Saturday, October 24, 2009

Getting the Job Done

Wow, I was thrilled to run into Dave Zinzenko and Dan Abrams last night. They are both doing really well of course, and with everyone they meet, I can never get over the fact that they always remember me, are always gracious and seriously want to know how I am.

I am so saddened by the passing of the amazingly comedic Soupy Sales. These guys really have class.

I spent more time with my friend Carolanne tonight and she has so many insights on how to better organize my personal life and my business. It’s fun to listen to a young 20 something who is really excited and has a zest for her career. Her drive to succeed kinda reminds me of me. Back in the day, there wasn't anything I wouldn't do for a client. I still go above and beyond all the times but the early 90's was different. There were no computers, no cell phone and only a typewriter and white out, and car to get where you needed to be. So the "above and beyond" was truly a lot more. If you know me, you remember my breaking into a clients home after climbing over an iron fence, sliding down a dry, non-mowed lawn, climbing up a ladder that I found in the garage, and throwing rocks at the window as well as knocking very loudly till the client drowsily comes to the window, cracks it wide enough for me to get pulled in, only to say "hey, what are you doing here" as if he didn't notice the limo sitting outside his home for hours to take him to a cover shoot. Now with text, blackberry messenger, cell phone, email, it’s easier and quicker to find someone and the adventures in PR land are well, just different. At least now I don't get splinters in strange places. But when that cover came out, it didn't matter how crazy it seemed at the time, it was a PR adventure I remember forever.

I've got a lot of those stories, and they all helped me become the strong, well-rounded publicist that I am. Everything I have learned and all that I teach and encourage my team, is that you can always do more. To ask yourself, "What aren't you doing?" "What makes the client most comfortable?" and "How do you foster the relationship over time in continuing to not only establish the brand but grow it as well?" PR isn't easy, and truly not everyone can do it. But when I walked back that day into my office with blades of dry grass stuck to my pants and in my hair and clothing, I knew my mission was accomplished, he got his cover and he got the recognition he deserved. And after that, I knew that there was nothing that could faze me. I had learned that protecting the brand from himself and others from time to time can be as, if not more important than promoting it.

Good night!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Former Assistant, Current Events and Philosophy

I'm out with my former assistant Carolanne Coviello who now has a very successful career in beauty at Creative Media Marketing - they rock - did you know they rewarded their employees with a trip to Woodbury Commons? And I thought I gave good incentives. The topic came up tonight as the holiday season is coming. To Gift or Not to Gift? We say gift. A happy employee is a well "happy employee". So I heard jury selection is ongoing in the John Travolta case. I think it’s open and shut. Travolta has nothing to be ashamed of, nor his family. He did what he could to save his son. And because he is a celebrity you automatically think they are going to have something to hide? Fry the bastards. On Twitter, Gavin DeGraw is going crazy writing about our constitutional rights and it’s quite interesting. You should follow him. Edward Norton and Alyssa Milano also got some great tweets - one for charity the other for news and sports. I feel so connected!

Ana Ortiz got invited to Bette Midler's Hullaween ball - we're currently trying to find her a costume and Mark Indelicato is meeting with Fern Mallis to discuss a future career in fashion. George Wendt launched his book to amazing attention - did you see that "beer pong" game between George and Natalie Morales? Go to Today Show online, it’s hilarious. And then he had a beer chugging contest with Bill Schultz from Red Eye - well the name of George's book is "Drinking with George - a Bar Stools Guide to Beer..." He's off to Boston and then Chicago and then LA. And then well, more press...by the way, what a travesty that the amazing Ana Ortiz can't present at the Latin Grammys. Can you believe we were told it’s been booked since August? Which award shows do you know that ever gets TOTALLY booked that far in advance. Baloney! Hope they read this. She is a rock star! And they made a huge mistake!

Other news, I signed on again to help with celebrity placement and auction items with the Sunflower Children’s Charity Poker Event on Nov 6th. Jamie Gold will be there again- more to come on that....

And now on to my philosophical part, one cannot succeed in business if the support system does not know how to support you. I think there should be a ladder system. Always try to advance to the next level instead of feeling stuck where you are. Ruts are a state of mind. When you get there, just look up and you'll see the sun....

On another note, whoever thought I would be friends with my former assistants? It’s amazing how after six months we're like best buds, and they all have fab jobs now - I must have done something right to train them to. And the funniest quote is "amy I get it now!" Who knew they had to go larger companies to realize what pr is all about! Well however they did it, I'm grateful. It may have been tough over here but as a small company, whose owner was trained by the biggest and most prestigious ones, they now realize that missing a beat so not cool and worse it just can't happen. I think its hiring the college grads. And now that they have all advanced, they see and they seem to get promoted really fast. I'm proud of everyone I've nurtured over the years.

And one more quandary I ask the blogosphere...what do you think it takes to be a rain-maker. Do you think you need to be born with it or can it be taught? I think you can read every book in the store but if you don't have that fire, you will lose every time. Same thing with pitching. I remember my old bosses saying, "Do you know how many pitches these people get a day? You are one of hundreds calling for the same placement each month that perhaps is two if not one opportunities the magazine offers!" "Be concise, be creative, know the magazine and know the editor and the magazine" It increases the odds your call or email will be returned. And once you book with them, they will always return your call or email because you send them quality stuff. So for all you PR people out there who still take money for "throwing it all out there to see what sticks" - it’s not the way to go and you will learn soon enough that a few random small hits, are nothing compared to the big strategic hit that either increases visibility, cash flow or sales...

So with that said, sometimes a boutique firm with fewer clients may just be the ticket to get you where you need to be. Relationships count and the personal relationship gets the job done. Know the client, know the press, and get results (even if that means keeping people out of the paper)

So, hey Pat Kingsley, Leslie Dart, Catherine Olim, Annett Wolf, all the amazing publicists I've had the pleasure of working for and working with - I've remembered everything you taught me and well as you all know, I'm doing it with my own flair. Hope you’re proud of what I've created.

And to Lucy Liu, Terrence Howard, David Boreanaz, Jeremy Sisto, Balthazar Getty, Jake Busey, and everyone else I may have forgot to mention - I'm so grateful to have started your career with you and helped you get to where you need to be. And those I've helped even after they were famous, Sir Ian Mc Kellen, Susan Lucci, Johnny Depp and Rupert Everet and Queen Latifah ,it’s the journey that counts and even though my stop on the train may have come, that time spent with you helping you become well "you" I would not trade for the world. Congratulations to all of you. Everyone always remembers their "first," or the the "one who made a difference"

And to all those amazing assistants out there who made doing what we do so easy...watching you rise up the ladder is of great pleasure to me, especially, Carolanne Coviello, Lisa Phillips, and Sarah Grossbart and my outgoing assistant Ashley Cox,. May you all become CEO's producers and editors in chiefs whatever your dreams desire.

It does take a village to raise a child - a "company too""

Monday, October 19, 2009

Balloons, Music and Celebrities

For starters, I finally got my friend at ET on the phone and we're working on the story. The balloon boy did not win that battle. Secondly, I really don't like unscripted programming and do you remember when MTV actually played music videos. Its becoming increasingly more difficult for someone like me to be introduced to new music when there are places like Sirius/XM where you can choose the channel and the free radio plays the same songs all the time. I loved watching MTV but now its all American Idol. That's the trade off? Perhaps I'm just an oldie but goodie. But then I'm in Spin class at Reebok with the amazing Marc Selden and he puts on this song that rocks my mind. Mind you, It doesn't take a lot but I heard this song that was really awesome called "Nothing Ever Hurt Like You" by James Morrison. Yes he's been around for a while but maybe because he's on the other side of the pond or again it wasn't a "single" it wasn't till three weeks ago that I found my new obsession. Went to Itunes and downloaded all his CD's and like my mom when she burned a hole in her 45 for the Beatles "I Want to Hold Your Hand," I just can't keep listening to that song. I mean who hasn't wanted to walk through glass for the one you love. Its whether they will be waiting for you on the other side when you are all cut and bloody is the question...

I digress... Our super hot client Reshma Shetty rocked it out in this week's Star Mag in a purple Catherine Malandrino dress. Go Reshma...

Preston Bailey was mentioned in the NY Post on Friday and Mark Indelicato had a super cute boxing photo run in their photo section on Sunday from the Bahamas!

Let's not forget Tamara Tunie doing her "Sunday Routine" in the New York Times - its pretty revealing - def read that one and it shows you how sexy and cool 50 can be.

Very excited about Banana Shpeel but more on that later....

Have a great night and peace out!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

BALLOON BOY – HOW IT AFFECTED PR AROUND THE WORLD

So we’re here, pitching our clients just like on a regular day when we call Entertainment Tonight to talk to our contact about doing a fun story on one of our clients. She says to us “Oh my G-d, I can’t talk to you right now, there is a boy missing in a balloon…turn on the TV it’s all over the place…” So what do we do? We turn CNN and start watching…We are horrified. Did the child fall out of the balloon, what was he doing at six years old unattended by parents? We are listening and watching with everyone else, stopping EVERYTHING we are doing to watch for the search for BALLOON BOY….No one will talk to us, the industry, all industries stop, locked down, guests cancelled, things seem to be falling apart! But Wait! While we are watching we get news that BALLOON BOY is hiding in his attic in a box! A box his brother told him to hide in! Now me ask you all a question, what was going through their parents minds, when they did not search the house or the attic, when they say that is the place the boy goes and it was not the first time that he disappeared in the attic. How many tax payer dollars during this recession were used and wasted traveling all over to find a boy who was in fact…home. So my call with Entertainment Tonight will have to be had tomorrow, and I just hope that there is not another balloon traveling in the air, to prohibit me yet again, from making my pitch.

You guys may not realize this, but every piece of news affects entertainment, finance, lifestyle, community you name it. This is all everyone is talking about. And the Big Question one should ask, is should the parents be held responsible for all of this? They sent the world into a frenzy over a boy who was in his own attic in a box hiding out…and when the local news media, says “Oh we get this all the time” then why didn’t anyone check the attic before sending out search and rescue.

Sure’ we are thrilled the Balloon Boy is home and safe and sound and nothing happened to him, except perhaps being grounded for hiding and maybe no dessert with dinner.

We got no work done today! Shame on all of you! Wild Goose Chase for nothing!!!!!!

Balloon Boy…Campbell Brown is doing a fantastic interview tonight on CNN. She is really getting the story good! How does anyone think this is appropriate? The family is enjoying the press, they brought out law enforcement, they put the world in a panic! This is a really good case of Bad PR….this would have been horrific if it was true…thank goodness it was not. So STOP TALKING ABOUT IT! THEIR 15-MINUTES ARE UP!!!!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

A Day in the life of ANA ORTIZ







Oh my! How much do we love our client Ana Ortiz!?!?!

The entire cast of Ugly Betty has been in the Bahamas shooting an episode since last Saturday! And though she was in the beautiful Bahamas enjoying the dolphins, the beautiful waters at the amazing Atlantis Resort, she immediately jumped on a plane and flew back to NYC when she got word of some amazing news! She’s such a fan of THE VIEW and to be asked to guest co-host, she was ready!

Her day got started at 8 a.m. with hair by the amazing Charles Baker Strahan and make-up by Rebecca Restrepo. But while sitting in hair and make-up, Ana got a chance to meet one of her favorite singers…Kelly Clarkson who came into her dressing room without makeup and with hair curlers in hair! How funny???? Kelly went on to tell Ana how she was such a fan of Ugly Betty and the first question she asked? Well take a guess. When is Betty going to be pretty? Kelly was so disarming to Ana. We think there might be a duet coming!

As the day proceeded, Ana unveiled her post-pregnancy body in a Jill Sanders dress, then got mic’d and was ready for her morning television debut and what a host she was.

Ana shared center stage with the amazing Whoopi Goldberg, the insanely funny and quick witted Joy Behar and the Queen of Comedy Sherri Shepard! They of course shared amazing conversation. The first topic of conversation with Ana’s beautiful 13 week old daughter Paloma Louise! How adorable is she?

Whoopi, Sherri, Ana and Joy all shared laughs through the morning! But perhaps what was the funniest thing ever is Ana being called Star Jones! You got it; Paul Shaffer called her Star Jones. I think that’s about as funny as Chris Brown and Rihanna attending Game 4 of the NBA Finals. After the insane laughter of Paul’s mistake, the show went on and they even shared some vocal exercises. Here again, Ana Ortiz and Sherri Shepard showcasing their inner rocker!

Ana did such an amazing job with her co-hosting duties! The world is proud! President Obama was definitely cheering her on from the Oval Office of the White House! Check out this amazing behind-the scene video taken by Bill Getty at ABC (http://theview.abc.go.com/video/viewtube-ana-ortiz). Ana and Kelly had the chance to get friendly...even I was a nerd and grabbed a photo with Kelly. The girl rocks!

After all is said and done, the lovely Ana Ortiz was swept away in a black sedan to the UN where she met her co-stars Judith Light and Tony Plana for a press briefing!

You see, on the show Betty is promoted and has to come up with an idea for her first story! She decided she wants to talk about Malaria in a fashion magazines and pitches using bed netting as a fashionable material. Whilhemia (Vanessa Williams) agrees and allows her to embark on her adventure. Betty creates the pretty marriage with Nothing But Nets (http://www.nothingbutnets.net/). “Betty has a great heart and soul. It’s not a stretch that she wants to help other people, she is trying to change hearts and minds by influencing other people,” says Judith Light.

Ten million Americans will see the show and the Ugly Betty family hopes it will have an effect and bring more attention to the campaign.

It was an awakening of my awareness of the issue,” said Tony Plana, “that the every donation is indicative of the support of the donors and that 10 dollars will help one child. It increases your passion for what you do”
More than 2 million nets in Africa are distributed with its partnerships. The UN has a goal to eliminate Malaria deaths by 2015. Every NGO and corporations and companies are behind. Nets are the best prevention tool to get there

Says Ana Ortiz, Becoming a mom has changed my outlook on just about everything. When there is something so simple as a net, any publicity we can bring to it would be great. I see the world as much larger now being a mom. Thinking of these little kids and all they need is a little net at night..it’s a huge honor, when you get a job that you get to go to work and speak to issues that are close to you as a person, for any issues whether single motherhood, healthcare issues.”

Celebrate Good Times With Preston Bailey's new book CELEBRATIONS!


Our client world renowned event designer Preston Bailey released his fourth book, PRESTON BAILEY: CELEBRATIONS, this week by Rizzoli New York.

CELEBRATIONS is divided into two parts, the first half of the book is arranged thematically into chapters focusing on Dramatic Statements, The Magic of Tents, Ceremonies, Table Settings, and Details, offering readers hundreds of inspiring ideas. Design elements ranging from towering cascades of fresh flowers, chairs “dressed” in couture slipcovers, table place cards suspended overhead on glittering crystal and pearl garlands, tents fashioned to “wow”, and many other rich details, are sure to encourage anyone planning a celebration of their own to think outside the box.

Featured in Transformations are ten never-before-published events, each lavishly illustrated in its entirety. From a royal wedding in the Middle East, where Bailey and his team transformed a convention center into a vibrant green oasis, to a West Coast birthday celebration set in a round tent with a see-though roof so that guests could watch the fireworks from their chairs. Each of the events included in Preston Bailey: Celebrations spectacularly showcases the power of Bailey’s boundless imagination and will inspire the reader to reach beyond the expected.

Preston brought his exotic tastes and natural flair for color and design to his floral business in New York City in the 1980’s. Since then, he has been sharing his innate taste-making talents with the fashionable and famous, creating magical events for such luminaries as Oprah Winfrey, Matt Lauer, Joan Rivers, and Donald Trump. Bailey’s uniquely inventive and thematic style has allowed him to transform raw, empty spaces into sumptuous, theatrical environments that defy all expectations, and his particular eye for lighting and texture has earned him critical acclaim throughout his career.

Check out http://www.prestonbailey.com/ and sign up for our blog http://brownsteinpr.blogspot.com/ for more up-to-date information on Preston and our many other talented clients. Also follow us on Twitter: @amybpr, @ashleybapr and @timkyates

Get ready world! The lovely and talented Ana Ortiz is coming to morning television! She will be guest co-hosting The View this morning alongside Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar and Sherri Sheppard.

Ana Ortiz is best known for her role as Hilda on the ABC hit comedy series Ugly Betty returning Friday, Oct 16, 2009. Tune in this morning to your ABC station and catch Ana on The View at 11 a.m. EST. Also, catch Ana and her Ugly Betty family for the 2 hour season premiere of Ugly Betty on ABC at 9:00 p.m. EST

After her co-hosting duties, Ana Ortiz will be on her way to the United Nations to participate in a press briefing to support Nothing But Nets Campaign, a grassroots movement involved in malaria prevention through advocacy, procurement and distribution of free nets.