Super Producer Jazze Pha Premieres New Internet Cooking Show

From Allhiphop.com:

Jazze Pha is known for his ability to create hit records and now the hit making producer hopes to recreate that success in the kitchen with his new internet cooking show What’s Cooking With Jazze, which launched today (March 31).

Each webisode of the series features Jazze Pha with a different special celebrity guest cooking up a different meal. In webisode one, Jazze Pha and Emmanuel "Webster" Lewis raid the producer's refrigerator and cook up a pizza six-feet in diameter with cooked pork chops on the bone on top. Source

Recession Likely To Encourage Coupon Use While Shopping

A February Harris Interactive/RetailMeNot survey indicates the economic slowdown is prompting more consumers to consider using coupons, discount codes and promotions while shopping in store or online.

“More than one in three adults (37%) said that during a recession they would increase the use of coupons and/or discount codes, with 56% likely to look for deals on the web as well" as brick-and-mortar stores.

Other findings included 54% of respondents stated that during a recession they would reduce their discretionary spending and 63% wouldn’t purchase an item without a discount or deal. Source

Check out the results from our “How The Economy Impacts African American Buying Habits” survey coming soon!

WP: Native Son Peebles Returns With Dreams to Reshape D.C.

The Washington Post:

R. Donahue Peebles has built a small empire of luxury hotels and estates in Florida, from Miami to Key West. In Las Vegas, he plans to launch construction this year on a $2.5 billion high-rise condominium and hotel complex. Just south of San Francisco, he recently bought 90 acres of oceanfront property where he envisions an ultra-chic resort community.

But at the moment he's particularly excited by projects he hopes to do in and around his native Washington.

Quietly, Peebles has been working to amass a tract of dilapidated properties in the District that he hopes to redevelop into affordable housing, storefronts and offices. He won't say where exactly, to avoid heating up prices. In Prince George's County, he is talking with developers and officials about building parking garages, office buildings and small retail space around Metro stations. Next week, he will make a presentation to the District about a small hotel he wants to build in the Mount Vernon neighborhood. Read on...

Photo: Washingtonpost.com

LA Times: African American Filmmakers Seek A New Star

From LA Times:

For many, it was more than just a low-budget romantic comedy about a sexually liberated woman -- it was the first shot in a cinematic revolution.

With his 1986 breakout film, "She's Gotta Have it," director Spike Lee unwittingly kicked open the door for a new wave of young independent African American filmmakers armed with audacious visions and fresh perspectives about black life. Robert Townsend ("Hollywood Shuffle"), the Hughes Brothers ("Menace II Society"), Mario Van Peebles ("New Jack City"), Charles Burnett ("To Sleep With Anger"), Matty Rich ("Straight Out of Brooklyn"), John Singleton ("Boyz N the Hood") and others won over not only black moviegoers but wider audiences as well, creating comedies and dramas barbed with sharp perspectives on race, class, social conditions and politics.

But now, more than 20 years later, and in a time when race has taken center stage in presidential politics, another type of African American filmmaker has established himself as the dominant voice. With "Meet the Browns," which made more than $20 million when it opened last week, Tyler Perry has cemented his status as Hollywood's most consistently successful independent black filmmaker. Urban audiences have lined up in droves to enjoy his traditional formula of romantic, family-centered melodrama -- spiced with over-the-top, insult-hurling characters -- which he honed years ago writing plays aimed at black churchgoers.

Despite the film's popularity and its message of faith, family togetherness and perseverance against seemingly overwhelming odds, the celebration within the African American creative community has been muted, its volume registering several notches below the joyous acclaim that once greeted Lee and his contemporaries.

In fact, Perry's popularity -- and the images he has presented, particularly Madea, the gun-toting, trash-talking grandmother portrayed by Perry wearing a dress and heavy makeup -- has ignited a debate among participants and observers of the black film scene. Read on…

Seattle's African-American Chefs Create Network Via "Food As Art"

From The Seattle Times:

Local African-American chefs, who have made it a tradition to gather one night annually to cook for charity, have come to anticipate two questions. Their answers: Yes, there are lots of African-American chefs in Seattle. No, they all don't specialize in soul food.

Their "Food as Art" fundraising dinner, in its fifth year, has grown into a major culinary event, with two dozen chefs creating a smorgasbord of African fusion and traditional cuisines to showcase their culinary range.

With luminaries such as executive chefs Wayne Johnson, of Andaluca, and Daisley Gordon, of Campagne, the group has raised $277,000 the past four years to pay for dozens of performing-art shows and lectures on African-American culture for the nonprofit Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas. Read on...

Does CoverGirl Outlast Lipstick Have Real Staying Power?

We recently highlighted CoverGirl’s Outlast Lipcolor Challenge, where winners of a “wedding day obstacle course” in select cities received a prize package including CoverGirl products, a $500 David's Bridal gift certificate, a make-up artist for her special day, and other goodies. The events marked the beauty line’s launch of its new Outlast Lipcolor formula, which debuted in January.

The competition didn’t make it to Seattle, but as a bride-to-be, I was invited to try the lip color and have my own “outlast competition” to see if it really does have staying power.

The first surprise when using the 2-step product? The Burgundy (#544) color really complimented my brown skin tone. I’ve shied away from buying lipsticks from drugstores in the past as they weren’t as flattering or “true” to the color found on the packaging. I would select a lip color, only to be sorely disappointed when I arrived home and determined that some brand's “Really Mocha” shade looked “really awful” on my lips.

And the topcoat, with jojoba, Vitamin E and green tea, was easy to apply and stayed on during my early morning coffee run, continuous chattering on my mobile, and snacking throughout the late afternoon.

The catch? You’ll have to use the topcoat regularly to keep the color from looking too dry or matte on the lips.

So for all you brides-to-be and other beauty junkies, pick up one of Outlast All-Day Lipcolor’s 41 shades at drug stores nationwide, as well try CoverGirl's Queen Collection, designed for women of color.

And check out our previous post on CoverGirl here.

Image: Drugstore.com

ABC Kidz Signs Licensing Agreement With MLB

ABC Kidz Designs, a Black owned children’s home décor company based in Los Angeles, has signed a licensing agreement with Major League Baseball to bring a line of baseball inspired bedding to large retailers this spring. The twin and full-sized bedding and accessories will "incorporate MLB team logos with fun colors and high-energy expressions reflective of the spirit and courage of the African American culture."

Teams represented in the initial product line include the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Oakland A's, and Washington Nationals, with additional clubs debuting later in the year.

"'We are excited to be a part of the Major League Baseball licensing program and for the opportunity to introduce new bedding concepts to market" said Beverly Sutherland, Founder and CEO." The company successfully launched a line of Negro Leagues bedding in 2005. Source

Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Increase for Blacks

The number of African Americans going under the knife for cosmetic surgery is increasing, with 847,800 surgeries performed since 2006, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

“A key take-away from this data is that the plastic surgery patient profile is changing.” The most commonly requested procedures? Nose reshaping, liposuction and breast reduction. Read on…

Online Shopping Increases Dramatically For African Americans

From MediaPost.com:

According to a new report from The Media Audit, online shopping by African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics and other minorities has increased dramatically during the past five years.

"The 88 markets surveyed for this report have an aggregate adult population of approximately 145 million and 58 million of those adults are members of a minority," says Bob Jordan, president of International Demographics, Inc.

Among 17.6 million African-Americans in the 88 markets surveyed:

* 40.6 percent now shop online, compared to 27.1 percent five years ago
* More than 20 percent now make five or more purchases in a year
* 10.9 percent make more than twelve purchases a year

Read on...

How Is The Current Economy Impacting Your Spending?

Has the slowing economy caused you to cut back on that daily latte, lower that dry cleaning bill, spend less money at the grocery, or curtail those weekly hair appointments?

If so, BuzzologySurveys would like to hear about how the current economic climate is impacting your spending. Click here to take our survey and share your thoughts!

Survey ends March 26th.

African American Women: A Powerful Consumer

From Radio Sales Today:

Miriam Muley, CEO of The85%Niche, and previously Executive Director of Diversity Growth Markets at GM, has authored a recent paper describing opportunities to serve "a vital source of incremental business (that) has waned in recent years."Muley notes that the Black-women's market is one of the most visible, fastest growing, most influential segments in business today.

In fact, she says, "The very concept of 'ethnic target marketing'" was born as a result of the tremendous growth of African Americans. Based on estimates from Packaged Facts and the Selig Economic Center, the buying power of Black women exceeds that of Latinas and Asian women combined, at $450 billion, and is expected to grow to $600 billion in 2008.

The paper suggests that accumulated assets over the years by African-American women, whether home ownership or entrepreneurial ventures, speaks to the buying power in the African-American community, yielding black women as an economically vibrant consumer audience.

The report includes additional facts about this powerhouse consumer - African-American women:

* Account for 58 percent of all new car and truck sales made among African Americans, compared to 44 percent of women overall. Are also more likely to purchase prestige and luxury cars and trucks than women in general.

* Spent $57 billion on food-related items.

* Skew high on food-at-home expenditures ($36 billion).

* Spend 30 percent more than the general market on personal/beauty products, an industry estimated at $7.5 billion.

Read On...

BlackPRWire: McDonald's African American Executive Featured in New Advertising Campaign

From BlackPRWire:

One of McDonald's top African American executives is featured in new advertising highlighting career opportunities within McDonald's.

This is the latest in an Employment Opportunity campaign that was first introduced in 2005. James Collins, Vice President and General Manager of McDonald's Greater Southwest Region, oversees marketing, finance, operations, franchising, training and human resources for over 700 restaurants located throughout Oklahoma, New Mexico, northern Texas and Arkansas.

Collins started as a McDonald's crew member back in 1976, went to work for other places and rejoined the company in 1985."I came back to McDonald's as a store management trainee because I recognized all of the opportunities that were available for me, not just at this one Cleveland-area restaurant, but also at other restaurants and the company itself."

The advertising campaign includes print ads in March issues of Rolling Out and JET magazines, and the April issue of Black Enterprise, as well as radio and online advertising, to showcase the great employment opportunities available at McDonald's. Source

Photo: BlackPRWire.com

Entrepreneurial: Debra Smalls, HPO Spa Treatments

In our new series entitled “Entrepreneurial,” BuzzologySurveys spotlights the African American business owner, what drives their success, and the challenges they overcame to start their own venture.

Debra Smalls, creator of HPO Spa Treatments, knew first hand as a stylist that quality products were key to helping her clients maintain healthy, beautiful tresses. The St. Louis salon owner developed High Performance Organics in 2005, a line incorporating natural, all organic ingredients; she expanded last spring to include a skin care line.

Using essentials such as avocado, honey, shea butter, citrus and coconut oil, HPO not only feeds and moisturizes the hair and skin, but also “nourish your soul.” Products such as “Twisty Locs,” “Butter Drops,” and “Lemon Body Bar” have already generated buzz in magazines such as Jolie, Clutch, and YMIB.com.

Smalls, and other entrepreneurs such as her, are tapping into a very lucrative market: African American hair/beauty care - estimated to be $1.8 billion annually. She shares with BuzzologySurveys her inspiration for starting HPO as well as offers advice for those starting their own business:

* First off, we’re loving the company name HPO (Happy People Only). Tell us what inspired you to create a beauty line that incorporates natural ingredients? "My inspiration came from over fifteen years’ experience in the beauty industry…based on many perceptions, one being global warming, it has changed our environment and we need to start becoming aware of the endless possibilities, combined with traditional knowledge and therapy together."

She also shares, "so much of our resources come from nature…in creating the HPO SPA TREATMENTS product line…there are no exceptions…this product is blended with love."

* What are some of the products you offer? "Just to name a few of our top sellers…SPA Conditioning Treatment, Butter Drops, Happy Scalp, Twisty Lochs & Raw Sugar Scrub."

* With so many hair and beauty products available, how have you been able to differentiate HPO from other lines? "HPO is a product that has been created by (me, a working stylist)…who would know better based on customer demand? Other popular brands test on animals and we tested in a salon environment…our line is about treating and maintaining healthy hair & glowing skin without lanolin, petroleum...and we (also) have no sulfates in our shampoo."

* What are some of the ways you’ve been able to generate buzz for your company? "Generating buzz for HPO has been a constant effort through top magazines exposure, the internet and hard work…my customer base has been great at spreading the word…and it also helps that I sleep and eat my HPO product line to everyone I meet."

* Tell us about your other company plans for this year. "HPO plans to create a concept that will allow salons & spas an (exclusive) service that offers just hair treatments only available (through them)….it's a marketing tool for a new clientele base that focuses on healthy hair."

* If you could get your products in the hands of anyone (celebs, etc.), who would it be? "Celebrities? (It’s a) tough call since we have such a diverse line of products for most textures & hair types…Alisha Keys, Jill Scott, Paris Hilton for her line of hair extensions to reduce tangles (are a few.)"

* You talked about the passion that drove you to start your own business. Share some of the challenges you faced when creating your venture in 2005. How were you able to fund your business? "I'm blessed God gave me this gift, so challenges have been few….funding was in place when my vision began many years ago."

* What advice would you share with aspiring entrepreneurs? “Entrepreneurs, please stay true to you dreams, love what you do, and put the creator first…he has your back.”

Source

BuzzologySurvey: How The Economy Impacts African American Spending Habits

With employment down, stocks in decline, the continuing sub-prime mortgage mess, and gas prices at an all time high, the slowing economy is causing many consumers to rethink their spending habits.

So if you’re cutting back on that daily latte and putting away a little extra in your savings account, BuzzologySurveys would like to hear about how the current economic climate is impacting your spending. Click here to take our survey and share your thoughts! Survey ends March 26th.

Let Steve Harvey, Orlando Jones or T.I Answer Your Alltel Mobile Phone

Alltel Wireless is now allowing users to personalize their voice mail greetings with audio clips from the likes of comedian Steve Harvey, rapper T.I., actor Orlando Jones and other celebrities.

"With hundreds of messages to choose from, customers can select voicemail greetings that match their personalities for incoming calls from friends, family and colleagues." Greetings run $2.99 a pop and are available on select Alltel mobile phones. Source

African American Consumers Influenced By Sponsored Links

BIGresearch’s latest Simultaneous Media Survey, which partly delves into which consumers are influenced by sponsored links, reports that African Americans comprise 19.5% of those clicking on when searching for products and services online.

Life events such as preparing for college, planning a wedding and expecting a baby ranked highest for influencing consumers to view sponsored links; searching for product information when making major purchases for computers, televisions and furniture also influenced consumers to view these online ads. Read on...

Elaine Cato’s Maidenform Breakthrough™ Backless Bra Available In April

Elaine Cato, former Miss Black USA and runner-up in last year's ABC reality series “American Inventor 2,” is finally bringing her backless bra to stores.

Because of her appearance on the show, Maidenform extended a partnership offer to help Cato develop the “Breakthrough Backless Bra.” The product is being touted as “the ultimate solution for backless and low back dresses” and is available for pre-order via Maidenform.com.

Read our original post on Cato here. Source

Update 4/23: Read our interview with Elaine here.

Photo: Maidenform.com

House Of Payne Returns Tonight

Catch TBS’s hit series Tyler Perry’s HOUSE OF PAYNE, which returns tonight at 9 PM with back-to-back episodes.

Fans also have a chance to chat live with the cast, including Pops (LaVan Davis), Ella (Cassi Davis), Calvin (Lance Gross), and “Doc” (Malik Payne) on TBS.com starting at 11 PM.

Photo: TBS.com

New Artist Buzz: Choklate

When I first arrived in Seattle more than two years ago, I kept hearing about this talented local R&B singer named Choklate. I don’t know who her PR people are, but those folks are definitely on the grind!

In a city that has birthed or nurtured some of the world’s best known musical talents (Quincy Jones, Jimi Hendrix and others), Choklate is well on her way to adding her name to an esteemed list with her soulful, melodic voice and emotionally honest lyrics.

With grooves such as “Thank You” and “Never Change” from her solid, self entitled 2006 album and new music on the way, suggest you keep an eye out for this amazing artist!

Also, if you’re in NYC this Saturday, catch her opening for neo-soul crooner Bilal at the Highline Ballroom.

Photo: Seattletimes.com

BusinessWeek: Nationwide Signs with Screenvision for African-American Targeted In-Theatre Campaign

From BusinessWeek

Screenvision, the global leader in cinema advertising, has announced that Nationwide Insurance has signed on for a multi-platform program focused on reaching African-American moviegoers. The program, featuring 30-second spots, cinema slides, box-office handouts and in lobby standees, ran across Screenvision's dedicated African-American Cinema Network in February, and will continue in May and October 2008.

"Having a national network with more than 2,200 theatres across the country uniquely enables Screenvision to help advertisers micro-target to meet their objectives," said Michael Chico, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing for Screenvision. "We've done the research and identified the locations where certain desirable demographics are most concentrated and are offering advertisers such as Nationwide an opportunity to effectively reach consumers." Read on…

Photo: Jupiter Images

Betrothed Battle During CoverGirl’s Outlast Lipcolor Bridal Challenge

Poch'e Burns, winner of the CoverGirl Outlast Lipcolor Challenge held in Chicago on February 28

CoverGirl put forty brides-to-be in select cities to the ultimate wedding day stress test: an obstacle course featuring champagne sipping, cake chomping, and groom smooching. The contestant with her 16-hour lipstick (along with composure and strapless wedding gown) still in tact received a package that includes CoverGirl products, a $500 David's Bridal gift certificate, a make-up artist for her special day, along with other prizes. Source

Photos: Wireimage.com

Madea Gets Even More "Animated”

Tyler Perry Productions, in conjunction with Exodus Film Group, recently announced plans to create a “series of animated DVDs inspired" by the spirited and already overly animated character "Madea." Read more…

Photo: Cox Media

Common Encourages Others To "Keep The Change"

On Saturday, in celebration of “America Saves Week,” Bank of America feted its customers, young and old, to a meet-and-greet with Chicago's own Common at the famed Navy Pier.

The financial institution promoted its “Keep the Change” program, which automatically rounds up every debit card purchase and transfers the amount into a savings account. It also honored the rapper for his philanthropic efforts and presented him with a $25,000 check for “The Common Ground Foundation,” his charity focused on empowering youth across the country. Source

Photos: Wireimage