Target has announced its partnership with superstar Taylor Swift on her third album, Speak Now. Target will offer an exclusive deluxe version of the album that features three new music tracks, three remixed music tracks, and 30 minutes of video content with the four-time GRAMMY® Award winner.  The special deluxe version of Speak Now will be available at Target stores nationwide and Target.com beginning October 25, 2010.  The album is available today for pre-order on Target.com.

“I’m so excited about the deluxe edition of Speak Now that will be at Target!” said Swift. “I’m all about being able to give the fans special extras whenever I can, so I love that this version has video footage and even some additional songs.”

With countless partnerships with some of the most celebrated names in music including The Black Eyed Peas, Christina Aguilera, Prince and John Legend, Target is devoted to joining forces with artists who are committed to offering their fans exclusive and diverse albums.

“Target is very excited to partner with Taylor Swift on her new, and much anticipated, album Speak Now,” said Mark Schindele, Senior Vice President, Merchandising, Target.  “Taylor is a dynamic artist that has developed a strong fan base that spans across all ages and geographies and we are proud to be the only retailer to carry this exclusive new content. Knowing how important Taylor’s fans are to her, we are pleased to be able to deliver three new songs, plus exclusive remixed tracks and video footage, at a great price.”

Media Maverick LLC, a media training company, has established offices in Nashville. The company trains entertainers, CEO’s, business executives, government officials and other people who must interact with the media.

The three partners in Media Maverick have more than 50 combined years of experience in print, social media, radio and television, and video production. Broadcast executive Clark Taylor partners with music journalist Vernell Hackett and photographer/videographer John Lee Montgomery III to offer a broad range of expertise for those who wish to expand their interview skills.

Taylor has been involved in broadcast journalism since his early days as a deejay. He was the developer of radio and television news for the Department of the Army and the Pentagon, Soldiers Radio and Television (SRTV), in Washington, D.C. As part of his duties, he trained men and women to testify in front of Congress, talk to the national media and speak before various government committees.

“We have a combined experience that is needed to develop the skills to provide our clients with the confidence they need to talk to the media,” says Taylor. “I am excited about making Nashville the home base for this company.”

Hackett covers Nashville’s music industry as an editor and freelance journalist. Montgomery photographs numerous major entertainment and political figures as well as works on various film crews for commercials, music videos and interview shows.

“I can recall many interviews where the person I was speaking with answered in very short, non-descriptive sentences which left me with very little to work with as I was writing my story,” Hackett says. “I look forward to working with people who want to broaden their skills during an interview situation in order to convey their message to the journalist they are interviewing with in order to give them everything they need so they can write their story or edit their radio or television show.”

Montgomery brings extensive work as a videographer and still photographer to Media Maverick LLC. He worked in Nashville’s music industry throughout the 1990’s, then went on travel and work with video production teams that captured numerous political events as well as various advertising campaigns. He has also worked on artist videos and television shows.

“Media Maverick training offers a personalized, adaptive and interactive session with highly diverse and experienced radio, print and TV professionals teaching individuals to more effectively handle themselves when conducting press conferences or business meetings,” Montgomery says. “I personally look forward to helping people understand what goes on behind the camera so as to be better prepared them to be in front of the camera.”

Media Maverick provides personalized media training, with every one-on-one training session customized to meet the needs of the individual. The team of professionals can work in the client’s office or they can provide a training area in which to meet. Instructors teach individuals to more effectively handle themselves in front of journalists, TV and radio personalities and when conducting press conferences or business meetings.

Members of the Media Maverick team will continue in their individual roles of journalist and photographer outside of their duties with the newly formed company.

Media Mavericks LLC has branches in Washington, D.C. and New York City, and plans to open one in Los Angeles in the near future.

Longtime music businessman Dan Keen and his wife, Kimberly, have acquired Nashville based modeling and talent training center, Advantage Talent Development. Advantage was founded in 1987 by former Miss Tennessee Nise’ Davies who will remain an integral part of the modeling and acting aspects of the operation.

“The entertainment industry is no longer about specialization,” said Keen. “Stars like Miley Cyrus, who started her career at Advantage, have demonstrated the advantage of developing multiple talents; songwriting, singing and acting. We offer the opportunity for Nashville’s music stars to become movie and television stars as well.”

During his 15-year tenure at ASCAP, Keen signed Ashley Gorley and Rachel Thibodeau to the organization. They went on to win Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year, respectively. He also signed Chris Young, who was represented by Advantage for acting and modeling.

Kimberly Keen can be reached at [email protected] or 615-790-5001. The offices are located at 230 Franklin Rd. Ste 802, Franklin, TN 37064. www.advantagemodel.com.