Clearly you missed the memo!

Dear blog reader, it's three months since my last confessions. Please forgive me.

Since my last post I have been busy networking, taking on new assistants, interns, growing the business in general and learning about the human race and human nature perhaps!?

In this job you are privy to a lot of information – some of which you have to keep under lock and key and some you can divulge.
You are also exposed/introduced to influential individuals and there are occasions I’m afraid to say, you have the misfortune whether directly or indirectly to be involved with some short-sighted individuals who:

A) Have delusions of grandeur/ suffer from an acute case of  narcissism                          
B) Forget where they are coming from 

      C) Resorts to childish behaviour when they cannot have their own way

      D) Reacts in a threatened and insecure way

Why, oh why, would anyone in their right mind bite the hand that is trying to feed them? Really? Really? I mean, COME ON!! A golden opportunity is presented to you and you want to turn around and be a complete nightmare, act up, SHOUT AT PEOPLE IN EMAILS, and then make exorbitant demands. WTH? Who do you think you are? JLO, Madonna, Mariah, Beyonce...need I go on? Get a grip!

There is a saying ‘Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth’. You looked and you lost. SIMPLES!

Just as there are many options out there in regards to whom you wish to work with, remember, there too are other talented individuals, some better than yourself and probably more deserving.

Clearly you missed the memo that says ‘Honey, it ain’t all about you!’

Talk to the Hand!

Purple Rains on MusicConnex!!

By Press and PR Officer - Tamala Ceasar

I knew I was in for a dynamic experience in PR/Events when I assisted PR Savvy, Founder and CEO of Purple Reign PR, Monique Pennie at MusicConnex; the three day event featuring over 140 industry experts, artists and execs ready to give advice on all aspects of the music industry.

‘How would you like to be known?’ asked Monique via BBM, “Because I’m about to send the titles of my team through to the MusicConnex planning team and I’ve listed you as my Press & PR Officer…”

From that simple conversation I knew that assisting Monique at a big, first time, annual music event was going to be a challenge; one that would expose me to new skills, build on the old and introduce me to a huge part the Media/Communications sector.

Sweets, Tweets and Soul II Soul.

It was 05.00AM on Tuesday 19^th of April and the first day of MusicConnex. “MusicConnex: Day 1- London are you ready? POW!” read Monique’s BB updates. She was pumped and I was excited to be a part of this dynamic event.

Arriving bright and early at the MusicConnex venue, Kings Place (which is also head quarters to The Guardian newspaper) we started setting up our Press Office space (which was in a fabulous dressing room with bright glammy lights that bordered huge mirrors.). We took everything out of our ‘magic purple bag’ which had sweets, pens, clipboards, flowers, bottled water…everything- hence why it’s called the ‘magic purple bag’!

We were the port-of-call for all press attending the event for the three days, so as soon as the clock struck 09.15, the tweeting began and so did the sweet treat consumption. The programme for day one was filled with mouth watering seminars and engaging panels and master classes. Hot topics ranged from selecting the best management to an in-depth artist panel discussion on the future of music- which featured Labrinth, Charlie Sloth, Soul II Soul singer Jazzie B and Twin B.

" My yoot...back in da day..."

"You see me!" (You HAD to be there!)

Straight after this panel, the Press Office was live and kicking and buzzing with video interviews and general chit chat on how great the turn out was. I even got a chance to get a piccy with singer/producer Labrinth (I was well pleased!), bantered with Corey ‘Crazy Cousins’ Johnson and watched a video interview of Jazzie B (OMG!!!) as you can imagine, the sun was definitely shining for me.

“Those muffins are calling…but I’m not picking up the phone.”

Lewis (Aka 'Ace Tweets')

Day two at MusicConnex brought the same energy and buzz as the opening day and we (the press team) were prepared for another busy day ahead. Monique aka Wonder Woman stopped off at Maccy D’s on the way in to purchase a tray of muffins and doughnuts for the crew and press room staff, which were gladly received with a huge grin of appreciation. Sugar was everyone’s fuel at this amazing event. Even the brains behind MusicConnex, Jon & Faron, and Logistics coordinator Liam would come in for a cheeky sugar fix in the midst of liaising with Monique on the running of the day and found it hard to resist whenever Monique sweetly coaxed “Go on have a sweet...”  After my sweet over kill on day one, it was detox for me. I planned to stick to green tea and fruit; even though the muffins and treats were calling I was determined not to pick up the phone.

Wednesday also saw Mike Rosenthal – Digital and Online Strategy Manager to OK Go give a seminar to aspiring artistes on ‘How To DIY by OK GO’ (a rock band from Chicago) and Founder and CEO of FanFactory (a site that allows its members to enter artist specific contests to win exclusive prizes), Dana Al Salem held an in depth master class on ‘Fan Engagement.’ Also Executives Duncan Allen from MTV and Caroline Bottomley from Radar Music Videos appeared on the panel titled ‘The Importance of Music Video in the Digital Age By MTV.’

On day three the likes of Owen O’Donoghue Sales Representative from Facebook, held a seminar on ‘How To Maximize Social Networks’ and Grammy –Award winning songwriter of ‘Empire State of Mind’, Al Shux gave an impressive master class on ‘Songwriting’. Radio 1, KISS, You Tube and many other industry executives made a cameo in the Press Room as they were interviewed by ‘on-the-ball’ reporters from WinkBall and BBC Radio 1 music reporter.

'After three say....WINK!'

It was a privilege to be a part of an event that supported and gave aspiring UK artists the tools they needed to succeed. MusicConnex was the first of its kind to be held in the UK and by the sounds of it; it was a missing part of the puzzle in terms of UK music events. The thorough seminars, panels, master classes and live shows and screenings left the guests wanting more, even so that I heard many queried “when’s the next MusicConnex event happening?.”

Like the twinkling you see in kids eyes leading up to Christmas; I observed the excitement that an event like MusicConnex had on its attendees. Many commented that it was a “great event” with a “fantastic turn out.”  This first time event has wet the appetite of all who attended creating great anticipation for the second course.

Roll on MusicConnex 2012; it’s going to be out of this world! Stay tuned in…

visit www.musicconnex.co.uk for more information.

Busy Much?

Dear blog reader, it has been over a month since my last confession. Please forgive me!

So, what's been keeping me busy? Well here goes...
Clients. Clients. Clients! Which is all good.

Bashiyra opens for US Neo Soul Singer-Songwriter Conya Doss tomorrow night at London's Jazz Cafe and again on Saturday. I've invited music journalists, editors and music industry executives to watch her perform (no pressure...!) I've also been arranging interviews for her where she's been talking about her forthcoming album being produced by the legendary Herb Middleton. (Oops, watch your step as I just name dropped there.) Really looking forward to her new material dropping.

MusicConnex kicks off next Tuesday and there are so many exclusives happening there, I don't even know where to start. It is such a unique event. Speakers like Mike Rosenthal, Digital and Online Manager of OK Go, Grammy Award Winner for 'Empire State of Mind'- Al Shux, exclusive seminars from Facebook, MTV & Youtube, talks by Labrinth, Random Impulse, Execs from KISS FM, BBC 1Xtra...the list goes on!

We've just completed phase two of 'Start Today' and will be conducting a huge Marketing and PR push to nationwide educational facilities. Look out for his car and tweet him @Strt2Day1 when you spot him. Trust me, you can't miss that car!!
Micah are busy. Big things in the pipeline. Watch this [.............] for updates.

Fabio has also been busy. Travelling and performing. He recently won the Fanshake competition and will be performing at MusicConnex in front of industry executives.

Kliyah is working on new material. Check her out here 'Pint Sized Poet!' and LIKE her here Kliyah.
...and Solar Lifestlye Magazine has surpassed 1 MILLION hits and 300 LIKES on the new Facebook page!

So, like I said, busy much? Hopefully I'll see some of you at the Jazz Cafe this weekend or at MusicConnex - April 19th -21st at the award winning arts facility Kings Place!

Peace out x

What's in a name?

As a child I was often called 'stubborn' and 'strong willed', which, I confess, I hated! But as I grew up I discovered the word tenacious meaning 'determined, persistent, steadfast and unswerving'. And trust me in this line of work you have to be tenacious and have some measure of self belief - not too much as people will find you cocky and arrogant and that's not at all pleasant!

Anyway, as most of you know (especially those who've visited the website recently http://purplereignpr.co.uk), I'm working with  MusicConnex. They are organising London's Premier DIY Music & New Media Conference taking place April 19th-21st. This 3 day conference is designed to facilitate and promote social networking, informative discussion and inspiration amongst emerging and established music acts and new media and to manage & monetise your music career.

The speaker list is in sane! Execs from Youtube, Spotify, MTV, Beatport, Facebook Ubisoft and so many more. So what has being tenacious got to do with this I hear you say?
Well after constant phone calls to the local, regional, national and international press, this week the 'nut' started to crack and press coverage started to come in internationally from California, Atlanta, New York, and locally from the Camden and Kings Cross papers, regional papers and of course the music industry trade publications. Yes - 'Poison Ivy' and I did the happy dance around the office!

Last Monday we rubbed shoulders with some music industry heavyweights at the launch event for MusicConnex, held at Star of Kings, N1. My team did me proud with the filming, interviews and voxpops which are all in the final stages of post production and due to go viral soon. Watch this space for some exclusive footage!

In the meantime check out the photos from the party!

E Jay Mathews - TMC Entertainment with JM CEO MusicConnex

Eska & Faron McKenzie Co Founder and Partner MusicConnex

JM & Faron welcome their guests.

The beautiful and talented Eska who performed an exclusive set on the night.

Client and Artist Fabio Tedde

The Purple Reign PR Team - Tom, Shade and Tom (just to confuse everyone!)

Eska performing.

A Joyful Giver: Haiti one year on

Facts & Figures:

One year after a devastating earthquake hit Haiti, killing at least 250,000 and leaving about 1.5 million homeless, about half of the refugees still live in tents, with no immediate relief in sight.

Quake-affected Haitians have been living in "provisional" camps set up by international aid organisations working in Haiti since the quake on Jan. 12, 2010.
There are many ongoing projects to relieve the plight of the country's refugees, who lost everything to a natural disaster within 20 seconds -- the duration of the earthquake.

Many buildings were illegally constructed.

20 secs to raise a city to the ground.

No improvements:

Camp life...

Life in refugee camps as you can imagine is hard, and by all accounts coming out of the country  there is little hope that things will change anytime soon. Haitians sharing their personal stories say there has been little improvement in the year since last January’s earthquake, some of them have accepted the possibility that their lives may never improve. Others continue to hope and pray that it will.

Hope:

From looking at the numerous images online a spirit of hope reigns in the air and the resilience of the people are evident as outside the tent camps, there are visual messages of hope. Spray-painted on to buildings around Port-au-Prince is the message ‘Haiti pap peri’ – Haiti will not perish.

Hope

Support: 

Support in many ways continues. Countless people in the UK have donated money (including myself) to various organisations, others have gone as far as to donate clothes, shoes and canned foods in the hope of helping in some way. One UK project working on making a difference is One by One for Haiti. The project objective is to continue to raise awareness and much need financial funds for the survivors of Haiti through the creative endeavours of a selection of UK based singers, spoken word artists and songwriters.

Creativity & Giving:

One such singer songwriter and now producer is my client Bashiyra who in November last year recorded her lead vocal contribution to the charity single entitled ‘UK Artist Collective Present: One by One for Haiti’ due out at the end of this month, as well as contributing an original song-writing and vocal composition called 'Every Day People' which will be included in the forthcoming album project.  

Bashiyra said: "My involvement in the project One by One For Haiti was ignited by a genuine vision to continue to further raise awareness of the country's plight as well as to offer my support to the earthquake survivors in the continued mammoth task ahead of them one year on in the recovery of their identities and thus their lives after such a catastrophic natural disaster. This project concept allowed me the creative access and opportunity to give back and to participate via my song-writing skills and vocal inclusion on the project single and album. I am honoured to be included in such a worthwhile cause and I hope that all the financial proceeds raised from the single and album release go some way into aiding Haiti and its survivors to get back on 'their feet' and to get on with their lives in the best way possible."

To check out the promotional video click here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTPP7R6BOnc

All proceeds raised from the single and album will go to United Haitians UK (UHUK) and Christian Aid.

Like a Phoenix:

Read the cover story (pg 6-7) in the current issue of Christian Aid News: Haiti Will Build Back Better http://digitalcan.christianaid.org.uk/

Hot off the press - A musical education!

I'm looking forward to reading this - 'Really Sayin’ Something' – Memoirs of a Soul Survivor by Clive Richardson.

 

Now a presenter on soul station Solar Radio (on the internet and on Sky) and Label Manager of specialist re-issue label Shout! Records, Clive’s book  describes his recollections including being an early member of the Tamla Motown Appreciation Society, run by the late Dave Godin, organising a fan club for US soul singer Don Covay, editing and publishing soul fanzine Shout magazine for several years, contributing to Black Echoes newspaper for ten years, his involvement with pirate radio in the 1980s, attending R&B and soul concerts in the 60s and 70s, visiting New Orleans for several years during the 80s, being part of the launch roster of presenters on Kiss 100FM in 1990, and building a collection of records during his 50 years as a soul fan.

The book presents a chance to visit ‘behind the scenes’ in the world of soul music, from the perspective of a fan in the early years, and of ‘part of the industry’ more recently.

Available from Bank House Books £15.00