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Bears general manager Ryan Poles was granted a reprieve complete with a second swing at hiring a head coach in Chicago. Poles will interview candidates and select a replacement for Matt Eberflus, who was fired Friday after the Bears' sixth consecutive loss and fourth of the season decided on a final play. "Ryan Poles is the general manager of the Chicago Bears, and he will remain the general manager of the Chicago Bears," president and CEO Kevin Warren said Monday. "Ryan will serve as the point person of our upcoming search for a head football coach. We will closely, we will work together on a daily basis to make sure we have the right person as our head football coach." Warren said the McCaskey family provided "all the resources" to build a championship environment. He confirmed that Thomas Brown, who a month ago was passing game coordinator before replacing Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator, will serve as interim head coach and shift from the press box to the sideline starting this week. Warren did not say whether Brown would automatically receive an interview for the full-time coaching position, which he said "will be the most coveted head coaching job in the National Football League." Poles said consideration will be given to candidates with the plan to develop rookie No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, but there are no set plans to involve the quarterback in the interview process. He said the Bears showed great progress through two seasons but couldn't sustain growth. "At the end of the day, we just came up short too many times," Poles said of firing Eberflus, his pick to be the Bears' head coach in January 2022. Brown promoted wide receivers coach Chris Beatty to interim offensive coordinator on Monday and announced that defensive coordinator Eric Washington will be the defensive play caller, a role Eberflus previously held. Trailing 23-20 on Thanksgiving Day, the Bears were within field-goal range when quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked. With 32 seconds remaining, Eberflus elected not to use his final timeout as Williams heaved an incompletion down the right sideline as time expired. "When you look at the end-of-the-game situations, detailing to finish in some of those moments. We all know a lot of games come down to those critical moments where we weren't able to get over the hump," Poles said. Eberflus said after the game that everything was handled properly and held a press conference via Zoom on Friday voicing confidence he'd have the team ready to play the 49ers this week. But three hours later, he was fired. Warren admitted the franchise could've handled the timing better, but clarified there was no decision on Eberflus' status at the time of his media session. "The decision was made to terminate the employment of head coach Matt Eberflus," Warren said 72 hours later. "We try to do everything in a professional manner. That decision was made on Friday." "Coach Eberflus had his press conference, we had not made a final decision. I think you know me, you know Ryan you know George McCaskey. One thing we stand for is family, integrity, doing it the right way. In retrospect, could we have done it better? Absolutely." Eberflus, 54, went 14-32 in two-plus seasons. The Bears (4-8) travel to San Francisco (5-7) in Week 1. --Field Level MediaJimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100
( MENAFN - Newsfile Corp) Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 19, 2024) - Vertiqal Studios Corp. (TSX: VRTS) (OTCQB: VERTF) (FSE: 9PY0) (the "Company" or "Vertiqal Studios") - Vertiqal Studios, North America's largest owner of gaming and lifestyle social media channels, is pleased to announce a collaboration with viral Nation Inc. ("Viral Nation"), a global leader in influencer marketing and technology solutions. The collaboration is set to amplify Vertiqal Studios' growth and further bolster its offerings through strategic acquisitions, revenue-sharing arrangements, and co-production initiatives. Vertiqal Studios Acquires High-Performing Instagram Channels Vertiqal Studios and Viral Nation have entered into an asset purchase agreement (the "APA") dated December 19, 2024 pursuant to which Vertiqal Studios has acquired four high-performing social channels from Viral Nation, adding 1,773,000 followers to Vertiqal's 52,000,000-person audience, 73% of which live in the United States. These channels complement Vertiqal Studios' already robust portfolio of 130+ social media channels across Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok. This acquisition further cements Vertiqal Studios' status as one of the most dominant strategy, creative, and distribution entities in the digital media landscape, with the addition of these new channels being accretive to the overall value of Vertiqal's content distribution network. Under the APA, Vertiqal Studios acquired ownership of the Instagram channels and all ancillary assets and contracts in exchange for an aggregate consideration of US$150,000 payable as follows: (i) US$50,000 paid in cash on the closing of the acquisition; and (ii) US$100,00 paid through the issuance of 5,737,200 common shares in the capital of the Company at a deemed price of $0.025 per common share at an exchange rate of US$1 ~ C$1.4343. All securities issued in connection with the APA are subject to a four-month plus one day hold period from the date of issuance and resale rules of applicable securities legislation. The APA remains subject to final approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange. Revenue-Sharing Model to Maximize Monetization The APA also establishes a co-selling arrangement featuring a revenue-sharing model, where Vertiqal Studios will receive 70% of the revenue generated, and Viral Nation will receive 30% for media driven by Viral Nation through Vertiqal Studios' owned and operated channel network. This innovative revenue-sharing strategy will enable both companies to streamline media sales operations while maximizing profitability and market reach. By combining their expertise and resources, this collaboration enhances value for both brands and advertisers. Leveraging Viral Nation's Cutting-Edge Technology Viral Nation has agreed to provide Vertiqal Studios a license to its comprehensive suite of technology solutions, aiding them in delivering enhanced media sales strategies and results for their clients. With access to these tools, Vertiqal Studios can implement smarter analytics, improved campaign optimization, and connect more effectively with audiences. This partnership strengthens Vertiqal Studios' position as a leader in creative and innovative marketing solutions. Co-Producing Original Content The two entities will also co-produce original content for distribution across their respective channels and platforms. By combining their creative expertise and leveraging their expansive networks of both channels and creators, Vertiqal Studios and Viral Nation aim to deliver impactful and engaging content that resonates deeply with Gen Z and Millennial audiences. This collaboration is expected to set new benchmarks for quality and innovation in digital storytelling, further broadening both companies' influence in the content creation space. A Key Milestone for Vertiqal Studios This collaboration represents a pivotal moment in Vertiqal Studios' growth trajectory. By acquiring these Instagram channels, integrating advanced technology, and collaborating on original content, Vertiqal Studios is positioning itself as an even more influential force in the social media landscape, with diversity across platforms. The collaboration with Viral Nation solidifies Vertiqal Studios' status as one of North America's largest owners of gaming and lifestyle social media channels. This strategic alliance underscores Vertiqal Studios' commitment to continuous growth and innovation, further expanding its influence in the ever-evolving digital media ecosystem. "This collaboration with Viral Nation is a major milestone in Vertiqal Studios' journey to redefine how brands engage with audiences in the digital age," said Max Desmarais, President of Vertiqal Studios. "I've always had immense admiration for Joe Gagliese and Mat Micheli at Viral Nation and the incredible company they've built. Their vision and leadership have set a benchmark in the influencer marketing and technology space, and this partnership is a testament to the shared values and innovative spirit that unite our two organizations. By acquiring these Instagram channels, integrating Viral Nation's technology, and collaborating on original content, we're positioned to set new standards for excellence in social media marketing." Joe Gagliese, Co-CEO of Viral Nation, added, "We're thrilled to partner with Vertiqal Studios to drive innovation and growth in the social media ecosystem. This collaboration brings together two leaders in the digital space to create opportunities for brands and creators alike." This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " U.S. Securities Act "), or the securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold within the United States (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements. About Vertiqal Studios Vertiqal Studios, owners of one of North America's largest gaming and lifestyle networks on social media, is a digital strategy, creative, and distribution holding company. The Company specializes in the creation and distribution of viral videos for brands and advertisers to create always-on digital strategies that live authentically in Gen Z and Millennial culture. Vertiqal Studios partners with leading brands to develop strategic solutions, creative ideation, and content production, while also providing distribution and amplification through its owned & operated channels - all delivered with boutique, white-glove service. Its expertise lies in managing over 130 channels across TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, while producing over 100+ pieces of content a day for a growing audience of 52 million-plus followers. By having such robust ownership of culture and communities on social, Vertiqal Studios provides innovative advertising solutions for brands such as RBC, Samsung, White Castle, Coca-Cola, ESPN, Chili's, and more. For more information and to join our email subscriber list for direct press releases and newsletters, visit . About Viral Nation Viral Nation is a global leader in social media innovation, uniting powerful marketing services, proprietary technology, and creator representation. Founded in 2014, Viral Nation evolved to fuel cultural resonance and predictable growth for brands through a social-first approach. The company's belief that creators and social communities are the new media of today and tomorrow steers world-class services, which include influencer marketing, community management, social content production, social strategy, and a talent representation agency. Viral Nation's creator intelligence technology, CreatorOS, and AI-powered brand safety solution, Secure, allow the company to maximize creator partnerships while safeguarding brand reputation. Viral Nation powers global growth for brands like e.l.f. Cosmetics, Audible, A24, The Coca-Cola Company, MGM Resorts International, Microsoft, Meta, Tencent, Vivid Seats, Zillow, and Walmart, redefining how brands engage and thrive in an ever-evolving digital world. For more information, please visit and follow Viral Nation on LinkedIn , X , Instagram , YouTube , and TikTok . For media inquiries, please contact: Jon Dwyer Chairman and Chief Executive Officer +1 (416) 627-8868; Email: ... ; Investor Relations Email: ... Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit SOURCE: Vertiqal Studios MENAFN19122024004218003983ID1109014417 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. 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Keeping pace with Hollywood’s perpetual awards horserace. Sign up for the newsletter here . Whether you call it “Glicked” or “Wickiator” (or even Justin Chang ’s preferred “Wadiator,” which sounds to me like a lot of hot air), this weekend’s simultaneous arrival of Gladiator II and Wicked feels like the closest thing we’ve seen to a true heir of “ Barbenheimer .” The comparison is inevitable — two huge films releasing on the same day, one girl-coded and one boy-coded — and perfectly reasonable, as long as you abandon any assumption that they will match or surpass the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon . These films can be very, very successful without beating their predecessors’ combined $235 million opening weekend. (Or, it must be said, their level of quality.) The same goes at the Oscars, where Barbie and Oppenheimer were the defining event of the 2024 awards season. The duo combined for 21 nominations and eight wins, including a Best Picture prize for Oppie . No matter how well they perform, Wicked and Gladiator probably aren’t coming close to that tally. That’s okay! Now that expectations have been set, let’s focus on the optimistic case. Putting aside the comparison to last season’s two-headed colossus, how well can “Wickiator” do this awards season? Both are arriving at precisely the right time. In this strike-marred season, consensus had it that the fall-festival crop was slightly weaker this year. Now, alongside Dune: Part Two , Wicked and Gladiator seem set to give the Oscars field a fresh dose of blockbuster oomph . Of the pair, Wicked ’s the one with stronger reviews and stronger box-office tracking , so that’s the one that’s making my Best Picture ten at the moment. But I wouldn’t be gobsmacked if Gladiator snuck in, as well: It’s an old-school masculine epic that could appeal to the Academy’s “meat and potatoes” voters, a bloc powerful enough to get films like Top Gun: Maverick and Ford v Ferrari into the Best Picture category in the past. Prospects are more mixed elsewhere above the line. The directors branch is notoriously snobby, which will be a tough row to hoe for Wicked ’s Jon M. Chu, who got his start directing films in the Step Up and G.I. Joe franchises. Gladiator II ’s Ridley Scott has some “overdue” equity — he’s never won an Oscar, not even when the first Gladiator won Best Picture — but Scott hasn’t been nominated for directing since Black Hawk Down , and this branch’s recent preference for highbrow auteurs suggests their tastes have moved on. Screenplay is a slightly better bet, as there are spots up for grabs in the Adapted race, where both Wicked and Gladiator are slotted. But at a combined run time of over five hours, some might suggest these movies should have featured more adaptation. Fortunately, both campaigns can count on a powerful supporting performance to bolster their bids. Denzel Washington has been almost unanimously acclaimed as the best part of Gladiator II . “You start to root for his relentless climb to the top,” Vulture’s Alison Willmore says of his turn as a political schemer who sports more rings than the human hand should be able to handle. Washington feels due more accolades; depending on how the race shakes out, he could even contend for the trophy that would mark his entry into Oscar’s three-timers’ club. Wicked ’s Ariana Grande feels less assured, if only because she’s more of an awards-season interloper than Washington. The pop star is awfully winning her first major film role — she had cameos in Zoolander 2 and Don’t Look Up — turning in a performance that, as our own Bilge Ebiri writes, “gives real comic shape to Glinda’s popular-girl frivolity.” With Wicked ’s Oscar buzz growing by the day, more pundits expect Grande to get in than not. Things are also looking up for Grande’s onscreen frenemy, Cynthia Erivo. “Erivo can hit the notes no problem, but it’s the work she does in close-up” that seals the deal for Variety ’s Peter Debruge : Her “subtler approach invites audiences under the character’s (green-tinted) skin.” Erivo’s arrival means an already stacked Best Actress race just got even tougher. I can’t say the same for Gladiator II ’s Paul Mescal, whose middling notices indicate he may not factor into a relatively weak Best Actor field. While the two movies will steer clear of each other in the acting races, it’s in the craft categories where they’ll truly go head-to-head. Here, too, Wicked looks to have the advantage, as it should benefit from the below-the-line races’ own form of gender essentialism. The musical looks to be the early frontrunner in female-friendly categories like Costume Design and Production Design. (Depending how bullish you are on The Substance , maybe Makeup & Hairstyling, too.) Gladiator II could compete there, too, but its best chance at gold will come in male-coded races like Sound and Visual Effects, where it’s up against Dune: Part Two . As for whether either of these films can follow Oppenheimer ’s path to Oscar glory, a part two or a part one hasn’t won Best Picture since the Godfather films back in the ’70s. So were that to happen, it would certainly be defying pundits’ expectations as well as gravity. Every week between now and January 17, when the nominations for the Academy Awards are announced, Vulture will consult its crystal ball to determine the changing fortunes in this year’s Oscar race. In our “Oscar Futures” column, we’ll let you in on insider gossip, parse brand-new developments, and track industry buzz to figure out who’s up, who’s down, and who’s currently leading the race for a coveted Oscar nomination. Something is happening here, and I do know what it is. While official reviews of James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic are still embargoed, I can tell you that the movie is better than anxious Dylanites may have expected. (If they can get past the fact it’s a very normal film about an abnormal man.) The film’s title isn’t just obeying the rule that says biopics must be named after an album or a famous lyric: To its credit, A Complete Unknown doesn’t try to solve or explain this most elusive of artists. Of course, it helps that Mangold can simply cut to a musical number whenever he wants. The same way Wicked benefits greatly from ending with “Defying Gravity,” this is a film with the equivalent of a dozen “Defying Gravity”s. Before Wicked ’s review embargo lifted, I would often encounter online cynics convinced the movie’s positive buzz was an act of corporate gaslighting by Universal. Not so! Reviews went up this week, and they’re almost as positive as the first wave of influencer reactions. Wicked superfan Richard Lawson says the film “does justice to the spirit of the stage musical, balancing its silliness with its pathos, its magical flights of fancy with its more grounded entreaties about tolerance and decency.” With Wicked on track for a $130-million-plus opening , a Best Picture field that was skewing arthouse looks to have added one more blockbuster to the mix. Anora , The Brutalist , Conclave , Dune: Part Two , Emilia Pérez , Nickel Boys , A Real Pain , September 5 , Sing Sing , Wicked Though Mangold has never been nominated for his direction, he’s steered a number of actors to Oscars recognition, including two winners in Angelina Jolie and Reese Witherspoon. His work on A Complete Unknown is in line with previous efforts: solid, proficient filmmaking that doesn’t draw attention to itself. If he couldn’t get nom’d for Ford v Ferrari , I can’t see Mangold getting in this year. However, I suspect that come March, one of his actors will have snuck inside the Dolby with the Mangold nom again. “Anybody expecting Chu to breathe life into Oz the way Peter Jackson did with Middle-earth in his Lord of the Rings epics will surely be disappointed,” writes our own Bilge Ebiri . But “when Chu does sink his teeth into the numbers, something wonderful can emerge.” If only the Globes had a separate category for Musical/Comedy directors, too. Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez ; Sean Baker, Anora ; Edward Berger, Conclave ; Brady Corbet, The Brutalist ; Denis Villeneuve, Dune: Part Two Slay, Timmy, slay. Chalamet had years to prepare to play Dylan — the project was originally announced in early 2020 — and he put the long delay to good use. At first it’s jarring to hear That Voice come out of That Face, but once you get accustomed to it, it’s hard not to be impressed by the way he immerses himself in the part, laying bare the petulance that lurks underneath Dylan’s genius. I’ve been looking for someone to take the fifth spot in Best Actor. Knowing the Academy’s affinity for music biopics, it may be him, babe. The consensus from those who attended last weekend’s Governors Awards was that Grant brought down the house with a zingy speech introducing honorary Oscar winner Richard Curtis. (“ Would we call it an Oscar?”) He’d probably need to have given Lincoln’s Second Inaugural to have a sniff at getting the Academy to consider his A24 horror film, but maybe there were some Independent Spirit Awards voters in attendance? Adrien Brody, The Brutalist ; Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown ; Daniel Craig, Queer ; Colman Domingo, Sing Sing ; Ralph Fiennes, Conclave No one fared better from the end of the Wicked embargo than Cynthia Erivo. While pundits and influencers gravitated toward the glitter of Grande, actual film critics are drawn to Erivo’s emotional depth. “She is the film’s Rushmore: charismatic, haughty, and vulnerable,” says Peter Bradshaw . “Her face exerts a planetary pull on everything else onscreen and an impossible thing to look away from.” It’s almost as if, without words we communicate with our eyes . A box-office tidbit courtesy of my colleague Joe Reid : Sony Pictures Classics put The Outrun back in nearly 150 screens, hoping to take advantage of the pre-”Wickiator” lull. Even that couldn’t get the Orkney addiction drama to crack the $1 million mark. Can Ronan’s candidacy, er, outpace her film’s underperformance? Cynthia Erivo, Wicked ; Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez ; Angelina Jolie, Maria ; Nicole Kidman, Babygirl ; Mikey Madison, Anora Jackson starred in the original 1987 production of The Piano Lesson , then returned to the play for its 2022 Broadway revival. (Most of whose cast reprises their roles for the film.) Before the season began, everything appeared to be lining up for the veteran to receive his first nomination since Pulp Fiction . But the process of adapting stage to screen robs Jackson’s character of his big moment, our Bilge Ebiri writes: “Presented with intercutting flashbacks, the gist of his story doesn’t lose its power, but the words somehow do. It becomes less about the man telling the story and more about the story itself.” As the movie hits Netflix this weekend, buzz has been dwindling. Norton has a reputation for being somewhat prickly, but the part of Pete Seeger unlocks the actor’s inner dork, which he lets fly for the first time since Moonrise Kingdom . Folkies may quibble with the film’s depiction of Seeger — he symbolizes the hidebound scene disrupted by Dylan — and I don’t know if there’s enough heft here for a nom. But as a human Kermit the Frog, he’s a gee-golly delight. Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain ; Clarence Maclin, Sing Sing ; Guy Pearce, The Brutalist ; Stanley Tucci, Conclave ; Denzel Washington, Gladiator II A newcomer to the cast (she takes over from Broadway’s Danielle Brooks), Deadwyler gives the standout performance in a film that’s been rejiggered to privilege her character’s perspective. “Deadwyler’s electricity powers both her sensual sighs and the defiant speeches she makes,” says Robert Daniels , who proclaims her the film’s “heart and soul.” As with Zoe Saldaña in Emilia Pérez , she’s arguably a co-lead. Still, I think this placement makes sense, since the film is an ensemble piece in which each character takes a turn in the spotlight. After her snub for Till we should never take a Deadwyler nom for granted, but this emphatic work deserves to make the Oscar five. The Dylan biopic has a love triangle in which both women are the Betty. As a fictionalized stand-in for an early Dylan girlfriend, Elle Fanning plays a continuation of her Ginger & Rosa role, a socially conscious, easily wounded activist. But I was most struck by Barbaro, who nails not just Joan Baez’s moral backbone but also her bright, clear soprano. (Full disclosure: She, Chalamet, and I took lessons with the same vocal coach.) A Complete Unknown may share the Anora problem of having two supporting performances that crowd each other out, awards-wise. Nevertheless, for an actress I only know from Top Gun: Maverick , this is a real breakout moment. Danielle Deadwyler, The Piano Lesson ; Ariana Grande, Wicked ; Felicity Jones, The Brutalist ; Saoirse Ronan, Blitz ; Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez
U.S. Postal Service Releases 2024 Post-Election Analysis Report Detailing the Successful Efforts Taken to Deliver the Nation's Election Mail Securely and EffectivelyPanic among spectators at soccer game kills at least 56 in the West African nation of Guinea
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