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🐝 The Weekly Buzz

Sony Music and Billboard have followed suit along with Universal Music Group and many others by cancelling all of their pre-planned Grammy week events. All resources that would have been used for these events is now being reallocated to support the city’s relief efforts. Many were concerned about what this meant for the contractors and vendors from the UMG events who would be out of work. I connected with a spokesperson from UMG this morning: “Yes, we are paying our vendors and contractors in full.”

In related news, Jimmy Kimmel opens a fire donation center in the backlot of the studio his show films at in Hollywood. Kimmel shared, “if you’re looking for a way to help those affected by the fires, we have a donation center in our backlot in Hollywood. We will quickly distribute essential items to those who need them.” The way the community has come together is a beautiful thing, and you can find more on that here.

Drake drops lawsuit against Universal Music Group and Spotify that accused the two companies of levying against him surrounding the support of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” And although Drake’s reputation was tarnished amidst the beef with most fans seeing Lamar as the de facto winner, Drake still managed to be the most streamed rapper of the year on Spotify – for the 8th year in a row. Could this be a lose the battle to win the war situation? Only time will tell, but you can learn more about the lawsuit here.

Wicked is back in theaters for it’s part two this November, and Ariana Grande revealed a few details about a song that is a breakthrough moment for her character Galinda. “It’s a pivotal moment in Glinda’s journey,” Grande said. “It shows a side of her we’ve never seen before.” Read more here.

The list of performers for Donald Trump’s inauguration have been announced, and it includes: Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, The Village People, Kid Rock, Gavin Degraw, and more. The full list can be found here.

Rosé secured her first ever number one on the Official Singles Sales Chart in the UK for her duet with Bruno Mars on “Apt.” Her solo peak prior to this was at #3 for the same song, and during her time with BLACKPINK, the group only managed to get to #7. An incredible achievement for Rosé.

SZA is set to make her acting debut, and Keke Palmer says, “The world is about to be just gagged… she is so, so good.” And it is official, SZA has reached the side questing level of fame, and you can read all about it here.

After 16 years, The Weeknd is just one album away from retiring the well known persona. In an interview with Billboard he shares, “You have a persona, but then you have the competition of it all. It becomes this rat race: more accolades, more success, more shows, more albums, more awards and more No. 1s. It never ends until you end it.” More on The Weeknd’s victory lap here.

M. Night Shyamalan faces $81 million copyright trial for Apple TV show ‘The Servant.’ The trial was started by Italian director Francesca Gregorini who created a film in 2013 with similar elements titled ‘The Truth About Emanuel,’ and went as far to debut it at Sundance Movie Festival. The case was originally filed in 2020 and the case was dropped, but it was picked back up again recently by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. There is a lot to unpack and you can read more here if you’re interested.

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📞 The Call Log: RJ Larese, VP of Talent and Influencer Marketing at Paramount Global

RJ Larese is Vice President of Talent and Influencer Marketing for Paramount Global. He works with digital creators and unscripted talent for all the iconic Paramount brands and franchises, finding them opportunities within scripted and unscripted content, brand partnerships, consumer marketing, events, and more. Prior to joining Paramount, he was a talent, casting, and development executive with over a decade of experience at networks, production companies, and publishers, including ABC, ATTN:, Endemol, ITV America, and PopSugar. RJ has also cast and developed shows for Bravo, E!, Lifetime, MTV, NBC, TLC, TruTV, and VH1. He’s worked with brands ranging from Abercrombie and Fitch, Banana Republic, Delta, General Mills, H&M, Invisalign, Moose Akedo, Sephora, Target, and Ulta. In 2021, RJ was named an AdWeek Young Influential. In 2022, he was on the Variety Power of Pride list for his contributions empowering the LGBTQUIA+ community in the entertainment space. In 2023, he was named on LA TV Week's 40 Under 40 honoree list, backed by Broadcasting and Cable.

He also has an amazing LinkedIn presence and posts about topics like mental health and work-life balance.

Our conversation is below:

AvA: What was your first job in the Entertainment Industry?

Larese: During college, I interned on The Ellen DeGeneres Show during its early seasons, which was a huge milestone for me. The show was massive at the time, and I even moved from Chicago to LA to be part of it. When I came to LA for the interview, I had never been west of Texas. My mom and I took cabs everywhere – an incredibly expensive (and not at all practical) way to get around Los Angeles. It was a pivotal moment in my career, and I made some of my best friends there who are still part of my life today. Fun fact: we now shoot Nickelodeon shows in the same studio where Ellen initially filmed, so it feels full circle whenever I visit our sets.

My first full-time job was as a production assistant on The Bachelorette. (For the record, I was not cut out to drive a 15-passenger van full of executives and talent.) Later, I got my start in casting as a Casting Associate on Deal or No Deal.

I was incredibly lucky that my internship, my first full-time job, and my first casting job were all mostly positive experiences – and that I’m still connected with so many of the amazing people I worked with during those early days.

The best lessons I learned during these experiences:

1. Be nice to everyone from the start. First impressions matter, and treating people well can take you far in your career.

2. Know your place on a team or production and adapt to different personality types, but always strive to do more and show genuine enthusiasm. It leaves a lasting impression on future bosses and colleagues when you go above-and-beyond.

3. Build relationships. Especially in your early jobs, make an effort to connect with those around you. These friendships will often become your support system as you navigate the entertainment industry.

AvA: What have been some of the most memorable campaigns or partnerships you've worked on? 

Larese: The SpongeBob 25th anniversary campaign was such a fun and rewarding experience. I focused on how creators engage with SpongeBob to build a creator-first campaign that spanned six months. We had creators pay tribute in incredible ways, like Matthew Beem’s 25-foot SpongeBob sculpture at the Kids’ Choice Awards and Sweet Impact’s SpongeBob cake, featured during commercial breaks. SpongeBob even made a splash at VidCon as a featured creator.

We also tapped into the global Krabby Patty launch, collaborating with creators to highlight activations from Wendy’s to Mozza. SpongeBob joined platforms like Roblox and Fortnite, with creators turning him into in-game characters and recreating their favorite memes and moments. In total, we worked with hundreds of creators across the campaign, driving engagement and celebrating SpongeBob in a truly creator-driven way.

AvA: How are you seeing creators stand out in what has become quite a saturated market? 

Larese: The market may feel saturated, but when you focus on a few key qualities, it clears up pretty quickly:

1. Kind, hard-working, and creative creators who show they care. Talent and attitude go hand in hand, and kindness is often underestimated. Also, creators that turn in work on time.

2. Consistent engagement. It’s not about having the biggest numbers, but about showing up consistently and connecting with an audience.

3. Cross-platform popularity. To me, it shows an audience cares more if an audience is showing up in more than one place. That means the creator is more likely to convert their audience when I am engaging them.

4. Creators who understand the value of traditional media when done right – and recognize that not every opportunity is about brand deal money – stand out.

AvA: One piece of advice for someone just starting their career? 

Larese: Throughout your career, you’ll inevitably encounter difficult colleagues or business partners who may try to compromise your values. It can be tempting to sink to their level, but true strength lies in staying kind and holding onto your integrity. Honestly, it’s so much easier to be mean or cruel, but being kind takes real effort – and it’s worth it. In the end, it will pay off, and most importantly, you’ll feel like yourself – a good person.

AvA: If money were no object, what would your dream job/career be (outside of the Entertainment Industry)?

Larese: I would buy a boutique hotel just outside Napa in the Russian River, renovate it with my own design choices, and open it to guests. Once the hotel becomes successful, I’d expand by opening a restaurant and bar in the town. That or being a therapist.

AvA: Book or podcast recommendation? 

Larese: I think every entertainment professional should be listening to The Town and Pivot. They’re both insightful and incredibly relevant. I truly think Kara Swisher is one of the most important journalists and media personalities. 

I’m late to the game on this one, but purely for enjoyment (and the fascinating flashbacks to old Hollywood), I just finished The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I can’t stop thinking about it and want a movie now.

AvA: What habits are important to start early for work/life balance?

Larese:

1. Therapy is a doctor’s appointment. If you broke your wrist, no one would judge you for seeing a doctor. Therapy should be treated the same way – it’s essential for your well-being.

2. Schedule blocks in your calendar to protect your mental health. This could be time for lunch, a walk, or simply to focus on work without interruptions. Use this time thoughtfully – it’s not an excuse to hit the beach during work hours, but giving yourself some breathing room will help prevent burnout. Remember, you’re the only one who can protect your time, so start doing it now.

3. Have a life outside of work. Whether it’s exercise, hobbies, or time with friends, having a consistent routine helps recharge your energy and gives you something to look forward to.

4. Take vacations and actually recharge. Don’t go overboard, but don’t skip it either. Taking time off is critical for staying refreshed and productive. Unlimited PTO policies are actually preventing people from taking time off so make sure you do it.

👋 See you back here on Tuesday for a brand new selection of entertainment jobs and news.

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