Jen DeLeon

Black Men Love: Self-Care, Grooming & Beyond. Celebrating Black Love & Self-Care: A Grooming Routine for Kings We're thrilled that our short film "Black Men Love" – a branded awareness project created for Shea Moisture Men in Los Angeles California with Durable Goods – has won a 2024 Webby Award for Corporate Social Responsibility.   "Black Men Love" celebrates the importance of self-care for Black men. After all, taking care of yourself isn't just about looking good, it's about feeling good too. Self-care isn't just bubble baths and face masks (although those can be great too!). It's about taking intentional steps to nurture your mind, body, and spirit. So, in the spirit of self-love and self-care, we've put together a simple yet effective grooming routine for Black men, Here are some tips to get you started! Here's a basic men's grooming routine for Black men to get you started: 1. Conquer the Cleanse: Wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser designed for your skin type. Black men are prone to razor bumps and dryness, so opt for fragrance-free and oil-controlling formulas. 2. Exfoliate for Brighter Skin: Exfoliate 2-3 times a week to remove dead skin cells and prevent ingrown hairs. Look for products with salicylic acid or glycolic acid, which are effective for Black skin. 3. Moisturize, Don't Ignore: Combat dryness with a daily moisturizer. Shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil are great options for Black skin. 4. Tame that Mane (or Beard): Whether rocking a fade, waves, or a beard, prioritize hair and beard care. Use a beard oil or leave-in conditioner specifically formulated for Black men's hair. 5. Don't Forget the SPF: Sun protection is essential for everyone, regardless of skin tone. Choose a lightweight, broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher to shield your skin from harmful UV rays. Beyond the Basics: Find a Signature Scent: A cologne or body spray can boost your confidence. Opt for woodsy or musky scents that complement your natural aroma. Take Care of Your Lips: Dry, chapped lips are a no-go. Keep a lip balm handy for on-the-go hydration. Invest in Quality Tools: A good razor, shaving cream, and beard trimmer will make your grooming routine smoother (literally!). Remember, self-care is a journey, not a destination. Experiment, find what works for you, and most importantly, embrace your unique handsomeness kings <3.

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This week on That One Time, I had a conversation with Ari Elkins. Ari is a renowned music curator, content creator, and the founder of Blue Suede Records. He's been a key figure in helping emerging artists gain exposure, and his insights into content creation and music discovery have made him a standout in the industry. Here’s what we covered: - How Ari navigates authenticity in the fast-paced digital landscape of content creation. - The differences between LA and New York's creative scenes and how they influence creators. - How music can transport you back to emotional moments in life—and the importance of that connection. This episode is packed with practical tips for creators and music lovers alike. It’s available now on YouTube, Spotify, and X—links in the comments below. Timestamps: 00:00 - The Power of Music and Connection 03:07 - Navigating the Digital Landscape 05:55 - Building a Media Company in the Music Space 09:04 - The Creator vs. The Person 12:09 - Finding Your Niche in Content Creation 14:53 - The Impact of Social Media on Authenticity 20:51 - Trends and Strategies in Music Discovery 24:01 - Memories and Music's Emotional Connection 26:52 - Overcoming Negativity in Content Creation 30:05 - The Differences Between LA and New York 36:06 - Reflections on Growth and Change in Content Creation 44:51 - Evolving Content Creation Strategies 50:24 - The Importance of Music Discovery 01:02:50 - Personal Growth and Reflection 01:10:20 - The Meaning of Life and Relationships

*NEW* Frank Grillo dives into the unique premise of "Werewolves," which combines the classic horror of werewolves with a pandemic twist. The movie is out today!💡✨Watch the full interview at geekvibesnation.com #kjtoday #newmovie #celebrityinterview

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Loan outs! I know most productions are still honoring them. We have been successful using Bellar Pilukas Consulting as our loan out. However, many non production corporate partners are really causing issues for small companies that have been running this way for years (I am looking at you of the capital D). What have you run into? How has this affected your business and do you think this bill will help? #entertainment #loanout #smallbusiness #womeninfilm #icvfx #losangeleslocal #savethecaliforniafilmindustry

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Introducing Moment with JO'—a podcast where we dive deep into mental health, wellness, and the realities of life in the entertainment industry. 🎙✨ Take a closer look at what we’ve been creating! Check out the podcast overview PDF for a glimpse into our mission, topics, and the transformative conversations we’re bringing to the table. Click the link in bio to learn more, and let us know which topic you’re excited to hear about next! #MomentWithJO #MentalHealthMatters #PodcastJourney #EntertainmentAndWellness"

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3 things I’m excited for this week… (1) convos I’m having with high quality YouTube channel owners who seek strategic options in 2025. Content focus is varied across food, automotive, STEM (2) getting closer to locking RockWater’s 2025 revenue goal and OKRs. We plan to beat 2024, our best year of financial and client growth since founding in 2017 (3) a client share-out that includes historical M&A activity across their 3 biz lines, which informs their future buyerverse. Our team dive into the transaction data to understand how our client can grow their business to be more attractive for a future exit — In the founder of RockWater Industries. We do m&a and strategy advisory for media, agencies, and creator economy. My DMs are open. …and that’s me tonight during an Encinitas sunset 🌅

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Last day to match your investment! For the last two weeks, we have had an investor agree to match any investment up to $20k until today. Since then, we have made 80% of that! I am so grateful for all of our recent investors who have joined us to help double their investment. Just $4k to get us home! Investments start at $100. Come join a team, a group of friends, an empowering story, and help us make a movie. Learn a little more about the story and why we love horror and check out the link in the comments!

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Another day, another talented POC accused of getting their media job just because of their “diversity”. I just heard from someone I know, that after their new position was announced, they saw several condescending messages from peers (disguised as congratulations) about how their appointment was “great for diversity”. To those of you who’ve never experienced racism, it’s easy to shrug this off as “well-meaning”. But there was absolutely nothing in those messages about this person’s talent, their expertise or the fact that they got the job because they deserved it overall. Ultimately, it’s a reductive and hurtful thing to say to someone. It says that you only see one distinctive thing about that person - it’s the thing that they’ve been vilified for and it’s certainly NOT their merit. I’ve had this dismissive claim levelled at me before, as have most of my POC and First Nations peers in the media. And often in a not so well-meaning way. And the Listen Loudly, Act Strongly review of the ABC documented this happening to several people, alongside the many other examples of racism that staff have endured. The fact is, the media is an increasingly competitive industry for anyone to find consistent work in - and going by the numbers, having a successful media career as a First Nations person or POC is even harder. When we do actually manage to get hired, it’s a testament to our expertise, our talent and ultimately our resilience. So when you hear that someone “was hired for their diversity” please understand that it is completely damaging and devastating for all of us who have worked hard for our place in an industry that proportionately does not represent us. These words have impact and create an environment where we end up feeling like we don’t belong in our workplaces and that we aren’t as respected, purely because of our race. I can’t believe it’s 2024 and we’re still having to explain why this is wrong. #diversity #media #inclusion #antiracism

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So thankful to pay it forward today by moderating The City Tutors panel entitled “Is LinkedIn Overrated/ Do I Have to Love LinkedIn?” I was an early avid user of the platform and immediately was drawn to how it gave the agency to shape your own career story and connect to tangible opportunities. In fact, LinkedIn is responsible for helping me land my last two roles! It can be difficult to navigate how to show up authentically and professionally, but feel free to reach out if you need help with Best Practices to up your LinkedIn game. #linkedin #professionaldevelopment #careercoach

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Launching a successful entertainment business requires strategic planning and creativity. Explore our comprehensive guide with actionable tips across music, film, gaming, theater, and digital content creation to turn your vision into a thriving venture. Learn about market research, networking, legal considerations, branding, and more to achieve your business goals.

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On Monday, I discussed the long-term prospects for Tubi. On Tuesday, I praised Issa Rae's influencer marketing venture. "On today", these items converged: Issa partnered with Tubi for their new "Stubios" program—a fully-funded incubator for emerging creators. Stubios mirrors our initiative at BlackOakTV. Our "Choice" feature will empower users to greenlight the Black TV shows and films they want to see, illustrating the potential of fan-driven projects. While Tubi leverages its Black Indie vertical's success, we aim for similar engagement at BlackOakTV. So I respect Stubios model, but I question Issa’s choice to align with Fox Corp., Tubi's parent company. A Brief History Lesson: In the '90s, Fox, then a lesser network, adopted a strategy targeting Black audiences with original programming like Living Single and Martin, which became instant classics. These shows boosted Fox’s ratings, enabling it to secure NFL rights in 1994. Almost immediately after rising to prominence, Fox dropped its Black-centric shows. The revenue and prestige from Black viewership and NFL games helped launch Fox News in 1996, an outlet that has since posed significant challenges for Black communities. Present Day: Tubi has been thriving off indie Black projects. Fueled by popular content and the viral power of platforms like TikTok, Black viewership is propelling Tubi’s growth, again benefiting Fox financially. Don't buy that Tubi is all that important to Fox? Well, during Fox's last earnings call, Tubi was mentioned 24 times, nearly as often as the Fox name itself. So what does this have to do with Issa? Issa is partnering with Fox to bring more diverse (read: Black) voices to Tubi. I commend her for the thought, as I'm sure her intentions are pure. And when you can marry business with your passion for Black people, life is great. I know this because I live it every day with #BlackOakTV. But Issa once said, "I'm rooting for everybody Black." Yet, this move ain't that! This move is helping Fox run an old trick that allows Rupert Murdoch's Fox, which I believe is more responsible for Black plight than any other modern major media company, to further its highly questionable agenda. And they need Tubi to do it! The Fox Network is less relevant than it's been in decades. Fox News is going the way of the dying cable business. Fox Sports is irrelevant. Even TMZ is struggling. Instead of letting this decaying company go by the wayside, Issa is lending her credibility to the asset most linked to Fox's future. And she shouldn't do it. The value generated by Tubi still goes to the Murdochs, and there's no telling what crazy thing they'll use it to invest in next. My guess is it won't be something that empowers Black people. I know the world isn't perfect, and we, including myself, can't always line up our beliefs with our work. However, when it's this obvious, I believe we can and should make better choices. And I hope in the end, Issa does just that.

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Processing AP weekly gives us a clear snapshot of our agency’s impact on brand services, as our payments to creator partners directly reflect the quality and type of talent involved in our unique programs. Lately, we've seen a high concentration of new creators joining us, particularly in areas like: 1️⃣ UGC content creation 2️⃣ Short-form video across Instagram Reels, TikTok Shop, and YouTube Shorts (social commerce is a major driver) 3️⃣ Affiliate-focused creators While the average deal value is smaller, the performance impact is significantly higher. Some insights from over $1.1M in transactions processed this week: - 500 unique creator payments - 150 first-time creator partners (30% are new to our programs) Investing in creator incubation, discovery, and retention is a challenge many brands and agencies face. Finding consistent, high-performing creators who drive value is no easy feat. Have you also seen a surge in content creators as valuable partners, and how is it shaping your business? #CreatorEconomy #InfluencerMarketing #ContentCreation #SocialCommerce #APProcessing #CreatorPartnerships

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The domestic box office is poised for its biggest Thanksgiving haul since the pandemic thanks to a Polynesian princess, a pair of witches and a revenge-fueled gladiator. Disney’s “Moana 2” is set to hit theaters Wednesday and generate between $120 million and $150 million in box office receipts in the U.S. and Canada through Sunday. It’ll be joined by Universal’s “Wicked” and Paramount’s “Gladiator II,” both in their second week of domestic screenings. Box-office analysts believe the five-day Thanksgiving weekend, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday, should easily clear $200 million in ticket sales and could even become the second- or third-highest Thanksgiving period in cinematic history.

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My Fave walk in ATL was an obvious subject for my latest UGC endeavors (user-generated content). If anyone has a business that needs quality content for their social media, reach out and let's make YOUR business cuter/better/more-fabulous-FUN on social media. #ugccreator #ugccommunity #ugccontentcreator #digitalcreator #socialmedia #marketing #makingsocialmediafunagain #thesscreates

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Jim VandeHei's piece last week in Axios is about as right as anyone's been lately: only urgent, dramatic change will save most news media companies. Too many are too slow to listen to their audiences; to create true differentiation and deliver something that solves a real problem in people's lives; to drop the sentimentality to the way things used to be; and too slow to jump on any technology that can make a real difference (we all know the one). He said it differently: "deliver it without dithering." VandeHei's message is meant as both a wake-up call and a call to action. There is plenty of hope to go around, too, as well as snake oil (example: is the continued emphasis on gawdy numbers - aka. British journalism - the answer? Or is it building smaller-than-gawdy-but-still-big numbers of fans who love the brand?). The bottom line: No matter what, the road is hard. But it's worth it. #journalismmatters #businessmodel #artificialintelligence #journalism #digitalmedia

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Send this to your work BFF! 📩 Did you know that research from Gallup shows that employees who have a friend at their job are 7X more likely to be engaged at work, more productive, and less likely to leave the company? Having a friend at work is good for your health, wealth, and career! Have you ever made a good friend at work? I wonder if hybrid/remote work is affecting people's abilities to make friends at work! 🤔 + follow Erin McGoff for more 

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