Dog Day Oz

This is how you do it

laurenzoric — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:59:37 +0000

Social Media – what is it good for?

laurenzoric — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:45:33 +0000

Liking this post on social media ROI – how do we measure the value of social media stats? More and more it seems, we are wanting to see revenue conversion linked to the Like

Top social media campaigns (via smartcompany)

laurenzoric — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 06:15:09 +0000

Nice posting on some memorably successful social media campaigns, and some that backfired.

SR7 chief executive James Griffin says there are a few main characteristics of a successful social media campaign, and they play a crucial part in determining whether your business is received as a welcome invitation, or just a piece of spam.

“I think the thing we push most is understanding what you’re doing everything for. Whether it’s to gain sales, or followers, or just to get more coverage of your brand, that will sketch the foundation of your campaign and then influence your choices. So understanding is key.”

“If you have no idea what you’re looking for, then things can go bad. It’s hard to go to the boss and say you’ve put time and resources into a project that hasn’t delivered a solid benefit. You have to know what you’re going to do straight from the start.”

DDB digital strategist Con Frantzeskos says campaigns shouldn’t be centred on a “gimmick”. You should be offering something valuable to your fans and listening to them, or risk facing a harsh backlash.

“Everything should be about finding online communities, listening to them, and then understanding what they want. Based on that, you can create campaigns that integrate Facebook and Twitter and all of these other sites.”

Wow – Topspin is killing it

laurenzoric — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:01:06 +0000

Topspin is blowing my mind.

We’re particularly proud of The Pixies example; when we started working with The Pixies late last year their email list was size = NULL, today it is six figures.
In May/June of this year The Pixies and their UK agent, X-Ray booked two shows themselves (no promoter, no traditional ticketing company) at London’s Troxy Theatre, put 6,000 tickets on sale (one low price, 30 Pounds, no fees) on a Web site set up just for fans (http://LaLaPixiesLoveYou.com), sent a single email to this newly accumulated fan list via Topspin, and sold every ticket in a week.
Then at the venue every single person was checked in via Topspin’s iPhone ticket scanner.
Five iPhones got all 3,000 people through the doors in less than two hours.

Don’t send your fans away!

laurenzoric — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:48:25 +0000

Reposted from Hypebot

Congrats to grant winners…

laurenzoric — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 23:25:57 +0000

Mini big up to myself for writing the grant applications for Paddy Mann and The Paradise Motel, who were awarded Victoria Rocks arts funding today.

Also a little mention for Simon Zoric, who won an Australia Council Artstart grant in May, with a smidgin of application writing help from a certain sister.

When you don’t want to blog…

laurenzoric — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:05:31 +0000

Social Media this, Twitter that, Facebook status yada yada. We all know how important it is for artists to communicate, engage conversation and interact with audiences. Connect. Then buy a t-shirt. It’s a bit craven, but it is what it is. It certainly works for Amanda Palmer and her ilk. Personally I like artist sites that are a little bit more aloof, but also share thoughts, ideas, likes/dislikes… you get to know the artist, without having to hear about what time their next flight leaves. Richard Swift, I’m talking about you.

Being a fan these days is not what it used to be. I think if any of my teenage rock star crushes had been constantly communicating at me, I would have hyperventilated and passed out.

swoon

Each precious nugget of direct quote in a magazine was savoured, a concert was butterfly-inducingly exciting. Actual musical heroes were not, you know, like us. They were special, and precious, of a rarified world all mysterious and ethereal. Being intangible, unreachable was so… appealing. How many people meet their heroes, only to be disappointed?

These days, I unfollow musicians who can’t shut their trap. TMI! Sorry Questo – you rule, but really, a little less conversation… Equally, it’s a big turn off when artists create a ‘blog’ because that’s what they’ve been told to do, but there’s only two posts from nine months ago there. It comes across as feeble and deflating. You may have wanted to connect with that artist, but they really can’t be bothered to talk to you.

So, what if you’re just not that type of artist? What if blogging just feels icky and wrong? Do you see Morrissey Tweeting? Does Robert Smith post pictures of his cat?

I rather like that Hamish from Cordrazine has explained his thoughts on blogging…

“I have never understood why anyone would be interested in my thoughts just because I have sat at home and written a few songs?
Even as I write this I have no understanding as to why anyone would care. I remember my love for my musical idols when I was young, I would sweat on their every word and study what they wore, simply I wanted to be them and to be honest I still do. The only way I can describe how I feel about the artists who gave me life is “love”! I love them! I remember going to see Morrissey play and I felt so embarrassed. I sat in the crowd self conscious unable to enjoy the show because I felt like all if these people had walked into my room and discovered my affair, my love. It was like my mum had walked into my room and caught me masturbating.”

He has something of a point. Music, by its very nature of being purely an emotional expression, elicits powerful responses from fans. It may be so powerful as to shame us! It might make us stalkerish, or turn us off the personality behind the music altogether. Metrics tell us that the more artists share and connect with their audience through social media, the more music/merch sales and live audience numbers they tally up.

But if you’re not that type of artist, I think the Cordrazine approach – acknowledging the modern fan landscape, and your awkwardness in it – is a good one. It lets fans know you are thinking of them, which goes a long way.

The National

laurenzoric — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 05:16:53 +0000

As Morrissey put it, we hate it when our friends become successful. Or in the case of indie snobbery, we hate it when our pet bands suddenly become mainstream acts at the top of the charts. Not me personally – from a PR and marketing perspective, I love watching it happen.

This year’s big indie crossover act has to be The National. It’s only taken them ten years, but with their fifth album High Violet, they hit #3 in the US chart, #5 in UK and similar top 10 spots globally.

The National need a drink

The online roll out was masterful – that incredible single ‘Bloodbuzz Ohio’ was available for high quality download in exchange for mailing list subscription, OR, low quality MP3 without subscribing. I love that – catering to the casual, newly interested potential fan, and the sign-me-up-i’m-yours fan. Some killer US TV appearances that naturally went viral thanks to youtube, album streaming on the New York Times and NPR radio websites, and excellent email communiques, dropping news and information on band activities and the album availability through March-June. Momentum. Excitement.

Great website, with everything you need, and an easy to use online shop. But what really daunted/impressed me, is the staggering tour schedule this band has signed up for.

This is a band (or their management) that decided this was the album they really wanted to go for it and consolidate the last ten years of growing their international fanbase. Check out this tour schedule – OMFG!

JUNE
09 JUNE: TORONTO, CANADA – MASSEY HALL // w/ THE ANTLERS //
11 JUNE: MANCHESTER, TN – BONNAROO 5:45PM – WHICH STAGE //
16 JUNE: NEW YORK, NY – RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL // w/ THE ANTLERS // SOLD OUT
18 JUNE: BUFFALO, NY – ALBRIGHT-KNOX GALLERY // w/ RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, MARTHA WAINWRIGHT, ATLAS SOUND //
26 JUNE: PILTON, UK – GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL // SOLD OUT

JULY
01-04 JULY: ROSKILDE, DENMARK – ROSKILDE FESTIVAL //
06 JULY: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND – PARADISO // SOLD OUT
07 JULY: UTRECHT, HOLLAND – TIVOLI // SOLD OUT
08 JULY: HAMBURG, GERMANY – STADTPARK // w/ MIDLAKE + THE MIDDLE EAST /
09 JULY: BRIGHTON, UK – CORN EXCHANGE // SOLD OUT
12 JULY: LYON, FRANCE – LES NUITS DE FOURVIERE //
13 JULY: LYON, FRANCE – LES NUITS DE FOURVIERE //
14 JULY: DACHAU (MUNICH), GERMANY – DACHAU MUSIKSOMMER // w/ ST. VINCENT //
16 JULY: SOUTHWOLD, UK – LATITUDE FESTIVAL // SOLD OUT
16-18 JULY: LISBON, PORTUGAL – SUPER BOCK SUPER ROCK //
27 JULY: BROOKLYN, NY – CELEBRATE BROOKLYN! w/ BEACH HOUSE // SOLD OUT
31 JULY: MONTREAL, CANADA – OSHEAGA FESTIVAL //

AUGUST
02 AUGUST: COLUMBUS, OH – LC PAVILION // w/ THE ANTLERS //
03 AUGUST: ROYAL OAK, MI – ROYAL OAK THEATRE // w/ THE ANTLERS //
04 AUGUST: MILWAUKEE, WI – RIVERSIDE THEATRE // w/ THE ANTLERS //
05 AUGUST: MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FIRST AVENUE // w/ THE ANTLERS //
06 AUGUST: MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FIRST AVENUE // w/ THE ANTLERS // SOLD OUT
06-08 AUGUST: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – LOLLAPALOOZA //
11 AUGUST: OSLO, NORWAY – OYA FESTIVAL //
13 AUGUST: GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – WAY OUT WEST FESTIVAL //
14 AUGUST: HALDERN, GERMANY – HALDERN POP FESTIVAL //
15 AUGUST: ST. MALO, FRANCE – LA ROUTE DU ROCK FESTIVAL //
17 AUGUST: GRAZ, AUSTRIA – KASEMATTEN SCHLOSSBERG// w/ BEACH HOUSE, THE LOW ANTHEM, THE KISSAWAY TRAIL //
18 AUGUST: VIENNA, AUSTRIA – ARENA // w/ FANFARLO, THE LOW ANTHEM, THE KISSAWAY TRAIL //
20 AUGUST: LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – FOR NOISE FESTIVAL //
21 AUGUST: HASSELT-KIEWIT, BELGIUM – PUKKELPOP FESTIVAL //
22 AUGUST: BIDDINGHUIZEN, HOLLAND – LOWLANDS FESTIVAL //

SEPTEMBER
03-05 SEPTEMBER: STRADBALLY, CO. LAOIS, IRELAND – ELECTRIC PICNIC //
09 SEPTEMBER: VANCOUVER, BC CANADA – MALKIN BOWL // w/ THE WALKMEN //
10 SEPTEMBER: VANCOUVER, BC CANADA – MALKIN BOWL // w/ THE WALKMEN // SOLD OUT
11 SEPTEMBER: REDMOND, WA – MARYMOOR AMPHITHEATER // w/ OKKERVIL RIVER //
12 SEPTEMBER: PORTLAND, OREGON – MUSICFEST NW //
24 SEPTEMBER: MONTCLAIR, NJ – WELLMONT THEATRE // w/ OWEN PALLETT //
25 SEPTEMBER: PITTSBURGH, PA – CARNEGIE LIBRARY HOMESTEAD // w/ OWEN PALLETT //
27 SEPTEMBER: LOUISVILLE, KY – BROWN THEATRE // w/ OWEN PALLETT //
29 SEPTEMBER: KANSAS CITY, MO – UPTOWN THEATRE // w/ OWEN PALLETT //
30 SEPTEMBER: ST. LOUIS, MO – THE PAGEANT // w/ OWEN PALLETT //

OCTOBER
02 OCTOBER: INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MURAT EGYPTIAN // w/ OWEN PALLETT //
03 OCTOBER: NASHVILLE, TN – RYMAN AUDITORIUM // w/ OWEN PALLETT //
04 OCTOBER: RALEIGH, NC – MEMORIAL HALL // w/ OWEN PALLETT //
05 OCTOBER: ATLANTA, GA – FOX THEATRE // w/ OWEN PALLETT //
06 OCTOBER: ORLANDO, FL – HOUSE OF BLUES // w/ OWEN PALLETT //
08 OCTOBER: HOUSTON, TX – HOUSE OF BLUES // w/ OWEN PALLETT //
09 OCTOBER: DALLAS, TX – HOUSE OF BLUES // w/ OWEN PALLETT //
10 OCTOBER: AUSTIN, TX – AUSTIN CITY LIMITS MUSIC FESTIVAL //
13 OCTOBER: TUCSON, AZ – RIALTO THEATRE // w/ OWEN PALLETT //
14 OCTOBER: TEMPE, AZ – MARQUEE // w/ OWEN PALLETT //
16 OCTOBER: POMONA, CA – FOX THEATRE // w/ OWEN PALLETT //
18 OCTOBER: DENVER, CO – FILLMORE // w/ OWEN PALLETT //

NOVEMBER
11 NOVEMBER: COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – KB HALLEN //
14 NOVEMBER: ZAGREB, CROATIA – BOCARSKI DOM //
16 NOVEMBER: MILAN, ITALY – ALCATRAZ //
17 NOVEMBER: COLOGNE, GERMANY – E-WERK //
18 NOVEMBER: NEU-ISENBURG, GERMANY – HUGENOTTENHALLE //
19 NOVEMBER: LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG – DEN ATELIER //
21 NOVEMBER: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – ANCIENNE BELGIQUE (AB) // SOLD OUT
23 NOVEMBER: PARIS, FRANCE – OLYMPIA //
24 NOVEMBER: BRISTOL, UK – O2 ACADEMY //
25 NOVEMBER: COVENTRY, UK – WARWICK ARTS CENTRE //
26 NOVEMBER: GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – O2 ACADEMY //
27 NOVEMBER: MANCHESTER, UK – O2 ACADEMY // SOLD OUT
30 NOVEMBER: LONDON, UK – BRIXTON ACADEMY //

DECEMBER
01 DECEMBER: LONDON, UK – BRIXTON ACADEMY //

Presuming this means they’ll be in Australia in the summer, which is nice.

I’m loving their success, as well as having been a long time fan. High Violet is arguably just like all their other albums – great – but they haven’t radically changed direction. They’re just more like themselves. The National couldn’t be more deserving, or more hardworking. I just hope the touring doesn’t kill them…

The Triangles hit #1 in Spain

laurenzoric — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 06:54:16 +0000

Interesting little PR project this week with Level Two Music and Melbourne band The Triangles, whose song ‘Applejack’ hit number 1 in the Spanish charts this week (2 June), having been splashed across Spanish television as the soundtrack to a major ad campaign.

Strange moments in PR

laurenzoric — Fri, 28 May 2010 09:19:39 +0000

…When you open your monthly issue of Royal Auto (the car insurance club magazine) and find… local singer-songwriter Megan Washington on the cover!

Clearly I have been missing a trick, having thus far never thought to pitch any of the artists I represent to a car insurance magazine – admittedly one that probably has very high subscribtion numbers. The Washington article doesn’t even mention cars… at all!

Is it just me, or is this slightly strange?