Hey, cool! FeelingAnxious PR was featured in MediaBistro’s Alumni Newsletter today. If you visited our site by way of that email, thanks for checking us out! What a nice way to kick off 2011.
Tag Archives: pr
We’re One of NY’s Top PR Firms and People!
6 DecWe're one of NY's Top PR Firms!
In what could quite possibly be the best Monday on record, we were named one of NY’s Top PR Firms. So proud!
The Whispering Tree Named Unsigned Band of the Week
2 DecHigh Times Names The Whispering Tree Unsigned Band of the Week
Packaging the Product
8 OctSo much of PR is about being able to package concepts, people or ideas so that they’re easily digestable and understandable to consumers (or whoever your target audience is) in a very short time span. Seconds, really.
Your product can be killer, your sound can be great, your bio and press release can be off the hook, but if it doesn’t all come together in an easily digestible way that conveys your message quickly, you’re screwed.
Eat Pastry - Delicious design!
That’s why I love design, because it says so much, so quickly. I especially love packaging design and drool over the site LovelyPackage on a regular basis. I recently saw this post for pre-made cookie dough and fell in love. It’s quirky and fun and not at all what you’d expect from a cookie dough package, but it works.
I happen to think this art-deco-ish illustration concept would also look great as part of an album or website design for a musician… maybe Americana…retro rock? Carnival rock? hah.
What do you think? How much does an artists’ image influence your opinion? What makes you finally hit the play (or buy) button? Is it the the product, what you read about it or the images you see?
-AR
New Music Tuesday: Joey Ryan
28 SepPhotographer Eric M. Townsend recently let me in on a great secret: Joey Ryan.
Joey Ryan at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC by Eric M. Townsend
Joey’s EP, “Kenter Canyon,” was released in January and his music has been featured on shows like Private Practice, One Tree Hill, and various commercials, including two long-running ads for Wrigley’s in the UK.
The opening track, “Broken Headlights,” is a great tune and features harmonies by Sara Bareilles. According to Joey’s website, the song “pays tribute to the shockingly clear Los Angeles air after it rains, gracefully likening it to the confessions of a long-hidden love.”
How swoon-worthy is that? Dig the imagery in the bio writing!
His blusey-folksy-acoustic sound and lyrics about working hard and loving hard remind me a little of Ray LaMontagne when he was first starting out.
Here are a few nice reviews:
“From the opening finger-picked guitar riffs of “Broken Headlights” to the bluesy folk rock of “Permanent,” his earnest, rough tenor and personal yet relatable lyrics make Ryan’s appeal quite obvious, and I’d be surprised if his name isn’t one we’ll start hearing much more frequently.” - chewinggumfortheears.blogspot.com
“Effortlessly charming music with a warm streak of melody, honesty and humility.” - I am Fuel, You Are Friends
So, keep an eye on this guy. His music is great, and his image is pretty darn good, too. (That’s PR speak for: he ain’t too hard on the eyes.)
Listen: http://www.myspace.com/joeyryanband
Full disclosure: I have no personal or professional association to Joey Ryan. Although I now have a crush on his music.
-AR
The Importance of PR
27 SepIt’s true that a lot of musicians don’t understand the importance of PR or, in many cases, just don’t get what PR is or does of why they need it. It’s understandable. PR means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. It’s a profession that’s pretty hard to describe in under three sentences.
At the most basic level, musicians think of PR when they have an album release, a tour, or a big show coming up that they want to get the word out about. (For the record, there’s a lot more that goes into the PR process than straight media outreach, but that belongs in another, much longer post).
With CMJ coming up, I saw a post by Paolo De Gregorio called “CMJ – Advise on How to be Selected, The Secret is PR” in The Deli Magazine and thought it was worth sharing, because it makes a great point:
To sum it up, just like in real life, a little bit of PR opens more doors than sitting in bed thinking your talent is enough to make things happen.
Thank you, Paolo, for summing it up so precisely!
Friend of FA PR: Rick Wenner
17 Sep
By Rick Wenner
If you’re up for some eye candy today, check out photographer Rick Wenner’s work. His use of dramatic lighting, color and shadows results in bold and dramatic shots. Based in Long Island, Rick’s music, fashion, and portrait photography is shot either in-studio or on location — anywhere from a desolate parking lot, to an office building, beaches, state parks, and anywhere in between.
I like working with Rick becuase not only does he produce great shots, but he understands that a professional image for musicians (or anyone) starts with their promotional photography.
The Audiobodies in NYC by Rick Wenner
Says Rick:
“When I’m working with new clients I always keep in mind their goals and why they’ve chosen to work with me. I always collaborate with my clients in order to achieve the best possible photographs that they need. I hope to continue to work with these kinds of clients because it benefits both sides. My client gets great images for their promotional use and I get to be creative and walk away with portfolio images. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Full disclosure: Rick is not a client. But he’s a great photographer and you should check out his work.
For more information about Rick:
@rick_wenner
Facebook
Blog
New Music Tuesday: Caleb Hawley
7 SepCaleb Hawley has a soft-rock, jazzy singer/songwriter vibe and a confident, smooth voice. His music is easy to listen to (think James Taylor), and features impressive guitar work.
Caleb Hawley
As a publicist I have to point out that Hawley also has a great bio. He has two versions on his website: the short version and the long-winded version, “for the stalker sorts.” The short one is great because it gives the who, what, where, when and why in a readable, succinct manner. The long version is just as readable but flows with an interesting story and a sense of humor. Here’s a snippet that made me chuckle:
“At 12, he learned his first Nirvana song on guitar. Due to the overwhelming response from the seventh grade girls, he decided to learn more. First Metallica, next Pink Floyd. Then Dave Matthews or whatever else made people like him. Soon Caleb was the youngest bar hopper in Minneapolis, performing for “old people” all over the city.”
Choice tune: “Other Side of it All”
Full disclosure: I have no personal or professional association with Caleb Hawley. Just digging the tunes, some of which can be heard on his website.
Friend of FA PR: Kerry O’Grady
2 SepMeet Ms. Kerry O’Grady, marketing communications specialist. Kerry and I have worked together extensively and found that we make a great team who can deliver kick ass presentations. And we’re both fans of soft serve vanilla ice cream, which never hurts.
Here’s the scoop about Kerry’s forte:
Kerry O'Grady, Marketing Communications Specialist
I specialize in helping small businesses start and grow through an integrated approach to marketing communications. From public relations strategies and tactics, to advertising campaign development, I work with businesses to assure all identified needs are streamlined, carefully designed, and executed. Services include needs consulting, copywriting for print and web, pitch letters, press releases and social media footprinting, advertising message development, and speechwriting. I also provide planning services for company videos and movies through music selection and scripting. I love taking a company from start to finish and seeing results. Smiles on my client’s faces are the ultimate reward.
And just for fun, we asked her to send us a song of the day selection. Drumroll, please….
Kerry’s song of the day: Seasons of Love: Rent, The Musical
Everyday is a challenge, but everyday completed is a victory. Work hard, but love life, and cherish your friends, family, and co-workers. Life is not measured in successes, but instead in the lives that you positively touch. This song truly embodies that sentiment and is forever motivating!
For more info about Kerry, drop us a line!
So Fresh and So Clean
19 AugWelcome to the new FeelingAnxious PR!
This summer, in between jumping out of planes and sipping delicious wine on my vacation in the Finger Lakes region of NY, I decided it was time for a website overhaul. Actually, it was way overdue. But now, it’s done! Phew!
This is where I sipped wine after skydiving. It inspired me to redo this website. It's true.
This new little ditty is meant to keep you informed about our news, our clients’ news and other PR, music and small business related happenings.
Here are some highlights:
- Check out the virtual clip book! Full disclosure: we know it sounds really fancy pants, and we like it that way.
- People like working with us! Check out our testimonials page. We promise they are real and we did not pay them to say nice things about us.
- You have questions, we have answers! Visit our spiffy FAQ page!
- We have a roster. Not a rooster.
- Every Tuesday we’re going to share new music by musicians that may or may not be our clients. We’re an equal opportunity music listener and assume you are too.
- Look out for fun, lighthearted interviews with people we think you should know.
Take a gander and tell us what you think, via the comments section below.
Cheers!
AR
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