Jack Johnson Fan? Get a Free Download By Retweeting

I enjoy the chill of Jack Johnson and I enjoy social media. Mix the two and you have magic, or a very smart promoter.

Visit twitter.jackjohnsonmusic.com. There’s a 116 character Twitter message you can retweet (or feel free to add 24 more characters) that promotes his new En Concert album. You can also pre-order your copy of the new album while you are there.

Just login into your Twitter account and retweet. The download of Flake will start to download automatically.

Yesterday We Lost a Rock n' Roll Legend, A Rock n' Roll Brand

Who would have ever thought that in the late 1930's when Les Paul created "the log", a rock n' roll brand icon would be born. The first electric guitar turned into the famous Les Paul Gibson giving life to many rock superstars.

This post is for my son, who fell in love with the electric guitar just a little over a year ago. Even though he doesn't have a Les Paul, (he has a Gibson SG), it is because of Les Paul's passion and perception of music, that my son can pursue his passion for music and the electric guitar.

Do Break Dancing Babies Make You Want to Drink Evian

Last week Evian Natural Spring Water introduced their break dancing babies and their "Live Young" campaign.

Reviving their brand, Evian decided to go with a playful approach focusing on health, purity and youth, hence the talented, energetic babies. Nothing like a little "Rapper's Delight" to get you moving. Take a look.

Evian is using the Internet and social media marketing for their US campaign. A few of the babies even have their own Facebook pages. Check out the Evian Roller Babies website for more details.

Hilarious, entertaining, but will it make you buy Evian water? I'm not sure about that. But the campaign does work for creating awareness. This is the first time in a long time I paid attention to Evian water. I'm sure this makes Evian happy, but I'm sure they'd be even happier if the campaign moved me to buy their product.

Music In Advertising

Some commercials are my favorite solely based on the music that plays in the spot.  In fact, sometimes I like the music so much I go to iTunes and download the song to add to my collection.  

Music in advertising is becoming big business for brand and artists alike.  That's why Billboard and Adweek have teamed together for the 1st Music & Advertising conference in New York City. Interested?  It's not too late to register for the event that runs June 4-5.

Pharrell Williams will host a Q&A session to share how he took his career to new heights by translating his music into big brand opportunities.  Below is one of my favorites that Pharrell did for Converse. Very catchy tune!  Yep, I downloaded this one.

Produced By Pharrell - Santogold, Julian Casablancas, N.E.R.D.

Do you have any favorites? Send me a comment. I'm always looking to add to my music collection.

The Day the Music Died

Thanks to everyone who participated in my "Should the music on my site stay or go" poll. Over the last week I heard from quite a few people on my site, on Twitter and on Facebook weighing in with their thoughts about the music.

I have to say it was somewhat of a surprise that most people do not like music on a site.  Others liked the option of turning the music on if they wanted to hear the tunes.  Some said the music made the site slower to load.  Others stated that, when in a quiet place, the music would come on unexpected and loud.

So, my theory of music creating a mood and experience on a site rather than just being a flat page was wrong.  I can admit when I am wrong.  So, I have decided to delete the music from my site, at least for now. Maybe during the summer I'll bring back the tunes, but this time with the option to turn it on instead of automatically coming up when the page opens.

Thanks for the feedback.  I want to keep my visitors happy! 

Music on Web Sites

Above this post I have displayed a poll about the music on my site.

Over the last few weeks I have been getting mixed emotions about the music.  Some people love it and appreciate the new artists they are being introduced to.  In fact, some have told me that they stay on columbus imPRessions longer because they enjoy the music.  On the other hand, some people hate it and want it removed or they might not visit the site any longer.

I personally love the music.  That's why I put it on there.  The music sets a mood and, in my opinion, enhances the visit.  

So I leave it up to my visitors.  Please take a second to participate in the poll.  Majority will rule and I will do what gets the most votes.  Feel free to add additional thoughts in the comment section below.

Thanks!

Espresso Yourself Music Cafe: A TasteCasting Event

Last night the TasteCasting team was treated to a night out at Espresso Yourself Music Cafe in Powell, Ohio.

  

Espresso Yourself is such a great play on words.  Obviously they are a coffee house, but musicians far and wide come to this venue to express themselves with their gift of music.  Eric, the owner and a musician himself, decided to open up a coffee shop that offered so much more than just java.  In it's second year, Espresso Yourself has a cool, artsy, organic, eclectic vibe, having a Short North feel in suburban Columbus.  

Picture the scene, an old church with smells of coffee, sounds of music and colorful walls filled with art from artists from all over.

Yesterday was a beautiful spring evening and was the perfect night to enjoy the jazz trio, Trio of Fury while sipping on peach and strawberry smoothies and eating a variety of delicious pannini sandwich samples.

Between sets we learned that if you sign up for the weekly Espresso Yourself Music Cafe newsletter you are automatically placed in the weekly $20.00 gift card drawing.  Register for their newsletter here.

I would recommend spending an evening or Saturday afternoon at this venue.  You'll be in for a real treat

Garage Band Publicist

A couple weeks ago I was contacted by a manager of a local garage band.  The band is gaining popularity and in order to take the next step they are considering hiring a publicist.  He wanted to see what columbus imPRessions could do for the band to generate more exposure and get them into magazines.

Because of my past life at Q-FM-96, my love for music - especially rock, and the fact that I almost left Columbus to work at a record label years ago (decide to choose stability and marriage over a rock-n-roll lifestyle), I was very intrigued to say the least!

Being a publicist is so much more than just magazine articles.  It's about taking the brand of the band and marketing it using a targeted approach to generate a buzz and loyal following in a niche group.  "Infiltrate and Plaster" - You must focus on the the niche, infiltrate their environment, then plaster the band's brand everywhere in that environment.  

Also, because of social media, generating exposure for a rock band has so many options. Sure band's have MySpace, but with Twitter, Blogging, Widgets, YouTube, ReverbNation and other social media platforms bands can get to the niche with the click of a button.  Bands can enlist their fans too.  Word of mouth marketing by fans on social media sites immediately becomes viral.  Traditional PR can still happen, but nowadays with savvy marketing and social media traditional media is taking a back seat.  By thinking beyond the box the possibilities are limitless.  Very exciting opportunity could be made available for this band and any other band.

I left the manager with some things to think about like: What is their brand? Who is their target demographic? What are their likes, hangouts, habits, patterns, etc?  What message do they want to relay to this group?  What are the band's goals? What social media platforms does the band currently use? How do they currently promote the band?   

I could have gone on and one but didn't want to overwhelm the manager too much.  Haven't heard back yet.  We'll see.  If I don't hear back at least for a few moments I got to revisit that rock and roll life I left behind year's ago.

New Tunes

Just added new tunes to the site today via my Reverbnation widget.  A kick-off to spring, after all tomorrow is March!  Enjoy!

Whatever Happened to Myspace?

(<---- Profile photo)

As a typical 28-year-old consumer, it is fascinating to take a step back and look at the overall social networking trends the past few years.  I personally started with myspace, the gateway drug which led me to facebook, and am now dabbling in twitter.  It's hard to remember the days when people used to "poke" eachother on facebook- back when it was just for college students (okay, so this may have been just after I graduated).  

Myspace seems to have found its niche in the music scene where artists can upload and promote their own music (check out local band Super Desserts!), or express their influences through public playlists, or people like myself have found an easy way to check out the new Lily Allen song before making an impulse buy on itunes. 

As a consumer, I would like to have all of these applications available in one place.  I wonder if facebook will jump on the music bandwagon.  Maybe I'm a lazy sellout, but I hope so.  

Brand Advertising on Tees

This week was my daughter's 14th birthday.  It was no surprise to me that some of the hot items on both her birthday and Christmas lists was apparel from some of her favorite stores. It's crazy to think how popular t-shirts labeled with store names are.  

I wondered how, what started out as an undergarment, became such a broadcasting fashion statement.  I did a little research on how and when t-shirt advertising started.  It appears t-shirt advertising started with rock n' roll.  In the 1960's and 1970's rock and roll bands realized they could make quite a bit of extra money selling t-shirts with their bands name on them while further promoting their band.  It wasn't until the 1980's that designers and stores started placing their brands on t-shirts as a status symbol.  

T-shirt status symbol is still important to teens.  More than half of my daughter's closet is filled with Pink, Abercrombie, Hollister, and American Eagle.  All the kids proudly display them daily.  Pretty smart idea, people are actually buying clothes from your store (for a pretty hefty price too) and then wearing it all over.  Teens are actually paying to advertise for their favorite stores.  What a good gig!

Any idea what store was the first to advertise on their t-shirts?  My guess is Gap but not sure. Feel free to comment any ideas.

Some of our favorite rock t-shirts.

Flight of the Conchords wants to know . . Are Your Lyrics Bottomless? Check this out!

Can you rap sync? Flight of the Conchords and HBO are holding a contest. Creating a lip sync to their new video - Hiphopopopotamus vs. Rhymeroceros - and you can win your spot on HBO. Contest ends 1/25/09. Check out the way cool site here for the video and details. 

Great way to use Internet and social networking. Seems to be all the buzz already. Just passing a good thing along! Have fun!

For Those About to Rock . . . Go To Walmart

Wal-mart has the exclusive rights to sell AC/DC's new album, Black Ice.  They did the same exclusive promotion with the Eagles, and Journey.  Bands that were good "back in my day" (now I sound like my parents) seem to be making a come back, and a successful one at that, with Wal-Mart.   

Wonder why?  Are they magic?

Probably not magic.  

• Maybe it's because with the exclusive promotion customers receive a price much lower than the standard new release price.
• Maybe it's because the bands see it as a good business decision and Wal-mart sees it as a smart business model - lucrative for both parties.
• Maybe it's because the Wal-mart brand and the Classic Rock bands share the same target audience.  
• Maybe it's because even though the bands are going with one exclusive retailer they are getting more marketing and promotion with Wal-mart than they would through a record label.

Whatever the reason it's proving to be a good formula.  Bands of my day are being revived and with the chart-topping results I can only bet more will be signing up with Wal-mart soon.

Holiday Kick-off - Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Thanksgiving is over and the Black Friday promotions are beginning (some places have been in full swing for a few hours).

If you missed out on black Friday there is always Cyber Monday. Check out these on-line deals. You can save big bucks!

While on-line shopping why not just minimize our site so you can listen to our newly added eclectic holiday mix.

Pandora Internet Radio

Pandora - A musical experience you'll love.  

Create your "stations" and the playlist filled with your favorite music genre.  

Very cool.  

Iconic Fun . . . Nevermind

Check this out.  The Nirvana baby is all grown up. 

Time sure flys! 

The baby is 17 and now wears trunks when he swims!

Musical Mood

Turn up the volume.  

We just added some new tunes on our site from Reverbnation.  We add the music to set a mood, create an experience and give you a little idea of who we are.  What do you think?  Does the music entice you to visit the site a little longer?  We hope so.  Enjoy!

Cleveland Still Rock and Roll Capitol of the World?

Yesterday it was announced that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, in Cleveland, will open an annex in New York City in November.

The Annex will showcase selected artifacts from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s vast collection. The Annex will also extend the Museum’s mission to honor key cities that have helped shape the history of rock and roll and will include experiences through a hall of fame, theatre, and New York Rocks - an ongoing homage to a city so integral in music history.

Apparently the annex was part of a strategy to increase its visibility over all and drive tourist traffic to Cleveland. But will that really work? The Big Apple is the one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world. Could this mean people will no longer travel to Cleveland to see the exhibit because they will get their "fix" in NYC? Time will tell. Could be interesting.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex NYC is sponsored by Best Buy, Diesel for Bloomingdales, Citi and Gibson. Additional partners include Sony, Sennheiser, Klein + Hummel, Kohler and Brocade Home.

Back to School in Mid-July

Retailers love the back-to-school season almost as much as the Christmas and year-end holiday season. That's right, back-to-school is the second biggest season for retailers. It was estimated that $18.4 billion was spent by Americans on school-related shopping last year. Because of the economy it is predicted to be flat this year.

Be on the lookout for back-to-school campaigns.

• J.C. Penny is introducing five new hot teen brands (Kimora Lee Simmons Fabulosity is one of them), and will start advertising at the end of this week. The "Get that look" ad will debut on the big screen hitting movie theaters across the country until Labor Day weekend. Shorter TV and radio spots will follow.
• Kohl's will also start its campaign by weeks end with a new line from pop rocker Avril Lavigne.
• Macy's will start their advertising next month in a unique way. They will be using the Internet to launch a series of documentary Webisodes called "Ragged Road" that will follow the lives of five young people who want to break into the music business. All this to promote a line they carry called American Rag which is targeted to 18-24 year olds. They are holding casting calls for the webisode now.

Looks like back to school will be filled with Hollywood and glamour - using pop culture to attract young customers who want it all.

Peace Out Jingle Houses!

An article in Adweek discusses how popular and up & coming musicians are shutting out jingle houses with so many advertisers paying for new and popular music. The title "Jingle Houses Compete Against Coldplay" caught my attention, as Coldplay is my favorite band. (Sidenote: they are performing right now on the Today Show as I write). I think the Apple's itunes "Viva La Vida" advertisement is a clear example of a successful marketing partnership but mostly because it makes sense. Apple and Coldplay share a common young adult audience who are interested in music and technology. On the other hand, I could see the rejection that could happen when a talented artist takes a licensing deal for something like constipation medication (clearly for the $).

The article also mentions how advertisements are able to expose new artists in a way they never would have reached before. I strongly support this, as my itunes library has expanded due to this phenomena. My personal example of discovering a new fave while watching tv: last year's zune commercial featuring Rogue Wave. Thank you zune advertising firm! I am so glad I caught this commercial, with my laptop in front of me ready to download this amazing track. I am guessing that is exactly what they had hoped would happen.

Any thoughts from the public... sellouts? great strategy for exposure? favorite bands discovered on tv?