SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher’s Statement on LAW Act Clearing California Senate Judiciary Committee

The working environment in California continues to evolve, especially in the entertainment industry, dominated by self-employed persons, contractors and consultants.

As described by CalMatters, which referred to the entire topic as the entertainment industry snakepit: “In February, Assemblyman Ash Kalra, a San Jose Democrat, introduced Assembly Bill 2926, which in essence would give musicians and actors a way to escape from their seven-year contracts and/or work for others while under contract. The legislation was backed by entertainment industry unions and some well-established entertainers and mirrored similar legislation that had failed in the past. The bill faced tough opposition from recording and movie industry executives, who said it would destroy a system that has been mutually beneficial, and stalled out. Kalra then split it into two gut-and-amend bills, one for the movie industry (Assembly Bill 437) and one for the recording industry (AB 983), both now awaiting action in the Senate’s labor committee.”

Following the LAW Act Clearing California Senate Judiciary Committee, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher released the following statement in relation to the impact on working entertainers in the California:

“The California Senate Judiciary Committee has passed the Let Artists Work (LAW) Act, AB 437, a vital piece of legislation that has been long overdue. This bill will allow actors to work as much as they need without unreasonable restrictions.

“A huge thank you to Assemblymember Ash Kalra for introducing this progressive legislation, to the California Senate Judiciary Committee members for recognizing that actors should be able to enjoy the same freedoms as all other Californians, and to all of the union members and allies who showed their support for California’s entertainment workers! Let’s keep the momentum going.”

Businesses large and small in California should keep an eye on this topic

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, recording artists, singers, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit sagaftra.org and follow @sagaftranews for breaking news from SAG-AFTRA.

San Francisco Chocolate Salon releases new collection of Limited Edition NFT’s

TasteTV and the International Chocolate Salon release the first collection of NFT’s for the upcoming chocolate festival in San Francisco on April 2nd.

The San Francisco Chocolate Salon NFTs include custom artistic renditions of its 14th anniversary poster. There are 10 custom versions, each limited to 7 editions each. Each collectible San Francisco Chocolate Salon NFT has utility, surprise exclusive perks and membership benefits, and is a fully tradeable NFT.

NFTs (non fungible tokens) are linked to the world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, and have grown in popularity in the art world over the last few years, with some pieces of digital art being collected as NFTs and reaching valuations of tens of thousands to millions of dollars. The use of NFTs has now expanded into films, music, and even live events such as Coachella, as well as exclusive restaurant and club memberships.

For the San Francisco Chocolate Salon NFTs collection there will only be 7 total tokens of each version minted, and 70 in the entire collection. Only 50 NFTs will be available for purchase and collecting. SF NFT’s can initially only be purchased through the SF Chocolate Salon website ticketing area, www.SFChocolateSalon.com

To view the collection, visit:

https://opensea.io/collection/sfchocolatesalon1

Media Business News: Alex Assouline appointed COO, Brand and Strategy at luxury publisher Assouline

Alex Assouline has recently been appointed Chief of Operations, Brand and Strategy, and has moved into a beautiful new apartment in New York City, which he designed and decorated himself- including the custom library and bookshelf. ASSOULINE is a global leader in luxury book publishing.

Formerly the Global Vice President, Alex will continue to play an essential part in strategizing and expanding Assouline’s business development in the US and abroad in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East in his newly expanded role, while overseeing the company’s umbrella of key departments including marketing, communications, wholesale, retail, logistics, and digital.

In addition, Alex has inaugurated Assouline’s curated library service, in which he works closely with clients to visualize, design, and curate bespoke libraries. He will also continue to expand on successful partnerships and collaborations, such as the Assouline Travel Series x Zara, Assouline x Olympia Le-Tan, and the introduction of products including stationery, notebooks, bookstands, candles, and more.

Alex was born in Paris and moved to New York City in 2007. Following his undergraduate studies in Montreal, he earned his Executive Education Degree in Digital Marketing at Columbia Business School. After the success of the 2020 Olympia Le-Tan clutch collaboration, Alex was instrumental in spearheading and expanding Assouline’s international footprint through a fashion capsule collection with Zara in 2021.

The limited-edition partnership democratized the publishing house’s acclaimed “Travel Series” by inviting customers to experience the brand in a new wearable form, featuring iconic cover art from select titles on travel-ready clothing, bags, and men’s accessories, including Capri Dolce Vita, St. Tropez Soleil, and Provence Glory. “At the core of our affinity for culture is our love of sharing its beauty worldwide. We are delighted to have collaborated with Zara in not only translating our unique view on the world’s most beloved destinations but also encouraging others to embrace them” adds Alex.

ABOUT ASSOULINE

Founded by Martine and Prosper Assouline in 1994, Assouline is the first luxury book publisher and brand on culture. Assouline began with the desire to create a new, contemporary style of book, using the family’s experienced eye for visually rich stories and compelling narratives. Guided by their passion for knowledge, culture, and travel, the Assouline’s have since expanded their vision to 1,500 titles in 5 main collections, and they have curated some of the world’s most aspirational private libraries. Throughout the last quarter of a century, the brand has established international boutiques in prominent places across the globe, with each location contributing to their vast collection of titles, as well as their personal curations of rare books and objects—creating the perfect cabinets de curiosités. With a distinguished team of creative talents and exceptional producers, which includes Alex, the brand continues to reinvent the notion of true luxury. Assouline’s roster of collaborators includes some of the world’s most respected artists, photographers, writers, designers, and more, who together, help tell a story. Assouline continues to exude an unparalleled signature style and elegant savoir-faire, which has redefined modern publishing.

www.ASSOULINE.com

Working from Home Gets more Stylish and Comfortable with the WorkRobe

Working from home is here to stay for many professions and careers. Along with it, work from home attire is now a permanent yet new wardrobe issue. You can’t lounge around in sweatpants and sweatshirts every single day, especially when you spend most of the day still communicating online with colleagues via Zoom or WebEx. Plus, it’s hard to be motivated all of the time when hanging out in a Justin Bieber, Coldplay or Doja Cat t-shirt. As they say, “Dress for Success.”

With that in mind, you need something that you can slip on at a moment’s notice that will look totally professional and appropriate, yet if you happen to wear it all day will be casual and comfortable. It needs to not be wrinklable when you are working, and able to be worn while you’re not working and not feel constricted. One answer now on the market is the new WorkRobe.

The WorkRobe is an innovative collection of Webex and Zoom-appropriate robes that are specifically designed for women working from home. The top part — the part seen on a remote call or meeting — is chic and professional. The rest of the robe is as comfortable as it sounds… it’s a robe. For personal and professional use it is as versatile as you can imagine.

The brand WorkRobe appears to be a clever solution to the idea that you need a “Work at Home Wardrobe,” hence “WorkRobe.”  (We wish we had thought of that)

The Comfort Suite “C-Suite” collection of WorkRobe™ includes two different styles:

  1. The Button Down Robe, a cozy oversized stretch poplin tunic with fleece lining, gives a polished look on the outside and pure comfort on the inside;
  2. The Blouse Robe, a stylish, incredibly soft, flattering french terry wrap that can be worn anywhere in complete comfort with a sophisticated sash closure. Both are available in black and white color options.

The entire WardRobe collection is now available online at http://www.MyWorkRobe.com.

 

TasteTV’s TASTEABLE Journal Volume 3 Debuts with Commerce, Culture, Concepts and Cuisine

TasteTV’s TASTEABLE JOURNAL, VOL. 3 is here!

This stylish publication provides a curated collection of insightful content on Culture, Concepts, Commerce and Cuisine. This issue features a photography exhibition of recent PHOTO AWARDS Finalists, as well as one on one interviews with personalities such as Chris Knight (CEO, Gusto TV), Rocco Gaglioti (Founder, FNL Network), Podcaster Yorm Achuaku, Ian and Ana of The Other Side Vlog, Michelle Harris (Alive & Well TV), Darley Newman (Equitrekking and Travels with Darley), Dandy Wellington, Diane Kochilas (My Greek Table), Lisa-Renee Ramirez (Recipe.TV), and up and coming musicians Jon Mullane, Mavenne, Harrison Tinsley, the Christopher Brothers and Nathan Witte, plus chefs, restaurateurs, artists, perfumers, and wines.
TASTEABLE is a bi-annual and annual journal that presents a curated collection of insightful content on Culture, Cuisine, Commerce, and Concepts as reported by TasteTV and TCB-Cafe Publishing and Media. Includes celebrity and leadership interviews, delicious recipes, exciting tech, cutting edge fashion, well-known tastemakers, successful entrepreneurs, tasty wine picks and the year’s best chocolate and other culinary finds.

Available everywhere on Amazon.

Apple’s iPadOS 15 Finally Delivers an Exciting New Feature for Instagram and TikTok Users

Apple’s iPadOS 15 has a number of fantastic new features. It has been redesigned and amped up to make it even more useful as a laptop replacement for both business and personal use. 

However, one of the most exciting features is one that is way down the list, you won’t even find it if you don’t look hard for it. That is the new option that allows Instagram app users to be able to view the Instagram window in Landscape mode.

Previously on iPads an Instagram user would see the app image in only in vertical portrait mode, they could not turn it sideways while using a keyboard, and there was a lot of extra unused space. Chatting or commenting was almost impossible. It looked like the app was broken or fake, and not at all as attractive as on a phone or desktop. In sum, it was not a good user experience, very awkward.

Why didn’t Instagram make a version that fixed that? That has been the $100,000,000 question.

Fortunately now iPad owners with iPadOS 15 can view Instagram in landscape mode, aka horizontally, which means that they can see it as if it is on a laptop, or on a desktop. Plus, if they are using a keyboard add-on then they can type and post to Instagram without flipping the iPad between vertical and horizontal views every five seconds. The same is true for other popular social media apps like TikTok.

Exciting, no? Definitely time saving!

www.Apple.com