ReportWire

Tag: billboard

  • The Hazel Park Billboard That Took Over Metro Detroit

    [ad_1]

    If you’ve driven anywhere near I-75 and 9 Mile, chances are you’ve seen it — or at least heard about it from someone who suddenly slammed the brakes on their group chat.

    A digital billboard in Hazel Park has gone viral for displaying one very specific, very personal message to one very specific guy:

    “take me back abey — i miss and love you. love, jaydn”

    No branding.
    No emojis.
    No explanation.

    Just heartbreak… in lowercase… doing 70 miles per hour.

    And like any good Michigan moment, the sign didn’t just catch eyes — it hijacked the internet.


    A Billboard That Accidentally Became Everyone’s Business

    This wasn’t an ad for a lawyer, a dispensary, or Joumana Kayrouz’s face staring into your soul. This was a straight-up romantic Hail Mary — paid for, scheduled, and aimed directly at a mystery man named Abey.

    Which immediately raised the only questions that matter:

    Who is Abey?
    What did Abey do?
    And at what point does a breakup escalate to freeway-level intervention?

    Drivers started snapping photos. TikToks followed. Screenshots spread. Suddenly, thousands of people who had no intention of emotionally investing in a stranger’s relationship were now fully invested.

    Morning commuters. Afternoon traffic. People just trying to get home with groceries — all involuntary witnesses to a love story gone sideways.


    The Internet, Predictably, Lost Its Mind

    Social media did what it does best: immediately split into camps.

    • “This is actually really sweet.”
    • “This is deeply unhinged behavior.”
    • “Abey is never coming back.”
    • “If my name was Abey, I’d move.”

    Some commenters applauded the vulnerability. Others questioned whether public pressure has ever successfully repaired a relationship. A few wondered how much billboard space costs — and whether that money might have been better spent on couples counseling, DoorDash, or a dramatic but private text message.

    And then came the theories.


    Theories, Speculation, and Full-Blown Detective Work

    Because there’s no official backstory, the internet filled in the blanks at Olympic speed.

    Some believe Jaydn is the heartbroken ex, pulling out every last emotional stop. Others speculate the message was posted by a friend, or that it’s part of a viral stunt designed to grab attention. There are even debates over spelling — Jaydn vs. Jadyn — because the internet will absolutely argue about anything except minding its own business.

    What we don’t know is almost more compelling than what we do.

    Did Abey see the sign?
    Did Abey respond?
    Did Abey immediately take Southfield Road to avoid feelings?

    No updates. No follow-up billboard. No “we’re back together” sequel.

    Which, frankly, only made people care more.


    Why This Hit So Hard in Metro Detroit

    This story works because it taps into something painfully universal.

    Everyone’s been there — the breakup you replay in your head. The text you almost send. The dramatic gesture you think might fix everything, but deep down know probably won’t.

    Most people stop at typing and deleting a message.

    Jaydn rented billboard space.

    There’s something about seeing raw emotion displayed in such a loud, public way that makes it impossible to ignore. It forces you to slow down — literally and emotionally — and think, “Wow… someone is going through it.”

    And Michigan loves that kind of shared moment. We love weird. We love heartfelt. We love a story that turns a regular commute into a group therapy session.


    Romance or Red Flag?

    That’s the question everyone keeps asking.

    Is this a grand romantic gesture straight out of a rom-com?
    Or is it the kind of move that guarantees Abey will never return your hoodie?

    The truth probably lives somewhere in the middle.

    It’s brave. It’s awkward. It’s sincere. It’s a little uncomfortable. And it’s extremely human.

    And that’s why it worked — not necessarily as a relationship strategy, but as a cultural moment.


    The Final Take

    Whether this was a genuine plea, a bold creative gamble, or a moment of emotional chaos that accidentally went viral, the Hazel Park billboard did one undeniable thing:

    It made thousands of strangers stop, look, and care.

    For a brief moment, traffic wasn’t about lanes or exits — it was about feelings. And in a world flooded with noise, that’s kind of remarkable.

    So if you’re driving past I-75 and 9 Mile and catch yourself glancing up at the sign…

    You’re not rubbernecking traffic.

    You’re rubbernecking a breakup.

    And Abey — wherever you are —
    Metro Detroit would really like an update.

    [ad_2]

    Jim O’Brien

    Source link

  • Venezuelan Singers in Exile React to María Corina Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize: ‘Warrior of the Light’

    [ad_1]

    Social media was flooded Friday (Oct. 10) with messages of joy and congratulations for Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who was announced in the morning as the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize — including posts by several Venezuelan singers in exile.

    “What a source of pride, my GOD. Waking up to this news today is something historic,” wrote singer-songwriter Danny Ocean, who has spoken openly (and even sung) about Venezuela’s political crisis, in a lengthy post on X (formerly Twitter). “Today, peace has the face of a woman, and nothing is more inspiring than waking up to news like this,” expressed singer-songwriter Elena Rose on her Instagram Stories, calling the honoree a “warrior of the light.”

    More from Billboard

    María Corina Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy,” according to the announcement on the official social media accounts of the prestigious award. “As the leader of the democracy movement in Venezuela, Maria Corina Machado is one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in Latin America in recent times.”

    “Ms. Machado has been a key and unifying figure in a previously deeply divided political opposition, an opposition that found common ground in the demand for free elections and representative government,” continued the statement about the former presidential candidate, who has been forced to live in hiding in the past year. “This is precisely what lies at the heart of democracy: our shared willingness to defend the principles of popular rule, even though we disagree. At a time when democracy is under threat, it is more important than ever to defend this common ground.”

    Machado was set to challenge President Nicolás Maduro in the July 28, 2024, presidential elections, but the government disqualified her, and opposition candidate Edmundo González took her place. Venezuela’s electoral authority declared Maduro the winner with 51.2% of the vote (without presenting supporting evidence), while the opposition denounced irregularities in the vote count and asserted that their candidate had received nearly 70% of the votes. The protests that followed turned violent due to the repression of the Armed Forces and police. An arrest warrant for González forced him to seek asylum in Spain, while Machado was compelled to go into hiding.

    The issue was addressed last year in a historic Billboard Español cover story with multiple Venezuelan artists speaking out from exile for democracy in their country.

    Below, read some reactions from Venezuelan musicians to the news of María Corina Machado’s 2025 Nobel Peace Prize (listed alphabetically by name).

    Carlos Baute, on X: “Today, the world recognizes what Venezuela already knows: María Corina Machado is a symbol of freedom, democracy, and hope.”

    Danny Ocean, on X: “What a source of pride, my GOD. You know… as a child, I had the great opportunity to live in a country very close to South Africa. I lived there during Mandela’s presidency. Seeing how my friends and classmates adored Madiba had a huge impact on my life. Waking up to this news today is historic — not just the fact that María Corina is ours, not just the fact that she is a Venezuelan woman, not just because of her bravery and her struggle… but because of the impact this will have on the future. I know that, like me, many children will have María Corina as their role model, and some of them will sing about the pain and longing of many, while others will continue to defend, fight, and push the horizons of freedom. What an immense joy. Congratulations on such an admirable recognition, Mother.”

    Elena Rose, on her Instagram Stories: “Today, peace has the face of a woman, and nothing is more inspiring than waking up to news like this. María Corina Machado, woman, Venezuelan, mother, warrior; I honor your courage and resilience, which you defend with love and which is echoing around the world and in the hearts of many. The true beauty of Venezuelan women lies in her two well-placed ovaries. I embrace your soul, warrior of the light; this news embraces all of us. A Nobel Peace Prize for Venezuela and all Venezuelans. What a powerful signal.”

    Ella Bric, in a video shared on her Instagram Stories: “This is a moment of celebration. Venezuela has a Nobel Prize. This has been a beautiful day for the country, and we must all celebrate it together, above any differences or disagreements. Bravo. Bravo, bravo, bravo.”

    Franco De Vita, on Instagram: “What a great example you have set for the entire world. Venezuelans could not feel prouder of you, María Corina Machado. You are the greatest thing this country has ever produced.”

    Jerry Di, on his Instagram Stories: “Wow, aunt Cori, what an incredible piece of news to start the day. You deserve it so much.”

    José Luis Rodríguez “El Puma”, on his Instagram Stories: “María Corina Machado: Our warrior who has what some men lack. Those of us inside and outside Venezuela pray for you so that you never give up and so we can reclaim our country in freedom and recover it spiritually, economically, and with the patriotic values that should never have been lost. Long live a free Venezuela.”

    Ricardo Montaner, on X: “María Corina, you’ve just given me a hopeful awakening. Congratulations, you represent the feelings of millions… May God bless you to the very end.”

    Best of Billboard

    Sign up for Billboard’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Trans-Siberian Orchestra Unveils Prepping Anniversary Celebration for 2025 Tour

    [ad_1]

    The Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) announced a massive 64-city winter run, mixing a new spin on “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” with a special tribute to their Beethoven’s Last Night album’s 25th year. Shows start November 13, with teams hitting both Green Bay and Council Bluffs.

    “When I go back and listen to our songs, I am always amazed at how quickly the time has gone by. It’s been 25 years since we recorded Beethoven’s Last Night, and it seems just like yesterday,” said musical director and guitarist Al Pitrelli, according to BraveWords.

    “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” is about a child who explores an old theater on Christmas Eve. After intermission, fans will hear the band’s most thunderous hits.

    After a four-year break, fans can once again meet the musicians. Night show ticket holders can bring one item to get signed with no extra cost. You can choose an eye-catching lenticular cover with silver discs or a deep red vinyl version.

    Staying true to their roots, the group will donate $1 from each ticket to help local groups. They grabbed the No. 4 spot on Pollstar’s Top North America Tours and landed at No. 5 in Billboard’s mid-2025 rankings for ticket sales. Their signature tune, “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24,” just reached over 100 million streams.

    This monster tour packs 106 shows into just seven weeks, and the final performance is on December 30. Big venues like Chicago’s Allstate Arena, New York’s UBS Arena, Nationwide Arena in Columbus, and LA’s Honda Center will shake with their signature sound. They’ll combine theatrical storytelling, pyrotechnics, and classic rock fusion for an immersive holiday experience. You can view the concert dates and buy tickets on the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s website.

    [ad_2]

    Laura Adkins

    Source link

  • Who are the 10 most “influential” artists? – ReverbNation Blog

    Who are the 10 most “influential” artists? – ReverbNation Blog

    [ad_1]

    Who are the most influential artists right now? We don’t have to wonder anymore. Luminate has the data!

    Which is good news for businesses, because this question about influence is one they’ll ask whenever considering some form of paid partnership with an artist. They want to spend money wisely, and having reliable data to justify the expense is helpful.

    Enter the music-data experts at Luminate, who have developed a new scoring system to measure artist “influence.”

    Let’s take a look at how it works (and the top-ranked artists).

    How does influence scoring work for artists?

    According to Billboard, the scoring system:

    “… was developed to allow brands, agencies, labels & others to help evaluate artists in terms of partnerships, endorsements, marketing campaigns, creative integration and more.”

    Artists are ranked on this “Luminate Index” according to five areas:

    1. Music streaming footprint
    2. Social media footprint
    3. Public awareness
    4. Public appeal
    5. Fan engagement in relation to live shows & other events

    Which artists ranked highest on the influence index?

    Interesting to note: Not a single emerging artist hit the Top 10. 

    That also makes sense though, since the scoring criteria favors metrics & attributes that strengthen with time (such as public notoriety). 

    So it probably won’t surprise you who came in 1st place!

    The 10 highest artist scores for Q3 2024’s Luminate Index are (out of 100):

    1. Taylor Swift, 100
    2. Adele, 92
    3. Beyoncé, 91
    4. Elton John, 90
    5. Rihanna, 90
    6. Eminem, 89
    7. Shakira, 88
    8. Ariana Grande, 88
    9. Lady Gaga, 88
    10. Dolly Parton, 87

    What do artist influence rankings mean?

    Well, don’t be shocked if these top-ranked artists continue to dominate near-term when it comes to appearances, commercials, sponsorships, placements, & Batman films (looking at you, Gaga!).

    ‘Cause the data now supports their continued influence. Which, of course, indicates ROI for businesses.

    [ad_2]

    Chris Robley

    Source link

  • NY Cannabis Control Board Approves 100+ Licenses at Contentious Meeting – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news

    NY Cannabis Control Board Approves 100+ Licenses at Contentious Meeting – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news

    [ad_1]





    NY Cannabis Control Board Approves 100+ Licenses at Contentious Meeting – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news




























    skip to Main Content

    [ad_2]

    Tom Hymes

    Source link

  • Nia Allen Set to Release Highly Anticipated Radio Single ‘Sunshine’ on July 19

    Nia Allen Set to Release Highly Anticipated Radio Single ‘Sunshine’ on July 19

    [ad_1]

    The Fresh Face of Gospel & Inspirational Music, Nia Allen, Unveils New Single ‘Sunshine’

    #1 Billboard artist, Nia Allen, with previous back-to-back chart-topping radio hits “Wait” and “I’m In Love”, is once again ready to captivate audiences with her feel-good sing-along song with lyrics that are joyful, uplifting and encouraging. Her latest offering, Sunshine, a collaboration with Jor’dan Armstrong (3x #1 Billboard artist), is set to release on Friday, July 19, through Lewis-Kortez Group. The well-produced track more than delivers a melodic journey with inspiration for all who listen.

    “I pray when people listen to Sunshine, they are reminded that they are loved and seen by a faithful God. We wrote this song so listeners would be encouraged and filled with HOPE,” says Allen.

    Sunshine is right on time as it delivers an upbeat tempo with heartfelt purpose and is truly a song everyone can enjoy. Jor’dan Armstrong, a producer known for music that speaks to the intersection of Gospel & R&B and reaches a multi-generational audience that has impacted listeners and gained over 250 million streams, produced the new single. Sunshine is already buzzing with support. “I Love This Song,” says Tracy Bethea, PD/Mid-South Brand Coordinator of Gospel for iHeart Media. 

    Nia Allen brings her beautiful voice and sweet melodies to Sunshine, a song that is sure to uplift all who hear it.

    Sunshine Track List

    1. Sunshine
    2. Sunshine (Instrumental)

    On release day, July 19, Nia will host a private media dinner with top radio executives and industry influencers in Las Vegas ahead of the 39th Stellar Awards. Allen will be embarking on a promo tour for Sunshine and gearing up to release her highly anticipated studio album Hope is Rising later this year. The upcoming project features incredible collaborations with Grammy Award-winning Aaron Lindsey, Jamel Kimbrough, and MAJOR.

    Stay Connected

    IG @niaallenmusic

    FB @niaallenmusic

    Website NiaAllenMusic.com

    About Nia Allen 

    #1 Billboard artist garnering top success with her inspirational hit song “Wait” and chart-topping single “I’m In Love” is excited to release her new highly anticipated single Sunshine. Nia’s music has been described as the sound of pure and passionate. Nia is one of this generation’s fresh talents leading the way in inspirational music. Having a universal appeal, her music is honest, uplifting and captivating to the soul. 

    Allen, a renowned worship leader for the likes of CeCe Winans, Beth Moore, Dr. Tony Evans and more. Nia Allen has been a recurring guest artist on TBN; she also performed at one of Gospel music’s most coveted events, the celebrated Stellar Awards where she delivered a stunning main-stage performance. Nia has also appeared on national TV specials, commercials, and music projects with top talent including Mariah Carey, Tori Kelly, and Phil Wickham, and continues to gain national and international exposure.

    She’s touched millions more with inspirational performances from churches to concert venues around the world. 

    Source: Lewis-Kortez Group

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Mothers share stories of loss as new billboard highlighting fentanyl crisis goes up in Sacramento

    Mothers share stories of loss as new billboard highlighting fentanyl crisis goes up in Sacramento

    [ad_1]

    A new billboard is putting real faces behind the deadly fentanyl epidemic in our region. And their moms are speaking out about their lives — and loss.“My life has changed forever,” said Sharon Freeman, a mother who lost her son to fentanyl poisoning just last month. “It’s different.”Drivers traveling southbound on Interstate 5 in North Natomas will see 24 faces of people who lost their lives to the deadly drug. The photos include Freeman’s son, Riley.The organization Drug Induced Homicide organized the billboard, calling on local families to come together for the powerful message. Mareka Cole organized the initiative and encouraged anyone who has lost a child to fentanyl to reach out and seek resources through the organization.Clutching a photo of her son, Izaya, Stephanie Boatright fought back tears.“I just want people to be aware of what this drug is doing,” Boatright said. “It’s not even a drug, this is poison and we’re losing our kids out here left and right.”On Monday, Boatright stood alongside mothers who too know her pain as the new billboard lit up for the first time. “I never thought this would happen to my son, never in a million years,” Boatright said. “This is what’s going on and it’s real life. This is the worst imaginable thing.”Boatright hoped the billboard would prompt change. She wants to see someone held accountable for the many young people accidentally losing their lives due to the drug. Marlena Potter wants that accountability for her son, and others, too.“We need to figure out how to come together. It’s not a political issue it’s how do we to get fentanyl off the street and protect this next generation,” Potter said.Lisa Ezell’s son, Cameron March, died from fentanyl poisoning after purchasing what he believed to be a Percocet, she said. “He had no idea there was fentanyl in it and it killed him immediately,” Ezell said. She encouraged all parents to talk with their children about the dangers of the drug and to understand it may be present within other substances. She hoped the new billboard would help spark conversations amongst family members about the challenging subject.“My son wasn’t a drug addict,” Ezell said. “People still don’t know what fentanyl is. They might see the billboard and look it up and then they might be able to have conversations with their families, their kids, their grandkids.”The billboard will be up in the location along southbound Interstate 5 for a month. Cole said she is working on getting another one up in the region in the coming weeks.

    A new billboard is putting real faces behind the deadly fentanyl epidemic in our region. And their moms are speaking out about their lives — and loss.

    “My life has changed forever,” said Sharon Freeman, a mother who lost her son to fentanyl poisoning just last month. “It’s different.”

    Drivers traveling southbound on Interstate 5 in North Natomas will see 24 faces of people who lost their lives to the deadly drug. The photos include Freeman’s son, Riley.

    The organization Drug Induced Homicide organized the billboard, calling on local families to come together for the powerful message. Mareka Cole organized the initiative and encouraged anyone who has lost a child to fentanyl to reach out and seek resources through the organization.

    Clutching a photo of her son, Izaya, Stephanie Boatright fought back tears.

    “I just want people to be aware of what this drug is doing,” Boatright said. “It’s not even a drug, this is poison and we’re losing our kids out here left and right.”

    On Monday, Boatright stood alongside mothers who too know her pain as the new billboard lit up for the first time.

    “I never thought this would happen to my son, never in a million years,” Boatright said. “This is what’s going on and it’s real life. This is the worst imaginable thing.”

    Boatright hoped the billboard would prompt change. She wants to see someone held accountable for the many young people accidentally losing their lives due to the drug. Marlena Potter wants that accountability for her son, and others, too.

    This content is imported from Twitter.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    “We need to figure out how to come together. It’s not a political issue it’s how do we to get fentanyl off the street and protect this next generation,” Potter said.

    Lisa Ezell’s son, Cameron March, died from fentanyl poisoning after purchasing what he believed to be a Percocet, she said.

    “He had no idea there was fentanyl in it and it killed him immediately,” Ezell said.

    She encouraged all parents to talk with their children about the dangers of the drug and to understand it may be present within other substances. She hoped the new billboard would help spark conversations amongst family members about the challenging subject.

    “My son wasn’t a drug addict,” Ezell said. “People still don’t know what fentanyl is. They might see the billboard and look it up and then they might be able to have conversations with their families, their kids, their grandkids.”

    The billboard will be up in the location along southbound Interstate 5 for a month.

    Cole said she is working on getting another one up in the region in the coming weeks.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Billboard rewarding $10,000 for justice of shot dog

    Billboard rewarding $10,000 for justice of shot dog

    [ad_1]

    CATSKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10) -A Great Pyrenees German Shepherd named Kolija was shot on a neighboring property of And-Hof Animal Sanctuary on New Year’s Day. A billboard off 9W in the village of Catskill is advertising a $10,000 reward for anyone who gives information leading to the arrest of the person who shot the rescue dog.

    The owner of Kolija and president of And-Hof, Kurt Andernach, says animal cruelty often goes unnoticed. “Whether it’s your little canary, or your horse, donkey, or dog, whatever. Animal abuse is not acceptable.”

    The dog sustained a severe injury to the right rear leg and a broken pelvis and femur from a gunshot wound. $14,000 was raised for Kolija’s surgery.

    The reward and billboard were put up with the help of Animal Nation, Humane Long Island, Hudson Valley Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, and Hyer Ground Rescue. The founder of Hyer Ground, Jamie Mitchell, also works in healthcare and says there is a direct link between animal cruelty and human violence.

    “We need to be able to identify in our community who has propensity to violence and those at-risk who are the elderly, children, and animals,” said Mitchell.

    Andernach described his bond with Kolija has grown immensely since caring for him. Every day, Kurt has to change the wrapping to prevent infection with sprays and ointments.

    “I’m very happy to report that by now he’s actually putting weight on his hind leg and he’s able to take longer walks now,” stated Andernach.

    Kolija is one of more than 300 rescue animals at the sanctuary. Part of his stay includes venturing freely onto neighboring properties. The Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Police traced a trail of Kolija’s blood back to one of them. Andernach said that neighbor has had trespassers before and they now have a way to hold them accountable.

    “We all agreed that we need to install trail cameras. Meaning, that we can monitor the activities in the forest,” stated Andernach.

    Kolija still has another four to five months to recover. State Police are the lead agency for this ongoing investigation. The DEC has completed its investigation.

    [ad_2]

    Anthony Krolikowski

    Source link

  • Dozens of new digital billboards will light up Los Angeles

    Dozens of new digital billboards will light up Los Angeles

    [ad_1]

    Dozens of digital billboards are poised to go up above Los Angeles freeways and boulevards, marking the largest expansion in the city in nearly two decades.

    Despite opposition from more than a dozen neighborhood groups, the City Council backed a plan on Friday to allow 71 digital billboards to be installed on property owned by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Eleven council members approved the plan, with Traci Park, Nithya Raman and Katy Yaroslavsky voting no.

    Opponents argued that the influx of new signs, which would change images every eight seconds, would make L.A. streets even deadlier by distracting drivers, while adding a new source of blight to the cityscape.

    “Our shared open space should not be for sale to commercial messaging,” said Barbara Brodie, co-president of the Coalition for a Beautiful Los Angeles, an advocacy group that has opposes billboards. “They will cause unnecessary injury and death, pollute our visual environment and harm wildlife.”

    The largest sign, at 1,200 square feet, will be alongside Union Station flashing at commuters along the 101 freeway as they head downtown from East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights. The stark visual changes the illuminated signs will bring to the landscape could scare Hollywood filmmakers away, actor Stacey Travis told the City Council.

    “For lucrative one-hour shows and features, L.A. rarely plays itself,” said Travis, SAG-AFTRA’s chair of government and public policy in Los Angeles. “They will simply move productions elsewhere, and (the city will) lose the jobs, revenue and tourism that brings in millions of millions of dollars.”

    But city and county officials say the new billboards will be a lucrative source of revenue while also offering traffic alerts. Seven out of every eight images are expected to be ads.

    Holly Rockwell, a Metro executive who is overseeing the program, said the billboards will provide “real-time transportation messaging” and money that can be used for transportation projects, while also replacing “old and dilapidated static signs.”

    During events like the Olympics, the billboards will be used to help direct traffic, she said.

    The city and county will split the revenues, which were at one point projected to reach $300 million to $500 million over 20 years. As many as 300 nondigital billboards throughout the city could be removed through the program.

    Metro’s plan now calls for 52 freeway-facing digital billboards, which can operate nearly 24 hours a day from 5 a.m. to 3 a.m. Another 19 billboards along major boulevards will operate from 5 a.m. to midnight. Before the latter group of signs can go up, they must go through a city permitting process.

    Since all are on Metro property, many are near rail stations or along large thoroughfares, for example Westchester at Century and Aviation Boulevards near Los Angeles International Airport.

    The fight over digital billboards harks back more than two decades, when the city blocked the widespread use of billboards that shone into people’s homes, confining them to certain areas. The legal battle between the city and outdoor advertising companies played out in court for years. Since then, the city has restricted digital signs to special districts in commercial areas.

    Most digital billboards in the city have been concentrated downtown. Friday’s vote allows them in many more neighborhoods across L.A.

    Since the vote was not unanimous, the billboard plan will requires a second vote next week. Groups such as Scenic Los Angeles, which has fought the proliferation of billboards, still hope to thwart the plan.

    “There has been zero transparency on the financial aspects of this. When we did our own analysis, it looks horrible for the city and Metro,” said Dustan Batton, executive director of Scenic Los Angeles. He said thousands of his members oppose the plan, and he hopes that their pressure will convince some City Council members to change their minds.

    The plan originally included 93 billboards but was watered down as it wound its way through city committees, with several council members opposing billboards in their districts.

    Raman, who doesn’t have any billboards in her district, said she opposed the plan because of the hours of operation and concerns that billboards could be too close to housing. She said there has not been enough research into the effects of the billboards on traffic safety.

    Times staff writer David Zahniser contributed to this report.

    [ad_2]

    Rachel Uranga, Caroline Petrow-Cohen

    Source link

  • Sunset Boulevard may be getting its own sphere, but don’t call it that

    Sunset Boulevard may be getting its own sphere, but don’t call it that

    [ad_1]

    Sunset Boulevard might be getting its own orb-like structure that doubles as a billboard and broadcasting space, but the project is not trying to be the next Sphere. The Las Vegas venue has its ginormous globular eye on it.

    The proposed project was previously named “The Sphere,” but its legal spokesperson, Wayne Avrashow, told The Times his clients were contacted by representatives of Sphere in Las Vegas, “who informed us that there was the potential of conflict and confusion.”

    Avrashow said his clients would, as a result, change the name of the project, though they haven’t yet landed on a new moniker.

    “We will do that internally and in consultation with the city,” Avrashow said.

    In a statement to The Times, Sphere Entertainment said, “We will defend our products against any entity that purposefully tries to steal our IP and trade off of Sphere’s worldwide recognition.”

    Similar names aside, Sphere is a dome-shaped structure and Vegas’ newest performance venue, and the West Hollywood project is spherical in shape. Sphere’s outer shell is an LED screen that displays images of a blinking eyeball, the Earth and artificial-intelligence-generated art by Refik Anadol.

    The Las Vegas building reaches 366 feet high and 516 feet wide. The West Hollywood structure would be a great deal smaller, at 49 feet in diameter.

    If approved, the new structure would sit between the Pendry West Hollywood and Best Western hotels on 8410 Sunset Blvd.

    The project is still in its early stages. It’s undergoing review by the city of West Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard Arts & Advertising subcommittee.

    Included in the proposed development are three billboards. Two would be placed on the surface of the circular structure, replacing two digital billboards currently at the site; the third is described as a “discreet vertical billboard.”

    According to the project documents, the orb would be built onto an existing apartment building whose entrance is on De Longpre Avenue, which runs parallel to Sunset Boulevard.

    The proposed glass sphere would have “exterior pedestrian-oriented amenities and interior spaces built around broadcasting in real time.”

    The structure itself would have three levels and hover eight feet above a privately owned public-oriented plaza at the ground level, with an existing basement level below.

    It’s proposed that two of the three levels house a green room and rooms for broadcasting and podcasting.

    The next steps for the project are further review by the Arts & Advertising subcommittee in January, where applicants are expected to provide information on topics including potential light pollution from the project and how the building would be maintained.

    Then the project eventually would go before the city planning commission and City Council.

    [ad_2]

    Karen Garcia

    Source link

  • Billboard Music Awards Channel: Nonstop Music from 2023’s Chart-Toppers

    Billboard Music Awards Channel: Nonstop Music from 2023’s Chart-Toppers

    [ad_1]

    Celebrate this year’s Billboard chart-toppers and 2023 Billboard Music Awards finalists on the Billboard Music Awards Channel! Listen on the SiriusXM app from November 8–21 and on channel 11 November 17–20.


    Stream the Billboard Music Awards Channel on the SiriusXM app & web player


    Who You’ll Hear

    Artists include Taylor Swift, Drake, Morgan Wallen, SZA, Foo Fighters, Miley Cyrus, Bad Bunny, Doja Cat, Jung Kook, Lainey Wilson, and more.

    2023 Billboard Music Awards

    A reimagined 2023 Billboard Music Awards will bring fans up close and personal with their favorite artists on November 19. Delivering a fresh award show concept that will entertain with hours of music and exclusive content, including winner celebrations, behind-the-scenes moments, and performances created by the world’s biggest chart-topping artists. Winners are determined by year-end performance metrics on the Billboard charts, the ultimate authority of fan engagement with music.

    Watch exclusive content — including winner celebrations, behind-the-scenes moments, and performance created by the world’s biggest chart-topping artists — November 19 at BBMAS.watch and on the BBMAs and Billboard social channels.


    [ad_2]

    Jackie Kolgraf

    Source link

  • Pet Store Protest in Loveland, CO to Honor Puppy Mill Survivor

    Pet Store Protest in Loveland, CO to Honor Puppy Mill Survivor

    [ad_1]

    Press Release



    updated: Oct 21, 2019

    ​​​​​​​Harley’s Dream, a Colorado-based animal welfare non-profit organization is planning a peaceful pet store protest on South Cleveland Ave, Loveland, CO. It will be held on Saturday, October 26th from 12 – 1:30 pm. The organization has been peacefully protesting a pet store in that vicinity for several years. This particular protest will be in honor of Teddy, a puppy mill dog who recently passed away, and will also be in celebration of the placement of a nearby Loveland puppy mill awareness billboard.

    According to Harley’s Dream founder, Rudi Taylor, “The goal of peaceful protests is to educate consumers about the connection between pet stores and puppy mills and to encourage pet stores to switch to the humane business model of only selling pet supplies, not puppies and kittens.”

    Peaceful protests are one avenue of raising awareness about the puppy mill – pet store connection; billboards are another!

    A compelling billboard was unveiled mid-month on Hwy 287 just south of 8th Street in Loveland and will stay up indefinitely to further educate and raise awareness about puppy mills and the pet store connection.

    Harley, the tiny senior one-eyed Chihuahua depicted in the compelling billboard, lived for 10 years in a puppy mill, losing his eye when his cage was power-washed with him still in it. He was rescued, and because of his work against puppy mills, went on to be awarded the 2015 American Hero Dog.

    It is estimated by industry experts that 98% of puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills. Responsible breeders would never sell their puppies to a pet store. A puppy mill is defined as a large-scale commercial dog breeding operation where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs. Breeding dogs at these facilities are crowded into wire bottomed cages that are only required by federal regulations to be 6” longer, wider and taller than the dog. They will likely live their entire lives in this space, and females will be bred every single cycle, with their puppies shipped off to be sold at pet stores. These breeding dogs will receive little to no veterinary care, rarely know a kind human touch or have their feet ever touch grass. This is how the parents of pet store puppies live.

    We believe that if the public knew the truth about where pet store puppies come from, puppy mills would no longer exist. Our peaceful pet store protests and billboards around the country are educating people daily.

    Harley’s Dream was also the driving force behind the recent passage of a pet retail ban ordinance in Berthoud. They have been involved in and supportive of many other ordinances including the recent Breckenridge, CO ban of the retail sale of puppies & kittens, and they are currently working on and supporting the passage of similar ordinance in many municipalities across the state and country. “There is growing momentum as the public becomes aware of the pet store / puppy mill connection and the general public is proving that they support measures to ensure the humane treatment of our companion animals.”

    Harley’s Dream, formed in Harley’s memory, is a grassroots, non-profit organization whose mission is to educate the public about the cruel puppy mill industry. 

    To find out more about Harley’s Dream or to join the movement, visit: www.harleysdream.org

    Source: Harley’s Dream

    [ad_2]

    Source link