Official Luthiers Forum!

   Does anyone have any experience of working with a publicist or ageny that specializes in getting attention for projects like theis African guitar and its upcoming auction?

   I'm hoping to talk to someone who can possibly give some advice or assistance in raising awareness of it in order to draw the broadest possible bidding body. I've contacted several industry specific publications, but they have relatively small circulation bases and I don't place ads in them so editorial consideration may be unlikely. My goal is to possibly secure some TV or other coverage to broaden the awareness as much as possible.

   The goal is not ultimately the dollars or the publicity, but the amount of aid will be able to be provided by its sale. It's not much in light of the magnitude of the problem, but a few American dollars go a long way in that culture. After seeing, first hand the hardship caused by the pandemic spread of AIDS and the loss of life that orphans children everyday there in Africa, I'm willing to go to lengths that I would previously not have considered to do as much as possible to help in this small way.

Thanks in advance for any help or direction.

Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

Kevin:

Sadly, I don't have the marketing expertise to solely orchestrate something of this nature, but I would think there are others who share a similar passion, with both the access to the media machine, and the donor base you seek. I am willing to help you, if you wish...I participated in helping get the materials for this cause, I'll certainly participate in helping get the most benefit from it.

I'm certain you've thought of it, but here's my meager suggestions:

The best mechanism is to attempt to partner with those supporting individuals/organizations of the orphanage that worked with during the trip. If that isn't possible for some reason:

Go to a directory of AIDS Charities (I found one called www.cellscience.com/HIVCharities). I'm sure there are others.

Read through them enough to see if any one in particular focuses/supports your specific need, in the area of Africa you visited. If not, perhaps there are affiliate programs they are associated with.

Get in touch (letter campaign, phone blitz, emails, etc.) with at least "a few" of their Marketing Directors (Fundraising Coordinators) to see if they would be willing to facilitate a project of this sort. Facilitation will, of course, mean coordinating press releases, media blitz mechanisms, using their own donor base for "advertising" and, importantly, staff time.

Even if these organizations aren't able to orchestrate the media, solicitation, auction, perhaps they can recommend someone who will.


These are the broad strokes and, again, just my take on it...there must be other ways to accomplish your goal, which is to maximize the sale of the guitar and the exposure for the benefit of the orphanage you visited. One idea, maybe not a good one, is to allow a third party to transfer "ownership" of the guitar for the highest dollar amount a donor is willing to make to a specific agency. The advantage of this method, vs a straight auction, is that the winner not only "buys" the guitar, they get a tax write off for the amount of the cash gift. And, as you probably know, gifts can typically be restricted to specific purposes...meaning your Nairobi orphanage.

Again, I'm willing to help you with this legwork if you need it, especially considering you're out of commission right now with your shoulder...and I "might" be able to gather some additional brain power (goodness knows I'd need all the help I could get). Let me know.

Bill

_________________
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

Tell Bono about it. It's a great (and mutual) fit: a musician dedicating a large part of his personal time and money to African causes.

[QUOTE=ATaylor] Tell Bono about it. It's a great (and mutual) fit: a musician dedicating a large part of his personal time and money to African causes. [/QUOTE]

That is really not a bad idea, if you could get him to play the instrument somewhere (provided he / U2 isn't under contract from one of the majors) that would raise both the exposure and the value.

I have a working knowledge of promotions / PR and think I could help you put a pitch letter together that you could take to several publications, but what is your timing? Usually national magazines need a long lead time.

You might also consider doing something more general, such as USA today, WSJ, NYT, CNN or one of the other news outlets. They can reach a much broader audience than the guitar mags. They are always on the hunt for good human interest stories, something pitched in the right vein might strike a chord with them. And, they generally have shorter lead times to bring a story together.

_________________
Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Kevin,

Bono is a good idea

Get in touch with Angelina Jolies agent of publicist Should be obtainable. She is all about the situation there in Africa. She is a spokes person for the UN now and you got to think big! Once you get her contact information, tell your story.

Good Luck,

Mike
White Oak, Texas

Mike and Brock,
   These are the kind of things that I've thought of, but have no idea who to contact or how to go about contacting them. I've been invited backstage to countless concerts by artists over the years and have been able to form friendships with many, but making these contacts are a bit different.

   Bono would be a great choice and Brad Pitt plays guitars and could be a powerful advocatefor the project with his and Angelina Jolie's recent efforts to ease some of the difficulties of the African people.

   I feel the cause is certainly worth anything I can do to bring to the attention of as many people as possible. Usually I feel a little apprehensive about just showing up with my guitars for artists to play...even though they've always been very friendy and accommodating and have even placed orders. I don't chase artists around with free guitars to get endorsements like some guys do, but rely on the endorsements of those who actually buy my guitars.

    This is a pretty unique situation in which we just want to raise the awareness of the guitar's availability through the auction. I'm very flexible on the date of the auction since we're just in the early stages of feeling out the best venue for it so nothing is locked in and it could be coordinated wth some of the press that we're able to generate.

    Believe me, I'm on a quest to learn and do whatever I can about publicizeing it to do the most that I'm able to for the kids there in Nairobi. This guitar's sale could possibly complete the construction of the second orphanage building in light of the very low cost of construction in Africa.

Thanks for any additinal help or advice. I'll run with whatever I get.

Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

Brad Pitt's Agent is Bryan Lourd IIRC he is the president of mega agency CAA. His number is 310-288-4545.

What I would do is pitch him on the common interest and how his client(s) could get milage out of this. Most people have heard these stars POV and to keep them in front of the camera's they too need new angles to go to the media with. Having them spearhead the effort to auction off this guitar etc. could be something that the stars could grab some headlines with and you will benefit from the association.

I think something like that might appeal to them.

My guess is that Bryan (or one of his minions) will take your call and at least hear the pitch. That is what they do for a living.

Good luck.

_________________
Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Also, here is something you might find interesting if you want to hook up with a star to help you promote this.

http://www.contactanycelebrity.com

_________________
Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Kevin,

While a banker in Dallas I had the good fortune of becoming the banker of a few stars in music and film. I will put out some feelers and see if I can find some direct access. Brock has given you some good information as well. Keep us posted.

Mike
White Oak, Texas