Rhythm and Buzz

Expert advice proved proverbial music to publicists’ ears on May 15 as EPPS members gathered at the International Cinematographers Guild in Los Angeles to hear ways to heighten awareness for both up-and-coming and established recording artists. The evening panel – moderated by Karen DeMarco, Zazzle’s VP, Corporate Communications, and sponsored by Business Wire and the IGC -- featured four leading authorities in today’s technology-driven music media market.

Todd Martens, entertainment producer at the Los Angeles Times who also writes for the Envelope’s Extended Play blog, sounded a common theme when he said, “It doesn’t matter to me if it’s a CD, streaming or a MySpace link.” He explained, “If we like the music, we’ll circle back to get more information.” Martens’ daily duties are split between devising new website content and creating ways to present the newspaper’s material online.

Dan Kimpel, a noted expert on popular music and songwriters, agreed that it’s still “all about the music” even as technologies advance. Kimpel, whose outlets range from “Song Biz” columns and Music Connection magazine to Delta Air Online and books, looks especially for “something atmospheric, something that has energy.”

MK of Popbytes.com explained, “I need a picture, I need a stream or an MP3 I can legally post” for his gossip blog covering music, film, television and people and said to have 500,000 unique visitors monthly. Credibility is key to pitches, MK noted, adding that he wants to give stories “my own personal spin, my own personal touch.”

“People think we’re run by robots, not real people,” mused Kurt Patat, senior communications manager and PR lead for AOL Entertainment, which includes AOL Music, Moviephone, AOL Television, AOL Radio, SHOUTcast, Winamp, Asylum, Urlesque and AOL Video, said to attract 23 million visitors each month. Patat looks for news first and foremost and to drill deeper to serve different audiences on different platforms.