When I was in art school, I pooh-poohed the idea of design. I was in Sculpture, and as far as I was concerned, if your hair wasn’t covered in cement every day, then what were you even doing there. Near the end of my tenure at art school, some friends and I formed a band. We were an “all-girl” band, and being art students and feminists and making melodic, big guitar, personal music, we had a big hand in how we portrayed ourselves. We all designed album, single and EP covers, t-shirts, posters and postcards. And I figured out that design could tell stories, play with cultural codes and expectations, and make statements in the same way that art did, but to a broader audience. And it could be fun. 

Our band often didn’t fit into some preconceived ideas of how a “girl-band” should show up. I remember being criticized in the British press for the boring clothes we wore. So I’m celebrating some of the most compelling album covers by female musicians and artists that go beyond pretty or sexy or generic rock chick, and tell us something interesting about the artists and their music. 

Patti Smith 

Horses (1975)

This album was a huge inspiration for everyone in my band. Shot by her friend Robert Mapplethorpe in black and white, this is the height of New York minimalist punk and cool. Smith is wearing androgynous clothes, jacket over shoulder, staring at directly at us, not caring what we think. She has said she was channeling both Charles Baudelaire and Frank Sinatra. The image was revolutionary for a female artist in 1975—the clothes, the stare—and reportedly made records execs nervous. The type, tucked in a corner, is also perfectly minimalist and belies the intensity of the music within.

FKA Twigs 

LP1 (2014)

The moment I saw this cover, I had to pick it up to understand it. People have different interpretations, but I see this image of the artist as an almost-porcelain doll—the makeup and pose feel object-like but she might come to life any minute. The scale of the image—it is from the neck up—and the intensity of the cyan background make this incredibly graphic and unignorable. No artist name or title gets in the way of this surreal image, a bold move for a first full-length album.

PJ Harvey

Rid of Me (1993)

I loved this album when it came out and the aesthetic quality of the image perfectly fits the rawness of the music. Shot by her friend and collaborator, Maria Mochnacz, the photograph is a grainy, high contrast, black and white image of a naked, makeup-less Polly Harvey flipping her wet hair over her head. She is clearly in a bathroom or some other unglamourous space. The record execs wanted to get rid of the plant poking in on the right side but were denied, keeping the image perfectly unpolished. All caps typography feels rough and mechanical and confirms the lack of slick we’ll find in the music.

Bjork 

Vespertine (2001)

Another black and white image, but this one is sensual and delicate. Bjork is lying on a pebbled ground, arm raised against the sunlight, wearing her famous swan dress. Created with M/M Paris, the overlay drawing of the swan and the dress recall the myth of Leda seduced by a god in swan’s body. The layered hand-lettered title of the album is almost impossible to read but adds to the exquisiteness. This is one of my favorite albums—and the cover perfectly captures the intimacy and intricacy of the music and lyrics of an artist deep in love. 

Nina Simone

Silk & Soul (1967)

In a classic style for this era and genre, Silk & Soul has a photograph of the artist on a colored backdrop with title and song list on the cover. What I love about this one is the choice of rich orange combined with the yellow-gold of her jewelry and the yellow-gold title. Everything is warm, almost hot. Ms Simone’s hair towers above, adorned in the most queenly way. Her face is pensive, and looking off into the distance. The Optima all-caps type gives it even more gravitas, the touches of magenta make it modern. Nina Simone’s strength and soul is undeniable in this image.

Lizzo

Cuz I Love You (2019)

Pure gorgeousness—the inky black backdrop that her hair nearly melts into, the perfect pale pink nails, the shine of her brown skin. She looks at us, challenging us to think she is not beautiful. Again, no title or artist name to be found. The image is enough. 

Lady Gaga

Artpop (2013)

Maximalist and artful in all the best ways. Artist Jeff Koons created a naked Lady Gaga sculpture with a big reflective blue sphere that acts as a modesty moment and a metaphor. Surrounding the sculpture are collage images of renaissance painting and sensual black and white photography. The big bold magenta type is also collage and grounds the whole image. I’m not particularly a Lady Gaga fan, nor a Jeff Koons fan but I love this cover. 

Erykah Badu

But You Caint Use My Phone (2015)

This is a mixtape—hoping it counts because this cover is wild. So many references, from dime-store catalogs to Hindu gods. Erykah Badu is drawn as a naked comic book goddess / speaker system, each of her many hands holding telephones from every era. Created as a response to Drake’s Hotline Bling, it feels experimental, witty, funky, high and low. The black and white and gradient give it a psychedelic flavor. 

Lana Del Rey 

Chemtrails Over the Country Club (2021)

I love this cover, which feels like a snapshot of a happy gathering of sisters and friends, the kind you take at a birthday party. Lana Del Rey is just hanging out among them—captions have to note that she is “fifth from the right”. It’s so casual and artless that it makes a statement, especially from an artist who is known for more controlled image-making. The title lettering gives it a bit of retro kitsch, which is part of the Lana Del Rey visual world, but I wish they had done it straighter. Even so, I love the sisterly-ness of this as an entry into the album. 

Lorde 

Pure Heroine (2013)

The opposite of everything we’ve just been looking at. Just big, black and white type, and Futura all-caps that you can read across the room. What could be better? It feels like a title card for an old film the way the letters slightly disintegrate at the edges. It also feels punk. Lorde was just 16 when this came out and I can imagine the push back when the album design was presented. So glad they just went with it.

The post 10 Great Album Covers, Chosen by Laura Stein of Bruce Mau Design first appeared on Muse by Clios.

Now that the proverbial smoke has cleared, Snoop and Solo Stove return, with the addition of Warren G, to ignite some “Blunt Marketing.”

A :30 from The Martin Agency tackles the elephant in the room—the previous campaign caused controversy (the CEO resigned!)—head on.

And this pair is famously all about … blunts. And that’s the way they roll.

“This is an ad for Solo Stove,” says Snoop, lest anyone misunderstand. Warren G adds phrases like “blunt,” “very blunt” or “super blunt.” No blowing smoke here.

“We let Snoop be Snoop,” says Luana Bumachar, CMO of Solo Brands. “Warren G is an authentic extension of Snoop, making it a natural choice to have his real-life friend and collaborator of over 35 years join him this time. The two are legendary in the hip-hop world and have a deep, longstanding friendship that enhances the campaign’s authenticity. Bringing Warren G into the mix isn’t just about their musical achievements. It’s about showcasing a genuine connection that resonates with our audience and drives impact.”

The campaign includes digital, social, influencer and audio elements that will run during Thursday Night Football, NFL Ticket and The Voice (where Snoop stars as a coach). TikTok and Amazon are also in the mix, making this the brand’s largest campaign to date.

“We love the blunt humor! This campaign is meta—self-aware and tongue-in-cheek, capturing both Snoop’s star power and our brand’s distinctive approach,” Bumachar tells Muse. “We know humor performs, and we’re all about embracing the fun and celebrating great times because we believe people will experience it through our products. Rather than following a typical sequel route—sequels don’t work, do they?—we focused on how to best leverage Snoop’s authentic self to create a campaign that truly disrupts.”

Check out this Pre-roll below:

Limited-edition Snoop x Solo Stove fire pits are available. Custom hoodies, hats and water bottles will be included as gifts with purchase of the Bonfire and MesaXL models while supplies last. Snoop Dogg Fire Rings and Surround Lites will be sold separately.

“Our first campaign, ‘Snoop x Solo Stove’ made the brand a household name,” says Mik Manulik, VP/GCD at Martin. “Everyone in the industry and beyond heard about it. So coming at it again, creatively, was very intimidating. How could it measure up? But, the more we thought about it, the more we realized we had a new story to tell. There was a whole new chapter to tell. And with the perfect spokesman to tell it.”

The post Snoop Dogg Sparks It Up Again for Solo Stove first appeared on Muse by Clios.

Vocalist Edy Szewy and keyboardist Guilhem Forey:

Have you ever noticed that all the greatest albums in history had excellent album covers? The cover is an integral part of the album’s eternal identity. It uploads to the brain like a file to a computer and stays there locked in, inseparable from the vibe of the music. On occasion, we wanted to listen to a record just based on the sleeve. But on the flip side, it also happens that one likes the track until one sees the cover art. A picture is worth a thousand words. So it’s serious business. 

For us, album covers that convey a lot of meaning—ones that are complex and layered and have you guessing—are usually the ones we respect the most. It doesn’t always mean “busy”—minimalism can accomplish that just as well. Cover art that is too digital, overtly polished, sterile or has someone fronting is not our style. Traces of authentic humanity are essential. If album covers had genres, we would go for the Soul section. The color, the vibe has to complement the music and tell us about the artist. It was fun to browse through our music collection and pick the favorites, and to see how they impacted our artwork in the end. 

Herbie Hancock

Head Hunters (1973)

One can’t separate good music from the cover—this one right here is iconic for a good reason. Just can’t help but remember it. Vibe, vibe, vibe. It’s weird, it’s funky, it’s smooth and it’s jazzed up. The fact this creature’s head has some kind of pincher-horns on top makes it look suspicious, but then you have the tunes to put you at ease.

Michael Jackson

Dangerous (1991)

You get to stare at this artwork for ages trying to demystify what’s going on here. The eyes themselves aren’t particularly appealing—they’re rather unsettling—but the opulence of detail, gold, lights, mystery, and symbolism makes it an eye candy, and the skill of the artist Mark Ryden is world-class excellent. It only semi-glues with the New Jack Swing soundtrack, but then again, this is a “King of pPop” album cover—doesn’t matter how it glues, as long as it’s grandiose.

Santana

Supernatural (1999)

Forey here. When I saw this album I knew it was gonna be a lush and mystical musical experience. I was 13 and had no idea who Santana was, but I got this album from the record store just based on the cover. I proceeded to wear this album out everyday for about a year. The last song of the album The Calling changed the way I connect to music—the window to the divine—and I heard my musical calling loud and clear from that point on.

A Tribe Called Quest

Midnight Marauders (1993)

Right, even before you played it, you knew you were gonna get something groovy, ballsy and quirky. Is this a penis, or is this a gun? Once you get hit by the beat you don’t really mind either. The vibe of the cover is as opinionated as the rap and carries muchos vibe. Edy’s soundtrack while in college. Aesthetically, the mix of black and white and color is right up our street. Somebody please explain why is there a multi-clock frame? Maybe because it’s timeless. Must be as it still sounds fresh thirty years on.

David Axelrod

Song of Innocence (1968)

Forey’s choice. Much vintage art in a kaleidoscope. Can’t go wrong with this. There’s a nostalgia about things that passed that permeates this cover, but it’s a warm and flowery jazz nostalgia. Artwork, music, the title—it’s a perfect match. So smooth yet so eventful, sonically and visually.

Kamasi Washington

Heaven and Earth (2018)

Probably the only HD photo choice in our selection. There’s something so old-soul about Kamasi Washington though, so it fits right in. The aesthetics are of calm, easy, spiritual variety; the outfit is funky—check the sneakers—so it points to the more energetic tracks on the album. Blue is both for Blues, and for heavenly things. A window to the great beyond available here on earth.

George Duke

The Aura Will Prevail (1975)

More Blues, more drawing, more artsy choices. Funky is the word, and the background of the image looks like oil in water—maybe that’s because George Duke spoke of himself as a pianist with “grease’” Groove grease, that is. The jewel-y and gemstone-y type accents are fine by us, especially because Edy likes bling.

Marvin Gaye

I Want You (1976)

Edy’s choice. This cover was first a painting by Ernie Barnes, born a few years before the music itself. Marvin asked to use it for his album as it matched with the sexy but such chill-chill soundtrack. Sure, the bump and grind aspect of this is a bit much, nevertheless this cover is unlike any other. A true classic, and so, so ’70s.

Sade

The Best of Sade (1994)

This one rocks because among the vast majority of female-centered album covers, there tends to be a lot of posing, a lot of pouting, a lot of ooh and aah. This one has none of it—it’s natural yet with all the lady charms included. Can’t go wrong with a black and white theme. Classic Sade sound, classic cover.

George Duke

Face The Music (2003)

Perfect pianist album cover. There’s so much vibe. The love of music is in the face of the pianist, the warmth of Fender Rhodes is in the color scheme, the finesse of the grand piano is in the shadow work. Good vibe, soul, and you know you’re getting an authentic extension of George’s soul.

Edy Forey

Culture Today (2024)

I guess with all those above, it’s clear we were inspired by the art of hand drawn vinyl covers, pre-digital revolution, as well as the idea of music as the means of bringing heaven to earth. The dualistic nature of reality with its beauty and danger is all in here. Everyone picks up on Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel “Creation of Adam” reference—and that’s right on. More subtle is the Bauhaus lettering and border—a nod to the evolution of art, from classical, through modernist, to today. We’ve chucked all the groove we absorbed growing up into the music itself, loosely indicated by the city in the distance, where jazz, soul, blues and hip-hop make the urban living groove good.

The post U.K. Duo Edy Forey Picked 11 Breakthrough Album Covers first appeared on Muse by Clios.

Here, we round up the best campaigns that put the cowgirl spirit front and center this year.

Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ Rides to Paris

Just when we thought Beyoncé couldn’t surprise us anymore, she introduced Team USA in full Cowboy Carter style ahead of the 2024 Paris Games. This spot by NBC Spots was about more than sport—it was about culture.  

Tesco’s ‘Whoosh’ Gives Urban Cowboys a Shoutout

In the U.K., Tesco is taking the cowboy spirit to the streets—or rather, into the living rooms—of urbanites with its latest Whoosh pusg. Directed by Daniel Lundh, this quirky outing reminds us that you don’t need wide-open spaces to embrace your inner cowboy. You just need a little imagination and, of course, Tesco’s on-demand delivery.

Cowboy Skyr: The Snack for the Modern Rancher

Y’all hungry? Icelandic Provisions has you covered with Cowboy Skyr yogurt. Dubbed “Iceland Hold ‘Em,” the snack is prominently featured on a rugged pedestal anchored by cacti, rope and a rodeo sash (of course). The campaign plays up the fact that cowboys aren’t just about the grit—they’re about fueling up right, too.

Etsy’s Cowgirl Chic

Etsy’s put out some great creative this year, and this celebration of the Cowgirl aesthetic is no exception. This funny ad from Orchard Creative features not one but two cowgirls and focuses on artisan-crafted goods that bring the Wild West to life in chic, contemporary style.

Cowboy Fashion Rides the Runways

Pharell may have kicked off the cowgirl couture phase with his Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter collection, but Calvin Klein brought the look to the masses. The brand’s recent ad featured Blackpink’s Jennie and blended cowboy elements with Calvin’s signature modern, minimalist style.

Cookies Go Cowgirl Chic, Too

Not to be left out of the rodeo by the big brands, small businesses, and creatives are taking a spin around the corral. One such local Brooklyn bakery brand, Sofia & Grace Cookie Co recently released a playful cowgirl-themed TikTok ad that punches way above its weight. The spot is refreshingly clever, on-trend, and just fun.   

The post The Best ‘Year of the Cowgirl’ Campaigns first appeared on Muse by Clios.

Sydney is creator partnerships manager at Genies, a tech and marketing company that serves artists including Justin Bieber, Paris Hilton and Rihanna. Other partnerships include Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and the player associations of the NBA, NFL and MLB.

Prior to Genies, Sydney spearheaded label relations and partnerships at The Nations, an independent music curation network on YouTube. Earlier, she was an artist manager held posts at Buchwald and CAA.

Currently, Sydney is also an executive committee member on the City of Hope’s “Future of Hope” board. She also produces the Mycelium music festival.

We spent two minutes with Sydney to learn more about her background, her creative inspirations and recent work she’s admired.

Sydney, tell us …

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

I was born in New York and raised just north of Atlanta. I currently live in Venice, Calif.

Your earliest musical memory.

Going to NSYNC’s No Strings Attached tour with my mom. She was as big of a fan as I was.

Your favorite bands/musicians today.

Victoria Monét, Remi Wolf, HUGEL, Tyla

One of your favorite projects you’ve ever worked on. 

Helping to introduce Paris Hilton’s avatar and establish it as a piece of intellectual property. We helped her introduce it to fans on social media with the announcement of her avatar’s virtual performance at Decentraland’s inaugural Metaverse Festival. During the four-day virtual event, all other artists used pre-recorded video of their sets on a 2D screen. Paris, on the other hand, offered an immersive experience, since her avatar was there dancing in the 3D space with the rest of the audience (see here). After this, we helped create other social activations to build recognition for her avatar. This led to Paris’ digital fashion release where fans could acquire and rock a piece from her Y2K collection on their own Genie avatar.

A recent project you’re proud of.

Just launched Lay Bankz’s avatar. It has its own social accounts that will strategically cross over to her main channels. This is the start of a much larger plan. I believe it will set a precedent for how to properly build avatar IP.

One thing about how the music world is evolving that you’re excited about.

The creativity stemming from the importance of identifying and hyper-serving your superfans. Superfans spend 68 percent more money than average listeners and their social signaling and engagement can influence non-fans to become fans. So, besides the desire to give back to those who love you most, harnessing superfandom promotes longevity and success for artists in an era where attention is limited and choice is endless. In addition to special access or perks, superfans really want to interact with and impact an artist. I believe avatar and AI technology will continue to help address this need.

Someone else’s work, in music or beyond, that you admired lately.

Growing up as a dancer, I’ve been a huge fan of choreographer Parris Goebel. Her recent work for Doja Cat’s Coachella performance was *chef’s kiss*

A book, movie, TV show or podcast you recently found inspiring.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb, which gives unique insight into human behavior through the lens of a psychotherapist. This book inspired me to look at my thoughts and habits differently and increased the amount of empathy I have for others. 

Your favorite fictional character.

Any character from the Harry Potter series. Except Dolores Umbridge—we hate her.

Someone worth following on social media.

@benmeer! He posts about systems that will optimize and brighten your life.

Your main strength as a marketer/creative.

Being able to put myself in the shoes of the artist or my audience.

Your biggest weakness.

Finding the free time to stay up to date on all the latest trends on a consistent basis!

Something people would find surprising about you.

I am a huge sci-fi and fantasy nerd. Love the Dune and Red Rising series. 

What you’d be doing if you weren’t in the music business.

One of my majors in college was psychology, so definitely something in that field—either research or therapy.

The post Sydney Wiklund, Manager of Creator Partnerships at Genies, on Hyper-Serving Your Superfans first appeared on Muse by Clios.

Jimmy Fallon probably wishes he had earplugs handy after he crashes a meeting at Beats by Dre … and doesn’t like what he hears.

Whose signature headphones will the company choose for its latest launch—his, or Kim Kardashian’s?

Some choice comments from around the table about each celeb’s product entries:

• “Kim’s are beautiful.”
• “Jimmy’s are gross.”
• “Beats by Kim look amazing. I haven’t felt this happy in years.”
• “Why would anyone willfully choose Jimmy’s when Kim’s exist?”

As for Fallon’s choice of mustard as a color symbolizing his love of frankfurters: “My man looks like he needs to lay off the hot dogs!”

When Kim shows up, she won’t even shake JF’s hand:

Looks like Jimmy’s got this 100 percent real battle sown up. We’ll find out for sure on Wednesday, when Kim visits The Tonight Show.

“This campaign plays into the tropes of product testing and brings consumers along for the ride in a fun way,” Beats says in press materials. “In the case of Kim vs Jim, Beats brings their audience and testing pool into the conversation to give them a peek behind the curtain of the friendly ‘competition.'”

All in all, a great job of sending up celeb personas in a way that amplifies the brand message. The schtick feels natural and on point (like Jerry Seinfeld’s somewhat similar Unfrosted/Pop Tarts cross-promo a few months back.)

Mirimar developed “Kim vs. Jim,” and the agency is all about pairing A-listers for Beats these days. Previous efforts include “The Legend of Ricallen” (with Josh Allen and Daniel Ricciardo) and “The Predicament” (starring Lebron James and Lil Wayne).

The post Beats by Dre: Kardashian Battles Fallon in Headphone War first appeared on Muse by Clios.

Using cutouts, M&Ms and lots of espressos, artist Rudy Willingham celebrates Simone Biles, Eminem and Sabrina Carpenter in fun and unexpected ways on his TikTok and Instagram accounts.

These projects satisfy his own creative urges. But Willingham, repped by Giant Artists, also works for clients such as Aston Martin and HBO’s House of the Dragon, which ranks as his favorite show. (Muse covered the whimsical stop-motion ads Willingham made for Whole Foods in 2022.)

His wife and father-in-law work with the Seattle-based artist in a garage that has been converted into an art studio. “They help with a lot of the printing, cutting, supplies, studio set-up, etc. It’s a true family business,” Willingham says.

“We’re in the process of rebranding to Rudy Willingham Studios as opposed to [me] just being known as an artist/creator,” he reports. “Social media is a huge part of what we do, but we can also create larger TV campaigns, billboards, art installations, copywriting, etc. We can act as a small ad agency when needed.”

Here, Willingham talks about his celebrity-inspired artistic endeavors in more detail:

I know you have to be a fan of Simone Biles because you have celebrated her in two new projects. Why is she such an inspiration to you?

What she does in the air doesn’t even seem real. It looks CGI. I’m in awe of her physical ability. I’m also inspired by her comeback story. Everyone deals with struggles, and being able to fight through that and excel takes a lot of courage. It’s what sports are all about. I can’t believe she took two years off and comes back even better. Who does that? I love witnessing greatness, and she is definitely the G.O.A.T.

Are you sporty at all?

I’m a huge sports fan and played a ton of sports growing up. I’m retired now—pretty sure I’d tear my ACL playing any sort of pickup game at this point. Also, can’t risk injuring my thumb. How would I hold my cutouts?

I have watched your Simon Biles paper cutouts piece a million times. Can you take me through the process of making it?

It’s quite laborious, but we have a pretty efficient system. First, we export 100 images from her routine. Then we turn the background white and make her leotard transparent in Photoshop. Then we print and cut each frame with a Cricut machine. 

We shot all the cutouts in front of red, white or blue backgrounds to give them that patriotic feel. After shooting, it’s just a matter of editing in Lightroom and then lining up each card in Premiere. 

How long did it take to complete that piece?

About two weeks start to finish.

You also recently created an image of Eminem out of 7,000 M&Ms. Was that more or less the amount of M&Ms you initially thought it would take?

We knew it would take around 7,000, but it took so much longer than we initially anticipated.

The main problem was that we had to super glue the back of each one , which was a nightmare. When we’re experimenting with new styles, it’s always difficult to estimate how long a project will take. I was really happy with how it turned out, though. And now we can take what we learned and apply it to new projects moving forward.

What are the challenges of working with milk chocolate covered in a sugar shell?

They were surprisingly durable! I was initially worried they’d melt with the glue, but they held up really well. 

I’ve been listening to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” nonstop. So I was delighted to see you made Sabrina Carpenter stop-motion art out of 200 espressos. How did you create the designs, and how many espresso machines did you have going? I can’t even wrap my head around how much work went into this piece.

I was excited when that song blew up because we’d done a bunch of latte animations, so we had the process down and now had the perfect subject for it.

All it takes is one machine, lots of coffee and a ton of patience.

Do you know if Simone, Eminen or Sabrina have seen any of this amazing art?

I know Simone and Sabrina have seen it, which is so cool. I don’t see Eminem as a big social media guy. So, he probably has not.

I find everything you do so clever and joyful. Why do you make art?

For exactly that reason—to make people happy. I have an insatiable urge to make stuff. It’s almost like breathing. I just have to do it. I’m sure most artists can relate.

Are you self-taught, or did you study how to make art?

I have no formal training other than working at ad agencies for 10 years. [Including stints at WongDoody and DNASeattle]. I started in new business, then moved on to strategy, digital, and then, finally, copywriting. I think this breadth of career experience has really helped me in what I’m doing now because as a small business owner you have to wear a lot of hats.

How would you describe what you do as an artist?

I always have trouble doing that. I guess you could put my art into two buckets. Number one: stop-motion using practical materials—paper, snow, lattes., basically anything but CGI. And number two: street art/collage art—transforming everyday objects into something new. 

I have a lot of different techniques, but the one thing I want to be consistent is that it’s handmade, organic and fun.

Do you work whenever inspiration strikes, or do you have set hours—like maybe you are a morning person, or an evening person? 

I’m definitely a night owl, although I have two young kids, so I’ve had to begrudgingly become a morning person. We’re working pretty much around the clock because you have to constantly pump out work to succeed on social. It’s a grind, but it doesn’t really feel like work.

Do you have any dream clients? Here is your chance to put that out into the world.

Would love to do some work for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics in L.A. I’m also interested in getting into music videos, TV show intros and more broadcast spots.

One of the best things about our business is that we’re very nimble and can work on big and small projects depending on what the brand needs. Clients don’t have to hire an entire film crew to get something done, which makes turnaround much faster and hassle-free.

Do you listen to music while you work?

I listen a lot to KEXP 90.3, an incredible radio station in Seattle.

I also make music myself. Search Rudy Willingham on Spotify. I started my social accounts as a way to promote my music, but then the art took off so I’ve been focusing on that. I’m hoping to get back into the music game soon, though. 

Any upcoming projects you would like to tease?

For so long, I’ve wanted to launch an Etsy store and start releasing music again. Hopefully, by answering this question it will manifest into reality.

The post Simone Biles, Eminem and Sabrina Carpenter Inspire Rudy Willingham’s Latest Art Projects first appeared on Muse by Clios.

A-Zal, also known as Atif Afzal, is an American pop singer of Indian origins. He released his debut album 17 & 11 Nights in 2023, featuring tracks such as “Movie Script” and “Lonely Town.”

In India, he composed film scores for films including Gift, Prague and That Sunday. Soon after arriving in the U.S., A-Zal collaborated with Marvel Studios, CBS and Netflix. His soundtracks have been featured in many television series and movies including Ms. Marvel, Loki, NCIS: Los Angeles, The Twilight Zone and Resort to Love.

We spent two minutes with A-Zal to learn more about his background, his creative inspirations and recent work he’s admired.

A-Zal, tell us …

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

I was born in Mumbai and spent my childhood in London. I grew up in a town called Hounslow, and that’s where I experienced my first musical influences. I currently live in New York.

Your earliest musical memory.

When I bought some pre-owned instruments and a radio from the weekend flea market with my saved pocket money. That’s where it all started. I could hear songs on the radio and play around with the instruments for fun.

Your favorite bands/musicians today.

Ed Sheeran. I love the purity of the words he uses, and his voice is that of an angel.

One of your favorite projects you’ve ever worked on.

I composed soundtracks for the Marvel Studios series Loki and Ms. Marvel. This was one of the biggest opportunities that I’ve gotten.

A recent project you’re proud of.

My latest project is my current album 17 and 11 Nights. I have already dropped a few singles from it: “Movie Script,” “Autopilot” and “Lonely Town.” My next song takes its name from the album title. This album is the most accurate extension of me as a person and I have tried to do my best work on this record.

One thing about how the music world is evolving that you’re excited about.

I’m most excited about the evolution of social media and how artists can develop a community with their fans. Social media has transformed the way an artist can find and grow their fanbase. With time, the world will see an emergence of independent artists like never before.

Someone else’s work, in music or beyond, that you admired lately.

I loved “Drunk Text” by Henry Moodie. It is such a relatable song and the songwriting is so good. Very few songs touch my heart this way. 

A book, movie, TV show or podcast you recently found inspiring.

I am a huge fan of Steve Harvey. His talks never fail to put a ton of inspiration in my life. Every artist—for that matter, every human—goes through tough phases where they need inspiration. I started following Steve’s podcast when I saw tough days as a subway musician in New York. 

An artist you admire outside the world of music.

I’m fond of both traditional and modern abstract art. The painting that I always wanted to see was the Mona Lisa. I was finally able to see it when I visited Paris!

Your favorite fictional character.

The Hulk. I love the power he brings and his green color is so cool.

How musicians should approach working with brands.

As a musician, you should only endorse those brands that you can relate to. Eventually, your fans love you for who you are, and not what you pretend to be. So, I feel a brand partnership is an extension of the artist’s personality—and musicians shouldn’t just say yes to any opportunity that comes their way.

How brands should approach working with musicians.

It is important for the brand to understand the identity of an artist and what kind of fans they have. Someone like Adele has a totally different identity than Dua Lipa.

A mentor who helped you navigate the industry.

I have had so many mentors who helped me in music education. When it comes to navigating the industry, I’ve really never had a mentor as such. I figured out most of the things on my own. On that note, I hope I do find a mentor who could help me navigate the way ahead. As an independent musician, it can be challenging and taxing to figure it out by yourself. 

What you’d be doing if you weren’t in the music business.

I would have been an influencer in the travel space. I’ve always been an explorer, even as a kid. There are infinite things to explore if you travel.

The post 2 Minutes With … Indie Pop Singer A-Zal first appeared on Muse by Clios.

The brand’s first work from Orchard shows a trio of ladies in quilted jackets bring an ’80s edge and comfy vibe to a grocery store. The lights go down, the neon comes on. Shoppers are transfixed by t.p. lyrics, synth styles and a checkout conveyor belt that serves as a glam runway.

Work it, quilted queens!

“The toilet paper category is currently run by a lot of non-human characters, who, to our knowledge don’t use toilet paper,” says Christine Taffe, copywriter at Orchard. “The Quilted Queens are real women talking to other real men and women. That alone is surprisingly new for the category. Sometimes the simplest choices help you stand out. In this case, it was deciding early on that we’re adults talking to fellow adults who know what toilet paper is, and just want to know which one is better.”

Directed by Tajana Tokyo, the ad is running on cable TV—including placements during a few Olympic finals—plus YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

“We shot in Romania but in spite of the language barrier, the non-English speaking crew knew all the words to the song by the end of our shoot,” Taffe tells Muse.

For more toilet humor, check out Cushelle’s creepy-cute koala.

The post Quilted Northern Shows Love for Starship With ‘We Quilt This City’ first appeared on Muse by Clios.

One reason the brand partnership has worked so well is Snoop’s more than a commentator. He’s a superfan. From donning a Simone Biles T-shirt to joining Jordan Chiles’ parents in the stands to shedding tears during the U.S. national anthem; Snoop’s heartfelt interactions have endeared him to Olympic audiences across the globe.

Another reason Snoop has been able to turn his NBC Olympic engagement into such a big branding moment is his extensive experience in elevating brands. The “Drop It Like Its Hot” rapper has starred in dozens of marketing campaigns through the years for international brands like Pepsi, Sketchers, and Corona. To say, he understands the assignment would be an understatement.

As the Paris Games continue to unfold, Snoop Dogg’s presence is proving to be more than just a novelty; it’s a strategic stroke of genius that is reshaping how audiences experience the Olympics. With his infectious energy and genuine passion, he’s not only capturing the spirit of the Games but also bridging the gap between sports and entertainment in a way that only he can. The result? NBC’s Olympic coverage is now a must-watch event in its own right, and Snoop Dogg has solidified his place as a pivotal figure in the world of sports media.

Here are some of our favorite Snoop Dogg commercials that showcased his brand-boosting abilities long before the Paris Olympics, proving that his knack for turning any opportunity into a memorable experience is truly unmatched:

Snoop turned a cozy Christmas tale into a hilarious rap in this spot for Pepsi, proving that even Santa could use some swagger.

Snoop and SodaStream helped the world enjoy the small things during the holiday season:

Corona enlisted basketball legends and Snoop to motivate consumers to live their best lives:

Dutch fashion brand G-Star RAW tapped the Dogg to add lyrical flavor to its “Hardcore Denim” spot:

And footballer Harry Kane scores some serious style points with a little help from unlikely fashion coach Snoop in this Sketchers commercial:

The post Snoop Scored Big For Brands Before The Olympics first appeared on Muse by Clios.