Shira Lazar

Shira Lazar (born May 6, 1983) is a Canadian television personality, actress, writer, and video blogger who currently resides and works in Los Angeles.

Shira Lazar
Lazar at the 2011 SXSW
Born (1983-05-06) May 6, 1983
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
OccupationActress, television personality, writer, video blogger
Known forLifecasting, Video journalism
Notable work
Mahalo Daily, What's Trending
Websitewww.shiralazar.com

Lazar's writing has been featured on Hollywood.com, CBSNEWS.com, MSN.com, and others, and she has appeared as a host or as a guest at The Oscars (online red carpet host), CNN, Fox News, The Grammys, Yahoo! (Entertainment Host).Channel Q or EZ-103.1

Lazar currently runs DISRUPT/GROUP, an online production company she co-founded, and was once a regular feature writer and video blogger for the CBS News.com blog 'OnTheScene'[1] She is the creator and host of Partners Project, a YouTube talk show which has interviewed such YouTube stars like iJustine, Shay Carl, Freddie Wong, Lisa Nova, Michelle Phan, OK Go, and Nice Peter.[2]

She is also the creator, executive producer and host of What's Trending. It consists of a blog that is updated daily, as well as a live interactive talk show covering the most popular videos on YouTube that airs daily on WhatsTrending.com.[3]

Biography

Lazar was born in Montreal, Quebec to Jewish parents [4][5][6] After graduating from St. George's High School she went on to study at Dawson College where she worked on The Plant newspaper. After finishing college she moved to Boston, Massachusetts to attend Emerson College[7] and obtained a BA in TV/Video production. Shira was the voice of the Peach in "Annoying Orange: Jalapeno ". She is the stepsister of American Apparel founder Dov Charney.

Personal life

In 2019, Shira Lazar discussed her breakup with Bart Baker on the Syd Wilder podcast.[8]

Career

Lazar began her media career in 2004 as host of the College Sports Television program "1st Person". In 2005 she went on to become a host and producer for Music Plus TV and hosted celebrity Q&A video's on Yahoo. In 2006 she contributed feature pieces to Hollywood.com, and wrote that year's Oscar's awards night preview feature for Los Angeles Confidential.

Lazar developed and hosted an online reality competition for MSN.com at TasteMaker.[9] In 2009 she became the host of the Mahalo.com online weekly video program This Week in YouTube.[10] In April 2008 Lazar began hosting "LX TV", a lifestyle entertainment show for NBC4 in Los Angeles.[11]

Lazar covered the latest technology and media trends in a blog for CBSNews.com called OnTheScene.[12] Lazar is a co-founder of the digital production company DISRUPT/GROUP,[13] which produces online content such as The Partners Project, and interview show that profiles and features viral video stars.[14] Lazar is also a regular contributor to The Huffington Post on issues of new technology, digital life and viral web trends.[15] In 2009 Lazar was a featured writer and blogger on Travel Channel's "Confessions of a Travel Writer".[16]

In 2010, Lazar was a guest speaker at the Mashable and CNN Media Summit.[17] Also in 2010, Lazar was nominated by Wired as one of the sexiest geeks of 2010.[18] In 2011, Lazar was featured in Fast Company magazine as one of the "Most Influential Women in Technology".[19] Lazar was also the host of Fashion's Night Out for Macy's in September 2011.[20] Also in 2011, Lazar was featured by The Huffington Post's "Women in Tech" series as "Women in Tech You Need to Follow."[21]

Lazar hosted the online red carpet event for the 2011 Grammy Music Awards.[22] Lazar also hosted the live stream red carpet and backstage access for the 2011 Oscar's coverage for oscars.com.[23]

On September 20, 2011 Lazar started a weekly blog series on Entrepreneur titled, "Social Media Breakdown."[24] In October 2011, in partnership with MTV's A Thin Line Campaign, Lazar began an anti-bullying campaign using the Twitter hashtag #StopBullying.[25]

On December 6, 2011, Lazar was interviewed by Leslie Bradshaw of Forbes where she stated, "Not only is Shira a powerhouse in her own right, but she is also a pioneer in the field. Many have dabbled in vlogging, but few have stuck it out and brought immense value along the way. When I think of the modern correspondent, I think of Shira."[26]

In October 2012, Lazar was listed in Variety's Women's Impact Report 2012, under the Creatives category.[27]

For the fourth year in a row, Lazar joined Tyler Oakley as the host of The Trevor Project's Trevor Live red carpet livestream.[28]

In February 2015, VH1 announced a new digital series starring Lazar called, Huge on the Tube.[29] The following month, HLN announced in March 2015, Lazar as the West Coast contributor for The Daily Share.[30]

In April 2015, Cynopsis Media honored Lazar as one of the Top Women in Digital.[31]

2016 saw Lazar once again return to host "Tubeathon," with IHeartRadio to benefit the American Red Cross' 2016 Giving Day,[32] as well as the new "#LiveUnlimited" Campaign during Social Media Week in Los Angeles for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.[33] Shira Lazar has also been broadcasting regularly on the new platform, Live.ly, the live portion of Musical.ly, where Lazar has been garnering millions of regular viewers,[34] and hosted a 24-hour stream on the platform where the proceeds benefited the Pablove Foundation.[35]

Ad Council's Champions for Good series, a series that spotlights "industry individuals," highlighted Shira Lazar in March 2017 as part of their campaign.[36] In June 2017, Sinclair Broadcasting Group announced a partnership with Lazar and What's Trending to create a new show, "Circa Pop Live with Shira Lazar" that will appear on Circa News' website and Facebook page.[37] In August of that same year Comcast announced a partnership that would have a new segment, "What's Watchable," produced by Lazar, to be shown in between episodes of Comcast's streaming service, Watchable.[38]

2017 also saw Shira Lazar as a correspondent for Syfy's San Diego Comic-Con coverage.[39]

In October 2018, Lazar became the host of the afternoon drive show, "Lets Go There" weekdays on the first national LGBTQ+ station Channel Q syndicated and on Radio.com.[40]

Also in 2018, Lazar launched the lifestyle and travel series, Adventures In Curiosity, on Facebook Watch.[41]

On May 17, 2011, Lazar began hosting a weekly, live, interactive television show called What's Trending. The show consisted of two celebrity panelists discussing news that was currently trending or was during the week in addition to live performances and special events.

What's Trending was nominated for a 2012 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media, Original Interactive Television Programing.[42]

In August 2012, What's Trending announced a partnership with YouTube to go from live weekly to daily as the "MTV of YouTube".[43]

In December 2012, What's Trending participated in the 1st Annual Tube-A-Tweet-A-Thon."[44] People would go to Twitter and tweet using the hashtag #Tubeathon and $1 would be donated to Covenant House to try and raise $50,000 to serve homeless youth.

In June 2013, What's Trending received a seven-figure investment from Bedrocket Media Ventures to expand production, distribution, and ad sales.[45]

In 2014, HLN announced a development deal with What's Trending.[46] Also in 2014, Marriott announced What's Trending as part of their development studio slate.[47] As part of that partnership, Marriott celebrated its Millionth Mobile check-in with Lazar and Jeana Smith, founder of Prank vs Prank.[48] Marriott would later announce a new series, in partnership with What's Trending, titled Experiences.[49]

In 2015, the International Academy of Web Television announced Lazar as a nominee for Best Live Host.[50]

What's Trending partnered with Samsung to provide live coverage from the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2015,[51] as well as South by Southwest in March.[52]

Also in 2015, What's Trending announced a new COO in James Haffner, who most recently acted as an executive producer for DeFranco Creative.[53]

Controversy and subsequent removal from CBS News

On September 9, 2011, someone at "What's Trending" erroneously posted that Apple CEO Steve Jobs had died on the official "What's Trending" Twitter account.[54] The tweet had said "Reports say that Steve Jobs has passed away. Stay tuned for more updates,” and was soon trending.[55] The tweet was removed shortly thereafter, with Lazar apologizing, saying Jobs death was "completely unconfirmed". Later from her own Twitter account, Lazar apologized again for the inaccuracy of what had been tweeted.[56] Hours after the first tweet was posted, CBS News severed ties with "What's Trending" and Lazar.[57]

References
  1. CBSNews.com OnTheScene: Shira Lazar, "CBS News", Retrieved March 10, 2010
  2. YouTube Introduces Weekly Talk Show, Retrieved January 9, 2011
  3. Shira Lazar's Emmy-Nominated Web Series Plans to Become the MTV News For YouTube, Retrieved August 20, 2012.
  4. "AM I A BAD JEW? - Shira Lazar". 29 September 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  5. "Jew You Should Know: Shira Lazar". 10 February 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  6. "Shira Lazar on Twitter". Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  7. Tsotsis, Alexia. LA People 2009: Tech's Popular Girl — Shira Lazar, LA Weekly, April 22, 2009, Retrieved September 14, 2010
  8. Girl Inst-rupted: Episode #68 - What's Trending with Shira Lazar, "Girl Insta-Rupted", January 16, 2020, Retrieved January 16, 2020
  9. MSN.com: The Tastemaker Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine, "MSN", Retrieved March 9, 2011
  10. This Week in YouTube, Retrieved March 9, 2011
  11. Fishbowl: New shows woo L.A hipsters Archived 2012-10-18 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  12. OnTheScene Blog: CBSNews.com, Retrieved March 9, 2011
  13. DISRUPT/GROUP: About, retrieved March 6th, 2011
  14. The Partners Project, Retrieved March 9, 2011
  15. Huffington Post: Shira Lazar, "Huffington Post", Retrieved March 9th, 2011
  16. Jaunted: Find out what happens when 5 travel writers get in front of the camera, Retrieved March 10th, 2011
  17. "Mashable Media Summit 2011: Speakers". Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  18. Vote for you Favorite Sexy Geeks of 2010, Retrieved January 6, 2011
  19. Evans, Suzy. Fast Company: Most Influential Women In Tech: Shira Lazar, Fast Company, February, 2011, Retrieved March 9, 2011
  20. Shira Lazar talks about What's Trending" Archived 2011-09-25 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved September 6, 2011
  21. Women in Tech You Need to Follow, Retrieved July 15, 2011
  22. Shira Lazar: Hosting Grammy Live! for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, Retrieved March 9, 2011
  23. "Oscars 2011 : The Digital Perspective". 2 March 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  24. Social Media Breakdown, Retrieved September 20, 2011
  25. Everyone Deserves to Live in Peace: Join @WhatsTrending and #StopBullying, Retrieved October 27, 2011
  26. Some Women Wait Years to Lead a Major Media Brand, Shira Lazar Just Created Her Own, Retrieved December 6, 2011
  27. Shira Lazar, host, exec producer of online program What's Trending, Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  28. The Trevor Project announces TrevorLive honorees and star-studded talent Archived 2015-04-11 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved November 20, 2014
  29. Shira Lazar on getting "Huge on the Tube", Retrieved February 18, 2015
  30. What's Trending's Shira Lazar Named West Coast Contributor for HLN TV Show, Retrieved March 12, 2015
  31. Cynopsis Media Announces Top Women in Digital Honorees & Event Details, Retrieved March 30, 2015
  32. American Idol's La'Porsha Renae and Dancing with the Stars' Mark Ballas Among Stars Turning Out for Tubeathon, Retrieved April 13, 2016
  33. Igniting Digital Influencers To Start A Movement For Good, Retrieved June 10, 2016
  34. Musical.ly Live-Streaming Stars Are Earning Thousands of Dollars From Adoring Fans, Retrieved October 31, 2016
  35. Shira Lazar, Bart Baker to co-host live.ly 24-hour stream in honor of Giving Tuesday, Retrieved November 29, 2016
  36. 10 Questions with Champion for Good Shira Lazar, Retrieved March 1, 2017
  37. Shira Lazar’s What’s Trending Teams With Sinclair’s Circa On News And Pop Culture Series, Retrieved June 23, 2017
  38. Comcast’s Watchable Taps Shira Lazar’s “What’s Trending” for New Interstitial Series — “What’s…, Retrieved August 17, 2017
  40. /Entercom's LGBTQ+ 'Out Now' Now 'Channel Q,' Launches First Non-HD2/HD3 Affiliate In Palm Springs, Retrieved November 1, 2018
  42. What's Trending Gets Its First Primetime Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Interactive TV Program Archived 2012-10-14 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  43. "Web Show 'What's Trending' Goes Daily". Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  44. The 1st Annual Tube-A-Tweet-A-Thon Holiday Spectacular Archived 2012-12-11 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  45. Spangler, Todd (18 June 2013). "Bedrocket Takes Stake in YouTube Channel 'What's Trending'". Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  46. HLN Announces Nightly News Program, Social Media-Centric Development Slate, Retrieved April 10, 2014
  47. Marriott Launches Global Creative and Content Marketing Studio, Retrieved September 29, 2014
  48. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-04-04. Retrieved 2015-05-13.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link), Retrieved April 2, 2015
  49. What’s Trending Checks YouTube Stars Into Marriott With ‘Experiences’ Series, Retrieved, February 6, 2015
  50. 2015 IAWTV Award Nominees, Retrieved 2015
  51. What’s Trending, Samsung Partner For Live Stream Of CES Events Retrieved January 5, 2015
  52. SXSW 2015: “What’s Trending” Streams Live from the Samsung Lounge Archived 2015-05-06 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved March 18, 2015
  53. What's Trending Expands With Veteran Digital Executive, Retrieved February 9, 2015
  54. http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/09/10/steve-jobs-death-tweet-costs-shira-lazar-her-cbs-news-gig/ Retrieved July 21, 2013
  55. http://www.mediaite.com/online/cbs-severs-ties-to-shira-lazars-whats-trending-over-steve-jobs-death-hoax/ Retrieved July 21, 2013
  56. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cbs-news-ends-relationship-source-233725 Retrieved July 21, 2013
  57. http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/09/10/steve-jobs-death-tweet-costs-shira-lazar-her-cbs-news-gig/ Retrieved July 21, 2013
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