Art Eddy III

Looks like Ted Danson is coming back to the bar. Well not a remake of Cheers or a Cheers reunion, but his work with SMIRNOFF. The makers of SMIRNOFF vodka announce a new partnership with American actor, author and environmentalist, Ted Danson, as an extension of the SMIRNOFF No. 21 vodka campaign “Only the Best For Everyone.” As part of the partnership, SMIRNOFF worked with Danson to co-curate a comical series of short videos, which are now available to view on YouTube as of today, communicating in a cheeky way how SMIRNOFF vodka is made in America.  The SMIRNOFF No. 21 campaign is confidently candid about the brand’s great quality at an affordable price and reinforces SMIRNOFF as “the people’s vodka” to show that all people of legal drinking age, from your average Joe to swanky Hollywood stars like Danson himself, should be enjoying SMIRNOFF.

“Ted is a Hollywood legend and a natural partner to help bring the spirit of SMIRNOFF to life,” said Jay Sethi, Vice President, SMIRNOFF, Diageo North America.  “His light-hearted, fun and care-free personality is like a real life embodiment of our brand.  Ted is great at communicating our quality message in a down-to-earth and relatable way.”

SMIRNOFF’s campaign with Ted includes a handful of videos. While the series depicts different scenarios in which Danson tries to debunk the notion that he is inherently elitist and only likes expensive vodka because of his fame, they all share a candid, honest attitude and give a nod to Ted and SMIRNOFF’s down-to-earth, no frills qualities. As Ted himself comically states in one of the videos, “I have a lot in common with this brand. We’re award winning, we’ve got great taste, been around since 1864 and we’re both surprisingly cheap – wait what?!” All of the videos are now live online and some are slated to run on national television later this year.

“I’m delighted to be associated with Smirnoff Vodka and its century old tradition of award-winning quality, globally appreciated smoothness and affordability,” said Danson when discussing the partnership.

If you are tired of the same old soap you have been using we have some good news. There is a new company out there with some fantastic products. BILT, a new line of men’s bar soaps and body washes that offers a unique blend of STYLE and SUBSTANCE at accessible price points, are now available at 1,500 Walmart stores across the country. The new Minneapolis-based start-up is poised to meet men’s grooming needs as they continue to seek better skin care options by offering six unique scents inspired by exotic locations from around the world.

To help launch the brand, BILT has earned the endorsement of Steve Harvey, one of the hardest working men in business and entertainment, and whose personal values of style and substance forge a powerful connection with the brand.

“I’ve long believed that confidence is the foundation of a man’s success, but it’s hard to be confident when you’re not looking or smelling great. That’s why I love using BILT,” says unabashed gentleman and entertainer, Steve Harvey. “Their products are made with premium ingredients and they smell amazing. So good in fact, my wife won’t let me us anything else.”

BILT STYLE starts with the unique masculine scents inspired by aspirational global locations. “Havana Bay” blends the subtle essences of citrus and cigar that is evocative of exotic Cuban nightlife. “Prohibition” was inspired by the speakeasies of the roaring ‘20s, blending leather and oak barrel fragrances for a mature scent that is unlike anything found among mainstream brands. The unique scents, combined with bold, colorful packaging, helps BILT stand apart in a sea of boring products that over promise and under deliver.

“BILT believes STYLE without SUBSTANCE is hollow, so BILT products are made with premium ingredients that men need for clean, healthy skin,” said Ryan O’Connell, President, BILT Brand.  “The hefty 8 oz. bar soaps and generous 16 oz. body washes are formulated with natural vegetable bases, shea butter for moisture, and Vitamin E for antioxidant protection. BILT is also defined by what it doesn’t offer: all BILT products are free of parabens, sulfates, and gluten, and products are never tested on animals.” Sponsor of publication: reliable Instagram Stories watcher – INSTAStories downloader for Insta videos and photos

For more about BILT products visit www.Biltbrand.com or head to www.facebook.com/biltbrand.

I am a big fan of the Alien films. For those who remember 1986 was a momentous year in cinema history. Not only did kick-ass heroine Ellen Ripley return to the silver screen in James Cameron’s Aliens, it also marked the debut of Ripley’s signature footwear: the iconic ‘Alien Stomper’ boots made especially for her by Reebok.

Answering the dreams of die-hard film fans and sneakerheads alike, Reebok will commemorate the moment by releasing a pair of highly collectible Alien Stompers this year. Drawing rich design details from the climactic duel between Ripley and the Xenomorph Queen, the ‘Final Battle’ pack is a nostalgic celebration of one of the most intense blockbuster finales in cinematic history.

The ‘Queen’ Alien Stomper was inspired by the gloss finish of the Xenomorph exoskeleton. A tribute to the deadly matriarchal villain, the shoes are assembled using high-sheen black patent leather and a toxic green glow that pulses beneath the translucent midsole as a nod to the Queen’s corrosive blood. To complete the ensemble, the Stomper’s signature forefoot strap is embroidered with ‘XX121’, the code designation given to the extraterrestrial species.

The ‘Powerloader’ Alien Stomper, inspired by Ripley’s battle-ready cargo suit, is an impressive work of art. Icy orange outsoles complement the striking ‘safety yellow’ leather upper, while red arrows reference the suit’s hydraulic movement. Debossed ‘PWL’ heel graphics and call-outs clarify the model’s identity, including the P-5000 serial number. As a nod to the canopy that protects Ripley during the final showdown, mesh panels overlay the Reebok logo, while quilting on the tongue and insoles evokes the industrial mechanoid’s upholstery.

The unisex sized shoes will be packaged inside an ornate box that is also dripping with symbolism. Reebok designers immersed themselves in the film’s folklore, combing the Internet for obscure visual references and freeze-framing repeatedly to unlock minute details hidden in the loading dock where the final battle takes place.

The Queen’s chamber (inner box) is decorated with an alien hive pattern, while the Powerloader bay (outer box) is modeled after the chamber that houses the suit. For the outer box, there is a green splatter that references the alien’s acid blood burning through the container as well as key design cues that take direct references to the outer lock door, and various hidden details that reference “Aliens” as well as Reebok mythography.  The inner box, inspired by the Alien Hive, has a distinctive pattern that hides Xenomorphs, face huggers, and eggs, and also incorporates design details from the body of the ship, including the iconic floor grates, air outtakes, and hazard stripes from the Powerloader.

The lavish cube is made by hand, using high-gauge cardboard which has been printed using multiple techniques and then debossed to add depth and texture. Tucked away safely inside, each shoe is stored in a separate drawer.

If you are in New York City, on Monday, July 17, 2017, the Reebok FitHub will give early access to purchase one of 50 Alien Stomper packs, ranging in unisex sizing from 4 to 13.  Consumers will receive custom Alien-inspired pins as a gift with purchase. Consumers will also have the opportunity to purchase limited edition, numbered unisex T-shirts (7 designs total) inspired by the Alien Stomper.