Podcasts about combs enterprises

How the FBI Used 1,000 Bottles of Baby Oil to Build a RICO Case Against Diddy: Digital Evidence Breakdown  The federal investigation that brought down Sean "Diddy" Combs represents one of the most sophisticated law enforcement operations in entertainment history. This comprehensive analysis examines how federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, DEA, and ATF coordinated a multi-agency takedown that began with Cassie Ventura's explosive lawsuit and culminated in RICO charges carrying a potential life sentence. Our investigation reveals the intricate timeline from November 2023 when Cassie filed her $20 million settlement lawsuit to the dramatic March 2024 simultaneous raids on Diddy's Los Angeles and Miami mansions. Federal agents discovered over 1,000 bottles of baby oil allegedly used in "Freak-Off" parties, three AR-15 rifles with defaced serial numbers, and thousands of videos that prosecutors claim Diddy used for blackmail. This video breaks down the digital forensics operation that analyzed over 10,500 terabytes of data from seized phones and computers. We explore how the FBI's Computer Analysis and Response Team, consisting of nearly 500 highly trained agents, extracted evidence even from devices Diddy thought were secure. The investigation utilized cutting-edge cell phone forensics tools, GPS tracking, metadata analysis, and social media enhancement techniques to build an airtight case. The Southern District of New York's prosecution strategy transforms individual allegations into a comprehensive RICO conspiracy case, treating Diddy's business empire as a criminal enterprise. Led by U.S. Attorney Damian Williams and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith Foster, Emily Johnson, and their team, prosecutors argue that Bad Boy Entertainment, Combs Enterprises, and related businesses facilitated sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, and witness intimidation. We analyze the legal significance of charging a celebrity under racketeering laws typically reserved for organized crime families. The case demonstrates how modern federal investigators approach complex criminal enterprises in the digital age, using sophisticated analytical tools to map relationships, track communications, and visualize criminal operations spanning decades. Expert commentary from former federal prosecutors explains why this case could result in a life sentence and how it compares to other high-profile RICO prosecutions like R. Kelly and Harvey Weinstein. The investigation's speed—from initial lawsuit to federal indictment in less than a year—reveals either pre-existing intelligence or the extensive nature of the alleged criminal activity. #DiddyInvestigation #FederalRICO #DigitalForensics #LawEnforcement #SouthernDistrictNY #HSIRaids #CelebryJustice #TrueCrimeAnalysis #FederalCharges #CriminalEnterprise    Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872 

Diddy Brought Up On RICO Charges, What It Means Explained With Attorney Bob Motta Did Diddy take a page out of the Suge Knight playbook—allegedly? The latest superseding indictment against Sean "Diddy" Combs suggests a criminal enterprise so vast it now has an official name in court documents: Combs Enterprises. With allegations ranging from sex trafficking and coercion to bribery, obstruction of justice, and even arson, the feds aren't just throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks—they're building a wall around him. Defense Attorney Bob Motta of Defense Diaries joins Tony Brueski to break down the legal implications of these new charges, explaining how the feds use RICO to target the alleged head of the operation—even if they don't have a direct smoking gun for every crime. And this case is no sloppy state-run prosecution; when the feds come for you, they come prepared. With a trial set for May 2025 (not likely), we dig into what this means for Diddy, his alleged empire, and the many legal battles ahead. Oh, and about that whole hanging-a-person-off-a-balcony thing—was that really a Vanilla Ice-style power move, or something far more sinister? #DiddyIndictment #TrueCrime #RICO #CombsEnterprises #HiddenKillers #DefenseDiaries #CrimeNews Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Did Diddy take a page out of the Suge Knight playbook—allegedly? The latest superseding indictment against Sean "Diddy" Combs suggests a criminal enterprise so vast it now has an official name in court documents: Combs Enterprises. With allegations ranging from sex trafficking and coercion to bribery, obstruction of justice, and even arson, the feds aren't just throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks—they're building a wall around him. Defense Attorney Bob Motta of Defense Diaries joins Tony Brueski to break down the legal implications of these new charges, explaining how the feds use RICO to target the alleged head of the operation—even if they don't have a direct smoking gun for every crime. And this case is no sloppy state-run prosecution; when the feds come for you, they come prepared. With a trial set for May 2025 (not likely), we dig into what this means for Diddy, his alleged empire, and the many legal battles ahead. Oh, and about that whole hanging-a-person-off-a-balcony thing—was that really a Vanilla Ice-style power move, or something far more sinister? #DiddyIndictment #TrueCrime #RICO #CombsEnterprises #HiddenKillers #DefenseDiaries #CrimeNews Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Did Diddy take a page out of the Suge Knight playbook—allegedly? The latest superseding indictment against Sean "Diddy" Combs suggests a criminal enterprise so vast it now has an official name in court documents: Combs Enterprises. With allegations ranging from sex trafficking and coercion to bribery, obstruction of justice, and even arson, the feds aren't just throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks—they're building a wall around him. Defense Attorney Bob Motta of Defense Diaries joins Tony Brueski to break down the legal implications of these new charges, explaining how the feds use RICO to target the alleged head of the operation—even if they don't have a direct smoking gun for every crime. And this case is no sloppy state-run prosecution; when the feds come for you, they come prepared. With a trial set for May 2025 (not likely), we dig into what this means for Diddy, his alleged empire, and the many legal battles ahead. Oh, and about that whole hanging-a-person-off-a-balcony thing—was that really a Vanilla Ice-style power move, or something far more sinister? #DiddyIndictment #TrueCrime #RICO #CombsEnterprises #HiddenKillers #DefenseDiaries #CrimeNews Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Is Sean "Diddy" Combs running his own personal crime syndicate, or is this just another wild tale of celebrity downfall? Federal prosecutors sure seem to think it's the former, as they've hit him with a superseding indictment that now includes allegations of sex trafficking, coercion, bribery, obstruction of justice, and even arson—because why not? The case is being framed under the ominous title of "Combs Enterprises," a sprawling alleged criminal operation spanning decades. With a May 2025 trial date that seems more like wishful thinking than reality, Bob Motta joins the discussion to break down what this latest legal bombshell means. Is this an airtight RICO case, or could Diddy's defense team punch holes in the feds' strategy? And more importantly, how does one even begin to defend against a case where the prosecution allegedly has video evidence of you doing the crimes? Buckle up, because if history is any indicator, this legal battle is only getting started. Is Diddy about to become the latest cautionary tale of excess and power, or does he have one last trick up his sleeve? #DiddyIndictment #RICOCase #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #LegalAnalysis #DefenseDiaries #CrimeNews Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Is Sean "Diddy" Combs running his own personal crime syndicate, or is this just another wild tale of celebrity downfall? Federal prosecutors sure seem to think it's the former, as they've hit him with a superseding indictment that now includes allegations of sex trafficking, coercion, bribery, obstruction of justice, and even arson—because why not? The case is being framed under the ominous title of "Combs Enterprises," a sprawling alleged criminal operation spanning decades. With a May 2025 trial date that seems more like wishful thinking than reality, Bob Motta joins the discussion to break down what this latest legal bombshell means. Is this an airtight RICO case, or could Diddy's defense team punch holes in the feds' strategy? And more importantly, how does one even begin to defend against a case where the prosecution allegedly has video evidence of you doing the crimes? Buckle up, because if history is any indicator, this legal battle is only getting started. Is Diddy about to become the latest cautionary tale of excess and power, or does he have one last trick up his sleeve? #DiddyIndictment #RICOCase #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #LegalAnalysis #DefenseDiaries #CrimeNews Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Is Sean "Diddy" Combs running his own personal crime syndicate, or is this just another wild tale of celebrity downfall? Federal prosecutors sure seem to think it's the former, as they've hit him with a superseding indictment that now includes allegations of sex trafficking, coercion, bribery, obstruction of justice, and even arson—because why not? The case is being framed under the ominous title of "Combs Enterprises," a sprawling alleged criminal operation spanning decades. With a May 2025 trial date that seems more like wishful thinking than reality, Bob Motta joins the discussion to break down what this latest legal bombshell means. Is this an airtight RICO case, or could Diddy's defense team punch holes in the feds' strategy? And more importantly, how does one even begin to defend against a case where the prosecution allegedly has video evidence of you doing the crimes? Buckle up, because if history is any indicator, this legal battle is only getting started. Is Diddy about to become the latest cautionary tale of excess and power, or does he have one last trick up his sleeve? #DiddyIndictment #RICOCase #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #LegalAnalysis #DefenseDiaries #CrimeNews Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

We are back this time with our theme of pop Culture Crimes.  JT discusses P Diddy.  SourcesBiography.com - Detailed overview of Sean Combs' career, early life, and business ventures.Sean Combs BiographyWikipedia - Comprehensive details on his life, music career, and controversies.Sean Combs - WikipediaBritannica - An in-depth look at Combs' business success and cultural impact.Sean Combs | American rapper, entrepreneur, and producer | BritannicaBillboard - Articles on Combs' legal issues and musical accomplishments.Sean Combs on BillboardNew York Times - News articles and court case coverage of Combs' legal issues.Sean Combs | The New York TimesRolling Stone - Focus on his influence on hip-hop and controversies.Sean Combs on Rolling StoneAshley Parham v. SEAN COMBS a/k/a “P. Diddy,” “Puff Daddy,” “Love,” “Puffy” and “Diddy,” Kristina Khorram, Shane Pearce, John Does 1-3 and Jane Doe, (UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA October 15, 2024). DAWN ANGELIQUE RICHARD, Plaintiff, v. SEAN COMBS, HARVE PIERRE, REMOTE PRODUCTIONS INC, NEW REMOTE PRODUCTIONS INC, THE NORDLINGER GROUP LLC, NOVEMBER 15 LLC, DADDY'S HOUSE RECORDING STUDIO, BAD BOY ENTERTAINMENT LLC, BAD BOY RECORDS LLC, BAD BOY ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS INC, BAD BOY PRODUCTIONS HOLDINGS INC, BAD BOY BOOKS HOLDINGS INC, THE SEAN COMB MUSIC INC, SEAN COMBS CAPITAL LLC, COMBS ENTERPRISES, LLC, UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP NV, INTERSCOPE GEFFEN A&M RECORDS, DIAGEO AMERICAS SUPPLY INC D/B/A CIROC DISTILLING COMPANY D/B/A CIROC CANNING CO, COMBS WINES AND SPIRITS LLC, JANICE COMBS PUBLISHING INC, JANICE COMBS PUBLISHING HOLDINGS INC, SONY SONGS, a division of SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, LOVE RECORDS INC, EPIC RECORDS, DOE CORPORATIONS 1-10, AND DOE DEFENDANTS 11-20 (UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK September 10, 2024).John Doe v. SEAN COMBS, DADDY'S HOUSE RECORDINGS INC., CE OPCO, LLC d/b/a COMBS GLOBAL f/k/a COMBS ENTERPRISES LLC, BAD BOY ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS, INC., BAD BOY PRODUCTIONS HOLDINGS, INC., BAD BOY BOOKS HOLDINGS, INC., BAD BOY RECORDS LLC, BAD BOY ENTERTAINMENT LLC, BAD BOY PRODUCTIONS LLC, AND ORGANIZATIONAL DOES 1-10, Defendants (UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK October 14, 2024).RODNEY JONES,  Plaintiff,  v. SEAN COMBS, JUSTIN DIOR COMBS, ETHIOPIA HABTEMARIAM, LUCIAN CHARLES GRAINGE, KRISTINA KHORRAM, CHALICE RECORDING STUDIOS, LOVE RECORDS, MOTOWN RECORDS, UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP, COMBS GLOBAL ENTERPRISES, JOHN and JANE DOES 1-10 and ABC CORPORATIONS. 1-10 (UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK February 26, 2024).Thalia Graves Plaintiff v. SEAN COMBS, JOSEPH SHERMAN, DADDY'S HOUSE RECORDINGS INC., CE OPCO, LLC d/b/a COMBS GLOBAL f/k/a COMBS ENTERPRISES LLC, BAD BOY ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS, INC., BAD BOY PRODUCTIONS HOLDINGS, INC., BAD BOY BOOKS HOLDINGS, INC., BAD BOY RECORDS LLC, BAD BOY ENTERTAINMENT LLC, BAD BOY PRODUCTIONS LLC, AND ORGANIZATIONAL DOES 1-10, Defendants. (UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK September 24, 2024).UNITED STATES OF AMERICA V. SEAN COMBS, a/k/a “Puff Daddy,” a/k/a “P. Diddy,” a/k/a “Diddy,” a/k/a “PD,” a/k/a “Love” (Justice.gov). Brew CrimeWebsite, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Facebook Group, Youtube, patreon, Supporter

Today I'm making friends with Dia Simms – CEO of Lobos 1707 Tequila & Mezcal.**On this episode, we talk about– how Dia began negotiating Department of Defense contracts in her early 20's– her journey through the world of sales– how Dia worked her way from being Executive Assistant for Sean "Diddy" Combs to being President of his company– growing a vodka label to be valued at $2 Billion– the difference between tequila and mezcal– and so much more!** (Psst... Before I tell you more about the guest, do you like this show? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts — even one sentence helps!

All Black History Month, we've been highlighting Black & Brown businesses and business owners making history today! Ingrid Best is making her mark in the wine business in a space where black-owned wineries only make up less than 1% of all U.S. wineries. Before that she was Executive Vice President at Combs Enterprises' Spirits Division. Launching in October, iBest Wines can be found at your favorite local liquor store in New York, New Jersey, Florida, California, and in Georgia starting in March. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(Season 8 is in partnership with ADCOLOR. ADCOLOR champions diversity and inclusion in creative industries.) An award-winning creative, Courtney Richardson is currently Creative Director at Droga5 where she leads creative direction for iconic brands and icons including Sean Combs, Combs Enterprises, The Africa Center, Hennessy, Chase Sapphire and more. She credits her early beginnings watching her uncle direct music videos for the Wu-Tang Clan, Snoop Dogg, & Master P with igniting her passions and creative intuitions. Formerly Creative Director at PAPER Magazine, it was there she led original ideas and disruptive thinking for brands like Nike, Samsung, Hulu, HBO, VH1 and others; while working with celebrities including Zendaya, Issa Rae, Megan Thee Stallion, Lena Waithe, Taraji P. Henson, Tiffany Haddish, Laverne Cox, Michaela Coel, Colin Kaepernick and more. Recognized and inducted into the 2022 Creative Class of Black thought leaders by The Creative Collective as a ‘Culture Shifter,' Courtney was named 2021's ‘Creative of the Year' by ADCOLOR & The One Club and was recently honored as a ‘Trailblazer' by the Black Women in Media Awards, alongside esteemed social justice activist Dr. Bernice King and Grammy-award winning singer Deborah Cox. She has been featured by outlets including CBS Morning News, EBONY Magazine, AdWeek, Refinery29, Bustle, PopSugar and more. Her creative thinking has also been praised and sought after by none other than the one and only, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. Courtney's life goal is to uplift humanity, particularly marginalized communities. She truly believes in radiating self-love and spreading positivity. The world needs more, so she aims to put forth that philosophy first in everything she does.

Reed Switzer is an entrepreneur and rising product leader in the financial technology space. He left the Wharton School of Business to build Hopscotch, a B2B payments platform focused on helping small businesses succeed. Prior to Hopscotch, Reed served as Director of Operations at a music streaming startup led by the former CFO of Combs Enterprises. This role helped hone his marketing, product, and operational skills; it also added to his firsthand experience managing vendor relationships and helped him to see critical gaps in the B2B payments market.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/AnalyticIn this explosive segment of Notorious Mass Effect, we delve into the shocking allegations of sexual assault and physical abuse leveled against music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs by his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie (real name Casandra Ventura). Cassie has filed a lawsuit against Combs, Bad Boy Entertainment, Bad Boy Records, Combs Enterprises, LLC, and Epic Records, alleging a decade-long pattern of abuse that includes rape, physical violence, and sex trafficking.Join us as we dissect the details of the lawsuit, examine the potential impact on Combs' career and reputation, and explore the broader implications of these allegations for the music industry. We'll also discuss the importance of victims coming forward and the challenges they often face in seeking justice.This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the latest developments in this high-profile case and the larger conversation about sexual abuse and power dynamics in the music industry.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode CEO & CCO of Nappy Head Club Rachel Topping shares the inspiration behind co-founding a fashion & lifestyle brand that celebrates blackness. Rachel takes us back for insight into the early days of the building the community and creating a flywheel of people supporting the brand. As a creative, she explains why design is the heartbeat of the brand next to its roots in black hair. Founded in the US, and now stocked in the UK, Rachel reveals her ambitions for welcoming more people in the club. Learn more about Nappy Head Club: https://nappyheadclub.com/About this week's guestRachel Topping is a branding guru from the DMV with a passion for creating safe space and generational wealth for people of color.She has spent her career at the intersection of design, culture, and fashion, having worked with companies like Complex Magazine, AOL, Combs Enterprises and Roc Nation. Before leaving to build Nappy Head Club, she led creative strategy for luxury shoe brand Tamara Mellon, helping to define the brand identity and marketing look and feel. Now, based in Brooklyn, as CEO and CCO of Nappy Head Club, she is dedicated to marrying smart, thoughtful design with a pulse on the culture. Follow on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok @coilscashcultureSign up to our mailing list at www.coilscashculture.com

Sean “Diddy” Combs is one of hip-hop's most serial entrepreneurs. His business track record stretches 30 years with successes in completely-different industries — music (Bad Boys Records), clothing (Sean John), spirits (Ciroc and DeLeon), media (Revolt), among many other ventures. To take a closer look at Combs' empire, I brought on Tarik Brooks, who is the president of Combs Enterprises. Many chalk up Diddy's entrepreneurial success to his influence and brand alone. While Tarik doesn't deny Diddy's star power, he also argues that line of thinking understates Diddy's business acumen — his ability to spot trends, attract talent, raise capital, and so forth. Not only that, but the broadness of Combs Enterprises is a unique competitive advantage. Diddy's different businesses across sectors give them unique data points that can drive decision-making. The group announced a new foray into cannabis in late 2022. However, they won't enter the space completely void of knowledge. Using insights from Revolt or Ciroc, they can glean how customers think about cannabis already.  Tarik and I dove deep into Diddy's sprawling business empire this episode — the “why” not the “how” behind Puff's success. Here's what you can expect to hear: [0:00] Combs Enterprises' focus in 2023[2:22] Synergies between Diddy's different businesses [4:40] Using Revolt Summit as a testing ground [6:29] Origins of the “Ciroc playbook”  [9:32] How much strategic overlap is there between Ciroc and DeLeon marketing? [15:41] Entering the cannabis space[18:00] Regulatory challenges in the cannabis industry[26:01] Why Diddy is not just another celebrity entrepreneur [30:03] How Combs Enterprises invests in startups[34:21] Did Diddy really back Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter?[36:45] No rush to sell Bad Boy Records catalog [41:32] Sean John comeback [47:05] Diddy's attempt to buy the Carolina Panthers in 2018Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSSHost: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.coGuest: Tarik A. Brooks, @tarikamin  Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital's free memo.TRANSCRIPTION[00:00:00] Tarik Brooks: Twitter's impact in society is certainly bigger than how it shows up from a profit and loss and from a market cap perspective. And when you look at, you know, where Twitter is trading today is trading at a fraction of like Facebook or like Snapchat is the question from an investment perspective with some you could create meaningful.[00:00:33] Dan Runcie: Hey, welcome to the podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from the executives in music, media, entertainment, and more who are taking hip hop culture to the next level. [00:00:53] Dan Runcie: All right, today we got my guy, Tarik Brooks, the president of Combs Enterprises. Second time on the podcast. Great to have you back, man.[00:01:01] Tarik Brooks: Happy New Year my brother. Great to be back. [00:01:03] Dan Runcie: So what's the latest from the House of Combs?[00:01:08] Tarik Brooks: Things are wonderful enterprises, man. Tremendous 2022, where we did a lot of investing in our existing platforms and in new platforms. And so, you know, the big push in 23. Is to operationalized and grow a lot of those new platforms. You know, a lot of people are familiar with the cannabis deal, which we announced late last year. We're gonna close that deal and get that operational. We've also been working on an e-commerce platform with Salesforce, called it Power Global, that will launch this year, you know, released music last year. That did great. I mean, he and a sub-Christian. You know, with the first father and son duo to be number one. At the same time, there'll be more projects from Love Records coming in this year. So a lot of new things are in 23, so I wanna accustom a lot of exciting developments. [00:01:56] Dan Runcie: And I feel like one of the strengths for him whenever he is launching a new brand is being able to find some type of synergy between something that he's done that's already worked and finding some way to tie it all together. And for you, I know you've been there for a couple years. Is there like one company or one tie in that really stands out about, oh yeah, what Puff is able to do here? Tweak the formula a little bit, brought it over to this company and then it helped that one too.[00:02:22] Tarik Brooks: Yeah. It is interesting, man, like, because you know, with the ecosystem we have that there are synergies all over the place that we work hard to exploit everyday. What I'll tell you bigger thing is that underneath our ecosystem sits the core premise, a core belief that our culture drives culture, that our people drive what's cool and what's next and what's hot in a meaningful way. So, you know, you go back to blues and jazz and rock and roll to hip hop, TikTok, viral dances, like our people drive that. And so if you look at all of the different elements in our ecosystem. What you see are different sectors that we drive through our cultural presence. And so when you look at our platform through that lens, you see how they all fit together. So then synergies just become finding places where, you know, we can work together to make one plus one equal three or four. Right? And so like, you know, easy examples when you think about how you know our brands will show up at the Revolt Summit. So Revolt hosts this amazing event every year in Atlanta. 10,000 people come. It gives us an opportunity to kinda have revolt, touch to people, but also have ourown touch to people for us to do research for new companies that we're developing the test concepts. These are ways that we don't place there with our ecosystem. I mean, I look at a great example. Deleon tequila. Used Druski in an ad, you know, super funny guy. Did a tremendous job with the ad. We then, you know, connected in with the team in Revolt and he did something with Revolt. It ended up being a great, great opportunity there. So like throughout our ecosystem, you see all these opportunities that exist with our portfolio companies and with the companies that we invest in. We think about how we invest and part of it is all the stuff you expect from any traditional investment vehicle. You know, do you have great leadership? Do you have a strong destructive concept? But what we also know about there two or three ways that this thing could be utilized is our ecosystem for the company. So it's an everyday activity, you know, finding, exploiting, and developing those things [00:04:31] Dan Runcie:  You mentioned earlier about the Revolt Summit and how that can be a test space for whether it's new products or new things. Can you talk more about that? Cause I think that's really interesting. [00:04:40] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, so I mean this past Revolt Summit, the team at Empowered Global, which is the eCommerce platform that I just mentioned, had a space set up where they could introduce the concept to the participants at the Revolt Summit. And more than that, we actually had, and it was, I gotta find you a picture of this. A digital vending machine that was filled with black-owned products. So, and kinda like what you would see at the airport where you have vending machines, where they kinda have, you know, non typical vending machine products, headphones, and different things like that. Our vending machine that we had set up in the Revolt Summit was all filled with products that were owned by black that came from black owned companies. And so that was like just a real example. In that moment, we were able to introduce people to the concept of the platform, try out some new tech and get real time feedback from people who we believe will be a part of that target. [00:05:34] Dan Runcie: That makes sense. Yeah. Because you wanna have people that are first bought in, you get the people there and I think the people that are gonna attend Revolt Summit likely end up being culture shapers or mavens within their particular area themselves. They start saying something's good, and then they can, you know, go back and that's how you're able to spread things.[00:05:52] Tarik Brooks: 100%. It's the way, you know, everybody talks about it in terms of synergies, but we like to talk about it in terms of not planting there, right? Like we have these resources, we have these brands that mean something to people. You know that the most impactful thing we can do is find out how putting those brands together at different times in different ways produces more information, produces more insight, produces more, you know, revenue generating opportunity than any of those entities in silos. So for me, like the silo is the enemy, right? Like the key is to have all of our leaders and all of our team members continuously engaging in a very fluid way.[00:06:29] Dan Runcie: Yeah, the one that always stuck out to me too was Ciroc and the on the ground promotion for that, because there are so many through lines going back to The Bad Boy Days, the Bad Boy Street team, and then the Ciroc Boys. It's very similar playbook and being able to help push that. [00:06:45] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, I mean, look, and again, the playbook is the same. It's the same. You know, when you look at what the spirits industry looked at at the time, it was very different from today. You know, a lot of folks don't realize at that time the only people really trying to market, know black people in the hip was more liquor. Right? Cause I know I wasn't on the team back then, but what I can tell you is he looked at how nightlife worked and how the culture was working and evolving and saw a huge opportunity for an aspirational luxury product. And then was able to apply a lot of the same tools that were driving his success in the music business in spirits. And so that's how you end up with us showing up better than most people in the nightlife, us being able to have the DJs, you know, be a part of our experience. Cause Puff knew back then, in which he knows now how powerful DJs are in the culture and in the communities he lives in. If you look at even now, like a lot of, you know what he's posted socially as, you know, the efforts around love, records, respect. Like, we get what algorithms can do, but understand like DJ is culturally important. Like they mean something to their communities and they mean something to our culture. And in that way they have outside influence, that I think people still underestimate. [00:08:00] Dan Runcie: Yeah, I think as much as things have been movement streaming or NFTs or whatever it is, people still wanna go to the club and people still want to be in the hands of a DJ that knows what they're doing and can introduce them.[00:08:12] Tarik Brooks: Absolutely. There is power and curation. Right. And look, theoretically A.I. will be able to kind of take that input and lead curations that are solid. But you know it's tough to replicate, you know, instinct. And natural art, you know? Exactly. That's the thing, right? Like to be able to think you can do it with just an algorithm means it's all science. And I think, you know, most entertainment industries, particularly when you talk about the power of a DJ, are art and science together. That art is that intuitive thing that, like you, some folks just have, they know when to play the right record. You know, not just cause it's a similar bpm, but they know, cause they know that crowd, they know that venue. They know that audience better than most other people do.[00:09:00] Dan Runcie: Definitely. And I think too, a lot of that we definitely saw with the Ciroc Playbook, but I wanna spend some time in this conversation talking a bit more about Deleon because, I think that that is relatively newer business for other portfolio, but I think there's a lot that's similar, but the lot that's different too in terms of how you've all rolled it out, what you've done, how you've done things differently. So love to start there and maybe start first specifically, how much of the Ciroc Playbook was used with what you've all done so far with Deleon?[00:09:32] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, so I think the core premise stays the same, right? What Puff has been amazing at throughout his career is being able to spot and help develop trends very early. And he saw back in 2013, 2014, that the next wave in spirits was gonna be, you know, brown spirits, in particular tequila. And so when he formed the joint venture with Diageo, that he built that knowing that a tequila wave was coming. Now from the perspective of how industries developed, tequila and vodka are two very different places, right? It is very big, very mature right now, trying to fight off the growth of some of the spirits that are taking customers away, whereas tequila is smaller but fast growing. And it's also very nuanced. So like when you think about what we've been able to do driving Deleon's growth, and Deleon right now is the fastest growing tequila in the country, right?It's on fire right now and just, you know, small plug, you are new to tequila. Deleon are absolutely amazing. I will put them against any tequila that's out there, you know, so smooth ice cube, orange slice. You're good.[00:10:41] Dan Runcie: But any numbers to share in terms of like, cases sold or anything like that?[00:10:45] Tarik Brooks: So look, I'm not gonna go into the details on cases, but again, this is Nielsen's data,this is not coming right? So right now, you look, it is triple digits right now, you know, comfortable cause to disclose. But what I would say is, you know, part of the Deleon story is making sure Deleon is relevant in culture. And when you hear Deleon Lemonade in the young Miami, I'm not sure when, when you see Deleon on, when you see Deleon sharp in these things, it's a part of ensuring Deleon is relevant in the culture and shows up the right way, but there's also a big part of the future of Deleon that will grow. Talking about the liquid itself, you know how we get to such a high quality. It is the fact that Deleon is aged in both American whiskey and French red wine barrels to get the distinctive taste that, like, that's just part of the story that we're still just beginning to tell and roll out as we build it. And from our view, we are building, you know, iconic, long lasting brands. We want Deleon to be thought of the same way you think about Johnny Walker or Hennessy or any other great brands that are out there. So our view is like you don't rush that thing, you develop that story over time. You feed people in, you bring people into the brand and then you culture that and as soon you cultivate that audience, you know, as it grows. And so, you know, a lot of the kinda principles that we've applied in growing, we're applying to Deleon, but we're also being very aware that, you know, vodka and very different liquids develop differently, Exactly The same. And you think about that as you start to position the brand. [00:12:24] Dan Runcie: Yeah, cuz I think that was a good point that you mentioned just in terms of how vodka has been the market leader just from a type of liquor for so long. So you didn't necessarily have to do that piece of it, but it was more so Yeah. How do you bring this brand that I think some people may have forgotten about, but bring it to the same level as your great gooses in your others. [00:12:44] Tarik Brooks: Yeah. People know people, I mean, look, the way Ciroc hadn't been positioned in a way that was creating a lot of noise, a lot of impact, and I think, you know, part Puff's genius was figuring out that it was amazing juice. It was amazing liquid, with beautiful bottles. So if you positioned it the right way in culture, you could create a wave. And that wave has been historic. This was a brand that was doing, you know, cases annually and now this is a case brand globally. Huge brand in the spirits industry in a sector that was big, vodka's a very, very big sector. Tequila we're growing Deleon as the sector's growing as well. So it's just, again, from a marketing perspective, a different set of challenges, but the same principles apply to how we think about leveraging culture. Leveraging, you know, our ability to kinda set trends to help drive a career meaningful brand, but it all also starts with a great quality liquid that we stand by. I mean, one of the things, right? Yeah. I think one of the things has always been super consistent about is the authenticity around, like, standing behind the products he brings to market. There's not a variant of Deleon or flavor that gets released without Puff. Personally, we stamped that saying, you know, this is okay to go to market with our income.[00:14:03] Dan Runcie: Right. Yeah, cuz I think the distinction too on the flip side with tequila is like, not even that it's so much education cuz I think a lot of people know tequila, but just getting the consumer a bit of a visual of yes, this is the setting where not just our brand but this broader aspect. And I know there's 1800 and there's like others too. Yeah. But like you all be able to be like, hey, This is where, so some of that, what I think worked so well for sag, just in terms of thinking back to those like Vegas promo shots where they had all the people there being able to, you know, have whatever the tequila and Deleon equivalent is of that.[00:14:39] Tarik Brooks:  Yeah. I mean, look, I think a part of the tequila growth story is helping people understand that, you know, while they may have been introduced to tequila, you know, with shots on spring break or something like that, you know, once you learn more, you learn a much more complex liquid that can be enjoyed a lot of different ways mixed drinks, neat, you know, over on the rocks, you know, and all the other kinds of occasions. So I think part of our experience is helping people understand that it's versatility is part of why it's growing as fast as grown. [00:15:11] Dan Runcie: Yeah, and I think too, just thinking more broadly about spirits and things that people enjoy you all now going into cannabis, I think that there are definitely some similarities there. People wanna be able to relax and enjoy what they choose, but so different in terms of not just regulation, but the culture. How has it been, just, I know, even thinking about the origins of that deal, how some of that playbook and mentality can be leveraged for what you all have now with this massive opportunity in cannabis?[00:15:41] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, I mean, look, there are certainly two categories that are at very different stages, but you know, you could argue they've been on similar journeys, right? Like there was a point in time when alcohol was prohibited. When you look at the history of cannabis, you know, you start to realize a lot of the way this product category was treated was less around the specific impact of the product and more around the specific influence. The culture that was around, you know, before that was hip hop, cannabis was huge in the jazz community. And the jazz community was something that black people were bringing and spreading throughout the United States in a meaningful way and, you know, real impact culturally, and there were folks that didn't wanna see that happen. And so a part of the criminalization of cannabis was connected to slowing down the influence of that jazz, that black culture. And so you've seen over the past years been that cannabis has been illegal, you know, the disproportionate criminalization of black people as it relates to cannabis, more than white people. And so this opportunity is an opportunity that gives us a chance to basically through doing good sound business, you know, rights and historical wrongs. When you look at the last 10 years of legal cannabis, Despite, you know, the overcriminalization of black people, it is dominated by white men. You know, 85, 86% owned by white men. Black people only own 2% of the space, and so for us, particularly coming in this way, it gives us an opportunity to kind of make change and enter the business at scale to be able to come in with a three state footprint and be able to use that as a platform to help change the cannabis ecosystem to make sure to use our platform to enable black and brown people to participate in the industry in a number of different ways. To be able to use our voice, to be able to help shape the way regulators and lawmakers think about how cannabis needs to be developed going forward, and continue to do what we do at our core, which is bring our audience, great quality product for them to enjoy.[00:17:46] Dan Runcie: That makes sense. And I do think that those stats you mentioned are just around the 2% of the business, that is only being, again, like I said, at this point, currently run and administered by black people. And that's in America, right? [00:18:00] Tarik Brooks: In America in the US. It is gonna continue to be a leader in global cannabis. So a lot of countries look to see, you know, what the US is doing and how they're thinking about deregulation and how they shape their rules. And, for us it's a big part of what we do is helping people to see how the way things are set up negatively impacts our community. So when you look at, you know, the cannabis industry broadly working to change the way cannabis is scheduled by the federal government and how it's treated by the federal government and how banks are able to interact with cannabis companies. All of those things make it hard for the industry broadly, but it makes it extra hard for us because when you look at industries without those, We don't get the same access to capital, we don't get the same access to opportunities. So it's one of those things where, you know, once again, we're starting from behind the eight ball, but what our, you know, perspective allows us to do is start from a different vantage point, right? Like it is an extremely difficult time to raise money in cannabis. And so for us to be able to pull off something, this big speech. You know, the success and track record that Puff has had building quality grants, building quality companies, and being able to find the kinda talent you need to come in and create value. And so we're excited man. We think this is gonna be a huge event for the cannabis industry. We think it's gonna be a huge event for us to help our community create meaningful wealth. Cause ultimately, you know, as business people, we wanna use our skills and resources create wealth for our community.[00:19:36] Dan Runcie: Yeah. And like you said, definitely, you know, huge undertaking and make this happen. Can you talk a little bit more about some of the steps to get from the first idea, maybe it's you and Puff talking about, Hey, you know, we should do this, we should get into this business. Then boom, the announcement comes. Like, what were some of the steps to help make this happen? [00:19:53] Tarik Brooks:  So we have been exploring the cannabis industry, you know, with different levels of intensity since looking at opportunities. Starting to understand how the industry works, getting closer and closer to the space, you know, building relationships with entrepreneurs and companies in the space to kinda understand how things develop. I joined the board of Cresco Labs, you know, one cause I wanted to learn more about the industry. I thought they were a great company. But two, from that vantage point, you were able to see how the industry works and how things develop. And so when this opportunity came along, which was really driven by Acquisition of Columbia Care by Cresco. They, by regulation, have to divest assets. This opportunity to look at a portfolio of assets that are good, you know, good, strong businesses. Generating revenue, generating cash flow today to be able to come, bring those into our portfolio and then do what we do to create meaningful brands around those assets seem like a phenomenal opportunity. And so, look, these things take time to develop and it's a long process of, you know, doing the due diligence, raising the capital, going through all the steps you have to do to actually close a deal. But we believe it's gonna be a phenomenal historic deal once it's closed and wherever operated. And we think, like, look, when you look at pub's track record of building brands in music, in fashion, in spirits, you know, should extend, we believe it's gonna extend itself to cannabis and meaningful given how influential and impactful cannabis is in culture.[00:21:28] Dan Runcie: And we definitely know that there are a lot of regulatory challenges in this space for sure. And I also know that there are several other celebrity investors, even some in hip hop that have started businesses in this space and haven't necessarily been able to help take them to the next level. Do you have thoughts about some of those, I guess how business now moving forward can help address and overcome some of those hurdles that maybe some others weren't quite able to get past.[00:21:58] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, so I take those in pieces. What I would say is, you know, we believe over the long term, the federal view on cannabis will change. We believe cannabis will ultimately, eventually be legal, you know, throughout the United States and in all 50 States. But we don't know when that's gonna happen. And so none of our investment thesis, none of our modeling, none of our business case was built on imminent regulatory relief. And so while, you know, we hope for it and we wanna help shape how lawmakers think about it the same way the rest of the issue does. Nothing in our core premise for doing this deal was built on the expectation of regulatory relief this year, next year, five years from now. Right. So that's the one thing I would do. That said, we wanna be immediately a part of the conversation cause cannabis is so connected to our community. And so we're gonna jump into that conversation at the state level. We're gonna jump into that conversation at the national level. Now going to the second part of your question. You know, one of the things I think is the biggest, you know, misnomer when people think about, you know, Sean comes entering cannabis, is thinking about this as a celebrity cannabis deal, right?When I think about this and when Puff and I have always talked about it. What we think about. A guy with an amazing track record of building culturally relevant brands. Is that relevant in cannabis? Yes. Check, right. You know, does he have resources and the platform to be able to raise the capital to do a deal like this. Check. Does he have the ability to attract the kind of talent you need? Check right. Now. You also then say, is this celebrity extremely valuable in getting the word out? Brilliant. Absolutely. But that's not the core premise of what we're trying to do, right? Like we will get as much value through all the things we can learn throughout our ecosystem and how our customers and all of our other businesses think about. As we'll get from Sean Holmes, the celebrity. Right? And so from that perspective, you know, we don't expect to have our business be a celebrity driven brand per se. It's gonna be built on the back of great brand building, great marketing, and very strategic and efficient operations.[00:24:07] Dan Runcie: And I think that ties into something you had said in a recent interview about how insights from Revolt, for instance, can inform some of the decisions that you make with the cannabis business.[00:24:18] Tarik Brooks: Yeah. I mean, look, when you think about an ecosystem like ours that spans from spirits, music, media, fashion, with every interaction with our audience, you create. So every time posts go up from their social media, you know, there's data that comes back. Every Ciroc transaction generates data when Revolt has shows on all the different platforms that has shows on cable, YouTube, In app, all those different platforms generate data. As you compile that data, you're able to kinda look at it with a different lens and pull insights from that. What we're then able to do is take the data that we get from the cannabis industry that everybody else in cannabis is getting. But when you start putting those things together in unique ways, that's how you start to generate interesting insights that everybody's just not gonna have access to 'em. So that's where we think, again, we have a real competitive advantage in how we think about what we do in the space. That'll impact everything from, you know, how our stores look and feel, and what that experience will be what products we lead with how we think about price points, how we change things from state to state. A lot of that will be driven by insights that not only come from the cannabis industry, but that are informed by the other businesses in our portfolio as well. [00:25:32] Dan Runcie: And this steps into, I think, a broader conversation of some of the categorization of someone like Puff and the work that he does in that the media can often put him alongside other people who have happened to be a recording artist on a track and compare their business ventures in the same way. And what you're essentially saying is, You can't compare us all the same way. Did they build a revolt?[00:26:01] Tarik Brooks: It's so hard cause it's like, I don't wanna deny how impactful he is as an entertainer. Epic performances. When you think about, and not just performances in music, performances in movies, performances on Broadway. Like the guy is quintessential, entertaining. You know, by all means, like you can't argue that. But I think when you try to look at him narrowly as just that you are really missing the picture. Cause I think that underestimates or understates, how difficult, it's to build a bad boy into a success, to build a success, build a revolt, to build us rock, to build a Deleon, to build three schools, like that, that's not just on the back of him. An amazing entertainer, right? Like that speaks to his business instincts, his ability to spot trends, his ability to kinda find and cultivate talent, like those are all things that are universal in business. Leave aside what he's been able to do as an entertainer, I would argue, had he never got on the mic or touched the stage, he would've been just that successful business person just on the back. His business, you know, acumen and abilities. And so that's where, when we're in these conversations and people think about, you know, in cannabis this came up recently, people say like, well, you know, celebrity brands haven't really worked. And I'm like, lemme take a second to help you understand why this is different from a celebrity brand opportunity. The other thing that's different that I think is important for people to understand is when we take control of these assets, we'll be fully vertically integrated in the States that we operate, which, we are gonna cultivate, we are a process. We are gonna manufacture, we're gonna distribute, we're gonna sell. So these are all pieces of the business value chain that we'll operate. Again, not so relevant from the celebrity space. This is all around how do you build and run high quality businesses? And that's where I think you have to look at our business portfolio to understand how impactful Puff is throughout his career. And you just don't see those things that the only lens you're looking at is through him as the celebrity. [00:28:10] Dan Runcie: I could see this topic also coming up in some ways, potentially from an investment perspective, where you all have companies that are trying to either get you to invest or you're evaluating them and at some point someone on the other side of the table may come to you and be like, Hey, well if you invest in us, can we get a shout out in a song? Can we get an Instagram post? Can we do this? Like these things that view Puff as the influencer as opposed to the business leader that has all of these things.[00:28:39] Tarik Brooks: Yeah. What I found just in my experience and I've been working with Puff almost six years now. Most of it typically comes with how people were introduced to them and the depth or lack thereof of their understanding of what he's been able to do throughout his career. There's a lot of stuff, you know, people just don't necessarily, you know, attribute to him in the way they should. So usually that journey is one where it's about informing people to say things like, let's make sure you have all the perspective and then think about kinda how this can make sense. Cause again, there's no denying his impact and influence as a celebrity. He's huge. Like, he's a big name, he's an iconic person in culture. But I think to only think about him that way now, I think when people start to understand, you know, what working with Combs Enterprises means more broadly, you start to understand the power of the platform that we really have. And that's where I think it gets really exciting for the people. [00:29:35] Dan Runcie: Yeah, I agree. That makes sense. From an investment perspective specifically though, do you feel like, is that something that often needs to be addressed with startups or with founders or others that may be whether deep down they may be looking for something and I'm more so asking that in a way because I've seen it happen to others and given this conversation, I can see that especially being somewhat frustrating where it's like, Hey, I hope you're not just interested in this to think you're gonna get a shout out.[00:30:03] Tarik Brooks: Yeah. I mean, so look, I'll tell you when we are evaluating investment opportunities and people are looking at ideals, I don't think that is a thing that people are using as their primary driver. Do I think there are people who will be like nice to have, do they hope to get to meet them? Do they hope to get all those? Sure. Right. Like, again, all 'em, all those kinds of things. But I think when we get, you know, evaluating real deals. I think one thing that surprises people is the rigor with which we do our due diligence and our analysis, right? And so that's the first thing you see to say like, well this is not just, you know, high level celebrity thing. This is being looked at with real deep due diligence and real deep analysis. And I think from there it starts to shake away that kinda filter of, oh, oh, I'm gonna try to just get a celebrity deal done. Cause it's just not the way we do business. And I think people get that. [00:31:02] Dan Runcie: Right. Yeah. Leslie. Yeah. Especially if there's a due diligence process that they're seeing on their side. And maybe we could talk a little bit more about that, like from a high level, for a lot of the investments you do, maybe less like the cannabis deals, but more on the venture side, do you have a particular sweet spot in terms of, you know, this is normally the dollar amount range, or this is normally what we put in, or this is normally what we are looking for?[00:31:26] Tarik Brooks: So, we have, you know, flexibility, right? We're not a fund that has to, you know, stick to a certain sector or a certain stage of growth the way, you know, funds are typically mandated to do so. We do have flexibility, but that said, going back to the earlier comment I was making, we tend to look at businesses where we see some application. At places within our current portfolio. Right? So like, I don't know that you'll ever see us do like, you know, some like heavy machinery deals or you know, enterprise software, things like that. Cause that's not natural, when you look at interface with the businesses we operate in, it becomes a lot more interesting for us. And so while we apply, you know, the very standard kinda ways of assessing, you know, the quality of the leadership team, the uniqueness of the opportunity, how opportunity is the total addressable market opportunity. Ultimately, we look at all those things just like every other, you know, person who investigates an opportunity. I think where it gets unique is for us, once we've gone through all that, we then sit back and say, okay, you know, how many of our businesses could actually utilize this offering? You know, how many different places do we think we can use this throughout our portfolio? And then it starts to become even more interesting. So, that's kinda how we get there. Now, to be clear, like we don't have a hard mandate or a set of funds. We have to put the work in the way the fund does, and so we tend to be very, very opportunistic. We pick what we do very carefully to be investing. So as we see economic conditions change as we see market conditions. We're able to just say like, all right, let's take a step back. Let's wait and see how things play out. And I think that helped. I mean, it helped us avoid, you know, some of the frustrations some folks are seeing in the web and cryptocurrency world. Cause we weren't forced to go aggressively and do something too fast. We saw the market was evolving and so we were able to take a step back, and continue to evaluate it. So from that perspective, there's a lot of flex. [00:33:35] Dan Runcie: Yeah, that makes sense, especially given that, yeah, there's no fun mandates though. It's not like you're burned because there's a winter or something like that.[00:33:44] Tarik Brooks: Absolutely, and the reality is we're always investing in our core portfolio as well, right? So we think about whether we wanna put millions into, you know, a startup passively. Part of the kinda analysis is to know where we could deploy in our current portfolio and does that make more sense? Right? And so there's that kinda flow of how we think about deals as well.[00:34:07] Dan Runcie:  Yeah, that makes sense. A couple months ago, there were headlines that Puff had apparently done an investment in Twitter around the time that Elon Musk had. Was that actually a thing, or did that come through or?[00:34:21] Tarik Brooks: Look, so like Puff and Elon like have a relationship.You know, Twitter is a very interesting situation in that when you look at, you know, the side like Twitter's impact in society is certainly bigger than how it shows up from. You know, profit and loss and from a market cap perspective, and when you look at, you know, where Twitter is trading today is trading at a fraction of where like a Facebook or even like a Snapchat is I think, at this point. And so the question becomes, you know, from an investment perspective, like do you think, you know, with some changes you could create meaningful value in Twitter, that platform. And so I think while you know, the kind of, the kind of statements in the press were overstated. There was a small investment in Twitter, but it's nothing. People get pieces of information and run, so we just, you know, we gotta sit back.[00:35:17] Dan Runcie: Yeah. And I think the way you framed it is correct. Right? I think it's definitely one of the 40 billion companies that creates more headlines than most other 44 billion companies we could probably even think of.[00:35:29] Tarik Brooks: Absolutely. Absolutely. So, like with some decisions to be a much more viable company than today and the verdict's still out, like those changes happen in real time and cause of how, you know, big the platform is in society. You know, you're seeing those things play out in the press and, you know, I'm sure Elon's campus is trying to work as methodically as they can through those changes. As they figure out what is the right, you know, kind end state for, for that platform. [00:36:00] Dan Runcie: Yeah, definitely. The other side of the investment piece, of course, I think we talked a lot about Combs Enterprises point Capital, but on the other side of it too, thinking specifically about everything happening in music catalogs over the past couple of years, everyone wants these valuable catalogs with this timeless music. Combs has one of the most valuable hip hop, r&b black music catalogs of the past 30 years with Bad Boy Records. There hasn't been any public news about any sales, but I am sure that people must have been calling nonstop trying to at least see what they could get in there. What were those conversations like? I'm sure at some point it must have come up of Rick, whether it's running the bum numbers or even thinking through like, what would this look like? [00:36:45] Tarik Brooks: Yeah. Well look, I think as you know, like part of the interest in these catalogs is driven by the fact that, you know, the returns they generate aren't really correlated to the market, right? Like they're like if you have, you know, a high quality performing catalog, it's gonna generate returns and generate cash flow irrespective of the ups and downs of the markets. And so that's attractive to investors. That said, for those same reasons, it's attractive to us, right? Like it is a great quality, high performing catalog. And for us, part of how, you know, we think about things, we think about like Puff's long-term vision, right? Like we're getting back into how he's getting back into music now with Love Records. You know, he's gonna build that platform in the way that makes sense as you think about the way culture and the music industry continues to evolve. And for us, we're in no rush to get rid of a portfolio that could be a part of that. Like who knows how you think about those assets in the future. And so for us, we're spending a lot of time thinking about what the future of music is gonna look like. And you know how Puff is gonna participate in that, what that looks like. And so for us, you know, again, you don't have, you know, some of the time constraints that you get from being they're public company or you know, money at a certain time. So we had the benefit of being able to go slow and kinda take our time and basically run experiments at our own pace to figure out what we wanna do. And so from that perspective, people have, you know, continually come through with offers and with opportunities and things. And we've purposely taken our time as we've about what, you know, Puff's experience of music is gonna be over the next, you know, next years as he climbs when he talks about it's his second, right? Like he's at the point of his career where he's accomplished and he's thinking about what that second looks like. Music has always been a very important part of his life, and so music is gonna be a part of that. Second, we're shaping what that looks like. And so from our perspective, there was no reason to move. [00:38:46] Dan Runcie:  That makes a lot of sense and I think for you, there's two things that are different with you all compared to some of the others. Two of them you touched on, but one of them is that you already have the infrastructure in place on how to do things that can help maximize the asset of the Bad Boy Records catalog. It isn't like one of these situations like where the Whitney Houston catalog, like it was dormant before Primary Wave came in and obviously they've like, you know, forseed it since they acquired it three years ago. And it isn't like one of these other legacy artists that, you know, the estate may be in shambles and things just aren't lined up. And yeah, for them it probably makes sense to just get a lump sum of money and be able to distribute that instead of hoping that your relatives who may not be trained in managing this type of asset can't continue doing it forward. Like you all have that. And I think that's part of it.[00:39:37] Tarik Brooks: Yeah. And I think there's a couple ways to think about it too, right? Like, cause these artists work so hard to create these assets. You know, why sell 'em? Why get rid of them? But I think there's a couple ways you can think about. You can say one, alright, we may be at peak pricing. And so it's like, you know what, lemme sell while things are hot. You know, take the cash, be able to take the money off the table and invest other ways. You also, particularly with younger artists to say, all right, I'll sell this catalog, but if I'm still creating, I can continue to create and you know, build new works that will create value as well. And so I think there's different logic for different artists in terms of, you know, why they think about selling and why they sell when they do that, you know, in some respect make, particularly if you're looking at it from a purely financial perspective. But again, we were unique in the way that we have an ecosystem that helps continue to keep catalog relevant. We're back in music now, and so again, that also helps to create the halo effect across all of our ecosystems. And so for us, there just really isn't a rush to move too quickly, like where we can think about what is the kinda value maximizing way to utilize the catalog and whatever else we're doing to create the best outcomes. [00:40:54] Dan Runcie: Right. I think that's a good way to put it too, like you said, numbers are there and if you wanna sell, there are sound financial reasons that someone may choose to do so for you all, and given Puff's current goals in music, it just may not make the most sense, but with that though, shifting gears a bit, one business we haven't talked a lot about is Sean John and I know this is a business that the team had sold a couple years back. The company that bought it. Things didn't quite work out there. You all then bought it back recently. So where are things right now with Sean John?[00:41:32] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, Sean John is super exciting, right? So you first start with an iconic, you know, street brand, right? You know, this is again another example. Being able to see where fashion was going, seeing how, you know, folks in our community were wearing other brands to get particular silhouettes and have it, you know, look a certain way and feel a certain way, and then be able to build a brand. That became a real like a foundational piece of, you know, hip hop culture. And through that process, Puff was the first African American man to win the CFDA award, which is the biggest award you can win in fashion, right? So truly iconic sold the brand. The buyers at the time weren't able to figure out how to maximize it, so they created the opportunity for us to buy back. And so what we're excited to do now, and we're in this process with Puff of really reimagining what can and should be for this generation, right? Like as much as you know, we all love the iconic valore sweatsuits and all rest it like, maybe that's a part of the future. Maybe it's a different brand position, different way, but like spending time. Actually really ideate on that and get to the right concept to bring it back again. We have the benefit cause, you know, we operate this portfolio, we don't have the pressure to rush. Like we don't have to, you know, do something right away to be able to, you know, capture that value overnight. You know, we have the luxury of being able to take our time and what I found with Puff is he likes to be able to, one, work with the quality people he possibly can and really run ideas through the ringer in terms of, you know, having people question his logic, test the thinking. Really, really pressure test to see if it's the right way before we do something. So what I can say is, right now in the lab, like, you know, there's creative folks that are thinking through, you know, what Sean John could be and should be and isn't engaged in that process. And so it's exciting I think when we do hit on the market, we're gonna come back in a way that one pays homage to the legacy of John, but then isn't just caught in what to be, is really thinking about what the brand could mean and should mean to, you know, new generations.[00:43:41] Dan Runcie: Yeah, that makes sense. And I feel like when it happened too, it definitely generated some excitement. So I feel like there's some good momentum. [00:43:47] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, I think a lot of the folks who are dominating the fashion world now, were inspired, you know, by, you know, fans. So the fact that it's a brand is still, you know, relevant to people in different ways, gives us a great building. Like, I would rather be trying to kinda help people connect to this brand with so much history and legacy than trying to build a brand from scratch. You know? I think it provides a good foundation. Like's aspiration is to build iconic, long-lasting brands. So when you think about iconic brands that have been around for 55, you know, longer periods of time, that's what the goal is. And so, and those brands have gone through research, you know, any iconic brands gone off, of kinda laws and growth. And so for us, this is just really, you know, the second chapter of something that's gonna, you know, be a part of our community and our culture for years ago. [00:44:45] Dan Runcie: Yeah, for sure. And for you specifically, if we zoom out a bit, looking at the past six years since you've been there, we definitely talked a lot about wins, a lot of the successes. But are there any setbacks or are there any missed opportunities that you look back on, especially the past six years since you've been there being like, oh, I wonder if we did this differently with this brand. I wonder if we did that differently? [00:45:07] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, I think for us, one of the things I appreciate about Puff and it's a value that we both share, which you know, you look at everything as like a learning opportunity to say like maybe the outcome didn't go your way, but there was plenty of stuff you could learn from if you embrace the opportunity the right way. So like I look at the fact that it was back in was announced as an opportunity. We saw the value of the team and the value of the assets all around. You thought it was a great opportunity, pursued it. You know, the group that we were part of didn't win, but through that process, learned a ton about that space. You know, I met great people, you know, business partners and relationships that we still engaged with in different things today all came from that opportunity. So like, you know, while, look, I would've loved to be able to win that deal or bring that home, you know, I think there's a lot that comes from it. It sets us up for the things we do, you know, when I think about, David, we talked about the Revolt Summit earlier, right? Like, you know, as we were building the Revolt Summit, you know, we bring it back after, I think a year off. And then in 2020 the pandemic hit. So we gotta basically shut it down and go virtual. But like coming outta those were things we learned about how we're gonna in the future. So this year, you know, the biggest Revolt Summit ever, how's Metaverse versus online? Like all those things coming around. Again, learnings that you utilize going forward. And so, you know, whether it's you thinking through every single flavor in the portfolio or every single bab in the artist roster, even the ones that don't work out the way, you know, you want them to work out their stuff. You can learn from that help, impact and help you to be better as you move forward. That's the way we think. You know, and I talk all the time about just, you know, transparently looking at the things that go right and go wrong and making sure we're learning.[00:47:05] Dan Runcie: Can we actually talk a little bit about the Carolina Panthers one specifically? Because I know you all said that you didn't win the bid, but was it an aspect of being outbid or the owners or someone just choosing someone different? Like how did that all go down? Cause I remember the headlines about it. I remember that there were a few other prominent black public figures that were in that ownership group too.[00:47:27] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, I mean, look, what I would say is, you know, the person that you know ended up winning the bid, I believe, if I remember correctly, had, you know, the highest bid relationship. I think from that perspective, he kinda knew the league, well, and, and was prepared in a number of different ways to be able to take it down. And I would just say the group that we were part of kinda fell short in that way. But what's interesting is, you know, the number, and I just can't remember real time, the exact number he ended up paying for. When you look at the number that people think that the Washington Commanders are gonna command, and the number that the Denver Barcos commanded. You know, while that number he paid was high at the time, you know, it's not even half what somebody might pay for the Washington Commanders. And so perspective, you're willing to pay for something. You gotta live with the fact that there's just maybe willing to pay more for it than you. Right. And so, you know, we ended up being a part of a really sharp group that, you know, had thought really hard about, you know, what was in this case. You know, we rounded. So, you know, again, it's one of those things you learn from, right? Like, you know, sports, entertainment, and business is very unique. You know, assets, you know, come available at different points in time. It's all about thinking about, you know, what do you think the asset is worth? What do you think you can do with it, you know, to translate to what you think it should be worth. And somewhere in that analysis you get to what you think you should pay for, right? And that's where you kinda make your move. And in that case, you know that there were just folks willing to pay for. [00:49:12] Dan Runcie: Yeah, no, I think that's a good point too. Cause I feel like I might be misquoting, but I feel like the Panther's bid was somewhere, I think it was under 3 billion at least.[00:49:20] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, I believe you're right. I wanna be careful. I just don't remember exactly. But yeah, I remember it being less than 3 billion and I think the number they're saying for Washington Commanders now, like 7 billion and so I imagine, you know, like when you think about where the value of that Panthers is going, probably going. They probably did really well. So I mean, again, and we believed it was gonna do well and continue to do well. I mean, when you look at the size of the deal, I guess Google or YouTube just did it with the NFL. The NFL is a platform, right? When you look at, at least for the last couple years, I haven't seen 2022. When you look at the list of the top 50 watched things on television every year, 40 plus of them are football games. Right? Right. It's just that powerful of an entertainment platform, so therefore commands the prices of command. [00:50:12] Dan Runcie: Yeah. Well, hopefully. Whether it's this group or some combination of others that we know we're interested in. Hopefully we see something happen soon in the sports ownership space. But this was great. I know we covered a bunch of topics in this one, and before we let you go though, is there anything that you didn't cover that the audience should stay looking out for or that we should be thinking about moving forward?[00:50:34] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, I think 23 is a year that the audience should look out for a lot from, from the Combs organization. You know, music out of Love Records, including album and power, global e-commerce platform. Kinda reimagining how, you know, black people circulate dollars in our community. You know, the cannabis venture closing and beginning to build brands and establish meaningful footprints in the markets that it's in. There's just a lot of new things in 23, so there will be a lot coming outta our camp that we're super excited about, and so it's gonna be big. [00:51:08] Dan Runcie: We'll keep our lookout for that, man. All right. Appreciate you spending the time, man.[00:51:12] Tarik Brooks: Thanks so much, man.Take care.[00:51:14] Dan Runcie: If you enjoyed this podcast, go ahead and share it with a friend. Copy the link, text it to a friend, post it in your group chat. Post it in your Slack groups. Wherever you and your people talk, spread the word. That's how capital continues to grow and continues to reach the right people. And while you're at it, if you use Apple Podcast, go ahead. Rate the podcast, give it a high rating, and leave a review. Tell people why you like the podcast. That helps more people. Discover the show. Thank you in advance. Talk to you next week.

Grit or resiliency is one of the most important traits in modern life, especially if you're a Founder. Our guest today Reed Switzer is one of the youngest guests on Tank Talks, and he's been a Founder or Co-Founder of multiple companies. His current venture is Hopscotch, a simple, easy-to-use business payments platform that grew out of Reed's frustrations as a small business owner.About Reed Switzer:Reed Switzer is an entrepreneur and rising product leader in the financial technology space.Born and raised in New York, Reed got his start bussing tables at a local diner. In his early professional career, he developed a passion for apparel and launched his own brand in partnership with a couple of friends. He later served as Operations Lead for a music streaming startup led by the former CFO of Combs Enterprises.In 2021, studying finance and technology at Wharton, Reed decided to drop out of school to pursue his entrepreneurial spirit. He founded and currently leads Hopscotch, a FinTech startup backed by Stellation Capital, Shine Capital, NOEMIS Ventures, 3KVC, Valar Ventures, NfX, Valor Equity Partners, Red & Blue Ventures, The MBA Fund, Switch Ventures, and Brightlane Ventures.A word from our sponsor:At Ripple, we manage all of our fund expenses and employee credit cards using Jeeves. The team at Jeeves helped get me and my team setup with physical and virtual credit cards in days. I was able to allow my teammates to expense items in multiple currencies allowing them to pay for anything, anywhere at anytime. We weren't asked for any personal guarantees or to pay any setup or monthly SaaS fees.Not only does Jeeves save us time, but they also give us cash back on our purchases including expenses like Google, Facebook, or AWS every month. New users can earn up to 3% cashback for their first 90 days.The best part is Jeeves puts up the cash, and you settle up once every 30 days in any currency you want, unlike some other corporate card companies that make you pre-pay every month. Jeeves also recently launched its Jeeves Growth and Working Capital initiative for startups and fast-growing companies to enable more financial freedom for companies. The best thing of all is that Jeeves is live in  24 countries including Canada, the US and many other countries around the world.Jeeves truly offers the best all-in-one expense management corporate card program for all startups especially the ones at Ripple and we at Tank Talks could not be more excited to officially partner with them. Listeners of Tank Talks can get set up with a demo of Jeeves today and take advantage of our Tank Talks special with a‍ $250 statement credit after the first $2,500 in spend or a $500 statement credit after the first $5000 in spend. Lastly, all Jeeves cardholders receive access to their Lounge Pass program and access to over 1300 airports globally.Visit tryjeeves.com/tanktalks to learn more.In this episode we discuss:02:47 Reed's career in startups03:46 Using google to learn early lessons in entrepreneurship05:25 The decision to drop out of school to start Hopscotch06:49 Reed's tenacious approach to cold reach to find advisors and investors09:32 The decision to bring on more seasoned Co-Founders and advisors10:53 Why business payments was such an exciting field to explore12:49 How Hopscotch is aiming to be Venmo for businesses14:28 The difference between Hopscoth and its competition15:41 What the Hopscotch Risk Score is16:15 The Hopscotch business model16:49 Long term vision for Hopscotch18:29 How Hopscotch leverages its data20:25 Dealing with competition in FinTech and SaaS21:46 Who the ideal customer is for Hopscotch22:52 Who Hopscotch is currently serving24:42 How they are dealing with higher interest rates and protecting their business25:51 Best ways they are attracting customers28:03 Plans for their recent fundraiseFast Favorites:*

From music to commerce, Sean “Diddy” Combs has been influencing culture for decades. Combs Enterprises is an agency with a portfolio of various businesses and investments like REVOLT TV & Media, Bad Boy Entertainment and more. In this episode, we hear from CMO of Combs Enterprises Deon Graham about his journey into the media industry and how the company is shaping the media landscape for the next generation.Share your thoughts with me at @colmeetsworld.Subscribe to Young Influentials on your favorite podcast platform!You can listen and subscribe to all of Adweek's podcasts by visiting adweek.com/podcasts.Stay updated on all things Adweek Podcast Network by following us on Twitter: @adweekpodcasts.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at podcast@adweek.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Benzinga Exclusive Interview: Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Right-Hand Man Tarik Brooks Tells All, Why Combs Enterprises Is Getting Into Cannabis

Andrea Sengara is the head of marketing at Campari America. Andrea joined Campari in 2020 after over two decades of experience within the alcohol beverage industry, including senior leadership roles across Diageo, Combs Enterprises, and, most recently, Moet Hennessey LVMH.  Today, Andrea oversees all facets of marketing for Campari Group's premium portfolio of brands, including Aperol, Campari, SKYY Vodka, Espolòn Tequila, Grand Marnier, and Wild Turkey. In this conversation with Lippe Taylor CEO Paul Dyer, Andrea gets into her career history, including what it was like to work closely with Sean Combs, or Puff Daddy, or Puffy or Diddy, or I can't keep up anymore, but yes, him. Andrea also explores marketing in a post covid world and her key ingredients for powerful earned marketing campaigns. All this and so much more on today's episode of Frictionless Marketing.  Here are some key takeaways from this conversation with Campari's Head of Marketing, Andrea Sengara.  Global perspectives yield better communications.  Andrea stated that "impactful, interesting ideas come from when we bring different people with different backgrounds and different experiences together to try to crack an opportunity," which is a great guideline. Diversity of thought and experience enables well-rounded teams, as well as well-rounded comms functions. Considering that the main goal of any comms campaign is to reach & influence an audience effectively, the best path forward is for your message to be informed and crafted by multiple perspectives to enable your message to be more universal and, therefore, impactful. Marry legacy with new technology.  Decades ago, Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini did an ad campaign with Campari, and to pay homage to that partnership, Campari recently created a short film on Fellini using AI technology. The intelligence in Campari's execution was in how they honored their legacy ad campaigns but modernized them by using today's technology, in this case with AI. Digging deep into the archives of your brand's previous campaigns and modernizing them with today's technology can lead to new perspectives on older ideas and very interesting marketing.  Yield the formula for earned marketing.  As an agency, Lippe Taylor is a big believer in Earned Marketing, the idea that brands have to earn a place in culture by doing real things in the real world to attract and earn real attention instead of just running ads. When asked about earned marketing, Andrea brilliantly broke down the equation she and her team at Campari think through in order to crack an earned campaign. She stated that the foundation of earned marketing is knowing what you stand for as a brand, knowing what your consumer cares about, and observing what is being talked about. Brilliant earned marketing campaigns can occur at the nexus of these three ideals, so consider this in your next brainstorming session.  Thanks for listening! Don't forget to subscribe today! ----- Produced by https://podcastlaunch.pro (Simpler Media)

On our season five finale we discuss P Diddy's life time achievement award speech and how this led into a thought about the 5 biggest money myths in Hip Hop history. We study advice given by The Wire that tells us to follow the money which leads into a Déjà Vu moment about money myths that are happening today, and how it all connects back to the Bad Boy himself.  Reference Materials: + Diddy Receives His Lifetime Achievement Crown

#Throwback to a keynote conversation I had with the talented, Ingrid Best, at my annual women's empowerment event, Spoiled Latina Day, in 2020. She is the Former EVP of Spirits Marketing at Combs Enterprises, and now the CEO and Wine Negotiant of iBest Wines! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thespoiledlatinashow/support

In this episode i sit down with Entertainment Entrepreneur CIERRA BROOKS. We discuss her upbringing in Baltimore Maryland, her career highlights working with America's Top Model, Radio One, Grand Hustle, Combs Enterprises, Revolt TV, Creative Seven Agency, advice, plus much more... --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/intuitive-minds-podcast/support

EP 179 Aaron interviewed  Dia Simms CEO of LOBOS 1707 Tequila & Mezcal & CO-FOUNDER, PRONGHORN. Dia is Morgan State University Alum, she resides  in Columbia MD. We discuss her journey from living in NYC and moving to Baltimore. Dia  worked for over 15 years with Sean "Diddy" Combs or P.Diddy  with his Ciroc Brand. She discusses how she became the CEO of LOBOS 1707 Tequila & Mezcal that is invested by Lebron James. We talk about being a CO-FOUNDER for PRONGHORN and how the company will help minorities get into the SPIRITS game.  I've told you enough go listen to this amazing episode.    Dia Simms is co-founder of PRONGHORN, a stand-alone business established to create a  scalable template for diversifying an industry. The initial aim will be to cultivate the next  generation of Black entrepreneurs, employees and executive leaders within the spirits industry  through sustainable investment, incubation and recruitment. The pronghorn is the fastest North  American land mammal and can endure speeds for miles. Inspired by its namesake, Pronghorn  believes creating real change is a marathon, not a sprint.  Dia Simms also serves as the CEO of Lobos 1707 Tequila & Mezcal, an independent spirits brand that launched in November 2020. Simms leads Lobos 1707 alongside Founder and Chief  Creative Officer Diego Osorio, with early backing by sports and cultural icon, LeBron James.  Lobos 1707 Tequila & Mezcal is named after the Spanish word lobos, meaning "wolves", and  dedicated to celebrating the strength of the pack. Simms brings an impressive track record of  building successful brands, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit and deep expertise in the  spirits industry to Lobos 1707.   Simms spent almost fifteen years working alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs at Combs Enterprises,  starting in 2005 as his executive assistant. She grew within the company while building multiple  brands and businesses under the Combs Enterprises umbrella. In 2017, Simms was named  President of Combs Enterprises, making her the first president in the company's thirty-year  history other than Sean Combs himself. In her role as President, she oversaw multi-billion-dollar  brands under the Combs empire, including: CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka, Blue Flame Agency,  AQUAhydrate, Bad Boy Entertainment, Sean John and Revolt TV. Of note, Simms led the  transformation of CÎROC Ultra- Premium Vodka taking the previously unprofitable brand to a  $2 billion retail value.   Simms was listed as “One of the Most Powerful Executives in the Industry'' by Billboard in both  2017 and 2018, as well as named to the Ebony 'Power 100' list. In April of 2018, she was an  honoree of the Matrix Awards from New York Women In Communications (NYWIC), as well  as named to the 2018 Ad Age ‘Women to Watch' list and Variety's ‘Power of Women New  York Impact List'. Simms serves on the board for the Maryland organization THREAD, which  provides underprivileged Baltimore-area high-school students resources to help foster their  academic advancement and personal growth. She often speaks on the importance of diverse  leadership and accelerated brand building.   Simms graduated with a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Morgan State University. She  obtained a master's degree in Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. Simms now  resides in Maryland where she lives with her husband, daughter and dog. www.pronghorn.co www.lobos1707.com Sponsors of NoPixAfterDarkPodcast Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com FoundStudio Shop @foundstudioshop  Charm Craft City Mafia @charmcitycraftmafia  Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com Open Works @open_works_bmore  Baltimore Fiscal @baltimorefiscal  Snug Book. @snugbooksbmore

Tarik Brooks is an entrepreneur, financial professional and executive who has earned a reputation for using value-driven actions to secure success. He serves as president of Combs Enterprises, where he oversees and advises business operations and investments owned by Sean “Love" Combs.The company's diverse portfolio includes spirit brands CÎROC® Vodka and DeLeón® Tequila, media platform Revolt TV, Capital Preparatory Schools and the Sean John fashion label.Brooks is a graduate of Howard University and Harvard Business School. Before joining Combs Enterprises, he served as a senior leader at an investment management firm.City National Bank CEO Kelly Coffey was thrilled to welcome Brooks as a guest on her podcast, “Conversations," for a discussion about career growth, managing a diverse portfolio and empowering communities with the power of opportunity.This podcast is for general information and education only and is provided as a courtesy to the clients and friends of City National Bank. It is compiled from data and sources believed to be reliable, however City National Bank does not warrant that it is accurate or complete. Opinions expressed and estimates given are those of the speaker as of the date of the podcast with no obligation to update or notify of inaccuracy or change.

In recongition of Women's History Month, this week's installment of the Detroit Worldwide Podcast highlights the stories of dynamic women who work in the field of arts, sports, and entertainment. In this episode, Marquis kicks off Women's History Month by connecting with sports, entertainment, and education professional Sankaya Hall. Sankaya has created a hybrid career for herself through the various companies that she's worked for which include BET, TV One, Google, and the NFL where she currently serves as a member the New York Giants' production staff. During this interview, Sankaya discusses her upbringing in Detroit, the foundation given to her by Alma Mater (Texas Southern University) and the steps she took to create a hybrid career .She also discusses strategies for those that wish to explore their passions beyond their 9-5 job and career. About Sankaya:Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Sankaya C. Hall is a “Jill of All Trades” who's spent the last 10 years creating a hybrid career for herself in both the Higher Education and Entertainment industries. Sankaya currently  serves as a Media Communications Professor at Full Sail University and freelance Event Producer in the Orlando, FL area. Prior to returning to Full Sail , Sankaya worked with the New York Football Giants as a Game Day Events & Entertainment Production Associate; and Account Manager for Wasserman Media Group, where she managed a historic sponsorship deal between the NFL and Diageo brands. In addition to her Detroit roots, Sankaya credits her time at Texas Southern University for laying the foundation for her unforeseeable success. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication from the Houston HBCU, then went on to earn a master's degree in Corporate Communications & Public Relations from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. In addition to her educational accomplishments, she has worked for a variety of companies including BET, TV One, YouTube, Google, and Combs Enterprises.Sankaya is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Administration from University of Southern Mississippi's online program, in which she hopes to study the needs of first-generation college students in Communication degree programs. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  Connect with Sankaya:Instagram: @sankayachallLinkedIn:  Sankaya C. Hall

In this bonus school episode, Ingrid returns to share her insight on the rise of black & brown brands after the George Floyd protests. In addition, she advises black & brown entrepreneurs to research the resources & grants that companies are actively creating to support their brands. Finally, Ingrid drops some much-needed advice on marketing to consumers when you have a budget.  Ingrid Best is the CEO & Wine Negociant of her namesake wine brand iBest Wines, launching 2022. Prior to her current role, she was the Executive Vice President, Global Head of Marketing of Spirits at Combs Enterprises overseeing the Cîroc Ultra-Premium Vodka and DeLeón Tequila businesses.  She has worked at the largest wine & spirits suppliers on the biggest brands including Diageo (Cîroc Ultra-Premium Vodka and DeLeón Tequila), Moët Hennessy (Hennessy and Belvedere) and Bacardi (D'USSE). Host: @itstanyatime Guest IG: @ms_ibest Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Ingrid Best is breaking barriers and changing perceptions of women in the Spirits Industry.  She is the CEO & Wine Negociant of her namesake wine brand iBest Wines, launching 2022. Prior to her current role, she was the Executive Vice President, Global Head of Marketing of Spirits at Combs Enterprises overseeing the Cîroc Ultra-Premium Vodka and DeLeón Tequila businesses.  She has worked at the largest wine & spirits suppliers on the biggest brands including Diageo (Cîroc Ultra-Premium Vodka and DeLeón Tequila), Moët Hennessy (Hennessy and Belvedere) and Bacardi (D'USSE). Ingrid shares with us the significance of following your passions, surrounding yourself with people that support you, her experience advocating for women and people of color in the spirits industry, and the best tools for marketing in the digital age. Host: @itstanyatime Guest IG: @ms_ibest Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Tarik shares his unconventional career path from attending the top schools to moving to another country to build hotels to his current position as President of Combs Enterprises. Great listen and inspiration to go for it.

Ericka Pittman is a highly accomplished marketing executive with more than 25 years of success in the CPG, beauty, luxury goods, tech and media industries working at companies such as Combs Enterprises, Vibe Media Grp to name a few! Ericka talks to Meera about how to reach success in your corporate career, gives plenty of tips, shares some of the wisdom P Diddy gave her, and talks about her hit book, What Mommy Never Told You: A Young Woman's Guide to the Next Phases of Life. In this week's motivational segment Meera gives some tips on how to change your perception. Visit theschoolofsass.com for more life wisdom

Today on the show we had Ingrid Best who spoke about what empowers women in business, Combs Enterprises, new ventures and more. Also, Charlamagne gave "Donkey of the Day" to a man so desperate to get his woman back that he kidnapped her just to pretend to save her;some donkey's you just can't make up. Moreover, we ended up opening up the phone lines to see if any of our. listeners did anything desperate and toxic to get their partner back based off the "Donkey of the Day". Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Combs Enterprises President, Tarik Brooks, came on the Trapital Podcast to talk his role managing the Combs Enterprises portfolio of brands, which includes Ciroc, Bad Boy Entertainment, Revolt, Sean John, AquaHydrate, and more. We talked about how to measure Diddy’s value-add as an investor, Tarik’s experience working for both Diddy and Robert L. Johnson, and why Diddy sought mentorship from Ray Dalio, and more. This episode originally ran on February 4, 2020. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.co Guest: Tarik Brooks, @tarikamin, combsenterprises.com Trapital is home for the business of hip-hop. Gain the latest insights from hip-hop’s biggest players by reading Trapital’s free weekly memo.  trapital.co/newsletter

As the President of Combs Enterprises, Tarik A. Brooks oversees all business operations and investments owned by Sean “Diddy” Combs. This diverse portfolio includes ventures in spirits (Ciroc Vodka and DeLeon Tequila), media (REVOLT TV), music (Bad Boy Records), consumer packaged goods (AquaHydrate) and education (Capital Preparatory Schools). Brooks also leads all new business development activity, including the launch of Our Fair Share, a platform that helped African American owned businesses access capital through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). In this role he manages a team of business unit leaders and serves as Combs's conduit to a broad set of stakeholders. Brooks serves on the boards of REVOLT, DeLeon Tequila, AquaHydrate and Capital Prep Harlem. Also mentioned in this episode: Our Black Party Our Fair Share Ray Dalio, Sean Combs Technologies: 5G, Blockchain, AR / VR / XR Howard University Host: Bryndan Moore Co-Host: Dr. Maurice Dolberry #TheBlackFuturist #RevoltTV #Ciroc #OurBlackParty Prior to Combs Enterprises, Brooks was the Chief Operating Officer of the Account Management and Trading department at Bridgewater Associates, a global investment management firm with approximately $160 billion under management. He was responsible for building and managing the Program Management Office, overseeing the department budgets and leading long-term planning. He was previously the Executive Vice President at RLJ Companies, a portfolio of companies led by investor Robert L. Johnson, where he led the development of several businesses including several gaming/nightlife ventures in the Caribbean and the completion of RLJ Kendeja, a resort hotel in Monrovia, Liberia. Throughout his career, Tarik has represented companies in a variety of transactions, including acquisitions and capital raises, led major strategic initiatives and oversaw compliance in highly regulated industries. Tarik is a graduate of Howard University and Harvard Business School. Additionally, he serves on boards a The Pilgrim School and Private School Village. Tarik lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/theblackfuturist/message

Love Whelchel has spent years in the entertainment, advertising, and tech sectors, starting as a roady for N.W.A, working as the global chief talent officer at Y&R, and the chief human resources officer at Sean "P. Diddy" Combs's Bad Boy Entertainment (now Combs Enterprises). He's currently a digital entertainment and technology entrepreneur. Love and Marco cover how to stand out at every moment of the hiring process, how to find companies that prioritize substance over style, and the continued importance of a simple maxim: working harder—and smarter—than the next person. For more on Love, check out his LinkedIn.Marco's book is Primitive: Tapping the Primal Drive that Powers the World's Most Successful People.Discover your own Primitive Quotient at PrimitiveTest.com.Primitive Moves is brought to you by Gettysburg College. The students you heard on this podcast are part of its Entrepreneurship Program. 

Women's History Feature - Andrea Sengara Andrea Sengara, VP of Marketing at Campari is this week's guest on the Power of Owning Your Career Podcast. Andrea takes us on her career journey and tells us why she said no to her dream job. Learn how she continues to win her career and get your weekly dose of career empowerment. You don't want to miss all the gems from this week's episode. Subscribe, listen, share and review this episode. https://www.simonemorrisenterprises.org/podcastbooks Reach the podcast at connectwithsimone.com | pooyc@simonemorris.com.    More About Andrea: Andrea Sengara is a seasoned global marketing leader. She has more than two decades of experience within the beverage alcohol industry, including over a decade implementing innovative strategies in senior leadership roles across Diageo, Combs Enterprises, and most recently Moet Hennessey LVMH.  Sengara oversees all facets of marketing for Campari Group's premium portfolio of brands, such as Aperol®, Campari®, SKYY Vodka®, Espolòn Tequila®, Grand Marnier® and Wild Turkey® – from groundbreaking innovation to digital transformation. In an industry where brands are inherently social, Sengara will explore what experiences and consumer engagement looks like in a post-COVID environment – identifying new opportunities to help consumers discover and experience Campari America's portfolio of brands. 

Tezlyn chats with Corey Jacobs (@coreysjacobs), the co-founder of the Buried Alive Project and Senior Advisor to the Chairman, Sean Combs, at Combs Enterprises to discuss how, at the age of 30, Corey was sentenced to 16 life sentences for federal drug offenses – his first-ever felony convictions and how on December 19, 2016, Corey received clemency from President Barack Obama after serving over 18 years in prison. 

Tarik Brooks, President of Combs Enterprises, talks about the importance of investing in Black business, and how Combs Enterprises teamed up with JP Morgan to support minority entrepreneurs. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Inspired by a flawed criminal justice system Brittany Barnett left her job as a corporate lawyer to take on our judicial system, “pro bono”, which was and is still disproportionately jailing black and brown people convicted of drug crimes based on unfair, bias and outdated laws. .. Brittany first came to national attention when she and her co-counsel were able to successfully litigate the release of 17 people in 90 days serving unfair sentences for drug crimes. .. Her organization “Buried Alive” received funding and endorsement from television personality and influencer #kimkardashianwest . http://www.buriedaliveproject.org/ .. This organization was founded by Brittany, along With Co-founders #Sharandajones, successful entrepreneur and criminal justice advocate and #Coreyjacobs, Senior advisor to Sean P Diddy Combs at Combs Enterprises. Both, Sharanda and Corey, were at one point sentenced to life in prison for federal drug charges with NO prior drug convictions and were cases in which Brittany litigated. .. To date, Brittany along with co-counsel has litigated over 50 cases for early release and has been extremely active utilizing her resources for criminal justice reform. .. Her passion , activism and fight has been well documented. What some may not know Is that Brittany is also a trucking entrepreneur. .. Staying true to her WHY, Brittnay teamed up with one of her former clients, who served 15 years in prison, to build a Trucking company, Trustworthy Trucking. She has since grown her fleet and looks to expand in 2021 as she learns the business and provides opportunities for the formerly incarcerated people. .. Brittnay hopes to inspire and also help fund others in their endeavors as they re-enter society. .. Wait there is more ... .. This year Brittany also penned the Best Selling and Top rated #1 book by Amazon “A Knock At Midnight’” in which she’s shares her journey and the stories that guided her path. A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom https://www.amazon.com/dp/198482578X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_tTe2Fb5XTGPS8 .. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/trucknhustle/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/trucknhustle/support

In this episode, the founder of new spirits company Lobos 1707 shares what drove him to start a premium agave spirits line with basketball superstar Lebron James and former president of Combs Enterprises, CEO Dia Simms. Founder Diego Osorio, a Spanish actor and entrepreneur, discusses how the three came together to begin the project and the innovative production style that they developed in the process.Learn more about Park Street: https://www.parkstreet.com/Sign up for our daily industry newsletter: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/3ONywJQFollow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkstreetcompanies/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkStreetCompanies/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkStreetNewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkstreetcompanies/

Bob and Eric sit down with the Chief Marketing Officer of Viola Brands, Ericka Pittman to discuss her illustrious career at Combs Enterprises prior to entering the cannabis space, the importance of minority-owned cannabis businesses given the disproportionate impact of drug policy on people of color in the United States, and how Viola Brands has adjusted its marketing strategy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hoban Law Group created The Hoban Minute to get closer to our network, highlight the many voices that make up this multifaceted global industry and provide a broader perspective on cannabis, hemp, and marijuana international markets.    Contact Hoban Law Group for all your cannabusiness legal needs.

Ashley + Ashley welcome to the studio Ingrid Best, Vice President of Marketing for Combs Enterprises, and Shayla Cowan, Chief of Staff at Will Packer Productions and Will Packer Media. They chat about Black Girl Magic, the importance of MENtors, and dodging kidnap vans.Included in the discussion:00:45 – Ashley + Ashley welcome their guests and discuss Ingrid and Shayla's positions as successful Black Women in this moment of profound change.13:55 – What's it like to work alongside some of the most powerful players in the entertainment industry? Shayla and Ingrid discuss their career trajectories and how to identify your mentors.19:45 – Would you rather share your closet or your bathroom with your man? Everyone weighs in, and the answers may surprise you.22:41 – Sometimes your friends can't quite get on board with your manifestation destination. Ashley W is put in the hot seat.26:55 – When it comes to money, what are the ladies looking for in a romantic partnership?38:08 - Question Time! Listen in as everyone discusses the appropriate time to show the true you, psychic readings, and the magic of mushrooms.Follow the show:www.askashleypodcast.com@askashleypodcast on InstagramAsk Ashley on YouTubeAsk Ashley on FacebookFollow Ashley W:www.dearyoungqueen.com@dearyoungqueen on InstagramFollow Ashley N:www.shopanstyle.com@ashleynorthstyle on InstagramFollow Ingrid Best:@ms_ibest on InstagramFollow Shayla Cowan:@shayla_pc on InstagramThis episode is presented by Dear Young Queenwith production by Due South Media©2020 Dear Young Queen

In this episode, i sit down with DTLR's radio "FlexxRated Radio" Show's and TV own, THE MASSIVE HOST KING FLEXXA, we discuss his upbringing in Brooklyn, his experience in DMV area hosting some of the most prominent venues, we also cover his experience as an ambassador of Combs Enterprises, and much more --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/intuitive-minds-podcast/support

The Lifestyle Specialist Kenny Burns is a 20+ year music and entertainment industry influencer and executive. He was Senior Vice President of Brand Development at Combs Enterprises, the entrepreneurial aim for Sean P. Diddy Combs, and launched REVOLT TV while managing the Ciroc and Deleon Tequila brands for Combs Enterprises as well. He started his own company, 2620 Music, and monopolized Atlanta’s party scene in the mid 90’s. His clothing line Ryan Kenny, which launched in 2004 garnered him the recognition of the second Black designer in Saks Fifth Avenue. Kenny also served as an executive at Roc-A-Fella records. Kenny chat’s with Will Lucas about monetizing your personal brand and staying authentic with your business moves.

Since the murder of George Floyd, protests and unrest have swept the country, reaching all fifty states. More and more people see the need to discuss racism and the brutality and oppression faced by too many Americans. But where should that discussion begin? On this episode of Women of Impact with Lisa Bilyeu, Dia Simms, president of Combs Enterprises, addresses the uncomfortable conversations we all need to have, breaks down the structure and history of systemic racism, and advocates staying ruthlessly focused on overcoming the problem as quickly as possible. This episode is brought to you by: Impact Theory University: university.impacttheory.com Better Help: Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/womenofimpact and use discount code WOMENOFIMPACT Best Fiends: Download Best Fiends FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play. REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE Jane Elliott’s Blue Eye/Brown Eye Study: https://youtu.be/6gi2T0ZdKVc Jane Elliott Blue Eye/Brown Eye study (condensed): https://www.instagram.com/p/CBLd0j4DNX4/ Thread Baltimore: https://www.thread.org/ National Urban League: https://nul.org/ Revolt TV: https://www.revolt.tv/ Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk about Power Posing: https://youtu.be/Ks-_Mh1QhMc Amy Cuddy Successfully Refutes Criticism: https://bit.ly/3f0SrnI Andreessen Horowitz Announces new fund designed to invest in underrepresented founders: https://tcrn.ch/3hc4wIC ARTICLES: How to Make This Moment the Turning Point for Real Change: https://bit.ly/2YmNgYi Your Difficult Questions About Race in America, Answered: https://bit.ly/2MLNNO9 TV/MOVIES/PODCASTS: -13th (Netflix) -When They See Us (Netflix) -Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap (Netflix) -LA 92 (Netflix) -1619 Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j5MhJCMBvOjF1Asi9LPLX?si=el6TNr1RSjq4aFzzkvTJAQ   What resources have you guys been using to learn more about systemic racism? Please share in the comments below so we can all learn together!   SHOW NOTES:   Police brutality represents only a fraction of the brutality that needs to be addressed [3:13] Dia describes the sorts of uncomfortable conversations that we all need to have [6:11] Dia explains why she needs to be dressed to the nines just to avoid being abused [7:54] Lisa talks about how powerful it is when you feel a connection to another’s experience [11:58] Dia gives a basic breakdown of systemic racism, its history and current reality [14:12] Dia talks about the famous, ground-breaking brown eyes/blue eyes story [17:34] Dia and Lisa discuss the failures and limitations of the American education system [21:10] “You can’t be what you don’t see.” [25:27] It’s not easy to change habitual ways of thinking, but it is possible and necessary [29:04] We are all inextricably connected, so how do we move ahead together? [33:25] Lisa talks about how protests and unrest have pushed her to talk about racism [38:28] Dia discusses the importance of humility and clear, honest communication [39:58] Dia advocates staying ruthlessly focused on overcoming systemic racism [43:35] Dia recommends resources and people to follow [47:41]   FOLLOW LISA: Instagram: https://bit.ly/2TIsoKh  YouTube: https://bit.ly/2IAbTcH  Podcast: https://spoti.fi/2IEajGW    FOLLOW DIA: INSTAGRAM: https://bit.ly/2IksIJi FACEBOOK: https://bit.ly/2x00xcm  TWITTER: https://bit.ly/2XUkoWa 

In Episode 023 of the podcast, Casey unpacked the pending lawsuit and contract dispute between Megan Thee Stallion and her record label 1501 Entertainment. Has Meg been overreacting, or is the contract as terrible as the social media wars would have you think? Well today, we’re back with an update!  In today’s episode, we take a look at Meg’s recent victories in court and what they really mean (p.s. It may not be what you think!). To help steer the conversation, Casey has teamed with fellow entertainment and music attorney, Corian Johnson. The two discuss where both parties of this lawsuit went wrong when they initially signed this contract, the standard terms that should be included in every contract to help steer disputes, and so much more!  More on Corian Corian Johnson is an associate at Robert D. Clements Jr., Law Group, LLP. He was born in Fort Stewart, Georgia and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. Corian obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice from Texas Southern University. He also received his law degree from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law.    Prior to earning his law degree, Corian gained experience in the entertainment industry, working with such companies as Radio-One, ScoreMore and CIROC (via Combs Enterprises). His professional memberships include: The Houston Bar Association and The Recording Academy (GRAMMY’s) - Texas Chapter. Corian is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and enjoys serving the community in his spare time. Where to Find Corian Instagram: @corian_esq The best way for Audience to Contact You: corian.johnson18@gmail.com

Combs Enterprises COO Tarik Brooks came on the Trapital Podcast to talk his role managing the Combs Enterprises portfolio of brands, which includes Ciroc, Bad Boy Entertainment, Revolt, Sean John, AquaHydrate, and more. We talked about how to measure Diddy’s value-add as an investor, Tarik’s experience working for both Diddy and Robert L. Johnson, and why Diddy sought mentorship from Ray Dalio, and more. Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | YouTube | Overcast | RSS Host: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.coGuest: Tarik Brooks, @tarikamin, combsenterprises.com/tarik-brooks/ Hip-hop’s influence continues to grow. Learn how it impacts your business. Join the execs, CEOs, and moguls who read Trapital: trapital.co/welcome

This episodes guest is a major inspiration for me having the courage to do this podcast. His positive words, vibes, and motivation through action are infectious. He is a master at his craft, which is living life to the fullest, and getting paid for it. He's traveled the world doing what he loves by being nothing more than his best self, and if he could, he would teach the world to do the same by following their passions. We got to kick it on his last trip to NY and he shared his story, check out how Kenny Burns became the Lifestyle Specialist... Follow us: @maskoffpod Hosted by: @hwmk Kenny Burns Website: Studio 43 IG: @kennyburns Twitter: @kennyburns INTRIGUING. INFLUENCER. OUTSTANDING. EXCEPTIONAL. CRUCIAL. THE DREAM IS REAL. These words only scratch the surface of who Kenny Burns is. The list of outstanding accomplishments goes on and on, including work across various fields such as music, fashion, lifestyle marketing, television and radio. Kenny Burns always knew he was destined for great things. He enrolled at Morris Brown College in Atlanta one year after graduating high school. Rightfully dubbed “The Lifestyle Specialist,” Kenny Burns is the modern day Robin Leach. His influence can be felt across the Entertainment Industry and his ability to inspire and influence change is undeniable. Rising to every occasion and surpassing all goals and expectations has been his objective since the start of his career, and through his hard work and dedication, Kenny Burns has proved that what you dream you can achieve! 90's: 2620 Music, known for introducing some of the biggest acts in hiphop history to the Atlanta market in the mid 90’s. This included superstars such as the late Notorious B.I.G. and the living hip-hop legend, Jay Z. Promoted R&B singer Monica’s debut album Miss Thang and Jay Zʼs highly acclaimed Reasonable Doubt. Orchestrated the double platinum girl group, Dream. Instrumental in helping them secure one of the highest debuts for a girl group, coming in at #2 on the Billboard charts, second only to the Spice Girls. Served as Vice President at Mariah Carey’s Monarch Music and at Roc-A-Fella Records. 00's: Launched Ryan Kenny, the 2nd African American designed and owned apparel line sold in Saks Fifth Avenue. Gained exposure to the masses when pieces from the line appeared in Jay Z’s music video for “Change Clothes.” Worked with global brands such as AXE, Heineken, and Belvedere/MH USA. Launched The Kenny Burns Show (TKBS) + morning show fill in at #1 Urban radio station in the country - Atlanta’s V-103. The mic brought him to back hosting high profile events for AG Entertainment. 10's: Greg Goose taps him, his roles ranged from National Brand Ambassador, to talent procurement and event execution, to launching and starring in a nationally televised campaign for Grey Goose Cherry Noir featuring DJ A-Trak, Neon Hitch and others. Creation of his documentary, B.U.R.N.S (Be Ultimately Realistic and Never Sellout). Kenny had the honor of premiering B.U.R.N.S at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in Miami. In October of 2013, Kenny released his first book entitled, The Dream Is Real. This is considered his most thoughtful project to date. The book goes beyond B.U.R.N.S and details his life story and his belief that success is defined solely by you and your body of work. Kenny joined Combs Enterprises, the entrepreneurial arm for entertainment mogul, Sean Combs. Serving as Senior Vice President of Brand Development, Kenny worked with CÎROC Vodka, Bad Boy, REVOLT TV, AquaHydrate and DeLeón Tequila.

Dia Simms has had an extraordinary career, from the Department of Defense, to radio and pharmaceutical sales, to her current position as President of Combs Enterprises (a company led by music legend Sean “Diddy” Combs). After a bit of coffee talk (sharing her java preferences and her own experience working at a coffee shop), Dia shares amazing career advice, including the importance of negotiation skills, how to get promoted up through a company, and the value of making time for philanthropy. And don’t miss her flawless answer to the familiar question: “Where do you see yourself in five years?"

Diddy called D.C Young Fly about Tim at the DC improv and when the squad got their schedule together, they all pulled up to Sunset Boulevard and Combs Enterprises for a talk to get The 85 South Show on Revolt. After the meeting, then a stop at the dispensary and Roscoes the original crew gets together to break down all this guru talk. Fly, Lous, Chico and Clayton share the day with the #notificationsquad FOLLOW THE CREW KARLOUS MILLER - https://www.facebook.com/karlousm/ DCYOUNGFLY - https://www.facebook.com/DcYoungFly1/ CHICO BEAN - https://www.facebook.com/OldSchoolFool/ BILLY SORRELLS - https://www.facebook.com/billysorrells/ FAT AND PAID - https://www.facebook.com/Fatandpaid/ DARREN BRAND - https://www.facebook.com/darrenbigbab... CLAYTON ENGLISH - http://www.claytonenglish.com/ JOE T. NEWMAN - http://www.ayoungplayer.com CHAD OUBRE - https://www.instagram.com/chadoubre/ LANCE CRAYTON - https://www.instagram.com/cat_queso/ J.O.N - https://www.instagram.com/heeeyj_o_n/ CRIAG GRAVES - https://www.instagram.com/craigshoots23/

Sean ''Diddy'' Combs is the definition of a mogul. As Chairman and CEO of Combs Enterprises, he has a diverse portfolio of businesses and investments covering the music, fashion, fragrance, beverage, marketing, film, and television industries. Following the release of his 2017 documentary, Can't Stop Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story; Combs sat down with host Scott Goldman, alongside the doc’s co-producer, Heather Parry, to chat about the making of the film and his musical legacy. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Every Wednesday experience the unlocking of secrets to success, how to handle the worst and the best life throws at you. Get past The Pretty; the glitz and the glam that many see on social media. The Ugly; the bedrock beginnings and hard times that are difficult that make you question your path. The Grind; the hustle the sleepless nights that no one sees's which develops The G Code's; life lessons which foster Success. Get ready for The G-Code. Unlocking all Go Getta codes to success. Meet Dia Simms this week featured Go Getta on The G Code Podcast.   Dia Simms started her career at the U.S. Department of Defense, straight out of college which played a major role in her landing a position with Combs Enterprises as an assistant in 2005. In her position with the U.S Department of Defense, her very first job she had to negotiated $100 million contracts and worked with trainer jets in her early 20s. After joining forces with Diddy in 2005, she rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming chief of staff and then GM of The Blue Flame Agency, and then EVP and soon after the President of Combs Wines & Spirits and now President of Combs Enterprises. In her new role, Simms will oversee business activities across Combs' companies and investments and will work with him to develop their financial and operational growth. Combs Enterprises includes Bad Boy Entertainment, Sean John, Combs Wine & Spirits (Cîroc and DeLeón), AQUAhydrate, The Blue Flame advertising, and marketing agency, Bad Boy Touring, Janice Combs Publishing, Revolt Films and Revolt & TV, as well as ENYCE, Zac Posen, and the Combs Foundation. “There is nobody better equipped to run Combs Enterprises and lead us into the future,” Diddy said in a statement. “Dia's passion, ambition, hard work and commitment to excellence have produced an unparalleled record of success. She has created and grown countless businesses and inspired those around her to excel. Not only am I confident she will succeed in her new role, I am excited about everything Combs Enterprises will accomplish under her leadership.” -Variety.com   We are excited and honored to have Dia Simms on The G Code Listen to her interview below!           Check out The G-Code Weekly With ADRI.V The Go Getta for a dope motivational message and meetings with featured Go Getta's as they give you the G Codes to Success. Get to know The Pretty, The Ugly, The Grind of Success. Listen to The G-Code Here!

On this weeks episode of Culturation™ we speak with the Lifestyle Specialist, Kenny Burns. We discuss building a brand, the power of positivity and how to properly rock a party. Kenny is an entertainment industry executive, television/radio host and entrepreneur. He recently served as the Senior Vice President of Brand Development for Combs Enterprises, the entrepreneurial arm for entertainment mogul, Sean Combs, which houses brands such as Ciroc Vodka, Sean John, Bad Boy, Revolt TV, Combs Wine and Spirits, Aqua Hydrate, DeLeón Tequila and more. He has been featured in numerous publications and media outlets for his work, including his documentary B.U.R.N.S. and book The Dream Is Real. #KennyBurns #Culturation #PoweredByPremier #Entertainment #Entrepreneur #Influencer #Culture #Innovation #TheDreamIsReal #JustinEpstein www.culturationpodcast.com

In the debut episode of "Unwrapped", Janeen and Sonjie premier with a live podcast at a networking brunch. Partnering with the Raymond V. Hayesbert Sr. Entrepreneurship Center, Total Package, gave 12 young entrepreneurs an opportunity to meet and greet with career mavens. Dia Simms, President of Sean Combs Enterprises and the mastermind behind Ciroc, talks balancing marriage and motherhood while also running several of Diddy's top brands. Check out website www.tpthemag.com. Sponsored by House of Bombshell Hair Loss Solutions.