Roz Nowicki

California Steps Up for Indie Film Fantastic news for creators—especially independent ones! So encouraging to see real investment in reviving California’s film, TV, and animation industry. It would be even better to see a built-in incentive specifically designed to support lower-budget films. Those stories often carry the most grit and heart—and with the right boost, they can go far. #IndieFilm #FilmIncentives #CaliforniaFilm #CreativeEconomy #SupportIndieVoices #Filmmaking #StorytellingMatters #WomenInFilm #NarrativeNonfiction #ContentThatMatters #GetInTheBoat

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Paramount Global is quietly signaling big change. This week, they announced the nomination of three new board members ahead of their July 2 annual meeting — while board member Judith McHale will not seek re-election. This comes as: • A potential Skydance merger is on the table • A high-profile Trump lawsuit looms in the background Moves like this aren’t just governance updates — they’re strategic chess pieces. Leadership shifts + pending legal issues + a possible acquisition = a studio preparing to reposition itself for the next phase of the entertainment business. For producers, execs, and filmmakers: ➡ Watch how this affects Paramount’s development pipeline. ➡ Pay attention to Skydance’s potential influence on the content slate. ➡ Consider how political risk is evolving inside global media companies. Leadership changes tell us where the power is shifting — and where the deals may go next. #MediaIndustry #FilmBusiness #EntertainmentStrategy #Streaming #ECOmarketingagency #IndustryNews #LeadershipMoves #ContentStrategy #LinkedInNews

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MORTON RECORDS, label founded and run by 6x GRAMMY®-winner PJ MORTON, inks new deal with the SRG-ILS Group (Virgin Music/Universal Music Group) February 17, 2026, - On the heels of winning his sixth GRAMMY® Award, the SRG-ILS Group proudly welcomes PJ Morton’s own Morton Records to its label roster. PJ Morton is a soul singer, songwriter, performer and producer based in New Orleans. He is a 6x GRAMMY-winner and 22x GRAMMY nominee who has earned numerous nominations for BET, Soul Train and NAACP Image Awards, in addition to selling out countless shows at historic venues like the Apollo Theater and others around the world. On top of running Morton Records and serving as Maroon 5's full- time keyboardist for the past 15 years, he has collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Jon Batiste, Nas, Lil Wayne, JoJo, Jill Scott and many others, and is the first Black composer to write an original song for a Disney attraction, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, now open at both Disney World and Disneyland. “PJ Morton is a generational talent and everyone here at SRG/ILS is extremely excited to be part of his upcoming projects,” shares Claude Villani, CEO and Founder of The SRG-ILS Group. Under Morton Records’ partnership with the SRG/ILS Group, PJ Morton will start introducing songs from his next album later this year. PJ Morton is a soul singer, songwriter, performer and producer based in New Orleans. He is a 6x GRAMMY-winner and 22x GRAMMY nominee who has earned numerous nominations for BET, Soul Train and NAACP Image Awards, in addition to selling out countless shows at historic venues like the Apollo Theater and others around the world. On top of running his own record label (Morton Records) and serving as Maroon 5's full- time keyboardist for the past 15 years, he has collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Jon Batiste, Nas, Lil Wayne, JoJo, Jill Scott and many others. ABOUT THE SRG/ILS GROUP The SRG/ILS group is globally distributed by Virgin Music Group. We embrace new technologies and business models that empower artists and labels to fully engage and participate in their careers, their recording, and ownership. Through a spectrum of services, SRG/ILS is redefining the relationship between music creators and the marketplace. The company is headquartered in Norwalk, CT with satellite offices in Los Angeles, CA and Toronto, Canada. The executive staff includes Claude Villani; Group CEO, Michael Cusanelli; General Manager, Walter W. Millsap III; VP of Artist Relations, Craig Davis; VP, Dominique Zgarka; Shareholder and Executive VP / Senior Advisor for Distribution Services, Dan Patrick; Shareholder and Brand/Media Consultant, Charles Phillips; Key Shareholder and Strategic Advisor, Charles Hinnant; Shareholder and Advisor to the CEO, Sander Shalinsky; Senior Advisor to the CEO, Jay Reason; Senior Director, Label Catalog, Ra-Fael Blanco: VP of Public Relations, Sydney P., Social Media and DSP Coordination, and H “Bee” Boisseau; Project Manager.

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Summons Productions Announces Dual Bay Area Music Residencies for 2026 In a strategic expansion that reflects its rising influence in the independent music sector, Summons Productions, under the leadership of Chairman and CEO Drananda Summons, has secured two year-defining music residencies in the Bay Area—Berkeley and San Francisco—positioning the company for a landmark 2026. The Berkeley Residency, scheduled to launch January 2026, will serve as the flagship location for the Summons Productions performance series Summons Lounge. Designed as an incubator for independent musicians, vocalists, and cross-genre creators, Summons Lounge has rapidly become a proving ground for emerging artistry and an essential space for music discovery in Northern California. In May 2026, Summons Productions will extend its reach with a second Summons Lounge Residency in San Francisco, widening its platform for musicians seeking industry-level performance opportunities without the barriers often found in traditional venues. This dual-residency structure marks a significant evolution in the company’s music-driven programming, allowing Summons Productions to operate simultaneously in two of the Bay Area’s most competitive cultural markets. Both residencies are being established in partnership with North Beach Pizza Berkeley & San Francisco, whose venues have become hubs for live music, creative gatherings, and community-centered entertainment. Their collaboration with Summons Productions underscores a shared mission: to cultivate accessible performance spaces that elevate independent music while supporting the creative economy of the region. As Summons Productions enters 2026 with two anchored residencies, the company strengthens its position as a leading force in the Bay Area’s independent music landscape—bridging artists, audiences, and industry pathways through the ongoing evolution of Summons Lounge.

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Video Game Veteran Ludon Lee Raising $250 Million to Develop Largest Indoor Theme Park in San Francisco Centre Downtown Mall Ludon Lee, a Silicon Valley veteran and Chinatown native, has recently announced his plans to revive the largest indoor video game theme park in downtown San Francisco. With the help of his privately held asset management company, Ludon Toy Company, Lee is raising $250 million to purchase the San Francisco Centre downtown mall and transform it into a state-of-the-art gaming destination. The new video game theme park will feature unlimited gaming for a single admission price, making it a dream come true for avid gamers. Visitors will also have access to a variety of shopping and dining options, making it a one-stop destination for entertainment. But what sets this theme park apart is the inclusion of real money eSports gaming, where players can compete for cash prizes in their favorite video games. Lee, a video game veteran with over 25 years of experience in the industry, is excited to bring this project to life. "I have always been passionate about video games and I believe that this theme park will be a game-changer in the industry. It will not only provide a fun and immersive experience for gamers, but also create job opportunities and boost the local economy," he stated. The San Francisco Centre downtown mall, which has been struggling in recent years, will undergo a major transformation under Lee's leadership. The video game theme park is expected to attract tourists and locals alike, and bring new life to the mall. With Lee's expertise and vision, the project is set to become a major attraction in the heart of San Francisco. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development. https://lnkd.in/gsqBFGPC

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Nice article from Emory Kale on the new TCL-Sony JV and the exit in general of the Japanese CE brands from TV https://lnkd.in/e79fP-CP

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