Clear Channel, Dualtone Strike Revenue Agreement

Clear Channel Media has announced its latest direct licensing deal, this time with Dualtone Music Group, an independent rock label based in Nashville, Tenn. The agreement allows Dualtone artists to share revenue from Clear Channel’s broadcast and digital radio.

Dulatone specializes in roots and indie rock and includes such artist as the Grammy-nominated Lumineers, Guy Clark, Shovels & Rope, Ivan & Alysoha, and Little Comets. Additionally, the label’s catalog includes titles by Brett Dennen, Mark Olson, Daniel Johnston, Townes Van Zandt and June Carter Cash.

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"Dualtone is dedicated to the long-term career development of each artist on our roster, and radio plays an essential role in their success," said Scott Robinson, CEO of Dualtone in a statement. "We will do whatever we can to help ensure a vibrant future for Internet radio as well as recognizing the continuing importance of broadcast radio. This is how our artists can reach as many of their fans as possible - wherever they are, on whatever device they're using - and is an invaluable factor in their success."

Over the course of the last year, Clear Channel has systemically signed similar deals with several independent record labels, including Big Machine Records, Fearless Records, Glass Note Entertainment Group, DashGo, rpm Entertainment, Robbins Entertainment, Naxos, eOne and Wind-up.

According to Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, they currently serve 150 cities through 850 owned radio stations in the U.S. with an average of 243 million monthly listeners.

“Dualtone has achieved enormous success over the past few years, in large part due to their nurturing approach to emerging artists,” said Bob Pittman, CEO of Clear Channel, in a statement. “Their business philosophy is similarly focused on the long term, so they understand that Clear Channel is trying to move the digital radio industry towards a more sustainable model for the future and ensure fans get the music they want when and where they want it. We’re excited to partner with Dualtone.” 

Surely, this deal will not be the last between Clear Channel and independent record labels.

Eminem Busted W/ Kendrick Lamar & More In-Studio

Grammy-winning rapper Eminem is doing nothing to slow down buzz about a highly anticipated solo album being in the works by now getting spotted with Kendrick Lamar, Royce Da 5'9 and more in the studio. 

While details are extremely limited, a new photo of the bunched up crew has started to circulate.

The Black Hippy crew (Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Jay Rock) were in Detroit this Wednesday (June 5), and had the opportunity to link up with Eminem in the studio. Along with Em, Slaughterhouse's Royce Da 5'0 and Mr. Porter were also in the cut. Will we see a collaboration in the future? Only time will tell. (Baller Status)

Last month, comedian Chris Rock briefly talked about clocking in studio time with Slim Shady.

"Yeah, yeah, but money does that," Chris jokingly said when an interviewer said Em looked younger in the photo. "I'm 65, man! [laughs] Money is the best lotion in the world. [What were we doing?] I can't really say. I'm saying, hey, you know, I've been on, hey, hey, I was on the Kanye record, maybe I'm on the Eminem record. You never know. You never know!" (Fuse TV)

G.O.O.D Music's Big Sean recently discussed linking up with Em.

"It was crazy just coming from Detroit. We sat and talked for a couple of hours, even before we did anything musically," Sean revealed in an interview. "So, I was just telling them how much--how crazy it is man coming from The D. Them was the superstars. Them was the heroes in rap music. And they showed me that you can be worldwide. Cause it was always local heroes, but obviously one of the biggest rappers in the world is from Detroit. It was a big deal there. It was an honor man, straight up." (NBC Nitecap)

Back in March, rap mogul Dr. Dre updated fans on Em's long-awaited LP.

"Em is finishing up his project," Doc revealed in an interview. "And for me, man, I've just gotten inspired again to go back into the studio, so I'm just really having fun with life and having fun with being creative and trying new and different things with myself, just trying to stay active. As you know, it's been almost 30 years for me in music. It's a little bit difficult to keep getting inspired to get back in there but you know, music is my first love and I'm going to continue to do that as long as I can." ("Big Boy's Neighborhood")

Warner Bros.' 'Man of Steel' Nabs $170 Million in Promotional Dollars

The Superman reboot has 98 partners -- more than "The Dark Knight Rises" -- with Sears playing a "dramatic role" in the film, plus action figures (Mattel), razor blades (Gillette), cars (Chrysler), shoes (Converse) and even the National Guard.

This story first appeared in the June 14 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

It's a bird! It's a planet! It's an ad!

Warner Bros. has booked a whopping 98 promotional partners worldwide — so far — that are providing about $170 million in support (on top of paid ads) for Man of Steel. That’s even more than The Dark Knight Rises’ $150 million in third-party promos last summer. In addition to those already on board, Warners sources say even more international partners are expected before the movie takes flight June 14 in the U.S. and elsewhere this summer.

Warner Bros. would not discuss their third-party promotions or provide any figures but did confirm some of those who are involved. Sources say that Man of Steel has been a much easier movie to pitch to partners than The Dark Knight Rises, which was darker in theme and plot.

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Clark Kent’s alter ego may not be as joyful as the singing penguins who created a marketing glow that helped propel Happy Feet into merchandising history, but Superman is seen as an all-American figure, a real hero and someone whom people of all ages can admire. That makes the reinvented hero someone advertisers want to associate with.

Along with DC Comics regular partners like Mattel, with a line that includes a variety of action figures and collectibles (priced from around $10 to over $100), a partial list of partners includes toys from Lego, JAKKS Pacific (collectable figures) and Fisher Price (Super Friends for toddlers), shoes from Converse, costumes from Rubie’s, Hallmark cards, as well as apparel collections from Kinetics, Junk Food and Bioworld.

In the U.K., Chrysler is offering two new series of vehicles inspired by Man of Steel. The S-Series comes with oversized black alloy wheels, a dark steel grill and interior accents and a matte-black roof and hood.

Chrysler is also producing two, and only two, concept cars, that will have everything from embroidered carpet mats to a Man of Steel-branded key fob. They will be part of a contest in the U.K. with the cars going to two lucky winners.

There are also Nokia phones and interactive apps, Carls Jr. Super cheeseburgers, Hershey’s Twizzlers on Facebook (where fans create and star in a personalized video) as well as two retail partners -- which is unusual -- Walmart (selling licensed merchandise and tickets to a special screening) and Sears (one of whose stores features in a dramatic twist in the film).

Even the U.S. Army National Guard has enlisted with a Soldier of Steel promotion.

UMe, Muve Music Launch Motown Campaign

Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) and digital music service Muve Music are teaming up to celebrate the Motown legacy. 

Each week in June, Black Music Month, classic music as well as special commentary by founding artists of the iconic label will be featured. 

It is the first time that Muve Music, a division of wireless provider Cricket Communications, has launched such a label campaign.

Spotlighting the music of the Jackson 5, Supremes and the Marvelettes during the June 4 premiere week, the campaign focuses on Marvin Gaye, the Mary Jane Girls and Diana Ross the week of June 11. Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Teena Marie and the Commodores will be showcased the week of June 18. And rounding out the month will be Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, the Four Tops, Martha & the Vandellas and Rick James. Among the artists providing special commentary during the month will be Duke Fakir of the Four Tops, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Otis Williams of the Temptations and JoJo of the Mary Jane Girls.

In addition to being offered a host of Motown trivia, listeners can enter a sweepstakes to win artwork and music, Those who download UMe’s latest album release, Motown – The Musical, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a Motown Prize Pack. The package includes a commemorative Motown award-style wall plaque and the Motown: The Complete No. 1’s box set featuring nearly 200 classic songs.

“It’s invigorating to see a modern digital music service pay homage to Motown,” states the Temptations’ Williams in a release announcing the campaign. “Much of the music that we hear today can be attributed to the paths blased during the Motown era.”

Jay-Z Hooks Up W/ Ex-Rap Foe, Gets The Internet Talking

Rap mogul Jay-Z must have something big up his sleeve by topping off recent in-studio Raekwon and Drake sessions with none other than his one-time rap foe Nas. 

Along with Nasty Nas, a new photo shows Young Hov clocking in studio time with close friends TimbalandJustin Timberlake. and

If there was a competition for hip hop collaborations, then this would surely be the "Dream Team" -- Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Nas and Timbaland. The foursome have been snapped together in the studio, and they're seemingly in good spirits as they pour over some tunes. The well-connected Lenny S--aka the "Kodak Man" - shared the photo to the 44,000-plus followers of his "Kodaklens" Instagram page. His caption reads: "JAY x JT x NAS x TIMBO Rat Pack sh*t. For some this is "Work"... For us it's just Fun. #RocNation" Quite what the fruits of those "fun" sessions sound like is the big unanswered question. (Billboard)

Last month, Jay had the Internet rumbling over a snapshot with Young Money's Drake.

And another Jay-Z collaboration is on the horizon. After Raekwon instagrammed a picture of himself and Hove a couple of days ago, another pic of Jay and Drake has now surfaced. The picture was taken by Lenny Santiago, the longtime A&R over at Def Jam and friend of Jay. This caption has been added: "Warning: Please be very afraid of the music we're working on. OVO x ROCNATION" As we know, Drizzy is working on his new album Nothing Was The Same this summer, it is also rumored that Jay-Z is working on a full-length as well. (Hype Trak)

Earlier the same week, a photo of Jigga and Raekwon together landed on the Internet.

Jay-Z and Raekwon on the same track? It's pretty much a dream come true for 90s rap heads. Both are wizards with the drug rap and crimes tales but from two completely different sides of the hustlers spectrum. However, they definitely share some common ground and have helped keep the integrity in New York rap. Thanks to Lenny S., we know a collabo is on the way. Was the RZA there?? Please. (Miss Info TV)

Along with the potential music collaborations, Jay has also kept busy on the business side of the entertainment industry.

Jay-Z is about to ink a hugely lucrative deal with Samsung Mobile, sources tell Page Six. The contract is said to be worth as much as $20 million. One source said, "The eight-figure deal will be inked in the next few weeks, and is the biggest of its kind. You can speculate that he'll want to develop some kind of new music-streaming service to promote his acts and music on mobile devices." (New York Post)

Carey Mulligan Eyed to Play Hillary Clinton in Biopic (Exclusive)

Though Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Chastain and Emma Stone have been rumored to be in the "Rodham" mix, the Brit actress has emerged as the top choice.

 

Carey Mulligan has emerged as the front-runner to play Hillary Rodham Clinton in Rodham, Temple Hill and The Arlook Group’s biopic of the former first lady, New York senator and secretary of state.

The Great Gatsby actress is the producers' top choice to play Clinton during the formative years of her storied career in public service, according to several sources. Several American actresses' names have been bandied about to take on the widely admired but often polarizing figure, including Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Chastain and Emma Stone. Ironically, the British actress, who was nominated for a best actress Oscar for her starring role in An Education, has never been mentioned.

Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the actress will have a sit-down with director James PonsoldtThe Spectacular Now), but sources say both sides are eager for it to work. (

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However, insiders close to the production caution that no decision has been made and that others actresses are still in the mix.

The indie drama portrays Rodham as a young lawyer on the committee involved in President Richard Nixon's impeachment, and her juggling a diverging career path with her unresolved feelings for future president Bill Clinton.

Young Il Kim wrote the script, which was on the 2012 Black List.

Richard Arlook is producing alongside Temple Hill's Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen.
UTA, which reps Kim and Ponsoldt, is handling domestic distribution rights.

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Mulligan has emerged as one of the most in-demand among the twentysomething set, landing the iconic role of Daisy Buchanan in Gatsby. The role of a young Clinton is one of the most sought-after among Hollywood's under-40 set in recent years.

Mulligan, whose recent credits include Shame, Drive and Never Let Me Go, will next appear in the Coen brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis.

She is repped by CAA and Julian Belfrage & Associates in the U.K.

E-mail: Borys.Kit@THR.com, Tatiana.Siegel@THR.com; Twitter:@Borys_Kit, @TatianaSiegel27

Is Interracial Cheerios Spot Worth Discussing?

In case you haven’t heard by now, Cheerios found itself receiving backlash for a recent commercial that featured an interracial family. 

According to MSNBC, the commercial got offensive comments making references to Nazis, “troglodytes,” and “racial genocide.” It was so vile that comments were disabled for the video on YouTube. 

The silver lining, however, is that the video has 21,651 likes to its 1,453 dislikes (at press time).

The commercial itself, is very sweet and you’d have to be devoid of a soul to deny that fact. Check it out:

General Mills is standing behind the commercial 100%. Camille Gibson, the brand’s vice president of marketing said in a statement:

“Consumers have responded positively to our new Cheerios ad. At Cheerios, we know there are many kinds of families, and we celebrate them all.” On Monday’s TODAY Show, she added: “The [YouTube] comments that were made were, in our view, not family friendly. And that was really the trigger for us to pull them off. … Ultimately we were trying to portray an American family. And there are lots of multicultural families in America today.”