Ben Ryder Howe

Here is a link to my latest post on Cultural Capital--Art, Politics, and Everything Else https://lnkd.in/ewj7idVA

4

Today's story:

5

1 Comment

Here is a link to my latest post on Cultural Capital-Art, Politics, an Everything Else https://lnkd.in/e8bkCyJQ

9

Here is a link to my latest post on Cultural Capital-Art, Politics, and Everything Else https://lnkd.in/eyxu7HJm

6

1 Comment

Here is a link to "Art and Life," my latest post on Cultural Capital-Art, Politics, and Everything Else https://lnkd.in/eDjWYngG

3

Shifting sands of Celebrity endorsement in US elections! In the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, the intersection of celebrity culture and politics has become increasingly significant, particularly within the Latino community. The recent withdrawal of support by reggaeton superstar Nicky Jam from Donald Trump underscores a broader trend of Latino celebrities using their platforms to influence voter sentiment. Initially endorsing Trump at a rally in September, Jam retracted his support following disparaging remarks made about Puerto Rico at a subsequent event. His statement, “Puerto Rico should be respected,” reflects growing discontent among Puerto Rican artists, including Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, and Bad Bunny, who have rallied in support of Vice President Kamala Harris. Together, these artists boast a staggering 390 million followers on Instagram, showcasing their potential to mobilize voters, particularly among younger Latinos. Celebrity endorsements can significantly impact voter turnout, especially in a close election. Experts argue that celebrities act as "cultural validators," facilitating discussions and encouraging civic engagement. The timing of these endorsements is critical, as they come in response to Trump's controversial comments, galvanizing a united front among influential figures. Authenticity remains vital; voters seek genuine connections with public figures who reflect their values. The Harris campaign has leveraged this moment, bringing in diverse celebrities to create an inclusive narrative. Conversely, Trump has also enlisted a variety of public figures to appeal to his base. As the 2024 election approaches, the influence of Latino celebrities like Nicky Jam and Bad Bunny highlights a crucial moment of political awakening. Their engagement could be pivotal in shaping voter perceptions and mobilizing support, making celebrity involvement a significant factor in the electoral landscape.

3

Journalism morphed into opinionism with mega mergers that concentrated most media into 6 companies. They then turned their news organizations into profit-driven entertainment at the expense of fact-based reporting while squeezing out local media to eradicate competition, drive profits and maximize influence. Social media adapted this model by turning anybody & everybody into "journalists", including sovereign states, terrorist groups and ordinary nutters. And here we are. https://lnkd.in/ewHsMVmx

1

Just got a chance to sit down and catch my breath in Las Vegas. #IMEX24 has done a fantastic job this week of providing a platform to an incredibly wide range of voices, through an extensive program of sessions, panels, in-booth presentations, fireside chats, and much more. It was both refreshing and overwhelming to have such a variety and volume of content on the docket. For me, the content saturation overwhelm was real, but the varied discussions and brainstorms were also energizing. Some themes that emerged from my interviews, meetings, sessions and chats: - Connecting with and strengthening local host communities is an increasingly important objective, a topic that came up in my conversations about destinations as diverse as Tulum, Los Cabos, Los Angeles and, of course, Las Vegas. (Thanks, Zoe Moore , Nubia Younge , Rodrigo Esponda Cascajares , Adam Burke, Stephanie Glanzer, CMP and others.) - We’re talking about diversity, inclusivity and neurodiversity more than ever, and the discussion is evolving to not only be more accommodating and welcoming to a diverse audience but also to focus more on cerebrating the strengths of the neurodiverse individuals and what they bring to a team. I love that we’re having these conversations, and curious to see to what degree these ideas are successfully addressed and implemented as people leave imex and go back to their jobs. (Thank you to Yush Sztalkoper, CMP and to everyone who spoke on these topics this week.) - AI education remains very much in demand, and sessions with AI in their titles were overflowing regardless of specific angle or booth size. Based on the sessions it seems we’re still very much in the experimental phase, but the conversation has evolved to place more of an emphasis on use cases and specifics, with some creative ideas about navigating the challenges presented by AI. (Thinking of sessions or conversations with Nick Borelli , Ira Vouk, MBA , Henry Coutinho-Mason and others) That’s just for starters. Stay tuned for more from video interviews with Michael Massari from Caesars Entertainment, Ben Erwin of Encore, and a lot more. Just gonna take a little nap now. #imexcited #imexamerica

83

26 Comments