Dear Cyber PR Friends Family,

As 2008 comes to a close we are in high spirits here at Cyber PR and so we are holding:

Our First Annual CYBER PR 2008 Holiday Fundraiser

http://www.arielpublicity.com/holidaydrive

STEP ONE. You ask your fans to make a difference (it’s tax-deductible for them).

STEP TWO. We reward you with a free PR Campaign and gifts to help you get ahead in the music business.

STEP THREE. We all make a difference together!

Take a look at our charities:

Here’s how it works:

1. You send out your e-mail newsletter (or a series of newsletters) to all of your fans and friends wishing them a happy holiday and requesting that they make a donation to any charity of your choice (I have supplied a list of 5 musician-oriented charities to consider).
2. Your fans e-mail you their proof of contribution email or a screen shot that they donated.
3. You report it back to us to qualify for complimentary prizes that will help you grow in 2009!

I can’t wait to see what we all generate together!

Here’s How to Signup:

Send an e-mail to holidaydrive@arielpublicity.com

Include:

1. Your name
2. Your e-mail address
3. Your band’s name
4. The charity that you choose
5. If you have a holiday song that you would like us to promote attach it as an MP3

Let’s make a difference together this season.

We will be reporting all of our progress on this blog: http://www.arielpublicity.com/blog

Click here for details on how to participate and prize information: http://www.arielpublicity.com/holidaydrive

Please click right away - we are only having this drive through December 31, 2008

Here’s to Our Success!

Ariel

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Co-Hosted by CMJ & The Bloom Effect

Our CMJ 2008 digital press conference was not really a digital press conference at all this year. This year our Digital Press Conference was done as a CMJ Media Meet-n-Greet for all invited and badge-holding bloggers, journalists, writers and photographers! The mixer featured performances by Sarah White and a DJ set from the Beatards. We also had complimentary drinks courtesy of Sparks, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Makers Mark. The Beatards were awesome and spun some amazing old school Hip Hop . I couldn’t really hear anyone that was talking to me, and the club was fantastically dark but I sure had fun!  We had tons of local, national and international media & bloggers, unite for this event and they all got a chance to mix and mingle with their media peers.

We took some great photos of everyone in attendance that you will find on our flickr site:

www.flickr.com/arielpublicitypr

Our next digital press conference will take place in January, but I wanted to thank CMJ for letting us co-host an event with them as well as The Bloom Effect, and also thanks to the other Ariel, the owner of Sutra, for her hospitality. Thanks to all who were able to attend!

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A few weeks ago, I threw a book launch party for my friends, Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan to celebrate the launch of their new fabulous book, “The Indie Band Survival Guide,” published by St. Martin’s Griffin here in New York, and I was honored to be interviewed and prominently featured in the PR chapter. Weighing in at 329 pages, it is jam-packed full of incredible information.

“The Indie Band Survival Guide” is a book that all artists, independent or not, need to own.

Randy & Jason are founding members of the Chicago based independent band Beatnik Turtle, and this book started out as their blog where they chronicled their personal experience releasing a whopping 18 albums, touring, building a formidable following, and writing music for film and TV. This book was not motivated by money or a desire for fame. It came from the 12 years of experience as independent artists that they achieved directly by releasing albums, and as they learned along the way, they wrote it all down. As their lessons and experiences grew, so did their blog, and because of their blog a literary agent approached them, and they got a publishing deal.

It was very hard not to write a hundred page review of this book… Randy & Jason share exactly the same philosophies and opinions about the realities of the ‘new’ music business and their insights are striking and very important to understand to stay ahead during this wild west time of the music business.

When I started Ariel Publicity in 1996 there was ONE conversation that took place at all music festivals like SXSW and in my office and anywhere you went where there were musicians present. That conversation was: “How am I going to get signed?”

The first key point this book makes is: Back in the day when getting signed was the principal goal of all artists, the entire game was all about winning over just a few key record executives in the business. Today, the rules have completely changed and this is no longer true at all. It’s now the sole responsibility of the artist to take on what an entire staff used to do, and there is a lot to take on.

This book begins by reminding artists that you don’t have to do it all alone, and that technology is wonderful and helps empower artists, “but it’s not the technology that will get your music listened to, booked, distributed, played, seen, and publicized.” It’s people. People make things happen for musicians…

Here are some highlights that struck me:

- Randy & Jason take you through the myths and realities of old-school music business versus the new music business, including how commercial radio works and why independent artists will have to spend between $20,000 and $100,000 to get commercial radio airplay

- Why signing to a major label makes no sense in this day and age

- Why networking is key and how it doesn’t have to feel icky

- How to use your fans to help you network and get the word out about you

- People who have met you or seen you play live are likely to be in the minority of people who will listen to your music now that the Internet is the number one medium for music delivery

- The importance of a good website and why just having a MySpace page is a big mistake and how to plan it soup to nuts and how to make people return to your website over and over

- A complete guide to blogging and micro-blogging and the benefits

- The ins and outs of social networking

- How to create a CD, home studio versus pro studios, everything about CD manufacturing and merchandising with a complete bulleted list, which they provide so you don’t even have to think. You just have to follow the list and get your CD released

- Copyright laws and trademark your rights to the songs and recording in a handy flow chart that breaks down every aspect, from sampling to who pays you to trademark

- Why multi-tasking is totally necessary for artists in this day and age and why having multiple income streams is what will make you money in the long run.

- The death of the big splash - The new approach for releasing albums is slow and steady wins the race

- How to get booked at clubs and house concerts, charity events, festivals, college gigs and weddings

- How to get your fans to help you get the word out

This book is an indispensable goldmine and a must-have for every independent musician’s library. No matter what level you are at in your career, you need to own this fabulous book, The Indie Band Survival Guide.

Here is a free preview on their website: http://indiebandsurvivalguide.com

Don’t miss out on a chance to change your music career for $14.95 - buy this book today!

Amazon Link:
http://tinyurl.com/indieband

Check out photos from the release party on Flickr!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielpublicitypr/

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Podcamp Philly ‘08 was a blast this year. For those who are unaware of Podcamp, it is a BarCamp-style UnConference dedicated to podcasting, blogging, video blogging and all things New Media. This year Podcamp Philly was held on the wonderful campus of Temple University. I attended on behalf of Cyber PR. The day was quite dreary due to Hurrican Hanna, but nonetheless there were some excellent panels in store throughout the two-day conference. This year’s sessions focused a lot on emerging social networking sites such as Twitter & Plurk, and how they can be used as a business tool for companies. There was also an emphasis on building social communities, and podcasters were able to learn the basics and necessary tools they would need to begin their podcasts.

I was able to meet tons of awesome new podcasters. As well as those that we already work with everyday; we finally had the chance to meet face to face! This year we also held our Music & Podcasting Panel. It was a hit! We brought along two of our artists as well - KaiserCartel and Jim Boggia - who held musical performances at Podcamp. We would like to thank Jersey Todd, Jeff Hinz, Walt Ribiero, Mathew Ebel, Rob Blatt, KaiserCartel, and Jim Boggia for participating in the panel with us this year!

All photos from Podcamp Philly 08 can be found on our Flickr site at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielpublicitypr

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Our third digital press conference took place on July 15, 2008 and it was a smashing success. Dozens of bloggers, podcasters and Internet radio DJs dropped in to hang out, eat, and drink with over 20 artists. Radio stations were set up and streaming live from the Blog Talk Radio and on Bumpskey Internet Radio and artists lined up in the hallways to be interviewed on tape and on camera by new media makers posted around the apartment.
 

Special Thanks To Our Sponsors:
Reverb Nation
Rive Video Promotion
Rock Ridge Music
 

New Media Makers & Friends Who Attended & Interviewed Artists At The Event:
The Amsterdam News
Blog Talk Radio – On The Road With John & Rick
Both Sides Of The Surface Podcast
Bumpsky Internet Radio
Digital Freedom Campaign
Friggin Fabulous Radio
The Gigometer
Hit Records Nightlife Video Show
Mikeypod Podcast
New York Sun Podcast
Ning.com
Queens Artists Podcasts
Radio Crystal Blue
Rubyfruit Radio Podcast
 

I asked the staff and the summer ‘08 interns to each write a synopsis of their impressions of the DPC and here is what they said:
 

Christina & Ariel
Our 3rd annual Digital Press Conference turned out to be a HIT! With artists and tons of social media continuing to bustle into the doors all afternoon and into the evening in a stead stream. Everyone was greeted with drinks (note to self: buy more beer next year) and appetizers and all wore big SMILING faces. Rive Video had their cameras set up and all ready to go with artists in out for interviews till after 9 PM. We had the wonderful Eddie Muentes as the host of Rive’s tapings and he kept the energy through the roof throughout the night. Artists were able to go through a circuit of about 6-7 interviewers each. First stop for most of the artists were On the Road with Rick and John LIVE . John and Rick interviewed everyone and broadcasted live onto Blog Talk Radio. Bumpskey Internet Radio also phoned in and stayed on the line for almost five hours (he would have talked all night but his cable dropped out) interviewing most of the artists in attendance.
 

All artists also had the pleasure of interviewing with Friggin; Fabulous Radio host Nick Ciavatta. Nick also interviewed Rock Ridge Music artist Lauren Ianuzzi. The sultry singer made her rounds in the circuit of interviews. Lou with Reverb Nation beamed with happiness and walked around greeting everyone and Lou thanks for being a great sport about the lack of wifi in the main room.
 

Dan Herman with Radio Crystal Blue was stationed in the Kitchen recording his interviews and he also got the privilege of recordig some live impromptu jams from the artists who brought their guitars along.
 

Rubyfruit Radio, and MikeyPod Podcast, had pole position in front of the air conditioner and they interviewed a steady stream of artists in between station ID takes with Eddie.
 

Stefan and Scott from our team were also on hand to interview artists on camera (watch for testimonials coming to the site soon).
 

Artists were able to connect with social media face to face in a special way that makes us proud to do our jobs and it was extra special for us because we got to meet some people who only exsist for us virtually.
 

We are looking forward to Digital Press Conference edition 4 at CMJ 2008!
 

Sara
Ariel Publicity’s Digital Press Conference on July 15th was an event no one should have missed out on. The combination of Ariel Publicity, Rive Video Promotions, Rock Ridge Music, and Reverb Nation proved to be a great success.
 

I had the opportunity to attend and work this event due to the fact that I am one of Ariel’s interns. As if being an intern for Ariel isn’t amazing enough, being at the Press Conference made it over the top. I had the opportunity to go around and interact with all different types of people from rockers to podcasters.
 

One of my favorite moments during the entire event was when I was preparing hors d’oeuvres in the kitchen. Dan from Radio Crystal Blue was doing interviews for a select few artists in the kitchen while I was there. I got to listen to Kati Mac’s interview and I felt like I was getting my own personal concert without her knowing it. She has a beautiful voice and listening to her sing while playing the guitar is something I will always think about when the Press Conference comes to mind.
 

If you missed out on Ariel Publicity’s Digital Press Conference this year, make sure to cancel everything to go to it next year. You would be crazy not to.
 

Ariel Publicity’s Digital Press Conference was a chance for musicians to connect with podcasters and bloggers face to face. In each room there were different stations set up. The musicians moved from room to room doing interviews and broadcasts with each station. If they were not at one of the stations, they were enjoying some of the appetizers and drinks while socializing with others attending the event. The Press Conference was a way to give back to musicians and podcasters and new media makers, and a chance for everyone to kick back and have some fun. Anyone that was at the event would agree.
 

Joanne
Ariel Publicity’s Digital Press Conference was immensely successful and demonstrated clearly how an innovative and clever approach to PR allows for stellar results within the changing music industry.
 

Over 20 of Ariel’s 90+ clients attended the event along with dozens of representatives from various New Media outlets–bloggers, podcasters, and internet radio DJ’s, among others. As internet-based press mediums continue to rapidly gain both popularity and credibility, artists are presented with new ways to promote themselves and their music. The Digital Press Conference gave several of the artists that Ariel Publicity represents a uniquely personal chance at interacting with many of the best people involved in New Media outlets.
 

The result was a marathon of networking and promotion which, based on my observation, put smiles on everyone’s faces. In fact, witnessing the enthusiasm displayed by both the press and artists was arguably the highlight of the event. Everyone involved appeared to be thoroughly thrilled the goings-on at the conference.
 

Additionally, the artists were given the opportunity to be interviewed by several of the New Media representatives that attended. Through the interviews, the press gained material for articles, podcasts, and blogs, while the artists gained further exposure. All in all, the Digital Press Conference was a truly fantastic occasion, having brought artists and New Media press together in an environment where they were able to truly take advantage of what each other had to offer.
 

Paige
The digital press conference was a great experience for me as an intern at Ariel Publicity! Despite the large guest list we managed to keep things organized and the artists all got a lot of great press. Rive Video Promotions was a great sponsor and gave all artists in attendance great press opportunities and were so generous with their time. My favorite thing about the press conference was that I felt I was really part of the team and helped to make things happen and accomplish the goal of the event. Everyone had a great time and that was amazing to see.
 

The artists seemed to really connect with one another and it was a great forum to establish relationships between independent musicians in the business. I also loved being able to meet everyone and put faces to the names that I see so often on emails as well as in our database. Everyone at the event was incredibly friendly as well as patient and understanding of the need for all artists to talk to the press one at a time. The guests helped to make the event run very smoothly by being so understanding. All in all I felt that it was a great event that went off without a hitch! So much hard work from Ariel, Christina as well as our sponsors went into this event and it was great to see this hard work put into action and realized.
 

Nicole
The Ariel’s Publicity Digital Press Conference was a huge success! Having as many artists and people of the press present in the amazing upper west side apartment was surprisingly very fun and not as chaotic as it would sound. All the musicians were great, friendly, and very grateful. The best part of the evening for me was being personally thanked by all the artists for assisting in circulating them around to the different digital media people. Knowing that my hard work was actually appreciated felt good. Another great thing about the night was actually meeting the artists face-to-face after getting to know them through their music and bios on our website. Shaking their hands and putting faces to
names was very cool. And lastly the biggest highlight of the night was when I became Rick’s co-host for three segments on his Blog Talk Radio show, On the Road with John & Rick. I would like to give a special thanks for Rive Video Productions, Reverb Nation, and Rock Ridge Music for sponsoring the event.
 

Keith
Imagine being in a Upper West Side penthouse where the 70’s never died, and when you entered the living room you wonder if someone murdered Kermit the Frog or if your just on an acid trip. Now imagine being in such a psychedelic place with dozens of musical artists, podcasters, internet radio stations, and writers all there for one thing, to hear, create, and promote great music.
 

Everything I just described to you is exactly where I was just this past Tuesday. While the Philharmonic played along in Central Park I was mingling among some of the most amazing Indie artists I’ve ever had the privilege to meet. From the soothing Soft Rock of Deni Bonet to the hard Hip Hop of Michael Lynche, these are just a few of the artists I got to meet and only the tip of the iceberg of the genres of music I got to hear.
 

The highlight of my evening was truly getting to know the musical artists. I’ve been working for Ariel Publicity for two months now and the only problem with Cyber Publicity is that you never actually get to see the people you are working for, and I remembered how thrilled I was when I meet Carla Lynne Hall and could finally put a face to the music I had been listening to, not to mention that she is a completely amazing person! Or receiving a t-shirt from the quirky Lena and hearing her story about the time she spent a month in prison. It was so gratifying to meet the artists and see just how happy they were with Ariel and all the work we put together for them, and it was humbling to know that what we do is appreciated and needed.
 

The only downside to the whole event was the heat! With over 100 people in one New York penthouse things are bound to get hot, and indeed it did. But on the upside, “God it’s hot in here!” became a perfect opener to getting to know the artists and press. That was second only to, “What the hell is up with these troll sculptures?!” which if you’ve ever been to Ariel’s parent’s apartment you’d know just what I was talking about.
 

All in all, I had a blast and loved getting to know the artists and finding out the most amazing things. Such as why Lena named her CD, “Thank You For Your Sex,” or why Jay Della Valle wrote a book on
mustaches. It was a night a small town Indiana boy like me will never forget, and an occasion I was so grateful to attend.

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Our 3rd Digital Press Conference was a success. Over 20 musicians came to meet dozens of new media makers including bloggers, podcasters, Internet radio DJs and web 2.0 music companies, make media and enjoy the party. 

Mobile post sent by ArielCyberPR using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

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WINE, CHEESE, VARIUOS HANGOVERS & NEW FRIENDS & NEW CONTENT

 
The CMJ Music Marathon took over New York City from October 16-20, 2007 with ground breaking new artists showcasing all over the city. There was no better way to celebrate than with our second full blown Cyber PR Digital Press Conference. Cyber PR hosts these events four times a year and they are collaborations with Cyber PR and other music companies that represent artists looking to gain online.exposure.

 
The mission is simple: Invite all of the bands and musicians we represent and also invite as many new media outlets and forward thinking technology companies as possible – Bloggers, Podcasters, Internet Radio stations, tech companies, digital marketing agencies and freelancers to attend, eat, drink and get exclusive material from artists and show off their online platforms. The first two have been a smashing success

 
Our CMJ event was at the Ariel Pub;licity / Cyber PR, offices and was co-hosted by Fiona Bloom of The Bloom Effect, and Cory Denis of reapandsow.

 
Our small loft was packed to capacity as artists made their way around the press circuit. The first stop was recording station ID’s for dozens of podcasters and Internet radio stations who could not be in attendence but have supported Cyber PR and played our clients, such as Insomnia Radio, Jersey Todd Show, & The MothPod Podcast

 
Then it was onto a live streaming interview opportunity with Corey Denis who broadcasted the digital press conference live on Me.Dium.com as it went along.

 
Artists then got in front of the camera crews with Eddie Muentes with Hit Records Night Life Video, a local NY/ CT video show. Then Guy Eckstine host and founder of soon to be launced MIAA TV, the premier online destination for global music industry news chatted with bands about the state of the current music industry. Guy also booked a few artists in attendence for an exclusive live performance taping at The Gibson studios for MIAA.

 
Our favorite chef, Mark Tafoya, the head of the Culinary Podcast Network and two of his own podcasts Remarkably Mark & ReMARKable Palate Podcast, strolled the room recording impromptu interviews and talking food with artists Kerry Polizer whose alter ego is an active food blogger. Sally Vates

 
Dan Herman, of Radio Crystal Blue which spotlights independent, up-and-coming music, attended with his digital recorder in hand.

 
Our friends Dimple and Jason also gave artists informative tours into the new web 2.0 world of Buddy Lube, their digital marketing company.

 
Tons of other new media professionals flowed in out making it an evening that was equal parts joyous social gathering and serious press function. Robert Blatt of the New York Sun Podcast, Sonny Ray with East Village Radio, Myles Grosovsky with the social networking site Haystack, Ben Lazar of A Deeper Shade of Soul music blog, Michael Gillboe host of Next Big Hit Podcast, Ben Umanov with Metalsucks.net, Harold Anthony of Jump Off TV, and Chris MacDonald with Indie Feed Podcast just to name a few.

 
Several artists were in attendance including twelve of our Cyber PR clients Diana Page, FIGO, Girl’s Don’t Cry, I,Synthesist, Jessie Kilguss, Kerry Politzer, King Jazzy, LittleHorse, Darryl Thurston of The Sea Dragons, Josh Ocean of TV/TV, Velvet Code, Wil Deynes. Also other great artists C-mon & Kypski,, Maggie Mayday, Michael Zapruder of Pandora, and the Metermaids came through as well.

 
The press conference ended at about 9 pm with everybody buzzed and ready to hit the town for a night of CMJ showcases.

 
We’ll be back with another installment in a few months after the holiday season is over.

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This past Saturday September 15th I rolled out my Internet Marketing and Web 2.0 BootCamp for Musicians, which I co-presented at my office with Melanie Van Orden of Van Orden Media Consulting.I chose Melanie because of her long history utilizing Internet marketing to help businesses grow (something the music business barely knows a thing about).
 
She and her husband Jason Van Orden is one of the foremost experts in Podcasting and together they consult large and small businesses in Internet Marketing Mastery.

 
The BootCamp was jam backed with information including a full overview of Web 2.0 and a step by step guide on how to make yourself Web 2.0 friendly starting with the easiest applications in the social media realm and working up to the most technically difficult.

 
We went over:

How to make a musicians website an interactive and potential money making machine instead of a static portal that includes the same information every other musician includes.

 
The nuts and Bolts of Web 2.0

 
Why every musician should start Twittering ASAP

 
Newsletters vs. email list and how to build them

 
The ins and outs of Blogging & Podcasting

 
and discussed a ton of cool websites that artists can utilize to help create evangelists that will spread the word about their music now just passive fans

 
I learned so much by just teaching the course about how indie musicians think about these emerging online trends which as a social media junkie I tend to feel more comfortable around and it was eye opening and wonderful to have them all participate.

 
We had 3 guest speakers who really added to the conversation by sharing their experiences. They were:

 
Rachel Barton Pine – Rachel is the first classical musician I have ever represented in my 12 years of doing music publicity! Rachel talked about her new Podcast and what she has noticed about her overall web presence through hosting her own Podcast and how she feels a direct correspondence to upping her Internet presence and going to # 12 on the Billboard charts

 
John Taglieri – A friend and client for many years who discussed how he identified his niche market and worked every angle to exploit it by using tactical strategies, goal setting and excellent customer service techniques that he learned at his varies day jobs (before he quit them to become a full time touring artist). He also shared how he figured out a way to tour the entire United States of America on someone else’s dime while building his own fan base and playing his original music for twice as long as he can play in any venue at home.

 
Michael Gillboe – Is the programmer, producer and DJ for two wildly popular podcasts Next Big Hit which has 40,000 listeners and features a unique way of presenting Independent artists called “Dressed Up and Stripped Down” where he showcases artists by playing the studio versions of their albums, interviews them and then has them play the stripped down versions in his studio. Broadway Bullet is a theatre podcast, which presents the best of Broadway and Off Broadway. Michael shared tips on how to approach podcasters as independent artists that were invaluable and he really shed some light on what it looks like on the receiving end of the new media spectrum. Michael also gave many practical tips on how to simply get noticed.

 
Melanie and I are going to packaging this awesome BootCamp and selling it as an audio product so stay tuned…. It should be ready to go in a few weeks!

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My trusted friend Corey Denis who I have deep roots with (we both started in the music business at What Are Records? ) back in the 90s…Corey is now the VP of Integrated Marketing at reapandsow and she has helped my company develop some new social networking trix and I call on her for all things digital.

 
I arrived in Seattle yesterday and was picked up by the delightful NOVA SHANK who worked at Ariel Publicity back in our Boulder CO days for 3 years and his business card actually said “Super Nova” and he is like a little brother to me. We dined on Oysters and local white wine and he took me to the awesome Experience Music Project, which is designed by the architect Frank Gehry whose museum I visited in Bilbao years ago. The EMP building did not seduce me the way the Guggenheim in Spain did but it was amazing in another way – it is like a living circus colorful and fun like a big mound of cotton candy from far away and it has a lot of cool textures glossy and metallic and steel and it stands behind a retro amusement park which added to the “funness” of it.

 
It is a museum of music history founded by Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft and it is a totally interactive museum which much like the theme of Gnomedex is all about capturing peoples personal experiences about music using ever-changing exhibitions which are all explorations of American popular music, there are studios where you can video tape yourself performing or singing or telling your favorite music story and the footage plays as part of the museum. Music is such a personal experience for all of us and I found the interactive part totally magical and really cool. Just like in blogging you could add your comments all over the museum – its like a living blogosphere & social networking museum.

 
Corey and I met up and headed over to the opening party and the first person I run into is Adam Metz who I have been communicating with for over 10 years (and who has recorded with Jen Chapin, one of my artists who I have been proudly representing for six years). I have never met in person. Adam is not only a musician but also a social networking expert and it was like meeting a long lost friend… cause that’s exactly what he is… I like Gnomedex already. There are more iphones here that at an Apple store and many conversations I have are being twittered and blogged and texted in real time which is a little distracting but what did I expect it’s a blogging conference… we ended the evening at Kells Irish Pub listening to spirited Irish and Folk music and drinking with Sue, Schlomo, Brian, Corey, Kris, Scales, and Lee. Nice and mellow start to the conference.

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Hi campers …be aware - my favorite go to peeps at the FMC (Future Of Music Coalition) have something up their sleeves around an issue that has been near and dear to my heart for quite some time. As a publicist for indie artists, Internet radio acts as a critical componant for us in getting the word out about our artists. Its one of the last bastians of free speech left as well as a community filled with enthusiastic and engaged people who love music. The programmers we work with (over 600 and counting are some of the most enthusastic music lovers Iv’e met in my 15 year career as a music chick and in a vast majority of cases they PAY to support their own stations simply because they enjoy music so much. It has been unbearable to all of us at Ariel Publicity to even think about the fact that our friends and constant cheerleaders may be foreced out of business and then forced to pay back royalties for their hobbies. We love Internet Radio so much we even host our very own Internet Radio station on Live 365 - Ariel’s Artists Here is the email I just got from the unsinkable and brilliant Jenny Toomey:We don’t usually send you anything but newsletters or conference information. But occasionally, a situation comes along that is so outrageous, so patently unfair that we must take immediate action.

 
Given our work on radio deregulation, payola and other media issues over the years, you might not be surprised that the situation involves Clear Channel. The current issue is so important that we are dedicating an entire week’s worth of FMC blog posts to it starting this Monday, July 9. The coverage will culminate on Friday, July 13 with a special surprise for Clear Channel.

 
So, what has us so outraged? It’s very simple. Clear Channel, which was just investigated for payola by the FCC, is engaging in a new type of questionable practice: requiring indie artists to waive royalties for consideration to get airplay. We’ve sent out a press release and posted this blog entry documenting the situation, but Clear Channel still doesn’t seem to get it.

 
So please, if you care about the future of music and musicians, take a moment and click here to add our blog to your RSS feeds. And send this link to all your music-loving, music-making friends. You won’t want to miss a single word.

 
We’ll lay out the situation fully on Monday, but definitely tune in to cut through Clear Channel’s static. And most of all, don’t forget about the special surprise on Friday. We know Clear Channel won’t.
 
Sincerely, Jenny Toomey, Executive Director, Future of Music Coalition

 
So - follow along - this is bound to be GOOD. I’ll keep you updated here as well at Cyber PR

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