News

January 9, 2025, Tblisi, Georgia: The Silk Road Group (“SRG”) and Rolling Stone join forces to launch The Rolling Stone Rooftop Club, the first of its kind club and event venue under the legendary Rolling Stone trademark. The new venue is set to open on the rooftop of the Telegraph Hotel in the heart of the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. The Telegraph Hotel, which is part of the Leading Hotels of the World is owned, developed and managed by Silk Hospitality, an SRG subsidiary. The Telegraph Hotel with the Rolling Stone Rooftop Club will cater to local, regional and global clientele looking for a unique, immersive lifestyle experience. The hotel is expected to open its doors in early spring 2025.

SRG in cooperation with a Shanghai based architectural firm Neri & Hu, succeeded in transforming the historic Telegraph building into a luxury hotel. The Telegraph Hotel is designed for the 21^st century traveler who demands experiences that go beyond luxurious rooms and top-quality service. Rolling Stone’s presence at the Telegraph Hotel guarantees a captivating experience, with the Rooftop Club offering an immersive journey through the history of music, showcasing legendary musicians from the late 20th century to today’s megastars.

Additionally, Silk Hospitality and Rolling Stone plan to expand their partnership for the hotel and residence lifestyle experience with Silk Hospitality and Silk Development’s mega project in the seaside town of Batumi on the Black Seacoast of Georgia where Silk in partnership with the legendary Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma is developing a spectacular Silk Tower project at the Batumi Riviera site with a multi layered concept that includes two five star hotels, a marina and beaches, a concert hall, residential buildings, shopping and entertainment spaces along with a municipal park, which SRG is donating to the city of Batumi.  

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January 3, 2025 - New York, NY: In a distinguished ceremony held this morning in New York City, Gerry Byrne, PMC’s Vice Chairman and veteran Marine Officer, was honored with the U.S. Navy’s top civilian accolade, the Distinguished Public Service Award. Presented by Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy, the award recognized Mr. Byrne’s outstanding service of substantial and long-term benefit to the Department of the Navy.

First established in 1951, the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award stands as the highest tribute that the Secretary of the Navy can bestow upon a civilian not employed by the Department of the Navy. This prestigious award highlights Mr.Byrne’s lifelong commitment to supporting military and veteran communities through various and extensive initiatives and board memberships.

“I am honored to bestow the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award to MarineCorps Vietnam Veteran Mr. Gerry Byrne,” said Del Toro. “His unwavering support of our Nation’s veterans, paired with his belief in participation and his innovative initiatives and leadership, has greatly enhanced our Department of the Navy’s community engagement. His contributions to our military are incalculable.”

“Being recognized by the U.S. Navy is both an incredible honor and a humbling reminder of the importance of service,” said Byrne. “Supporting our military and veteran communities is something I consider both a duty and a privilege. To be acknowledged with this award is truly an appreciated bonus, reinforcing the deep value of giving back.”

A staunch advocate for active participation, Mr. Byrne is on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations including The Intrepid Museum, The BobWoodruff Foundation, The Fisher House Foundation, The USO, City Meals on Wheels, The Gotham Film & Media Institute, The Fisher Center forAlzheimer’s Research, Friends of the NYC Vietnam Veterans Plaza, The CreativeCoalition, The Hamptons International Film Festival (Chairman – AdvisoryBoard), The John A. Reisenbach Foundation, and The Armory Foundation. He is also on the Advisory Board of the Fordham University Gabelli School and the Board of NYC’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice. In November 2012, Mr. Byrne founded Veterans Week NYC, launching a series of events dedicated to honoring and supporting veterans and their families. And in May 2017, he established Veterans on Campus NYC, a veteran’s support consortium across all NYC colleges and universities attended by veterans under the GI Bill.  

A 1966 graduate of Fordham College, Mr. Byrne served as a Marine Officer in Vietnam in 1968/69 and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V.Additionally, Byrne was inducted into the Fordham University Military Hall of Fame in 2022.

About Penske Media Corporation 

Penske Media Corporation (PMC) is a leading global media and information services company whose award-winning content attracts a passionate monthly audience of more than 350 million. Since 2004, PMC has been a pioneer in digital media and live events, reaching viewers on all screens across its ever-growing constellation of iconic brands, which includes Variety, RollingStone, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Dick Clark Productions, WWD, SHEMedia, Robb Report, Deadline, Sportico, BGR, ARTnews, Fairchild Media, Vibe,IndieWire, Artforum, Gold Derby and Luminate, the premier data and analytics company. PMC’s journalists and content creators deliver daily the most comprehensive news and information in their industries and areas of coverage, unequaled in ambition, depth, and courage. In addition, PMC owns several of the most iconic and vital cultural events such as The Golden Globes, Country MusicAwards (ACMs), Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, SXSW,American Music Awards (AMAs), LA3C, Life is Beautiful, Latin Music Week, andATX Television Festival. Penske Media is headquartered in New York and Los Angeles with additional offices in 14 countries worldwide, for more information, please visit www.PMC.com. 

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The inaugural series highlights Billboard’s expanding international influence and celebrates top music talent from diverse markets worldwide

Find all covers on Billboard’s Global No. 1s Hub

Find all video interviews on Billboard’s Global No. 1s Playlist

Watch 'Global No. 1s’ rollout on Billboard News
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Billboard’s groundbreaking Global No. 1s series has officially wrapped its inaugural rollout, featuring 12 distinct cover stories that spotlight the year’s chart-topping artists from around the world. This historic initiative reflects Billboard’s commitment to celebrating music’s global diversity and deepening its ties with audiences across cultures and languages.

The Global No. 1s series debuted one week ago with a focus on the vibrant music scenes in the U.K., Japan, China, and Brazil, kicking off with covers featuring Dua Lipa, Creepy Nuts, KUN, and Ana Castela. Over the past week, additional covers from Billboard Korea, Billboard Italia, Billboard Philippines, Billboard Español, Billboard Argentina, Billboard Canada, Billboard Georgia and Billboard Arabia brought attention to even more extraordinary talent shaping the global music industry, including IU, an icon of South Korean music and cinema; Geolier, Italy’s breakout hip-hop star; BINI, the Philippines’ group redefining girl power; Edgar Barrera, the award-winning Mexican songwriter and producer; Valentino Merlo & The La Planta, Argentina’s genre-defying sensations; Diljit Dosanjh, Canada’s celebrated Punjabi artist whose global appeal continues to grow; Giorgi Gigashvili, Georgia’s classical prodigy making waves on the world stage; and Abdul Majeed Abdullah, the legendary voice of Arabian music.

“It’s a thrill to showcase this incredibly diverse mix of chart-topping artists from around the world and an honor to get to tell their stories on our global platform,” said Hannah Karp, Billboard’s Editorial Director. “Our inaugural Global No. 1s series is a powerful demonstration of Billboard’s global reach, relevance, and impact, and we can’t wait to celebrate next year’s No. 1s as we launch our historic brand in more major music markets in 2025.”

As Billboard continues to expand its footprint internationally, the Global No. 1s series underscores the brand’s authority on popular music and its ability to connect artists and fans across boundaries. This global rollout of 12 covers represents the power of music to bridge cultures, amplify diverse voices, and inspire audiences everywhere.

Billboard’s inaugural Global No. 1s series includes:

Billboard U.K.: Dua Lipa

• Dua Lipa on her year of radical optimism: “There came a point in the year where I was thinking, ‘I’ve got to sit down and write some new dreams and new plans and other things I wanted to do. I feel like I ticked so many of my boxes this year. It’s amazing.”
• Read the full Dua Lipa story here; watch her video interview here.

Billboard Japan: Creepy Nuts

• R-Shitei, one half of the hip-hop duo, on the popularity of Creepy Nuts: “We never planned to make songs that would be listened to around the world. It’s really just about expressing what we want to get out and releasing pent-up [feelings] we’ve been holding in, basically.”
• Read the full Creepy Nuts story here; watch their video interview here.

Billboard China: KUN

• KUN on what he hopes to achieve with his music: “I aspire for more individuals globally to experience music that is authentically ours as Chinese. This has consistently been my ambition.”
• Read the full KUN story here; watch his video interview here.

Billboard Brasil: Ana Castela

• Ana Castela on her journey to stardom: “Doors just keep opening for me. I never thought my face would be on a shoebox. It doesn’t just help my career; it makes dreams come true that I never even imagined. It’s awesome.”
• Read the full Ana Castela story here; watch her video interview here.

Billboard Korea: IU

• IU on embracing international collaborations: “In the past, I received many amazing offers, but the idea of collaborating with artists who spoke different languages felt daunting. I turned down those opportunities then, but I don’t feel the same way anymore. Now, I’m much more open to the idea of working with global artists.”
• Read the full IU story here; watch her video interview here.

Billboard Italia: Geolier

• Geolier on redefining his music career: “I think I’ve done a lot, [and] I want to experience this as a game. Because with all the numbers and deadlines, sometimes it seems to have become a routine job. And I surely don’t want that.”
• Read the full Geolier story here; watch his video interview here.

Billboard Philippines: BINI

• BINI member Aiah on the responsibility they feel: “We’re not just doing this for ourselves, because there are also so many artists out there who believe in this for us, old ones and new ones alike. It’s so cool to see how much trust they’ve put into us, because what happens is not just our success, but it will also come up as everyone’s success.”
• Read the full BINI story here; watch their video interview here.

Billboard Español: Edgar Barrera

• Edgar Barrera on what his humble beginnings taught him: “I started from the bottom, being the one who went and brought everyone’s food, the one who served the coffee. But thanks to that I also learned never to look down on anyone’s work, much less the one who serves me coffee, because maybe tomorrow he could be the next producer of the year, or songwriter of the year, as it happened to me.”
• Read the full Edgar Barrera story here; watch his video interview here.

Billboard Argentina: Valentino Merlo & The La Planta

• The La Planta on recording “Hoy” with Merlo: “Honestly, we felt it when we recorded it, there was something extra, an extra energy with the song. But personally, I didn’t expect to be five months at No. 1 on Billboard Argentina. It was completely surprising.”
• Read the full Valentino Merlo & The La Planta story here; watch their video interview here.

Billboard Canada: Diljit Dosanjh

• Diljit on playing his first concert outside of India in 2005: “When I arrived in Canada, that’s when I first saw the stadiums. That’s when I decided that I will perform in a stadium one day. I just knew it.”
• Read the full Diljit Dosanjh story here; watch his video interview here.

Billboard Georgia: Giorgi Gigashvili

• Giorgi on breaking musical boundaries: “The fact that I, as a classical music performer and pianist, am involved in creative, modern experimental projects makes it even more interesting to Western audiences. The global audience today is more curious and interested in experimental approaches.”
• Read the full Giorgi Gigashvili story here; watch his video interview here.

Billboard Arabia: Abdul Majeed Abdullah

• Known as “The Prince of Tarab,” Abdullah was honored with multiple awards this year at the inaugural Billboard Arabia Music Awards, including the prestigious lifetime achievement award which recognized his profound and lasting impact on the Arab music world and on Khaleeji music in particular.
• Read the full Abdul story here; watch him accept his lifetime achievement award here.

Find all the covers and cover stories on Billboard.com or on Billboard’s Global No. 1s series hub.

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About Billboard:  

Billboard is the ultimate barometer of success in music. Through its iconic charts, breaking news, thought leadership, multi-platform storytelling and world class events, Billboard tracks the world’s top musicians and the business that powers them. Since its origin in 1894, music leaders and fans across the world look to Billboard as the most trusted source for music information, spanning 15 countries and published in 10 languages. The prestigious Billboard Music Awards are the only premium awards ceremony that recognize musicians for their undeniable achievements on the Billboard charts, using pure data to determine the winners, rather than relying on opaque committees or undisclosed voters to select the honorees giving fans maximum impact at each year's ceremony, as Billboard's chart data measures fans' engagement with their favorite music. Billboard’s other premium experiences range from the Billboard Power 100 to Billboard Women in Music, Billboard Latin Music Week, and Billboard Live, which connects the most impactful artists and industry leaders with fans from all cultures and corners of the globe.

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Los Angeles, CA — December 13, 2024 — Today, Penske Media Corporation (PMC) announced that Billboard, IndieWire, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, and Variety received a total of 122 awards at the 17th Annual National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards, presented by the Los Angeles Press Club on December 1. These prestigious honors highlighted the exceptional work of PMC’s journalists, photographers, and media teams, further solidifying the company's leadership in entertainment media.

PMC outlets were recognized across the board for their outstanding contributions in a variety of categories, including Print Journalist of the Year, Online Journalist of the Year as well as investigative reporting, photography, business journalism, critical reviews and more. The awards underscore the high level of talent and creativity within the PMC family and their continued impact on the world of arts and entertainment journalism.

^{Penske Media Penske Media Corporation Takes Honors in the Following Key Categories:}

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PRINT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

• Chris Willman, Variety
• 2nd: Tatiana Siegel, Variety
• 3rd: Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter

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ONLINE JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR — Tied to an Organization  

• Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter
• 2nd: Clayton Davis, Variety

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ONLINE JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR — Independent

• 3rd: A.D. Amorosi, Variety, Flood, SPIN

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PHOTOJOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

• 2nd: Dan Doperalski, Variety

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CRITIC — ANY MEDIA PLATFORM (BROADCAST, PRINT, OR ONLINE)

Film Critic — Under 1,000 words

• Chris Willman, Variety
• 2nd: Siddhant Adlakha, JoySauce/IndieWire/Variety

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Film Critic — Over 1,000 words

• David Ehrlich, IndieWire
• 2nd: Owen Gleiberman, Variety

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TV Critic

• 2nd: Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter

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Music Critic

• 3rd: Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter

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ANY MEDIA PLATFORM (BROADCAST, PRINT, OR ONLINE)

Celebrity Investigative, Any Media

• Seija Rankin, Jason Rovou, Stephanie Fischette, Nekesa Mumbi Moody, Maer Roshan, The Hollywood Reporter, “Will Ferrell on Navigating His Best Friend's Transition in ‘Will & Harper’”
• 2nd: Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, “Get Me Bryan Freedman!”
• 3rd: Tatiana Siegel, Variety, “Crisis at Marvel: Jonathan Majors Back-Up Plans, ‘The Marvels’ Reshoots, Reviving Original Avengers and More Issues Revealed”

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Headline, Any Media

• 3rd: Tom Bruneggemann, IndieWire, “They Don’t Climax in IMAX — or, Why Films with Sexy Sizzle Are Rare Today”

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BOOK

Non-Fiction Book

• 3rd: Ramin Setoodeh, HarperCollins Publishers, “Apprentice in Wonderland: How Donald Trump and Mark Burnett Took America Through the Looking Glass”

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PHOTOGRAPHY/ART (PRINT OR ONLINE)

News Photo

• Michael Buckner, Haley Kluge, Jennifer Dorn, Variety, “SAG Fran Strike Cover”
• 3rd: Roger Kisby, Rolling Stone, “F1 Opener”

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Portrait Photo, TV/Film

• Dan Doperalski, Jennifer Dorn, Haley Kluge, Variety, “David Oyelowo Portrait”
• 3rd: Collier Schorr, Rolling Stone, “Kristen Stewart Uncensored: ‘I Want to Do the Gayest Thing You’ve Ever Seen in Your Life’”

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Portrait Photo, Music/Arts

• 3rd: Ash Barhamand, Ava Selbach, Peter B. Cury and Julia & Vincent, The Hollywood Reporter, “Renee Rapp”

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Feature Photo

• 2nd: Ash Barhamand, Ava Selbach, Peter B. Cury and Dan Winters, The Hollywood Reporter, “Nathan Fielder + Emma Stone”
• 3rd: Jenny Sargent, Naomy Pedroza and Joelle Grace Taylor, Billboard, “Lainey Wilson”

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Action Photo

• Chris Willman, Variety, “Brandi Carlile concert photo/The Best Concerts of 2023”

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Photo Essay

• Ash Barhamand, Ava Selbach, Naomy Pedroza, Peter B. Cury, Munachi Osegbu, The Hollywood Reporter, “Hollywood’s Top Stylists”
• 2nd: Alexi Lubomirski, Jennifer Dorn and Haley Kluge, Variety, “Actors on Actors (Oscars)”

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Illustration

• 2nd: Neil Jamieson, Haley Kluge and Jennifer Dorn, Variety, “Star Trek Illustrations”

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Page Layout

• 2nd: Haley Kluge, Ted Keller, Francesco Muzzi and Jennifer Dorn, Variety, “AI Splash”

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Cover Art

• Joe Hutchinson, Rolling Stone, “May 2024 Billie Eilish cover”
• 2nd: Haley Kluge, Jennifer Dorn and Jonny Marlow, Variety, “Anya Taylor Joy Cover”
• 3rd: Peter B. Cury and Zuzanna Rogatty, The Hollywood Reporter, “The Oscar Issue”

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PRINT/ONLINE

Business, Film, Print/Online

• 2nd: Rebecca Rubin, Variety, “‘We’re Still Here’: How AMC Theatres Is Struggling With $4.5 Billion in Debt and Surviving Thanks to Taylor Swift, Viral Popcorn Buckets and More”
• 3rd: Gene Maddaus, Variety, “Mickey Mouse, Long a Symbol in Copyright Wars, to Enter Public Domain: ‘It’s Finally Happening’”

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Business, TV/Streaming, Print/Online

• Tatiana Siegel, Variety, “Inside the Battle for CNN: Jeff Zucker, David Zaslav, Chris Licht and 18 Months of Crazy Backstabbing”
• 2nd: Jennifer Maas, Variety, “Peak TV Has Peaked: From Exhausted Talent to Massive Losses, the Writers Strike Magnifies an Industry in Freefall”

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Business, Music related, Print/Online

• 3rd: Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, “Sphere digital feature”

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Business, Tech/Design/Arts related, Print/Online

• 2nd: Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, “A Pellicano Target’s Second Act”

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Entertainment Industry/Arts Investigative, Print/Online

• Tatiana Siegel, Variety, “Crisis at Marvel: Jonathan Majors Back-Up Plans, ‘The Marvels’ Reshoots, Reviving Original Avengers and More Issues Revealed”

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Obituary/In Appreciation, Film Personalities, Print/Online

• Owen Gleiberman, Variety, “Remembering Piper Laurie in ‘Carrie’ and ‘The Hustler’: A Special Combination of Vulnerability and Power”

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Obituary/In Appreciation, TV Personalities, Print/Online

• 2nd: Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, “Critic’s Appreciation: Matthew Perry Masterfully Walked the Line Between Mirth and Melancholy”

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Obituary/In Appreciation, Music and Other Arts Personalities, Print/Online

• 3rd: Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, “Tony Bennett Gave an Iconic 'Goodfellas' Moment Its Charge — but He Didn't Like Being Associated with It”

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PRINT (NEWSPAPERS OR MAGAZINES)

General News, Print

• 3rd: Brent Lang, Tatiana Siegel and Matt Donnelly, Variety, “Showstopper! Strikes Plunge Hollywood Into Chaos With Pricey Movie Delays, Pay Battles and AI Anxiety”

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CELEBRITY NEWS, PRINT 

Diversity in the TV/Film Industry, Print

• Brent Lang, Variety, “Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy on Her Revealing Diane von Furstenberg Documentary and Directing a ‘Star Wars’ Movie”
• 3rd: Nekesa Mumbi Moody, The Hollywood Reporter, “Oprah and ‘The Color Purple’ Stars on the New Musical Remake: ‘It’s Bright. It’s Vibrant. It’s Us’”

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Diversity in the Music/Performing Arts/Arts Industry, Print

• 2nd: Katie Bain, Billboard, “Finding Harmony”
• 3rd: Thania Garcia, Variety, “Meet the Women Managing Música Mexicana’s Breakout Stars, From Xavi to Yahritza Y Su Esencia and More”

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Personality Profile, Film Industry — Under 2,500 Words, Print

• 2nd: Kate Aurthur, Variety, “Carey Mulligan Never Felt Like a ‘Proper Actor.’ Then Came ‘Maestro’: ‘I’m Going to Absolutely Do It All’”

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Personality Profile, TV/Streaming Industry — Under 2,500 Words, Print

• 2nd: Emily Longeretta, Variety, “‘It Was Never My Intention to Be a Heartthrob’: Josh Hartnett on Finding His Focus, Shedding the Darkness of ‘Black Mirror’ and That ‘Bats--- Crazy’ ‘Trap’ Script”

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Personality Profile, Music and Other Arts — Under 2,500 Words, Print

• 2nd: Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, “Linda Yaccarino’s Very Unmerry X Mess”

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Personality Profile, Film Industry — Over 2,500 Words, Print

• Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, “Kristen Stewart Uncensored: ‘I Want to Do the Gayest Thing You’ve Ever Seen in Your Life’”

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Personality Profile, TV/Streaming Industry — Over 2,500 Words, Print

• Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, “Cheryl Hines … as First Lady? The ‘Curb’ Star on Life After Larry and Marriage to RFK Jr.”
• 3rd: Kate Aurthur, Variety, “Long Live Shiv Roy: Sarah Snook Tells All on That ‘Succession’ Ending, Her Pregnancy and Crying Through the Finale”

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Personality Profile, Music and Other Arts — Over 2,500 Words, Print

• 2nd: Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, “Billie Eilish Would Like to Reintroduce Herself”
• 3rd: Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, “Teezo Touchdown: Birth of a Rock Star”

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Film Industry Feature — Under 1,000 Words, Print

• Katcy Stephan, Variety, “‘MoviePass, MovieCrash’: Founder Stacy Spikes on Mitch Lowe, Racial Bias and Where the Company Stands Today”
• 2nd: Beatrice Verhoeven and Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, “As the Actors Strike Ends, Many Awards Contenders and Campaigners Are Scrambling to Make Up for Lost Time”

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TV Industry Feature — Under 1,000 Words, Print

• Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, “Dan Harmon Is Ready to Talk About All of It (Including the Justin Roiland Drama)”
• 3rd: Katcy Stephan, Variety, “‘Futurama:’ John DiMaggio on His Salary Battle and Return as Bender”

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Music/Performing Arts Industry Feature — Under 1,000 Words, Print

• Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, “Dolly Parton on Turning Down the Super Bowl and Her New Rock Album: ‘I Don’t Want It to Be Half-Ass Country’”
• 2nd: Jon Burlingame, Variety, “‘Law & Order’ Composer Mike Post Creates New Bluegrass and Blues Album”

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Film Industry Feature — Over 1,000 Words, Print

• Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, “‘Schindler’s List’: An Oral History of a Masterpiece”
• 2nd: Jon Burlingame, Variety, “‘Maestro’: How Bradley Cooper Turned Bernstein’s Classical Music into a Film Score”
• 3rd: Adam B. Vary, Variety, “‘The Blair Witch Project’ Actors Call Out ‘Reprehensible Behavior’ After Missing Out on Profits for Decades: ‘Don’t Do What We Did’ (EXCLUSIVE)”

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TV Industry Feature — Over 1,000 Words, Print

• 2nd: Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, “Anderson Cooper on His Complicated Vanderbilt Legacy and CNN After Chris Licht”

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Visual Arts/Architecture Feature — Over 1,000 Words, Print

• 3rd: Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, “Museums Are Reckoning With Looted Art. Now It’s LACMA’s Turn”

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Celebrity Feature, Print

• Rebecca Keegan, Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, “Fran Drescher’s Role of a Lifetime”

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Columnist, Print

• 3rd: Andre Gee, Rolling Stone

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Commentary Analysis/Trend, Film, Print

• 2nd: Brent Lang, Variety, “How Steven Spielberg Dominated Culture and the 1994 Oscars With ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Schindler’s List’”
• 3rd: Lacey Rose and Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, “Why Hollywood Is in the Throes of an IP Frenzy”

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Commentary Analysis/Trend, TV, Print

• 2nd: Michael Schneider, Variety, “Repeats, Reality and 'Yellowstone': How Network TV Is Marketing Fall Lineups Without Many Scripted Favorites”
• 3rd: Clayton Davis, Variety, “‘Love on the Spectrum’ Is Showing Me Examples of How My Autistic Son Could Be as an Adult — and It’s Amazing”

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Commentary Analysis/Trend, Music, Print

• Chris Willman, Variety, “Jason Aldean Already Had the Most Contemptible Country Song of the Decade. The Video Is Worse”
• 3rd: Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, “Breaking Through Rock Journalism’s Boys’ Club”

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Entertainment Publication, Print

• 2nd: Billboard, Rebecca Milzoff, “Billboard: The Sports Issue”

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TV/VIDEO/FILM

Personality Profile, Film Personalities, TV

• 2nd: Lesley Corral, Francesca Manto, Dominoe Ibarra and Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, “Glen Powell Shares His Hollywood Firsts: From Singing 'Unwritten' To 'Spy Kids' Set, Twisters & More”

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RADIO/PODCASTS

Anchor/Host, Radio/Podcast

• 2nd: Michael Schneider, Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Jenelle Riley and Emily Longeretta, Variety, “Variety's Award Circuit Podcast Hosts”

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One-on-One Interview, Film Personalities, Radio/Podcast

• 2nd: Clayton Davis, Variety, “Selena Gomez on Her Cannes Win for Best Actress, ‘Only Murders’ and Potentially Becoming Most Emmy-Nominated Latina Producer”

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One-on-One Interview, TV Personalities, Radio/Podcast

• 2nd: Michael Schneider, Variety, “Day Eating With Seth Meyers: The 'Late Night' Host Counts Down His Top 10 Pizza List”

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One-on-One Interview, Other Arts Personalities, Radio/Podcast

• 3rd: Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, “Geddy Lee Tells All: 'My Effin' Life' — and Rush's Possible Future”

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Best Arts or Entertainment Regular Podcast

• Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, “Rolling Stone Music Now”
• 3rd: Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, “Awards Chatter”

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ONLINE (CONTENT EXCLUSIVE TO THE INTERNET)

Hard News, TV/Streaming Related, Online

• 2nd: Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, “Chaos, Comedy, and ‘Crying Rooms’: Inside Jimmy Fallon’s ‘Tonight Show’”

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Hard News, Film Related, Online

• 2nd: Mia Galuppo and Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, “Netflix Enters Its Dan Lin Era”
• 3rd: Ellise Shafer and Alex Ritman, Variety, “Alan Menken, Sarah Sherman, Alex Winter and Larry Charles Join Jewish Creatives Supporting Jonathan Glazer’s Oscars Speech in Open Letter (EXCLUSIVE)”

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Hard News, Music/Arts Related, Online

• David Browne, Nancy Dillon, Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, “‘They Wanted to Dance in Peace. And They Got Slaughtered’”
• 2nd: Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, “How Jason Aldean Cynically Built “Small Town” to Appeal to Trump Country”

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Soft News, TV/Streaming Related, Online

• Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, “Bryan Lee O'Malley Wanted 'Scott Pilgrim Takes Off' to Surprise You”
• 2nd: Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, “Hulu’s ‘Under the Bridge’ Tells the Story of Reena Virk — and The Notorious B.I.G.”
• 3rd: Meredith Woerner, Variety, “The True Story Behind Truman Capote’s Ashes Being Auctioned Off on ‘Feud’”

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Soft News, Film Related, Online

• 3rd: Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, “Animation at a Crossroads as Hope Mixes with Anxiety”

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Soft News, Music/Arts Related, Online

• Jem Aswad, Variety, “Why David Bowie Killed Ziggy Stardust, 50 Years Ago Today”

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Diversity in the TV/Streaming Industry, Online

• Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, “How The CW’s ‘Sight Unseen’ Built a Production For and Driven By Blind and Low Vision Creatives”

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Diversity in the Film Industry, Online

• Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, “For Female Creatives, Hollywood Is Still Just as ‘Bleak’ as Some Fear, but It Doesn’t Have to Be”
• 2nd: Clayton Davis, Variety, “Black Women Executives Are Exiting Studio Leadership Posts and Hollywood’s Doing Nothing About It”
• 3rd: Sharareh Drury, Variety, “‘Dune 2’ Criticized for Lack of Middle Eastern and North African Inclusion and Influences: ‘A Missed Opportunity’”

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Diversity in the Music/Performing Arts Industry, Online

• 3rd: Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, “A Neuro-Inclusive Take on ‘Spring Awakening’: ‘We Don’t Need to Break People Down’”

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Personality Profile, Film Personalities, Online

• Kate Erbland, IndieWire, “Kirsten Dunst Is Our Most Reasonable Movie Star”
• 3rd: Clayton Davis, Variety, “Paul Giamatti on ‘Sideways’ Oscar Snub, the Secret to His ‘Holdovers’ Lazy Eye and How He’s Still ‘Figuring Out How to Act on Film’”

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Personality Profile, Music Personalities, Online

• 3rd: Ellise Shafer, Variety, “Peter Doherty and Katia deVidas on Making Doc ‘Stranger in My Own Skin’ About the ‘Terror and Danger’ of Drug Addiction — and Falling in Love in the Process”

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TV Feature, Online

• 2nd: J. Kim Murphy, Variety, “‘Winning Time’ Ends in Defeat With an Awkward, Surprise Series Finale”

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Film Feature, Actor Related, Online

• 2nd: Katcy Stephan, Variety, “Tom Hardy on His Wild ‘Bikeriders’ Accent and Knowing ‘Furiosa’ Is ‘Special’ (Without Even Seeing It Yet)”
• 3rd: Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, “94-Year-Old June Squibb Does Her Own Stunts in ‘Thelma,’ a Sundance Spin on ‘Mission: Impossible’”

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Film Feature, Filmmaker Related, Online

• 2nd: J. Kim Murphy, Variety, “‘Koyaanisqatsi’ Director Godfrey Reggio Unravels His New Odyssey ‘Once Within a Time’ Amid Humanity’s Accelerating Self-Destruction”
• 3rd: Todd Gilchrist, Variety, “Director Martin Brest Revisits the Triumphs of 'Beverly Hills Cop' and 'Midnight Run,' and Reflects On His Post-'Gigli' Hollywood Exile”

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Film Feature, Production/History Related, Online

• David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, “Hollywood’s 20 Most Erotic Movies, Ranked”
• 3rd: Gary Baum and Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, “Unmasking the AMPTP: Hollywood Labor’s Opaque Nemesis”

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Theater Feature, Online

• 2nd: Brent Lang, Variety, “How Broadway’s ‘Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club’ Pulls Off Its Audacious, Sensual 75-Minute Prologue”

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Celebrity Feature, Online

• Pamela Chelin, Variety, “Martin Scorsese Hosts Robbie Robertson Tribute Concert, With Jackson Browne and Others Paying Musical Homage”

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Columnist, Online

• 2nd: Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, “The Download, a column by Hollywood Reporter Senior Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu”

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Commentary Analysis/Trend, Film, Online

• Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, “A New Wave of Films Experiments With How We See Climate Change”
• 2nd: Sharareh Drury, Variety, “‘Dune 2’ Criticized for Lack of Middle Eastern and North African Inclusion and Influences: ‘A Missed Opportunity’”
• 3rd: Carolyn Giardina, The Hollywood Reporter, “VFX Pros Expose The Hidden Costs of Selling a Movie as ‘Real’”

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Commentary Analysis/Trend, TV, Online

• Clayton Davis, Variety, “‘Love on the Spectrum’ Is Showing Me Examples of How My Autistic Son Could Be as an Adult — and It’s Amazing”
• 2nd: Brian Steinberg, Variety, “TV Talkers From Pat McAfee to Rachel Maddow Gain New License to Blast Bosses On-Air”

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Commentary Analysis/Trend, Other Arts, Online

• James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, “When a Ketamine Therapy Visit Goes Horribly Wrong”

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Entertainment Website, Online

• The Hollywood Reporter Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, “THR.com”
• 3rd: Variety, Variety, “variety.com”

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ENTERTAINMENT BLOG BY AN INDIVIDUAL NOT TIED TO AN ORGANIZATION

Entertainment Blog

• 2nd: Aaron Couch and Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, “Heat Vision”

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SOCIAL MEDIA

Best Journalistic use of Social Media to Tell or Enhance a Story

• 2nd: Rachel Seo and Julia MacCary, Variety, “Variety Actors on Actors Season 20”
• 3rd: Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, “The Hollywood Reporter music articles told through Instagram Stories”

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About Penske Media Corporation 

Penske Media Corporation (PMC) is a leading global media and information services company whose award-winning content attracts a passionate monthly audience of more than 350 million. Since 2004, PMC has been a pioneer in digital media and live events, reaching viewers on all screens across its ever-growing constellation of iconic brands, which includes Variety, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Dick Clark Productions, WWD, SHE Media, Robb Report, Deadline, Sportico, BGR, ARTnews, Fairchild Media, Vibe, IndieWire, Artforum, Gold Derby and Luminate, the premier data and analytics company. PMC’s journalists and content creators deliver daily the most comprehensive news and information in their industries and areas of coverage, unequaled in ambition, depth, and courage. In addition, PMC owns several of the most iconic and vital cultural events such as The Golden Globes, Country Music Awards (ACMs), Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, SXSW, American Music Awards (AMAs), LA3C, Life is Beautiful, Latin Music Week, and ATX Television Festival. Penske Media is headquartered in New York and Los Angeles with additional offices in 14 countries worldwide, for more information, please visit www.PMC.com. 

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Penske Media Corporation (PMC), the leading global media, live events and data analytics company, recently released findings from their pop culture study, Power of Shared Cultural Connections. The study explores the powerful impact of shared cultural moments and immersive events on consumer engagement, revealing that these experiences resonate profoundly with audiences, foster lifelong memories and community bonds, and offer brands a unique opportunity to cultivate loyalty and engagement through these immersive events.

“At PMC, our research shows that brands have a unique opportunity to be a part of cultural moments by engaging in shared experiences which forge deep emotional connections and loyalty that traditional media channels cannot match,” said Dan Owen, EVP, GM, Strategic Solutions Group at PMC. “As a conduit for creating these collective experiences, PMC helps our partners tap into the power of pop culture and immersive events, embedding themselves in the memories that shape fandoms.”

Key takeaways from the “Power of Shared Cultural Connections” study include:

Major pop culture experiences are a pathway to lifelong memories and provide the thrill of unexpected connection. At a moment in time when much of the world is more isolated than ever, audiences want moments that fuel gratitude and bring us closer to ourselves and each other. 77% say major pop culture experiences are a source of lifelong memories, and 72% seek out pop culture events that offer immersion into the worlds of their favorite shows, movies and artists (86% among Gen Z respondents).

Shared cultural experiences are powerful community builders, particularly when they resonate deeply with the audience’s passions and interests. The more personal and human the stories surrounding the moment are, the more impactful it becomes. 63% seek out pop culture experiences that offer deeper connections to personal interests, and 56% of Gen Z respondents say that they seek out pop culture events that offer deeper community connections with like-minded fans. 

Events are always in the plans. 92% plan to attend or wish to attend pop cultural events, including music, film, and art festivals, concerts, immersive experiences and exhibits, in the next year.

Award shows are a vital part of pop culture, connecting us with our favorite artists and acting as a unifying force that creates memorable historical moments. 87% of audiences identify as being“obsessed” or “casual” fans of major award shows. Award shows foster community, with 58% saying they talk to their friends and family about them.

Brands have an incredible power as the facilitators of shared cultural connection. Creating exclusive access that brings fans closer to those moments, and the artists they love most, yields extreme loyalty. 63% consider themselves a super fan of a musician (80% of Gen Z) with 43% saying that if their favorite music artist wears/endorses something, it influences their purchase decision. Additionally, 52% would feel more loyal to a brand if it provided access to live-streamed cultural events.

The findings of PMC’s Power of Shared Cultural Connections study demonstrate that shared cultural moments profoundly influence consumer engagement. This research highlights the critical role that brands play in facilitating these vital connections and creating experiences that not only build emotional ties but also foster enduring loyalty.

To explore the full details of PMC’s research, download the study at: www.pmc.com/2025popculturereport

Report Methodology

In August 2024, Penske Media Corporation (PMC) surveyed a highly targeted segment of 1200 engaged, pop-culturally aware individuals to explore their interest and interaction with live experiences, events, and key cultural moments; as well as the significance these hold for fans, artists, and the brands that make them happen. This study incorporates a blend of qualitative, quantitative, and first-party data, with a spotlight on distinct generational groups: Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers.

Sportico, the global media and publishing leader in the business of sports, today announces the appointment of Tony Haskel as its new Chief Revenue Officer. In his role, Haskel will oversee all aspects of Sportico’s business operations across all platforms, including sales, marketing, international ventures, licensing, social media, membership growth, branded content, and live events. He will report to Paul Rainey, Executive Vice President, Operations & Finance, Penske Media Corporation, and be based in New York.

“We are very excited to welcome Tony Haskel to the Sportico team,” said Rainey. “Tony joins Sportico at a pivotal moment in its growth as the brand continues to define what it means to be the global leader in sports business media. His leadership will be key as Sportico expands its reach and deepens its influence, all while continuing to deliver cutting-edge insights and industry-leading content.”

“I’m honored to join Sportico at this crucial stage of its growth,” said Haskel. “In just four years, Sportico has become the go-to destination for professionals looking for trusted insights, data, analytics, breaking stories, industry profiles and community within the ever-growing sports industry. I’m excited to contribute to the brand’s ongoing success and to work alongside such a talented team of journalists and business operators.”

Haskel brings his extensive experience to Sportico, having previously served as New York and New England Sales Director at Mansueto Ventures, where he spearheaded partnership opportunities across a diverse portfolio of platforms, channels and content. His extensive career includes leadership roles such as Head of Partnerships at Bloomberg Live (Bloomberg Media), Vice President and Publisher of Money (Time Inc.), Executive Sales Director of FORTUNE (Time Inc.), National Advertising Director of Bonnier Mountain Group and Advertising Director of Condé Nast Portfolio.

Haskel graduated from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Arts degree, with post graduate certifications from New York University and Columbia Business School. He also serves on the advisory board of the University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business and the Kelly Brush Foundation.

About Sportico

Sportico is a digital content platform providing sports industry news, data, insights, strategies, leadership and live media experiences for professionals in the $600 billion sports industry. Launched by Penske Media in 2020 as the global media and publishing leader in the business of sports, Sportico has offices in New York and Los Angeles with reporters throughout the world committed to providing breaking news in the sports business industry covered by the world’s top journalists.

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