vzillion Names Elise Wright VP of Marketing & Digital Messaging

Monday, 12 December 2011 00:00 Last Updated on Friday, 16 December 2011 12:32 Written by Ruth J. Morrison

vzillion, the personal utility, announced today that Elise Wright will join the company as VP of Marketing & Digital Messaging starting January 2, 2012. Wright will be responsible for developing innovative marketing, digital initiatives and content development. She will report directly to vzillion's CEO, Antonio Collier.

Wright joins vzillion after a stellar fifteen-year career at Universal Music Group, where she most recently served as SVP of Marketing, Digital, and Artist Development for Universal Republic. Wright is a global marketing executive specializing in multi-cultural brand building and has overseen projects for Stevie Wonder, Akon, Enrique Iglesias, Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, India Arie, Lil Jon, Cash Money Records artists and more. She helped Cash Money further expand their international brand and genre base with the launch of multi-million selling pop artists Jay Sean and Kevin Rudolf. Over the years, Wright has directed the careers of artists who have delivered multiple number one selling singles, albums and platinum albums. She has also supervised publicity and marketing efforts surrounding various high-profile special events including the Super Bowl, Grammys, MTV, VH1 and BET Award performances. 

"Elise is a great manager who will help grow vzillion's marketing operations globally," said Collier. "She has relevant experience and a track record of building innovative means of engagement and marketing. Elise understands

vzillion's vision of delivering an amazing end-to-end ecosystem and she is passionate in helping us realize that vision."

"I'm thrilled to be joining the amazing talents on board vzillion. This is an exciting time for the digital industry, especially in music.  When technology entered the music business ecosystem it was an apocalyptic event simply because it wasn't embraced. This is what vzillion is getting right, designing with industries and not ahead of them. One ecosystem we are focused on is the music industry. To crack that nut you have to 'see' different and have collaboration from the beginning," said Wright. "I am also insanely excited about some of the new revenue-generating opportunities that we will be introducing to the masses."

"We are passionate about people and know that once they see what we are developing they will be just as excited. vzillion's innovative approach to technology has us perfectly positioned for immediate growth."

"To be such a brash, young company and attract this level of brilliant talent, we couldn't be more pleased. We have a mission and Elise is going to be a vital part of simplifying the landscape, and that is exciting. When culture and technology are in stride, a new way is the result. The web lacks vibe for the most part; what is beyond search and social networking? Incredibly talented people like Elise are going to help vzillion show the world what is. And this is only the beginning," added Collier.

Wright, who graduated from Spelman College and attended Cornell University, currently resides in New York with her husband.

The Rapper Drake Going Back To His Old Management?

Friday, 02 December 2011 16:53 Last Updated on Friday, 02 December 2011 19:01 Written by Ruth J. Morrison

 The New York Post Page Six is reporting that the rapper Drake is cleaning house. The 25-year-old Canadian-born rapper whose album “Take Care” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts last week fired his managers Gee Roberson, Al Branch, Kyambo Joshua and Bryant Cortez of Hip Hop Since 1978, the firm that also manages Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj. The “What’s My Name” rapper also gave notice to his agents at International Creative Management including Dana Sims and Robert Gibbs, who were “panicked” yesterday about their outstanding deals with the chart topper. William Morris Endeavor agent Brent Smith’s assistant confirmed that he has taken on the Cash Money artist. Smith also reps David Crosby, Snoop Dogg, and Graham Nash.

“Drake just felt like there were too many hands in his pockets,” a source told the New York Post. “He was getting pulled in too many different directions.” The source added that there was conflict between the rapper’s original management team in Canada and the ones he picked up along the way. “His team from Canada is trying to wrestle back control,” a source said. “He may go back to them to streamline things.”

Sometimes, you just gotta go with the ones who brought you into the game.

T-Boz of TLC Files for Bankruptcy

Tuesday, 29 November 2011 17:49 Written by Ruth J. Morrison

TMZ is reporting that Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkinslead singer of the 1990s girl group TLC filed for bankruptcy. T-Boz, who filed papers in October, owes $768,642.99 to creditors, reports TMZ. The singer claims she has not received child support payments totaling $250,000.

T-Boz joins the celebrity bankruptcy club which includes labelmate Toni Braxton, who also declared bankruptcy the first time in 1998. Both TLC and Toni Braxton were signed on the LaFace/Arista record label. Other celebrities who have filed for bankruptcy protection include: Cyndi Lauper, Mike Tyson, Willie Nelson, Stephen Baldwin,and Donald Trump.

Michael Jackson's Doctor Sentenced to 4 Years in Jail

Tuesday, 29 November 2011 17:42 Written by Ruth J. Morrison

As many expected, the judge in the case of Dr. Conrad Murray, threw the book at the infamous doctor.  Dr. Murray, Michael Jackson’s personal physician, was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment in an L.A. County jail on Tuesday.

The Huffington Post reports that Conrad Murray, 58, stood stone-faced as Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor declared him an unfit candidate for probation and pronounced the sentence for involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's 2009 death, citing Murray's involvement in what the judge called a "cycle of horrible medicine."

"He has absolutely no sense of remorse," the judge said. "[Murray] is and remains dangerous. ... I think Dr. Murray is so reckless that I believe he is a danger to the community."

Pastor said the court will order Dr. Murray to pay restitution to Jackson's estate and children in an amount to be determined at a later restitution hearing when they can get more detailed information. Pastor also ordered $800 in restitution to the court, a $30 court security fee, and a $40 criminal conviction assessment.

"We know that Michael Jackson, as a direct result of the actions of Dr. Murray died on June 25, 2009, leavening his three children without their father," Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney David Walgren said during the proceedings. "It is the people's opinion that prison is warranted."

"As his brothers and sisters we will never be able to hold, laugh or perform with our brother Michael," said spokesman Brian Panish, delivering a collective statement from the Jackson family. "As his children we will grow up without a father, our best friend, our playmate and our dad. We are not here to seek revenge. There is nothing you can do today that will bring Michael back. But we will keep the love in our hearts that Michael embodied throughout his life. His passion was for unifying the world through the gift of his artistry. We respectfully request that you impose a sentence that reminds physicians that they cannot sell their services to the highest bidder and cast aside their Hippocratic Oath to do no harm. As we all know from this tragedy doing so can have devastating results."

Murray's legal team plans to file an appeal.

Dr. Murray was sentenced to county jail and not the California state prison system because of prison overcrowding.