A couple of months back I retired from The Source Magazine. After years of not getting paid, I finally up and called it quits. I can't lie, I prolly held on too long, but I really thought the new owners that came in after Dave and Ray were going to try to bring the "magic" back. Guess I was wrong. (Oh yeah, I've seen the new mag and it's like an urban Complex....I am not impressed. Although I am starting to dig Ebony . )

Well it looks like The Source is losing again. This time my man Ryan Ford, The Source's long time Executive Editor, is quitting. I just got a press release that says Ford is leaving "The Bible" to become the Director of Creative Strategy at Ted Chung's Cashmere Agency.

I'm pretty sure Ryan was getting paid by The Source. I mean, I don't think you can get away with not paying an Executive Editor. I am betting he left because he prolly figured it was time to do bigger and better things. I mean let's be honest, how exciting is it to write about Lil Wayne every month?!

Congrats Bro.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF THE SOURCE JOINS CASHMERE MARKETING AGENCY
Los Angeles--Cashmere Agency, one of the entertainment industry's premier lifestyle marketing agencies, today announced that it has named Ryan Ford to the post of Director of Creative Strategy. Ford, a veteran of the entertainment industry, was most recently Executive Editor of The Source magazine, one of popular culture's leading music publications, commonly known as the "Bible of Hip-Hop."

"Ryan brings extensive knowledge of the brand discovery process shared by tech-savvy cultures," said Ted Chung, Cashmere Agency's Chairman. "There is an art to translating a client's vision for young consumers. The Cashmere Agency is renown for our core competency in multi-cultural, lifestyle-driven campaigns; and we're proud to have Ryan join our executive staff to lead the creative of these strategies."

"Cashmere Agency provides the perfect platform to build effective and innovative communication between brands, artists and the consumer," said Ford. "As Director of Creative Strategy, I can utilize my extensive relationships with artists, executives and media in order to create a seamless and credible message to communicate the brand through multiple touch points."

At Cashmere Agency, Ryan will oversee creative strategies and communication to constantly identify and integrate the dynamic interaction between brands and young consumers. Ryan will work closely with Cashmere Agency's growing list of clients including Universal Music Group, the E! Channel, THQ Wireless, Land Rover, EA, Smirnoff, Sprite, Chrysler and film and music star Snoop Dogg.

Ford, who holds a M.A. in African-American Studies from UCLA, began as an intern with The Source in 2000. Since that time he has held a number of positions including most recently Executive Editor, where he oversaw the magazine's creative vision and wrote cover stories on Hip-Hop stars like Ice Cube, Eve and The Game. Ryan has also lent an expert voice to E!'s True Hollywood Story.

In addition, Ryan volunteers his time in the political world. Ryan acts as Coordinator for the Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum, a debate on minority issues that featured Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama and panelists such as Dr. Benjamin Chavis, CEO of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network. In addition, Ryan sits on the national advisory board of the National Coalition of Black Civic Participation's Black Youth Vote initiative.

Ryan has also formed Rhyme Night, a recurring Hip-Hop talent showcase event. Ryan co-founded Rhyme Night with multi-platinum rapper and actor Xzibit.

"We are thrilled to have someone of Ryan's industry stature join Cashmere Agency," added Rona Mercado, VP of Marketing. "More important is Ryan's shared vision about the immense possibilities that new media offers to expand awareness and build excitement for our clients from a global perspective down to the community level."

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