Sunday, January 23, 2011

New Program: Meet Chevrolet's "Cruze-arati"

I am very excited to announce the launch of a brand new campaign that I've been working hard on for the past 3 months. As you may know I've been working with Big Fuel Communications, General Motors' NYC-based social media agency of record. As a part of our campaign for the new Chevrolet Cruze we've created a web-based video series surrounding 6 passion points including Music, Sports, Travel, Fashion, Entertainment and Technology. The Cruze-arati campaign follows a different host within each passion point, each of whom is an established influencer in their field, as they blog, vlog and tweet their way across the country in search of the unexpected. Since I began work with Big Fuel I've focused primarily on delivering the web elements of the Music and Sports programs.

In Sports I am extremely honored to be working with host Amy Martin. Amy is the brilliant Phoenix-based founder of social media agency Digital Royalty. She has established herself as the go-to expert in social media specific to the professional sports world. Her clients have included the UFC, Shaq, the L.A. Kings, Chicago White Sox and more. Did I mention that she has over a MILLION Twitter followers? It has really been an honor to work with Amy as I admire her in so many ways. She is the closest to what I'd consider a professional role model, as she's accomplished so much of what I hope to in my career......and she's still young!



In the Music vertical I have the pleasure of working with host Steven Smith. Steven is a veteran music VJ and former host of Steven's Untitled Rock Show on Fuse, the Top 20 Countdown on VH1 and has been involved with a number of other television and web-based projects. Whereas Amy is someone that I hope to emulate in the social media end of my career, Steven is somebody who to me embodies all of the good that remains a part of the music industry. In an industry that in recent years has seemed to produce nothing but burnout, headache and cynicism, Steven brings an energy and enthusiasm to music that has been incredibly refreshing. I can't wait for people to see this on camera.



Though I'm not working within the travel vertical I just have to get in a plug for series host Mike Barish. If Amy is who I hope to emulate professionally and Steven's energy for music is something that I admire, my passion for travel is best embodied in Mike.



You can follow the program on cruze-arati.com, @Cruzearati on Twitter, and pick up some tips on Foursquare as well. I also have to give a shoutout to the segment producers that I've been working with on the project, Jared Pearlman and Iva Jukic. Both are incredibly talented and experienced producers who truly 'get' social media and its' unique implications on web video. More to come!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Top 30 Pop Songs of 2010

What a great year for pop music! I am truly delighted to have looked back on 2010 and found 30 pop songs that I truly loved. I'm looking forward to great music from all of these artists in 2011.

*1. "Take Control" (Sted E & Hybrid Heights Radio Edit) - Julissa Veloz
2. "Your Love Is My Drug" - Ke$ha
3. "King Of Anything" - Sarah Bareilles
4. "If Its Love" - Train
5. "All The Right Moves" - OneRepublic
6. "Telephone" - Lady Gaga feat. Beyonce'
7. "Speechless" - Lady Gaga
8. "Billionaire" - Travie McCoy feat. Bruno Mars
9. "Gives You Hell" - Glee Cast
10. "Stereo Love" - Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina
11. "Naturally" (Dave Aude Remix) - Selena Gomez & The Scene
12. "Bad Romance" - Lady Gaga
13. "Oh Yeah" - Rod Carrillo & Ronnie Sumrall feat. Bodega Charlie
14. "Grenade" - Bruno Mars
15. "Only Girl (In The World)" - Rihanna
16. "Going Strong" (The Grower Guitarra Mix) - Natalia Flores
17. "You Belong With Me" - Taylor Swift
18. "Raindrops" - Basement Jaxx
19. "Acapella" - Kelis
20. "Misery" - Maroon 5
21. "Secrets" - OneRepublic
22. "Haven't Met You Yet" - Michael Buble
23. "Strange Condition" - Morgan Page
24. "Indestructible" - Robyn
25. "We No Speak Americano" - Yolanda B Cool & Dcup
26. "Poker Face" - Glee Cast
27. "Overload" (Buzz Junkies Club Mix) - Dana Rayne
28. "Shut Up And Let Me Go" - The Ting Tings
29. "Break Your Heart" - Taio Cruze feat. Ludacris
30. "We Are Golden" - Mika

*The #1 most-played track on my ipod in 2010