Toyota Announces New Minority Business Spending Target

Toyota today announced a new minority business spending target at its 17th annual Opportunity Exchange conference and trade fair. Toyota’s U.S. operations will target ten percent of the company’s overall U.S. purchases of parts, goods and services with minority businesses.

“Toyota believes it is imperative to do business with minority enterprises,” said Jim Press, president of Toyota Motor North America, Inc. “Not only does it help our bottom line, but it more closely reflects the diversity of our customers and employees across the United States.”

Opportunity Exchange is designed to provide minority business enterprises (MBEs) across the nation with the chance to network and develop relationships with more than 275 of Toyota’s direct suppliers. Since the first Opportunity Exchange in 1990, the event has grown from 100 participants and $350,000 in resulting MBE contracts to more than 1,800 participants and more than $100 million in new contracts through last year.

“Currently, more than seven percent of Toyota’s US purchasing is done with Minority Enterprises,” said Osamu “Simon” Nagata, vice president of Purchasing at Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. “Ten percent represents an aggressive target that will challenge Toyota and offer us a great opportunity.”

Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in North America in 1957. By 2008, Toyota will have the annual capacity to build about 2 million cars and trucks in 15 plants across North America. There are more than 1,700 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in North America, which sell more than 2.5 million vehicles a year. Toyota directly employs nearly 40,000 people in North America. Toyota’s investment in North America is valued at more than $17.6 billion.

For more information about Toyota’s Supplier Diversity Program or for more information on how to because a supplier to Toyota, visit http://www.ToyotaSupplier.com.

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Ten HBCU Marching Bands Slated to Raise the Roof at the 2007 Honda Battle of the Bands

They’re back — in high-stepping fashion, and soon to be in vibrant, high-definition digital color! The stage is set once again as ten of America’s top Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching bands are prepping to throw down the gauntlet, and take their places in history in the “Super Bowl” for marching bands: The fifth annual Honda Battle of the Bands.

From the dignified, ever in command band directors, to the acrobatic drum majors, the scintillating dance teams and the scene-stealing drumlines, it’s on and crackin’ as Honda’s milestone fifth anniversary showcase prepares to bring down the house at the Georgia Dome on January 27, 2007. This year, some 2,000-plus HBCU student-musicians will emerge not just as stars of this unique and entertaining show, but also will debut as headliners in their own right as the first-ever Honda Battle of the Bands DVD will be produced. Proceeds from the DVD will benefit the participating college’s music programs.

The Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase continues to distinguish itself as one-of-a-kind, featuring ten black college marching bands in one place, at one time. Now in its fifth year, the show remains fresh each year by staging a wide variety of music, marching and playing styles from a variety of the nation’s Historically Black College and University marching bands and incorporating themes that are relevant to the African American community. The 2007 event will not disappoint, with crowd-pleasing surprises in store for fans of all ages. The 10 bands, nominated from a field of 41 participating HBCUs during the fall Celebration Tour, are preparing to march on the Dome with all new routines, riveting choreography and contemporary R&B, funk, Hip-Hop, classical and jazz song stylings.

The lineup of colleges now set to march on the Dome in the largest and only national scholarship program showcasing the pageantry, heritage and showmanship of black college bands for 2007 is:

* Virginia State University and North Carolina Central University, representing the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA);

* Bethune-Cookman College and Norfolk State University, representing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC);

* Clark-Atlanta University and Albany State University, representing the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC); and

* Prairie View A&M University and Alabama State University, representing the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC);

* Langston University and Central State University, both independents.

“Participating in the Honda Battle of the Bands for four consecutive years has been a privilege for our students, and has certainly enhanced our music program,” said Donovan Wells, director of bands for the Daytona Beach, Florida-based Bethune-Cookman College Marching Wildcats. “The fifth anniversary of this program should be celebrated not just by American Honda and HBCU’s, but also by us at B-CC. We are humbled to be included in the first DVD, and we’ll be pulling out all of the stops to bring another dynamic new show to Atlanta in January.”

I Am Hip Hop – Grandmaster Flash

Legendary hip-hop pioneer, DJ Grandmaster Flash, accepts the ‘I AM HIP HOP ICON Award’ for his tremendous contribution to the music industry at BET’s first ever HIP-HOP AWARDS show taped Sunday, November 12. Atlanta’s historic Fox Theatre lit up as an array of A-listers were in the house to celebrate hip-hop music with show-stopping performances and exciting awards presentations. The HIP-HOP AWARDS show will air on Wednesday, November 15 @ 9 p.m. on BET. Photo by Rick Diamond courtesy BET. (PRNewsFoto/BET Networks, Rick Diamond)

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia and Alabama Hosted Successful Fundraising Gala

Atlanta was host to this past Saturday’s Annual Celebration of Wishes. The black-tie Gala celebrated the many wishes granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation(R) of Georgia and Alabama in 2006. Held at The Intercontinental Hotel, approximately 400 attendees filled the ballroom to experience a magical evening.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. The Foundation grants four types of wishes: “I wish to go … ,” “I wish to be … ,” “I wish to meet…” or “I wish to have … .” Attendees of the Atlanta Gala experienced a live wish in the making. Seven-year old Jordan Holmes (above) from Austell, Georgia wished to be a dancer. Therefore, Make-A-Wish helped fulfill that dream by aligning her with the Price Performing Arts Center for regular dance lessons, and to also prepare her for the big Gala performance. Jordan suffers from sickle-cell anemia, a genetic blood disorder that deprives the organs of oxygen and causes her body a great deal of pain.

“The Celebration of Wishes was a phenomenal success. Not only did we grant a spectacular wish for Jordan, but we raised money for further wish granting in Georgia and Alabama,” said P.J. White, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia and Alabama. “As we celebrate the amazing stories of our wish children, we thank our sponsors and individuals who supported this gala and wish granting with their gifts of money, time and effort.”

Nielsen Media Research Establishes African American Advisory Council

Nielsen Media Research announced the creation of the African American Advisory Council (AAAC), which consists of 12 industry, community, and business leaders. The Council will advise Nielsen on a range of issues involving sampling of African Americans for television audience measurement in the U.S. and will assist Nielsen in reaching out to African American communities and those within the industry. The first AAAC meeting was held in September in New York.

“African Americans represent more than 13 million television households in the U.S., representing approximately 12 percent of all U.S. television households,” said Sara Erichson, general manager of National Services at Nielsen Media Research. “It is imperative that our insight into the viewing habits of this community begins with culturally sensitive recruitment strategies and outreach.”

The members of the African American Advisory Council are:

* Vic Bulluck, Executive Director, NAACP, Hollywood Bureau, Los Angeles

* Reverend Jacques Andre DeGraff, Associate Pastor, Canaan Baptist Church in Harlem

* Ronald Franklin, Executive VP, Director of Research and Planning for GlobalHue, Southfield, Michigan

* Deborah Gray Young, Director of Media, E. Morris Communications, Chicago

* Adonis Hoffman, Senior VP and Council, American Association of Advertising Agencies, Washington

* Warrington Hudlin, President, Black Filmmakers Foundation, New York

* Ivan Juzang, CEO, MEE Productions, Philadelphia

* Michelle Moore, Senior VP Marketing and Communications, National Urban League, New York

* Cynthia Perkins Roberts, Vice President Diversity Marketing & Sales Development, CableTelevision Advertising Bureau, New York

* Ken Smikle, President, Target Market News

* Mitsy Wilson, Senior VP Diversity Development, Fox Entertainment Group and News Corporation, Los Angeles

* Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr., Senior Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago

“There is an economic impact to understanding the household characteristics and viewing trends of African Americans,” said Vic Bulluck, executive director of the NAACP Hollywood Branch. “As a Council member, I hope to provide insight that will help Nielsen understand why the data the company provides should be able to meet the unique needs of industry leaders that specifically target the African American community, thus forging an even stronger relationship with these prospective allies.”

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Common and a Star-Studded Cast Rock ‘Peace Love Gap’ in Gap’s New Holiday Marketing Campaign

Gap’s holiday print campaign showcases heartfelt images shot by acclaimed photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. The ads capture the mood of the season while emphasizing the importance of being with the ones you love.

Gap’s holiday print campaign showcases heartfelt images shot by acclaimed photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. The ads capture the mood of the season while emphasizing the importance of being with the ones you love. For the campaign shoot, a diverse group of talented personalities was photographed with someone near and dear to them.

SOURCE Gap Inc.

Bad Boy Records Inks Landmark Deal with VP Records and Dancehall Superstar Elephant Man

Sean “Diddy” Combs of Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment announced today a landmark deal with reggae/dancehall music label VP Records to market and distribute dancehall superstar, Elephant Man. “Elephant Man is one the greatest entertainers in his genre of music. When I saw him at Madison Square Garden ripping down the stage, I knew that he was the one. He will be a great addition to our team,” Sean “Diddy” Combs said. The first release from Elephant Man under the new Bad Boy/VP Records venture is slated for spring 2007 with a single and video expected in early 2007.

Known for his high-energy live performances, Elephant Man a/k/a O’Neil Bryan is one of the few dancehall acts to crossover into mainstream music. Collaborations with Diddy, Cassie, Rhianna, Busta Rhymes, Shaggy, Mya, and long time collaborator Lil’ Jon, are expected on his upcoming release. In addition to the new CD in the works, Elephant Man will also hit the road as a supporting act on Diddy’s world tour to begin in February 2007 in support of Diddy’s new album “Press Play,” in stores this October.

A protege of dancehall king, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man signed with VP Records in 2003 and crossed over into the pop mainstream with his hit single “Pon Di River” and collaborations with The Ying Yang Twinz, Lil’ Jon and Twista. Regarding the joint venture with Bad Boy, Elephant Man, known to fans as the Energy God, remarked: “Ya know we are excited to work with P. Diddy, the vibes are there, and with this combo we are gonna take dancehall to another level. I’m looking forward to dropping (the album) and the promotion, cuz Diddy is creative, and with him and the Energy God together … It’s gonna be madness!”

Willie Daniels of VP Records commented: “Elephant Man has collaborated with many international stars, Lil’ Jon, Janet Jackson, Will Smith, and Mariah Carey to name a few, but I have never seen him so motivated to succeed. This collaboration is a natural progression in his career as an artist and entertainer.”

Bad Boy Records GM, Harve Pierre added, “It’s a pleasure working with Elephant and VP Records and I know that it will be a great experience.”

VP Records, established in 1979 as a retail store, is the largest independent label for new Jamaican music in the United States, and holds a predominant position in the influential hip-hop-flavored dancehall niche. The 2002 release Sean Paul’s debut on VP Records catapulted the Jamaica-born reggae artist into a multi-platinum household name.

Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment (BBWEG) is one of the world’s pre-eminent urban entertainment companies. Bad Boy ventures include more than music and encompass a broad range of businesses including recording, music publishing, artist management, and television and film production and the Sean John clothing line. Bad Boy Records is home to hip hop legend the late Notorious B.I.G., as well as current chart toppers Danity Kane, Yung Joc, Cassie, B5, Boyz N Da Hood, Cheri Dennis, Christian Daniel, and 8Ball & MJG.

Sourc: Bad Boy Records

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