Art World News

The Art of Hyper-Personalization: Crafting Tailored Marketing Messages

By in Art World News

The Art of Hyper-Personalization: Crafting Tailored Marketing Messages

In today’s fast-paced digital world, consumers are bombarded with countless marketing messages every day. To cut through the noise and make a lasting impression, businesses must embrace the art of hyper-personalization, crafting tailored marketing messages that resonate with their target audience on a deeper level. This approach goes beyond merely addressing customers by their first name; it involves leveraging data and insights to create highly relevant and engaging content that speaks directly to the individual’s needs, preferences, and interests.

The concept of hyper-personalization is not new, but recent advancements in technology have made it more accessible and effective than ever before. With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and big data analytics, marketers can now analyze vast amounts of information to uncover patterns and trends that can inform their messaging strategies. By understanding the unique characteristics and behaviors of their audience, businesses can develop targeted campaigns that drive higher engagement, conversion rates, and customer loyalty.

One of the key components of hyper-personalization is data. The more information a business has about its customers, the better equipped it is to create meaningful and relevant content. This data can come from various sources, including customer relationship management (CRM) systems, social media platforms, website analytics, and third-party data providers. By consolidating and analyzing this information, marketers can gain a comprehensive understanding of their audience’s demographics, online behaviors, and preferences.

Once a business has a solid foundation of customer data, it can begin to segment its audience into distinct groups based on shared characteristics. This process, known as audience segmentation, allows marketers to tailor their messaging to the specific needs and interests of each group. For example, a clothing retailer might segment its customers based on factors such as age, gender, location, and shopping habits. By doing so, the retailer can create targeted promotions and offers that are more likely to resonate with each segment, ultimately leading to higher conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

In addition to audience segmentation, businesses can also leverage AI and machine learning algorithms to predict customer behavior and preferences. These technologies can analyze historical data to identify patterns and trends that can inform future marketing strategies. For example, a streaming service might use machine learning to recommend personalized content based on a user’s viewing history and preferences. By providing tailored recommendations, the service can increase user engagement and satisfaction, ultimately driving customer retention and growth.

Another critical aspect of hyper-personalization is delivering the right message at the right time. To achieve this, businesses must have a deep understanding of their customers’ journey and the various touchpoints along the way. By mapping out the customer journey, marketers can identify key moments when personalized messaging can have the greatest impact. For example, a travel company might send a tailored email offering discounted flights to a customer who has recently searched for flights to a specific destination. By delivering relevant content at the right moment, the company can increase the likelihood of conversion and build a stronger relationship with the customer.

In conclusion, the art of hyper-personalization is an essential component of modern marketing strategies. By leveraging data, AI, and machine learning, businesses can craft tailored marketing messages that resonate with their target audience on a deeper level. By doing so, they can drive higher engagement, conversion rates, and customer loyalty, ultimately leading to long-term success in today’s competitive digital landscape. As technology continues to evolve, the possibilities for hyper-personalization will only grow, offering businesses new and innovative ways to connect with their customers and stand out from the crowd.

Pump up the Volume: Solange to headline new Sydney music festival

By in Art World News

Pump up the Volume: Solange to headline new Sydney music festival

Beyonce sister act, Solange Knowles, will headline a new 17-day music, film, and performance festival dubbed as Sydney’s answer to Tasmania’s cutting-edge midwinter festival, Dark Mofo.

Volume, the city’s newest cultural event, will be presented by the Art Gallery of NSW, which is venturing into new territory beyond its traditional focus on the visual arts.

Solange Knowles in Sydney in June 2018.

Solange Knowles in Sydney in June 2018.Credit:

The gallery’s Sydney Modern wing will be transformed into two stages after dark: the former Second World War oil tank, now a spectacular subterranean art space where Solange will perform, and the 13-metre-high Atrium and sculpture gallery spaces.

The festival will be the first time members of the public will be able to experience live music performed in the Tank, located at the deepest layer of the gallery’s new building that opened only six months ago and has since drawn more than one million visitors.

The newest event in the city’s annual cultural calendar is mainly funded from a pot of taxpayer’s money set aside for blockbuster exhibitions and events and Destination NSW, the tourism marketing agency, is its sponsor.

Sydney Modern’s Tank Gallery.

Sydney Modern’s Tank Gallery.Credit: Wolter Peeters

The 17-day event will feature international and local acts such as Solange, who last played in Sydney in 2018, and award-winning Zambian musician, vocalist, and rapper, Sampa The Great, Mount Eerie (USA), and Sonya Holowell (Australia).

Art Gallery of New South Wales director Michael Brand said the festival was a manifestation of the gallery’s vision to extend its focus beyond the visual arts.

The opening of Sydney Modern had created an “exceptional opportunity” for the gallery to extend its programming as part of “new curatorial narrative to include more cutting-edge live music, film and performance”.

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MONA – Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art – runs Dark Mofo, created as a celebration of the dark through various art exhibits and musical performances and held on the winter equinox, the longest night of the year. It features musical acts, large-scale light installations, and a winter feast.

Dark Mofo has been credited with putting the island state on the cultural map and drawing thousands of international tourists during a quiet tourist time.

Volume will coincide with a month-long series of free community events, world premieres, contemporary performances, and public art announced for the Sydney Opera House’s 50th Birthday Festival in October.

A new public artwork by Quandamooka artist Megan Cope has been commissioned to mark the moment, her sculpture using tens of thousands of kinyingarra (oyster in Jandai language).

One of the world’s finest chamber orchestras, Academy of St Martin in the Fields will play; an immersive portrait of Sydney and its people via a giant catwalk erected on the Forecourt; and a spectacular dance-theatre work, Message in a Bottle, featuring songs by Sting.

The children of Opera House architect Jørn Utzon will travel from Denmark for an in-conversation reflecting on the legacy of their father.

Volume will open September 22, the week before the birthday celebrations, with up to 50 music, film, and performance events scheduled, free and ticketed, and run to October 8.

Sydney Morning Herald subscribers can enjoy 2-for-1 tickets* to the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales during June 2023. Click here for more details.

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ARTs in detail

By in Art World News

EU regulation MICAR now regulates asset-referenced tokens

1. DEFINITION OF ARTS

MiCAR defines Asset-referenced tokens (ARTs) as a type of crypto-asset that is not an electronic money token and that purports to maintain a stable value by referencing another value or right or a combination thereof, including one or more official currencies.

Knowing which crypto-assets fall under the MiCAR definition of ARTs is the first step in determining which regime will apply to the crypto-asset white papers, issuers’ licensing, reserve assets and own capital requirements.

The classification between the different categories of crypto-assets under MiCAR is based on the risks they entail and whether the crypto-assets seek to stabilise their value by reference to other assets. Both ARTs and e-money tokens purport to maintain a stable value by reference to other assets, while the third catch-all category of other crypto-assets does not pursue such function through collateralisation. Algorithmic stablecoins, which are not backed by reserve assets will not classify as ARTs.

The demarcation line between e-money tokens and ARTs is drawn by the type of reference assets. E-money tokens may refer only to a single fiat currency while ARTs may refer to a broader class of assets, including baskets of goods, commodities, other crypto-assets, a combination of such assets or fiat currencies. ARTs cover only crypto-assets, which do not qualify as e-money tokens. In contrast to e-money tokens, ARTs may refer to a fiat currency only in combination with other fiat currencies or a basket of assets.

To ensure the regulation is future proof, the final version of the definition of ARTs under MiCAR includes a broad reference to the scope of possible collateral assets. However, such a broad reference allows for a large variety of reference assets, which means that the price of some types of reference assets may fluctuate.

The intended function of ARTs as a means of exchange as opposed to store of value and investment instrument is reflected in the prohibition for the issuers and crypto-asset service providers to grant interest on the holding of ARTs. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) will publish guidelines on the criteria for distinction between crypto-assets, and in particular ARTs, under MiCAR and financial instruments under the Directive on markets financial instruments (MiFID II).

2.AUTHORISATION: REQUIREMENTS AND EXEMPTIONS

Firms issuing ARTs must be incorporated and licensed under MiCAR within the territory of the EU. Therefore, non-EU entities issuing ARTs currently in the EU should act now to establish a company in a EU member state and obtain a license, given that the authorisation process is time-consuming. Firms based in the EU already offering ARTs but are not authorised should analyse if their activities could be and to what degree covered by MiCAR requirements in order to prepare for licensing before MiCAR comes into force.

Validity of ART license for the entire European Union

Offering to the public and admission to trading of ARTs will require an authorisation. The issuer of ARTs must be:

  • a legal person or undertaking established in the EU that has obtained a license by the Competent Authority (CA) of its home member state; or
  • already licensed credit institution (which does not need a special authorisation, but must comply with certain rules).

The authorisation gives access to the European passport. It means that the license granted by the home regulator is valid across the entire EU and allows an issuer of ARTs to offer to the public, throughout the EU, the ART for which it has been authorised or to admit to trading such ART on a crypto platform.

Exemptions

The rules stated above on who can issue ARTs will not apply:

  • if the offer to the public of ARTs is addressed solely to and can only be held by qualified investors; or
  • the average outstanding value of issued ARTs does not exceed EUR 5 million (or the equivalent amount in another official currency) over a 12-month period.

Application for authorisation and assessment

The authorisation process involves detailed investigation of the application submitted by the issuer to the regulator and extends to, among other things, information on the issuer, a programme of operations setting out the business model adopted, a crypto-asset white paper, governance arrangements and a number of policies and procedures (e.g. BCP, internal control mechanism and risk management policy, safeguarding data procedure, etc.). The documentation and data to be filed under the licensing procedure will be further specified in the regulatory technical standards to be developed by the European Banking Authority (EBA) in close cooperation with ESMA and the European Central Bank (ECB).

Although formally the timeframe for issuing the draft decision by the regulator is 60 working days from the receipt of a complete application, it is likely that the final authorisation would be in the range of a few months of minimal processing period, given the involvement of EBA, ESMA and ECB (or relevant central bank) in the process. The regulator could refuse authorisation where there are objective and demonstrable grounds that the issuer fails to meet MiCAR’s requirements or that the issuer’s business model might pose a serious threat to market integrity, financial stability, systems for the smooth operation of payment, or exposes the issuer or the sector to serious risks of money laundering and terrorist financing.

3.WHITE PAPER

The white paper should contain all information concerning the issuer, the ART itself and the offer of ARTs or their admission to trading that is necessary to enable prospective buyers to make an informed purchase decision and understand the risks relating to the offer of ARTs. The crypto-asset white paper must contain detailed information about the issuer and the ART, which includes detailed information on certain technical, environmental, financial and legal aspects of the ARTs. The whitepaper has to be clear, fair and not misleading. The white paper will need to be published on the issuer’s website. If the issuer does not meet the obligations regarding the quality of the content, the management or CA may be liable to a holder of ARTs.

Compliance with the obligations for an ART white paper is essential for issuers of ARTs. Failure to meet these obligations may result in liability for the management of the issuer.

The issuer is obliged to publish and notify a crypto-asset white paper to the relevant supervising authority. The white paper should contain all the information about the issuer of the ART, the ART itself, the offer to the public of the ART or its admission to trading, the rights and obligations attached to the ART, the underlying technology, the risks, the reserve of assets and the principal adverse impacts on the climate and other environment-related impacts of the consensus mechanism used to issue the ART. Furthermore, the white paper must contain a clear and unambiguous statement that the ART may lose its value in part or in full, that it may not always be transferable, that it may not be liquid, and that the ART is not covered by investor compensation schemes and deposit guarantee schemes.

The white paper will need to be published on the issuer’s website. The information mentioned in the white paper should be fair, clear and not misleading and should be presented in a concise and comprehensible manner. If the issuer fails to do so, the management body of the issuer may be liable to a holder of the ART for any loss due to that infringement.

4.OBLIGATIONS FOR ART ISSUERS

In order to ensure the stable value of their ARTs, issuers must establish and maintain reserves of assets that support the value of their ARTs. There are also requirements regarding the own funds of the issuer of ARTs. These issuers are required to have own funds equal to an amount of at least the highest of the following:

  • EUR 350,000;
  • 2% of the average amount of the reserve of assets; or
  • a quarter of the fixed overheads of the preceding year.

The marketing communications relating to the issuance of ARTs also must comply with certain requirements.

Issuers of ARTs must carefully assess the financial requirements related to the issuance of their tokens, taking into account the reserve of assets and own funds requirements.

Reserve of assets and prudential requirements

Issuers of ARTs must establish and maintain an asset reserve at all times. The composition and management of the reserve should effectively mitigate the risks linked to the assets referenced by the ARTs and address the liquidity risks following from the ongoing redemption rights of the token holders. The reserve of assets should be separated from the issuer’s assets and from the reserve of assets of other ARTs.

Furthermore, issuers should establish and implement custody policies, procedures and contractual arrangements regarding the reserve assets. These reserve assets may be invested by the issuer. However, a part of the reserve of assets must only be invested in highly liquid financial instruments with minimal risk.

As stated before, there are also requirements regarding the own funds of the issuer of asset-refences tokens. These issuers are required to have own funds equal to an amount of at least the highest of the following:

  • EUR 350,000;
  • 2% of the average amount of the reserve of assets; or
  • a quarter of the fixed overheads of the preceding year.

The CA of the home member state may require an issuer of an ART to hold an amount of own funds up to 20% higher than the amount if it considers that there is an increased risk in relation to the tokens or assets held.

Other obligations for ART issuers

The marketing communications relating to the issuance of ARTs must comply with certain requirements. The marketing must be clearly identifiable as such and provide accurate and transparent information that aligns with the white paper.

Furthermore, the marketing should clearly disclose the publication of a white paper and provide contact details for the issuer’s website, telephone number, and email address. The marketing communications should be notified to the relevant CA upon request.

5.SIGNIFICANT ASSET REFERENCED TOKENS

Issuers of ARTs need to consider the criteria on significant ARTs in order to be prepared to comply with the related additional obligations set in MiCAR. Under any circumstance, if the ART complies with at least three of the characteristics of a significant token, it will be classified as such. The following are some of these characteristics:

  • The size of the client base of the asset referenced token is greater than 10 million;
  • The value of the ART issued, its market capitalisation (if any) or the size of the reserve of assets of the issuer of the ART exceeds EUR 5 billion;
  • The issuer of the ART is a central platform service provider designated as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Regulation.

The CAs have the obligation to report to the EBA the information about the significant ARTs at least twice a year. The EBA will make the final decision and will notify the issuers of such tokens.

The main consequences for the issuers of significant ARTs will be to comply with additional obligations related to the remuneration policy, assessment, and monitoring of liquidity needs or to hold an average amount of reserves of at least 3%.

Subsequently, issuers of ARTs must carefully assess the criteria that could classify ARTs as significant, taking into account the period during which the CA must report to the EBA.

ARTs may be classified as significant as long as they meet at least three of the following criteria:

  • The size of the client base of the asset-referenced token is greater than 10 million;
  • The value of the ART issued, its market capitalisation (if any) or the size of the reserve of assets of the issuer of the ART exceeds EUR 5 billion;
  • The average number and aggregate value of transactions in that ART per day during the relevant period, is higher than 2.5 million transactions and EUR 500 million respectively;
  • The issuer of the ART is a central platform service provider designated as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Regulation;
  • The importance of the activities of the issuer of the ART on an international scale, including the use of the ART for payments and remittances;
  • The interconnectedness of the ART or its issuers with the financial system;
  • The fact that the same issuer issues at least one additional ART or e-money token, and provides at least one crypto-asset service.

In this regard, ARTs will be classified as significant during two possible periods covered by:

  • The first report of information submitted by the CA to the EBA; or
  • At least two consecutive reports of information submitted by the CA to the EBA.

Therefore, if the EBA considers the ARTs to be significant, it will prepare a draft decision to that effect and notify the issuers, making its final decision within 60 working days.

The consequences to be classified as significant ARTs is that ARTs’ issuers will have the subsequent additional obligations:

  • Adopt a remuneration policy that promotes sound and effective risk management;
  • A duty on issuers to ensure that these ARTs can be held in custody by different crypto-asset service providers authorised for providing custody and administration of crypto-assets on behalf of clients;
  • A duty to assess and monitor the liquidity needs to meet potential redemption requests. Thus, issuers of significant ARTs must establish, maintain and implement a liquidity management policy and procedures;
  • Conduct liquidity stress testing on a regular basis; and
  • Increase of the average amount of reserve assets to 3%.

Additionally, it should be noted that issuers applying for authorisation should indicate in their application that they wish to classify their ARTs as significant tokens, and demonstrating, by providing their programme of activities, that the requirements to be considered significant tokens will be met.

6.Conclusion

MiCAR regulates for the first time the issuance of ARTs, which will change the entire EU crypto-asset market, including the need to comply with new regulatory obligations. Issuers of ARTs must take into consideration the requirements and obligations set out in this article.

For other articles in the series “Legal experts on Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation”, click here: Legal experts on Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation (cms.law)

ChatGPT and the Art of Affiliate Marketing: Expert Tips for Maximizing Conversions

By in Art World News

ChatGPT and the Art of Affiliate Marketing: Expert Tips for Maximizing Conversions

One powerful tool that has revolutionized the way affiliate marketers engage with their audience is ChatGPT, an AI-powered language model. ChatGPT allows marketers to create dynamic and interactive chat experiences that address user queries, provide personalized recommendations, and guide potential customers along their buyer’s journey. By integrating ChatGPT into affiliate marketing strategies, marketers can optimize conversions and unlock new possibilities. So, let’s dive in and discover how ChatGPT can empower your affiliate marketing journey and help you achieve remarkable results.

Personalized Recommendations

Personalized product recommendations are one way in which incorporating ChatGPT into your affiliate marketing approach may benefit you and your audience. Using ChatGPT’s AI features, you may examine a user’s data, preferences, interests, and browsing history to produce recommendations that meet their unique requirements.

According to Jitendra Vaswani, you may leverage information from user registration forms, surveys, and other channels to provide personalized recommendations using ChatGPT. This can include your age, gender, location, interests, income, and online shopping behaviors. ChatGPT can then generate customized product recommendations based on the information provided.

Create Conversational Experiences

Conventional advertising methods typically include broadcasting information to consumers without soliciting their feedback. But with ChatGPT’s help, you can have lively chats that feel genuine to your users. By integrating ChatGPT into your affiliate marketing plan, you can give your customers a more personal and engaging experience.

There are many benefits to affiliate marketing conversations that can help increase conversions. Users are encouraged to join the conversation rather than receive information, making for a more exciting and involved experience. When users are actively involved in the process, retention rates, user satisfaction, and conversion rates all rise. When designing conversational experiences with ChatGPT, consider the following techniques:

  • Prompt Engagement: Use open-ended questions, quizzes, or prompts to encourage users to participate in the conversation actively. You create a sense of involvement and investment by asking for their opinions, preferences, or experiences.
  • Address User Queries: Incorporate ChatGPT to address user queries in real-time. According to Rand Fishkin, Co-founder of Moz: “ChatGPT empowers you to provide immediate answers to user questions, overcome objections, and guide potential customers towards making a purchase. You establish trust and demonstrate your commitment to excellent customer service by providing immediate responses to their questions or concerns. This level of responsiveness and support can significantly improve conversion rates in affiliate marketing.”
  • Guide Through Decision-Making: Use conversational experiences to guide users through decision-making. Ask probing questions, offer comparisons, and provide helpful insights that help them make informed choices.
  • Personalize Interactions: Tailor the conversational experiences to the individual user by using their name or referencing their past interactions. Personalization creates a sense of connection and familiarity, leading to higher engagement and conversions.
  • Use Multimedia Elements: Enhance conversational experiences by incorporating multimedia elements such as images, videos, or GIFs. Visual and auditory stimuli can capture attention, convey information more effectively, and evoke emotional responses. 
  • Storytelling Approach: Frame the conversation as a narrative or story that unfolds gradually. This approach captivates users’ attention, keeps them engaged, and creates a compelling journey toward conversion.
  • Call-to-Action Prompts: Strategically place call-to-action prompts within the conversation to guide users toward the desired action. Well-timed prompts can nudge users to purchase, subscribe to a service, or explore further.

Creating conversational experiences with ChatGPT transforms the traditional marketing approach into an interactive dialogue. Users feel more connected to your brand as they actively participate and engage with your content. This heightened engagement increases their likelihood of taking the desired action and ultimately boosts conversion rates. Experiment with different conversational styles, analyze user responses, and iterate to optimize conversational experiences over time.

Guide Users Through the Buyer’s Journey

To maximize conversions in affiliate marketing, it’s crucial to guide users effectively throughout their buyer’s journey. By implementing ChatGPT at various touch points along this journey, you can provide valuable assistance, address concerns, and ultimately nurture users toward making a purchasing decision.

  • Initial Research: At the beginning of the buyer’s journey, users are typically in the research phase, seeking information and exploring their options. Implement ChatGPT-powered chatbots on your website or landing pages to engage with users, answer their queries, and provide relevant information about the products or services you’re promoting. By assisting users during this crucial stage, you establish credibility, build trust, and position yourself as a helpful resource.
  • Comparison and Consideration:  As users progress along the buyer’s journey, they begin comparing and considering different options. According to Jitendra Vaswani, a renowned affiliate and SEO expert,” ChatGPT can assist by offering side-by-side comparisons, highlighting the products’ or services’ unique selling points, and addressing specific concerns or questions. This personalized guidance helps users make informed decisions and increases the likelihood of conversion.” 
  • Decision-Making:  When users are on the verge of making a purchase, they often have final questions or may need reassurance. ChatGPT-powered chatbots can provide that extra level of support and encouragement. They can highlight customer testimonials, offer limited-time promotions, or address last-minute hesitations. By providing this personalized support, you instill confidence in users and help them finalize their decision.
  • Post-Purchase Support: ChatGPT can continue to play a role even after the purchase is made. Use chatbots to offer post-purchase support, such as order tracking, product usage tips, or troubleshooting assistance. Providing a seamless post-purchase experience enhances customer satisfaction, encourages repeat purchases, and potentially generates positive word-of-mouth referrals.

Remember, the goal is to make the buyer’s journey as smooth and seamless as possible, providing users with the necessary information and support at each stage. By guiding users effectively with the help of ChatGPT, you can create a positive user experience that leads to higher conversion rates and long-term success in affiliate marketing.

Measure and Analyze Performance
To maximize conversions in affiliate marketing, measuring and analyzing the performance of your ChatGPT-powered strategies is essential. Set clear objectives, track engagement metrics, monitor conversion and click-through rates, and utilize A/B testing to identify practical elements. Analyze user feedback, integrate with analytics tools, and continuously refine and optimize your approach based on the insights gained. You can optimize your affiliate marketing efforts by leveraging data-driven decision-making and driving better results.

Wrapping Up

To sum up, maximizing conversions with ChatGPT and affiliate marketing can be a game-changer for your business. To achieve this, you should choose the right platform, create an engaging chatbot, use targeted messaging, optimize your affiliate marketing strategy, and leverage customer feedback. Remember to test and tweak your approach for maximum results continually. Overall, it’s important to remember that maximizing conversions takes time and effort, but the results are well worth it. Using these tips and taking action will make you one step closer to achieving your business goals. Best of luck!

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. 

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Updated: 19 Jun 2023, 06:12 PM IST

New Exhibit Showcasing Haitian Artwork Now on Display at Tampa Museum of Art

By in Art World News

New Exhibit Showcasing Haitian Artwork Now on Display at Tampa Museum of Art

A new exhibit is now on display at the Tampa Museum of Art. It’s called “Reframing Haitian Art: Masterworks from the Arthur Albrecht Collection.”

It showcases a collection of paintings, sculptures, and framed maps. In all, there are more than 75 pieces from Haiti’s most prominent painters. Rarely seen by the public, the works present an overview of the major developments in Haitian painting from the 1960s-80s.

It’s on display now through May 19, 2024. For more information, visit TampaMuseum.org.

Meet the Writers of Black Writers Week 2023 | Black Writers Week

By in Art World News

Meet the Writers of Black Writers Week 2023 | Black Writers Week
Black Writers Week


Chaz Ebert

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The following article contains all of the bios and headshots for RogerEbert.com’s Black Writers Week writers and participants of 2023.—The Editors

EDITOR-In-CHIEF

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CHAZ EBERT  

Chaz Ebert is the CEO of Ebert Digital LLC, which publishes the movie review site, Rogerebert.com. She produces television and movies, and co-founded the Ebertfest Film Festival, now in its 22nd year, with her late husband, Pulitzer-prize winner, Roger Ebert. She awards The Golden Thumb and Ebert Humanitarian Awards at Ebertfest, and at the Toronto and Chicago International Film Festivals to filmmakers who exhibit an unusually compassionate view of the world.

As president of the Roger and Chaz Ebert Foundation her civic passions include programs to help break the glass ceiling for women and people of color, and to provide education and arts for women, children and families.  She also supports programs with a global interest in encouraging empathy, kindness, compassion and forgiveness. She has provided grants to support films with strong social justice themes, and also encourages and supports emerging writers, filmmakers, and technologists with her endowment of scholarships, internships or awards at the Sundance Film Festival,  Film Independent Spirit Awards – Project Involve, the University of Illinois Ebert Fellowships,  the Hawaii International Film Festival-Young Critics Program, the Telluride Ebert/TFF University Seminars, the Chicago International Film Festival- Ebert Director Awards, and the Columbia College Links Journalism Awards in conjunction with the Chicago Urban League. 

She is an executive producer of 3 recently acclaimed films: “Passing,” directed by Rebecca Hall; “A Most Beautiful Thing,” directed by Mary Mazzio; and “Mr. Soul!”, directed by Melissa Haizlip. She is also an executive producer of the New Works Virtual Festival to assist in raising funds for The Actors Fund, a charitable organization supporting performers and behind-the-scenes workers in entertainment, helping over 17,000 people each year.

Previously as an attorney she was named Lawyer of the Year by the Constitutional Rights Foundation. She was named the 2019 Beethoven Laureate for being “a humanist who promotes justice and a better world through the arts”; by the International Beethoven Project. She is a life trustee of the Art Institute and serves on the boards of the Lyric Opera, the Abraham Lincoln Library Foundation, After School Matters, the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, the Honorary Board of Family Focus, and the Advisory Board of Facets Multimedia. Some of her professional affiliations include the African American Film Critics Association,
the Alliance of Women Film Journalists and the Chicago Film Critics Association.

Features: An Introduction to Black Writers Week 2023, Sweet Home Chicago Series for Juneteenth

Republished Interview: His Life Mattered: Director Nadia Hallgren and Attorney Ben Crump on CIVIL

Republished Features: In Loving Memory of Diahanne Carroll and Jessye Norman, The Most—and Least—Fun I’ve Had at the Movies All Year 

CONTRIBUTORS

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ROBERT DANIELS

Robert Daniels is a freelance film critic based in Chicago with a MA in English. 

He’s the founder of 812filmreviews, and had freelance bylines in The New York Times, in the Los Angeles Times, at RogerEbert.com, at Polygon, and at The Playlist. He has written widely  about Black American pop culture and issues of representation in film and television.

Interview: Jumanji Meets Saw: DeWayne Perkins on The Blackening

Republished Reviews: Devotion, Sisu, White Men Can’t Jump

Republished Feature: Dignified Defiance: Sidney Poitier (1927-2022)

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SHAWN EDWARDS

Shawn Edwards is a journalist, TV and film producer and marketing and event consultant. As a nationally recognized film critic for Fox 4 News in Kansas City, Missouri he has won numerous national awards including Best TV Film Critic twice by the LA Press Club’s National Entertainment Journalism Awards. 

Edwards co-founded the African American Film Critics Association in 2003, and produces their annual award show that takes place annually in LA.  He is also on the Board of the Critics Choice Association. Edwards created and executive produces ‘A Celebration of Black Cinema’ in conjunction with the Critics Choice Association which premiered in 2014 in Los Angeles at the House of Blues Sunset and aired nationally in 2021. Edwards also created iloveblackmovies in 2008, the popular social media film community. He also published a digital book in 2019 celebrating 100 years of black filmmaking.

Edwards has produced numerous TV shows and documentaries for FGW Productions and BlackTree TV, both based in Los Angeles. Edwards currently works at Hidden Empire Film Group (“Black and Blue,” “The Intruder” and “Fatale”), based in Los Angeles, as a Senior Marketing Specialist. He is a life-long lover of movies who began making his own films in the 7th grade.

Feature: Rise of the Beats: On Hip-Hop and Hollywood

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JEWEL IFEGUNI

Jewel Ifeguni is a Producer, Speaker, Writer, Director, and TV Host committed to building an inclusive world through media and tech. In 2021, she was named one of the 50 Women to Watch in Entrepreneurship – Women Doing it Big. Jewel was born in Nigeria and came to America at a very young age. 

Her specific experiences of racism, especially in the tech world, inspired her to create her own Media company, YouMatter Studios at the age of 19. She is currently a Games Producer at Decoy Games, a Black owned Game Studio, with former games production experience at Minecraft and  software engineering experience at Microsoft and Google. With her experiences, she has graced the stages at Revolt Summit, Microsoft, Cannes Film Festival, Minecraft and more.

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RENDY JONES

Rendy Jones (they/he) is a film and television journalist born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. They are the owner of self-published independent outlet Rendy Reviews, a member of the Critics’ Choice Association, GALECA, and a part time stand-up comedian. They have been seen in Vanity Fair, Them, Teen Vogue, CBC News, and Paste.

Republished Review: Lost Ollie

Republished Interview: Answering the Call: J.D. Dillard on Devotion

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CHARLES KIRKLAND

Working as a film critic for the last twelve years, Charles Kirkland Jr. got his published start as when he appeared on the radio show Spectrum which aired on WMAL 105.9.  He would appear on the show to promote the activities of the DC Film Society, review movies and discuss the Oscars.  After being pronounced as an “Award Predictor” by a group at the Film Society, he started his podcast, The DC Film Life in September of 2013.  

With co-host Michael Bryant, The DC Film Life, “where real guys talk about real movie stuff,” reviewed movies and movie trends and became the go-to podcast site for filmmakers in the city to promote their projects. While the podcast has temporarily podfaded, currently his reviews and musings can be found on the Facebook site, The DC Film Life the website, Thefilmgordon.com and a show on DC Radio (DCradio.gov) called “Conversations” where he discusses movies and interviews filmmakers.  He is also co-host of the show, “Keeping It Reel with Film Gordon” where they review movies and talk about the entertainment world on a weekly basis.  Keeping it Reel can be found on DC Radio, Youtube, Blogtalk radio and many other outlets.

Charles is a longstanding member of the DC Film Society currently serving on the Publicity committee, a member in good standing of the Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA), a voting member of the Black Reel Awards and a reviewing judge for the DC Shorts Festival.  He serves as the Features Programmer for the Lakefront Film Festival in nearby Columbia, MD

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CRAIG D. LINDSEY

Craig D. Lindsey is a writer, critic and Dame Helen Mirren fan who has written for Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, The Guardian, The AV Club, Nashville Scene, Village Voice, Vulture, RogerEbert.com and other publications & outlets. He lives in Houston, Texas.

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SERGIO MIMS

Sergio Mims was a film critic and journalist and was the host and producer of the weekly Bad Mutha’ Film Show WHPK-FM (88.5PM Chicago) a screenwriter and appeared every week on the Movie Madness podcast on the Now Playing Network. He was also the co-founder and co-programmer of the Black Harvest Film Festival in Chicago which is one of the largest black festivals in the world. 

A former member of the Director’s Guild of America as an assistant director both here in Chicago and Los Angeles and Mims was also a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and was also a commentator for Blu-ray DVDs for Vinegar Syndrome, Scorpion Releasing, Imprint Films, Kino Lorber and Arrow Films.

Republished Feature: Considering John Ford’s ‘Apology Western,’ Sergeant Rutledge

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SHERIN NICOLE

Sherin Nicole is an author, graphic artist, a film critic, and might be a covert agent. The CIA offered her a college scholarship, but Sherin is too secretive for espionage. After graduating from Howard University she worked in a variety of creative spheres, before continuing to grow the radio upstart she helped to launch. By day, she’s an agent provocateur as a brand and marketing specialist. By night, she writes fiction and produces content for the Geek Girl Riot show and RIOT-US.com, alongside the Black Reel Awards, RogerEbert.com, and the Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ).

As a former paranormal romance author (under her secret identity), Sherin has published three novels and several novellas. One of which is listed on Book Riot’s “100 Must-Read Romantic Comedies”. Her first short story appeared in the Bloody Fabulous anthology (Prime Books). You can also read her words in Fireside Magazine, Cast of Wonders, the Wayward Kindred comics anthology, and Escape Pod. Culturally, Sherin is American + British Caribbean, and very southern—right down to the accent and the love of grits. Government reports show a residence in DC, but Sherin spends most of her time in the worlds she writes, and she hopes to meet you there.

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REGINALD PONDER

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic, can be heard each Friday on WBEW 91.1 FM Chicago/Vocalo.org. He is the resident film critic for The Garfield/Lawndale Voice in Chicago and has several radio/internet segments designed to elevate Black voices in film.

His project The Reel Critic Roundtable, a weekly showcase featuring four African American critics discussing film, TV and industry news can be found  @ reggieponder.com. His work can also be found at various publications – including Variety Magazine. Reggie is member of the African-American Film Critics Association, the Critics Choice Awards, Chicago Indie Critics and Film Independent.

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CARLA RENATA

Carla Renata aka The Curvy Critic has had reviews and/or op-ed’s published in Variety, The Wrap, The Cherry Picks, Sundance.org, Sotheby’s, Maltin on Movies, RogerEbert.com, IGN Movies and more.

She is a highly sought after host/moderator who had the privilege to host an evening of The Black Experience on Film for Turner Classic Moviessponsored by AAFCA, as well as, a frequent Guest Film Expert for Fox 11 LA , Good Day LA, The ListTV, REELZ Channel, The Stream Team, ITV, BBC and Fox Soul’s The Black Report.

Being a proud member of AAFCA (African American Film Critics Association), (OAFFC) The Online Association of Female Film Critics and Tomatometer approved critic on Rotten Tomatoes and a member of (CCA) Critics Choice Association, where she serves as a Board member and Co-President of the Documentary Branch.

Her award winning podcast – The Curvy Critic with Carla Renata streams LIVE weekly on Sundays via YouTube featuring reviews, news and interviews with talent in front and behind the camera.

Republished Review: I Got a Monster

Republished Feature: Stigmatization of Mental Health for Black Men Permeates Cinematic Landscape

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PEYTON ROBINSON

Peyton Robinson is a freelance film writer based in Chicago, IL. Her interest in film began in fourth grade when her older brother showed her “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and kickstarted a fascination with horror. 

Since then her taste has expanded, and her favorite films are not only the scary ones, but any genre-bending personal narratives that examine identity, relationships, and the human condition. 

Some of her favorite films include “The Double,” “Inherent Vice,” “Crash,” and “A Serious Man.”

Republished Reviews: The African Desperate, The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster, The Blackening, Rye Lane, Surrounded

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NIANI SCOTT

Niani Scott is a film critic, media strategist, educator and traveler, based in Denver, Colorado. Her expertise in digital and print content have led her to a fond admiring of the entertainment industry.

She is a holistic film critic, that advocates for Black and Brown people to be joyfully embraced on the big screen. 

Republished Review: Beba

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JOURDAIN SEARLES 

Jourdain Searles is a writer, film critic and performer who hails from Georgia and is currently living in New York City. She has written for the New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Hollywood Reporter, Sight & Sound, Vulture and many other publications. Additionally, she is the co-host of Bad Romance, a weekly film podcast. 

Republished Review: Apples

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KAIYA SHUNYATA 

Kaiya Shunyata is a freelance pop culture writer and academic based in Canada. They have written for RogerEbert.com, Xtra, Okayplayer, The Daily Beast, AltPress and more.  

TV Review: Marvel’s Secret Invasion Continues the Franchise’s Dull Slate

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SONIA SMITH-EVANS

Sonia is currently SVP of Development and Production for The Ebert Company. She previously served as Supervising Producer on the television show, “Evert Presents: At the Movies” that aired on PBS stations nationally. Sonia also served as a Producer on the 2017 Whitney Houston documentary, “Whitney: Can I Be Me,” and worked as VP of Development and Production for Spicerack Productions, overseeing family-focused content. 

Sonia began her production career as a production associate for ABC Studios in Burbank, California. She received her B.A. from the University of Illinois at Chicago and currently serves on the boards of  The Roger and Chaz Ebert Foundation, Writers Theatre in Glencoe, IL  and the Black Perspectives committee of the Chicago International Film Festival.

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SHAWN TAYLOR

Shawn is a communications professional and author who started her career in journalism at large-market newspapers in the Midwest, including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Detroit Free Press, the Kansas City Star and Chicago Tribune. Her 15 years with the Tribune afforded her opportunities to grow through several lateral moves across departments and desks, including as a copy editor, crime reporter, business writer/columnist focused on workforce issues, and a feature writer. In 2006, she founded Treetop Consulting, a boutique writing, research and media consultancy, which has allowed her to tap her media prowess to raise her clients’ thought leadership position and programmatic visibility.

Shawn is a prolific writer who has produced Op Eds and speeches for C-suite executives, event and video scripts, newsletters and research and white papers. She uplifts stories from the African American Diaspora through her writing. She is co-author of “The Girlfriend’s Guide to Closing the Deal,” (220 Publishing) with Melody Spann Cooper, president of Midway Broadcasting Corp., owner of the historic WVON Radio, The Talk of Chicago. And she collaborated with Emmy-winning journalist and talk show host Tamron Hall to create the first two books in the Jordan Manning mystery series: “As the Wicked Watch,” (Harper Collins/Morrow/October 2021) and “Watch Where They Hide,” (due out in March 2024).

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BRANDON TOWNS

Brandon Towns is a multidisciplinary artist working in still photography, motion picture, and design. His work explores relevant themes within the black community such as cultural identity, gentrification, police brutality, and gun violence. He received his Bachelor of Science in advertising with a minor in photography in 2020 from Bradley University. He is the first Bradley University student to be the recipient of the Multicultural Advertising Intern Program Fellowship or MAIP in 2019. He was also one of three recipients of the Sundance Institute’s Roger Ebert Fellowship for Film Criticism in 2018. 

Republished Review: Kaepernick & America

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LANCE R. WILLIAMS

Lance Williams has worked in product development in digital media for over twenty-five years. His credits span some of the biggest video game franchises ever released such as Grand Theft Auto, and Red Dead Redemption, as well as media streaming apps like ESPN+, and the first iteration of HBO’s OTT streaming app, HBO NOW. 

 An avid gamer, comic book collector, and self described “hip-hop archivist”, in his spare time, Lance likes to listen to and digitize the vast collection of cassettes he has of hip-hop radio shows he grew up listening to in New York. He is also producing a documentary about Howard University and the series of hip-hop conferences hosted there in the early 1990’s, that he has video footage which he captured as a student.

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BRANDON WILSON

Brandon Wilson is a filmmaker and lecturer. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he attended UCLA where he took a B.A. in African-American Studies and an M.F.A. from the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television. 

Brandon has directed two micro-budget features: 2005’s The Man Who Couldn’t… which is on YouTube and Sepulveda from 2016 which is streaming for free on Vimeo. 

Wilson teaches high school film and media literacy classes and has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at UCLA, Los Angeles Valley College, NYU’s Los Angeles Branch, and Long Beach City College. 

His features and reviews have appeared in Shadow and Act, American Cinematographer, RogerEbert.com, and Chron. He has curated film series and moderated talkbacks at American Cinematheque, Japan House Los Angeles, the Pan-African Film Festival, and the Pickford Film Center in Bellingham, WA. Wilson was also a juror at the Tallgrass Film Festival’s inaugural Gordon Parks Award for Black Excellence in Filmmaking in Wichita, KS. 

Republished Feature: Goodbye to a Legend: Tina Turner (1939-2023)

Chaz Ebert

Chaz Ebert

Chaz is the CEO of several Ebert enterprises, including the President of The Ebert Company Ltd, and of Ebert Digital LLC, Publisher of RogerEbert.com, President of Ebert Productions and Chairman of the Board of The Roger and Chaz Ebert Foundation, and Co-Founder and Producer of Ebertfest, the film festival now in its 22nd year.

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Lincoln Arts Festival celebrates its 22nd year

By in Art World News

Lincoln Arts Festival celebrates its 22nd year

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – This weekend marks the 22nd year of the Lincoln Arts Festival. Every year it consists of emerging artists as well as established ones.

This is the second year Hannah Demma has been showcasing her art at the festival. Last year, she was a part of the Emerging Artist Program that the Lincoln Art Council offers to people new to the creative world, or new to selling their work.

She now has her own business that focuses on her handmade paper, collages and paintings.

“An event like this is a really good opportunity for me to show my art to a new audience and talk about my art, good practice, teaching people about paper making and the possibilities of it is really exciting to me,” Demma said.

Demma said art is her life, and she’s been interested in it since she was very young.

“Whenever I’m not at work, I’m making art, I work with artists as a profession, Demma said. “It’s my recreation, career, it’s everything.”

Attendees could also stop by at ‘Creative Zones’ to see art work in real time and try their hand at crafts. Live music started later in the day on Saturday as well as ‘Culinary Courts’ where people could indulge in the art of food.

“It’s a very multi-sensory experience at the festival, it’s not just about the art, it’s about the entire, just emerging yourself into our arts and cultural community here,” Quinn Hullett, communications and marketing manager at the Lincoln Arts Council said.

The art festival will start at 10 a.m. on Sunday for its final day.

Copyright 2023 KOLN. All rights reserved.

Vendors gather for LEAF’s first market of summer season

By in Art World News

Vendors gather for LEAF’s first market of summer season

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Chronicle week in review: Scallops and Starbucks, yes to hotels, no to self-storage facility, hurrahs for ’emerging’ and ‘practicing’ artists

By in Art World News

Chronicle week in review: Scallops and Starbucks, yes to hotels, no to self-storage facility, hurrahs for ’emerging’ and ‘practicing’ artists

Hampton Inn breaks ground; Another new hotel announced







Hampton Inn

A peek at what the new Homosassa Hampton Inn of Homosassa will look like.



Two hotels in the Hilton Hotels chain are coming to Citrus County.

Get more from the Citrus County Chronicle







Comings and Goings

Starbucks is soon planned to open within Citrus County.










Cindi Guy

Guy









FFRA 1

Patti McKinnell and Dean McAllister, members of FFRA – Family & Friends Reaching for Abilities – at an art workshop Sunday, June 4, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, making art that they will display at this year’s FFRA Abilities Art Gala June 30.



The Art of Crafting Prompts

By in Art World News

The Art of Crafting Prompts














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