Without Further Ado: Mariah Bonner

AEFPR would like to officially introduce you to our amazing new client, Mariah Bonner. Mariah is a gorgeous up-and-coming actress with previous credits including The Social Network and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. You can also find Mariah in Universal Soldier: A New Dimension, starring Jean-Claude Van Dame, which premieres in May. Can't wait till May to see this brunette beauty in action? Check out her new breathtaking TV ad for Mercedes.

Interview with the Incomparable Kirby Bliss Blanton

Check out the leading lady of Project X Kirby Bliss Blanton talk about filming the outrageous movie and her own experience with out-of-control parties on the set of her hilarious new comedy!

Truth: A Publicist's Weapon

We see it on magazine covers every week. This actor cheated on his wife. That actress is dating her costar. Relationships within the entertainment industry are misinterpreted by the press just to sell a story. Unfortunately, fame makes celebrities susceptible to rumors and lies, especially those concerning love and infidelity. In the age where celebrity reigns supreme, there is one defense against tabloids and gossip blogs: Publicists.

We publicists strive to protect the truth with statements, press releases, and at times, arguing. For example, we dealt with a rogue story earlier this week at AEFPR. The rumor was that Joan Collin's daughter had jumped into the pool like a wild child and passed out. Supposedly, Joan jumped into the pool in order to save her daughter. When they got her her back into the apartment, according to gossip, Joan's daughter passed out again, breaking her jaw and sustaining serious injury.

Here is the statement after our own Andrew Freedman straightened things out:
"Joan's daughter had an accidental fall and sustained an injury to her cheekbone, which required minor surgery; however, she is recovering very quickly and is doing well." No life-saving attempts, no fainting, no lies.

Publicists are experts in controlling dramatic situations and false accounts, but what happens when the publicist gets caught in the gossip? A few months back, it was reported that Johnny Depp was cheating on his long-time girlfriend Vanessa Paradis with his publicist, Robin Baum. A very incriminating picture surfaced that apparently showed Depp and Baum mid-kiss. However, it is clear that the situation was being misconstrued. They were in the middle of a loud event; ergo, the veteran publicist was obviously just trying to get Depp's ear. It just goes to show how a simple unfortunately timed picture can result in scandal.

So please, next time you crack open that tabloid-because let's be honest, we still love good gossip-just keep the truth in mind and avoid taking gossip at face value.

Maxximus Technology, creators of the world’s fastest street legal supercar, shatters its own speed record with innovative LNG powered Maxximus LNG 2000

4 world speed records broken at South Georgia Motorsports Park on January 23^rd

By Maxximus LNG 2000 including 0-60mph in a staggering 1.96 seconds

Los Angeles, California – February 9, 2012 – It was a day for the automotive history books when the Maxximus LNG 2000, the brainchild of financier Bruce McMahan and Indianapolis based designer Marlon Kirby took to the track and shattered four world records, making it not only the world’s fastest street-legal car but the fastest LNG powered supercar ever created. While others may claim records through bravado and hyperbole the Maxximus team, which holds proprietary technology for LNG systems, is now the proud holder of a vehicle poised to revolutionize our gas guzzling habits and replace them with eco friendly technology that can reduce our dependence on foreign fuel sources. To see video of the Maxximus LNG 2000 at its speed trials please click on http://youtu.be/PuVxoauhozw

Driven by designer Marlon Kirby, The Maxximus LNG 2000 achieved:

·      0 - 60 mph 1.96 seconds

·      0 -150 mph 9.21 seconds

·      Speed in ¼ mile 159.9 mph

·      ¼ mile elapsed time 9.63 seconds

Former records set by Maxximus Technology’s Maxximus G Force were:

·      0 – 60 mph 2.0 seconds

·      0-150 mph 9.3 seconds

·      Speed in ¼ mile 157 mph

·      ¼ mile elapsed time 9.7 seconds

Centaur Performance Group (http://www.centaurmaxximusmotion.com/) unveiled the Maxximus LNG 2000 last year at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. Its unique qualities include:

·      The car runs on LNG, CNG and LPG with on demand adjustments

·      All carbon fiber body

·      430 CI twin turbos

·      All aluminum V8, 1600 + HP

·      Cryogenic chilled intercoolers

·      Self pressuring fuel tanks

·      Gaseous fuel injectors

·      Boost reference gaseous regulators

·      All state legal emissions

Centaur Performance Group is owned by financier and philanthropist Bruce McMahan, who states, “We are truly excited to be producing this line of supercars. By using LNG instead of fossil fuels, Centaur is showcasing our commitment to the future and to producing American made cars.”

In addition, Centaur is also developing a consumer-targeted line of vehicles that can be powered by all three-fuel types (LNG, CNG and LPG). These cars are all equipped with on board technology, developed by Maxximus, that identifies all alternative fuel sources locally, regionally and nationally.

Centaur Performance Group specializes in credit, relative value and niche energy strategies. Centaur’s energy team allocates investment capital to private, continental U.S. based, oil and natural gas assets and the production of American energy resources. Hedge Week named Centaur’s credit strategy as the Best Credit Fund of 2009. Centaur is headquartered on Fisher Island, FL, with affiliate offices in Bermuda and Rancho Santa Fe, California.

As Co-Founder and Chairman of the National Cristina Foundation (NCF), McMahan leads a non-profit organization with more than seven hundred worldwide affiliations. Its mission is to support the international development of technology applications for people with special needs. The Foundation originated the concept of technology reuse in 1983 and specializes in redistributing computers and other electronic hardware from corporations and individuals who have outgrown the technology and making them available to those in need.

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AEFPR WELCOMES THE BEAUTIFUL BEAU DUNN!

We are trés excited to introduce you to our new client, Beau Dunn! Beau is an up-and-comer with fabulous modeling campaigns (i.e. Smashbox Cosmetics) under her belt, as well as an appearance on NBC's hit comedy "Up All Night."

This month, you can find Beau looking gorgeous on the cover of Santa Barbara Magazine.

A Santa Barbara native, Beau reveals her favorite spots to frequent when in town. Loving to surf and the color pink, Beau is the ultimate California girl. 

Margo Martindale and Christopher McDonald Steal the Spotlight in Vanity Fair's Hollywood Issue

You know you've seen them in a ton of films and TV roles, but they're familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Who are they?

In the highly anticipated Hollywood issue of Vanity Fair hitting newsstands today, the "Character Counts" spread shines the spotlight on unforgettable character actors that steal scenes with captivating skill. Though they rarely get the lead role, these scene stealers give dimension to films and shows with humor, malevolence, and even age.

Often seen portraying antagonistic characters with an agenda, Christopher McDonald embodies these supporting roles with such believability that he becomes the character. In the audience's eyes, Chris is slick Shooter McGavin from Happy Gilmour or forceful Darryl from Thelma & Louise. However, this character actor has recently reached lead-role status in NBC's drama Harry's Law.

If Chris is known for playing the oily manipulator, Margo Martindale always keeps us guessing. A genuine "actor's actor," Margo transfixes her audience with natural charisma and unassuming strength in films like Million Dollar Baby and Secretariat. Having recently won an Emmy for her supporting role in Justified, Margo has finally received the recognition her exceptional talent deserves. Watch out Margo, audiences might start remembering your name as well as your face.

‎Breaking Bad's Betsy Brandt Killed it Last Night on E!'s Fashion Police with Joan Rivers Talking About the SAG Awards' Best and Worst Dressed! Missed it? See it Again Tonight at 8PM, Only on E!

Emmy Award Winning Actress And "Justified" Season 2 Villain Margo Martindale Opens Up to New York Magazine About Her Upcoming On And Off Screen Projects, How Her Emmy Award Broke, Her Obsession With Words With Friends And Her Love For The Supernatural

Margo Martindale who recently won a Best Supporting Actress Emmy for her work as the villainous Mags on Justified, now takes the lead in a very small, very indie film called Scalene. The film shifts timelines and points of view among the three main characters — a single mother, her disabled son, and his college-age part-time caretaker — each of whom has a very different take on whether or not the son has committed a rape and whether the mother has abused him. The POV shifts constantly change the story's tone, so at times, depending on who is telling the story, Martindale's character Janice seems either frazzled or indifferent, loving or loathing. The question, of course, is: Which take on this woman is the truth? During a set break while shooting her new show, A Gifted Man, Martindale set the record straight — a bit — and revealed how her Emmy statuette got broken and what she intends to do about it.


Thanks for taking the time to talk during your shooting break. What would you be doing usually? 
 Playing Words With Friends — I'm addicted! I'm a little Alec Baldwin. I would love to play it with him someday, why not?


With the constantly changing perspectives and nonlinear storytelling, do you think of Scalene as a comedy or a drama?
It's a little wild! I didn't know what it was when I first read it. I was in the middle of a cross-country trip with my family when I got it, and my daughter, who was 21 at the time, really liked it. In the beginning, I think it's a comedy, because there are these very comic overtones, like when she tries to shoot the gun and it keeps jamming. But then it changes with each perspective from the three main characters, and there's this tension between each character's perspective. It's impossible to say who is telling the truth. Was I abusing my son? I didn't think I was. So I played it like I was not guilty, but it works either way. But taking care of a disabled child, all by yourself, is an impossible task. At what point do you finally say, "I can't do it anymore"? So my character is completely worn out when we meet her; she's already at her limit. It's just a little independent movie, a backyard movie, but I can't wait to see what [director Zack Parker] can do with a real budget.


This is the first complicated role you've had since Mags Bennett, where you can be both maternal and malevolent. 
Mags is Mags. I'll get to do something like that again one day, I'm sure. But I did this long before I even met Mags Bennett.


Do you keep an eye on Justified? Have you been watching the new season? All these new villains are trying to fill the void Mags left.

You know, they sent me the first few episodes, but all I've seen is the first one so far. I thought that one was really good! That show has such great writers. Those Justified guys, I wish they would write me a new show! [Laughs.] I pitched them the idea of doing a spinoff, a prequel: Mags, the early years. I wondered what it would have been like as she came to power, but you'd need a younger actress to play her. Mags was so much fun, but it's over, and I have to move on.


What did you do with your Emmy? Where do you keep it?

I had it in our bedroom, but it's broken, and I have to send it back. We were traveling back by airplane, and my husband had it in his luggage, and the luggage handlers must have tossed it around, because the globe was broken off. So they'll have to send me another one. [Laughs.]


With your stints on Justified and Dexter, I always associate you with pie. Key-lime pie, apple-pie moonshine. I half-expected you to bring out some pie on the last episode of A Gifted Man, but it was cupcakes instead.

It's strange to be the pie lady! I should have brought out some pie — that would have been a good idea. I should have everything associated with pie. But you know what, I actually don't like Key-lime pie. I had to keep eating it on Dexter, and I had to eat so much, I actually started to enjoy it a bit — there were one or two variations I did like. But that was a lot of pie!


When are they going to start having you do something more worthy of your talents on A Gifted Man? Or let you get into the supernatural stuff?

Maybe they can infuse my part with some more stuff. I would love to do something supernatural. Maybe I should open a card-reading shop in the reception area! I could get some high-end clients there. I'm totally open and receptive to the supernatural, probably more than anyone here.


I heard you saw a ghost once?

It was in a dream, so it was real and not real at the same time. My late actress friend Susan Kingsley came back [as a ghost], and she was wearing a gold dress, and she sat on the corner of my bed. She was reading from the Book of Life, and I forget what she was saying, but it sounded very true at the time. I asked her, "Can people see you?" And she took her finger and slid it down her face so I could see she was clear, but wearing some makeup so as not to be transparent. It was an incredible dream.


So what's next for you?

I'm going to Jacksonville, Texas, for a family reunion, and while I'm there, I want to go take pictures of the place where I had my first job, as a teenager, because I'm writing a script about it. When I was 16, I worked at a mental institution for the criminally insane, teaching drama. It was the only job I could get at the time! I liked theater, so I volunteered to work with the men there, and I thought I could make a movie about it — it's an interesting story. I don't think I'll be in it, but maybe I'll make a cameo. But I want to take pictures to help me remember everything, because I'm in the really early stages of writing. Then I'll give it to someone else to shape up!




http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2012/01/margo-martindale-on-her-indie-movie-scalene-writing-a-screenplay-and-her-broken-emmy.html

"Red Lights," produced by Cindy Cowan, gets purchased by Millenium Entertainment after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday, January 20th

Daily Mail's leading gossip columnist Richard Kay can't stay away from AEFPR client Amanda Eliasch!

Huset's KTLA Shout-Out

Scandinavian design store, and AEFPR client, Huset got a shout-out this morning in a KTLA segment from LA Confidential editor-in-chief Sari Tuschman. Giving advice on how to throw a top-notch awards show bash, Tuschman flaunted ultra-cool serving pieces and sleek glassware from the Venice store. On our wishlist? Those vintage-chic Giarimi champagne glasses. Watch the video below and go to www.huset-shop.com for more great ideas and conversation pieces galore!