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Mid East Info
10 hours ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
SPANDY Launches as MENA's First Agency for World-Class Film Directors & Photographers - Middle East Business News and Information
SPANDY, the hub for premier creative talent, is the first agency in the MENA region dedicated to representing a curated roster of world-class film directors and photographers. Headquartered in Riyadh with operations across Dubai and Riyadh SPANDY fills a critical market gap: providing the region with direct access to international creative talent while fostering standout visual storytelling rooted in regional culture. With exclusive regional representation rights for top-tier talent, SPANDY connects brands and creative agencies in MENA with directors and photographers behind campaigns for brands like Neom, Vision 2030, Roshn and Adidas. The current lineup includes globally recognized image-makers, Cannes Lions winners, fashion film pioneers, and music video auteurs, such as: Anthony Mandler – multi-award winning director, including BET, VMA, and Clio Award Lorenzo Agius – celebrated worldwide for his editorial photography work and celebrity portraiture – Colin Tilley – Grammy nominated director, winner of a Cannes Lions Grand Prix, and multiple MTV VMAs SPANDY's creators span all major verticals – commercials, fashion, music, sport, beauty, travel, automotive – and are selected for cultural fluency, regional relevance, and the ability to craft content that resonates both globally and locally. Jo Lurie, Creative Talent Director of SPANDY said: 'SPANDY was born from a simple belief: the MENA region deserves access to the same world-class visual storytellers as any other global market. Our mission is to champion that talent with fierce creative ambition and to create a home where bold, standout work isn't the exception, it's the expectation.' This comes as a response to a surge in demand for higher-quality content in the region. MENA's creative economy is undergoing a transformation. With digital ad spend across the region projected to grow from $8.1 billion in 2023 to $17.3 billion by 2029, and short-form branded content surging across platforms like YouTube and TikTok, brands are racing to meet audience demand with higher-quality storytelling. National visions are backing the shift. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and others are investing billions into creative industries, with Saudi's Vision 2030 alone injecting over $64 billion into entertainment, arts, and media. Already, SPANDY talent has been tapped for marquee campaigns across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Egypt, including brand films for luxury retail, automotive, and high-end hospitality, each crafted to global standards while deeply tuned to local tastes. All talent on the SPANDY roster are exclusively available through the agency, giving clients direct access to exceptional talent that can't be booked anywhere else in the region. The roster is now live at For brands ready to elevate their storytelling, this is the moment to connect. We've got the talent. You get the picture.
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Inside Nicki Minaj's celebrity spats as she takes aim at SZA in viral tirade
Nicki Minaj isn't afraid to voice her opinion, no matter how fiery it may be. She recently went head to head with singer SZA, but this isn't the first time she's been embroiled in an online feud. Nicki Minaj has always been known for her rapping skills and Barbie aesthetic, but over the years she's also become known for her heated feuds. From Megan Thee Stallion, Taylor Swift and Mariah Carey, Nicki is far from picky about who she argues with. Just last night, SZA found herself on the other end of Nicki's vicious digs as the pair embroiled in a heated argument which started after SZA posted online: 'Mercury retrograde.. Don't take the bait lol silly goose.' Just minutes later the Superbass singer clapped back, with a response - and she didn't hold back. 'Go draw your freckles back on bookie #JusticeForDemoree #DepositionPerez Liar liar pants on fire. Sounding like a f****ng dead dog.' And it didn't stop there, with Nicki going on for hours and hours. While some fans were shocked, asking how it got so heated, those who know Nicki Minaj weren't surprised. Let's take a look back at the enemies Nicki has made along the way... Megan Thee Stallion The two singer‑rappers actually started out as friends, after Nicki joined Megan Thee Stallion 's Hot Girl Summer anthem in 2019. But it all went downhill when Megan released a song early last year called Hiss, where she let out all her feelings towards certain people. In the lyrics, Meg said: 'These h**s don't be mad at Megan, these h**s mad at Megan's Law,' which Nicki took as a direct diss to her and her husband, Kenneth Petty. Nicki was relentless in her response, going on for days and even releasing a song called Big Foot in response. This feud in particular left some of Nicki's fanbase - nicknamed 'Barbz' leaving the stan culture, after Nicki went as far as speaking about Meg's late mother and the Tory Lanez 2020 shooting. While many people say that when in a rap beef nothing is off limits, some think certain things don't need to be said. Taylor Swift Taylor Swift and Nicki had a brief disagreement on X which was fuelled after MTV announced that year's VMA nominations - and Nicki's hit Anaconda was left out, while Taylor's Bad Blood with Kendrick Lamar was nominated. Nicki took to X to rant, without directly tagging Taylor, she stated: 'I've done nothing but love and support you. It's unlike you to pit women against each other. Maybe one of the men took your slot.' Nicki denied the tweets were about her and said she loved her - but the Taylor and Nicki spat ended up leading to Nicki and Miley Cyrus going at each other. Miley Cyrus While the feud started with Taylor Swift, it turned into more of a blow‑up with Miley Cyrus in the end. Disney star Miley admitted she felt personally attacked by Nicki's comments online, but instead of taking to X, Nicki waited for her moment on the VMA stage. After winning Best Hip‑Hop Video, she said: 'Back to this bi*ch that had a lot to say about me the other day in the press; Miley, what's good?' - which quickly became an iconic moment for Nick. For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. Miley made it clear she didn't want any problems, responding: 'Nicki, congratu‑f**king‑lations.' Meanwhile, things stayed quiet for years, until 2019 when Miley reignited the argument with a lyric: 'I love you, Nicki, but I listen to Cardi,' on her song Cattitude. Of course, Nicki went full blast on her again during an episode of Queen Radio, after Miley sided with Cardi B - another star who Nicki had feuded with. Mariah Carey The pair first worked together as far back as 2009 when Nicki featured on one of Mariah's songs, but things turned sour when they both joined American Idol as judges. An insider claimed Mariah didn't see Nicki as "worthy of judging.' According to the source, Mariah had been saying little things to "jab at Nicki from day one" and added She doesn't think Nicki can sing and doesn't think she should be judging folks. Nicki has been taking all of the jabs, but on this particular day, she lost it,' reports People. Shortly after, a leaked TMZ video showed them arguing at the judges' panel, with Nicki shouting: 'I told them I'm not f*ckin' putting up with her f**kin' highness over there,' while Mariah fired back: 'Oh why, why do I have a three‑year‑old sitting around me?' Mariah added: 'I can't see my kids because you decided to act like a little crazy b*tch and go all around the stage.' The feud escalated further when rumours surfaced that Nicki threatened Mariah with a gun - which Nicki denied, tweeting: 'Hey y'all. Let's just say Nicki said something about a gun. People will believe it 'cause she's a Black rapper. Lmao. I'll then hit up Barbara [Walters] n milk it.' Cardi B This may be Nicki's longest‑standing feud. Fans noticed tension when the two shot their music video parts on different days. Cardi later implied Nicki switched her verses, and Nicki responded on X saying: 'The corniest thing you can be is ungrateful. Give thanks.' It seemed like things had cooled until September 2018 when they got into a physical altercation at an event. Videos showed Cardi attempting to throw a shoe at Nicki, yelling: 'Play with me b*tch… keep f*cking playing with me. Play with my f*cking kid b*tch… I'll f*ck your ass up.' Cardi was later seen with a bump on her forehead. If this feud couldn't be more memorable, it became even more iconic when Nicki admitted she was 'humiliated' by the incident - which might have been a first for her. To this day, their feud remains unresolved, with the two still trading digs on X. Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MTV Divides Gen X Fans With Unexpected Announcement
MTV Divides Gen X Fans With Unexpected Announcement originally appeared on Parade. It's been a common refrain among Gen Xers (and elder Millennials) for years: "Remember when MTV used to play actual music?" Now it seems the iconic network is finally listening to the complaints of their earliest audiences — but not everybody is convinced. In a press release this week, it was announced that MTV will air a week of 24/7 music videos across MTV2, MTV Live and MTV Classic leading up to the 2025 Music Video Awards on Sunday, Sept. 7. According to the release, the selections will include "both classic and current" videos "in a revival of the brand's early DNA reimagined for today's audiences," curated by "past VMA winners and legendary MTV personalities." In the comments on an Instagram post sharing the news, some fans seemed thrilled to hear about the planned programming switch, while others remained skeptical. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kolten Lindsey (@ "MTV will make the greatest comeback if they went back to music videos," one person declared. "This should be ALL THE TIME," agreed a second commenter, adding, "The 90s were lit with music videos!!! That's how it should be! 'Music television' 🤦🏾♀️" "Or here's an idea…they could just do it permanently to get all that viewership back," somebody quipped, with another fan rejoicing, "Gen X is here for our first babysitter 😂" "But is it 80s and 90s? Because if it's current music, no gracias," declared a nostalgia-hungry music lover, as others offered their suggestions. "'Video Killed the Radio Star' should be the first again," one fan pointed out, referring to the first-ever music video played by MTV in 1981 (for a song by The Buggles). "Take On Me by A-ha ❤️," added another commenter, with still more people name-checking such classic MTV staples as "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits, "Thriller" by Michael Jackson, "Touch of Grey" by the Grateful Dead and "Addicted to Love" by Robert Palmer, among others. Whether or not MTV's throwback experiment will be a hit with viewers remains to be seen, but hopes are high for this year's VMAs, which will see the return of producer and CEO of digital media company Gunpowder & Sky (linked to such iconic VMAs moments as Beyoncé's pregnancy reveal and the Madonna-Britney Spears-Christina Aguilera kiss). "We're not just producing a show. We're launching a celebration of music that spans one week, every screen and every generation," Gunpowder & Sky CEO Van Toffler said in the press release. The VMAs are scheduled to air live on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. ET on both CBS and MTV, and will be available to stream on Paramount+.MTV Divides Gen X Fans With Unexpected Announcement first appeared on Parade on Jun 27, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Feeling nostalgic? 24/7 music videos return to MTV ahead of the 2025 VMAs
MTV is bringing back a taste of nostalgia and iconic jams to our television screens. Ahead of the 2025 Video Music Awards in September, the network plans to air "classic and current" music videos 24/7 for a week on the channels MTV 2, MTV Live and MTV Classic, according to a press release. The special, described as "a revival of the brand's early DNA for today's audiences," will also feature MTV personalities and previous VMA winners who will highlight their favorite music videos. MTV changed the game with its launch in 1981, playing music around the clock and breaking new stars. It shifted the artists' focus from solely radio to also their visual image. The boy is (still) theirs: Brandy and Monica reunite for The Boy is Mine Tour When are the 2025 Video Music Awards? The VMAs are scheduled to air live on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. ET from UBS Arena in New York. The award show will be broadcast on both CBS and MTV as well as be available to stream on Paramount+, the press release stated. The nominees and performers have yet to be announced. This year's VMAs will mark the return of producer and CEO of digital media company Gunpowder & Sky, who has been tied to epic moments, such as Beyoncé's 2011 mic-dropping performance when she revealed she was pregnant. "We're not just producing a show. We're launching a celebration of music that spans one week, every screen and every generation," Gunpowder & Sky CEO Van Toffler said in the press release. "Music has always been the heartbeat of the VMAs, but the show's soul comes from its willingness to break rules, embrace unpredictability and reflect the times." Contributing: Jim Lenahan, USA TODAY. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@ We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
Los Angeles Times
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
MTV veteran Van Toffler returns to produce VMAs for Paramount
Who says you can't go home again? MTV's influential architect, Van Toffler, is returning to Paramount Global in a multi-year deal to help produce the Video Music Awards, which has long been a signature pop-culture event for the network and music industry. Paramount said Tuesday that it had struck a multi-year arrangement with Toffler, through his Gunpowder & Sky content studio, to 'supercharge' the VMA's 'into a week-long, multiplatform celebration of music and music videos.' The show is set for Sept. 7 at the UBS Arena on Long Island in New York. During his 28 years at the company, then known as Viacom, Toffler built MTV into a ratings and youth culture juggernaut, overseeing such touchstones as 'The Osbournes,' 'Beavis and Butthead,' 'Jackass,' 'Unplugged,' and the VMA's. Toffler exited a decade ago to launch Gunpowder & Sky, which has produced documentaries about Sheryl Crow, Lil Peep and others. It also has experimented with podcasts, digital series and augmented reality. The reunion comes as Paramount struggles to retain the cachet of some of its biggest franchises, including the VMA's, as the cable television landscape shrinks because of the shift to streaming. This year marks the first time the MTV stalwart will be simulcast on Paramount's broadcast network CBS in a bid to expand the audience and give CBS more live programming to help kick off the fall television season. The show also will stream on Paramount+. 'The VMAs have always been where music and spectacle collide, and no one embodies that spirit more than Van Toffler,' Paramount co-CEOs Chris McCarthy and George Cheeks said in a joint statement. 'Bringing Van back to the VMAs, along with Gunpowder & Sky, is about reigniting the rebellious soul of the show with a week-long music immersion and delivering global moments that are impossible to ignore.' MTV plans a week of music videos to try to resurrect the magic of the era when 20-somethings turned to MTV for music and entertainment. The approach will be tailored for today's audiences with current videos. Past VMA winners and former MTV personalities will return to curate their favorite videos. 'We're launching a celebration of music that spans one week, every screen and every generation,' Toffler said. He will produce the show in conjunction with the firm, Den of Thieves. This year's show comes as Paramount is in the process of being sold to David Ellison's Skydance Media. For that $8 billion deal, approved last July, to move forward, Paramount needs approval from the Federal Communications Commission. Paramount needs the FCC to approve the transfer of CBS' station licenses to the Ellison family. But the deal hit a snag over amid negotiations to settle President Trump's $20-billion lawsuit over '60 Minutes' edits to a Kamala Harris interview last fall. The delay in the deal's approval has cast a shadow over Paramount, complicating business decisions, including nabbing the streaming rights to Comedy Central's long-running cartoon, 'South Park.'
