What is Public Relations?

When you open any newspaper or magazine and read about a new product on the market,
some hot new holiday destination or what Robbie Williams is doing this week that is a publicist in action.
Celebrities, Bands, Actors, Products, Designers, Multi National Corporations all have publicists.
We are the people hired to influence the media about practically anything.

When you hire a P.R. Consultant, you are hiring a person who has established relationships with the media
and who understands how media works, and how the media like to be approached.
Publicity unlike advertising is never guaranteed. A publicist will try as hard as they can to get you,
your band, your latest play or book written about or your CD or Event reviewed but the only guaranteed
method of getting something in the media is through paid advertising.
With that out of the way - here are some ways I could handle your publicity.

Tour Publicity

Four to six weeks before the tour begins, I mail press kits and CDs to all applicable media and web sites
deemed suitable.
As the date approaches I follow up with entertainment editors by faxing and e-mailing reminders and making phone calls.
I set up phone and live interviews between the band and the press and media.
I invite members of the media to attend shows for concert reviews or live interviews at the venue.
Canvass for show previews and CD reviews in all applicable publications along the tour route.
Provide a comprehensive report of results and send the articles that ran to the band.

A CD Release With A Tour

Decide with the label / artist if the release should be:
National
International USA - Europe (If the band has made an impact overseas).
Design and plan a comprehensive campaign, make a media target list.
Mail press kits and CDs to all applicable media.
Call each person sent CDs to and encourage them to listen to, and review the material.
Organize a CD release party.
Encourage press to write show reviews.
Provide a comprehensive report of results and send the articles that ran to the band.

A CD Release / Press Campaign Without A Tour

Find an angle to work with :
Is this a new CD release campaign or are we just trying to get a "buzz" going?
Where are the members of the band originally from? - local focus
Where does the band live currently? - regional focus
Where did they perform most recently?
Is there an unusual story behind this band? - What is it?
Mail press kits and CDs to all applicable press.
Set up phone or live interviews with the band.
Call each person sent CDs to and encourage them to listen to, and review the material.
Provide a comprehensive report of results and send the articles that ran to the band.