Hollywood
Rod Stewart’s ‘Another Country’ to launch in October
MUMBAI: Rod Stewart’s much anticipated new album, Another Country, which is scheduled for release on 23 October via Capitol Records, will continue a prolific new chapter in Stewart’s storied career as one of rock’s most gifted storytellers.
With his singular voice, narrative songwriting and passionate live performances, Stewart has amassed sales of more than 200 million albums and singles worldwide. Throughout his career, he has bagged 18 Grammy nominations, and in 2007 was bestowed Commander of the British Empire (CBE) by the Queen of England.
“I’ve found that the only way to write songs is to be as personal and honest as possible,” said Stewart.
“When my last album was so well-received it gave me the confidence to keep on writing, and to examine and write about different things. It also gave me the freedom to experiment with different sounds – like reggae, ska and Celtic melodies,” the artist added.
Fans who pre-order the 12-song standard or 17-song deluxe album from digital retailers will instantly receive a download of Stewart’s first single “Love is”, along with an instant download of “In A Broken Dream,” the infamous 1968 Python Lee Jackson song featuring the vocals of a yet unknown Stewart. The video for “Love is” has been released on 30 June on Vevo and features Stewart and his band jamming on the roof of the iconic Capitol Records building in Hollywood, CA.
. “It seems like I’ve spent years of my life in a recording studio so being able to record this album at home, where most of the songs were written, felt so much more intimate and inspiring,” said Stewart on his collaboration Kevin Savigar, who co-produced the album and on his tryst with technology.
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
