Hosted by MTV, The Video Music Awards has been the place of incredible attire (cue Lady Gaga circa 2008,) blow ups on stage (remember Kanye?) and controversial performances-- that's why we love it, right? This year, from remembering Aretha Franklin, to bringing back old jams like Panic! At The Disco, fans were more focused on the guest list. From who was there and why, to who wasn't and where they were instead. This morning while scrolling through Nylon  I came across their article, "The VMAs are Dead" which has me wondering, are they? 

The short answer is absolutely not, there would certainly be something missing for our world of pop culture and music industry without it. Though the guest list was short of the stars we are most excited to see, many had valid reasons for not appearing. Demi Lovato is still in recovery, after being hospitalized for two weeks, she was then checked into a rehab facility, a more than appropriate excuse to miss the VMAs but some are saying other stars didn't have reasons they found acceptable. Check out THIS article from E! News  to see why your favorite stars missed the event. ​

As for the sound and mic discrepancies, yes, those should have been avoided, but mistakes and accidents do happen and with such a large amount of busy regulars unable to attend this year, MTV did what they could with the performances. With the VMAs being an annual event, the PR and marketing team will have to step it up next year to make up for what some are calling the worst one yet. 

Are you conviced the VMAs cannot come back from this years show? 
-Heaven Rubin 

The cover we were waiting for is finally here. With Beyonce leading the direction of Vogue's September cover, the media, fashionistas and industry professionals were eager to explore the issue upon it's release. Well, it's finally here and it is as organic, lively and historic as we were all hoping for. 

Perhaps the most conflict when shooting the images in B's cover spread came when the photographer's name was leaked to the press. Tyler Mitchell, not the publics first choice, was the first African American to shoot a cover for Vogue, ever and is also one of the youngest, at just 23 years old. When looking at Michelle's previously shot photographs, viewers are able to see that his style is natural, powerful and sensitive, choosing to photograph other African Americans. The delicacy and intimacy of these pictures in the Vogue September cover spread reflect just that. 

In an article published on Vogue, Beyonce breaks the shoot down into what she wanted it to represent and how she wanted to discuss topics like pregnancy and body image, in this shoot. She states, "I am accepting of who I am. I will continue to explore every inch of my soul and every part of my artistry." Shooting for Vogues cover was the opportunity to discuss other topics deeply important to her like, legacy, freedom, ancestry and the opening of new doors in her career and life as a mother. 

Beyonce says, "I’m in a place of gratitude right now... I want to learn more, teach more, and live in full.
I’ve worked long and hard to be able to get to a place where I can choose to surround myself with what fulfills and inspires me." I think this cover reflects this so well. 

Share your thoughts below! 
-Heaven Rubin

Many Hollywood stars have marked their place in our nation's history through the Los Angelos monument, The Walk of Fame. Hosting close to 2,500 stars, the walk commemorates those who have gifted the entertainment industry since the idea of the monument was volunteered in 1953. Though not famous for his work in music or movies like other star-holders, President Trump was awarded to him in 2007 for his work on the Miss Universe Pageant. Though the Hollywood Star placed to honor Donald Trump is no a stranger to vandalism, the occasional sledgehammer or pickax, there have been talks of having the star completely removed.  The West Hollywood City Council has urged Los Angels City Council and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to remove the star after an unanimous vote earlier this week.  

Though voted out, it is hard to say whether the star will actually be removed. “The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a registered historic landmark. Once a star has been added to the Walk, it is considered a part of the historic fabric of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Because of this, we have never removed a star from the Walk,” said Leron Gubler, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president and CEO. 

Council members John D’Amico and Lindsey Horvath released a statement describing why the vote to remove the star was approved, declaring it is because of POTUS's because of his “disturbing treatment of women and other actions that do not meet the shared values of the City of West Hollywood, the region, state, and country.”

Though approved by the West Hollywood City Council, because the Walk of Fame is located in Los Angelos, the LA City Council will have the last say. 

What do you think? Should we remove our POTUS's star? Or should we keep it in place to honor the tradition of those that have been recognized for their work before Trump? Leave a comment down below! 

-Heaven Rubin

In the past few months, beauty and skincare brand, Glossier, has expanded from the United States, into Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and will be making a debut into France this October. Slated to enter Germany by 2019, the four-year-old brand has expanded internationally in just four years. Four years is a very short time to have created a flourishing national customer base let alone an international one. So how is it that Glossier has been able to expand exponentially? Give a big thanks to social media, Instagram is at it again. 

Influencer-brand relations are some of the most important in today's marketing strategies. Fun fact about me, this is actually what helped me find my way into my career of public relations. Because nearly everyone is on social media, brands have adapted a marketing strategy that is more honest, real and connecting via social media platforms. When real people are hearing honest opinions about products it can mean a lot to business prospects. Business of Fashion recently reported, "The company has raised over $86 million to date. Glossier’s most engaged consumers have become powerful ambassadors. Some are unpaid, while more than 500 “reps” are rewarded with cash and shopping credits. The word-of-mouth strategy has helped keep promotion costs down when entering new territories."

​These ambassadors range from micro-influencers with just 1,500 followers to established influencers with millions of followers. The reason smaller followings are still important is because even if that influencer only has a thousand plus followers, that is a thousand plus people hearing an honest opinion, and these smaller accounts usually have a very trusting relationship with their followers. Glossier's marketing team has developed a large trusting fan base by incorporating social media users to feel like they are a part of developing and growing the brand, and it is definitely working. 

With pop-up shops in the UK and Canada generating large incomes for the brand, their eagerness to expand into these countries continues to grow. The new challenges Glossier will face when trying to be a completely international brand include the language, shipping preferences and e-commerce penetration, that are similar to those in the United States. Where as pharmacies and convenient stores are the go-to stop shop for beauty products in France, in the United States we have developed entire brands like Sephora and Ulta to supply us our beauty needs. Though Glossier may face some new obstacles for such a new company, we have a feeling they are going to be just fine. 

-Heaven Rubin