A music publicist manages the audience and media relations of a musician or musical group.
Also known as a “spokesperson” or “representative,” a music publicist is a communications professional who handles audience and media relations on behalf of a musician or musical group. A music publicist typically works closely with a musician’s manager, booking agent, and entertainment attorneys, although some musicians may hire a general manager who performs all of these functions at the same time. The main role of a music advertiser is to make sure that the overall image that the client wants to project is maintained at all times. To accomplish this goal, the publicist will perform tasks such as arranging and supervising interviews, issuing statements to the media, and supervising marketing and communications material that is distributed to the public on behalf of the client.
Advertisers find ways to get their customers’ music discovered online.
A music publicist is often the first point of contact for members of the media seeking an interview with a musician. When a member of the media approaches advertisers for a client interview, they first consider the medium itself, whether it be a website, a national newspaper, a television show, or a radio show. The publicist will then weigh different factors to determine if the interview will have a positive effect on the musician’s image and sales. Some of these factors include: how many people the medium reaches, who their target audience is, and whether they are likely to receive good or bad publicity for the musician. The music publicist will also consider factors unrelated to the medium itself, such as whether or not the musician has an upcoming album or tour that could benefit from interview publicity.
Music advertisers use social media to promote their artists’ upcoming projects and concerts.
Music advertisers often prepare carefully worded statements on behalf of their clients about aspects of their private lives that have become public knowledge, such as divorce or the birth of a baby. Advertisers can also speak on behalf of their clients when entertainment publications and shows call the advertiser with a specific question. It’s up to the music advertiser to decide whether to issue a statement or simply reply “no comment.” A music publicist also handles requests from charities and other organizations to determine which causes are best suited for the musician to represent.
A music publicist may organize and supervise interviews.
The age of the internet and social media has greatly affected the nature of an advertiser’s job. It allows musicians and bands to communicate with fans and the media more directly and without the intermediary of music advertisers, writing blog posts, participating in online chats, Twitter and creating YouTube videos. While some musicians still consult their publicists before any form of communication with the public, others turn to the Internet on impulse, making statements they may later regret and requiring their publicists to implement PR damage control.