the money and are looking to upgrade, go for it. Since technology continues to make great improvements it only makes sense that you will need to periodically upgrade both your games and your gaming systems.

Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan lead rockers selling off publishing rights and making a bundle!

Jackie Warner
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Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan lead rockers selling off publishing rights and making a bundle!

One after another, veteran singer/songwriters are suddenly selling off their music catalogs which is shocking some fans. It’s also a reminder that many of them won’t be around with us much longer, and they are planning ahead for that time. Longtime fans are getting nervous, as it’s reminding them that their favorite rockers won’t be around forever.

When Prince suddenly died in 2016, it became quickly apparent why wills are very important. Especially when you have quite a few assets that family members are bound to fight over.

Stevie Nicks seems to have gotten the ball rolling this week when she sold an 80 percent interest in her music catalog to Primary Wave for $100 million. Her timing couldn’t have been more perfect as her 1970’s hit ‘Dreams’ slid back onto the Billboard Charts in Octobers after skateboarder Nathan Apodaca used it as background music for his TikTok video that went viral.

In another TikToc, Nicks herself pops up singing the song while lacing up a pair of roller skates. To top it off, Fleetwood Mac drummer, Mick Fleetwood, joined in making his own version of Apodaca’s video. TikTok smartly rolled all this into a commercial, jacking up the price for Nicks’ catalog. That’s what you call true corporate ‘synergy.’

For his longtime fans, Bob Dylan’s songbook is priceless. Well, like many, he’s put a price on it.

The Nobel Prize-winning songwriter has sold publishing rights to his catalog of more than 600 songs, one of the greatest treasures in popular music, to the Universal Music Publishing Group, it was announced on Monday.

His collection includes modern standards like “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Tangled Up in Blue” and “Like a Rolling Stone” through to this year’s 17-minute opus on the Kennedy assassination, “Murder Most Foul.” The body of work may only be matched for its breadth and influence by the Beatles, whose songs were re-acquired by Paul McCartney in 2017.

The price was not disclosed, but industry experts have suggested the sale is in the range of $300 million to a half-billion dollars.

The sale gives Universal the right, in perpetuity, to lease use of Dylan’s compositions to advertisers and movie, television or video game producers, or anyone who thinks his words and melodies could enhance their product.

Dylan’s team cautioned anyone against thinking this is a sign that the 79-year-old music legend is checking out. Rather, it seems like he’s taking advantage of a favorable business climate to find a comfortable home for his life’s work.

In cultural terms, Dylan’s catalog is “quite literally priceless,” said Anthony DeCurtis, a veteran music writer and contributing editor at Rolling Stone.

“It has been 60 years and it’s still going strong,” DeCurtis said. “There’s no reason to believe there’s going to be any diminishment in its significance.”

Dylan topped the Rolling Stone list of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time in 2015 and “Like A Rolling Stone” was named by the magazine as the best song ever written. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016, the only songwriter to receive the award.

Until Dylan and the Beatles, it was considered unusual for popular music songwriters to perform their own work. In an illustration of his lasting influence, 38-year-old Nashville-based singer Emma Swift is releasing a collection of Dylan covers this week, “Blonde on the Tracks.” The title is a nod to the classic Dylan albums “Blonde on Blonde” and “Blood on the Tracks.”

Dylan’s songs have been recorded more than 6,000 times, by artists from dozens of countries, cultures and music genres. Notable releases include the Byrds’ chart-topping version of “Mr. Tambourine Man,” Jimi Hendrix’s reworking of “All Along the Watchtower” and Adele’s cover of “Make You Feel My Love.”

Events have conspired to make song publishing a more valuable asset. Interest rates are favorable for companies looking to invest, and songs are seen as a reliable source of long-term income in an industry where streaming has taken control and the live concert business has at least temporarily collapsed due to the coronavirus pandemic, said Alan Light, a veteran music writer and host of his own SiriusXM show.

Given the pace of change in the industry, “songs seem to be the place to place your bets,” Light said.

New publishing and talent management companies like Primary Wave and Merck Mercuriadis’ Hipgnosis Song Fund have spring up to compete with long-time players in the industry like Universal and Sony. Stevie Nicks recently sold an 80% stake in her music to Primary Wave for a reported $100 million.

Despite the sale, Dylan does not lose total control over his work, a longtime fear of many musicians. The Universal deal does not include rights to Dylan’s own recordings of his material, so if Universal is approached to use Dylan’s recording of “Lay Lady Lay,” for example, that would have to be cleared by the artist.

Even in cases where Universal has control, the company is unlikely to risk doing something where Dylan would publicly object to how his work is being used. He’s never been a purist when it comes to commercial possibilities, having recorded ads for Victoria’s Secret and Cadillac.

Dylan’s songs, however, will long outlive him.

“It’s the kind of thing, if you want it done right, you want to take care of it yourself while you’re still at a stage in your life when you can do it right,” said Robert Levine, Billboard’s industry editorial director.

Dylan has performed regularly even as he’s aged, so much so that fans have joked he’s been on the “Never-Ending Tour” since the late 1980s. Only the pandemic has grounded him. He continues to record, with this year’s disc, “Rough and Rowdy Ways,” being well-received critically.

Judging from a tweet by David Crosby on Monday, other veteran musicians may be looking for their own deals. Crosby said he’s selling his catalog, too, noting that he can’t work because of the pandemic and that streaming has cut off record sales as a source of income.

“I have a family and a mortgage and I have to take care of them so it’s my only option,” Crosby said. “I’m sure the others feel the same.”

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