Ella Bee Social Media & PR » Publicity

[QUICK PIX] Romeo Brown Attends SONY “Payday: The Heist” Video Game Launch Party

Ella Bee PR — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:02:49 +0000

We have re-united with client actor, Romeo Brown, who this year has added voiceover talent to his resume. He is in the year’s hottest video game, LA Noire, and stars in two episodes of TNT’s Rizzoli and Isles.

Here is Romeo at the “PayDay: The Heist” Video Game Launch Event With Sony Online Entertainment And Overkill Software With Equilibrium Entertainment at House of Blues Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California.

It was a great event. I’m not much into video games, but this video game was pretty thrilling to play a game and rob a bank just for fun. Other celebrities in attendance included Matt Barnes, Gloria Govan, Patti Stanger and her team from Bravo’s Millionaire Matchmaker Dustin and Rachel.

Check out the official trailer to Payday: The Heist.

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In Case You Missed It: Natasha Hastings 4x400m Semi-Final at World Championship

Ella Bee PR — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:49:54 +0000

[QUICK VID] In case you missed it, here is Natasha Hastings for the USA Women’s 4x400m semi-final heat at the World Championship in Daegu, South Korea.

Natasha Hastings ran the first leg helping Team USA advance to the finals which resulted in a first place, gold medal win.

WATCH:

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Ella Bee PR 101: What Type of PR Agencies Should You Avoid

Ella Bee PR — Mon, 16 May 2011 22:37:51 +0000

Also, here are some great BUYER BEWARE tips from one of my favorite PR sites, Ragan.com on the type of PR Agencies that you should avoid.

You might want to think twice on PR companies that think, say or agree:

1.“You, my client, are ALWAYS right, and I ALWAYS agree with everything you say.”
This is the absolute worst thing a PR pro can ever tell a client. The most derelict publicists are the ones who refuse to speak their minds and apply their actual experience to client needs. More often than not, the PR relationship is about managing expectations, and just like any other professional service, those expectations can at times be unrealistic. As the client, if your PR agency never questions your objectives or subjects them to rigorous examination, then you’re getting suckered out of your PR budget.

2. “Of course I can get your op-ed in The New York Times.”
We can’t all get ice cream for every meal. As exciting as your opinion might be to you, it’s a tall order to get your op-ed in the Times. Sometimes not even this guy makes the cut. So beware the publicist who guarantees he’ll score that fancy media placement. No decent PR pro would make such a foolish promise.

3. “Our logistical paradigm is to incentivize positive optics for your verticals.”
At some ugly point in the history of PR, a bunch of fools started spitting ridiculous, nonsensical mumbo jumbo to inflate their egos and intimidate clients. If you ever hear a PR business pitch that includes words you wouldn’t speak in casual conversation, tell the agency thanks, but no thanks. Steer clear from these jerks; they literally don’t speak your language.

4. “We no te powr oaf grate PEE r.”
Amazing that in the era of spell check and search engine auto-complete, some PR firms still blast press releases with typos and narrative nightmares. Even worse are PR firms whose counsel and creative materials are littered with errors. If the agency can’t take care to ensure quality presentation on their own behalf, how do you think they treat clients?

5. “Good news—I told that reporter to go #^&* himself.”
PR pros are supposed to respond artfully to media inquiries, and never lose their temper—doing so bites the hand that may offer the client positive publicity. Just as bad is arguing about a reporter’s legitimate characterizations of a news story. If the PR firm insists on becoming the story, stop paying them.

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Should I Credit This Photo? Is it Yours…No, then YES!

Ella Bee PR — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:04:18 +0000

In the world of social media and online PR, there are times when we have to use photos to get the point across and get the message out there. There may even be times when our clients are photographed and we want to take an image and blast it all over the place. I’ve been there, I may be guilty of this and in order to put out some good karma and in retrospect, I want to share this poster, that I first found from A Photo Editor‘s blog by Rob Haggart on how to credit, who then properly credited the photo from Design Sponge who finally credited the photo to Pia Jane Bijkerk, Erin Loechner and Yvette Van Boven. So I say, from here on out, let’s stop being lazy, take out an additional 30 seconds and properly credit photo sources; also while we’re at it, let’s take out another 15 seconds to credit original story ideas. OKAY? GOT IT? GREAT! THANKS!

See this creative, fun and interactive poster asking “Should I Post This Image?”

*Bonus tip*
Most photos have that small, fine print crediting the proper photographer so don’t crop out the photo credit, that may save you too.

Post inspired by and dedicated to photographer, Paras Griffin. We’ve had great conversations about this.

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VIDEO: Ready for PR?

Ella Bee PR — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:56:12 +0000

here is some advice from Lila, owner/publicist, of Ella Bee Social Media & PR. Moreso, advice for independent entities considering hiring public relations.

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TRUE STORY: What is an A-List or B-List Celebrity? As a public relations professional, I am dipping more and...

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TRUE STORY: What is an A-List or B-List Celebrity?

Ella Bee PR — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:06:28 +0000

As a public relations professional, I am dipping more and more into the publicity scene in Hollywood. Let me tell you now it is not easy, unless you have a celebrity talent that you represent. But, oh no, that is not enough.

I once tried to RSVP for an actor from “The Social Network” to attend an Oscars gifting suite. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award so I immediately called the talent coordinator for the event. LAUGH OUT LOUD FUNNY, I am not kidding you on this one. Do you know this publicist immediately pulled up his IMDB and said, “Sorry, I can’t accept him, he is not one of the first four actors listed on the movie’s IMDB.” I could do nothing but sit there like a rejected Johnny Drama with my mouth totally opened in surprise. I, of course, laughed it off. I’m a humble publicist from Atlanta, Georgia so I brushed it off and took it as a learning experience. Later at a “The Social Network” Oscar party, I spoke with the actor telling him about the Atlanta entertainment scene. I told him all about Tyler Perry Studios and the new Sony Screen Gems studios coming to the city and as I talked on and on and on about Atlanta, my voice trailed off realizing that I sounded like a country bumpkin telling a Wilshire Dr. luxury boutique owner that in Georgia we have a Macy’s and a Neiman Marcus…can we say clueless. The actor looked at me with that look only a southern grandmother could give in sarcasm, “Well bless your little heart.” This guy may have been D-list in Hollywood, but in other parts of the US he is considered as A and B list talent.

I have to say, I have a lot to learn but I’m still in pursuit of breaking my clients into the Hollywood scene. *Word to the wise* When dealing with the A-list events in Hollywood, you better have thick skin and don’t ever let your clients see you sweat. You have to be persistent. That same Oscars week, I got my clients and even a few friends into the EXCLUSIVE American Idol Top 20 party. The hottest ticket in town that night. I also got my clients and a few friends into a Playboy Mansion party last minute because I was professional and persistent.

Moving on to the topic at hand, I am in the middle of submitting talent for a Hollywood kids event in L.A. to benefit aid and relief efforts in Japan. While I am submitting my talent, a Teen Disney star, to attend the event, I am hit with this survey to identify my client. I will be honest and say that I am kind of surprised, but at this point I am also kind of numb to this Hollywood treatment.

I just wanted to share with you how this one particular event publicity company defines A, B,C and even D list talent.

A-LIST
Think of your huge blockbuster films which are nominated multiple times over for dozens of awards. These stars enjoy consistent commercial fame, and have all the imaginable perks that come along with this type of celebrity status. These are the celebs that others look to as fashion icons.

B-LIST
Celebrities on this list are typically invited to all the ‘See and Be Seen’ events in Hollywood. But the paparazzi cares slightly less about the personal goings on of these people. B-List celebrities do in fact make it to the covers of strong, reputable publications like People or Vanity Fair.

C-LIST
These are the actors, musicians, singers, etc. who always seem to be ‘aspiring’ to something else, even though they are seen in tabloids and other gossip rags with relative frequency. Many of these people have been in the industry for a long time, shuffling from one endeavor to another, amassing quite a bit of wealth along the way.

D-LIST
These interesting people are great at keeping Hollywood afloat. Per the Ulmer Scale, these are the ‘minor’ celebrities. They sometimes are able to hover about in their daily endeavors without being recognized; but the paparazzi rarely clamors for photographs, unless there is a hot story attached to the photo.

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Journalistics Blog: PR is Essential in the Music Industry

Ella Bee PR — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 20:18:23 +0000

PR is Essential in the Music Industry
by JACQUELINE AKBARIAN

Music has always been one of those few things in the world that has the power to bring together people from all walks of life. Some might say all you need is love. I say all you need is music. And beyond a little bit of talent, all musicians need is a great publicity team behind them.

Most artists who compose, write or sing do not get famous – though that depends on your definition of fame. The music industry is incredibly competitive and few will make it onto the charts. For many, simply packing the local bar with fans on a Saturday night could be the pinnacle of success. What is it that catapults artists to super stardom? How do some artists bring together millions of fans, while others spend decades trying to get discovered?

Other than having the right people, being in the right place at the right time, or having the drive, motivation and determination to ramble on through rejection after rejection, I think PR plays a more significant role than people realize.

An artist’s PR team can make or break them. Case in point? Look at the careers of superstars like Madonna or Britney Spears. How good are there PR machines? Look at today’s hottest artists – Lady Gaga or Kanye West might come to mind. What do they all have in common? They’re always in the news. Good or bad, they know how to dominate the media.

PR generates value far above and beyond album sales though. Once artists build an audience, they have influence. And influence, in any walk of life, is power. How many causes have consumers adopted because of the support of artists? Nobody would have known of the little red bracelet that represents Cabalism without Madonna, right? Madonna had reach and influence, so we learned.

Madonna and Britney Spears have stated that they knew exactly what and who they wanted to be at a young age. Both women wanted to be musicians, performers, and show-stoppers. With their drive and determination (and exposure to the right publicity team) their dreams have become a reality.

The public relations department in the music industry is known as the publicity team. The publicity team at a record label is the tight-knit teams of smart, savvy, creative individuals who help create, and build an image of an artist. This image will change from time to time as the artists grow and become better known throughout the world. But the main factor of the publicity team is to always keep the artist’s fans, asking and wanting more of the artist.

Making it big in the world of music is all about, the image you present to the audience. With the right elements in place, at the right time, with the right people Madonna and Britney Spears were able to become notorious legends.

The similarities are oddly coincidental of Madonna and Britney’s publicity campaigns. Both women were the first artists, to emerge during the peak and rise of the genre of pop music.

Madonna’s career began when MTV Networks, initially launched, which today is the most recognizable media outlet for emerging artist. Britney emerged when pop music, was becoming the most popular genre of music in the 90s, after rap had begun to decline. Both of the pop stars initial music videos appeared as innocent young ladies, but have an underlying hint of raw sexuality. This underlying sexuality presented by both artists, is what gave them the spark they needed to have the world wanting more.

I believe the world likes innocent naivety, but when you can sense there is a mysterious side to someone, it feeds into you wanting more. That is exactly what both of their record labels relied on to keep their artists in the public eye.

Madonna’s music video “Like a Virgin”; she donned a white wedding dress and pranced around in a very sexual manner, opposite of what should be done in a wedding dress. She screamed controversy. She was pushing the lines of the original meaning of a crisp white wedding dress. Original symbol is purity and virginity, the Madonna symbol is controversy, and pure raw sexuality.

Of course, being a superstar has its complications. The personal lives of both women have been filled with chaos, from the men they chose to date to the unplanned pregnancies. These unplanned events only brought more attention the artists, which many times the fans and press became obsessive about both women’s personal lives and music careers.

Some of the events Madonna and Britney partake in were planned, some were not. However, any event that happened in either artist’s life was branded in such a manner by the publicity team, to bring attention to the artist. The innocent image of both women and then the polar opposite image of sexual and cutting-edge, both women have perfected. The two images are what may be known as a public relations dream campaign, and the press, the media, and audience will never lose interest in either women’s personal or public lives.

I believe the record labels and publicity team of both the superstars, knew exactly how they were going to brand both women, and knew exactly that both these woman would follow with the idea. The events, the endorsement deals, and their personal chaos of Madonna and Britney’s lives have turned them into superstars. Public relations and branding are the elements that turn ordinary artists, into living legends.

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PRESS RELEASE: Chris Tavarez Stars in the Disney Channel Original Movie: Avalon High

Ella Bee PR — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 22:29:27 +0000

October 5, 2010 Atlanta, GA–Atlanta-based actor, Chris Tavarez (“Big Momma’s House 2”, TBS “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns”) stars as Lance in the new Disney Channel Original Movie: “Avalon High,” a fantasy-filled movie which is scheduled to premiere on the Disney channel November 2010.

“Avalon High” is based on the award-winning novel by best-selling author Meg Cabot (“The Princess Diaries”). The movie follows Allie Pennington, a new student to Avalon High who is shocked to discover that her new classmates are reincarnations of King Arthur and his Court. Allie is ecstatic when her parents, traveling professors who specialize in King Arthur’s legend, tell her she will be staying at Avalon High until she graduates. She can finally join the track team, make new friends and be a normal high school student. But shortly after arriving, Allie discovers that something strange may be afoot. While researching a term paper on King Arthur’s legacy, she begins to notice some interesting parallels between the past and the present – from handsome quarterback Will, his cheerleader girlfriend, Jen, and their best friend, Lance (Tavarez), to Will’s brooding step-brother, Marco, a quirky kid named Miles and football players who act like knights of the roundtable. The deeper Allie searches, the more convinced she is that her school is a contemporary Camelot, and it’s up to her to solve of the mystery of Avalon High before notorious traitor Mordred wins again.

Tavarez stars alongside actors, Britt Robertson (“Life Unexpected”) as Allie Pennington, Gregg Sulkin (“Wizards of Waverly Place”) as Will Wagner, Joey Pollari (Disney XD’s “Skyrunners”) as Miles, Devon Graye (“Dexter”) as Marco, Molly Quinn (“Castle”) as Jen, and Steve Valentine (“I’m in the Band”, “Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie”, “Crossing Jordan”) as Mr. Moore.

The teleplay, based on the book by Meg Cabot, was written by Julie Sherman Wolfe (“Jonas,” “Phil of the Future”) and is directed by Stuart Gillard (Disney Channel’s “Hatching Pete,” “90210”). “Avalon High” is a production of Sudden Motion Productions, Inc. and Ranger Productions Ltd.

About Chris Tavarez
Chris Tavarez is an Atlanta-based actor and a rising senior at Westlake High School. After modeling as a young child, his parents were encouraged by scouts to pursue the world of acting for their son. Chris’ talent was quickly recognized by talent agent, Joy Pervis, who also discovered child stars Dakota Fanning, Kyle Massey, and Lucas Till. Though acting is his career, Tavarez is also a much sought out athlete. He is the safety and captain of his high school football team in Atlanta with more than seven Division 1 scholarships to colleges such as: Harvard, Duke, Tulane, Maryland, Princeton, and Vanderbilt. Recently, Chris committed to Duke University. For more information about actor, Chris Tavarez, follow him on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/TheChrisTavarez and become a fan on Facebook at http://Facebook.com/ChrisTavarez.

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Press Hit: Chris Tavarez on Good Day Atlanta

Ella Bee PR — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:56:02 +0000

@TheChrisTavarez on Good Day Atlanta

Teen Chris Tavarez a Busy Actor

You can catch our next guest as a regular on Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns . He’s also appeared in Big Momma’s House 2 with Martin Lawrence and Nia Long. Atlanta’s own Chris Tavarez isn’t just a rising actor, he’s also the gifted athlete who has Ivy League colleges lining up to recruit him!

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Press Hit: Dawn Montgomery in Urban Belle Magazine

Ella Bee PR — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:49:06 +0000

Beauty With a Purpose: Interview With Model Dawn Montgomery

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