Dutch stunner Lara Stone plays a modern-day Dorothy swept away by a Californian desert storm in Alex Prager’s blustery new short. Starring the gap-toothed beauty alongside the sleek Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster, the film is part of the German luxury automaker’s autumn/winter 2012 “Icons of Style” campaign. Described by the director as “Mary Poppins meets The Wizard of Oz meets James Bond,” the fanciful short was shot in the dusty surrounds of Los Angeles. As well as conveying a sense of danger, Prager says her creation aimed to give “the impression that Lara is going somewhere interesting, off on a secret mission tucked away in those suitcases.” Known for her hyper-stylized, emotive work, the sought after young photographer and filmmaker was impressed by Stone’s acting chops. “She was very on board with the whole tornado idea,” says Prager. “Being strapped into a harness with fans and rain blowing in all directions isn’t the most fun thing to do, but she seemed to be enjoying herself and looking totally beautiful throughout.”

Supermodel Lara Stone is also again the face of the sexy Calvin Klein jeans campaign.

See here the film to the International Fashion Key Visual for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2012.

Aguilera joins previously announced musician coaches Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine. The announcement was made by Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios.

Aguilera first achieved prominence as a singer after the release of her album “Christina Aguilera” in 1999, which sold over 17 million copies worldwide and yielded such hits as “Genie in a Bottle,” “What a Girl Wants” and “Come on Over Baby (All I Want Is You).” As a result, she won her first Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her rendition of “Genie in a Bottle.” Aguilera’s second album, “Mi Reflejo,” earned her a Latin Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Album.

On “The Voice,” four famous musician coaches – including Aguilera — will each select singers to mentor into artists during the blind auditions. Once they have their teams, the star coaches will bring in their personal songwriters, producers, and high-powered friends to help their teams evolve. Ultimately, America will decide which singer will be worthy of the grand prize.

At last, each coach will have their best contestant left standing to compete in the finale. From these four, one will be named “The Voice” — and will receive the grand prize of a recording contract and $100,000.

“The Voice” is a presentation of Talpa Productions, Mark Burnett and Warner Horizon Television. The series is created by John de Mol, who will executive-produce along with Burnett and Audrey Morrissey.

The success behind the Dutch television show “The Voice” of John de Mol will soon premier in the United States on NBC’s on Tuesday, April 26 (9-11 p.m.)

“The Story of Saab,” a multi-media, multi-faceted national advertising campaign, which will include online ads written by Saab fans, kicked off yesterday.

According to Nicole Jankowski, Saab Cars North America’s Marketing Communications Manager, “The idea behind the campaign is independent thinking, but, most importantly, it will let everyone know that Saab is back, here to stay and that we never went away – what we stand for and who we compete against.”

The Swedish manufacturer virtually disappeared in the United States market less than a year ago, as its parent company at the time tried to sell it. Led by its entrepreneur CEO, Victor Muller, Saab was purchased by Spyker Cars N.V. nearly a year ago – Saab is now once again regaining its place as an independent and viable automaker in the minds of potential consumers.

“Saab has always been unique, offering products which might not be for everyone, but are innovative and speak to its incredibly loyal, devoted owner and fan base,” Jankowski said.

Print ads from the campaign debut this week in The Wall Street Journal, and will be followed by the first television flight starting on January 31. The campaign has a brand story, a product story and retail elements.

“It’s a true, comprehensive re-launch of the brand, the cars and the company,” Jankowski said. “And it’s a long-term, brand building platform, with elements that will continue to evolve in the coming months.”

Online/social-media will be an important part of this campaign. Saab will preview the television commercial January 30th on its Facebook page. In addition, Facebook followers will be asked to write ads for the company, one or more of which will be used in future online advertising.

“The Story of Saab” was created by McCann Worldgroup Detroit’s Team Saab for the U.S. market. Team Saab also has the responsibility of creating the global launch campaign for the company’s next product, the 9-4X.

About Saab Cars North America

Saab, or Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Swedish Aircraft Company), was founded in 1937 as an aircraft manufacturer and revealed its first prototype passenger car 10 years later after the formation of the Saab Car Division. In 1990, Saab Automobile AB was created as a separate company, jointly owned by the Saab Scania Group and General Motors, and became a wholly-owned GM subsidiary in 2000. In February 2010, Spyker Cars N.V. of the Netherlands, acquired the company from GM as an independently-run business.

http://media.saab.com

CitizenM, located in the center of Amsterdam, was selected from 719 award-winning properties to take the “trendiest” title, chosen from the reviews and ratings from some 15 million TripAdvisor users. The hotel chain represents a “new type of hotel experience for a new type of traveler,” providing 14 square meter compact and high tech rooms that are built offsite and then stacked together to form the hotels. Internet connections and wifi on demand are free, and the rooms are lit by LED lights to save energy.

Chicago’s theWit Hotel took second place, with its onsite cinema and 42-inch in-room televisions proving a hit with guests. The 517-room beachfront W Fort Lauderdale hotel in Florida came third.

The eighth annual TripAdvisor TRAVELERS’ CHOICE Awards recognized 719 hotels around the world for outstanding service, value and quality. The results were compiled from millions of reviews submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor.com.

citizenM started as an observation. The world has seen the evolution of a new type of traveler. These modern individuals are explorers, trekkers, professionals and shoppers. They travel a lot – both long and short haul. They are independent, share a respect for different cultures and are young at heart. You might be one of them. If so congratulations – you are what we call a Mobile Citizen of the World – and you are so important to us, we named our hotel after you.

citizenM Hotel reflects and learns from the needs of these new global citizens.

Mobile citizens know what they like in a good hotel and what they don’t need from a bad one. What they like includes stylish design, great value, the best entertainment, sociable atmosphere, a comfortable bed and big fluffy towels. They need a hotel in a good location but one where they can rest easily. What they don’t want is unnecessary or hidden costs.

TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards 2010

Best Bargain in the World – Arcadia Residence, Prague, Czech Republic

Best Luxury (4&5 star hotels) in the World – Golden Well (U Zlate Studne), Prague, Czech Republic

Best for Families in the World – Sirkeci Konak Hotel, Istanbul, Turkey

Best for Service in the World – Golden Well (U Zlate Studne), Prague, Czech Republic

Best B&B and Inn in the World – Casa Portagioia, Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy

Best for Romance in the World – Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, Moorea, French Polynesia

Best All-Inclusive in the World – Drowsy Water Ranch, Granby, Colorado, USA

Best Relaxation and Spa in the World – La Amada Hotel, Playa Mujeres, Mexico

Trendiest Hotel in the World – citizenM Amsterdam City, Amsterdam, The Netherlands