By Kelly Walsh, Senior Account Executive at Evolve PR and Marketing –
PR is constantly changing and evolving. The music industry has been paving the way for PR trends since its inception. After 15 years in entertainment PR, I’ve seen firsthand how musicians and their teams build their brand, develop lifelong fans, and turn small moments into lifetime memories and experiences. There are many lessons that businesses and CEOs can learn from rockstars to take their PR campaign to the next level.
Music vs. Corporate PR
Music publicity is catered to fan engagement and relaying musician’s stories to both media and audiences. The goal is to create hype-based awareness around specific events, such as album releases, concerts, or music videos. Campaigns are therefore fast-paced, often with last-minute changes which require flexibility, fast and forward-thinking mindsets, and the ability to be ready to go at a moment’s notice. Corporate publicity, on the other hand, tends to be more structured and scheduled. For this type of publicity, focus is typically based on plans that are thought out with a long lead time, and messaging builds towards a overarching goal at a steady pace.
Where these two find commonality is in their strategic messaging and focus on brand recognition. Whether it’s a band or a growing company, both rely on PR companies to craft compelling narratives to media that will resonate with their respective audiences.
Using Music PR Tactics in a Corporate World
Businesses and CEO’s can, and should, take a few pages from the music PR handbook.
- Get Emotional: Music fans are some of the most dedicated, longstanding customers in any industry. Brands should take notice on how bands use their “product” to personally connect with audiences. Their messaging allows listeners to take ownership of their music by offering relatable content.
- Partner Up: Find out what is trending with not only your existing audience but your targeted audience and develop a partnership. Crossover campaigns are the most effective way for a band to introduce their music to larger audiences, and corporations can use this same strategy by looking for out-of-the-box collaborations with other companies, influencers, brands, or even bands that present a wider reach.
- Create FOMO: Rockstars have spent decades building their brand to be synonymous with ‘cool’, ‘sexy’, ‘iconic’, ‘luxurious’. In reality, the life of a rockstar is pretty grueling with intense travel, long periods of being secluded from families, and the pressure of having to put on a perfect performance night after night. Yet people thrive to become one. Why? Because these artists created the allure of FOMO surrounding their band. They are constantly focused on getting audiences excited about their music and performances and do so by creating the same amount of buzz for small announcements as their big ones. They constantly offer audiences exclusive opportunities to continue to cater to fans and create FOMO for those that aren’t on board yet.
At the end of the day, publicity is publicity, and we all want the same results: visibility, a dedicated audience, and brand recognition. Whether you’re dropping a single or launching a product, it all comes down to connecting with audiences and creating an allure to what you’re promoting. Businesses that dare to get a little creative, lean into emotions, and create limited experiences succeed. Think like a band: Be Loud, Proud, and Unforgettable.
Bringing people together through our relationships to promote and enhance their message to the world. Evolve PR and Marketing is a results-driven, full-service public relations firm that has been proudly ranked the number one public relations agency by Arizona Business Magazine for two years running. Located in the greater Phoenix area of Arizona, and expanding across the country, we’re here to elevate your brand, enhance your visibility, and create meaningful connections that make an impact.
