Sponsorhip packages are available for both events. 

Visit www.theblackpanel.com for details!  Contact us to get involved.

Our client, Let It Cast is now launching in the US!  Let It Cast is the #1 digital casting and auditioning tool in France, used by over 1/3 of the professional actors in the country and most of the major networks, production companies, and agencies.  Now in the US, they are working with Center Theatre Group, looking for the lead role for the next stage production of FUNNY GIRL.  Secondly, they are looking for a fresh leading man to play young surf legend, Jay Moriarty, in the film MAVERICKS, co-starring Gerarad Butler.

MORE DETAILS BELOW!!!

FUNNY GIRL

Center Theatre Group and Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher announced that the search for the next Fanny Brice in the classic romantic musical comedy “Funny Girl” has gone digital. Women, ages 21 to 35, whether they are Actors’ Equity Association members or non-members, are encouraged to submit an audition video via Let It Cast to be considered for this star-making role.  Auditioning and full use of Let It Cast is free.

“Funny Girl” is set to run Feb. 1–26, 2012, at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, with previews beginning Jan. 15. More information can be found at www.centertheatregroup.org/funnygirlcasting.

MAVERICKS

A major motion picture is being prepared on Jay Moriarty’s life, to be directed by Curtis Hanson (LA Confidential, 8 Miles, etc.) and starring Gerard Butler. The search is on to find someone to play Jay at the age of 15-18.  The production is very serious about finding the person with the best spirit to play Jay.  Auditions are open to all – you need not be a professional actor.  Prospective candidates can audition online from anywhere in the world, by visiting Let It Cast and following a few easy instructions.  Auditioning and full use of Let It Cast is free.

ABOUT LET IT CAST

Let It Cast is an innovative casting tool that works to reduce the often hundreds of pre-production hours spent looking at headshots, viewing reels, reading resumes, making phone calls, and auditioning countless mismatched individuals. Let It Cast allows talent the opportunity to record and upload their actual auditions and not only a headshot and resume. As an enabler to the creative process, Let It Cast creates the opportunity for the talent to be as elaborate or contained as they feel they may want their audition to be – or as the production calls for.  As for the production process, Let It Cast creates a streamlined work-flow process where production staff easily search locally or search the globe for the right talent.

More details at www.academyofawesometour.com

Hey Everone!

Enter Code “NWGENEFSB11″

Genius Effect is pleased to announce our partnership with Sustainable Brands 2011. Now in its 5th year, this conference is an opportunity for you to network among peers and collaborate with other global leaders who are driving the change toward a sustainable brand future. SB’11 provides real examples of how companies and brands are taking the lead in setting standards, building partnerships and driving change in support of society and the environment.

As a preferred partner of SB’11, we have the opportunity to extend a 20% discount ticket price to our community to attend the conference. Take this opportunity to sharpen your skills and gain the knowledge and tools that you will need to be an effective leader – at a special community member reduced rate!

What Sustainable Brand Leaders will be learning at SB’11:

• Key trends that are the driving force behind today’s sustainable brand innovation
• The latest on communicating without greenwashing
• Emerging business models that support sustainable consumption
• How to use your brand to create culture shift
• How to incorporate lifecycle thinking into your design process

We are proud to be able to offer our dedicated community members a discount to attend this premier conference in Monterey, June 7 – 10. Please use this code: “NWGENEFSB11″ to get an extra 20% discount!

Learn more about the program and speakers. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

For more, please visit:
SustainableBrands11.com

Pop quiz, hot shot:  You’ve got two marketing proposals sitting on your desk.  One suggesting a robust plan with humorous and witty creative going out to radio, internet, TV, mobile devices, outdoor, print, social media, and events all over town.  The other, involves giving an equal investment of your year’s marketing budget to families in need across the country.  You’ve got a deadline passed that should have been met weeks ago, and you have to respond within 24 hours… or else.  Which one do you choose, hot shot?…  Which one do you choose?

So yes, that was a terrible reenactment of Dennis Hopper’s phone call to Keanu Reeves in the movie, SPEED.  My apologies for putting you through that.  However, it helps to make a good point.  For some, the question is a hard one.  For others, who are part of a relatively new way of connecting with audiences, it’s a no-brainer.    “Hot Shot” – being part of the new(ish) wave of “Purpose Over Presence” marketing, chooses the families in need.

In today’s marketplace, consumers are hit with anywhere from 2000 to 5000 ad focused messages a day.  And that number is no surprise.  With the ever-growing trend of “Device A.D.D.,” we spend all our time on cell phones, computers, console games, television, dvr’s, tablets, emails, 3D movies, twitter, facebook, instant messaging and God knows what else -  and the poor little brands are just trying to keep up with us!  What this seething desire and need for brands to be seen has left us with is a ton of seemingly meaningless messages, missed signals, and misfired opportunities to connect. Presence. Be present wherever the consumer is.

But then we forget that human beings are not just machines that click buttons and purchase items and download movies.  We forget that people need to feel genuinely connected to something…anything.  Heck, that’s how Device A.D.D. works!  People want to see what their friends and families are up to.   They want to feel appreciated and see how many people “like” their status updates.   They want to keep checking on that cute guy or girl to see if there’s a chance for romance.  They want to be able to watch that episode of WALKING DEAD, before everyone tweets all the new details without first writing “SPOILER ALERT.”  We want it so bad, that they’ve had to make laws to prevent us from doing it while we’re driving and crossing the street.  Nobody wants that stuff interrupted!  Unless… it’s something truly meaningful to them that they feel an emotional connection to and actively be a part of.

That’s where Purpose comes in.  An authentic action on behalf of an organization that cuts through the clutter of Presence. And because of Presence (remember, 2-5000 messages/day?), Purpose becomes even more important.  Purpose allows both the brand and the individual to share that “feel good” moment.   Purpose can be as big or small as we want – but most importantly should be in line with the brand’s core principals.  Just made a movie about domestic violence?  Donate a portion of your sales to a womens’ shelter.  Why not take it a step further an organize your cast and crew to volunteer there for a day?   Looking to sell your art work?  Allow a few of the pieces purchased to be donated or  housed in a children’s ward at your local hospital.    Chances are, the collectors may not even have room for new work (thus may not have purchased) anyway, and it feels good to do good!   Want to promote the new such-and-such car?  How about allowing people to nominate their most generous family members, neighbors, friends, or community leaders for their need to win one!  They can submit photo, video and written testimonials to your site, and suddenly you’ve got mounds of emotional, promotional content there ready to be connected with.

It’s a fun way to solve your marketing problems, and it’s a great story to tell.  I’ll leave you with a few brands we like that are doing a good job:

Tide Loads of Hope

Pepsi Social Vending

TOMS Shoes