The Publicist Blog

What's The Difference?

2012-01-06T15:01:00.000-08:00

There's a saying people often use to explain the difference between advertising and PR: "Advertising you pay for, PR you pray for." That's at the heart of the difference between the two closely related industries. Read more at the article link below ...

Vault Article

Trending Sources

2011-12-08T11:36:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder where the topics and stories that hit it big on the "What's Trending" circuit actually originate? Well, you may be surprised. Turns out those cutting edge social bloggers ... are mostly just responding to established media sources. That's why a publicist with those mainstream media connections is so effective. Check out the article link below.

Poynter Article

Publicizing Real Estate

2011-11-10T11:39:00.000-08:00

Do you think publicists are just for celebrities? Actually, we rep all sorts of things. For example, individuals and brokers selling unique properties have discovered that involving a national publicist can give them a competitive edge. Just watch shows like "Selling LA" or "Selling New York," (both on Thursday nights -- HGTV). You will see how prime level publicity is being used to set an image, and attract buyers.

Check out this very cool property: Malibu Property - Pics

Life As A Talk Show Producer

2011-10-06T14:30:00.000-07:00

Check out this very interesting article for a glimpse behind the scenes ...

A Day In The Life Of A TV Talk Show Producer

Garis PR In Today's Star Magazine

2011-08-18T12:26:00.000-07:00

Garis PR & Media Group Director, R. J. Garis interviewed in today's Star Magazine regarding Kim Kardashian's spectacular wedding.

On sale now nationwide -- check it out.

A Common Tale

2011-08-15T16:43:00.000-07:00

We recently received this quote as part of a message from a prospective publicity client seeking our help. " I am a first-time author and have spent thousands of dollars trying to promote myself through media releases, newswire campaigns, e-mail advertisements, social media promotions, etc ... with little success." We hear this type of story all the time. People just don't want to believe it is such a closed industry. They try all sorts of do-it-yourself PR, or out of the loop agencies, until eventually realizing that prime connections and established representation are necessary to breakthrough.

Publicity Is Your Immunity Idol

2011-08-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

Don't become intimidated by this economic recession -- there is still plenty of business out there. Our clients are doing great. Publicity can immunize you. Strategic media interviews and top feature articles are the most powerful form of promotion.

Working with a well connected publicist is the key to being a survivor in this game. Publicity provides credibility, endorsement and a much faster return than advertising. Just ask those who have appeared on CNN, The Today Show, GMA, ET, etc. One major news story can pull more than an entire ad campaign.

Females Prefer Color

2011-06-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

The choices for reading magazines, books and newspapers on E-devices is growing. It seems like every electronic brand is now putting out variations of the I-Pad in the form of E-Pads and Readers. A look at preference by gender reveals some surprising results. New authors should think about this info when designing their E-books. See the article link below.

New York Times Article

Chris Brown & GMA

2011-03-22T15:22:00.000-07:00

Publicist, R. J. Garis quoted regarding the Chris Brown incident today on ABC-TV's Good Morning America (link below).

Hollywood Life Article

Will The News Media Pay?

2011-01-10T09:41:00.000-08:00

You unexpectedly find yourself in the middle of a major breaking news event. Perhaps you are a witness or a participant in the occurrence. Maybe you shot some dramatic photos or video. You may even have other exclusive material, such as E-mails or text messages. Should you just give it all away? You think it could be worth something, and you have no idea what to do next. The media is totally hounding you, but -- will they pay?

We get this question all the time. The answer is in the gray zone -- but in essence, yes. They will pay for the use of photographic material, video, etc. This could even be something as simple as your high school photos or a family video. Any interviews that are also provided along with the material are technically given "for free". That way they can still claim they don't pay for interviews.

This type of thing is routine in many other nations, and they make no apologies for it. The practice is now becoming common in the U.S. as well. After all, a publication or broadcast show will make a fortune off of a hot exclusive story (through increased sales, higher ratings and advertising revenue). So, why shouldn't the source of that material share in the wealth? Good point, don't you think?

Players in any major news event today have numerous options for the sale of their exclusive story and material. It is a highly competitive and global media market. Our agency has been involved in the sale of material to the media on numerous occasions. The first thing you should do if you find yourself in one of these situations is contact an experienced publicist / media agent (before talking to ANY media). Remember, the value is in exclusivity. If you give it away -- you can't sell it.

Working It

2010-10-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

Client -- Brenda Arens of "America's Next Top Model" on the CW, walks the runway.

Here are links to a couple of fun articles we recently got for her:

Positively Celebrity Spotlight

Celebrity Baby Scoop

Also visit Brenda's official web site at : BrendaArens.com

Hollywood Life

2010-05-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

Publicist R. J. Garis was quoted a couple of times this week on "Hollywood Life", regarding the Jesse James interview on ABC's Nightline. Here are links to the original and follow-up:

Article Link

Follow-up Article

That's A Wrap

2010-03-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

Sandra Bullock story -- See Dr. G's quotes on page two ...

Wrap Article

SoCal Networking

2010-02-17T10:02:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows it takes many years to build powerful media contacts. That's why having a publicist in the right place is such a critical element for publicity success. Much of this business is about networking. It's about building strategic connections and developing personal relationships. It's about going to the right events and awards shows, schmoozing at parties, taking producers to lunch, etc. If you're not located where the media elite mingle -- those things are pretty tough to do. Corporations hire Washington D.C. based lobbyists, because that's where the decision makers are. The same holds true for PR. Your publicist should be where the action is. Southern California is now the world's leading media center.

E-Books Selling Well

2010-01-04T11:14:00.000-08:00

Here is an interesting article that caught our attention (link below). For the first time ever, Amazon.com says they sold more E-books this holiday season than paper books. What does this say about the direction and future of publishing? With Kindle, and other electronic book reading devices now being heavily marketed, it sure seems like this is the inevitable future. This doesn't change the fact that every book still requires a powerful publicity campaign.

E-Books Article

Crazy Like A Fox

2009-08-05T09:31:00.000-07:00

Here's another interesting example of creative publicity thinking on a small budget. Check out how this California donut shop is pulling in nationwide media attention. It's controversial -- and that's the way the media likes it ...

Article Link

Don't Fade Out

2009-05-11T11:50:00.000-07:00

Nowadays, we see actors, music artists, news makers and reality stars break out into the national media spotlight almost overnight. The power of media exposure is amazing. It can instantly turn a virtual unknown into the latest pop hit. It can all move at lightening speed. Likewise, it can fade almost just as fast as it came. Fame has to be maintained. That's where so many go wrong. They get fooled with all the hype being on a show or in a film can bring. Often, they don't even realize that behind the scenes a group of highly skilled publicists are generating that media attention. They think it is just happening because of their talent, personality or whatever. That is a critical mistake. For example, how many of the finalists from season one of American Idol can you name now? How about just last season? Yet at the time, we saw them everywhere.

It's the same for the cast of films, television shows and people in the news. When the show or story ends, the hype usually ends with it. Unless the star or personality hires their own publicist and works very hard at maintaining a public presence, they often fade out. Job offers slow down or completely stop. The media loses interest and the public forgets them. It's a sad but harsh reality of the business. Unfortunately, many just don't get it or perhaps they just don't want to believe it. Fame is a commodity that is created, manipulated and controlled. Look at any successful personality, and we'll show you a top publicist keeping them in the spotlight.

Make It Different

2009-04-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

The mainstream media is always looking for something fresh. Getting their attention requires a completely original topic or a new spin on an old one. For example, there are thousands of yoga instructors nationwide. For the most part, the media has seen it all. However, one instructor recently got extensive publicity by just giving her classes a unique twist. She invited students to bring their dogs with them to class. The owners and their pets interact in special yoga type exercises. She calls it Doga. The students and their pets love it. This quickly caught the attention of the media, and generated extensive national coverage. Her classes now have a waiting list, and they are expanding rapidly.

Remember, same old, same old doesn't fly well with today's media. No matter what type of business you are promoting, you've got to give it a unique spin. If you can make it visually entertaining as well, that works the best of all.

This Just In

2009-04-14T09:50:00.000-07:00

File in the category of great publicity stunts... A strip club on the East coast is taking advantage of all the attention on the economy by holding a "Job Fair". They claim they are looking to fill about thirty positions (no pun intended). Needless to say -- the local and national media are all over this. There's nothing like a big crowd of stripper candidates to draw the cameras. With just a little bit of creativity, this club is now getting millions of dollars worth of free airtime and print space. As a result, their business is booming.

Pop-Star President?

2009-03-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Dr. Garis had the honor of being quoted today on the number one national political Internet site (Politico.com). It is a very interesting piece. His quote is on the second page of the article. Here's the link...

The Everywhere President ( 2 page article )

Do Your Homework

2009-01-20T13:10:00.000-08:00

Before contacting a publicist, do your homework. Just like when approaching the media, know exactly who you are contacting. Carefully read their web sites, blogs and articles. Research them on the net. Don't be asking a publicist things like -- so, do you rep my type of project? What have you done for others? That just shows you have no idea who you are contacting. Top publicists are like top talent agents, it is assumed you know who they are before you approach them.

Here's Looking At You

2008-11-10T16:04:00.000-08:00

Ready for your close-up? If you think only models and stars have to look great, you are in for a very big surprise. Fitness experts better look fit. Money gurus better look successful. Politicians better have a photo that gets voters and the media interested in knowing more about them, etc.

Generic head shots are usually a mistake. Underestimating your look can cost you valuable media opportunities and much more. Creating powerful PR photos is an art that takes years to learn. An experienced publicist can guide you.

Mike's Got It

2008-08-11T18:32:00.000-07:00

We recently had the true privilege of spending a couple of days up close and personal with the amazing Michael Phelps. While many celebrities exhibit one personality for the cameras and something quite different off-camera, we found Phelps to be refreshingly real. What you are seeing now at the Olympics in China is the exact same person we saw behind the scenes. He is totally down to earth, respectful and friendly. Phelps is a dedicated champion and Olympic superstar with a terrific personality and major charisma. That's called the "It Factor."

By the way -- Phelps is simultaneously achieving another personal goal of bringing the sport of swimming into the mainstream. He told us it was very important to him that the sport not be forgotten in between Olympics. We support that goal and congratulate Michael and all the amazing Olympic athletes. Go USA !!!

Getting The Media To Look

2008-07-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

We are constantly asked about various paid press release distribution services, and interview guest advertising. The prevailing question being -- do these work? At first glance, they sound like an economical, fast and easy way to do publicity. The problem is, the prime level media doesn't seem to pay much attention to them. They rely on well established contacts, and traditional sources (such as AP) where journalists carefully screen and select the material being distributed. Many paid distribution services and publications run just about anything. That limits their credibility in the eyes of most media.

Publicist Humor

2008-04-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

We received this in our E-mail and could not resist re-posting it :)

The Demographics of American Newspapers:

1. The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country.

2. The Washington Post is read by people who think they run the country.

3. The New York Times is read by people who think they should run the country and who are very good at crossword puzzles.

4. USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country, but don't really understand The New York Times. They do, however, like their statistics shown in pie charts.

5. The Los Angeles Times is read by people who wouldn't mind running the country -- if they could find the time -- and if they didn't have to leave Southern California to do it.

6. The Boston Globe is read by people whose parents used to run the country and did a poor job of it, thank you very much.

7. The New York Daily News is read by people who aren't too sure who's running the country and don't really care as long as they can get a seat on the train.

8. The New York Post is read by people who don't care who is running the country as long as they do something really scandalous, preferably while intoxicated, and who like their news as pictures and/or cartoons.

9. The Miami Herald is read by people who are running another country, but need the baseball scores.

10. The San Francisco Chronicle is read by people who aren't sure if there is a country or that anyone is running it; but if so, they oppose all that they stand for. There are occasional exceptions if the leaders are handicapped minority feminist atheist dwarfs who also happen to be illegal aliens from any other country or galaxy, provided, of course, that they are not Republicans.

11. The National Enquirer is read by people trapped in line at the grocery store.

12. The Seattle Times is read by people who have recently caught a fish and need something in which to wrap it.

(Source Unknown)

Blackberry Anyone?

2008-03-27T16:13:00.000-07:00

Everything about the media now moves at lightening speed. If you want to successfully work with us, and the top media, you have to adapt to the rules. You can't take three days to respond to an E-mail or phone message. Reporters and producers want and need answers quickly. If you can't be responsive, they will just book another interview guest. They (and we) are too busy to play phone or E-mail tag. By the way, this new high speed style of doing business applies to more than just the media. Every successful player in the entertainment, literary, modeling, sports and any other high profile industry now gets this principle. With cellular phones, WiFi and laptops -- nobody has an excuse for slow response anymore. If you snooze, you lose !!

Tell Them Who You Are

2008-03-14T13:24:00.000-07:00

The first step in becoming a recognizable name is to define yourself. If you are all over the page, nobody (including the media) will be able to get a clear handle on you. So ask yourself -- what exactly do I want to represent? What is my personal brand name all about? Decide what it is you want to be most noted as, then your publicity and promotion campaign should be designed accordingly.

Getting Famous Customers

2008-02-14T15:44:00.000-08:00

We are regularly asked about how to get celebrity business. All sorts of companies want to have celebrity customers and clients to brag about. The list is endless. Everybody wants celebs to be referred to them.

Well then, who does the referring? In most cases, the star's publicist or agent is the source of the referral. So, how do you get them to send their celebrity clients and friends to you? You start the same way cruise lines get new business from travel agents -- they give those agents a free cruise to experience the service. It's the same way cities attract convention business -- they bring the convention planners into town, show them the sites and wine and dine them. Everything VIP, first class and all comp.

No top agent or publicist is going to blindly refer a star to a business they have not personally experienced. You have to show them your best, and try to impress them if you hope to get their celebrity referrals. By the way, if they do then refer stars to you -- be prepared to comp them too. Remember, the bragging rights of having celebrity customers are far more valuable than any other form of advertising. It brings in all kinds of business and publicity.

I-Net Promotion A Good Idea?

2007-08-28T10:12:00.000-07:00

We have recently been asked about on-line promotions for authors and products. When doing these, you must keep in mind that once something is out -- there is no way to take it back. Thereby, it could seriously affect the media's opinion later when considering you for interviews. The first thing most producers do is a Google search on the author or product. Many authors have fallen into the blog and Internet promotion trap. By that we mean, it's a two way street. People can also post bad reviews and comments about you and your book or product, and they remain in cyberspace forever. Often, an author's competitors will do this just to sabotage them. That's one reason our clients really don't do those type of on-line promotions. We try to keep them in the mainstream media only. There, it is at least a little more controlled, fair and balanced.

Cat's Out On The Catwalk

2007-07-23T13:35:00.000-07:00

We have been asked about what super-models really earn. The technical definition of a super-model is one earning at least one million dollars a year, but most earn far more. Normally, this type of information is kept confidential, however Forbes Magazine recently did an investigative article revealing some of the top earning models. Now, the cat is out of the bag -- here are a few of the highest earning names for 2007:

Gisele Bundchen: $33 million
Kate Moss: $9 million
Heidi Klum: $8 million
Adriana Lima: $6 million
Allessandra Ambrosio: $6 million
Carolyn Murphy: $5 million
Natalia Vodianova: $4.5 million
Karolina Kurkova: $3.5 million
Daria Werbowy: $3.5 million
Gemma Ward: $3 million

Use Your Travel For Media

2007-07-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

While the major national television talk shows have a budget to fly guests in, the small regional talk and news programs usually do not. However, if you are traveling through their area for other reasons, such as a speaking engagement, they offer terrific publicity opportunities. Many regional shows have live studio audiences and very loyal viewers. They will often allow the guest to get in some good plugs for a book or product. An appearance can also make a great demo DVD for getting other shows. So, be sure to always get added benefit out of your travel schedule by using it to appear on local media.

That's The Way You Do It

2007-02-13T14:15:00.000-08:00

You have to be clever and original today to get the media's attention. Even the best publicist can't help you if you're not doing something newsworthy and unique. Here's a case example -- there are thousands of fitness instructors and personal trainers seeking publicity. The media has been there, done that. It's not news. However, one smart fitness instructor recently gave her classes a unique, controversial and sexy spin. She installed a few poles and began giving classes in "How To Strip" for your husband or boyfriend. She incorporated an exercise routine into the classes. The result was a tidal wave of publicity. Her story and classes were covered by all the major networks and news shows. It not only made a unique story, but a very visual one that was perfect for TV. Now, she is franchising out all over the country. That's the way you do it. Be totally different.

Dr. G on ABC

2007-01-16T08:48:00.000-08:00

Publicist R. J. Garis granted a brief interview to ABC News today regarding celebrity image at the Golden Globes. To see a transcript, go to www.abcnews.com and search "Garis" or use the direct link to the two page article below...

ABC News Article

Let's Do Lunch

2007-01-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

Does the legendary "Power Lunch" or "Power Coffee" still exist? Absolutely! Now more then ever, important media opportunities and deal-making revolve around select eateries and coffee houses. The secret is in knowing exactly how and where. Should you dress up or down? What should you order? What day of the week is best? Should you be on time or a little late? Everything sends a signal about you and the people you are meeting with. When done correctly, a power lunch or coffee can be one of your most effective image and contact builders. Learn how to do them right, and your career will take exciting new turns you never expected. Lessons anyone?

Cross-Over Media

2006-12-13T15:04:00.000-08:00

With writers, artists and personalities -- success really depends on name recognition. In order to increase popularity, you've got to get "cross-over" media. By that we mean, a magazine writer would want to be a guest on radio, a radio personality would want to be interviewed in a magazine. The more well known you become, the greater your career will end up being. Cross-over publicity is the secret. We've represented a number of journalists over the years, as well as broadcast personalities. Check out a few names on our agency web site at -- www.nationalpublicist.com/

It's Now A Global Media

2006-11-13T13:15:00.000-08:00

Media relations has changed dramatically over the past decade. Today, we often deal with a global media. When we book a guest on CNN or Fox or any of the major shows, they are now seen worldwide. It's the same for print media. The major magazines and newspapers are now printed and distributed simultaneously in multiple nations. Radio has also gone global with numerous shows now being broadcast via satellite and on cable around the world. Keep that in mind when developing your media interview topics and hooks. You can literally appeal to a worldwide audience.

National TV Special

2006-11-03T12:02:00.000-08:00

We congratulate our client, Gryphon Productions, on the upcoming airing of their spectacular two hour TV special, "The Real Lost World." It will air on Animal Planet on Dec.10th and 17th, 2006. In addition, Discovery HD Theater will show an impressive high-definition version of the program on Dec. 14th, 2006. Check local listings for times. You will love the incredible work of these amazing filmmakers. Don't miss it!

We also just booked the film's director for an appearance on Fox & Friends (Fox News Worldwide).

The Real Lost World Web Site

Plan Ahead To Get Coverage

2006-10-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

The more lead time you can give to the media the better. When promoting a feature story, product or event -- give the media ample advance notice. Remember, the media is always subject to hard breaking news first. They also receive hundreds of submissions each day. Feature items must wait their turn. In other words, don't contact the media on Monday about an event you're doing on Wednesday. A minimum of several weeks notice is normally expected and required. The more powerful the media, the farther out they tend to work. Top national shows and magazines often work months ahead. Proper advance planning is the key to great feature coverage and publicity.

Before They Were Famous

2006-10-18T13:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a fun site that tells what famous people did -- before they were famous. Did you know Johnny Depp was once a telemarketer?

www.hardlyfamous.com

It's Not About Press Releases

2006-10-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

A corporate event and stage entertainer recently contacted us with the following message -- "I hired a marketing firm that did not know what they were doing and the results were terrible. I have had no press coverage and small audiences of four to ten people as a result of dropping 12,000 post cards, 16,000 E-mails and 500 letters with a press release."

We hear this tale all too often. People have wasted their time and money with the wrong type of approach. That's because strategic publicity is NOT just about sending press releases. As any top publicist will tell you, it's a business of contacts and influence.

The Greatest Publicists

2006-08-21T11:19:00.000-07:00

We are often asked who we think were the greatest publicists of the past century. Topping the list would naturally be the legendary P. T. Barnum (photo w/ Gen. Tom Thumb). Next on our list would be the great Buffalo Bill Cody (and his renown Wild West Exhibition), followed by Colonel Tom Parker (publicist & manager for Elvis Presley). In Hollywood, it would have to be the late star-maker and super-publicist Swifty Lazar. If you are interested in the world of publicity and promotion, we recommend reading the biographies of each of these PR wizards.

The Web Site Vs. The Press Kit

2006-08-08T18:49:00.000-07:00

"Do I need to have an elaborate printed press kit?" That's a question we get all the time. The answer is -- a good web site can now be used in place of an expensive printed press kit. In fact, many members of the media now prefer electronic information. It is instantly available, much more current and accessible from anywhere. Additionally, photos and other graphics can be pulled right from the site for immediate use. It's a dream come true for journalists and producers on a tight deadline. At our agency, we rarely even receive media requests for the old printed press kits anymore.

Special Congrats!

2006-08-02T12:13:00.000-07:00

We want to give a special congratulations to a terrific actor and model -- Mauricio Amuy. He is a good friend of the agency. Mauricio is starring in the new Disney movie "Apocalypto" (Dec. 2006 release). We just did an interview with him for People Magazine and another with the television show EXTRA. Keep an eye on this shooting star!

Betting Your Career On In-House PR?

2006-08-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

We have seen so many talented people allow their careers to deteriorate by relying solely on the in-house or studio publicity department. Today, it is a huge mistake not to have independent and professional representation. Without it, you leave yourself extremely vulnerable. The media "expects" anything or anyone HOT to be represented by an agency they recognize. It's the same in sports, music, modeling and book publishing. Image is everything!

Get Paid For Speaking

2006-07-25T14:03:00.000-07:00

Can you do professional speaking? Would your topic, expertise or business lend itself well to public presentations? If so, you can generate significant income through speaking engagements. Many of the authors, experts and celebrities we represent also do paid speaking. In some cases, that is their full-time career. See our web site at www.nationalpublicist.com/ for numerous examples. If you can be a great "infotainer" and you enjoy traveling, speaking may be of interest to you. Our speakers travel all over the US, as well as to Canada, Australia, England and other nations.

Are Book Signings Really Worth It?

2006-06-23T20:04:00.000-07:00

The short answer is -- probably not. For most new authors, book signings are more for experience and rarely sell a lot of books. Unless you are a celebrity, the numbers are usually small. A hundred books sold would be doing extremely well. However, investing that same money on a radio and television interview campaign can sell thousands of books!

Not to say you shouldn't do any book signing events. They can be fun and they give you direct feedback from your reading public. However, they can also be very costly because you have to travel to the signings. They can even be embarrassing to an author if only a few people show up. If you're on a tight budget, it would be smarter to invest in a media campaign rather than a travel and signing campaign.

That's One Smart Mouse!

2006-05-31T12:51:00.000-07:00

Disney theme parks are defined by their overflowing crowds. A recent article in PR Week Magazine offered a look at the strategy that helps keep them so successful. In interview, Michael Mendenhall (EVP of Global Marketing for Disney Destinations), explained how important PR is in the Disney equation. He noted that integration of all marketing disciplines is essential. However, Disney starts with the PR. Even before bringing in the advertising agency. He says,"PR is incredibly important. I do believe it comes before commercial messages." He goes on to explain that PR legitimizes the idea and the organization. It brings endorsement and credibility to the message. We couldn't agree more.

As Seen On TV

2006-05-27T19:57:00.000-07:00

Remember those all important quotes -- "as seen on," "as heard on" and "as seen in" ...

Be sure to display and use your media appearances in all your material. You should list your media appearances on your web site, in your brochures, CV, book jackets and anywhere else the public interacts with you or your product or service.

People respect a solid media resume. Most believe that a media appearance is more or less an informal endorsement of the expert, author or business. It carries a lot of influence. Listing your appearances is an important aspect of taking advantage of your publicity. By doing so, you extend the power of the appearance far beyond the original listening or reading audience. We have clients who are still taking advantage of media they did years ago!