Greetings, first and foremost I want to express my deepest condolences to one of the few people in the industry I call a true friend, David Linton. Dave lost his father yesterday who had been ill for quite some time. David P. Linton was surrounded by all of his children when he made his transition. I will forward more info as I get it.
Jill Scott
Was talking to an industry friend the other day who told me I should have told more of what took place for the Jill Scott event. I mentioned to him that I have never been in a room with so many celebrities at once. At least 30% of the audience were celebrities of some kind. I saw VERY few radio or industry people, then I realized the value of radio people at events can’t even compare to having celebrities there. The celebs use twitter and FaceBook and they dance and have a good time, something urban programmers and radio people don’t do (lol). I joke about it but it’s true. Radio people these days AVOID publicity at ALL costs for fear of losing their job in a communications business (Kevin scratches his head) and celebrities CHASE it. As a radio person myself, I would hire celebrities for my event… sorry radio brethren I got to go where the action is (l0l). In the end by having celebs the events get 300 times the marketing and exposure. When I run into Cathy Hughes again I will personally ask her why Radio One radio people are not allowed to promote themselves. I mean, what is she going to do… fire me?
I realized more than ever how the industry has changed. My friend asked why I didn’t mention some of the celebrities and I told him I hate name-droppers and I don’t want to be one. Name droppers are like ugly people who only hang with beautiful people. They have no self worth. He convinced me this was not the case. So OK, I will tell you Stephen Hill was there and we talked briefly. I didn’t get much of what he was saying because SO many people were trying to talk to him. Kevin Liles was there and we talked for a while. He told me he reads Radio Facts and even quoted a couple of things I wrote about him in it. You guys are fascinated with Kevin so look out for an interview with him soon. BTW, he informed me he is not going to Def Jam. I also saw Tracey Edmonds looking absolutely STUNNING. Tracey could have walked out of the house in a robe and some flip flops and sleep in her eyes and still commanded the attention of everyone in that room. I spoke to her for a few minutes. I saw Regina King who I had a conversation with about a few things. She informed me that she is not engaged to Malcolm Jamal Warner after I congratulated her on her engagement and she made the top of the Google search engine a couple of weeks ago when it was announced. She was incredibly down to earth.
Eric Benet ran in and out, Macy Gray was very subdued but social and Faith Evans was there along with Taraji P Henson, Brandi, Gail Mitchell, Lee Bailey, Aundre Russell (another of the few I call a true friend in the industry) and SO many others. I can’t even remember, I don’t feel like doing this. It was the first event I’ve been to in seven years and I was blown away like a kid in a candy store.
I will tell all radio people that even though the corps(e) don’t let you market yourself (which I have a severe issue with) you BETTER find a way to do it anyway because it is ALL about publicity and marketing in the industry these days. It’s what makes people like Kevin Liles, LA Reid and Stephen Hill such big stars so you better find a way to MAKE A WAY for your next gig.
format
Good People
“There is no Promotion like self Promotion”
It is YOUR career…your life that you are supporting and advertising! Go for it!
You are a PAWN in the game of Radio Chess….expendable! Check out all of the Talent that was/is being caught up in the “down-sizing” movement. Most of them did not see it coming nor did they deserve it! Promote yourself!
Snookie J