IT'S WORKING, IT'S WORKING!

During my most recent information interview, a very inspiring magazine editor suggested I use my blog as a marketing tool. I have. 4 out of 5 recipients responded to my email and within 24 hours I received word of a potential opening at the major record label, news of a phenomenal international film project and the sweetest email from a colleague-turned-friend, who upon reading my blog, decided to start her own. It's working.

Stay tuned for my behind-the-scenes report on the Canadian Urban Music Awards.

BORDERS, BOUNDARIES AND 50 CENT

So all the talk today is about 50 Cent's entrance into Canada. To break it down, Toronto MP Dan McTeague has asked Canada's immigration minister to deny Curtis entry into the country for upcoming tour dates based on the fact that his music 'promotes gun violence'. This of course, opens up a plethora of questions and debates on gun violence, pop culture, censorship and a number of other tertiary discussions.

Most interesting to me is the government's lack of understanding of music culture, slow response to digital music issues and complete hypocrisy regarding the subject of violence prevention.

Does McTeague realize while Toronto's gun violence problems are largely associated with the Black community, the largest consumers of hip hop music are White, teenage girls? How about the fact that by granting three new satellite radio licenses Canadian's will be exposed to more music than ever - 50 Cent included?

Assuming McTeague's interests are sincere, he should worry less about the PNE's 17,500 concert capacity and six subsequent concert dates and more about the immeasurable 50 Cent messages Canadian's receive from a variety of sources daily.Is McTeague also prepared to censor:

-traditional radio and satellite radio play?

-the new Microsoft X-Box "50 Cent: Bulletproof" video game?

-online video viewing on MuchMusic,AOL, MP3.com, MTV.com and Yahoo?

-the Paramount Pictures "Get Rich or Die Trying" movie, part of which was filmed in Toronto, playing in 25 Cineplex Odeon theatres in Ontario alone?

-national video play on MuchMusic?

-"Bulletproof" music, video and gaming package promoted on MuchMusic?

-iTunes music downloads?

-Virgin Mobile VXL ringtone downloads?

-the upcoming G-Unit bookline?

McTeagues says, "We need to do a better job at protecting Canadian's from people whose messages runs counter to all our efforts of trying to curb gun violence." In that case, Dan should extend his letter-writing campaign to CHUM, Microsoft and Virgin Mobile who "...loves the thug life" to name a few.

LADYBIRD IN FLIGHT

Through a chain of events initiated when I attended a music industry panel discussion in October, I've not met a variety of music and publishing players. In my chats with A&R and marketing staff at Univeral Music, the owner of an indie label and entertainment corp., a SOCAN manager and two magazine editors, I've learned some key lessons:

1. A surprising number of people will accept a meeting from a cold call. Thank you Mitch for the awesome meeting request template.

2. I underestimate the uniqueness and impact of my presence and personality.

3. I conduct a damn good interview. Without realizing it, I've provided myself with hands on experience as a journalist - and I love it!

4. [About the music industry especially] The digital lifestyle has greatly affected out behaviours as consumers and the operation of our businesses. With every technological advance, the information gap widens. It is those of us with the understanding of where we are, a vision for where we can go, the knowledge base to get there, and who can challenge convention without offending it, who hold the cards.

5. Inspiration may be found in the least likely place.

LL's COOL STORY

Last week I was pleasantly surprised by a MMM profile I hadn't seen before - LL Cool J. While I distinctly remember the bamboo earrings in Junior High and "doin' it an' doin' it an' doin' well" at University parties, I quickly realized I knew little of his story. (It's always about the story for me.) Yes, there's the usual blah blah about single-parent families, but most appealling was the realization that LL's adolescent vices had nothing to do with thug life and street crime and everything to do with 'round da way' girls and parties. Now those are the guys I knew back in the day! No guns, but lots of women...lots of them! And oh was it fun!

As a Canadian Gen-x.5er, there are no 50 Cents or Shines in my world! My ass may tend to shake to a good beat, but at age 29, I struggle to understand let alone relate to the lives led by today's youth. Canadian beer and stolen moments with the girl or guy we were 'checking' were the best of our adventures. I guess somewhere between Puff Daddy and Ja Rule things changed? Can we blame the death of good ol' r&b...is that when the love-making stopped? Perhaps itunes can help me decipher this madness, but first I will groove to L.L's earlier beats and retreat to a simpler time of wholesome stories.

BATMAN & LADYBIRD

When Anthony returns from the video store, I usually wind up doing a crossword or window shopping in Lou Lou while he watches the latest action flick release. This time it was the new Batman starring Christian Bale but, this time there was no crossword or Lou Lou issue to be found. I loved it!!! Most impressing was the hero's backstory. Long after the movie had finished, I continued to consider Bruce's plight. An 'ordinary' man with great vision, skills and commitment who created a persona to help him acheive what he wanted. Is this not the story of many real-life characters?...Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, Arnie??? If bats were Bruce's greatest fear, then birds are mine. Don't ask! 'Birdwoman' and 'Birdgirl' just don't work so Ladybird it is. I don't have a costume, but I do have a great wardrobe and a pretty smile. This fly Ladybird is ready to soar...

LET'S GET CAUGHT UP

Before embarking on this incredible journey, let me get you caught up. Three months ago, my entire being radiated with elation as Anthony and I joined hands in marriage. Many ask whether marriage feels different from living together - it does somewhat. Most surprisingly, solidifying our relationship granted me the confidence to make more bold statements in other areas of my life. With self-awareness and the unconditional support of friends, family and my husband, I am assured I can attempt anything - win or fail - life will go on. With or without a man, the prelude to 30 is a fabulous time! Despite dire debt and career conundrums, at 29 I have a greater sense of destiny than ever.

Here's where it gets good. Three weeks back from our honeymoon, I lost my job. Let me rephrase that - I was 'restructured' out of a marketing position that once excited me, but by this point, was killing me slowly. How did I feel?...Liberated! I coined this period of life 'Freedom-29' and after eight years of paying video production, advertising, and marketing dues, I hit the pavement running in search of a new career. After sleeping in of course!

For the past two months, I've been networking my butt of, meeting anyone I can in Toronto's music, magazine and television industries. The goal is to better define my career direction while meeting as many people as I can. So here I am, newly married, in debt up to my stylishly coiffed head, and incredibly excited about my future. The journey has begun.