@ Media & Money: Keynote: Russell Simmons, Founder, Rush Communications
The final event at the Media & Money Conference was a keynote interview with hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, whose business empire is approaching conglomerate status. Much of the conversation was general, about his business philosophy and social outlook. Among his many ventures: the startup Global Grind, a kind of hip-hop themed NetVibes, which he funded with help from Accel’s Jim Breyer (now strongly associated with his Facebook investment).
As for why he launched the site now, Simmons said the timing coincided with the end of a five-year non-compete clause associated with the sale of his former site 360HipHop.com to BET. This time, he has the funding and the experience to succeed where 360hiphop.com failed. He’s clearly more than a figurehead for the site, as he talked up what the site offers: “You have a bunch of RSS feeds… The home page is kind of like NetVibes,” and there’s a relevance engine that helps people find content related to what they’re consuming. His example: if you see an article about the rapper Saigon, it won’t bring you related news on what’s now known as Ho Chi Minh City. (Just to note, even Google (NSDQ: GOOG) puts the rapper above the city.) The company does plan to be ad supported, though it’s also looking serve the hip-hop industry in some way.
He added that he had considered launching a cable channel or a magazine, but didn’t like the business prospects. He was similarly dour on the the music business, despite the fact that he’s “listening to more music than ever before.”
MY COMPLAINT IS YOUR RUSH CARD TOOK $160 FROM MY WIFE ACCOUNT AND NOONE KNOWS WHAT IS GOING ON I SEE ON YOUR SIGHT MY WIFE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE YOU GOT OVERSEAS PEOPLE WORKING FOR YOU AND THEY JUST TOOK THE MONEY AND THEY WONT GIVE IT BACK THATS BAD BUSINESS RUSSELL MY E-MAIL IS keith_coles@yahoo.com
HERE IT IS APRIL 17, 2008 AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY MONEY.
Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 11:59 AM
To: agent@rushcard.com; complaints@complaints.com; Shearin, Thelma (DMHMRSAS)
Subject: DO NOT DELETE – SERIOUS PROBLEM
To Whom It Concern:
I have a Rushcard and I tried to withdraw my money on payday on February 1, 2008 for 780.00 from Bank of America's Atm Machine. The machine did not dispense my money. I tried to due the transaction again, now it was insufficient funds. I didn't receive the money at all. I went inside to talk to the people at Bank of America and they said they couldn't help me, that I would have to talk to my Bank (rushcard). I called Rushcard and talked to some foreign person (which is always the case, and you can't never understand what they are saying) in which they told me that I would have to fill out some Error allegation papers which they faxed to me and I faxed back 5 times.
I have been calling Rushcard since my money was taken, and all I can get is a foreign person telling me the papers have been forwarded to their corporate offices which no one seems to have the number to. I have sent all necessary paper work, and they tell me its going to take 90 days. I feel like it didn't take 90 days or seconds for them to take my money and put it in the hold status so why can't they just give me my money back. A guy named Victor has called me twice asking me for a receipt from that day. I faxed the receipt along with the other papers, but the only receipt that Bank of America's ATM gave me only showed by balance, nothing more and nothing less. That is all I have.
780.00 might be chump change to Russell Simmons and his associates but it's a hell of a lot to a working person such as myself. I want my money back and if I don't receive my money, legal and media actions will be taken as well as the internet. People need to know about this RUSHCARD that is advertised on t.v. with the high fees, and no dispense of money. Because of this, I have surely cancelled my direct deposit. This happen 3 times to me, now your out.
The complaints below are some I found on the internet and it's a lot more people complaining. All I want is my money back that I worked damn hard for. I didn't work to give it to people that already got money
Thelma Shearin
The samething happened to me as well. Tried to take money out of the ATM and never recieved the money, but the money was taken out of my account. The bank said I would have to contact Rushcard and speak with them about this but I can't get through to them, I have been trying to call for 3days and cant get anyone on the line. Something needs to be done about this, and I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!!!!!!!!!
On 12/3/09 I as well went to an US Bank atm to withdraw 500 for my rent the money attempted to come out but jammed. The atm machine sucked my 500 back in and never dispensed my card. I went into the bank the bank manager was very helpful they gave my card back, but said i would have to contact Rushcard. I could not understand anything the woman was saying. she ensured me my money will be back on my card on 12/5/09 it’s now 12/7/09 and i still don’t have my rent money back to my card. I had to complete a claims dispute even though the bank provided documention that their atm machine did not dispense my funds. Im trying to remain patient before taking legal action, it appears this company is making it a habit of ripping off hardworking people.
I had the same problem …aside from the monthly fees that they take out and all the other BS. They are of NO help at all when an ATM takes the money out of your account but then never dispenses it from the machine and you have the proof on the ATM slip. Russell GO TO HELL! Caniving bastard!
Yes my name is Lei’asia Taylor and i am a very mad customer cause my income taxes hasn’t been posted to my rush card account in the funds has been in rush card account since feb 5 2010…..In chase morgan bank told rush card since feb 5 2010 the money was posted…….In corp has not got in touch with me yet…….So now i have to take legal actions against rush card now…..And the agents that work at rush card has been giving me the wrong information regarding my income taxes……So rush card is some bullshit and i will never refer anybody to rush card……so please have someone to help assist me with this i have a infant baby and bills to pay and will be homeless please help with this matter..
Good Morning
I have had this account for awhile and use it for my direct deposit.
Well as of today My money has not been posted and It has left me in a
bad situation due to the charges you have placed on me for trying to use
my card and I have no funds available.. I would like to know where is my
check ?
I wished I would have read these comments before I had my school check direct deposited to my rushcard. I think this card isn’t convenient and I wouldn’t recommend anyone getting it. This is my first time ever loading money on this card and Im already having problems. Now my school is tracking the check trying to see what is going on since rushcard say it hasn’t posted and the school did send it out because it is posted on my school account. I would recommend for future reference those of you who are trying to use direct deposit go to a real bank and not use this card.