And now for something completely different. I got into an argument with a web designer once about whether a site should be in orange or green tones. He liked the orange, but the client liked the green. He then went behind my back and talked the client into the orange which made me furious because 1. the green was better and 2. this wasn't art for art's sake; the client was paying him and me to promote their product (in this case, themselves), not to win this designer awards or get him a spot in a gallery. (Are there physical galleries of … [Read more...]
Talk to me about promoting Pilates
On mostly Fridays, but sometimes Mondays, I'll post an interview with someone who knows a lot more than yours truly about specific marketing and publicity topics. This week, my Pilates instructor Jeanette Palmer on keeping students coming back to her classes, on why yoga gets all the good press, and on teaching and marketing to different ability levels. The problem with doing this interview is, of course, that she now knows what I'm thinking about when I'm supposed to be "deepening" my "C-curve". Ballet-trained at the Boston Conservatory … [Read more...]
Talk to me about running a dance company
In my absence, I'm going to post a couple bonus interviews this week. Here's choreographer and Artistic Director Chase Brock of The Chase Brock Experience on (not really) being from the theater world, the importance of having a brand beyond the stage, and critics crossing genres. Chase Brock is a 25-year old choreographer working in the areas of dance, theater, opera, television, film and music. Recently called "prolific" in The New Yorker, he is Artistic Director of The Chase Brock Experience, the New York City-based contemporary dance … [Read more...]
Talk to me about Violinist.com
Every week, I attempt to post an interview with a lass or lad far more knowledgeable than myself on specific marketing and publicity subjects. This week, Violinist.com editor Laurie Niles - whose interviews I'm convinced propelled both Hilary Hahn and Anne-Sophie Mutter's last albums to debut at number one on the Billboard classical chart - on blogging before there were blogs, playing hall monitor, and being a journalist slash teacher slash performer. Laurie Niles is the editor and owner of Violinist.com, an online community that she and … [Read more...]
Talk to me about journalism school
Most Fridays, I post an interview with a certain someone far more knowledgeable than myself on specific marketing and publicity subjects. This week, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism masters student Devin Dwyer on learning how to broadcast himself, the shrinking journalism market, and why this isn't a good interview. Devin Dwyer is a multimedia journalist with a background in public radio broadcasting. The Minnesota native is a graduate of Dartmouth College and candidate for a master of science in journalism from the … [Read more...]
Talk to me about opera blogging
On most Fridays, I post interviews with folks far more knowledgeable than myself on specific marketing and publicity subjects. This week, that damned, elusive Opera Chic (!) on the future of the blog, why the New York Times isn't sweatin' it, and which opera writers to read across international lines. Opera Chic, a young New Yorker, is privy to some of Italy's most exciting and exclusive opera events. Based in Milan, Opera Chic unlocks the fabulous -- but sometimes insular -- world of Italian opera & symphony through firsthand accounts in … [Read more...]
Talk to me about publicizing “The Nation”
Each (some?) Friday(s?), I'll post an interview with someone far more knowledgeable than myself on specific marketing and publicity subjects. This week, The Nation's Publicity Director Ben Wyskida on what publicizing a publication actually entails, preaching to the choir, and the best/worst publicity moments of the presidential campaigns. Ben Wyskida is the Publicity Director for The Nation. Additionally, he edits the politics and culture blog Pinko Magazine. Before joining The Nation, Ben was a community organizer in addition to working … [Read more...]
Talk to me about digital retail
Monday is the new black/Friday. Each week, I'll post an interview with a special person far more knowledgeable than myself on specific marketing and publicity subjects. This week, label New Media Manager Denise McGovern on pitching placement, digital-only releases and what we're going to do when the record stores close for good. Denise McGovern is the New Media Manager at Universal Music Classical/Decca Label Group. She is responsible for digital sales to accounts such as iTunes, Rhapsody and Napster. How long have you been at … [Read more...]