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How to get funding from deluded, self-congratulating investors

From 1997 to 2012 just 1% of VC funded companies had female founders. Three of those companies were mine. People tell me it’s much better for women now, but statistically, this is BS. I raised money for a startup recently, and here’s what I found works best for female founders: Get a male cofounder. Women raising money without […]

The post How to get funding from deluded, self-congratulating investors appeared first on Penelope Trunk Careers.










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From The Cure

DUE TO DEMAND... 'SONGS OF A LOST WORLD' (DELUXE EDITION) IS NOW AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK EMAILS & DOWNLOAD TO HEAR THE FIVE EXCLUSIVE LIVE TRACKS AT TheCure.lnk.to/WorldwideDeluxe




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Interview with Ben from Polydor

From Music Week:

"Robert Smith is beyond passionate": Polydor's Ben Mortimer on The Cure's triumphant return to No.1

by George Garner

It was very much a case of Friday, The UK's In Love for The Cure, as the iconic group and their label Polydor celebrated an incredible charts results day on Friday, November 8. 

More than 32 years after their only previous No.1 album, Robert Smith’s band marked an emphatic return to the top of the chart with their 14th studio release – and first for 16 years – Songs Of A Lost World.

Indeed, Polydor co-president Ben Mortimer has told Music Week that even when held against their own lofty expectations, the response from the public has been "overwhelming". Songs Of A Lost World has effectively done seven times the first week sales of 2008's 4:13 Dream, and outsold three of their last four albums' entire lifetime sales in one week. 

So, how does it look when broken down?

Well, for one, The Cure outsold the rest of the Top 5 combined, with a stellar opening frame of 51,362 sales (19,838 CDs, 23,182 vinyl albums, 1,219 cassettes, 4,546 digital downloads and 2,577 sales-equivalent streams) according to Official Charts Company data.

First week sales of Songs Of A Lost World are, in fact, the fifth highest on debut for any album in 2024, trailing only Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department (270,091), Coldplay’s Moon Music (236,796), Sabrina Carpenter’s Short N’ Sweet (89,658) and Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard & Soft (67,111). 

For further context, let's turn to Music Week charts analyst Alan Jones' breakdown: “[The Cure] also exceed the to-date sales of The Cure’s last studio album, 2008’s 4:13 Dream, which debuted and peaked at No.33 on consumption of 7,360 units, 16 years ago last week, and has to-date consumption of 35,123 units. Songs Of A Lost World’s 597.85% increase on that album’s first frame is due to many factors, including the fact it has been so long since an album by The Cure; the multiplicity of its physical formats (two CD, two cassette and six vinyl); a live stream of their 1 November gig at The Troxy; a BBC Radio Two ‘In Concert’ performance; and the popularity of Songs Of A Lost World singles Alone and A Fragile Thing. The latter track has provided the band’s highest radio airplay chart position – No.26 – for more than 20 years last week, including attracting 59 plays from the aforementioned Radio Two so far.”

Robert Smith wanted to know how much we believed in the record before he'd commit to working with us, so we didn't hear a note until the deal was signed – which was a touch that I loved and respected

On top of this, Polydor have actually secured a chart double this week, with their act Gracie Abrams also topping the UK singles chart with That's So True jumping to No.1 on sales of 40,798.

Here, Polydor president Ben Mortimer, talks about working with Robert Smith, getting the band back to the top, and more...

Before we get into the campaign, what has it meant to you personally to work on The Cure's first new record in 16 years? And what has it been like working closely with Robert Smith?  

“First off, I am the hugest fan. Disintegration got me through a tough period in my early teens. I've always loved the band's ability to be so mournful and despairing and marry it with such beautiful melodic pop songs, so it meant huge amounts to me personally to get to work on this. And working with him has been a privilege. Robert is so dedicated to his craft, he's beyond passionate about the band and its legacy. He wanted to know how much we believed in the record before he'd commit to working with us. So we didn't hear a note until the deal was signed, which was a touch that I loved and respected. He is hands on in every part of his business in the most inspiring way.”

The Cure have returned, obviously, to a massively different music landscape compared to the one they operated in with 4:13 Dream. What were Polydor’s hopes and expectations for week one given there's not been a new album for so long, and have the actual sales surprised you? 

“I had a feeling it would do well. We're lucky enough to work The Cure catalogue, so are well aware of how well their music streams and across so many generations. But this has been an overwhelming response that in truth we didn't completely predict. But then again it's an incredible record, with 5/5s across the board. As predictable as this sounds, the greatest music always finds its way to people in the end.” 

It’s interesting how you achieved the result without a very long pre-order period compared to most albums. What did you have to work with in terms of data/fanbase for the campaign? There's obviously their incredible catalogue too – how have you reactivated that in the run-up? 

“Whether intentionally or not, the band have been running the smartest teaser campaign. It would be worthy of a Music Week marketing award! He teased the record was coming years ago. Something he says he regrets, but it created a sense of folklore around the album, and the band have been playing songs from it on tour for several years. Clips have been all over the internet. All of this created feverish demand amongst the fanbase.” 

There looks set to be huge international success with the album as well, what role did Polydor play in connecting all the dots globally for that to happen? Did you have any specific territories outside of the UK that you really wanted to target?

“They're huge in Europe, Australia, North, Central and South America. As soon as we told our partners this was coming there was palpable excitement and demand. We zoned in on Germany, France, Holland, and several other key markets, and they've all delivered. It's testament to the power of the global company.”  

The Troxy show was another big moment of the launch week, not least because they played the whole album in full. Why are intimate launch shows still so effective in your mind? 

“Our partnership with YouTube on the live stream made it possible. And they recorded insane levels of traffic on it. They're a stadium and festival band, so to see them this intimate, was a special experience even for those on the live stream. Playing for over three hours… It was truly my 2024 highlight.”

On top of The Cure, Polydor also have the No.1 single this week with Gracie Abrams. What does that say about Polydor right now in terms of your roster, and your ability to get top results for veteran and new artists alike? 

"The Polydor roster is well renowned as one of the best in the UK business. We have long relationships with so many artists whose careers continue to flourish. Lana Del Rey is nine albums in, Michael Kiwanuka is four. The Cure and Snow Patrol recent successes are current examples of how seriously we take career longevity. Gracie's first number No.1 single shows how we are equally committed to the next generation of artists coming through. They are after all the lifeblood of our business."

(Photo, L-R): Ali Tant, Robert Smith, Jim Chancellor, Ben Mortimer, Faye Jordan and Fred Stuart) 





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Thu, Nov 19 NYCDEVOPS meetup: John Allspaw on "Learning From Incidents"

November's nycdevops meetup speaker is John Allspaw, who will give a talk titled "Findings From the Field: 2 Years of Learning From Incidents".

The talk starts at 5pm sharp! (NY is in US/Eastern)

Please RSVP! See you there!

https://www.meetup.com/nycdevops/events/273826675/

(This is a virtual meetup. Everyone in the world is invited!)




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Thu, Nov 19 NYCDEVOPS meetup: John Allspaw on "Learning From Incidents"

Don't forget!

November's nycdevops meetup speaker is John Allspaw, who will give a talk titled "Findings From the Field: 2 Years of Learning From Incidents".

The talk starts at 5pm sharp! (NY is in US/Eastern)

Please RSVP! See you there!

https://www.meetup.com/nycdevops/events/273826675/

(This is a virtual meetup. Everyone in the world is invited!)




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Galactic ‘lightsabers’: Answering longstanding questions about jets from black holes

Scientists have long known that magnetic fields probably extract energy from spinning black holes — they just didn’t know how.




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2025 Oscars Short Film Contenders: ‘The Car That Came Back From The Sea’ Director Jadwiga Kowalska

In this Oscar-qualified short, a group of friends go on a roadtrip as their car – and their country – falls apart.




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From Vine to Glass: Exploring the Special Qualities of Indian Wine

Are you searching for a blend of tradition and innovation when it comes to your favorite alcoholic drink? When one thinks of wine-producing regions, India might not immediately come to mind. However, over the past few decades, the Indian wine industry has been steadily growing and carving out its place on the global wine map. ... Read more

The post From Vine to Glass: Exploring the Special Qualities of Indian Wine appeared first on Star Two.




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Quality Content From Everywhere To Anywhere

We have great news for you! RSS Ground team is about to add a new set of tools to its arsenal. Our next big milestone is to implement integration with platforms that provide cross-service automation such as IFTTT, Zapier and Integrately. You will be able to connect to hundreds of online service providers and make […]

The post Quality Content From Everywhere To Anywhere appeared first on RSSground.com.




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How to spend a weekend in Miami, from local sushi to sunsets on the beach




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The 10 best short break cruises from the UK – perfect for a long weekend




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The Evolution of Engagement Rings: A Journey from Traditional to Modern Choices

Engagement rings, symbols of love and commitment, have journeyed through time, evolving in design, material, and meaning. This evolution reflects changing fashion trends and deeper shifts in social norms, economic conditions, and technological advancements. From the ancient times when rings were simple iron bands to the present day when they embody intricate designs and diverse ... Read more

The post The Evolution of Engagement Rings: A Journey from Traditional to Modern Choices appeared first on Star Two.




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From Sacred to Chic: Gold Crosses in Contemporary Fashion

Gold crosses, symbols rich in spiritual depth and historical significance, have journeyed from their sacred origins to become a beacon of contemporary fashion. This transformation showcases the adaptability of religious icons, evolving from strictly spiritual objects into cherished elements of modern fashion. This article embarks on a journey to explore how gold crosses have seamlessly ... Read more

The post From Sacred to Chic: Gold Crosses in Contemporary Fashion appeared first on Star Two.




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Dazzling first images from James Webb Space Telescope

Images of five targets include the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the distant universe to date.




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Data Privacy Tips from Secrets in Your Data

Here are some tips and tricks pulled from Secrets in Your Data to help you stay safe online.




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Removing CO2 from the Atmosphere: Where Does It Go?

To combat climate change, scientists are working to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.




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Our lastest digital signage case study comes from Illinois in the US.

Minerallac Company, an electrical construction hardware manufacturer, find Repeat Signage software a useful tool for keeping staff updated on events and information. Staff is their satellite office, 2000 miles away, now feel more connected since digital signage was utilised.




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Need a break from politics? Marvel at the 'Vanishing Treasures' of the natural world

With 23 short essays on creatures ranging from the wombat to the spider, Katherine Rundell's new book is essential reading for anyone whose wonder could use a jumpstart.




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Thessaloniki – a place that can be a home away from home for Israeli tourists


Thessaloniki offers visitors 2,300-plus years of history, tremendous shopping, and a Jewish story like no other in Europe. 




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Netflix defends its decision to remove Palestinian films from platform


Netflix explained, "We launched this licensed collection of films in 2021 for three years. Those licenses have now expired."




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Activity center for new immigrants from FSU opens in Tel Aviv


Over Sukkot, over 150 young Russian-speaking immigrants gathered to celebrate the opening of the center, SSY stated. 




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Music from the battlefield: Ukrainian activist, music promoter graces Israel's international fest.


Zakharov tends to the sunny side of life, and he is a major mover and shaker on the Ukrainian cultural scene, with a definite accent on artistic vehicles that seek to cultivate a better world for all




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Best cities to visit in Florida, from Miami to Jacksonville

The most popular US state for British tourists has plenty more to offer than Disney – experts Susan Veness and Simon Veness share eight destinations for a fun-packed city break




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12 of the best Christmas markets in the UK, from Bath to Edinburgh

The most Christmassy tree-topping festivities for trinkets, bratwursts and all things mulled this winter





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Pre-Election Pep Talk from Kevin Jackson – Part II

The following article, Pre-Election Pep Talk from Kevin Jackson – Part II, was first published on The Black Sphere.

Soon Conservatives will have much to celebrate, though many still fear the outcome of the election. Thus, I am reminding America of what’s about to happen.

Continue reading Pre-Election Pep Talk from Kevin Jackson – Part II ...




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Will Black Men Tolerate This Insult from Kamala Harris?

The following article, Will Black Men Tolerate This Insult from Kamala Harris?, was first published on The Black Sphere.

Who is running the Harris-Walz campaign? Because if I had to guess, I'd say a 13 year-old white girl. Kamala Harris' campaign is watching voters jump ship reminiscent of the Titanic.

Continue reading Will Black Men Tolerate This Insult from Kamala Harris? ...




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What Big Pharma Told Us Is Far From The Truth…

Big Pharma has been deceived and has been deceiving others since its inception.  So, it’s no wonder that when they make claims about their “vaccines”, one should not trust a word they say or print.  This is true with the COVID shots, as well as their claims about COVID and long COVID. Investigative journalist Jonathan …




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20 Million Dem Votes Are Missing From 2020 To 2024. Where’d They Go?

By Gage Klipper As votes continue to be counted, Donald Trump’s lead feels so massive that it’s hard to see how Kamala Harris didn’t significantly underperform the Biden Benchmark of 2020. She didn’t just blow it; she blew it bigly. In 2020, there were 81+ million votes cast for Biden and 74+ million cast for Trump […]

The post 20 Million Dem Votes Are Missing From 2020 To 2024. Where’d They Go? appeared first on Liberty Unyielding.




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With Trump Returning To Power, Europe Chief Weighs Idea Of Buying More Natural Gas From US Instead Of Russia

By Ireland Owens President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said Friday that she proposed to President-elect Donald Trump the idea that the U.S. could supply more natural gas to Europe to decrease the bloc’s reliance on Russia, according to Barron’s. The EU chief said the topic of tapping U.S. liquefied natural gas […]

The post With Trump Returning To Power, Europe Chief Weighs Idea Of Buying More Natural Gas From US Instead Of Russia appeared first on Liberty Unyielding.




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How Gary Lineker went from football sensation to BBC star

The BBC will lose one of its highest-profile presenters when he stops hosting Match of the Day.




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Mystery tremors were from massive nine-day tsunami

Scientists launched an investigation after being baffled by seismic signals picked up across the world




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Verstappen wins from 17th in Sao Paulo rain chaos

Max Verstappen climbs up from 17th on the grid to win the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, one of his greatest victories taking him to the brink of a fourth world title.




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F1 Q&A: Will Ferrari snatch constructors' crown from McLaren?

BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your questions as we approach the final three races of the 2024 season.




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Alpine to use Mercedes engines from 2026

The Renault-owned Alpine team will use Mercedes engines in Formula 1 from the 2026 season.




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Firefighter rescues two-year-old from burning building

Body camera footage shows the moment a boy was saved from his home in Texas after his mother couldn't reach him in the fire.




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Inside a hospital on the front line of Sudan’s hunger crisis

One of the worst famines in decades could be underway in Sudan, aid workers warn.




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How To Tell Hardwood From Softwood Firewood?

When it comes to heating your home or enjoying a cozy evening by the fireplace, the type of firewood you choose can make a significant difference in both the efficiency and quality of your fire. One critical distinction in the world of firewood is whether it is hardwood or softwood. While the terms “hardwood” and […]

The post How To Tell Hardwood From Softwood Firewood? appeared first on Patriot Outdoor News.




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How To Remove Rust From A Gun Barrel? [Updated 2023]

Gun barrels are made of metal, and like any other metal object, they just love to get rusty. After you use the gun for a while, they start acting like a toddler who needs nonstop attention. If you leave them unattended for a while, you’ll come back to see that the shiny barrel is cluttered […]

The post How To Remove Rust From A Gun Barrel? [Updated 2023] appeared first on Patriot Outdoor News.




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Trump Delivers Video Update From Walter Reed: ‘I Feel Much Better Now’

President Trump tweeted a four-minute video message updating the American public Saturday evening on his progress since being tested positive with the coronavirus, saying that he “feels much better now” but the next few days is going to be “the real test.” pic.twitter.com/gvIPuYtTZG — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 3, 2020 “I came here, wasn’t […]

The post Trump Delivers Video Update From Walter Reed: ‘I Feel Much Better Now’ appeared first on Hispolitica.




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From shy schoolboy to Spain's most decorated - what next for Iniesta?

Spanish football writer Guillem Balague talks to former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta about his plans after retiring.