Kayne West Makes a Dollar Out of 50 Cent Sunday, September 23, 2007

Filed under: Music, News, african american, entertainment, hip hop, media — ilovemypublicist @

 

 The two rappers spent much of the summer jousting about who would win the first-week-sales battle.

While Mr. West generally avoided triumphant predictions, 50 Cent wasn’t shy about reminding listeners that he was the odds-on favorite.

Now the numbers are in, and it’s not even close. According to Nielsen SoundScan “Graduation” sold 957,000 copies in its first week, while “Curtis” sold only 691,000 copies. It’s the best opening of Mr. West’s career. And it’s the worst opening of 50 Cent’s career.

This is a great day for Universal, the record company that distributes both albums- although you might feel sorry for the Universal executives who have to field 50 Cent’s angry phone calls.

Prescription:  In every “Win-Win” situation there is always a loser somewhere. Yes, there were tons of TV appearances and radio interviews- KUDOS to the PR department at Universal–Whoop Whoop! But, the real PR strategy here was not to let two ego maniac rappers direct their public relations campaign. It was to let two ego maniac rappers THINK they were directing their own PR campaign. The result: a PR stunt many say will go down in history, Universal sells a $hit load of records, Kanye West seems a little friendlier and 50 Cent feels a little short changed.

My boy Kelefah @ the NY Times sums it up nicely here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/arts/music/20feud.html?_r=1&ref=music&oref=slogin

 

Why I want to be Osama Bin Laden’s Publicist..an editorial Thursday, September 20, 2007

Filed under: Business, Corporate America, IRAN, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Marketing, Music, News, Osama bin Laden, Television, african american, boxing, celebrity, entertainment, gossip, health, hip hop, media, mediatakeout.com, oscar De La Hoya, public relations — ilovemypublicist @

         

Just before the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Osama bin Laden released a new videotape, in which he adopts a neo-Marxist posture, suggesting that mortgage debt, global warming, growing wage inequality and other ills are a result of greed from multinational corporations and politics of the West.

Osama released a new message today calling for attacks.

The hype surrounding the release of Osama’s new tape got me to thinking– if Osama was a rap star, or a big movie actor like Tom Cruise, I would probably be the richest publicist on the planet. So rich I could buy up all the world’s oil and sell it in cute little bottles at the 99cent store.

He seems like he would be a typical client… always wanting the world to hear what he’s got to say. And, he would always be coming up with some new idea or theory for me to publicize.  Just like most celebrity clients, he would be somewhat hard to get on the phone.

It wouldn’t matter if people liked me or not because I would be holding the key to the voice of the most notorious person on the planet. Imagine it.  This guy releases a new tape almost every year and if it was available on iTunes, it would make a killing (not literally). He changes the color of his beard and people pay attention. Osama is, in fact, the new Britney Spears.

And just like Britney, at some point people will no longer pay attention to what he has to say and who knows, one day an Osama tape just might flop. But none of that will happen until Osama walks the red carpet in a hideous outfit. But then, that would be new, news right?

 

The Remake of Keyshia Cole Into Mary J. Blige Friday, August 24, 2007

Filed under: Keyshia Cole, Marketing, Mary J Blige, Music, News, R & B, african american, celebrity, entertainment, hip hop, media, mediatakeout.com, public relations, publicity — ilovemypublicist @

Keyshia Cole is just like you 

The seeds were planted early. When we first heard Keyshia Cole’s raspy yet distinguished voice it reminded everyone of only one person we had heard before- Mary J. Blige. Keyshia had that same swagger and toughness and that “thing” that made her a little rough around the edges but very likeable. Just like when we first met Mary back in the 90’s. Then we saw Keyshia team up with Diddy. Just like Mary. And sometime early last year the comparisons were just too many to overlook which brings us to the current marketing campaign for Keyshia Cole’s new album.

Both ladies are on the same record label so the hype can be controlled and managed internally. Nice set up right? Smart.

At first, the tag line doesn’t really make sense. Just like you? Is she trying to connect with her fans in a more personal way, trying to drive home the message, you and I are one?

Or, is there an underlying message to fuel new rumors, spark excitement for sales and set the stage for the entrance of a new diva into the world of R & B?

Do you think the record label is setting up a controversy to drive sales?

Read about the new cover and news here:

http://www.mediatakeout.com/

http://www.vibe.com/blog/vc/2007/08/keyshia_coles_new_cd_cover_sur.html

 

Foxy Brown Joins Paris Hilton Jail Tour, Baby in her Bag Thursday, August 23, 2007

Filed under: Foxy Brown, Music, News, african american, celebrity, entertainment, hip hop, legal, media, public relations, publicity — ilovemypublicist @

    It’s the hottest ticket in town. A front row seat in the media pit to watch celebrities like Paris Hilton, Naomi Campbell and Nicole Richie go to jail. Get your tickets now for the Foxy Brown show. Clubbing someone with a Blackberry, driving with a few drinks in ya, or even a few drugs in your system is hardly enough to get quality media attention anymore. 

An heiress in handcuffs, a supermodel sweeping trash. Even Nicole Richie tried to top them all by getting pregnant with a ”little Richie” after her “eating disorder”. But no celebrity can top going deaf and loosing your hearing…for a little while….I said, no celebrity can top LOSING YOUR HEARING, assault, getting married and getting pregnant as you go off to jail.  

Now Foxy did get some media attention when she lost her hearing but it was mostly from hip hop and music press.  The story didn’t really move the dial with mainstream media. Until now.

Foxy’s lawyer sums up today’s prescription for spin with a great quote that  breaks down all the elements one might need to get the media’s attention if you are trying to promote a new project. He said “… Brown is three months’ pregnant….(she) has turned her life around with her pregnancy, wedding plans and deals for a new album and reality television show.”   His quote sums up the recipe for a Ratings Pie and juicy content for the Foxy Brown reality show.  And, apparently it tastes really good.  Going to jail can be now be considered part of one’s PR strategy.  According to google news there are 827 new stories reporting on this including CNN. 

When you hear about a celebrity heading to jail does it make you more or less interested in them? 

Read the story here:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/22/people.foxybrown.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch

 

R. Kelly Hires the “White” Johnnie Cochran? Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Filed under: Business, News, R & B, african american, entertainment, hip hop, legal, media, public relations, publicist, publicity — ilovemypublicist @

            

When big shots get in trouble in Chicago, often as not, they call Ed Genson.

Some call him a magician in the courtroom. Others say a better word might be barracuda.

Either way, the 61-year-old Genson has emerged as one of the top criminal defense lawyers in the city, and maybe the best known.

Whether it’s Grammy-winning R&B singer R. Kelly or friends and aides to scandal-plagued former Gov. George Ryan, the high and mighty regularly seek out Genson when they’re trying to save their careers and avoid jail.

Attorneys say his face at the defense table makes prosecutors nervous. He doesn’t always beat them. But they always know they’re in for a fight.
A judge ruled Tuesday (August 21) that the videotape in the R. Kelly child pornography trial can be shown in full when the proceedings begin this September. Cook County Circuit Judge Vince Gaughan said the tape was key evidence in the prosecutors’ case, rebutting the argument by Kelly’s lawyers that the tape would unfairly bias the jury against him.

Additionally, the prosecution wants to bring in an expert to compare vein patterns in R. Kelly’s hands with the hands of the man in the tape, to prove he is indeed Kelly. The defense decried this motion as faulty science, not comparable to matching fingerprints. The judge has postponed a ruling on whether the veins argument will be allowed in court.

Prescription: Doesn’t this case bring back memories of Johnnie Cochran and OJ? Impossible odds and an attorney with unbreakable confidence.  Sometimes the  best PR strategy is to take the spotlight off the star and shine it on the back-up singers. Or, in this case Ed Genson.  Seems R. Kelly is not going to bump and grind his way out of a conviction. He’s lining up the best people for a great show we all plan to watch.

 If the veins don’t match, this case could be a wrap!

I think R. Kelly is going to get off. What do you think?

Read the full articles here:
http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2003/05/26/news/local_illinois/af8a9824e22dde8086256d31007c813e.txt

http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2007/08/r_kelly_hands/