Think Brown INK Provides “Spectrum Strategies” about Community Outreach
Last week, client DMV Spectrum, published the recent installment of “Spectrum Strategies,”a news column about marketing and public relations for independent artists, written by Think Brown INK’s Natasha Brown. As we present this post, published first on DMV Spectrum, Think Brown INK would also like to thank artists in the Washington, DC area who have volunteered their time and talents for recent charity events, including Hip Hop 4 Haiti DC.
Over the past week, I’ve spoken with several publicists, artists, and managers about what community outreach means for the independent artist.
As publicists and marketers, we get it. It’s easy for us to explain the value of giving back to clients and what community outreach and philanthropy does for their careers. But publicists can’t make clients care about serving others, volunteering and donating time and money to charity.
I realized this point a couple of weeks ago while in the final stages of co-planning the Hip-Hop 4 Haiti National event in Washington, D.C. When our committee invited a popular D.C. artist to perform at the food and clothing drive for Haiti relief, he declined by stating that he could no longer “do anymore free shows. I have to get paid,” he said. At that point, I felt that somewhere down the line, a publicist or manager had failed that artist.
The Conversations
Modest cameo performances for charity yield greater compensation, which have a higher return on investments than any amount of money an independent artist would make for one show. With this in mind, I asked several people the same question, when there is no money involved, what’s the value of community outreach for independent artists?
Maria J. AKA The Postergirl performed for Hip Hop 4 Haiti National Day in DC on 2/3/2010.
“Independent artists must understand that although they are emerging into a mainstream that may garner them success, the individuals such as fans, family, their community, can be an uplifting force,” said Vivian Brown, public relations and operations director of Platoon Records and publicist for recording artist Max Pain. “They must keep those connections firmly grounded. Artists should strive to contribute to the growth, enjoyment, and education of their fans and their families through participation in local events and outreach programs.”
Artists and celebrities, no matter how widespread their reach, have a tremendous amount of influence. When one artist vows to support Haiti earthquake relief, poverty or education, that effort is a silent challenge to others in his or her community. It becomes a ripple, bandwagon effect.
“We in hip-hop have a great responsibility onstage as well as offstage,” said Queen YoNasDa (LoneWolf), hip-hop artist and creator of the national Hip-Hop 4 Haiti movement. “Being raised by a motivational speaker/activist, my mother Wauneta LoneWolf, and an incredible and respected leader, Hon. Minister Louis Farrakhan, it was in me early that in everything I do I have a responsibility to speak and live truth. Everything I do has a rippling effect. That’s why I feel it’s my duty to give back to the community.”
Soul singer Brandon Best of Largo explained, “Community outreach is actually a symbiotic relationship. It helps the artist reach a crowd they normally wouldn’t reach. But some indie artists actually have pull and can bring attention to a worthy cause.”
Grammy-nominated Kyonte' with Natasha Brown and his PR Manager Rashad Wilson
“Community outreach is extremely important,” said Patrice Cameau, publicist and owner of Commun D.C. “It’s your way of service, because everyone has to serve in some way. Artists have fans and people who adore them, so it’s their duty to do certain things. At the end of the day, it’s great PR.”
Most artists depend on grassroots support — people who will attend performances, purchase and download their music and become additional mouth pieces on the street. Declining charity performances and appearances because of monetary compensation will only cost the artist in the long run, and the cost could be greater than money — fans, relationships, opportunities, and a strong foundation for success.
Natasha Brown is the owner of Think Brown INK, a communications firm based in Maryland. Follow Natasha on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NBrownINK or www.twitter.com/ThinkBrownINK
Prince George’s Suite Magazine Celebrates Fifth Anniversary with a Look at Education, Healthcare and the Beauty of “Our Town”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2010
Contact:
Natasha Brown
pr@pgsuite.com
240-304-6354
Cover of Fifth Anniversary Edition of Prince George's Suite Magazine
Leading Maryland Lifestyle Magazine Publishes 100-Page Fifth Anniversary Issue
(Prince George’s County, MD) – Five years ago, a 36-page Prince George’s Suite magazine hit newsstands, promising to be a captivating source for lifestyle news about Prince George’s and its upscale communities and suburban backdrop just outside Washington, DC. With the fifth anniversary edition of Prince George’s Suite magazine, which hits newsstands this week, a historic 100-page issue continues the journey to tell wonderful county stories in better, higher fashion than ever before.
“Readers will notice that there are more images and shorter stories in keeping with the direction of our upcoming redesign. In this edition, we have partnered with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission to feature its exciting Envision Prince George’s effort. Hyattsville is the first to be featured in the “Our Town” series, which aims to bring to light all the wonderful things happening in our cities and towns,” said Associate Publisher Maria Lopez-Bernstein. “Prince Georgians can be proud of their county and their magazine.” In this tough economy with magazines and newspapers folding all over the country, their magazine is not only surviving, but thriving,” said Lopez.
This edition features a chat with Michael J. Chiaramonte, president and CEO of Southern Maryland Healthcare System in Clinton, who discusses how health care reform might play out in Prince George’s.
In the magazine’s annual look at education in Prince George’s, veteran journalist Alex Krughoff reports on efforts to improve test scores in public schools and the growing number of private institutions that have expanded their programs as more affluent parents seek other options for their children.
“As Prince George’s County has grown to be one of the most progressive counties in the United States, Suite magazine has been there to tell our story,” said Board Chairman Dr. James Dula. “The magazine has been recognized as the voice of Prince George’s County in many ways, to include the growth of our families, ongoing school developments, and issues to affect our way of life. Prince George’s County is known as a county where families come together, and the Suite has been the number one media source to learn who we are and what we’re doing.”
“We are extremely excited at the Suite to have the privilege of being part of the community’s social fabric and to tell all the positive stories of Prince George’s County,” said Publisher Raoul Dennis. “We’ll pause to reflect on the past five years, but we are even more energized about the next five.”
Prince George’s is currently the wealthiest African-American county in the nation, with a median family income of $62,467.
About Prince George’s Suite
Prince George’s Suite magazine is an award-winning lifestyle publication, based in Lanham, Maryland, that publishes six times per year. At launch in 2005, the magazine was direct mailed to the homes of nearly 12,000 high-income residents, business and civic leaders in the county. Today, it reaches some 100,000 readers in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and is direct mailed to specific industry leaders in five cities along the East Coast.
For more information on the Suite, point your Web browser to www.pgsuite.com.
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Natasha Brown
Public Relations Consultant
Prince George’s Suite Magazine
www.pgsuite.com
www.Twitter.com/SuiteMagazine
Writer, Publicist, Owner
Think Brown INK
Phone: 240-304-6354
Web: www.ThinkBrownINK.com
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ThinkBrownINK
Skype: NBrownINK
Think Brown INK provides writing, public relations and marketing support for small businesses and non profits. We can be a complete communications source, or manage specific programs such as direct mail, PR, marketing campaigns or grant writing/development communications.
Client News: Nominate “Who’s Who in Prince George’s County”
…Presented by Prince George’s Suite Magazine
February 7, 2010
Contact: pr@pgsuite.com for questions
100@pgsuite.com for submisions
(Prince George’s County, MD) – Prince George’s County Maryland’s leading lifestyle magazine, Prince George’s Suite, will honor 100 of the most influential leaders in Prince George’s County. The magazine will publish a “Who’s Who” of the county—a listing of those whose service and dedication to the community demonstrates the highest level of commitment. Please e-mail your nominations to 100@pgsuite.com by end of day on March 1, 2010.
“For five years, The Suite has profiled many influential and inspiring leaders around the county, and as part of our celebration of our fifth anniversary, the magazine looks forward to honoring 100 in the county who lead, inspire and guide our communities each day,” says Suite Publisher Raoul Dennis. “We’re proud to have reached this high point and to be in a position to celebrate by celebrating others.”
The list will consider those who contribute to the county from various walks including education, faith, business, community service, government and other areas.
To be considered, candidates must meet the following
Reside or work in Prince George’s County, Maryland
Serves in a significant business, government or community leadership role
Demonstrates community involvement
Submission requirements
Submissions must include full name, official business title and a 50-word synopsis of their accomplishments as well as recent work history and community involvement/contributions. Applications must also include a two-sentence explanation as to why the nominee is worthy of inclusion in Who’s Who of Prince George’s County. Each nomination packet should also include a contact phone number and an e-mail address.
No anonymous submissions will be accepted.
The deadline for all nominations is end of day March 1, 2010. Nominations can be submitted via e-mail to 100@pgsuite.com or you may call (301) 306-5451.
Prince George’s Suite Magazine
P.O. Box 1066
Oxon Hill, Maryland 20750
Phone Number: (301) 858-6988
www.pgsuite.com editor@pgsuite.com
About Prince George’s Suite Magazine
Prince George’s Suite Magazine is an award-winning lifestyle publication that publishes six times per year. At launch in 2005, the magazine was direct mailed to the homes of nearly 12,000 high income residents, business leaders and civic leaders in the county. Today, it reaches some 100,0000 readers in the Washington DC metropolitan area and is direct mailed to specific industry leaders in five cities along the east coast. The magazine is a positive, upscale publication whose mission is to tell the story of Prince George’s County and its residents, to shed light on the best and brightest in the county and to offer positive lifestyle options to those who live, work and play in the region.
