Partners with premier producer, Insomniac, to create unforgettable experience

June 18, 2013 - After countless DJ performances at the biggest US festivals such as Electric Daisy Carnival and Beyond Wonderland, his yearly US bus tour and his residency at Marquee Nightclub Las Vegas, ATB announces show dates for engagements throughout the US. ATB will partner with Insomniac, the premier producer of dance music events and festivals, to create a memorable experience for fans that can’t be missed.

This exciting live concert tour launches October 4 in San Francisco at the Warfield Theatre where ATB will share his hits as well as new tracks off his upcoming album, which will feature a live band, consisting of drummer, guitarist, bassist, keyboarders, the original singers, and of course ATB.

For more than 15 years the three letters - ATB - have influenced the electronic music scene worldwide on a very unique and thrilling way. Not only a DJ but also a musician, Andre Tanneberger better known as ATB is famous around the world for his eight studio albums including hits like “9pm”, “Ecstasy”, “What about us”, “Let u go”, “I don’t wanna stop” and “Never give up”.

ATB IN CONCERT is more than just a simple DJ show. It’s a whole live concept implemented by a tour crew of 30 people combined with Insomniac’s unparalleled production. A complete evening, which is guaranteed to be an exceptional show unlike any ATB show before.

“I’m really looking forward to present the people this special event concept in the US for the first time. To perform my music live with a band is also for me a very special experience. It gives me the possibility to getting even deeper in contact with my audience then ever before. The singers, the band, me and even the whole backstage crew got much more possibilities to interact with the people. It will be unforgettable evenings with a lot of energy.” Andre says.

ATB will present at least 4 shows during two weekends in October. The exact dates and locations are:

4^th October // San Francisco // Warfield Theatre

5^th October // Los Angeles // The Palladium

11^th October // Chicago // Aragon Ballroom

12^th October // New York // Roseland Ballroom

Tickets will be available starting July 30, on the official ATB IN CONCERT website. The first 20 tickets sold for every tour stop will win an exclusive Meet & Greet with ATB during the concert.

For further information please visit:

www.atbinconcert.com

www.facebook.com/atbinconcert

www.twitter.com/atbinconcert

André Tanneberger is a mastermind of the international music scene. For almost 20 years he has not only been one of the world’s finest and most successful DJs, but also a highly talented producer and songwriter. With seven acclaimed studio albums, a greatest hits CD and DVD collection and seven DJ mix compilations, as well as countless singles to his name, ATB can justifiably claim to have developed his career as musician and DJ in the most successful manner imaginable.

“What drives me is the constant desire to create something new. I think my creative spirit is nourished by the fact that I travel so much, as this represents a break from my studio sessions. It’s so important to take a step back from songwriting and producing now and again”, André suggests, when asked about his seemingly inexhaustible source of quality tracks.

ATB’s latest album, “Distant Earth” is no exception, as ATB once again delivers an array of fantastic new songs which transcend the genres of dance, trance and pop. Album number eight also features collaborations with renowned artists - something of a trademark for ATB as his studio work has progressed. Guest appearances on “Distant Earth” range from two of the hottest properties in trance music, the pioneering figures of Armin van Buuren and Dash Berlin to a remarkable team-up with Rea Garvey, who came to fame as lead singer of the international star act Reamonn.

“I had composed an instrumental track when it suddenly hit me that Rea’s voice would fit absolutely perfectly. The song actually turned out completely differently when we got together. I didn’t mind that a bit, as I had wanted to work with Rea for a long time already,” André explains.

The album title “Distant Earth” is a reflection, in the broadest sense, of how André Tanneberger likes to experience music. “I aim to maintain a certain distance from daily life and the usual problems it entails. It feels good to close your eyes, step onto the dancefloor and forget everything around you. If this is how you feel when you listen to my album, then I have done what I set out to do” the artist continues.

“Distant Earth” presents two very different CDs. One pulsates with melodious club music, the other showcases a selection of more chilled out ATB songs, again demonstrating the range of his artistic expertise. Guest artists join him in this side of his music as well.

“Armin van Buuren and I have chatted on and off for years about producing an ambient track together, and now we have finally found the time to actually do it.”
Both musical worlds continue to inspire this hugely successful DJ and producer in more or less equal measure after close to 20 years. “I’ve always felt that the one can’t exist without the other. DJing gives me the energy to produce my own tracks and when I’m in the studio, my fingers itch to get back to the decks, up on stage. I really love both sides.”

“Distant Earth” is further proof of ATB’s unique international sound. “My many trips over our planet give me no end of inspiration which can flow freely inside the studio” André acknowledges. The results can be heard on 25 songs and two CDs. A strictly limited Deluxe VIP Fan Box contains a further bonus disc of club mixes of tracks from the new album. “I love springing surprises on my listeners”. ATB has certainly managed to achieve that on “Distant Earth”.

Sanam Kubra Siddiqui.

Sanam Kubra Siddiqui (City Manager, Teach for Pakistan): Well it’s a day for every girl to celebrate her first ideal and believe in the power of unconditional love. For every boy it is a day to acknowledge his first hero. However having said that, Father’s day and Mother’s day etc. should not be one day - your love and appreciation for your parents should be a permanent thing - it should be reflected in the way you lead your daily life. Showing your parents you love them by just a hug or a smile everyday will brighten up their life. So it should be celebrated - but it should not be limited. As my father is in Karachi and I, in Lahore I will call him to wish him.

Shirkat Gah

Hooria Khan (Assistant Manager Law Section Shirkat Gah): Sure! Father’s Day should be celebrated! I always buy my father something he needs and it’s nice if you can make an occasion out of it.

Sameer R. Shami

Sameer R. Shami (Bassist):  Father’s day is a commercial made up farce of a holiday designed to make everyone spend money, much like Valentine’s Day. You don't need a special day to tell your dad you love him.

Sarah Gandapur wearing Mausummery.

Sarah Gandapur (Entrepreneur): Yes I think Father’s Day should be celebrated because it is that one special day when you can make plans to do something sweet and thoughtful for the man who is responsible for bringing us into this world. Who took care of us and all our needs while growing up. He has been there for you till the end and always is. Not that the whole year we shouldn’t love or appreciate our fathers but making that one day count more is sweet too. This father’s day I won’t be with my dad as he’s in Islamabad recovering from a surgery, so my sister and I are getting a special cake made for him and sending it to him in the hospital with flowers and a card telling him how much we love him and need him to be with us.

Sarah Toheed.

Sarah Toheed (Senior Marketing Executive, Levi Strauss & Co. Pakistan): Even though I’ve always stood by a very clichéd phrase that ‘every day is a Father’s Day for me’ and such events should not be celebrated. But lately I have realized that we get so busy in our daily chores that we start taking our parents for granted. Such days help you in reviving that bond and making your parents feel special. I plan to celebrate this day by calling my Dad over Skype and sending him a Dockers® Alpha Khaki in electric blue color as a salute to the original hero!

Zaair Hussain.

Zaair Hussain (Freelance writer): We’ve never been much into mother’s day or father’s day in my family but my take is that you CAN celebrate anytime you want, but a generic cultural father’s day is more for cultures like the US where people aren't very tight with their families on a regular basis.

Amira Zaidi.

Amira Zaidi (Journalist): I plan to take my husband for the pedicure soak in which those tiny fish eat dead skin off your feet; called doctor fish. It will be a gift from our kids to him, at the Mall of Lahore. They will love it though my husband will think it’s silly.

Saran Ahmad.

Saran Ahmad (Dell Marketing Manager, Pakistan & Afghanistan): I think it’s really important to celebrate father's day. Like they say, the father is a girls' first love and a boy's first hero. I'm not a father myself but I guess the feeling of having your children celebrate father's day with you is kind of like a celebrity's children telling him that they are his biggest fans.

This father's day, I'm watching two of my father's favorite most movies with him back to back.

Zahra Haider Khan.

Zahra Haider Khan (Singer): I think it should be celebrated. Although everyday should b fathers day but dedicating one day just makes it more special. It just gives us a reason to spread more love and positivity.

Burn Yard™ Live Event - Kimi Räikkönen spray-painting his signature on a Lotus F1 Team car.

LONDON, Monday June 10, 2013 Imagine the most forward-thinking DJs collaborating with leading street artists, world-class action sports athletes and Lotus F1® Team drivers. This is burn Yard™, a new creative program from burn, which will encourage leading innovators from art, music and sport to collaborate and form a cross-culture collective.

The results of the collaboration will be showcased at burn Yard™ Live, the first in a series of live events which will take place in Budapest on July 26, 2013. Housed in an ex-industrial building in the city, the theme of burn Yard™ Live will be to bring a new creative energy to discarded and obsolete objects and make them beautiful again. Transforming the space through sculpture and street art, burn Yard™ Live will bring a new lease of life to the abandoned building, climaxing in performances from some of world’s most sought after DJs. 

Renowned Polish street artist M-City adds the final touch.

The artists joining the burn Yard™ Collective are forward thinkers and creative leaders in their own fields. Members include international DJ Avicii, street artist M-City, conceptual artist Gerry Judah, skateboarder Rune Glifberg and Lotus F1® Team driver Kimi Räikkönen. They will work together by testing new creative fusions to inspire people across the world.

Highlights of the burn Yard™ program include Avicii and Lotus F1® Team working on a groundbreaking new track incorporating the passion of F1®. Judah and Glifberg will design an interactive sculpture to be used by the world’s best skateboarders, which will be the centerpiece for burn Yard™ Live.

Gerry Judah commented: “I’m pleased to have a young guy like Rune keeping me on my toes.  He speaks his own language in terms of art, passion and creativity and I speak mine.  No one can say how well these languages will come together but burn is taking a risk as we collaborate to create a structure which bears the mark of two very different men.” 

M-City said: “In my country, Poland, street art has a very long history.  At first, it was to give a political message but now street art has become more and more expressive.  It can be hard to collaborate sometimes because I have my own expressive style so working with burn and the other guys will be a real experiment of creativity.” 

burn Yard™ Live, in Budapest, will be a public event where people can live the fusion of music, art and sports. Throughout the year, burn will produce an inspirational video documentary to tell the story of burn Yard™. This will demonstrate how the Collective has been working together to produce innovative creative projects. The challenges and triumphs of their collaborations will be told through this inspirational documentary.

To apply for tickets to attend burn Yard™ Live in Budapest, go to www.burnyardbudapest.com. The burn Yard™ program aims to nurture and inspire creative talent and provide a platform to showcase groundbreaking ideas.

About the Collective

Avicii
What Avicii and his manager Ash Pournouri have managed in a few years is astonishing. Beginning his career at 18, the self-taught, fresh-faced Swede that is Avicii has had greater success at 22 than most could ever hope for in a lifetime. With chart-toppers such as Seek Bromance, My Feelings For You, Fade into Darkness, Silhouettes and LE7ELS, Avicii has, since 2008, risen from bedroom music-maker to international superstar. He has headlined Ultra Music Festival with Madonna, completed a $1 million charity tour with his manager Ash Pournouri, done an exclusive collaboration with Ralph Lauren: Denim & Supply and embarked on one of the biggest Electronic Dance Music arena tours to date. Avicii now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the most in-demand and elite artists on the planet.

M-City
Mariusz Waras, known professionally as M-City is Poland's best-known street artist renowned for his for his work within public spheres.  Intrigued by industrial spaces and their surroundings, M-City creates large-scale murals  - some up to 85 metres long, taking his inspiration from the factories, hydroelectric plants, chimneys, and cranes that dominate his native town.

Gerry Judah
Gerry Judah is one of the world's leading installation artists. He has created settings for the BBC, British Museum, Imperial War Museum, performers including Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, The Who, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page and has worked in a number of theatre productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Opera House and the English National Opera as well as creating spectacular sculptures for the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed and bridges in London and Cambridge.

Amongst a number of commissions from public museums and institutions, Gerry has produced a highly acclaimed body of large three-dimensional paintings exploring the devastations of war and the ravages man has made upon the environment, many of which have entered international public and private collections.

Rune Glifberg
Universally recognized as one of the true legends of the sport and one of the most stylish and progressive skaters on the planet, Danish skater Rune Glifberg brought his skills and experience to burn’s new skate program, as team founder and mentor. “Adding burn to my list of sponsors is an honor and a privilege. It opens up new doors and opportunities for my career, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision to join the burn skateboard team.”- Rune Glifberg

Kimi Räikkönen
Kimi Räikkönen burst onto the Formula 1 scene in 2001 and was quickly recognised as a star for the future. After finishing as runner-up in the Drivers’ Championship to Michael Schumacher in 2003 and again to Fernando Alonso in 2005, he finally took the title in 2007 at the very last race of the year. After a two year hiatus from the sport in 2010/2011, Kimi announced his return to Formula 1 with Lotus F1 Team for the 2012 season and instantly demonstrated the skill and technique which have seen him rated as one of the most natural talents of a generation; seven podium finishes – including victory at the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – seeing him clinch P3 in the Drivers’ Championship during his comeback year. Picking up where he left in 2012, the Iceman currently occupies P2 in the Driver’s Championship having taken four podiums from the opening five races in 2013; including an emphatic victory at the season opening Australian Grand Prix.

About burn
BURN® energy drink is a category leader in the global energy drink explosion. The red formula is a symbol of active fire that provides drinkers with the energy needed to leave their original vision on the world. Dismantling category norms, consumers embody a live-out-loud mentality, without fear of boundaries created by society. Burn is a brand of The Coca-Cola Company. Burn is available in over 80 countries worldwide.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, our Company's portfolio features 16 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of more than 1.8 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world's top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo or visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com.

Actor Brad Pitt attends the World Premiere of 'World War Z' at The Empire Cinema Leicester Square on June 2, 2013 in London.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt attend the World Premiere of 'World War Z' at The Empire Cinema on June 2, 2013 in London.

Director Marc Forster attends the World Premiere of 'World War Z' at The Empire Cinema Leicester Square on June 2, 2013 in London.

(L to R) Actors Mireille Enos, Brad Pitt and Daniella Kertesz attend the World Premiere of 'World War Z' at The Empire Cinema Leicester Square on June 2, 2013 in London.

(L to R) Brad Pitt, Maddox Jolie-Pitt, Pax Jolie-Pitt and Angelina Jolie attend the World Premiere of 'World War Z' at The Empire Cinema Leicester Square on June 2, 2013 in London.

See further and more extensive coverage of 'World War Z' world premieres, in the July 2013 issue of Ink, out end July.

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ALBUM BECOMES FASTEST SELLING RELEASE OF 2013, SETS RECORD FOR FASTEST SELLING ALBUM IN ITUNES HISTORY WORLDWIDE

BECOMES THE BEST SELLING MALE ARTIST IN TARGET HISTORY

Grammy® and Emmy Award®-winning Justin Timberlake’s new album The 20/20 Experience dominated the global charts end March as the acclaimed release soared to the #1 spot in the United States selling 968,000 copies, according to SoundScan.  Internationally, the album hit the #1 spot on iTunes in 89 countries, stormed the UK charts to become the biggest debut of 2013 and earned Justin his first #1 album in Germany. The album is also officially #1 in Australia, Canada, Korea, New Zealand, Ireland, Switzerland and across Asia.

The 20/20 Experience shattered iTunes records as the fastest-selling album worldwide in their history.  In the United States, Justin’s latest effort is the year’s fastest selling album and earns Justin the biggest first week sales for a male artist in five years along with the third biggest digital debut in SoundScan history ranking just behind Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift.

The long-awaited album became one of Target’s top three best-selling albums in the past decade, topping first week sales of his last release FutureSex/LoveSounds. It also led Timberlake to become Target’s biggest selling male artist since 2002.

Music critics across the country praised the album with Pitchfork raving “Timberlake seamlessly conflates the last 40 years of pop, soul and R&B into a series of warping seven-minute songs that extol the joys of music…”  People Magazine awarded it 4 stars saying it’s “the best sounding album you’ll hear all year.”  USA Today handed Justin a 3-star review while Rolling Stone hails the album with 4 stars.  Billboard says it is “one of the genres…most full-realized efforts in ages” and the New York Daily News called Justin’s music “luxurious.”  Vibe Magazine says the album “has the orchestrated feel of a motion picture” while Complex says “what better way to return to the musical world, than to do it in style.”  The Associated Press called the album “near perfect” and a “brilliant piece of work that plays like a musical movement.”  Internationally, the album received stellar reviews from the UK press as well with The Independent, Evening Standard and The Times all awarding Justin’s latest release with 4-stars reviews.  The Independent calls the album “elegant” while the Evening Standard says the album’s music is ‘‘infectious.”

The album’s first two singles continued to shake up the charts as well.  The platinum-certified ‘Suit & Tie’ had its best airplay week on the Billboard Hot 100 and Top 40 Mainstream charts (week ending March 24, 2013).  The song’s latest performance represents a career-high for Justin, according to Billboard Magazine.  When first released in January, the song broke U.S. radio airplay records earning the biggest song debut, airplay increase and audience increase for a solo artist ever landing at #14* on the Billboard Top 40 Airplay chart.  “Suit &Tie” is the first song to be added by every Top 40 station in the first week.  Meanwhile, 'Mirrors' topped the official UK singles chart for a third week making it the longest running #1 single of 2013.  Justin wowed audiences in the UK with an exclusive performance of 'Mirrors' at the Brit Awards in February only to follow up that performance with a sold-out concert at The Forum in London that had Q Magazine give him a 4-star review.  Ratings for The Brits went through the roof helping lead 'Mirrors' to the #1 spot on the iTunes Store following the performance.  As ‘Mirrors’ continues to gain steam in both America and the UK, Justin debuted the epic new video the song that garnered critical acclaim following its release recently.

Supporting the album’s release, Timberlake made a series of appearances including well-received live performances during this year’s Grammy Awards and the Brit Awards in the UK, an interview on the long-running The Jonathan Ross Show in London, a performance and interview on Germany’s popular program called Wetten Dass, a ratings-busting hosting gig on Saturday Night Live where he helped the show reach a 14-month high in audience numbers as well as a week-long guest spot on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon where ratings were driven up 33% over last year among the coveted 18-34 demographic.  Justin’s performances including several comedy sketches were often the most talked about events the following day and week earning even more praise from media across the world.

Clear Channel partnered with Target to air iHeartRadio Album Release Party With Justin Timberlake, which taped in Los Angeles on March 18.  The Release Party was aired and streamed by 175 Clear Channel stations, the CW Network and Yahoo!  Clear Channel utilized its multiplatform assets — from broadcast radio stations to online, iHeartRadio, outdoor, live audio, web broadcast, social integration and a first-of-its-kind 850 station "roadblock" announcement for an album premiere, reaching an estimated 100 million people across the country—to promote the album release party, live stream and drive listeners and Timberlake fans to Target, where they could buy the exclusive deluxe version of the album. On April 25, Justin appeared as the sole guest and musical performer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Justin will headline the sold-out Wireless Festival in London on July 12 and will take the festival stage with JAY Z two days later on July 14.  He will also headline the Rock In Rio Festival on September 15.  This summer, Timberlake and JAY Z will kick off their Legends Of The Summer Stadium Tour in Toronto, Ontario on July 17 that will take the musical heavyweights to 12 cities across North America to perform at famed stadiums for thousands of fans.

Giving fans even more news to get excited about, Justin also revealed in a recent interview in the U.S. that he will release another album later this year.

First there was a preview of his new summer anthem ‘Got Love’ and now incendiary trance stalwart Sean Tyas announces the full schedule of his Tytanium 200.

Broadcasting in June, the hugely popular Tytanium Radio show will achieve its 200^th episode. Staging a series of exclusive parties across the summer the Tytanium takeover will be touching down in a number of locations throughout the world bringing the energy and magic of the show to life with live event broadcasts, a collection of special guests and exclusive sets from Sean himself.

Sean Tyas

With Tytanium 200 shows confirmed at events such as Beach Club Fuel in Bloemendaal, The Gallery at Ministry of Sound in London, Webster Hall in New York, Zouk in Singapore, as well as Ibiza, Israel, Thailand and India, music fans can look forward to a host of headline artists such Super8 & Tab, Jochen Miller, Leon Bolier, Arnej, Greg Downey, Alex MORPH, Woody van Eyden and Sied van Riel joining Sean on stage over the coming months during the tour.

A one-stop destination for the finest trance and electro sounds, Tytanium Sessions has cultivated an almost religious like following from its listeners since its inception back in 2009. The weekly one-hour show is a global fix syndicated to FM stations and found online at Afterhours.FM and via Sean’s official Podcast and Soundcloud pages. Premiering the 200^th episode of the Tytanium radio show during the month of June, Sean will be delivering a direct-to-fans party – a significant celebration in the shows history allowing Tytanium fans around the world to tune-in and dance-out.

As part of the Tytanium 200 Sessions tour, Sean has delivered what is sure to be a serious crowd pleaser during the summer months with the release of his new single ‘Got Love’.  Reaching to his ironclad past of rolling bass lines and acid peaks, while integrating some new textures and techniques, Sean has come up with a sterling anthem-esque record to celebrate all things Tytanium. A fan favorite at recent shows such as Ultra Music Festival Chile and ASOT 600, ‘Got Love’ features the commanding vocals of Nicole McKenna and continues to build on Sean’s adroit work with gifted vocalists and songwriters. An impact that can be seen in the official music video that was filmed at the Mayday event in Dortmund at the start of May.

View the official video for Sean Tyas feat Nicole McKenna – ‘Got Love’: http://youtu.be/YkwVCPt6vyE

Already receiving strong set-list support from the likes of Armin van Buuren and the rest of the A-list players in the scene, the full release package will include a scintillating Alex M.O.R.P.H. B2B Woody van Eyden remix, who deliver a drifting melodic rework of Sean’s own original mix.

Accompanying this landmark 200^th episode broadcast and tour occasion will be the release of the Tytanium 200 compilation album. Released on Tytanium Recordings, this CD and digital download album package will feature a collection of the hottest tracks that have illuminated the shows past, present and future tracklistings. Mixed and compiled by Sean himself, the Tytanium 200 mix album will be a tangible, retrospective memory for both followers of the show and new fans to delve into.

Tytanium 200 Tour Dates //

12/05 – Bloemendaal, Netherlands

18/05 – Prague, Czech Republic

25/05 – New York, USA

13/06 – India Tour

14/06 – India Tour

15/06 – India Tour

16/06 – India Tour

22/06 – Ayia Napa, Cyprus [TBC]

24/06 – San Antonio, Ibiza

28/06 – Bangkok, Thailand

29/06 – Zouk, Singapore

www.seantyas.net | www.facebook.com/seantyasmusic | twitter.com/seantyas

www.soundcloud.com/seantyas | www.youtube.com/seantyasmusic

What is your character Hobb’s relationship with Vin Diesel’s character Dom like in Fast & Furious 6?

DJ: The fact that Hobbs [played by Dwayne] has to go to Dom [played by Vin Diesel], feels like going to Dom is not only the last resort, but it’s the best resort. It’s got to be a big thing. And it IS a big thing, because essentially in Hobbs’s constitution, his wiring, his make-up, he’s made a certain way. These are all men that he has vowed to take in, including Dom. So he went to Dom and he asked him for his help. There’s a mutual respect that these two men have for each other. They also know that, they both want something, that’s very very important to them. It’s important to their core, to their heart. I know that he can help me get what I want. I also know I can help him get what he wants. Something that he thought he would never have again.

Tell us about the character Shaw played by Luke Evans.

DJ: Shaw’s very dangerous. Shaw is ex SAS, para-military, and he is responsible for doing a lot of good things in the world, and then he was responsible for doing a lot of bad things … a lot of bad things for a lot of good people on a mass scale. So we had to, I thing just story-wise really make him formidable, believable, ruthless bad guy.

DJ: Tell us about Hobb’s new partner in this film.

Hobbs has a new partner – his partner’s Riley - a woman who is proficient in fighting weaponry. She’s a bad-ass and a great partner for Hobbs to have. Now the actress, who plays Riley, Gina Carano, is a great actress for me to work with by the way, because she is everything that Riley is. She’s beautiful and brings an authenticity to that role that is hard to find … it’s hard to find in Hollywood.

DJ: What will audiences really enjoy about Fast & Furious 6?

The Letty – Riley fight is something that audiences are really going to enjoy. In Fast 5 you had the Dom – Hobbs fight to look forward to. In Fast 6 you have, a lot of fights by the way [laughs] to look forward to, but especially a very special interaction that could easily be the main event between Letty and Riley, because you have two women who are going to go at it – they throw caution to the wind and really go at it! You have two women who just inherently are in essence born to get down that way. Michelle [plays Letty] is a very tough [laughs] woman … so is Gina [plays Riley]. So that fight is a hell of a fight. Love it.

An inspiring Coca-Cola film released recently shows that what unites us is stronger than what sets us apart. High-tech vending machines installed in two popular shopping malls in Lahore, Pakistan and New Delhi, India – two cities separated by only 325 miles, but seemingly worlds apart due to decades of political tension – invited consumers to put their differences aside and share a simple moment over a Coke.

The “Small World Machines” provided a live communications portal linking strangers in two nations divided by more than just borders, with the hope of provoking happiness and promoting cultural understanding around the world. Coke and Leo Burnett used first-of-its-kind 3D touchscreen technology to project a streaming video feed onto the vending machine screen while simultaneously filming through the unit to capture a live emotional exchange. People from both countries and various walks of life were encouraged to complete a friendly task together – wave, touch hands, draw a peace sign or dance – before sharing a Coca-Cola.

Jackie Jantos Tulloch, Coke’s global creative director and project lead, compares the live simulcast experience to looking into a webcam, face-to-face with another person. “Your actions are literally mirrored,” she explains. “By adding a touch screen, it allowed us to play interactive animations so people could trace things like a heart or smiley face together.”

‘We Pulled it Off’

The project team overcame several engineering, infrastructure and logistical challenges over the last year to turn the Small World Machines vision into reality. The experience was scheduled to take place in January, but one of the machines got stuck in transit, and greater security challenges delayed the team's production.

“Logistically, we had to coordinate two offices inside the Leo Burnett network and another three offices inside the Coke network, as well as several key suppliers,” says Andy DiLallo, chief creative officer, Leo Burnett Sydney. “We dealt with time differences, language barriers and cultural sensitivities. But we pulled it off, and that's what matters.”

After successfully setting up the two machines in March – and adorning each with flower arrangements and other culturally relevant decorations and colors – the team cleared a few last-minute technology hurdles before the cameras finally rolled.

“We felt like the little engine that could at times and couldn’t at others,” Jantos Tulloch says.

Crews filmed through the night, capturing more than 100 interactions between people of all ages and from all walks of life. None of the people featured in the film are actors, and their reactions are completely natural.

Small World Machines

“The people of Pakistan and India share a lot of common passions and interests – from food and Bollywood movies, to Coke Studio music, to cricket,” said Saad Pall, Coke’s assistant brand manager in Pakistan. “What this project did was connect people who are not exposed to each other on a daily basis, enabling the common man in Lahore to see and interact with the common man in Delhi. It’s a small step we hope will signal what’s possible.”

Wasim Basir, integrated marketing communications (IMC) director,Coca-ColaIndia, added, “We wondered what would happen if people from these two countries came together, and the answer was clear: goodness and happiness."

Making Memories

The film features tender encounters, such as a young girl in Delhi touching hands with an older woman on the Pakistani side, as well as more spirited interactions including an impromptu dance-off between two men in their 60s that went on for several minutes.

“We couldn’t get them to stop,” Pall said. “And when they finally did, they were both out of breath.”

DiLallo said hearing people share their stories made the experience even more special. “There was just a level of genuine joy and awe once the Small World Machines were activated,” he said. “Seeing a little kid run up to the machine and try to high-five it was one. Another person came up to me and said he'd lived in India his entire life and had never 'seen into' Pakistan. It was amazing to him to see what they wore. That's such a small thing you would never think about, particularly coming from the West.”

At the end of the nearly 10-hour shoot, both audiences cranked up the music, danced and waved goodbye to their new-found friends across the border. The crews behind the camera joined in, too, including theCoca-Colateams from Pakistan and India.

“It was such a great way to conclude what I consider to be the highlight of my career,” Jantos Tulloch said. “Working on brandCoca-Colais powerful enough because of the voice and scale of the brand, but when you layer a story like this on top, you realize that we’re not just telling aCoca-Colastory. We’re telling a bigger, more profound story about the happiness of the world.”

The experience struck an especially emotional chord for theCoca-Colateams from India and Pakistan, who collaborated on the project. Ajay Naqvi, general manager, creative excellence,Coca-ColaIndia, said he got goosebumps the first time he saw the film. And the universal message will resonate with people outside India and Pakistan, he explained, “because cultural and social tensions exist around the world, and they exist for selfish reasons.

“But deep down – as this film shows – humanity is about togetherness and happiness.”

Actor Clive Owen and actress Marion Cotillard attend the "Blood Ties" Premiere during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Grand Theatre Lumiere on May 20.

Zoe Saldana attends the "Blood Ties" Premiere during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Grand Theatre Lumiere on May 20.

Marion Cotillard attends the "Blood Ties" Premiere during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Grand Theatre Lumiere on May 20.

Selita Ebanks attends the "Blood Ties" Premiere during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Grand Theatre Lumiere on May 20.

Alec Baldwin attends the "Blood Ties" Premiere during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Grand Theatre Lumiere on May 20.

Aishwarya Rai attends the "Blood Ties" Premiere during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Grand Theatre Lumiere on May 20.

Allison Williams attends the "Blood Ties" Premiere during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Grand Theatre Lumiere on May 20.

Milla Jovovich attends the "Blood Ties" Premiere during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Grand Theatre Lumiere on May 20.

(Photos by Ian Gavan/WireImage for Electrolux)