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Time Business News
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Business News
Paul 'Pooh' Lunt: The Architect of P-Pop's Global Future
COVER FEATURE: MAN BEHIND THE MOVEMENT You may not recognize his face, but you're already feeling the shockwaves of his ambition. Paul 'Pooh' Lunt, the enigmatic cultural strategist and founder of Popolo Music Group (PMG), has long worked behind the scenes—but now, he's stepping into the frame to lead the charge for Filipino music on the global stage. Known for his uncanny instinct for talent and strategy, Lunt helped steer the global rollout of 'Gangnam Style' in its early stages. Today, he is reimagining what Filipino pop music can be. In this rare and revealing interview, Lunt opens up about his Filipino roots, his shift from artist to executive, and why he believes PMG isn't just a label—it's a movement. One that will change the future of Asian music. Jerry Santos: Paul, thank you for joining us. Let's start at the beginning. What's your personal connection to the Philippines? Paul Lunt: I'm from an international family. I am a combination of Native American, Pacific Islander, Cuban, Chinese, and Yemenite ancestry, and I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. I grew up surrounded by Filipino values—hard work, humility, and a deep love for music. My childhood was a mix of karaoke nights, home-cooked meals, and multicultural storytelling. Even as I traveled the world, that part of me never left. Jerry: You started out as a performer. What made you step back from that path? Paul Lunt: I loved performing, but I realized I was more interested in building stages than standing on them. I found joy in helping others shine—writing, producing, mentoring. That pivot changed everything. I got involved in business development, entertainment infrastructure, and eventually global pop strategy. Jerry: One of those milestones was your involvement with Gangnam Style . What role did you play? Paul Lunt: I was part of the international business and strategy team that helped position it for global release. We worked on licensing, digital rollouts, and market penetration. We leveraged the song's popularity to pair it with advertising, which made the artist happy with the publishing deal, and our lives also changed in the process. I was struggling with keeping up with the payments for the two homes I then owned. Now I own five, and they are all paid for. What I learned from that experience was clear: authenticity wins. PSY didn't chase trends—he owned his culture. That's exactly how I approach P-Pop. Jerry: And that brings us to Popolo Music Group. Paul Lunt: PMG is more than a label. It's a creative and cultural ecosystem for artists. We train them, protect their rights, give them global infrastructure, and let them lead their own narrative. This isn't just music—it's empowerment. Jerry: Who are the current PMG acts? Paul Lunt: Our first wave includes: LUNARIA , our celestial girl group blending ethereal pop and multilingual storytelling. We may change the name as there is another band fighting us. , our celestial girl group blending ethereal pop and multilingual storytelling. We may change the name as there is another band fighting us. BOLERO BOYS , our emotionally complex boy band with strong visuals and choreography. , our emotionally complex boy band with strong visuals and choreography. ARIA , a powerhouse female soloist with vocal depth and crossover potential. , a powerhouse female soloist with vocal depth and crossover potential. CHIQUITA X, our experimental solo artist fusing trap with Filipino folk instrumentation. And I'm excited to share this: our next big act, THE BOLERO BOYS, is in the final phase of development. They're going to bring modern flair to classic Filipino harmony—think old-school romance meets streetwear swagger. Jerry: When will we hear the first official PMG release? Paul Lunt: The rollout begins this September with Aria's debut single, followed closely by Lunaria's EP and Aria's first music video. By December, you'll hear the Bolero Boys. There is already a limited edition of the single She Can Do It All Night out there to test the market. We've been developing everything in-house—choreography, songwriting, even directing. We're making sure every release is a statement . Jerry: PMG isn't just focused on music production. Tell us about Popolo Live. Paul Lunt: Popolo Live is our global touring division. We don't want Filipino artists only opening for others. We also want them headlining. We've already launched our Islands Rising series in Manila, Dubai, and Europe. Next stops: Los Angeles, Doha, New York, Tokyo, and Sydney. These aren't dreams—they're being booked. Jerry: You've expressed admiration for Viva Records. Can you talk about that? Paul Lunt: Viva built the foundation that made everything we're doing possible. I have deep respect for Boss Vic and Vincent del Rosario. They carried OPM through decades of industry storms. If there's an opportunity to collaborate—whether that's artist mentorship or a joint cultural project—PMG is ready. Jerry: That ties into the Sarah Geronimo rumors. Are you trying to work with her? Paul Lunt: [Smiles] I'd be honored. Sarah is iconic. If she ever wants to create a legacy-defining piece with a new generation of talent, we would give her full creative freedom and a global platform. That would be more than a collaboration—it would be history. We wrote five songs for her and we are eager to present them to her and convince her to record them. Jerry: Where do you see P-Pop and PMG five years from now? Paul Lunt: P-Pop will be on the Grammy stage. PMG artists will be headlining Coachella. Filipino music will no longer be the underdog. It'll be a standard. And behind it, you'll see a community of creatives who refused to stay silent. That's the legacy I'm working toward. Jerry: Final message to young artists out there? Paul Lunt: Own your story. Don't copy. Don't wait for validation. Learn your craft, protect your rights, and be fearless. The world is ready for us. Let's give them something unforgettable. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Magic City' Miami quietly charming its way to becoming America's next financial hub
'Magic City' Miami quietly charming its way to becoming America's next financial hub originally appeared on TheStreet. Miami, Florida's iconic coastal city known for a vibrant skyline and an even more vibrant nightlife, is making a quiet resurgence as a major cryptocurrency hub in the U.S. The city was quick to embrace the crypto economy, with Mayor Francis Xavier Suarez accepting his paychecks in only crypto and declaring Miami the "crypto capital of the world" in 2021. However, the bankruptcy of the Miami-headquartered FTX crypto exchange in November 2022 hurt the reputation of the crypto industry in the Miami is quietly making a comeback to re-emerge as one of the leading crypto hubs in the U.S. Miami's real estate industry embraces crypto In May, Property Markets Group (PMG), a real estate company, launched crypto-to-cash payments for pre-construction condos across Florida, allowing homebuyers to invest in real estate with crypto and developers to receive payments in U.S. dollars. PMG managing partner Ryan Shear told Fox News Digital: "Miami's crypto market's quietly coming back and I would attest that that's very much true." The Rider Residences, another real estate company, reportedly executed Miami's first direct crypto transaction, with no fiat currency involved, around the same time. Crypto giants establishing roots in the city In June, Citadel Securities, a Miami-headquartered market making firm, partnered with Goldman Sachs to back a $135 million fund round for the crypto firm Digital Asset. Gemini, a prominent crypto exchange led by the Winklevoss twins, has recently opened its first office in Blanca, founder, chairman, and CEO of Blanca Commercial Real Estate, which closed the office lease deal for Gemini, told Fox News Digital, "Miami gained national attention early on for embracing crypto, but the more interesting story is how that early energy evolved into something much bigger." Blanca said, "Residential sales using digital currency are already happening in Miami, and that gives us a glimpse of where things might be headed." She added: "But what really stands out is how the companies behind these technologies are planting roots in Miami, and are poised to expand across the region." PMG's Ryan Shear appreciated the Congress for setting "the tone for deregulating this industry" as the Donald Trump administration makes progress on crypto regulation bills. 'Magic City' Miami quietly charming its way to becoming America's next financial hub first appeared on TheStreet on Jul 18, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Yahoo
Meadville taps ex-FBI agent to review police action in physical confrontation with man
MEADVILLE — City officials have tapped a retired FBI agent to review the actions of some of its police officers on July 11 when they were captured on a widely-circulating video wrestling with and punching a man they said was wanted in a drug case. Officials announced in a news release issued on the late afternoon of July 14 that they have engaged PMG investigations and George Gast, of Edinboro, to conduct a use of force review of the incident, which occurred on Baldwin Street in Meadville on the late afternoon of July 11. The man police confronted, 33-year-old Nathan T. Koman, of Meadville, was wanted on drug charges from an incident in May and resisted arrest despite being hit with a Taser several times after an officer encountered him on Baldwin Street July 11, police charge in a criminal complaint filed against Koman on July 13. In the video clip, one Meadville officer is seen wrestling Koman to the ground as another officer runs up and throws punches down on him. Police charged Koman with misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness in the incident and he was jailed on $250,000 bond. He was jailed on $25,000 bond on drug charges in the case from May. The officers involved in the incident remain on duty, Meadville City Manager Maryann Menanno said July 15. More: Millcreek police chief: Man threw hammer at officers, had other weapon before he was shot City officials said Gast, a 40-year law enforcement veteran and an FBI certified defensive tactics and use of force instructor, will conduct his review concurrently with an internal use of force investigation initiated by Meadville Police Chief Michael Stefanucci. The results of both investigations will be shared with Crawford County District Attorney Paula DiGiacomo for additional review, city officials wrote in the news release. Menanno said in the release that PMG Investigations and Gast were engaged to serve as an independent third party in evaluating the July 11 incident. "In our ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and public trust, we believe it is essential to ensure that any concerns surrounding the appropriate use of force are reviewed with the utmost integrity and objectivity," Menanno was quoted in the release. More: Protests coincide with probe of fatal shooting as parole agents get 'administrative duty' Koman remained in the Crawford County Correctional Facility July 15, and a lawyer for him was not listed on his two criminal docket sheets. In the criminal complaint filed against Koman in the confrontation, police wrote that Koman resisted arrest while attempts were made to take him into custody in the drug case from May, and he continued to resist as police deployed a Taser on him three times. The officers also gave Koman knee strikes to the body and punches to the back, which they said did not seem to be effective as Koman continued to resist, according to information in the complaint's affidavit of probable cause. The officers involved in the incident were not injured, Menanno said July 15. Koman was taken to the Meadville Medical Center following his arrest, but he did not have injuries that required medical attention, she said. Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@ This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Meadville gets outside review of police action in filmed arrest
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Momentum Commerce Confirms Record Sales for Amazon Prime Day 2025
– First-Ever Four-Day Format Shows Evolution in Consumer Shopping Patterns – BOSTON, July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Momentum Commerce, a modern digital retail consultancy part of PMG, has released its final analysis of Amazon's Prime Day 2025 extended shopping event. The analysis observed more than $750 million in Amazon U.S. transactions across hundreds of brand accounts during the four-day Prime Day 2025 event. Extended Format Drives Overall Growth The inaugural four-day Prime Day event delivered total sales growth of 4.9% compared to the combined performance of 2024's two-day Prime Day and the two days immediately following. This growth validates Amazon's strategic decision to extend the shopping event's duration. "This year's Prime Day represented uncharted territory for brands and retailers alike," said John Shea, Head of Commerce at PMG. "Between ongoing tariff uncertainties affecting supply chains, pricing plans and advertising budgets, and Amazon's bold transition to an extended four-day format, brands had to remain incredibly nimble. The event came down to a dramatic finish, with savvy brands fine-tuning their promotional strategies until the final hours while consumers responded with significant purchasing activity in the closing stretch." Deal Activity Shows Strategic Shift Across the full four days of Prime Day 2025, 25.6% of products on Amazon US featured discounts, representing an 8% increase from 2024's rate of 23.6% While more products were on sale, the average discount depth decreased to 21.7%, down 11% from a rate of 24.4% in 2024 Deal activity showed careful orchestration throughout the event: Discount breadth increased progressively from Day 1 (22.7%) to stabilize on Days 3 and 4 (26.7%) Average discount depths grew incrementally each day (21.4%, 21.6%, 21.8%, 21.9%), suggesting retailers strategically deepened discounts to maintain momentum "Prime Day 2025's impact extended far beyond Amazon's ecosystem," commented Parks Blackwell, Vice President of Marketing and Client Development at PMG. "Our analysis showed significant growth not just on Amazon, but across the broader digital retail landscape as consumers embraced this expanded shopping window. The event's success demonstrates how Prime Day has evolved from a single-retailer sale into a cultural force and transformative market-wide phenomenon." Methodology Sales data is based on an index of data Momentum Commerce's Velocity platform observes across hundreds of brands collectively doing over $7B in GMV on Amazon US annually. Across the Extended Prime Day Event in 2025, Momentum Commerce observed more than $750 million in Amazon U.S. transactions. Discount data encompasses both Prime Day-specific deals and general promotional discounts across more than 30 million products on Amazon US according to Velocity, Momentum Commerce's proprietary commerce platform. About PMG PMG is a global independent marketing services and technology company that seeks to inspire people and brands that anything is possible. Driven by shared success, PMG brings together business strategy and transformation, creative, media, and insights, all powered by our proprietary marketing operating system, Alli. With offices in New York, London, Dallas & Fort Worth, Austin, Atlanta, Boston, Brighton, Costa Rica, and Cleveland, our team is made up of 1,000 employees globally, and our work for brands like Apple, CKE Restaurants, Dropbox, Experian, Intuit, Kimberly-Clark, Kohler, Sephora, Travelex, and Whole Foods has received top industry recognitions including Cannes Lions and Adweek Media Plan of the Year. For more information, visit About Momentum Commerce Momentum Commerce is a modern consultancy offering brands flexible technology and professional services to grow sales on digital retail platforms such as Amazon, and Comprised of half technologists and half consultants, Momentum Commerce's team provides unrivaled data assets with a scientific approach to retail media management, insights services, and bespoke projects brands need to meet their growth goals. With a mission to be the most respected firm in the space, Momentum Commerce brand clients include emerging and enterprise brands such as Crocs, Hanes, Therabody, Stella & Chewy's and many more, and formally became part of PMG in June 2025. For more information, please visit Media ContactRuben SanchezMomentum View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Momentum Commerce
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Piyush Goyal highlights key engagements across banking, MSMEs, aerospace, and infrastructure, ET Manufacturing
Advt — PiyushGoyal (@PiyushGoyal) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal shared key developments from the past week, reflecting the government's continued push to strengthen India's trade, industrial, and infrastructure a high-level meeting with the Chairman of State Bank of India , along with top executives from other major banks, ECGC Ltd., and senior ministry officials, the minister reviewed the status of export credit and explored new opportunities to bolster India's export financing a visit to Srinagar, Goyal met with delegations from the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the MSME Development Forum 's Kashmir Chapter, reinforcing the government's commitment to empowering local also interacted with stakeholders from the Jammu & Kashmir Fruits and Vegetable Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association, focusing on the potential of agri-value chains in the Bengaluru, the minister toured key units at the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) Aerospace SEZ in Devanahalli. He visited Unimech Aerospace Manufacturing Ltd. and Safran HAL Aircraft Engines Pvt. Ltd., highlighting India's growing capabilities in aerospace manufacturing and Make in India initiatives."A review meeting was held to address key issues affecting major infrastructure projects in Gujarat and Rajasthan through the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) mechanism," Minister a review meeting through the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) was held to resolve critical issues impacting major infrastructure projects in Gujarat and Rajasthan, aiming to accelerate execution timelines and remove investment engagements underscore the ministry's multi-sector approach to boosting industrial growth, regional development, and export competitiveness.
