Got TV?

You probably heard already, since its all over the news, that Oprah Winfrey will be ending her incredibly popular and successful “Oprah Winfrey Show” in 2011. This is the show that launched Oprah into the stratosphere and that has made her one of the richest women in the world. She will be making this monumental announcement today at 10:00 a.m. EST, live from her show in Chicago.

This is huge since while Oprah did not create the talk show genre, she certainly perfected it. Every company dreams of getting their products on the show and after 2011 that will be no longer possible. So, its time to grab the bull by the horns and give the show all you’ve got while it’s still here. I have a great opportunity for you. I have put together an amazing list of the top syndicated and network television shows in the country with contacts. If you’ve done any kind of PR you know how extremely hard it is to secure contact information beyond the general mailing addresses and generic emails on the websites. It’s nearly impossible to find a specific producer, especially one on the Oprah show. The list I have not only includes a major producer from The Oprah Winfrey Show, but also from a host of other syndicated and extremely important TV shows such as The Today Show, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Good Morning America, Late Show with David Letterman, Live with Regis and Kelly and even Dr. Phil. This list is a true goldmine.

Believe me, this is a “must” list and a rare opportunity to have contacts at your disposal that are nearly impossible to obtain. Your other alternative is to subscribe to media database companies such as Vocus. I urge you to take the free demo and see how extensive their database is. The demo is free and you even get a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card just for trying it out.

This week was all about honing your contact list. It’s the backbone of PR. I’m offering this invaluable national TV list exclusively to my Buzz members. If you contact me before December 1, the list can be yours for only $100. The Oprah contact alone is worth that much. If you’re interested just reply to this email.

2011 will mark the end of an era and who knows what other surprises are in store for us in this ever changing media landscape. Certainly makes for excitement at every turn — never a dull moment!

Celebrity Thursday: Alexander Skarsgard

People Magazine is releasing its famous “Sexiest Man Alive” issue this week and for many their choice was a surprise. They once again chose Johnny Depp. Not that I’m complaining as I’m definitely in the Johnny camp. However, it was surprising given that he was chosen just a few years ago and there are so many worthy new candidates to choose from.

Take Mr. Alexander Skarsgard. Best known for his current role as Sheriff of Area 5, Eric Northman, in True Blood, he is an actor on the rise, at least here that is. You see he has been an actor in Sweden for most of his life except for a long hiatus while he played out a real life role in the Swedish Marines and sought other pursuits. He’s definitely enamored in his homeland and has been their reigning “Sexiest Man” for seven years. And while his role in True Blood is getting him the most attention, it is by no means his first foray into American television. He was also a major character in Generation Kill, another acclaimed HBO series. I say let’s make room for the new boys in town. My vote is for Alexander.

 

Alexander Skarsgard

c/o Larry Taube

Principal Entertainment

1964 Westwood Blvd., Suite 400

Los Angeles, CA 90025 310-446-1466

The Holidays: Perfect Branding Opportunity

 

The official start of the holiday season is almost upon us.  Next week is Thanksgiving and then it’s the holidays at full tilt.  As you prepare for this hectic season, you may be thinking of gifts for your clients, customers, sales reps or anyone who is important to the growth of your business.  So why not let your gifts do double duty?  For example, I’m going to have some really cool gifts made up with the Buzz logo.  I will send them to you, my loyal buzz members!  The first 20 people that respond to this email with get this surprise holiday gift.

Now, think of something for your customers.  Perhaps you can have a calendar printed with some beautiful images that isn’t too promotional but still has your logo on each page.  Just think, every month they will be reminded of your company.  There are literally thousands of promotional items to choose from but keep it classy — no stress balls or beer cozies.  You can even have a nice case of wine sent with your logo on the bottle.  The possibilities are endless.  And if you have gifts left over, you can always give them away at your next trade show appearance, or just think ahead and make extra.

The fact is we’ll be sending gifts anyway so why not make the most of them.  After all, even the holiday season offers a major opportunity to build buzz.

Today’s Buzz Tip comes from Marina Echavarria, owner of Realm Media Productions and creator of Build-A-Buzz.  Catch up on all the Buzz at www.buildabuzz.wordpress.com
<http://www.buildabuzz.wordpress.com> .

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Brand Ambassadors

 

 

Viral marketing.  We already know that it’s one of the most cost-effective ways to get the word out, and often the most powerful.  Knowing this piece of knowledge, go out and make some brand ambassadors for your product or service out of regular, everyday joe schmoes to spread your word.  You can do it through two ways:

1)     Hire professional brand ambassadors through a marketing firm (like Starfish Creative Events), staffing agency (we recommend Lucky 415) or a temporary job posting site (such as Craigslist).  These ambassadors can be trained on every aspect of what you are selling (selling points, key features, demographics, etc), and they can hit the streets spreading the word through guerilla marketing, sampling programs and/or distributing marketing collateral.

Or…

2)       Take a more independent approach by enlisting friends, families, colleagues, etc to personally sample your product or service and then fill out a survey afterword. Tell them they are part of a select few who are on your personal advisory board because you trust that they will give you their most honest and succinct feedback.  This way they feel like they are a part of what you are offering, become more emotionally attached and in turn will feel it’s their duty to make your brand successful by spreading the word to their contacts.

Today’s Buzz Tip comes from Gail Cayetano, Managing Partner of Starfish Creative Events, a marketing firm specializing in events and promotions for corporate and entertainment brands.  For further information visit www.starfish-events.com <http://www.starfish-events.com> .   Catch up on all the Buzz at www.buildabuzz.wordpress.com <http://www.buildabuzz.wordpress.com> .

Media Databases

 

It takes a lot of time and effort to develop a media list and a really good one, made up of contacts honed over years, is priceless.  Unless, of course, you decide to subscribe to one of the many media database services available to fledgling and professional PR practitioners.

First of all these databases are updated regularly which is very important especially given the amount of turnover within the media industry.  There’s a constant revolving door, with editors and journalists being plucked from one media outlet to another.  And now with all of the turmoil (what with all the magazine closures), it’s more important than ever to stay on top of who’s on the masthead.  Not to mention these databases have hundreds of industry segments so you can target your list to your various products or services.

There are many media databases out there but a few stand out.  I’m partial to Vocus since it’s one that I have used in the past and can personally recommend.  You can try Vocus out for yourself by taking a free demo.  Just click on image on the right.  There’s also Cision and a host of others that will provide just a targeted list with no ongoing updates.

I’ve said before that having a strong media list is the very backbone of PR and without it you are truly flying blind. So if you can afford it, look into one of these services, particularly the media databases that offer continuous updates. The time saved definitely makes them worth it.

Today’s Buzz Tip comes from Marina Echavarria, owner of Realm Media Productions and Build-A-Buzz creator.  Catch up on all the Buzz at www.buildabuzz.wordpress.com.