It’s been over a month since I started at Brilliant and time to reflect. I came into the role of Account Manager with an open mind and very few preconceived ideas for what it might be like. Like a lot…
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Diva, adj. pronounced (DEE-VAH) is a term used to describe a person who exudes great style and personality with confidence and expresses their own approach, not letting others influence who they are or want to be. A diva is a…
… And we gave them a fancy new look. If you check out their Facebook page, you’ll see the brand identity we’ve been building on since our takeover in July. Our focus has been on pushing the brand forward and…
In a sea of never-ending advertisements, click bait and sponsored posts. There is very little left to prick our interest. Unless you know how to give us the goosebumps, laugh out loud and maybe even shed a tear, in general,…
The design was created to support a 3-month marketing campaign which capitalised on the high availability of Vocation’s core range, drive awareness and increase sales. Taking and expanding the branding of the Life & Death pack, we came up with…
You won’t find much mainstream coverage on Europe’s controversial ‘meme ban’ and getting your head around it might take until Christmas, but perhaps it’s this lack of transparency that allowed this legislation to get passed, despite MEPs initially voting against…
When I tell people my job title as a Content or Copy Editor, I often notice a vague look of confusion begin to cloud their faces. The best way to clarify the matter? Telling them that I proofread other people’s…
For anyone working in social, it feels like it’s been a lifetime since Facebook bought Instagram. We’ve been teased with changing algorithms, new capabilities and paid advertising, but never given full reign to use them to their full potential. Until…
Keeping the tone of voice for your brand as consistent as possible is crucial. It may seem near impossible to maintain a strong voice across the all of the avenues of communication you need to have with consumers and other…
August brought the annual Leeds Pride event to our wonderful home city. The parade was the event’s biggest ever with 120 floats taking to the streets and an estimated 40,000 people in attendance. Leeds has never been prouder to support…
The decline in live TV viewers has been well documented over the years, largely thanks to the introduction of recorded shows and the rise of subscription-based streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. After all, who hasn’t come face to…
This sounds like the start of a bad joke… Well, maybe in some ways, it is. You know the glitter glass heart logo, the villa, the neon strip lights, the pool and that intensely-green astroturf lawn that somehow hasn’t faded…
As a bookworm, I digest books at a rate of knots - I love to absorb information and ideas. Fiction, non-fiction, it does not matter to me. I lose hours this way, “just finishing this chapter…” then suddenly, it’s 3am...
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There’s the age old saying of ‘Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.’ but these days there’s a much more millennial equivalent… Would…
Last weekend I went on a National Holiday, or to be more specific a Mystery Tour, where the passengers don’t find out where they are going until they arrive. Our client, National Holidays, set me the challenge of capturing the…
With a free platform to share anything from art to new products, Instagram has fast become the first stepping stone for many budding entrepreneurs. If you think about it, this is revolutionary stuff. Traditionally, new businesses would need to spend…
How to run a politically-charged campaign. Many brands shy away from divisive topics when it comes to advertising and social media campaigns. It would seem the backlash of such classically misguided campaigns as Pepsi’s Kendall Jenner ad or Starbucks ‘race…
Our client Indie Bay snacks help make snacking healthier and happier. Using only natural ingredients to make their pretzel bites, they’re a source of protein, fibre and satisfaction that are almost too-moreish for a healthy snack (we’ve certainly…
What exactly is Digital currency? *Digital currency (digital money or electronic money or electronic currency) is a type of currency available only in digital form, not in physical (such as banknotes and coins). It exhibits properties similar to physical currencies but allows for instantaneous transactions and borderless transfer-of-ownership. Cash…
With so many variations and brands of products available to the consumer, it can seem impossible for brands to make an impression when their product is part of a crowd. When everything else such as core messages and target audience…
If you missed Part I of our blog, we suggest you click here to find out what we’ve been up to. And then come back to see how we did it… Our challenge was to create an engaging POV video...
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Blog, tweet or product description, making your copy as clear and simple as you can is essential to communicating what you’re trying to say. People’s attention online is absolutely minimal, so you need to make sure you know what you...
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When Unilever’s CMO Keith Weed makes a stand, pretty much the entire marketing world follows suit, so his latest statement on social following should certainly rock the boat of how we approach follower growth and work with influencers. And for a…
If you work in Marketing, Design, Videography etc. chances are you’ve watched Greggs’ latest PR video, Gregory and Gregory. If you haven’t we’re happy to give a re-cap… Greggs, known for their classic Sausage Rolls and Bacon, Bean and Cheese...
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When Goodfella’s approached us about running a campaign for their on pack promotion with Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, we only had one question: “How many tickets can you get us?” To save you reading until the end to find...
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8am: Collect the car from the rental company 930am: Come face to face with a giant galvanised steel cow. Sounds like an interesting day, right? We made the trip over to Bolton Abbey for a special unveiling. The magnificent...
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You’ve been online right? Well of course you have. You’re reading this blog. You’ll probably have seen a meme then too. They come in many different forms - you’re probably most familiar with this form… or this… or if you’ve...
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April 1st – the time of year when marketeers get to flex their creative muscles and have a little fun with weird and wonderful product launches that could almost pass as the real deal. This year, we got the rare…
When we heard that GymKing were having a location shoot in our home town of Leeds with a selection of tattooed models, we thought - how can we get there for Electric Ink? How can we get these models using...
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If you’re not already familiar, IOT stands for Internet of Things: the networking of smart devices embedded with sensors and electronics. Yes that’s right, we are now in an era where we can use the Internet on the go not...
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It’s 7am in Leeds. The roads are clear and the city is barely awake. We’re off to London for Craft Beer Rising to help pull pints, meet the punters and capture it all for Vocation Brewery’s social channels. Sadly not...
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A lacklustre photo of a product surrounded by obvious props. Bland, humourless copy that was clearly written by an agency. We’ve all seen it and - let’s be honest – it’s not doing anything for anyone. People crave authenticity on...
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We headed across the North last month, from the top of the Moors to the hustle and bustle of Manchester with some great shoot days and various multi-disciplined projects to shout about. Starting off with the launch of a new…
Two years in the making, four flavours later and the best (vegan) ice cream you’ve ever tasted… That sounds like a good enough reason to throw a party to us. Our ice cream client, Northern Bloc have worked tirelessly to...
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Imagine seeing behind the scenes on a shoot with your favourite model? Or following the training and off-duty life of a professional rugby player? Maybe even a day in the life of one of the UK’s top barbers? Well, that’s...
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In a world that moves a million miles a second it can be hard to keep up. In an industry that moves equally as fast it can be even harder. Our job is one that is constantly evolving and it...
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It seems within the last year we have been ‘graced’ with some of the most controversial, insensitive and downright offensive Ads we’ve seen in the past decade. This has got everyone at Brilliant thinking about the many avenues and factors...
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With the likes of Rome, Venice and Milan, Rimini isn’t exactly Italy’s most popular destination. But each year, SEGIP rolls around and the small coastal town is taken over for five days of Gelato, Coffee and Pastry celebration. I headed...
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When we signed the Honey Monster as a client we were then tasked with the monstrous task of creating an Instagram feed that stood out, captured the users attention and really portrayed the Honey Monster’s sense of fun. So after...
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Emojis hit screens in the late 1990s on Japanese mobile phones, before making their appearance internationally on Apple’s 2011 iPhone. Emojis are everywhere and are definitely a trend here to stay, cemented by the fact that Oxford Dictionaries named emoji...
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Make no bones about it…our tails are wagging to be working with Bear Bones Dog Treats. This product is truly unique and we can’t wait to introduce it to you! Believe it or not, the story begins in the rocky...
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Initially when people think about university, their first thought is to get as far away from home as possible. For me, it was the opposite way around. See, I’m Leeds born and bred and everyone knows it’s the best city ever,...
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This October I’ll be speaking again at Bread & Jam, the UK’s first Food Founders’ Festival and a chance for emerging and growing brands to learn the best ways to bring their products to market and drive sales. The two...
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It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since the first iPhone launched in stores and just how much it changed things. I make no secret of being an Apple fanboy (I’ve wrote several blogs for Brilliant about them in...
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In an age where we can’t remember if we’re supposed to eat eggs or not, whether avocado is actually good for us and what on earth de-mono-un-poly-saturated is supposed to mean, keeping it simple is the easiest option. That’s where…
If you follow my personal Instagram account you may know that I've been in New York. Sorry if I spammed your feed - It's just such a wicked and ‘Instagramable’ location I couldn't resist sharing it. I wasn’t there to...
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Some 46 miles from Leeds is the idyllic country town of Thirsk. Just outside of Thirsk is nothing but rolling fields and farms, cut only by the tracks of the East Coast Trainline. Among those many fields and farms sits...
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So long Starbucks, we’re all for the indies these day. Whether you’re picking up a flat white from La Bottega or stopping by Belgrave for a can of Vocation, Leeds has got you covered with an endless list of independents...
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VOCATION & Co. is Vocation Brewery's first bar, so logically it's in their home town of Hebden Bridge. Their mission was to we really add something to the community and help them to get closer to people who love beer as much as...
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It all started when Frankie Fox got a bumper crop of beetroot from her garden and wondered what on earth she was going to do with it all. After all, you don’t waste good food – Frankie’s dad, the original…
I set off on Friday morning to travel 285 miles… Why I hear you ask? A music festival, holiday with the girlfriend, maybe a road trip in the new Jeep, perhaps? But you’d be wrong - I traveled to Exeter...
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Holmes pipped Davis to win a tactical battle in Leeds, with Alex Garcia slipping from pole to finish third. Tensions were high as the drivers lined up, there'd had been plenty of trash talk in the days running up to...
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Welcome, Artemis! In need of that afternoon pick-me-up, too lazy to put the kettle on? Say hello to your new coffee essential, Artemis Brew. Artemis are a cold brew compony based in Leeds. They also happen to be a new...
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This week Brilliant turned six. A small age for a company but a mature one in the world of social media who’s own lifespan is only a few years more senior. What can I say, it’s been a journey! Time…
One of my favourite films to come out in recent years is Chef by Jon Favreau. In case you haven’t seen it, or heard about it, it’s about a Chef (I know right?) For the past 3 years Belgrave Music Hall...
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Last week was British Sandwich Week, and the team here at Brilliant ran a special campaign for our client, Binghams Potted Meats & Spreads. The Binghams social community is seriously dedicated to the potted beef cause, being one of the...
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You know how it goes: it's Friday evening and your housemate suggests checking out a new place he's seen advertised. Next thing you know, it's Saturday afternoon and you're covered with paint in an abandoned tai chi studio. So as...
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Us dear folks at Brilliant Social Media are an uncommon bunch. We look for brands that speak to our thirst for things just outside the normal run of the mill. As such, we are truly thrilled to begin work with...
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April 28th 2011. The most glorious of days. A day that will live on in the lives of all those that grace the Internet... (ok maybe not) How did it all go down? Ever lose site of who you really...
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If there is anything Leeds has gained in recent years it’s the reputation for producing decent beer. Decent beer produced by some bloody, great breweries*. One of those breweries is Northern Monk. Forgive me for been late with this review,...
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It’s here again. A morning of pranks. Here are the best April Fools from 2017, along with some of our own creation. Google Not really an April Fools when it’s absolutely awesome and the same joke you pulled 2...
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Yesterday. March 29th 2017. Brexit Day. Theresa May threw the UK into the abyss and trigged Article 50 starting the countdown to where we have to have all our ducks in a row, before been booted from the EU (deals...
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So, as you may know the sun has made an appearance over the past week which has got us in the summer mood! For all you music addicts or party animals this also means that festival season is nearly upon...
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There’s been a lot of changes in the social realm this last few weeks. So much, you might have missed it. Here are the highlights: Snap Inc Snapchat’s parent company finally floated on the stock market and raised $3.4 billion...
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Today's National Unplugging Day! What’s that? A social media agency telling you to stop using social media — are you crazy? Hear us out. According to the Telegraph, the average person checks their phone 200 times a day - that's...
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New Netflix series Abstract shows the creative processes and inner workings of eight masters of design... In our office this week we’ve been loving the new Netflix series Abstract! The eight episode documentary collective delves into the role of design...
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So as you may or may not know, Drake was in Leeds for two nights. And yep as you may or may not know, Leeds went into melt down. The biggest thing to hit social regarding the visit of Drizzy...
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Our Social Media re-hash blog came to an end. It’s had a good run, 2 years in fact, but with the close of 2016 it seemed the perfect opportunity to close the door on our blog too. You can find...
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Considering Donald Trump is the “Leader of the Free World”, the very fact that the above question is being considered is almost unbelievable. Nonetheless, many have called for the President’s Twitter to be confiscated. Just last night, protesters outside of...
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Social media is currently in a state of a flux — always changing and forever evolving. So, in this brand new year, what can we expect to see in the digital scape? Storytelling Social media has become the newest canvas...
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We’ve got some peachy news for you… Fruitypot are on Instagram! So, go grab your green tea and let us explain what’s to come. If you’re feeling slightly blue this January it’s time to change that and get on board...
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Every month we bookend our blog with a social media rehash examining the most talked about events in social from the previous month. This month is like no other however, it will be our last social media rehash as we look...
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The dust has settled on the battle of festive advert supremacy for another year. Retail juggernauts such as John Lewis, Sainsbury’s and Apple all had a stab at creating the advert of the festive season, with an aim to be…
Brilliant Social Media manage 2 of the top 3 Facebook pages in the UK for food/beverage. Not a bad stat for us to end the year on! As a specialist social media agency for the food and drink sector you’d...
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Instagram Live has officially landed. But what is it exactly? ‘Live’ gives people with profiles the chance to stream to their audiences. Facebook set the precedent earlier this year by unleashing this option to its network. Real-time video is the...
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In the last few weeks there has been an abundance of movie trailers released. Some of which made us do a little wee. Sorry, not sorry. If these trailers don't get you excited for 2017, we don't know what will!...
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If 2016 has taught us anything it’s that with this many celebrity deaths we should have already formed a human shield around Sir David Attenborough and Mary Berry, Apple have definitely lost their way and that the general public shouldn’t...
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With the cold nights approaching you’ll soon be on your sofa wrapped up scrolling through your social feeds and downloading apps… How exciting. But do you really want to be scrolling through the same pictures and content you’ve been looking...
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Since 61,864,015 US voters elected Donald Trump, to the White House on November 8th, his opposition have been left hankering for someone or something to account for the shock victory. As the dust settled, one all mighty finger has been pointed...
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This weekend I spoke at the fantastic Bread & Butter Festival at The Institute of Directors in London – it was the UK’s first Food Founders Festival and a chance for emerging and growing brands to learn the best ways…
If you live in or near Leeds, you’re probably aware of the city’s bid for the 2023 European Capital of Culture. If you’ve spent time here, you’re also probably well-versed in the DIY art and music scenes that are such...
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Another month, been and gone. So what happened in October. Yorkshire Tea At the end of October, Yorkshire Tea released a rap across social media platforms. Now I love a good brew but the video and ‘rap’ was just awful....
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It’s been just over a month now since Facebook ventured into the world of online classified advertising in the form of Facebook Marketplace. Seen as a direct challenge to the likes of Gumtree, eBay & Craigslist, Marketplace allows Facebook users...
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For months and months, the Eastgate area of Leeds has been overcome with the sound of construction. At the bottom of Kirkgate Market, there’s been a sea of men in high-vis jackets eating bacon butties for their lunch for what…
Need an adventure? Look no further. This blog goes out to all you trail blazers out there... The ones who use social media to inspire thousands of us to drop our pen and walk out of work looking for that...
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For those living under a rock, the Great British Bake Off (#GBBO) returned to our screens and with it came even higher ratings and some superb online reactions: When you got #GBBO at 8 but your ASDA shift starts at...
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Bread & Butter is the UK’s first ever food founders’ festival – a 2 day conference and bootcamp for emerging and growing food and drink brands, bringing together food and drink founders and innovators, investors, media and industry leaders over…
In 2016, our brains are hardwired to relate everything to our Facebook profile. We think constantly about our Twitter feeds. Even those of us not working in a social media agency will schedule content to go out online, so that…
Yesterdays #AppleEvent was filled with exciting new features (and some not so) for the Apple Watch and iPhone. Too many for me to write about in full; instead here is a list of highlights: 1) Apple watch sits here in watch...
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August was a busy one. It was all fairly great up until just after the bank holiday. We’ll start with some social media updates: Facebook rolled out a fair few updates, the one that stood out the most was the...
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Over the past few years animals have become the source of much entertainment online; cats, rhinos, elephants, snakes and dogs. Seeing as it’s National Dog Day we decided to put together a little blog about the best dogs on the...
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Soon the Olympics will come to a close and we thought there wouldn't be any other way to close it out, than with a rundown of our favourite tweets seen during the event. Enjoy! 1) At least the BBC subtitles...
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Meet Rosso our office elephant... we thought you should probably know a little bit more about him, seeing as it is World Elephant Day and what not! 50) He once lived with Marlon Brando on Mulholland Drive 49) He has...
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4 months in and here’s how our new office has shaped up. A brew a day keeps the doctor away - so why not enjoy that brew out of a colourful and funky mug. Eggs, watermelon, ice cream… just a...
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We couldn’t do a monthly round up of the biggest things to happen in social media this month without mentioning Pokémon Go. It wasn’t all plain sailing. The app crashed due to server meltdown. It was hacked. Twice. And then...
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Every relationship has it’s ups and downs. There comes a time when you have to make a choice - suck it up and continue to see what happens, or make a clean break and start again. I’m currently stuck somewhere...
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Yesterday, Twitter announced it would now support the newest 72 emoji in Unicode 9.0. That's great... we were in dire need of the Avocado emoji (Sincerely) and the Clown emoji (*shudders*) Support for emoji with skin color modifiers will also be...
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It's been a busy few months in the world of Social Media, all the big guns in the industry have rolled out changes to their platforms, most of them small, but there's some quite substantial ones mixed in there to take note of too....
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Instagram and the ideas that happen on there are constantly developing. Brands are moving away from ad hoc posting (or just replicating their Facebook posts onto Instagram) and using it with creativity and attention to detail, making it more of...
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I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, 2016 is without a doubt the worst year in recent memory. June continued that trend in tremendous fashion; first the world was shocked to lose ‘The Greatest’ - Muhammad Ali. Ali considered...
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