Frost School of Music UM’s Post

New blog post alert! Dive into the world of Simon Bacon, Peter Lang Series Editor, with our latest Peak Reads and Playlists feature. Instead of exploring music, this feature is all about the visual arts - films and television! Discover Simon Bacon's top picks and get inspired. Read it now! https://ow.ly/MYww50SBwrO #PeakReads #GenreFiction #FilmStudies #PeterLangPublishing

Directed & Creative Directed this video for my recent drop "BIG STEPPA" and produced on this track. "BIG STEPPA" isn't just a record, it's a declaration of self-empowerment and unapologetic confidence, it challenges the listeners to embrace their inner strength, defy societal norms, and elevate their consciousness. https://lnkd.in/eP8xbkVe

CBS Cut Piano Man. Billy Joel's Sunday's concert was delayed by the Masters, then abruptly cut by CBS during final verse of singer's most beloved song. Attention Marketing is a fun way to capture your audience. Try it with your business. Don't know where to start? Schedule a free 15 minute consultation at www.andycostafilms.com #digitalmarketing #attention #emotional #emotions Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/gVur-aP6

URGENT: 100 Strangers Needed in 24 Hours — Minneapolis creatives, I need your help. Hello LinkedIn. It's Liban (lee~ben) here, and I'm reaching out with an urgent message. As the founder of Strangers Meeting Strangers (SMS), I find myself in a situation where I need to be fully transparent with our community. We're facing a challenge, and I take full responsibility for it. Tomorrow night, we're hosting our second non-government affiliated Town Hall at Theatre in the Round — an event that's grown from a simple idea of two strangers meeting on stage to becoming the largest intentional gathering of creatives in our city. But here's the truth: We've planned for 200 attendees, and with just 24 hours to go, we're only halfway there (100/200). This is on me. I waited too long to reach out, believing that word would spread naturally. I was wrong, and now I'm turning to you — our community — for support. Picture this: A 360-degree theater filled with artists, musicians, and creatives from all walks of life. The air is electric with anticipation. Strangers are becoming collaborators. Real, raw conversations are unfolding. The soul-stirring melodies of The Cherry Pit are washing over the crowd. Tickets available here: https://lu.ma/6518k4tt Why Attend? (1) Real Talk: Engage in honest conversations about money, purpose, and the challenges of a creative life. (2) Live Music: Experience the beautiful, soul-stirring melodies of The Cherry Pit. (3) Community Building: Be part of a movement shaping the future of our creative community. (4) Networking: Connect with fellow creatives who understand your journey. This isn't just another networking event. It's a chance to speak your truth and be heard, to shape the future of our creative community. If you're reading this, I want you to please consider yourself personally invited. And if you can't make it, I'd like you to share this message. Your single share could bring the person who changes the trajectory of our creative scene. Tickets available here: https://lu.ma/6518k4tt From one stranger to another, thank you. #StrangersMeetingStrangers #SMS #MinneapolisCreatives #TownHall #CommunityBuilding

Unequivocally, IMHO, the MOST exhilarating launch in the hospitality space this year by Airbnb. The 30-minutes long announcement video introduces 11 icons that provide unique immersive experiences. These Icons span from pop culture to pop music to movie franchise and tap into the upcoming Olympics and nostalgia. Ultimately, these magical experiences toy with our curiosity, imagination and fascination. Airbnb is disrupting the experiential travel category with Icons. The offering casts such a wide net, whether you are Gen Z or a suburban family of four with a dog, I would be shocked if you don't find one or two experiences appealing. This definitely goes into the list of "I wish I am a part of the design team". #experientialtravel #Xmen #Olympics2024 #innovation #immersiveexperience

Last night, I watched the #1 Netflix Show in the country, Dave Chappelle’s stand up show Dreamer. In addition to having the #1 Netflix show, Dave had the #1 grossing comedy tour in 2023. His popularity has soared in recent years despite criticism from many for his hard hitting comedy that spares few people. I believe that Dave has weathered the cultural wars many brands and people have faced because of his authenticity. Dave has been authentic to the same comedy and persona many have enjoyed since Half Baked and The Chappelle Show. It’s what his customers expect. More people expect brands to remain authentic as well, and Dave proves people from all backgrounds reward authenticity. I love this quote in the below article that speaks to the audience at Dave’s shows: “In Memphis, San Antonio and St. Louis, fans wore pristine sneakers and stylish outfits. Others sported heavy-metal T-shirts and tattoos. They were a mix of races, ages and genders that a political party would envy.” If other brands can curate that type of customer base they will create incredible value. Authenticity is the way to do it.

In 1976, Imagination, led by Jeff Hale in collaboration with the Children's Television Workshop, produced a series of one-minute segments designed to teach kids to count to 12. If you grew up watching Sesame Street, these 11 segments are likely etched in your memory. Set to a jazz/funk soundtrack performed by the Pointer Sisters, the segments feature a pinball bouncing around a Rube Goldberg-esque machine, counting up as it goes. Reflecting on this series, I began to wonder how it came to be. For me, these segments just existed, but of course, they had to start somewhere—with a brief. I imagine the brief might have been something like, "How about a one-minute, educational segment? Maybe about numbers? And what if we used pinball?" 1976 was a significant year for pinball in the U.S. Pinball was no longer considered gambling or a game of chance, thanks to court rulings in San Francisco in 1974 and New York in 1976. Before that, pinball was regulated as gambling. Additionally, The Who’s Tommy (featuring "Pinball Wizard") had been released in 1975. Pinball was having its day. Even with all that context, what was produced defies logic. The music, for example, features complex time signatures that go far beyond what any typical paycheck could justify. The animation is trippy and countercultural. And yet, it aired on Sesame Street. To be clear, it slaps. Attached is a video of a musician breaking down the time signatures. Your ears can pick up on complex rhythms, even if you might not be able to count them out. Still, I really enjoyed seeing the complexity of the music track. I want to use the existence of “Pinball Number Count” as a manifesto: Add more of yourself, and what you want to see and hear, into your creative work than the brief asks for. https://lnkd.in/e-EfnuuW

Airbnb gets it and they know how to surprise and delight their consumers. I have been consulting for their luxury department in the pst five years and I can confirm that they do have access to some of the most unbelievable and unique places before they get mainstream. How can we learn from this? • 🧞♂️Unique Offerings: Airbnb’s “Icons” include standout experiences like a stay in the Ferrari Museum—combining travel with #UNIQUE & LOCAL culture. • 💎#PREMIUM Positioning: Moves Airbnb beyond just budget stays to high-end, exclusive experiences. • 👯♀️#Brand DIFFERENTIATION : Sets Airbnb apart in a saturated market by focusing on unique, CURATED experiences that are more than just accommodations. • 🌍Market EXPANSION: Attracts travelers interested in luxury or one-of-a-kind stays, potentially increasing average earnings per booking. • 👌#QUALITY Focus: Ongoing updates improve user experience by ensuring reliable stays and reducing host cancellations, boosting customer trust and satisfaction . They are basically able to dream, and find ways to let people dream with them. A fun and clever way to create excitement 🌟

Airbnb Launches "Icon" Category: Redefining Experiential Marketing in the Travel Industry. Airbnb has done it again! The pioneering travel company has just launched its new "Icon" category, offering users the opportunity to stay in some of the most remarkable, one-of-a-kind properties around the world. From a floating house in London to a treehouse in the Redwoods, these iconic spaces promise to redefine the way we travel and experience new destinations. But the "Icon" category is more than just a collection of unique accommodations. It's a master class in experiential marketing. By curating these properties and presenting them as exclusive, bucket-list-worthy experiences, Airbnb is tapping into the growing desire among travelers for authentic, immersive, and shareable moments. This move echoes Airbnb's previous successes with experiential marketing campaigns, such as "Night At" events and "Airbnb Experiences." By consistently focusing on creating memorable, emotionally resonant experiences that align with its brand values, Airbnb has built a loyal following and differentiated itself in a crowded market. #Airbnb #ExperientialMarketing #TravelIndustry #IconCategory #CustomerExperience #mastersstudentuk

HUGE step forward that transcends the Hospitality concept and industry.