Archive for February, 2012


Monday, February 6th, 2012

JoTo Tampa Bay: CSI:NY’s Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band to Perform at the 7th Annual Sunscreen Film Festival

Downtown St. Petersburg will host the CSI:NY’s Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band for a free performance open to the public

(TAMPA BAY, Fla.,) February 7, 2012- Downtown St. Petersburg is set to be the location for the 7th Annual Sunscreen Film Festival, including a live performance by CSI:NY’s Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band on April 20th at 5pm.  This is a free concert, co-produced by Backline Music at Williams Park to benefit active duty military and veterans in the bay area.  With MacDill Air Force Base and BayPines VA Hospital local to the Tampa Bay area, it is expected to be a great turnout.

CSI:NY’s Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band will perform live at the festival. The Lt. Dan Band covers everything from Stevie Wonder and Jimi Hendrix classics to contemporary songs by Kelly Clarkson, Evanescence, Beyonce, Lonestar, the Zac Brown Band and much more. There is something for everyone and each show highlights the musical diversity of the band, as well as the passion and energy each member brings to the stage.

In addition, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders  will appear in a special opening performance prior to the band, complete with a meet and greet for concert goers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders participate in performances regularly for troops on USO and Armed Forces Entertainment Tours.

“Being able to have CSI:NY’s Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders perform at this year’s festival is something we are looking very forward to. The fact that the concert will benefit active duty military and veterans in the area is even better,” commented Tony Armer, Executive Director of the Sunscreen Film Festival.

The concert is free and open to the public; however, concert goers can purchase VIP tickets which include front-row access to the concert in Williams Park plus complimentary admission to the exclusive after-party at PUSH Ultra lounge in downtown St. Petersburg. For VIP concert tickets, which included four free drinks, visit http://sunscreen-filmfestival.ticketleap.com/vip-concert-gary-sinise/.

For Festival VIP passes, and what other perks the passes include, visit http://www.sunscreenfilmfestival.com.

About Gary Sinise  and the Lt. Dan Band:
“Lieutenant Dan,” the character Sinise portrayed in the film Forrest Gump, earned him not only an Oscar nomination, but also an instantaneous, enduring connection with servicemen in all branches of the military community. With a desire to do more to entertain the troops and their families, the Lt. Dan Band was formed in 2004 following one of his many trips overseas.  They made their first USO tour appearances in early 2004 to Korea, Singapore and Diego Garcia. Since then, they have completed over 40 USO tours, numerous charitable concerts, and performed for hundreds of thousands of troops and their families in the US and abroad all courtesy of donations by various organizations and individuals, or Gary Sinise personally.  For more information on the band, go to http://www.ltdanband.com. This is one of several programs offered through the Gary Sinise Foundation, dedicated to serving the Nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities. For more information, go to www.GarySiniseFoundation.org.

 

About Sunscreen Film Festival:
This will be the 7th year for the Sunscreen Film Festival, held from April 19-22, 2012 in St. Petersburg, FL. The Sunscreen Film Festival is an annual film festival hosted by the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Film Society, a Florida not for profit Corporation. The primary goal of the film festival is to encourage the creation, production, and exhibition of independent film in Florida through its educational programs and public screenings, thereby increasing awareness and support of local filmmaking as a cultural and economic asset. For more information, please visit http://www.sunscreenfilmfestival.com.

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Media Inquires:
Karla Jo Helms
JoTo Extreme PR
Phone: 888-202-4614

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Monday, February 6th, 2012

JoTo MoJo: February’s Fav Vid Diddies

Woody’s Land

We are in the throes of new political season. Welcome to 2012, it should be a most interesting year and I thought what better way to start off this year is with Woody Guthrie and his indelible song – This Land Is Your Land.

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One Happy Dog

Just found a site that has the coolest pet videos on the planet. It’s called Dogwork.com and they will never post a video where animals are harmed or abused in any way shape or manner. The vid featured here is truly of one very happy dog.

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Jobless Artist Lives In House Literally Made Of Money

An unemployed Irish artist, Frank Buckley, has built a ‘billion euro home’ from the shredded remains of decommissioned banknotes as a statement against the “madness” the single currency has wrought upon Ireland. The artist constructed the home using 1.4 billion euros ($1.82 billion) of useless notes. Buckley first began by creating mixed-media works of art using the paper medium, before progressing further and creating an entire apartment. Read the article on smartplanet.com  Jobless Artist Lives In House Literally Made Of Money

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Violinist Interrupted By Nokia Ringtone, Plays the Ringtone

We truly loved this video a total tribute to a man and his art. While Slovakian Violinist Lukas Kmit was performing at a Jewish Orthodox Synagogue in Presov a ringtone interrupted his recital. But rather than throwing a full-blown hissy-fit, Lukas simply turned the ringtone into a virtuoso performance. He played the ringtone then improvised off of it taking the audience by surprise and giving them something they will never forget. Lukas is truly Mr. Cool.

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Monday, February 6th, 2012

JoTo ToGo: Seth Godin on the Tribes We Lead

We once again turn to Marketing Guru Seth Godin with this presentation at a TED conference in 2009. It is a very valuable lesson about a new basic fundamental in marketing. Seth argues the Internet has ended mass marketing and revived a human social unit from the distant past: tribes. Founded on shared ideas and values, tribes give ordinary people the power to lead and make big change. He urges us to do so.

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Monday, February 6th, 2012

JoTo Ism: Point yourself in the right direction to be successful in the New Economy

Did you know that you qualify to get a free PR/Marketing Evaluation? JoTo would like to provide you with this excellent opportunity to evaluate your organization’s promotional and public relations efforts. One of our skilled PR/Marketing professionals will assess your strengths and weaknesses and advise you as to their effectiveness. If you do not currently have a PR/Marketing strategy, we will help you construct one. We can then point you in the right direction to be successful in the New Economy.

http://www.jotopr.com/get-a-free-pr-and-marketing-evaluation/

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Monday, February 6th, 2012

JoTo DIY: How to build your media list

We recently received a letter in our mailbag from Mr. VIP:

Dear Karla Jo,

What is the best way to determine what publications to send your press releases?  There are so many. Also is an online publication any less valuable than print?

Signed,
Mr. VIP

 

You’re right, Mr. VIP – there are thousands and thousands of publications, blogs, newsletters, etc. out there that you can send your press releases to.

In fact, we subscribe to a proprietary database just for PR agencies (that can afford to pay the hefty fee) where we have access to millions of editors, journalists, reporters, bloggers, producers, etc. etc. etc.  That database is updated in real-time – meaning the contacts are followed and updated anytime they move, change jobs or positions…and in the media world, this happens a lot.  This how we build our contacts and foster the relationships that we have with the media for our clients.

BUT, the answer to your question is that first you need to look at who you really want to read your article – who is the end user/reader?  Hint: it’s not the media – it’s who they publish for.  Once you figure that out, then you need to figure out what kind of publications those people would read or subscribe to.  Once you have narrowed that down, you can search on your own on Google for publications like that, go to their websites and look for the editors or senior writers’ email addresses and send your press release (following the guidelines I published in the last JoTo MoJo) with a timely and appropriate pitch (which is NOT “write about me because I am great”).

That’s the hard way, but it’s a very targeted approach.  If your press release is newsworthy for your local media where you live/have your company, send it to them as well.  I recommend a PR firm to represent you because you really don’t want to piss the media off with a bad pitch – they are a fickle breed and there are certain rules you need to play by.

As far as today’s media world – a publication, a blog, an online website all compete for content, which can be very beneficial for you.  Online publications can be just as valid and valuable as a print pub – plus, online you have more chances to get back-links to your website and drive traffic to it…amongst other benefits.

PR is very powerful – a little can go a long way.

Good luck!
KJ

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Monday, February 6th, 2012

JoTo Tweener: McDonald’s

McDonald’s has one of the worst PR reputations for their quality off food. Nevertheless, they have come out with a new series of ads that you just plain have to admire. That is why they are our JoTo Tweener for the month – these new ads are downright wholesome. For example: “Three generations of Foglesongs work together every day to raise the kind of high quality beef that make some of the most iconic hamburgers in the world.” However, it will take a lot more than this for people to believe it…but they are headed in the right direction.

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McDonald’s has one of the worst PR reputations for their quality off food.  Nevertheless, they have come out with a new series of ads that you just plain have to admire. That is why they are our JoTo Tweener for the month – these new ads are downright homey. For example: “Three generations of Foglesongs work together every day to raise the kind of high quality beef that make some of the most iconic hamburgers in the world.”

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Monday, February 6th, 2012

JoTo Out: Advertising Age’s “Marketing’s Biggest Social-Media Blunders of 2011”

If you are looking for some more Outie’s, Advertising Age did an awesome job compiling these social media goofs.  Check out this article from Advertising Age describing “Marketing’s Biggest Social-Media Blunders of 2011.”

My favorite “out” was Weinergate , taken from Advertising Age:

“When a photo of his nether regions was tweeted from his account to a Seattle woman in May, Anthony Weiner insisted that he had been hacked. But the scrutiny continued, and the powerful New York congressman — who had been considered the front-runner in the 2013 New York City mayoral election — was forced to admit that he had sent the photo himself. He resigned from the House of Representatives after 12 years in office.”

Watch the trail of contrary facts…

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Monday, February 6th, 2012

JoTo Out: Netflix

Oh man, Netflix is so out it may never be in again.  Here is a company that was riding so high it literally took over the entire movie rental space. They shot themselves in both feet and probably their arms and legs as well. Their biggest crime – they forgot about their customers and could only think about their own bottom-line – not a great way to run a business. Check out this report from Bulldog Reporter (media web site and news).

Read all about it here:  “Netflix Is 2011′s Biggest Loser In New Customer Satisfaction Survey: Poor Business Strategy and Bad PR Keeps Haunting Movie-Rental Company — Meanwhile, Amazon Takes Top Honors, With Apple and Avon Close Behind.”

 

 

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Monday, February 6th, 2012

JoTo In: Priceline Is In Shatner Is Out

William Shatner spent 14 years as a stellar ‘negotiator,’ but is retired as travel site moves into different direction. That’s why Priceline.com decided to knock off its spokesman of 14 years.

It was a case of advertising working too well. “They wish to bring attention to the fact that Priceline does offer another service, this maximum discount without having to make a bid,” he said. “That’s the reason they’re killing off the character — to bring attention to another part of the business.”

In the latest spot from Butler Shine Stern & Partners, San Francisco, a bus teeters on a bridge. Mr. Shatner helps shepherd riders out of the back to safety but is unable to exit in time as the vehicle makes a fiery and spectacular crash into a ravine. Mr. Shatner made clear that he understood the business decision.  Long live Captain Kirk. Read the article here in Advertising Age: Priceline Kills the Messenger

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Monday, February 6th, 2012

JoTo In: Paramount Farms

Paramount Farms is a very impressive organization. They are the largest processor of pistachio nuts in the world and work with California farmers to handle their pistachios. They are the folks behind those Wonderful Pistachios and their humorous “Get Crackin” commercials which feature a wide variety of subject and characters from Mr. Bill to Angry Birds and Peanuts (who would have thought Peanuts would promote pistachios – genius).  They are our latest JoTo In!  www.getcrackin.com

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