Entertainment
Webber Marketing Celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the National Battle of the Bands with Exclusive Film Releases on YouTube
Last Updated on June 7, 2024 by Daily News Staff
CHARLOTTE, N.C /PRNewswire/ — To salute ten years of showcasing the dynamism of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) marching bands, Webber Marketing (WM), creators of the National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB), is set to release the first three films from the NBOTB series on YouTube, presented by Pepsi. This move is designed to provide fans with open access to these pivotal documentaries, reflecting on the influence and legacy of HBCU marching bands.
The inaugural film, “A Salute to HBCU Marching Bands,” which first aired in 2021, will be made available on YouTube on Friday, April 26, at 8:00 p.m. EST. The subsequent releases— “A Salute to the Battle,” first shown in 2022, and “The Road to Houston: Preparing to Battle,” from 2023—will follow suit on May 3 and May 10, respectively, each premiering at 8:00 p.m. EST. Moreover, the most recent installment, “The Legacy of HBCU Marching Bands,” aired this past February and will be celebrated again in June during Black Music Month, syndicated across over 50 markets. Dates and locations for this re-airing will be forthcoming on NationalBattleoftheBands.com/salute.
The annual musical showcase was created to amplify the visibility of HBCU marching bands, highlight the band members’ talent, and the significance of the band culture at HBCUs and across the country. The NBOTB aids in scholarships for those participating colleges and universities in support of its mission to showcase the role bands play in educating aspiring musicians and developing future leaders.
Reflecting on the film series, Derek Webber, CEO of Webber Marketing and Founder of the National Battle of the Bands, states, “These films are more than just retrospectives; they’re a celebration of the enduring spirit and evolving journey of HBCU marching bands. From their storied past to their dynamic present and into their bright future, we’re honoring the cultural bedrock these bands represent. Making these films accessible on YouTube allows us to extend their reach, ensuring that the beat goes on for anyone who has yet to experience their power.”
The documentary series offers an inside look at the storied traditions, preparation, and influence of HBCU marching bands and their representation of the African American community. Band members, directors, and other notable figures share their unique stories and experiences in the band, as they have been a long-standing tradition and a staple at HBCUs.
To discover more about the National Battle of the Bands, its film series, and related events, visit www.nationalbattleofthebands.com. Stay in rhythm with updates and announcements on social media by following @NationalBattleOfTheBands (Facebook/Instagram/TikTok/YouTube) and @NationalBOTB (Twitter).
About National Battle of the Bands:
The National Battle of the Bands’ (NBOTB) mission is to enhance the exposure of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), their marching bands, and their roles in educating aspiring musicians and developing future leaders. The musical showcase, hosted in collaboration between Webber Marketing and the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority, occurs annually in Houston, TX, at NRG stadium. Event organizers have generated over $1.3 million in scholarships for the participating colleges and universities. www.nationalbattleofthebands.com
About Webber Marketing and Consulting
Webber Marketing & Consulting (WMC), LLC is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the largest marketing agency of record for HBCUs specializing in strategic outreach program development, on-site event execution, experiential marketing, and media. WMC provides its clients with focused programs that deliver measurable results, improve market position, and build for future successes. www.webbermarketing.net
SOURCE Webber Marketing
Sports
Chili’s Takes the ‘19th Hole’ Literally With Golf Course Pop-Up
Chili’s took the 19th-hole tradition to a new level with a limited-time golf course pop-up in Burbank featuring food, specialty margaritas and exclusive golf apparel.
BURBANK, Calif. — Chili’s Grill & Bar took its casual-dining game onto the golf course with a limited-time experience celebrating one of golf’s favorite traditions: the 19th hole.
The restaurant chain transformed the clubhouse at DeBell Golf Club in Burbank, California, into the Chili’s Golf Club, a two-day pop-up held Aug. 28–29. The event welcomed golfers and fans to enjoy Chili’s favorites, specialty drinks and a golf-inspired apparel collaboration.
The concept played off the traditional “19th hole” — the post-round gathering spot where golfers grab food and drinks, talk about the day’s round and, perhaps, make those missed putts sound a little closer than they actually were.
Chili’s Meets the Golf Course
Guests at DeBell could stop by after playing 18 holes — or simply visit the clubhouse — for Chili’s menu favorites such as the Triple Dipper. The pop-up also featured golf-themed drinks including the Transfusion Marg and Tee Time Marg, created specifically for the Chili’s Golf Club experience.
The promotion also teamed Chili’s with active-lifestyle apparel brand Rhoback for a limited-edition Rhoback X Chili’scollection featuring the Chili’s Golf Club crest. The lineup included performance polos, hoodies, quarter-zips, crewnecks and golf hats.
“Chili’s is the people’s clubhouse, so it only made sense to bring that spirit to the course,” George Felix, chief marketing officer and executive vice president of Brinker International, said in announcing the campaign.
Food, Golf and Entertainment Collide
Chili’s extended the promotion beyond the course with a campaign film celebrating everyday golfers — particularly those whose enthusiasm for the game may be considerably stronger than their scorecards.
The film featured appearances by Wesley Bryan, Caleb Pressley, Jena Sims Koepka, Chaz Bowker, Josh Kelley and JaNa Craig, bringing together golf, entertainment, food and lifestyle culture around the familiar 19th-hole tradition.
Although the Burbank pop-up lasted only two days, the campaign offers another example of restaurant brands looking beyond the dining room to connect food with sports, entertainment and fan culture.
For Chili’s, that meant finding a place where burgers, margaritas, golf stories and questionable scorecards already seemed like a natural fit.
Source
- Chili’s — “Chili’s is Fulfilling Every Golfer’s Dream by Opening on a Golf Course. Yes, Really.” — Original Aug. 26, 2026 press release announcing the Chili’s Golf Club promotion.
Related Links
- Chili’s Golf Club — Official Event Page — Details about the DeBell Golf Club takeover, food, specialty margaritas and Rhoback collaboration.
- DeBell Golf Club — Official Website — Information about the Burbank public golf course that hosted the Chili’s Golf Club.
- DeBell Golf Club — Golf Course Information — Background on the 18-hole, par-71 municipal course in the Verdugo Mountains.
- Rhoback X Chili’s Golf Club Collaboration — Rhoback’s official page covering the limited-edition golf apparel collaboration.
- Rhoback Official Website — More from the active-lifestyle apparel company involved in the Chili’s Golf Club campaign.
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Entertainment
M&M’S Brews Up ‘Practical Magic 2’ Movie Night Hype With Limited-Edition Amas Veritas Spell & Snack Packs
M&M’S is leaning hard into spooky-season nostalgia ahead of Practical Magic 2, teaming up with Warner Bros. Pictures on a limited-edition release designed for Halloween movie nights. The brand announced the M&M’S Amas Veritas Spell & Snack Pack, a collectible add-on built around the iconic “Amas Veritas” love charm from the original 1998 film—timed to the sequel’s theatrical release date: September 10, 2026 (in theaters only).
The pack features custom-designed M&M’S candies printed with eight whimsical symbols inspired by the original spell, plus an “extended verse” of four new symbols that the company says hint at mysteries in the sequel. The drop is positioned as part fan-service, part snackable merch—something you bring to a watch party, but also something collectors will want to grab before it disappears.
Availability is limited and online-only. The Spell & Snack Pack is offered exclusively atMMS.com/Practical-Magic as a gift with purchase when fans buy an M&M’S Milk Chocolate Fun Size Sharing Bag, while supplies last. In a nod to the film’s midnight vibe, there are two timed drops at 12:00 a.m. ET: September 3, 2026 and September 14, 2026.
To push the nostalgia even further, M&M’S is also partnering with actress Camilla Belle—who played young Sally Owens in the original film—to recreate her spell scene with an M&M’S twist in social content on Instagram and TikTok. For Halloween hosting, the brand also flagged seasonal staples rolling out nationwide, including its Fun Size Halloween Variety Pack and Halloween Blend options in both Milk Chocolate and Peanut.
Source
- PRNewswire / Mars, Incorporated press release (Sept. 2, 2026): “M&M’S® Brews Up Movie Night Magic This Halloween Season With Limited-Edition ‘Amas Veritas’ Spell & Snack Packs…”
Related links
- Limited-edition pack page: https://www.mms.com/Practical-Magic
- Mars, Incorporated: https://www.mars.com/
- M&M’S (main site): https://www.mms.com/
- Warner Bros. Pictures: https://www.warnerbros.com/
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Entertainment
Danica McKellar and Matthew Marsden Star in The Greatest Christmas Gift for Great American Pure Flix
Great American Media is kicking off the holiday season early with a new Great American Christmas Original. The company announced The Greatest Christmas Gift, starring Danica McKellar and Matthew Marsden, will make its World Premiere streaming first on Great American Pure Flix, before also airing on Great American Family and GFAM+. The title joins Great American Media’s sixth annual Great American Christmas slate—its signature seasonal programming block built around faith, family, and classic Christmas storytelling.
In the film, McKellar plays Emma Harper, a gifted music teacher preparing for a Christmas wedding to her fiancé Caleb Bennett (Marsden). But just as the couple is planning what should be a joyful small-town celebration, an unexpected setback threatens the future they’ve carefully built. As Christmas approaches, the story leans into a familiar but resonant holiday theme: the most meaningful gifts aren’t the ones wrapped under the tree, but the ones revealed through steadfast faith, selfless love, and a community that shows up when it matters most.
Bill Abbott, President and CEO of Great American Media, highlighted why McKellar remains a cornerstone of the network’s holiday brand, saying audiences trust her films to leave them “encouraged, uplifted, and inspired.” Abbott added that pairing McKellar with Marsden in The Greatest Christmas Gift reflects the company’s commitment to stories where “faith, family, and hope are at the center,” reinforcing Great American Media’s identity as a major entertainment player focused on faith-forward programming. The film is written by Summer Israel Johnson.
The Greatest Christmas Gift is positioned as another comfort-watch entry for viewers who want their holiday movies warm, sincere, and rooted in community—exactly the lane Great American Christmas has been building year after year. Keep an eye out for premiere-date details as Great American Pure Flix rolls out its holiday lineup.
Source (primary)
- PRNewswire / Great American Media press release (Aug. 20, 2026) — “Danica McKellar and Matthew Marsden to Star in The Greatest Christmas Gift…”
Related links
- Great American Pure Flix (streaming service): https://www.pureflix.com/
- Great American Family (network): https://www.greatamericanfamily.com/
- Great American Media (corporate / brand info): https://www.greatamericanmedia.com/
Related talent links
- Danica McKellar (IMDb): https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001528/
- Matthew Marsden (IMDb): https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0551128/
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