WELCOME TO BOLA AKINBOADE'S BLOG

TOP SELLING DIGITAL ARTISTS

2012-01-27T13:33:00.001-08:00

Top selling digital artists include artists who are big hit with iTunes generation. Apart from selling million of their record worldwide, they have also sold million digital songs. Over the years, they have been able to make their mark with their songs.
However, those who make it to this list didn’t get there by fluke. There is something about their voice and music that enchants us all. In this report, BOLA AKINBOADE presents to you, the top selling digital artists.

RIHANNA
Robyn Rihanna Fenty popularly as simply Rihanna, is the youngest solo artist in Billboard charts history to achieve eleven number-one singles on the Hot 100.
Since her début album Music of the Sun was released in 2005, Rihanna has moved a total of 47.5 million digital tracks. In 2011 alone, the ‘You Da One’ singer sold 13.9 million digital copies. Regardless of how well her songs perform on iTunes and other download websites, Rihanna’s fans are generally not interested in buying her actual CD's. Her top-selling disc, ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’, which included the mega-hit ‘Umbrella’, has sold only 2.7 million copies in the US to date. Meantime, none of her other albums has surpassed the two million mark. Her sixth and latest studio effort, ‘Talk that Talk’ was released on November 21, 2011. The album premièred at number three on the US Billboard 200, but has only recently been certified gold, meaning it has sold 500,000 copies. The disc's latest single ‘We Found Love’ is its most popular, currently ranking as the number two song on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart. Despite her seemingly slow CD sales, there is no disputing the pop star is a big hit with the iTunes generation.

BLACK EYED PEAS
The Black Eyed Peas are an American hip pop group (originally an alternative hip hop group), formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995.
The Black Eyed Peas transcended hip-hop to become one of the most commercially successful pop groups of the 2000s. Their career began modestly, with a pair of albums inspired by the positive-minded likes of A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. After adding Fergie, the group’s pop instincts reached full flight.
The Black Eyed Peas are a glorious exception. They have become one of the best selling, most popular and most innovative groups for over a decade. They have transformed themselves from a beloved backpack rap troop from the West Coast Underground into fully-fledged, massive global superstars whose music can be heard in any country around the world.
Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 65 million records worldwide. They've also sold over 3-million tickets and headlined over 300 different tour dates in 29 different countries. Black Eyed Peas has moved a total of 42.4 million digital tracks.
Simply put, there doesn't exist another contemporary artist or group who can come close to their sustained success.

EMINEM
Marshall Bruce Mathers III better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition.
Eminem is one of the best-selling artists in the world and is the best selling artist of the 2000s. He has been listed and ranked as one of the greatest artists of all time by many magazines.
He has also sold more than 42.2 million track downloads and 41 million albums in the United States alone, and 86 million albums worldwide to date.
Eminem quickly gained popularity in 1999 with his major-label debut album, ‘The Slim Shady LP’.That first album, ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’ and his third major album, ‘The Eminem Show’, all won Grammy Awards, making Eminem the first artist to win Best Rap Album for three consecutive LPs. The Marshall Mathers LP is also considered one of Eminem's best and most successful albums.
Eminem has opened other ventures since the beginning of his success. He founded his own record label; Shady Records with his manager Paul Rosenberg. He also has his own radio channel, Shade 45. Eminem began an acting career in 2002; when he starred in the hip hop drama film 8 Mile in which he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, becoming the first rap artist ever to win the award. He is also set to star in the 2013 films Shady Talez and ‘Have Gun, Will Travel.’

LADY GAGA
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta better known by her stage name Lady Gaga is an American singer and songwriter.
Lady Gaga came to prominence as a recording artist following the release of her debut albumThe Fame (2008), which was a critical and commercial success that topped charts around the world and included the international number-one singles "Just Dance" and "Poker Face". After embarking on the Fame Ball Tour, she followed the album with The Fame Monster (2009), which spawned the worldwide hit singles "Bad Romance", "Telephone" and "Alejandro" and allowed her to embark on the eighteen-month long Monster Ball Tour, which later became one of the highest- grossing concert tours of all time. Her most recent album Born This Way (2011) topped the charts of most major markets and generated more international chart-topping singles that include "Born This Way", "Judas" and "The Edge of Glory.
Gaga is well-recognized for her flamboyant, diverse and outré contributions to the music industry through fashion, performance and music videos. She has sold an estimated 23 million albums and 64 million singles worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time and her singles some of the best-selling worldwide. She has also moved 42 million digital tracks.
Her achievements include four Guinness World Records, five Grammy Awards and thirteen MTV Video Music Awards. Lady Gaga has consecutively appeared on Billboard magazine's Artists of the Year (scoring the definitive title in 2010), is regularly placed on lists composed by Forbes magazine, and was named one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine.

TAYLOR SWIFT
Taylor Alison Swift is an American country pop singer-songwriter, musician and actress. In 2006, she released her debut single "Tim McGraw", then her self-titled album, which was subsequently certified multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.In November 2008, Swift released her second album, Fearless, and the recording earned Swift four Grammy Awards, including the Album of the Year , at the
Swift is rated the fifth most successful digital artist in music history with over 41.8 million digital tracks sold.
As of March 2011, she has sold over 20 million albums and 41.8 million singles worldwide. She has been listed in the 2012 Guinness Book Of World Records as the Fastest Selling Digital Album by a Female Artist for her albumSpeak Now, and Most Simultaneous U.S. Hot 100 Hits by a Female Artist.

KATY PERRY
Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson better known by her stage name of Katy Perry, is an American singer, songwriter and actress. After earning a GED during her first year of high school, she began to pursue a career in music.
She rose to fame with the release of her second single “I Kissed a Girl” in 2008, which went on to top international charts. Perry's first mainstream studio album “One of the Boys” followed later that year and subsequently became the 33rd-best selling album worldwide of 2008.
Her third studio album “Teenage Dream” was released in August 2010 and became the eleventh best selling album worldwide of 2010 and ninth best selling album worldwide of 2011.
The Teenage Dream all the songs have approximately sold a total over 30 million copies worldwide aside from the album. The Teenage Dream singles alone have sold approximately 28 million copies worldwide.
Katy has sold over 37,620,000 million digital tracks alone United States, and sold more 11 million albums worldwide which makes her one of the best selling artists of all time.

LIL WAYNE
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label and half of the duo, The B.G.’z with B.G. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys
Lil Wayne gained most of his success with the group's major selling album Guerrilla Warfare, released in 1999. Also in 1999, Lil Wayne released his Platinum debut album The Block Is Hot, selling over one million copies in the U.S.
Lil Wayne released several mixtapes and appeared on several popular rap and R&B singles.
His most successful album, Tha Carter III, was released in 2008 and sold over 1 million copies in the U.S. its first week of release. It included the number-one single “Lollipop” featuring Static Major. It also includes the singles “A Milli” and “Got Money” featuring T-Pain and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. Lil has sold over 36, 788,00 digital tracks

BEYONCE
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles simply known as Beyoncé is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress.
Beyoncé Knowles rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time.
During the hiatus of Destiny's Child, Knowles released her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love, in 2003, which spawned two number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100—"Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy"—and became one of the most successful albums of that year, earning her a then record-tying five Grammy Awards. Following the disbandment of Destiny's Child in 2005, Knowles released her second solo album, B'Day, in 2006, and included the hits "Irreplaceable" and "Beautiful Liar". Her third solo album I Am... Sasha Fierce, released in 2008, spawned four commercially successful singles—"If I Were a Boy", "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", "Halo" and "Sweet Dreams". The album helped Knowles earn six Grammys in 2010, breaking the record for most Grammy Awards won by a female artist in one night.
Apart from her work in music, Beyoncé has also launched a career in acting. She made her debut in the 2001 musical film Carmen.
In 2004, Knowles and her mother introduced their family's fashion line, House of Deréon. In June 2010, she was ranked first on Forbes list of the 100 Most Powerful and Influential musicians in the world, and second on its list of the 100 Most Powerful and Influential celebrities in the world.
Beyoncé work has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including 16 Grammy Awards, 11 MTV Video Music Awards, a Billboard Millennium Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with Destiny's Child.
As of May 2010, Knowles has sold over 11.2 million albums in the United States .
She has sold over 30.4 million digital singles in the US. Beyoncé has also sold 75 million records worldwide, which makes her one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

KANYE WEST
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and Janet Jackson. His style of production originally used pitched-up vocal samples from soul songs incorporated with his own drums and instruments. However, subsequent productions saw him broadening his musical palette and expressing influences encompassing '70s R&B, baroque pop, trip hop, arena rock,folk, alternative, electronica, synth-pop, and classical music.
West released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004, his second album Late Registration in 2005, his third album Graduation in 2007, his fourth album 808s & Heartbreak in 2008, and his fifth album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in 2010. West released a collaborative album, Watch the Throne, with Jay-Z on August 8, 2011, which is the duo's first collaborative album. His five solo albums, all of which have gone platinum, have received numerous awards and critical acclaim. As of 2011, West has won a total of fourteen Grammy Awards. All albums have been very commercially successful.
He has sold 30,242,000 million digital songs in the United States placing him second for solo male artists on the list and ninth overall for best selling digital artists.

BRITNEY JEAN SPEARS
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album “Baby One More Time” in 1999. During her first decade in the music industry, she became a prominent figure in mainstream popular music and popular culture, followed by a much-publicized personal life. Her first two albums established her as a pop icon and broke sales records, while title tracks “Baby One More Time” and “Oops…I Did It Again” became international number-one hits. Spears was credited with influencing the revival of teen pop during the late 1990s.
In 2001, she released her third studio album Britney and expanded her brand, playing the starring role in the film Crossroads. She assumed creative control of her fourth studio album, “In the Zone”, which yielded chart-topping singles “Me Against Music”, “Toxic” and “Everytime”.
Spears has sold over 100 million records worldwide. She has sold 28,665,000 million digital songs which makes her tenth overall for best selling digital artists.

BOKO HARAM CHANGES TACTICS

2012-01-27T13:20:00.000-08:00

The Islamic sect, Boko Haram, has threatened to adopt a change of tactics in a message posted on YouTube yesterday. The sect also restated that it was behind last week’s attacks in Kano saying bombings and shootings were to avenge the torture of its members.

“We were responsible,” a voice identified as that of suspected Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau says in audio played over a picture of him. “I ordered it and I will give that order again and again. God gave us victory.”
A spokesman for the group had earlier claimed responsibility for
coordinated bombings and shootings on January 20 in Kano which left at least 185 people dead. Police stations were the main targets.
Shekau said in the message that “we attacked the security formations because our members were arrested and tortured. Our women and children have also been arrested.” He then issued another threat: “They should know that they also have wives and children. We can also abduct them. It is not beyond our powers.
“Soldiers raided an Islamic seminary in Maiduguri and desecrated the Quran.

They should bear in mind that they also have primary and secondary schools and universities, and we can also attack them.”
The Boko Haram leader also accused the authorities of killing civilians in Friday’s violence.
“After we finished our war, policemen stuck around and started killing civilians and later blamed us,” he said. “We are not fighting civilians, but security forces. We only kill soldiers, policemen and their collaborators.”

The Kano attacks were the worst yet attributed to Boko Haram and occurred in a city that serves as the economic heart of the North. Another police station was attacked in Kano on Tuesday night, while an explosion also went off in the city on yesterday. A German engineer was also kidnapped on the outskirts of Kano yesterday. A video posted on YouTube earlier this month was also said to be of Shekau.

In the video, the man said to be Shekau issued a message to President Goodluck Jonathan and threatened further violence.
The appearance of the man in the video appeared significantly different than earlier images said to be of the Boko Haram chief, but a Western diplomat said “we assessed it was Shekau.”

INTRODUCING: THE ESSENCE OF STYLE COLLECTION

2012-01-27T12:09:00.000-08:00

Designers’ Muse is a fabric and haberdashery store that carries designer and novelty fashion fabrics, notions & trims, all tailoring supplies and display items such as mannequins, bust forms, garment racks, and the likes. It recently unveiled its latest collection tagged “The Essence of Style.”
And according to the Chief Executive of the company, Rashidat Hamza “The ESSENCE OF STYLE collection is not your ideal collection of garments designed by a fashion designer but it is rather, a layout of beautiful fabrics and trims nicely draped on the models by Fashion Illustrator/Designer Datari Rotimi Austin. It is a presentation of style as it should be; i.e., fun, versatile and elegant. And it serves as a guide to the designer who seeks to understand the dexterity of our pieces”.
At Designers’ Muse, you will find a wide array of silks, chiffons, laces, brocades, shantung, guipure, organza, satin, Lame, Calico, jersey, cotton etc in different prints and colours, all sourced across the world. You will also find very unique and affordable trimmings, neck and crystal motifs, zippers, etc. The store which is located in the Isolo axis of Lagos is simply a designer’s haven! It is a shopper’s delight, and as their slogan aptly reads, they are ‘your fashion resource partner!’

For more enquiries, please call: 08035962268

Styling: Datari Austin
Makeup: Pholar Makeovers
Photography: Prime

SUPREME COURT SACKS FIVE NIGERIAN GOVERNORS

2012-01-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

A seven- man panel of the Supreme Court in a unanimous decision this morning sacked Governors Liyel Imoke, Murtala Nyako, Ibrahim Idris, Wamako and Temipre Silva of Cross River, Adamawa, Kogi, Sokoto and Bayelsa states from office.
The court in Abuja held that the tenures of the governors started to count from the time they took their oath of office after emerging winners in their respective state governorship elections in 2007 and not from the period they took their second oaths of office after emerging winners of the re-run elections when there initial elections were nullified.
A Federal High Court had earlier held that their tenures of office started to run from their later oaths of office and oath of allegiance which they took upon their emergence as winners of their respective re run elections.
The apex court held that the trial court as well as the Court of Appeal erred in law when the considered the actions taken by the respective governors before their elections were nullified by the various Election Petition Tribunals as valid on one hand while discounting the time they spent doing those valid actions from their constitutionally prescribed tenure of office.

180. (1) subject to the provisions of this Constitution, a person shall hold the office of Governor of a State until -
(a) When his successor in office takes the oath of that office; or
(b) he dies whilst holding such office; or
(c) the date when his resignation from office takes effect; or
(d) he otherwise ceases to hold office in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.
In reaching their decision, the Supreme Court relied on section 180 (2) of the Constitution wherein the tenure of office of Governors were prescribed and held that that section did not envisage any form of elongation of occupants of the office of the Governor of the state as well as that of the President.

The section reads:
180 (2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the Governor shall vacate his office at the expiration of period of four years commencing from the date when -

(a) in the case of a person first elected as Governor under this Constitution, he took the Oath of Allegiance and oath of office; and
(b) the person last elected to that office took the Oath of Allegiance and oath of office or would, but for his death, have taken such oaths.

The court held that the provisions of that section of the Constitution will stand violated if the tenure of office of the Governors is calculated from their second taking of Oath of Office and the Oath of Allegiance and stated that their tenure started counting from their first Oath of office which they all took after they were declared winners of the April 2007 elections and that they are entitled to four year terms from that date.

The court also rapped the Peoples Democratic party for attempting to abort the hearing of the matter at the court through their preliminary objections filed against all the consolidated appeals. The party had argued that the subject matter of the appeals have become academic and should be dismissed.

While dismissing the PDP’s preliminary objections, the apex court maintained that the matter is of grave constitutional importance whose subject matter is still alive and cannot be truncated on the grounds of mere technicalities.

In countering the decisions of the Federal High Court and that of the Court of Appeal, the apex court asserted that the provision of the law did not envisage an indefinite occupation of office by a Governor and did not also envisage re run elections, left alone one to be won by the same person.

It went on to hold that since actions of these governors, like contracts awarded by them, Commissioners and Special Assistants appointed by them as well as Budgets and Bills signed into law by them remained valid and subsisting when their election were annulled, that it followed that upon emerging winners of their respective re run elections, and having to take another Oaths of Office and Allegiance which is a standard procedure before they can function as Governors, that their tenure begins to count from that first oaths they took in 2007 and not the second ones they took in 2008 after their victories in the re-run election

JENNY PACKHAM TO LAUNCH HIGH STREET COLLECTION

2012-01-27T11:45:00.000-08:00

The Duchess of Cambridge has turned heads in several of her designs.
The most memorable being a £3,800 shimmering gown worn to the ARK charity gala last year. But for many, Jenny Packham's pricey eponymous label - which starts at £85 for a Swarovski embellished thong - has remained a little off budget.
However the designer, whose flagship store is situated in London's Mayfair, is set to launch a cut-price collection.
Having established a star-studded following, the 46-year-old has created an affordable high street line in collaboration with Debenhams.
It is expected that the range will feature bright colours, light fabrics, whimsical detailing and feminine cuts.
Packham will join the likes of Julien Macdonald, Roksanda Ilincic, Jonathan Saunders and Matthew Williamson who have also created capsule collections for the UK retailer.
With the luxury brand boasting an elite fan base, Jenny Packham's purse-friendly pieces are sure to be a hit with price-conscious shoppers.
Stars such as Rihanna, Keira Knightley, Beyonce and Cameron Diaz have been spotted in gowns from Jenny Packham and last year the Duchess of Cambridge opted the designer on three separate occasions.
A Jenny Packham jewellery range will also debut at Debenhams.
Jenny Packham launched her first collection at the London Designer Show in 1988; the label now has stores in London and Paris, and is stocked globally.

MEET VICTORIA’S SECRET ANGELS

2012-01-27T11:37:00.000-08:00

The Victoria's Secret Angels are known for being some of the best looking women in the world. And three of them showed just how hard working they are when they flaunted their fantastic figures for a photo shoot on the beach in St Barts.
Adriana Lima and Gracie Cavalho took their turn in front of the camera first, splashing in the waves as they modelled tiny two pieces for the brand.
30-year-old Lima donned a series of skimpy bikinis including a floral number as she lay seductively in the surf and smouldered for the camera.
Meanwhile Carvalho, 21, was sporting a fluorescent pink string bikini as she showed of her trim frame while wading through the water.
The models, who are both Brazilian, showed that they were worthy of their Victoria's Secret Angel wings as they expertly worked the camera to show off their bodies in all their glory.
They were joined by a third Angel, Namibian born Behati Prinsloo.
The 22-year-old stayed on dry land for her portion of the photo shoot, posing under a palm tree.
She wore a tiny peach coloured string bikini with silver detailing, and held a straw hat in one hand as she struck various stances for the camera.
Lima signed on as a face of the lingerie brand in 2000, while Carvalho and Prinsloo are a more recent addition to the beautiful representatives of the label.
And the trio appeared to have worked hard to achieve their enviable figures for the location shoot.

FOUR EASY STEPS TO GETTING MORE CUSTOMERS

2012-01-27T11:20:00.000-08:00

The good news and bad news about marketing is that price and results are not necessarily connected. You can pay the same price for poor results as you would for great results.
The difference is based on what you put into your marketing before you implement.
By planning your marketing well, you can put more quality into it and therefore, get better results out of it.
Here is an easy and effective method to plan your marketing so you can see better results from your marketing without spending more money.

UNDERSTAND YOUR STRENGTHS
Ask yourself these questions: Why do people buy from you? What do you really do for your customers? How are you better than your competition? What special skills or advantages do you have?
The answers to these questions are your competitive advantages. They are what make you stand out from your competition. They may be related to price, location, professional skills, attitude, responsiveness or your own personality.
People buy from you because you do something for them no one else does. Understand this and you've taken the first step to better marketing.

IDENTIFY YOUR CUSTOMERS (YOUR TARGET MARKET)
To promote your business you should focus on people who value what you do. Your strengths (or competitive advantages) will help you focus on who will most value your service or product.
For example, if your location is strength then your customers will reflect your location. If high quality is strength then your customers should appreciate quality.
To get an idea of who your target market is, look at your current customers. Or, look at your profit margins to decide which type of customers to focus on. You might have several target markets because you have several products or services and a variety of strengths.
Bottom line: focus on people who will place a high value on what you can do for them. These people will be your most loyal and profitable customers.

CREATE A MEANINGFUL MESSAGE
The key in successful marketing is to deliver the right message to the right people as often as your budget will allow. So, you need a message that tells your target market why they should do business with you.
Your message should reflect your strengths because those are what you do best. And, your message should be in terms that your target market is interested in.
In other words speak in their language and say what they want to hear.
Your message comes directly from your strengths and your target market. The three work together naturally and simply.
You can have more than one message. Each marketing focus (based on a product or service, a target market and a strength) should have its own message.
To start, just work on one message. Then as you develop a system that works, add others to your marketing system. Don't overwhelm yourself right away by trying to do too much.

DELIVER YOUR MESSAGE AS OFTEN AS YOUR BUDGET ALLOWS
Now you have to find and purchase the appropriate delivery vehicles (or media) for your marketing messages.
There are three things to remember as you plan how to deliver your message: Set a budget for the project; Get the most exposure possible for that budget; Focus your exposure on your target group.
Unless your budget is unlimited, you need to choose delivery vehicles that focus your message.
For example, if you have a retail store and you know 90% of your customers live within two miles of your store, then you might focus your message delivery on people who live within two miles of your store. This gives you the ability to repeat your message to them multiple times, putting the power of repetition to work for you.
There are many ways to deliver your message: advertising, direct mail, networking, phone calls or personal visits. Some less direct ways might be to teach classes or offer seminars on topics that relate to your product or service. Other ways might be to sponsor events or offer informational sessions about what you do. Or, you might partner with a nonprofit.
Whatever you do, try to achieve a balanced mix of media when delivering your message. This increases awareness of your business and multiplies the impact of your message.

ANITA JOSEPH TURNS A NEW LEAF

2012-01-27T11:02:00.001-08:00

Nollywood actress, Anita Joseph is rated among the very professional actresses that Nollywood has ever produced. This is because she is always thorough in her role interpretation and gives everything it demands to do a nice job.
No doubt, she has been tagged the most controversial actress in Nollywood due to the numerous negative stories she is always associated with.
The latest gist about this curvy actress is that she has turned a new leaf and set to work for God. The talented actress is set to release a yet to be titled Gospel album.
According to what bebeakinboade.blogspot.com gathered, God gave her the songs during the subsidy strike. She also claimed that God also spoke to her through two men of God. And she is not bothered about what people will say considering her past. She is ready to obey God by releasing the songs He put in her heart.
Anita will be dropping two Christian songs very soon. Indeed, God works in mysterious ways!!!

GENEVIEVE NNAJI CLINCHES NEW MULTI MILLION NAIRA DEAL

2012-01-24T15:29:00.000-08:00

contract with a new international beverage brand known as Cintron.
Our source revealed that the delectable actress along with Super Eagles soccer star, Osaze Odewingie, were named the brand ambassadors of Cintron few weeks back when the product was launched.
According to what we also gathered, Senegalese platinum singer, Akon , was the international face of the brand based in the United States of America and South Africa, but due to the viability of the Nigerian market, they picked Genevieve and Osaze as their African ambassadors.
We scooped that the contract was worth over N50 million and is subject to renewal after two years.

WOMEN OF COLOUR MAKEUP & BEAUTY WORKSHOP

2012-01-24T15:23:00.000-08:00

CHANTERELLE CONCEPTS & OJULOGE ARTS WORLD

PRESENT

“WOMEN OF COLOUR” MAKEUP & BEAUTY WORKSHOP

A 3 day hands-on Practical Workshop on Skin Care, Cream Mixing, Gele Tying, Airbrush Makeup, Traditional Makeup, Lashes and more.Learn the basics of makeup application from a highly trained and experienced professional. The course covers: color correction, highlighting/shading, foundation application, face shapes, eye shadow application, eyebrow definition, blush and lip color choices, skin types and lots more.

Date: Friday April 27- Sunday April 29,2012
Venue: 82, Aina Street (Before Fan Milk Depot), by Grammar School Bus-Stop, Ojodu-Berger, Lagos
Time: 9am - 5pm

COURSE CONTENT:
DAY ONE:
Knowing Skin Types
Skin Treatments (Synthetics)
Skin Toning
Skin Brightening
Body Butter
Body Wrap
Body Polishing

DAY TWO:
Sauna Facial Treatment
Natural Skin Types
Essential Oils
Carrier Oils
Herbs For Skin Care
Natural Makeup
3D Eye Brows
Multiple Lashes

DAY THREE:
Airbrush makeup
Straight Makeup Look
Bridal Look (British)
Bridal Look (USA)
Engagement Makeup
Strip Lashes
Iyawo Gele
Head Wrap
Iyawo –Alhaji Gele
Pin-Me Gele
Single Wing Gele

HOW TO REGISTER:
Pay N20,000 into Funso- Adebayo D.O Account. Acc.No:0107439638 .GTBank
Then come to No.82, Aina Street (Before Fan Milk Depot), by Grammar School Bus-Stop, Ojodu-Berger, Lagos, to fill out your registration form.

FREE GIFT:
The first 10 participants to register will get free Eyeshadow pallet. And also free Makeup Box for the Best Student.

Proudly supported by:
Sleek Studio, Bella Naija, Linda Ikeji, Gistmaster, Fabmimi & Olorisupergal

For more enquiries, call: 08030622601 OR 08033571919

3 WAYS TO INCREASE SALES

2012-01-24T15:18:00.000-08:00

If you remember nothing else in this article, remember this: even during the great depression, people still bought things. And not just food and necessities -- lipstick and entertainment were hot sellers. (In fact, that's where the cosmetic industry got its start.)
Why am I starting here? Because I know it's easy to get caught up in a cycle of negativity right now but if you want to succeed you absolutely MUST rise above it. People are still going to buy no matter what the economy is doing. It's YOUR job to position your products and services as the ones they buy.
So how do you do that? Here are three tips to get you started.

INCREASE YOUR MARKETING
Dance with the one who brought you. In other words, now is not the time to abandon the marketing strategies and tactics that got you here. A lot of business owners will be tempted to cut back, especially their marketing. This is a mistake. If anything, you should increase your marketing now.
However, by increasing your marketing I don't necessarily mean increasing how much you spend. It's perfectly acceptable to find low-cost or no-cost marketing methods to still keep the momentum going. One word of warning -- there's no such thing as a free lunch. Chances are you're going to pay somewhere, and that payment could very well be your time. Before you rush into doing something you end up regretting, take a hard look at the real cost. Would you be better off doing something that might cost more but doesn't suck up time you could be using to make money?
Here are some tactics you can do right now to increase your exposure without necessarily costing you much (if anything):
a. Start an email newsletter, or if you already publish one, increase the frequency you send it out. (Weekly is best. The more often your list hears from you, the more responsive they'll become.)
b. Hold a free teleclass. Make sure you come up with a really great special offer to turn your listeners into customers.
c. Go buy a new dress and hang out on the social networking scene. Okay, I'm kidding about the dress. But if you aren't making the social marketing rounds, you're missing major business opportunities. No it's not a waste of time (unless you let it become one).

DO A LITTLE MARKETING EACH DAY
I know. Marketing isn't your "thing." Why would you want to do something each day? But the reality is successful businesses are built upon small marketing steps consistently done, not necessarily the big launch.
So what can you do today? Write your article for your newsletter? Contact a potential joint venture partner? Write a thank you note to someone who sent you a referral? Do something, even if it's only a 15-minute task, and you'll probably be amazed at how fast you'll start seeing results.

SYSTEMATIZE YOUR MARKETING TASKS
If you're like a lot of service professionals, when business is slow, you jump in feet first and do a whole bunch of marketing. Things pick up, you get busy, and the marketing stops. Eventually the work also stops because you stopped the marketing and you're sucked into the feast-famine vortex.
So, rather then repeat that cycle, why not do something a little different this time around? This time, while you're frantically marketing and looking under every stone for work, why don't you also systemize your marketing? Write down everything you do, so when you're busy, you can hand that list off to a virtual assistant who can keep your marketing going for you? Now maybe you won't eliminate that feast-or-famine cycle but you'll definitely soften it.
To sum it up, if business is slow right now and you're nervous about the economy, I want you to take a deep breath and STOP IT. Use this time to transform how you handle your marketing in your business, which will transform your business.

GISELE EMERGES WORLD’S FIRST BILLIONAIRE SUPERMODEL AS HER LINGERIE BRAND GOES GLOBAL

2012-01-24T15:13:00.000-08:00

She's the world's richest model, but Gisele Bündchen's wealth is set to grow as her lingerie label goes global.
Launched last May, the Gisele Bündchen Brazilian Intimates range has proved popular in Latin America, Portugal, Japan, and Israel and now further expansion is expected.
The former Victoria's Secret Angel premiered her collection, for Brazilian company Hope, in São Paulo last May.
Stepping onto the catwalk the 31-year-old, mother-of-one showcased various designs featuring blush pink and black satin, tassels and lace.
After the 40-piece collection hit stores across Brazil the fashion retailer Hope reported a 40 per cent increase in turnover.
Now, the range is expected to be a hit with shoppers worldwide.
And with her products endorsements and business ventures earning a total of £29 million last year, Bündchen is now believed to be on track to becoming the world's first billionaire supermodel.

DESIGNER VERA WANG STUNS IN SWIMSUIT AT 62

2012-01-24T15:09:00.000-08:00

You probably already know that Vera Wang is a famous fashion designer, best known for her dazzling (and often outrageously expensive) bridal gowns. But you probably have no idea how old she is ... and if you had to figure it out by looking at her, your guess would probably begin with the number four.
Turns out the fashion mogul is actually 62 years old, but you'd never believe it from the recent photo shoot she did with Harper’s Bazaar where Wang shows off her sleek and swanky new Beverly Hills home as well as her slim figure in a strapless swimsuit.

START UP SEMINAR SET TO HOLD IN LAGOS

2012-01-24T15:02:00.000-08:00

CATWALK STUDIO

PRESENTS

“START UP SEMINAR”
• Are you an aspiring entrepreneur?
• Are you an aspiring model (male & female)?
• Do you need orientation in modeling, fashion & beauty pageant?
• Do you want to take your modeling skill to another level?
• Do you want to learn how to coordinate fashion show, beauty pageants and other events?

Then be part of this one day seminar. Get Started! Get knowledge!! Get Empowered!!!

SEMINAR OUTLINE
• Rules for Start Up
• Personality Traits
• Self Branding
• Confidence Building
• Business Logo
• Marketing/Advertising
• Modeling & Fashion Show Coordination
• Event Coordination
• Beauty Pageants

Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2011

Time: 11am Prompt

Venue: Catwalk Studio, 6, Olugbesan Close, Off Allen, Ikeja, Lagos.

HOW TO REGISTER
Pick up registration form @ Catwalk Studio, 6 Olugbesan Close, Off Allen, Ikeja, Lagos. Payment of N5,000 should also be made on or before the seminar date at the Catwalk Studio.

FOLLOW UP
There will also be personal follow-up on each participants after the seminar

For more enquiries, please call Enny: 07068470486

IS WHITNEY HOUSTON REALLY BROKE?

2012-01-24T14:59:00.001-08:00

Whitney Houston is reportedly 'broke'. The 48-year-old singer - who has overcome crack cocaine addiction - has allegedly spent all of her fortune, including a reported $100million record deal.
Whitney is being financially supported by her record label Arista, which has given her an advance payment on her next album, according to reports.

In August 2001, Whitney signed the biggest record deal in music history at the time with Arista/BMG, renewing her contract with the label for $100million to deliver six new albums. She released her last LP I Look to You in August 2009.

SEX AND THE CITY STAR ACTRESS, CYNTHIA NIXON UNVEILED HER BALD HAIR

2012-01-24T14:55:00.000-08:00

As Sex and the City's Miranda, she was one of TV's most recognizable red heads. But Cynthia Nixon unveiled a stark new look on “Live With Kelly” this morning. The actress, 45, surprised viewers with a bald head after shaving her locks off for her role in the Manhattan Theatre Club production of Wit. She plays cancer stricken poetry professor Vivian Bearing in the play, which opens on January 26 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
She follows the footsteps of Who’s the Boss actress Judith Light, who also shaved her hair for the same role a decade ago.
Of course, it is a role close to Nixon's heart - she herself discovered she had the early stages of breast cancer during a routine mammogram in 2006.
She had a lumpectomy and radiation - but no chemotherapy - and continues to take the drug Tamoxifen, which blocks the actions of estrogen and is used to treat and prevent some types of breast cancer.

SUCCESS CAPSULES: TREAT MONEY WELL

2012-01-24T14:51:00.000-08:00

Let us discuss another key to financial freedom; treat money well. Money is like a lover which when courted and treated well, flows towards us in increasing quantities. But when it is not treated well, it has a way of avoiding us.

To him that has will more be given, to him that has not; even what he has will be taken away from him. In other words, money flows from those who don’t manage it well to those who manage it well. We increase our wealth by lowering our expenses while increasing our income.

Dear friend, your first step towards financial freedom is to spend less than you earn. If you don’t develop this habit, even if your income increases, you may not grow richer, because you will spend everything.

Save some of your income. With the help of financial advisors, invest in insurance, shares, properties and other area of business.

When you begin to treat money this way, it will begin to flow towards you. It will flow so fast and you will wonder where it has been all this while.

Pastor Sam Adeyemi
Daystar Christian Centre
Lagos

LAGOS BILLIONAIRE, JIMOH IBRAHIM ACQUIRES $500 MILLION HOTEL IN DUBAI

2012-01-24T14:45:00.000-08:00

Popular Lagos billionaire business man, Global Fleet Group chairman, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim is set to open his 34-floor hotel in Duabi, where he also owns and rents over 50 flats in the city's very exclusive area.
Acquiring the hotel was said to have cost the billionaire, who owns the only university in Sao Tome, at least half a billion dollars and will be opened in February, 2012.
This is the latest acquisition to his business empire; which comprises of aviation, insurance, oil and gas, media, banking.
Notable among his companies include; Nicon Insurance, Energy Bank, Air Nigeria, National Mirror newspaper, Newswatch magazine, amongst others.

‘WE WERE SHOCKED TOO’: SEAL BREAKS HIS SILENCE OVER THE END OF HIS SEVEN-YEAR MARRIAGE TO HEIDI KLUM

2012-01-24T14:43:00.000-08:00

Singer Seal has revealed his heartache over the end of his seven-year marriage to Heidi Klum, saying he and his wife simply grew apart.
The 48-year-old singer said both were shocked their marriage had ended and were 'grieving' for each other.
Speaking on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Seal didn't mention reports his wife had grown tired of his hard partying lifestyle and called time on their marriage.
'I think we were shocked,' he simply said. 'You go into these things with the greatest intentions when you say "I do" and you say "’til death do us part." Those vows hold value. They are not just words.'
The Kiss From A Rose singer is continuing his promotional tour of his latest album despite the latest development in his personal life.
He went on to say that they had tried to work through it and do the best they could, but added: 'these things happen.'
'The thing that I’m most proud about this great woman who I married - and I really do mean that from the bottom of my heart - is that together she has given me four incredible gifts, four beautiful children,' Seal told DeGeneres.
But that wasn't the only compliment he had for Klum as he went on to say: 'She still, in my opinion, is the most wonderful woman in the world.'
It also seems that the couple do not plan to get nasty during the proceedings of their divorce.
'I think our priority was to remain civil and do this thing with dignity,' he said. 'We still very much love each other.'
However, despite putting on a brave face and insisting that he and Klum still very much love each other, Seal did admit that they are both hurting.
'To say that neither of us were grieving would be an out and out lie - and I don’t mind telling you that,' he said to the blonde host.
Another sign of the singer's ongoing love for the German supermodel was the fact that he was still wearing his wedding ring.
DeGeneres commented on this, saying: 'It's a beautiful ring.'
'I think it’s just pretty much a token of how I feel about this woman,' Seal replied.
'We have eight years. Eight wonderful years together. Just because we have decided to separate doesn’t necessarily mean you take off your ring and you’re no longer connected to that person.'
'Will we wear the ring for the rest of our lives? Who knows? But right now it feels really comfortable on my hand so I have no intentions of taking it off anytime soon.'
The sudden split has come as a shock to fans after the couple always seemed so loved up with one another in public, and kept the tradition of renewing their wedding vows every year.
But while he has kept himself busy in the days after the joint announcement, it seems that Klum has been preoccupied herself - but in the days leading up to it instead.
The blonde has spent the last two weeks interviewing a number of the best divorce lawyers in Los Angeles.
A source said that Klum has already selected one of the lawyers based on this process - which she did in a secret location to avoid a leak.
All of the lawyers she met with have apparently represented a number of celebrity clients and it seems that Seal will not be able to hire any of the lawyers that she rejected because she shared confidential information with them - therefore, representing Seal would create a conflict of interest.
As previously reported, Klum will cite 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for the divorce, with her husband's temper allegedly being a deciding factor.
However, during Seal's interviews there was no mention of the break-up being due to his anger and 'hard partying.'
Klum is yet to comment on the split publicly, only releasing a joint statement with her husband.

VIRGIN ATLANTIC REDEEMS PLEDGE

2012-01-24T14:36:00.001-08:00

The renowned global flyer, Virgin Atlantic, has once again redeemed its pledge to Nigeria's Next Super Model. It would be recalled, Virgin Atlantic made a pledge of giving free round trip tickets to London to the three finalists of Nigeria's Next Super Model 2011.
The girls are already booked for Virgin Atlantic ticket to The London Fashion Week come February 2012.

KUWAITI PRINCE ABDULLAH AL-SABAH CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY

2012-01-24T07:42:00.000-08:00

According to reports, a Kuwaiti royal prince has become a follower of Jesus Christ. In an audio file posted with his name, he affirms that if he is killed because of a recording he made where he talks about his conversion, he firmly believes that he will meet Jesus Christ face-to-face. The news comes from Middle Eastern sources which state that al-Haqiqa – a Christian satellite TV channel in Arabic that transmits Christian religious programmes – broadcast an audio file attributed to the Kuwaiti prince, identified as Abdullah al-Sabah. The al-Sabahs are the royal family of Kuwait, a country rich in oil. The name Abdullah (servant of God) frequently appears in the Emir’s family tree.

In his audio file, Abdullah declared: “First of all, I fully agree with the distribution of this audio file and I now declare that if they kill me because of it, then I will appear before Jesus Christ and be with him for all eternity.” In this statement, the prince demonstrates his awareness of the fate in store for a martyr of the faith, according to Christian doctrine. The television channel stated that Abdullah is a member of the royal family, and that he recently renounced his faith in Islam and became a Christian, without specifying which particular branch of Christianity he had chosen. After stating his full name, the prince declared: “I will accept whatever they do to me, because the truth in the Bible has guided me towards the right path.”

In the audio file, Abdullah talks about the Islamic groups that are winning the elections in Egypt and declares: “Islamic communities have always wanted to attack in different parts of the world but God has preserved the world and still protects it. This is why we have recently seen disagreements appearing among Islamic groups who are now fighting with each other. They are about to divide further into different groups.”

In Kuwait the overwhelming majority of the population is Muslim (only 4% is Christian) and the country’s Constitution states: “Islam is the official religion of the country and Sharia is the main source for legislation.”

BOKO HARAM: IGBOS ARE FLEEING THE NORTH EN- MASSES

2012-01-24T07:30:00.001-08:00

Following Friday’s coordinated bombings of parts of Kano, which left over 160 people dead, southerners, especially Igbos, living in Sabon Gari area of the city have besieged a motor park in their bid to flee to their home states.
As early as 8.30 a.m. today, luxury buses were seen loading Igbo passengers at Motor Park in Sabon Gari area of Kano. Unlike before, when such buses depart in the evening, the buses are billed to leave in the afternoon today.
Many travelers were seen milling around the park as they tried to book for their trip to the eastern part of the country.
Men who have unfinished businesses or project in Kano have decided to send their families back to their home states.
The majority of passengers on board the buses were women and children. And because of this, business activities within Sabon Gari, Kano, have become slow.
According to them, if the Boko Haram Sect could wreak such havoc on security agencies, it then means that their safety cannot be guaranteed.

SONNY OKOSUN’S DAUGHTER PREGNANT!...RELOCATES TO AMERICA

2012-01-21T15:09:00.000-08:00

Ebony, Stella Monye’s daughter for late Evangelist Sonny Okosun is heavily pregnant and will soon give birth to her mother’s first grandchild.
The young lady who until last year owned a fashion house called Babu Gee in Ogba, Lagos has since relocated to America where she told friends the baby will be born.
Emerging facts as posted on her facebook wall indicates that the baby is due for delivery in the month of February, following the hosting of the American styled Baby Shower.
We gathered that it was a decision between her and the father of the baby to have the baby before the traditional ceremonies. Both families are in agreement with the relationship, and will be opting for a low key wedding ceremony when the time is due.
They both met in America and it is a relationship that spans over ten years.

INTRODUCING THE N1K SHOP

2012-01-21T14:50:00.000-08:00

We have all gone through the rigorous process of looking for that unique but affordable gift. It can prove impossible! If you have been looking for that special place that understands your taste as well as your pocket, then you’re in luck! The N1K shop is just the answer for you.
The N1k shop is a newly opened store catching the attention of many people in the Lekki environs. The idea is that every item goes for N1000 or two items for N1000. How convenient! The shop stocks unique gift items, grooming products and accessories for ladies and gents, party items, souvenirs, kids’ toys and accessories. You can even get stationery!
The N1k shop is located in Hedges and Smith Plaza (Red Brick house), on Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase one. So go on…get shopping!

SOULMATE TO DROP KEL AS BRAND AMBASSADOR?

2012-01-21T14:36:00.000-08:00

There are strong indications that foremost hair cream manufacturers Soulmate industries may dispense with the service of rap artiste Kel as the company begins search for Season three personalities to act as brand ambassadors for the year 2012.
The decision to drop Kel followed what observers say is her dwindling fortune in the music industry.
“This situation runs contrary to the terms of contract she signed with the hair company that says she must be socially relevant and popular enough to influence the youth and sales of the hair product.
The same reason that may have force the exit of Kel is the reason radio presenter Gbemi Olateru- Olagbegi was dropped as brand ambassador at the beginning of Season two last year”.
In Gbemi’s place, the company signed on vibrant, talented and sexy artist, Mo’Cheddah as the new brand ambassador.
Mo’Cheddah, who made her debut as a solo artiste in the music industry in 2010 currently enjoy airplay both home and abroad.
Her fame and popularity was what attracted the hair care brand to seek her signature to represent the brand help create a continuous market dominance