The third annual Earth Day Living Green Festival kicks off at 9 a.m., April 19 at Republic Square Park right here in Austin. This free event sponsored by the Austin Farmer’s Market and others features a ton of different entertainment options including a Green Scene Scavenger Hunt, Solar Jam, an art presentation and many others. The complete Solar Jam line up is listed below. The event is green-friendly from the homegrown vegetables right down to the solar-powered stage. Now that gas prices are reaching closer to $4 a gallon, all of us should take a minute to go down and enjoy what is being done to conserve the only earth we have. Promoting this event would be a lot of fun, especially with the type of sponsors it has. Just glancing at the sponsors, I saw two radio stations, a grocery store and news website. From a public relations perspective, all of these are great outlets to grasp potential festival goers. Posters need to be created and plastered up at the grocery store and radio spots could easily reach listeners. In fact, just about every event that is planned for this festival is newsworthy. That means press releases need to be sent to The Austin Chronicle, the Austin American Statesman, the Austinist.com, Austin360.com and so forth. I have a feeling that people would actually like to know about this event and it might not be that difficult to receive some positive news coverage. If all of these measures have already been taken then that is great, but I would like to see a little bit more coverage in the coming week. Public Relations can be cheaper than advertising and in this case I feel an event like this could benefit immensely from just a little bit of standard public relations work. I will be down there checking it out and I would strongly encourage you to do the same.

Solar Jam Schedule – Music all day! Solar Jam (music on solar stage) featuring: Robert McMahon10:00 Kristy Rae 10:50 Lovers 11:30 SaxManRan 12:10 Belahaar & Djembabes 1:10 The Hero Cycle 2:40 Red Clover 3:20 Vermeers 3:55 Raised by Pandas 4:15 Blues Mafia 4:45 Big Chief Kevin & the Flaming Arrows 5:20

Texas Lacrosse takes on Texas A&M today, April 4 at 7:00 p.m. on Whitaker Fields here at the University of Texas. According to the Texas Lacrosse web site, the men in orange are having a successful session with a 7-3 record. I have had the pleasure of seeing the team in action and I am pleased to report they are an in shape group of men that take the field to win every time.

I am not upset with the team at all, however, I am a little perturbed with its fan though. Only half of the fans at the last home game consisted of students. The other half was a scattered mix of high school students, parents, family and retired lacrosse fans. I am a seven-year veteran lacrosse player myself and I would love nothing more than to see lacrosse receive more recognition. The best way I know how to do that is to raise more awareness. I am confidant that blood craving football fans are capable of learning and enjoying this equally fast and entertaining contact sport.

I applaud the team’s efforts to reach more fans through social networking sites such as Facebook. A strong majority of spectators I talked with attended the game because of such online efforts. In addition, the Texas Lacrosse website looks professional and is regularly updated. A professional website allows interested sports fans to take the sport seriously—not view it as just a club sport. Events such as the Little Sister’s Tailgate for the A&M game are also a great way to attract both supporters and newcomers. University of Texas fans love to see rival games (especially A&M), so help them know when the games are. In addition to what has already been done, I would not hesitate to set up a table on campus with a television showing lacrosse highlights. A few players could also draw attention by doing a few flashy stick tricks (every lacrosse player has a couple of those up his sleeve). This could be an entertaining way to allow passer-byers to see the sport, not just a handout. I also think that posters advertising the rival game would be a success. I would place these posters in places such as, the recreation center, Gregory gym, the Flan Academic Center and the dorms. All I want is a strong fan base and a solid win over the Aggies. So “Hook’em Horns” and good luck in the future.

According to AvertisingAge’s website, Austin’s own GSD&M Idea City has secured their grasp on a $372 million contract with the U.S. Air Force. They initially landed the contract back in the year 2000 and since have fought hard to keep it. “Idea City last month began a repositioning for the Air Force; the agency will transition from its earlier ‘Do Something Amazing’ campaign, which focused heavily on recruitment, to ‘Above All,’ a push highlighting the Air Force’s technological expertise and daily tasks airmen engage in to protect the country,” said AdvertisingAge. GSD&M Idea City has experienced a few setbacks in the recent past with the loss of some their larger clients including Wal-Mart and AT&T. I am confident however that the University of Texas raised company will rebound with great strength and return as the Austin landmark I know it to be.

This is not a class post. Just something I found while surfing the world we live in.

The South Austin Jug Band is releasing their new album, “Strange Invitation” at Waterloo Records this coming Tuesday, April 1. This bluegrass, Americana band has been one of my favorite local groups for some time now and I always enjoy the flashy, talented picking and singing of all the group members. According to a press release from their website they have “a Jack Johnson vibe, only more melodic and even more laid-back, or a low-intensity Grateful Dead.” Their myspace page allows their followers a sneak preview of the new album and I highly recommend any and everyone to check it out. If for some reason you cannot make it out to the Tuesday show they have lined up multiple chances to catch them through out the coming weeks.

Now that I am done plugging the band on my blog, here is what I wish they would do so that there can be an overflow of dancing, mountain dwelling souls at their show. First, it is great that they have an updated website and their venues have updated their websites. Secondly, if they have not so already, they need to utilize their extensive email list and mail out an alert regarding the release of their new album. My next suggestion may sound standard for the music business but tacking up posters at the actual venues and surrounding locations can always help catch passer byers. Hopefully, this will capture the attention of their illusive target audience. I am also thinking specifically of locations that sell their music and places where their target audience is most likely to stop by and shop. For example, Barton Springs, Threadgills, Whole Earth Provision, REI, Tekgnar and Waterloo Ice House would all be good starting points. I know it is a little late now but releasing a press release to the Daily Texan would really help capture the college age demographic. If they have not done so already, partnering with other bands of similar a genre like The Gypsy Tribe and The Hudsons may work to their advantage. Having access to their email lists could possibly double the size of a single show. It is worth a shot, right? I am going to be at the release at Waterloo Records on Tuesday and the Threadgills south store on Friday and I hope you make it out too.

“Drillbit Taylor,” a film staring the University of Texas’s Owen Wilson was released today, March 21, 2008. Despite an attempted suicide in late August last year, it appears one of my favorite actor’s career is still intact due some great public relations efforts.

Here is a little background for those of you who do not know the specifics of the incident. According to TMZ, “A ‘call to service’ report from the Santa Monica Police Department, obtained by the television show ‘EXTRA,’ shows that the 911 call from Owen Wilson’s home was made because the actor tried to commit suicide” on Aug. 28, 2007. Shortly after his hospitalization, Wilson himself issued a statement reading, “I respectfully ask that the media allow me to receive care and heal in private during this difficult time,” according to several mainstream media outlets.

Most mainstream media outlets such as foxnews.com and people.com portrayed the incident with sensitivity and showed a favorable picture of the actor. However, some other mainstream media outlets and blogs were not so sensitive. Perezhilton.com, TMZ, and some other blogs were not as considerate. Some of these blogs posted pictures that portrayed the actor disheveled and others openly mocked Wilson by defacing his image. Aside from the photos chosen, blogs were harsher and had titles that generally covered issues other than Wilson’s “difficult time”—drug use. Titles like, “Steve Coogan blamed for Owen Wilson’s drug spiral” and “Owen Wilson Suicide Try – Pills, No; Knives, Yes; Coogan, Possibly” are not as bad as a suicide title but still not good media coverage. Overall, mainstream media outlets were much more professional and respectful to the actor in need of help, as opposed to the some of the ugly blogs that were so quick to speculate about and judge the actor.

So how was it handled? First off, the decision for Wilson to act as his own spokesperson was a strong and important move. This conveyed to the public a genuine request for privacy and showed us that he was strong enough to start recovery. Some people in the blog-sphere thought that Wilson accidentally overdosed and were skeptical of his supposed “suicide attempt.” Despite his request for privacy, Wilson did not completely hide from the media during his recovery. He allowed himself to be photographed recovering and it is remarkable how blog coverage went from scrutiny to support. Blogs and The Hollywood Reporter covered Owen’s return to work in a positive light, so hats off to whomever was behind those press releases. I think Owen Wilson stayed out of the media enough not to draw attention but was present enough to not draw negative attention at the same time. I believe he handled his life crisis well. The only thing I would have done differently would be to make more of an bang back onto the movie scene than with a movie called “Drillbit Taylor.” Regardless, I am happy the actor is recovering well and continuing to work to bring his fans new films.

After reading an article produced by Advertising Age titled, “Creatives Have a Crush on Obama,” I began thinking about the esteemed artist Andy Warhol. To sum up the article in one sentence: “While Hillary Clinton and other candidates pay top dollar for ads and the bulk of their consumer-generated fare leaves much to be desired, Mr. Obama has benefited from free, consumer-created marketing.” Walk around downtown Austin and I would not be surprised if you find Senator Obama’s face staring back at you from a poster on a light pole. Again, I find myself tilting my hat to Obama because he is allowing himself to be more than a senator or a former president’s wife. He is allowing himself to become a brand for his message and facilitating creatives to do what they do best—entertain the masses. All Americans have Attention Deficit Disorder and do not pay any attention what so ever to any advertisement that begs, “Look at me!” It simply does not work anymore. Andy Warhol’s 1960s Campbell’s Soup print proves that people can be drawn and entertained by something as simple as a household item or a seemingly unknown politician. Obama “behaves like a well-defined brand,” said Rupal Parekh of Advertising Age and it is this ability that allows creatives to exploit his message for their creative expression. The running presidential candidate’s success thus far is due to the sole fact that the public can not only understand his message but also enjoy it through creative’s manifestations.

Picture credits are due to flickr.com and adage.com.

This coming May, Lance Armstrong will spread bike-love with the opening of his 18,000 square-foot bicycle commuter center and coffee shop. “Mellow Johnny’s,” located downtown next to La Zona Rosa, is the first part of Armstrong’s dream to build Austin into a bike user city. Portland, San Francisco, Amsterdam and numerous other European cities have already developed successful in town bike accommodations for commuters. Although I have faith, being an avid biker myself, I am sure that it took more than just one bike shop to spark these two-wheel revolutions. So here is what I would do if I were sitting in the public relations driving seat. First things first, awareness must be established. It is good that I heard about this commuting center now, in February, when the opening is in May. However, the people that really need to be in the know are the future downtown condominium residents. If I were Lance, I would start a very guerrilla style advertising campaign targeting downtown residents with posters promoting the coffee shop. Also, hit people where they park. Marketing materials need to be distributed in parking lots and garages. Secondly, accessibility is probably one of the biggest hills this campaign will have to climb. I suggest partnering with Austin Yellow Bike, who has been trying to provide Austin with bike awareness for years, to building a sleek mainstream media effort. The final stretch to the finish line would be getting the city to allocate more funds for bike lanes, better roads and just a more bike friendly atmosphere in general. Partnerships with La Zona Rosa could result in benefit concerts and other parade-like activities that could serve as a reinforcement to get more folks involved and to keep people riding. So there you have it. That is my two cents and that is where I would start. Give bikes the right.

Picture credit is due to austin360.com.

Never before has such an upcoming primary buzzed so much media coverage. A CNN and Univision televised special of a Clinton/Obama debate is set to take stage here at the University of Texas on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. Attendance is expected to be limited to a select lucky few who are on an invite only list. Despite this, weirdly enough, other people who do not normally find themselves following the primaries, students being my main target, are tuning in. Why? Who cares? It is just the nation’s future. No biggie. This year’s celebrity endorsers and viral marketing are proving to be more successful in spreading a candidate’s message to a younger demographic than the candidates’ public appearances and debates. Magic Johnson and Barbra Streisand are some of the big names endorsing Clinton and Obama has received endorsements by the big dog, Oprah Winfrey, and had a catchy, inspirational music video using his “yes we can” speech that, in its short lifespan, has already got well over 3 million views on Youtube. Past political agendas have consisted of pounding long political laden speeches into the ears of the financially involved while the rest of the proletariat tunes out using selective hearing super powers. The 2008 election will redefine political public relations techniques and will crumble previous voting demographics. A stork is coming bringing with it a new political revolution that will allow you to jam the new hit for your politician of choice on your iPod while on the way to class or keep tabs on which of your favorite celebrities are hanging out with the next up and coming senator. So be happy. Political marketing tactics are getting a face-lift and you are the guinea pig for the beginning of a new political entertainment revolution.

I plan on using pictures compliments of my good buddy and fine photographer Patrick Dentler in this blog. Check out his flickr page at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrickdentler/. Thanks everybody.

Prepare your ears. The artist lineup has finally arrived for the 2008 South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival happening right here in Austin, Texas March 12-16. R.E.M., My Morning Jacket, Dolly Parton, Billy Bragg and many others are coming here to entertain you and thousands of others. If you are like me, you might be taking the next step to find out when and where you can buy a wristband for the festival. But aside from the music and the flashing lights, why is SXSW so successful? Thousands of music lovers flock to see a few bands they have heard of and probably a hundred more they have not in a town where commerce does not get close to rivaling that of Dallas or Houston’s. So why is it? It is because music is awesome and South by Southwest is a public relations super star. Underneath the rock-filled headliners lays an inherent human quality that public relations practitioners exploit during an event such as this: straight up curiosity. What a brilliant concept! If you are a music lover there is nothing better than the excitement, hype and mystery before a new show. South by Southwest does this best. Through out the year, all participating bands’ publicists and managers are doing everything they can to get the exposure they need to break it big. In addition, event sponsors such as, Miller Lite, Sonicbids, Dell, Fuze, Citi Bank and many more spend ungodly amounts of money hyping the event so that bloggers like me will write about them, making their sponsorships pay off. The summation of these two factors equals a must see music extravaganza that you must attend in order to keep your music lovers’ union card. So what the hell? Bring on the hype, bring on the advertisements, but most all, bring on the music.