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Andre Iguodala is a very busy guy. The Warriors’ small forward is one of the best sixth men in the NBA, a burgeoning Silicon Valley mogul and a businessman with big plans for his post-basketball career. He’s also one of the best-dressed men in pro sports, and is as educated and focused about fashion as anyone in the league. It wasn’t always this way. In the early days of his career, Iguodala’s style meter wasn’t quite as muscular as it is now. But the Illinois native now has a CEO-level closet filled with classic sneakers and menswear, as well as custom-made footwear and high fashion suiting. Iguodala admits that his style education was an evolutionary process. “When I started getting into fashion, I was still figuring out how I wanted to present myself,” he says. “Being on the East Coast for the first eight years of my career, I…saw people dressed street or in a very buttoned-up suit and tie. “All of those things kind of came together for me…when I could pinpoint what I don’t want,” Iguodala admits. “I stay away from trends. I’ve established who I am, so that’s something I don’t have to chase now.” Growing up in Illinois, the former NBA Finals MVP took note of his favorite player’s off-court fashion choices. “I saw Michael Jordan wearing suits a lot when I was a kid, but I wasn’t aware of how to get access to that,” says Iguodala, whose mother, Linda, made sure her taller-than-average son “knew the difference between certain clothes. There were school clothes, church clothes, Easter clothes. I could always differentiate where I was going based on how I was dressed. My mother was very fashion-forward for our budget.” Now that the NBA star’s clothing allowance is as A-list as it gets, his approach to fashion is all about staying true to himself. Dressing well is “actually the same as being a good, versatile player on your team. During a game, I’m at both ends of the floor, guarding three or four different positions or guarding four positions on the offense. It’s a reflection of life off the court for me. “In any given day, I’m dropping my son off to school, going to a game, then maybe going to a tech meeting,” Iguodala says. “Fit is really key because you want to be comfortable in your own skin. I talk about consistency a lot, staying true to who I am – I think that’s about fit,” which is often easier said than done. “Oh man, I hate the feeling when something doesn’t fit,” he says, laughing. “It’s like being told ‘no’ as a kid. As a 6-foot-6 guy, I don’t expect most off-the-rack things to work. Being able to walk into a store and not having to wait two months for something is a funny feeling because you’re so used to rejection.” “Good Counsel helps me find pieces that fit perfectly,” Iguodala says. “They have my sizing and know everything from the top of my head down. They can tell me my size in each brand, so I don’t have the hassle of trying things on and sending it back.” Working with talented tailors and designers taught Iguodala the importance of clothing details like “single vents, double vents, buttons on your sleeve and whether they are workable or not. The width of your lapels and whether they could be used or not – all of these little things make a big difference,” he says. “When I get into those details, you can’t tell me anything.” One of Iguodala’s all-time favorite ensembles – an electric blue suit worn after Game One of the 2015 NBA finals – got a thumbs-up on social media. He paired the custom suit with a pair of casual Lanvin shoes in a similar hue, and the look “came together perfectly. I had a great game that night and I happened to do a SportsCenter segment right after,” he says. “I remember feeling a little different because of that outfit. The day just flowed.” Adding stylish, workable details to his off-court looks has been a work in progress, Iguodala admits. “I’m still figuring out my uniform; it’s coming together slowly but surely. The blazer is always there as a finishing touch. The jeans have to be there, maybe a pair that’s more relaxed. And there are a lot of different things I can do with a nice sweater or hoodies. The hardest thing to get right about pulling together a killer look? Footwear. “I’m a Jordan 1s guy, but I’m also into casual sneakers with the white sole,” Iguodala says. “But honestly, I like a perfectly put-together, hard-bottom dress shoe. I think of them as a reflection of my game – consistent and subtle.” Speaking of subtlety – or the lack thereof – Iguodala still laughs about his first big fashion moment in the NBA: draft day in 2004, where the University of Arizona shooting guard was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers 9th overall. “Every time I go back to that suit, I’m like, ‘Jesus Christ, no one said anything!’” Iguodala says. “The look was good, but the fit was awful. I tell young guys in the League to grab a magazine, put in the time to do your research. If I had read something beforehand, I would have known that that wasn’t the look.” Words by Good Counsel Portraits by Adharsh Kumar and Justin Bridges Videography by Justin Bridges #AndreIguodala #Fashion #NBA #Sports

David Donahue, the menswear brand known as “luxury with its sleeves rolled up,” made its way into the retail arena with a popup shop featuring its Fall 2017 collection at Rothmans in New York City. The David Donahue shop opened last week with an official launch event hosted by CEO Rob Donohue, and Creative Director Suzy Donohue. As the wardrobe provider for NBC Sportscasters, David Donahue was joined for a “meet and greet” by former NHL player and current NBC Sportscaster Anson Carter. The event was topped off by craft beer tasting, live music, food, and special promotions and is free to the general public. The popup shop runs through November 15th “Our clothes are made for men with an active lifestyle, who understand the need to work hard and enjoy life, and whose style reflects their confidence and outward expression,” says Rob Donohue.  “They are confident, loyal and able to burn the midnight oil and coach little league baseball with an eye toward developing enriching and meaningful experiences.” “Our Fall 2017 Collection incorporates high-quality fashion design with careful attention to every stitch, button and seam with a meticulous eye to fit, color, pattern, and style,” adds Suzy Donohue. “It was inspired by our customer’s daily life – both in and out of the work environment and creates a sense of harmony and balance.” Click here to view more selections from David Donahue. #DavidDonahue #Fashion

Halloween is right around the corner so why not be festive with your fashion. For those of you that don’t want to wear a costume, we want to give you some less literal fashion ideas. We understand that some of you might just want to wear a sweatshirt, pants or some other fashion accessories to bring in the holiday. From the office to a late night party, not everyone feels comfortable in a head to toe costume that’s why we wanted to take a different approach. Take a look at some of these Halloween inspired looks that might give you some ideas for your ghoulish garbs. The first item is from High Snobiety’s “15 Best Products Dropping This Week” list. It is a Bandulu “Pumpkin King” Vintage Champion sweatshirt with a Jack-o-lantern’s face ($333). The look is cool and we can see it paired with black denim jeans to complete the look. Maybe throw on a pair of Timberlands on Dr. Martens. Have we given you any fashion-forward ideas for Halloween? If so, please share your ideas. #Fashion #Halloween #Menswear

Last night, the NFL and Justin Timberlake announced that the 36-year-old would be coming back to the world’s biggest stage. For the first time since 2004, Timberlake will perform during Half-time of this year’s Super Bowl in Minneapolis. I DO have the time. Half the time…#PepsiHalftime #SBLII @Pepsi @NFL @JimmyFallon @FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/4Z4Dz29l3X — Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) October 23, 2017 It’s official: @jtimberlake is taking the #PepsiHalftime stage at #SBLII Tune into #SNF tonight for the full scoop & we’ll see you on Feb 4! pic.twitter.com/7jLgYY38YF — Pepsi™ (@pepsi) October 23, 2017 The news comes a month after rumors broke out of the former *NSYNC leadman would be singing. What will be his third time on the stage, it is unknown whether or not he will have any co-performers as is the trend for half-time shows of late. This time all eyes will be on Timberlake regardless of who he performs with. After his last appearance, he will have to keep his hands to himself. #JustinTimberlake #SuperBowl

Small businesses don’t always have the budget to include public relations, yet it is a crucial aspect of success for any business. Even with a budget, oftentimes these start-ups aren’t sure where to turn for PR support. Aligning your business with the right partners is essential in taking the next step and growing the business. Included below are a few helpful tips for those small businesses owners who are searching for a way to increase their brand exposure and bring publicity to their product/service. Some small businesses may decide to create a video that showcases their service or product to potential clients to bring exposure to their brand. The Storyteller Studios (https://thestorytellerstudios.com/video-production-dallas-ftworth) could be a great company to contact if you are looking for this type of exposure to your business. In the meantime though, you may want to check out these tips below. Tip 1: Avoid Corporate PR. With a smaller budget, avoid large corporate PR firms that often ask you to work on a retainer. Search for a local freelancer or start-up PR firm, who is working just as hard to “make it” in business. You can identify these folks via LinkedIn, via Google searching, or on freelancing sites such as www.upwork.com. Tip 2: Do Your Research. Create a spreadsheet or database of media contacts you already know or who cover similar products and services. When you have news or a company announcement, reach out to these lists of media members. If you are hosting an event, call the local TV assignment desks – phone numbers are usually listed on the outlet’s website. Tip 3: Don’t Burn Bridges. Only send reporters and media members information that is newsworthy. Newsworthy meaning-announcements, new offerings, a change in business, events, news that affects more than a niche group of viewers/readers. If you overload a reporter’s inbox with stories that aren’t newsworthy, you’ll start being ignored and seen as an unreliable source. Tip 4: Utilize Cheap/Free Resources. There are several tools available to everyone that you don’t have to pay for, or are at a low cost. For example, HARO (help a reporter out) sends daily newsletters with requests from journalists looking for credible sources. Check out SCORE (www.score.org), which has hundreds of videos on every aspect of small business (including PR). Tip 5: Start in Your Community. If you’re a new, small business, put value in your local news media and bloggers. Bloggers have a much stronger influence than many larger businesses realize. A blogger is an everyday person, with a local audience. More importantly, bloggers have built a trustworthy relationship with the public and often engage them in their decision-making. Don’t overlook old fashioned methods of exposure like business cards and signage. Signage can be a really effective way of attracting customers who weren’t even looking for you, and it doesn’t have to be overly expensive when companies like super cheap signs exist. These are just a few tips to get you started with your businesses public relations efforts. Be creative and utilize your resources, because the more you get your business out there, the more known it becomes. Even the best business in the world isn’t anything without a presence in this world. Make yours known! Written by Cristy Brusoe Brusoe Communications: Brusoe Communications was formed in 2016 by Minnesota native, Cristy Brusoe. With the goal of partnering with great organizations run by even better people, Brusoe Communications gives companies the opportunities and the support they need to grow and develop a positive brand for themselves. After spending nearly 10 years working in the corporate world, one is left to wonder the true purpose of public relations. Brusoe Communications is taking back the real meaning of PR, by working with smaller, start-up organizations, with a purpose and a passion for their products and services. With the experience of working with everyone from athletes, to children and products varying from technology to food, there isn’t a client that Brusoe can’t support in the tricky business of public relations. Using tools such as social media, company outreach, and media relations, Brusoe Communications is giving companies the boost they need to reach a wider audience and have their stories crafted and told to target markets. We do this work because we love it and feel fulfillment in helping YOU accomplish your goals. If you’re interested in having a conversation: www.brusoecommunications.com #CristyBrusoe #PublicRelations

This past weekend, numerous Atlanta colleges kicked off their Homecoming festivities and black excellence was front and center at the inaugural HBCU Power Awards presented by Morehouse College. Hundreds of guests gathered at Martin Luther King Jr International Chapel in Atlanta to celebrate eight individuals who have made significant achievements in their respective fields: actress Jada Pinkett Smith, Coltrane Curtis (founder, Team Epiphany), Kyle Hagler (president, Next Management), Nzinga Shaw (Chief Diversity Officer, Atlanta Hawks), Keinon Johnson (VP, Urban Promotions, Interscope Records), Phylicia Fant (SVP, Publicity, Warner Bros Records), Beverly Anderson (EVP, Cards & Retail Services, Wells Fargo) and Rob Rumley (Chair, Atlanta Housing Authority). Produced by Morehouse alums Derek “Fonzworth Bentley” Watkins (c/o ’96), Jash’d Kambui Belcher (c/o ’99) and Roderick Hardamon (c/o ’98), the HBCU Power Awards was full of exceptional moments: an opening “Swag Surfin'” performance by the Morehouse Glee Club and Horns section; co-host Deon Cole keeping the audience laughing; the crowd singing along to “Focus” during R&B singer H.E.R‘s performance; an impromptu stroll through the aisles from an Omega Psi Phi frat; the music by DJ Trauma; Coltrane Curtis’ emotional tribute to his late father; and Jada Pinkett Smith’s moving words on the dynamics of power and the responsibility we all have to manage it wisely. Special guests included producer Will Packer, supermodel Jessica White, actor Michael Jai White, style expert Tai Beauchamp, Atlanta Hawks Foundation EVP David Lee, creative consultant, and entrepreneur Taiye Samuel, radio/tv personality Gary “With The Tea” Hayes, singer Dondria Nicole, rapper Silento, author Zane and many more. Happy Homecoming! [photos: Marcus Ingram] #HBCUPowerAwards #JadaPinkettSmith

Since Suburbicon is a mystery thriller Paramount pictures hosted a private mystery dinner in Atlanta. The event was held at The Gathering Spot which is known for hosting a wide range of interesting events and this one didn’t fall short at all. From the moment I walked in the door, I was greeted with the scenario of being in an active mystery that the town is trying to solve. The 3 main actors played their roles extremely well and made you believe they were really the characters they were portraying. Murder Mystery Co. did an amazing job. The night got interesting when the actors involved the guests into solving the crime. Several guests were awarded the title of being suspects and received clues to who actually committed the crime. All guests had to work together and question each other to get valuable information to the killer’s identity. The night was extremely fun and interactive. The addition of delicious food and great spirits added to the fun of the evening. If the murder mystery dinner was any foreshadowing of the movie then Suburicon will be a great film to see as it hits theaters. Suburbicon hits theaters next Friday! #Suburbicon

TV and Film actor Mehcad Brooks has added another title to his name. Yesterday, the Supergirl actor released his first single Tears Away. Mr. Brooks has entertained the world for over 10 years from starring in the hit TV Show True Blood to the Espy Award-winning film Glory Roads. But now he’s ready to entertain you with his music. After two near death experiences, Mehcad realized that “you regret in life the things you don’t do”. Singing has always been a passion of his and he finally built up enough courage to share it with the world. His first single is considered pop but has a unique sound that pulls you in with his soulful voice. Check out Tears Away below. I’m eager to hear what we can look forward to the album as he considers his music to be a blend of southern hip-hop, adult urban contemporary and R&B. Don’t worry, Mehcad isn’t looking to leave his acting career but wants to do “the best we can with the gifts we recognize we have” he said on Instagram. What do you think of his first single? #MehcadBrooks

Beats recently introduced their Beats Studio 3 Wireless. The “hear the music. Not the noise” headphones have Pure Adaptive Noise Canceling (Pure ANC) which delivers a premium listening experience that blocks out distractions so you can get closer to your music. The new Beats come in 6 colors and allows you to listen to your favorite tunes for Up to 22 hours. They also have Fast Fuel technology which can turn 10 minutes of charging into 3 hours of playback when the battery is low. You can also leave your iPhone in the bedroom and still listen to music all around the house due to the Class 1 Bluetooth® Technology which allows for extended range with fewer drop-outs than ever. Beats also wants you to Become 1 of 1. Posted on their social media yesterday, “Now is the time to BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. Because the fight within you is stronger than anything they’re saying. So do it. Go head first and REGRET NOTHING. STAY HUNGRY even when you’re told to stay in your lane. STRIVE FOR GREATNESS or watch someone else do it. Because in this world, RESPECT IS EARNED. The time is yours to LEAVE A LEGACY. It’s noisy out there. And it’s only getting louder.” Check out some of our favorite celebrities and their custom Beats Studio 3 Wireless headphones below. LET’S GET IT!!! Love to @beatsbydre #1of1 #BlackExcellence ✊?✊? @frenchmontana what you got? A post shared by Diddy (@diddy) on Oct 20, 2017 at 7:16pm PDT Respect to #beatsbydre for the #1of1. Show us what you got !! ?? @diddy WAVE GODS !!! A post shared by French Montana (@frenchmontana) on Oct 20, 2017 at 7:28pm PDT 1% CHANCE… 99% FAITH You don’t make it anywhere by chance. Always believe. Thanks @beatsbydre My bro @money23green What’s your #1of1? A post shared by Nj ?? ? neymarjr (@neymarjr) on Oct 20, 2017 at 5:58am PDT I knew I could do it in Compton. I knew I could do it at Stanford. I knew I could do it once I made it to the league. But I also knew that respect is earned. S/O to Beats. #1of1 A post shared by Richard Sherman (@rsherman25) on Oct 20, 2017 at 9:05pm PDT Always TRU, S/O to Beats for the #1of1 headphones. Show ‘em what you got @cameron1newton! A post shared by 2 Chainz Aka Tity Boi (@2chainz) on Oct 20, 2017 at 10:45am PDT To purchase your pair click here. #BeatsbyDre #Electronics

Looks like we may be going back to a full package with our cable providers! The Chi, an hourlong drama created and executive produced by Master of None’s Lena Waithe, has found a home at Showtime. On Chicago’s south side, an average day finds kids prepping for school as their parents head off to work, young adults trying to make a living, and the elders keeping an eye on things from their front porches. But in this tough neighborhood, real dangers threaten daily to squelch dreams, and the simplest decisions can have life or death consequences. The Chi is a powerful coming-of-age drama series about an interconnected group of working-class African-Americans who remind us that no matter what, the human spirit is strong and hope never dies. Along with Lena, the series is also executive produced by Common. You will also recognize some familiar faces like Alex R. Hibbert (Moonlight), Jason Mitchell (Detroit), Jacob Latimore (Collateral Beauty), Yolanda Ross (Netflix’s The Get Down), Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine (Queen of Katwe), and Tiffany Boone (The Following). Check out the trailer below. #Entertainment #TheChi #TV

In a society where athletes are as, if not more, influential than movie stars and musicians, there’s one you may not know. I’m talking about Matt Cogar, arguably the greatest American Lumberjack athlete alive. Cogar has competed in and won five consecutive STIHL TIMBERSPORTS U.S. Pro Championships. An unmatched stretch by any American STIHL TIMBERSTORTS competitor. However, Cogar isn’t just competing; he’s dominating, blowing away his competitors. His only real competition seems to be World Champion, Jason Wynyard (New Zealand). At 31 Cogar hasn’t entered his prime but even at this point, Cogar has no American rival. For most athletes, their skill came randomly with parents that weren’t themselves athletes. With Cogar, it’s the opposite, lumberjacking is in his blood. From the small town of Diana, West Virginia Cogar and his extended family including his father and cousin have competed and found great success in any of the six disciplines of Lumberjacks. Matt Cogar, the five-time U.S. Champion. {Image via STIHL} Cogar family has been a professional collective of Lumberjacks for decades, and Matt is the prodigy. He chops through wood the way a knife cuts through a medium-rare Filet Mignon. His form is incredible uses technique and choosing his chops for optimal damage with each strike. To go with the thought and technique, Cogar is a physical presence.  Picking up an ax when he was just two years old, Matt would often go with his father to Lumberjack competitions and thus learned the ropes; he’s been preparing for this all his life. Standing at 6’4” and 245 lbs, has even more potential as he gets older and enters his prime. Cogar and other competitors compete year-round all across the country and across the world, but at least for October, he can be seen on ABC this Sunday and the next, catch the competition in real time. The video below is just a highlight reel from a Milwaukee Championship (Cogar is the one winning). #STIHL #Sports #Axe #Lumberjack #MattCogar #Ax #TimberSports

Today’s musician/recording artists are surrounded by an overwhelming amount of technology. From “smart” phones that are able to audibly tell you the weather to wrist watches that you can receive text messages and e-mails, the world of tech has far surpassed the times of Thomas A. Edison and the invention of the lightbulb. With these advancements comes an array of tech tools that make composing, recording, mixing, mastering, and selling your music immensely easy. If that is the case, why are artists and musicians alike still having a difficult time making a name for themselves in the music industry? One opinion might be their focus isn’t in the right area. That may be true, but if it is, then how can today’s musical talent be successful in the music industry? Two words…..Music Licensing. Although music licensing poses many challenges, at the same time the rewards are very much worth it. From my experiences, I will gladly share with you tips in order to not only make a name for yourself but be successful at it as well. The list is short, however, if you follow it to the letter, the music licensing opportunities (and profit) will flow to any artist or musician like water. Be patient…..And persistent. Understand these opportunities aren’t decided overnight. But you must also follow up on whether or not your music was listened to and selected. Instead of focusing on the $5,000 and up opportunities, submit for the lesser paying licensing opportunities as well. Don’t make focus solely on the high dollar opportunities. Submit songs or instrumentals for the $1,500 – $3,000 opportunities as well. The higher the licensing budget, the more scrutiny each music submission will receive. If you don’t have absolute confidence in your song or instrumental, it will fail. Only submit songs or instrumentals that are professionally mixed down and mastered. The last thing any artists or musician wants is to not have their song selected because it had terrible sound quality. Consider this: You are an executive for a very successful ad agency and your client wants a song to promote their new 2020 model year automobile. You as the executive are held responsible for the campaign that will bring the agency several hundred thousand dollars. You are the deciding factor to whether or not that happens. If you select a song that doesn’t exceed the standards of the client, you will most likely get fired or you will not get the very generous Christmas bonus. With that being the case, as a musician, you don’t want to submit music that isn’t exceedingly high quality. Plus, if the executive likes your music, they may license more of your music. Play to your strengths. If you are a hip-hop artist or producer and that is your forte, the time to learn if you can record songs that have an ambient sound influence isn’t when you want to submit them for music licensing purposes. I’m sure there are several other tips out there, but these tips are certainly going to make any musician or artist more equipped to submit songs for use in television and radio promotions. To all musicians and recording artist, I wish you the best of luck in all your career moves. Written by Toron Bordain #Music #ToronBordain