I was recently hired by Ariel Publicity to improve her web2.0 strategy. It was fun, and it was New York City. Her main office is in Manhattan, where she took me to participate in the NYC Podcasters meetup which meets monthly in her loft on 38th Street. As an organizer of the SF Podcast meetup, i couldn’t wait to see what she had cooking back east.
Following the meetup in Manhattan, she took me back to Brooklyn and wowed me with a revolutionary web application she’s been working on for the last two years, called Cyber PR. Ariel hired me to check out the application and give her strategic feedback. I’ve been friends with Ariel both personally and professionally for many years, and have always respected her work ethic, passion and versatility, but i was (and still am) profoundly struck by the innovative PR machine she now has at her fingertips. Her application made my job easy.
I know this may sound cheesy, but the truth is that Cyber PR is an internet dating service between new media makers (you) and independent musicians (also you?). Its super simple. If you are a new media maker, just tell Ariel what you like, and she will create a custom profile for you. Using Cyber PR, she will send you music based on your preferences, such as: genre, location, and all the blog/ podcast specifications which are just now emerging (i.e. mommybloggers, food lovers, queer networks, etc). Of course, you are always able to update your preferences. And my favorite feature? You can leave direct feedback for the artist, request station ids, station drops, interviews, exclusive tracks and contest giveaways (and believe me, if you want to give away free stuff, Ariel has a closet full of cds, tshirts, hats, mugs and other band swag). All you do is check the appropriate box and it’s yours.
Bottom line: I have not seen any interface which makes the station id, interview and swag requests this easy – nor have i encountered a publicity firm with the ability to execute on your requests as quickly as Cyber PR.
While there are definitely a few other sources for “podsafe” music, Cyber PR is more intimate, as Ariel weeds through submissions and only sends you the music which matches your exact desires. Therefore, when you get an email from Cyber PR, you know that it is music which applies to your blog/ podcast/ publication. And if you give feedback you qualify for prizes. Not only that, but all the artists on the Cyber PR roster sign in to their own account and can view your commentary in real time.
If you are interested, please email Cyber PR: ariel@arielpublicity.com and Ariel will hook you up with a profile and start sending you music.
some of the artists that you can “date” with cyber pr are:
Brian Setzer Orchestra
Beth Hirsch (of AIR)
Zap Mama
Corey Harris
Pat Boone
Jen Chapin
The States
and 60+ more….
Technorati Tags: CyberPR, Ariel Publicity, podsafe, music, independent music, indie