HOUSTON: The Soulcial Series presents Marsha Ambrosius, Jesse Boykins and D. Rose LIVE IN CONCERT!

Unless you have been living under a rock, you have been hearing all of the hype about the upcoming "Soulcial Series" concert this Friday, Dec. 17th at Groundhall. Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Marsha Ambrosius, will grace the stage performing music from her up-n-coming album, Late Nights & Early Mornings. Marsha is the former member of the R&B duo, Floetry and has been known to us as the "Songstress." Also gracing the stage, Soul Train Award nominee: Jesse Boykins, Houston's own: D. Rose and Baltimore's R&B diva: Paula Campbell.



This type of concert doesn't come too often in Houston, but a group of entrepreneurs, also known as the "Soulcial Series" crew, are making it their business to do so. You know we love giving our Houston peeps "shine" especially when they're doing something positive and standing out from the rest. We had a chance to speak to "The Soulcial Series" and get more information on who they are and what we can expect on Dec 17th. Check it:



SC:When you go on http://thesoulcialseries.com/ you find out what the essence of "The Soulcial Series" is all about; but what we want to know is who is behind "The Soulcial Series?" Tell me about each person and what they bring to the table...

*(DJ CRUIZE CONTROL/KING MC – IDEAS UNLIMITED) It’s nearly 20 years of experience being in the entertainment business. It is the passion and the love for the music that has kept us doing what we do. We know this is our purpose, because we don’t consider this to be a job. Music is our life, entertaining others brings us joy. It’s our passion. It’s appreciating the beats, the melodic tones, and rhythms, but the inspiration is watching our music charms the soul…Cruize understands the music and the artist, he can feel the music and understand how to deliver it to the crowd, regardless if it has been heard. Cruize deals with the business side of things, booking the artist and negotiating everything to get them to Houston
*(LISA JANUARY/CANDACE STROTHER TASTE OF CLASS ENTERTAINMENT) Collectively we share a passion for real music, and quality events. With Taste Of Class Entertainment, being the women of the group, Candace Strother and Lisa January are an integral part of the threading that makes the soulcial series. Candace, who specializes in relationship building with partners, makes a strong contribution to marketing. Lisa, specializes in venue decor along with executing our vision for each event.
*(Urban Limelight Marketing Agency (ULMA))  is a lifestyle and culture marketing & creative agency based in Texas. Branding, Marketing, Social Media, Advertising, Strategy and Consultation. We are responsible to both the brand & the community. We aim to reach goals by creating momentum prior to launch, rapidizing the brand maturization process. Our position within the collective is more so on the marketing and amplification of the brand and brand story.

SC: What is the goal for "The Soulcial Series?"
SS: Our goal is simple. We want to unite individuals through music, arts, and culture. The only constant that you will see with the Soulcial Series is "GOOD MUSIC." Truly, that is the one thing that brings people from different backgrounds together. A premier music event that redefines the meaning of true music in the region…. To be a brand recognized as presenting quality events with introducing the Houston market to progressive soul artist.

SC: What can we expect from "The Soulcial Series" event on December 17th?
SS:A very high energy, smooth show that has a great flow of transition and artistry… We expect people to walk away feeling like, "That was way more than I expected” and "Houston needs more shows like this" or "That was one of the best shows I’ve been to."

SC: What up-coming events can we look out for with "The Soulcial Series?"

SS: We will be educating our followers monthly with interactive listening events, One to Two quarterly shows and a festival either fall or later summer of 2011.

To purchase your tickets and for more information: http://thesoulcialseries.com/ 

DON'T MISS IT!!!!!

Artist Spotlight: Sophia Fresh

Houston's own Sophia Fresh shows their soft side by departing from their usual club bangers and blistering dance tracks with an emotional R&B ballad to say "Shame On Love."Check out their latest single:

Sophia Fresh Bio:

Grammy–Nominated, Multi-Platinum Producer / Songwriter / Artist, T-Pain's new sensational female group, "Sophia Fresh" combines three young women united through their friendship, true love for music, and entertainment. The Atlantic Records executive who signed the girls, Mike Caren, wanted a name that separated them from the pack of female groups. So after true diligence, the girl's and camp came up with "Sophia Fresh" - a name to describe their southern flavor and pristine sound.

Group members Skye, Crystal, and Cole Rose are no strangers to the music business and have been conquering their dreams of entertaining since they can remember which involved opening up for various acts since they were little girls. While Crystal engaged in various facets of entertainment including being captain of the Houston Texans Cheerleading squad, Skye and Cole Rose signed their first major deal with J Records through Underdog Entertainment in 2005. Joining this label exposed the girls to invaluable information of the music industry, which gave them the experience to prepare for their future endeavors. After being signed for a couple years, this partnership didn't work out as they initially planned and their team was free to explore a better fit for what they embody as a group… presenting the opportunity for them to reunite with original member Crystal!

Sophia Fresh is now signed to Atlantic Records with Super-Producer, T-Pain, as their Executive Producer over the new project. From their Hip-Hop anthems to sultry ballads, the girls illustrate a testament of their versatility in vocal performance, dance ability, dedication, work ethic, and attitude. Their multitude of talents is matched by their drive, ambition and beauty.

The vocal performance of Sophia Fresh can be best compared to the strength that a band possesses. The drum, saxophone and guitar harmonize their passion, drive, and voices together to create an original, edgy, and fresh sound. What do you expect when you combine the vital elements of nature and they join together to encompass a group? Perfection…

***For media inquiries contact: Gazelle PR, Dorcey Kuti dorcey.kuti@gazellepr.com

REAL TALK

In this economy keeping your head above water as a PR professional can be tough! Whether you’re an independent contractor or a professional working within a communications department, finding lucrative opportunities can be more than challenging especially when everyone is still experiencing cut-backs and businesses are operating on not-so-hot budgets. Don’t be discouraged! This is the time to dig deep into your strong and resourceful PR soul to GET REAL AND GET CREATIVE.

DESIGN YOUR OWN OPPORTUNITY

When the going gets tough your ambition must get going! When the referrals aren’t coming through like they used to and people aren’t just throwing contracts your way, it is usually a sign that you should get your creative juices flowing like never before and go back to the drawing board.

This may be the time for you to develop a creative campaign for a cause that’s been buried in the social climate, or maybe you can create a platform to bring old and potential clients together to cultivate new projects for YOU to work on. Whatever you come up with, just make sure it’s something that can keep you relevant in the market.

IT’S OKAY TO GET A JOB

We all aspire and work hard to wake up every day doing what we love and to make great money doing it, but in hard times that isn’t always a reality. What is a reality though are the bills that will reach our mailboxes…on time every time…and the bills must get paid.  In order to keep the bill stack low, sometimes we have to trade some of the time we give to our CAREERS for some time on a J-O-B.

Getting a job that doesn’t fall within your career field (or going from an independent contractor back to the corporate world) is NOT a sign of failure and don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise. Instead, it is more so a characteristic of perseverance and strength as long as you don’t lose sight of your ultimate goals. In fact it is quite naive to think that such an unconventional career path as PR won’t throw you some curve balls—getting a job to help pay the bills may not feel like a homerun, but it’s certainly not a strike out of the game.

PREPARE FOR THE RAINBOW

After this horrid storm that we call the economic downturn, we can all expect something pretty—new opportunities, a nice surge of growing business—the rainbow! Now is the time to position yourself for the good times. Take the time to evaluate where you are in your career and make sure you are in the position to go after great opportunities when they are readily available. Join and become active in organizations that will boost your career, build relationships with people in the markets you aspire to reach, take a few classes to keep your education sharp and on point. Do what it takes to make sure you’re at the top of your game when the economy is doing well again.

PR is a career that is usually chosen by great communicators with dynamic personalities, however the harshness of this field can be character-building and humbling. Remember that the test of your passion for what you do is all in your reaction to harsh circumstances. How you handle the challenging times in your professional career usually determines whether you get to celebrate the fabulousness of it all.

SO YOU WANNA GET COVERAGE IN THE CHRONICLE HUH?

PRSA's Houston Chapter posted this insightful video on their Facebook page for those who missed PRSA Houston's May luncheon with Houston Chronicle editor Jeff Cohen. Ed Davis, PR Director for the United Way and PRSA Houston board member, asked Cohen a few key questions about working with Chron reporters and editors. If you're a PR professional working in this city, you definitely want to hear his responses. Check it out!

Want more information and information on PRSA Houston's events? Visit www.prsahouston.org.

Social Chix In The Mix

Okay, we know this is a little last minute, but there's a really cool event happening tonight! Saks Fifth Avenue and Houston Young People for the Arts invite you for cocktails, tapas and other delights including a brief performance by members of the Cuadro La Tempestad Flamenco Performing Company.

Details:
Tonight - April 28, 2010
7 - 9 pm
Houston Galleria (On One)
RSVP encouraged: info@downtownhouston.org

Good Professional Luuuuuvin!

We've all heard that stay-at-home mom, mother always said, day-time talk show, cliche phrase "You can't love anyone until you learn to love yourself". Guess what, it's true! Not only is it true in relationships , but it's something we as professionals tend to forget in BUSINESS!

Many times we get so used to the daily grind of soliciting business and sales by "showing love" to clients and potential business contacts, that we forget to show love to our own career.

Take your profession out for a spa day! Here are a few tips that can rejuvenate your business.

1. DETOX YOUR CAREER

We're well into the second quarter people...make sure you sit down and evaluate how the last quarter went and where you plan to go from here. Detoxify your client roster, your digital rolodex and remove projects from your desk that won't benefit your future plans. A business detox is necessary to eliminate all the toxic junk, all the paper, and all the people who are in the way of your success. Refocus and re-plan your career moves for the year.

2. GIVE YOUR BRAND A FACIAL

Is it time to refresh your brand? Show your business some love by upgrading and polishing your branding and marketing materials. Take a look at your business card, your brochures, flyers, promo cards and your website--it may be time to switch it up! You may even want to give yourself a new look to go along with your new brand. Do you need a new corporate picture to replace that company photo that looks nothing like the new you?

If you employ a designer for your branding and marketing collateral make sure you select a creative team that understands your vision and demonstrates the ability to make your message shine.

3. DE-STRESS YOUR SPACE

Chaotic space makes business waste! Stop fooling yourself into believing that it's okay to work in your own organized chaos. If you're working that well in junk, imagine how well you could be doing if you took the time at least once a week (or every other week for those who just can't find the time or discipline to do it weekly) to organize your workspace. Designate 15-30 minutes to rummage through your madness and get everything in the right place.

It honestly feels great to know that everything is filed out of your sight until you need it, paper scraps and old correspondence are in the recycle bin or shredder, your cute paper clips and Post-Its are neatly put away and all is well with the world again...plus it makes you feel all professional and stuff.

5. SET YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT

Our careers need love too and lots of it, so schedule a regular spa day for your business life. DO IT NOW! Set your business spa day every quarter or at the very least every six months. It will keep you in check with your ever-growing career and ultimately the business benefits can help you grow professionally. After all, you can't show love to anyone else's business until you learn how to love your own.

DJ Premiere Issues Statement on Guru

This week the world lost one of its best MC's and hip-hop icons, Guru from the group "Gangstarr." The day after his death, rumors were flying on the Internet of an alleged letter that Guru wrote on his death bed speaking negatively about ex-partner DJ Premiere. Yesterday, Allhiphop.com posted a response letter from Houston's own DJ Premiere. Here is an excerpt from the letter:

"I’VE BEEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON A LETTER SPEAKING ILL OF ME WHICH WAS SUPPOSEDLY WRITTEN BY GURU IN HIS DYING DAYS. ALL I WILL SAY ABOUT IT IS THAT OUR TIME TOGETHER WAS BEAUTIFUL, WE BUILT A HIP HOP LEGACY TOGETHER, AND NO ONE CAN RE-WRITE HISTORY OR TAKE AWAY MY LOVE FOR HIM. ONE THING I WOULD NEVER DO IS PLAY AROUND WITH THE TRUTH ABOUT HIS LIFE."

Read the letter and its entirety on Allhiphop.com: http://www.allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2010/04/21/22179837.aspx

R.I.P. Guru your legacy will live on.

Source: allhiphop.com

Pt I: Five Things The Media Dislikes

There are 3 "R's" we must maintain when dealing with media and the public: Reputation, Respect and Relationships. One can not stay in good standing without the other. In fact, as a publicist, if you do not have a good reputation, and you have no respect and no relationships, how can you give your client and/or service the credibility it needs?

As an up-n-coming pr pro, building relationships is EVERYTHING. Especially with media. The following are five things the media dislikes. Trust me when I say this, TAKE NOTES. The last thing you want to do is alienate the very people you need to help you publicize your product or service.

1.) Sometimes You Have to Accept The Word "NO"

Yeah, yeah. We've all heard it, persistence is a good thing. But in some cases it can be annoying. Media professionals will not build relationships with a pusher who calls 500 times after they're told "no." If your media contact says "no," accept it and move on. It's not even necessary to ask "why?" Sometimes it's better to just move on before you potentially ruin a valuable relationship.

2.)Long Pitch Letters and Press Releases

Seriously, in a world of deadlines, who has time to read a long drawn out press release? If it's too long, they won't read it. One page is all you need. If the media wants more, they'll ask for it. Have a great headline, state the major points in a strong first paragraph, and bullet everything you want to stress. Include secondary information in a background release.

3.) Lying, Hype and Misrepresentation

The truth always emerges and when stories aren't based on facts, the media usually ends up holding the bag. Your media contacts won't forget who got them burned; nor will they give you the chance to do it again. As for hype, media pros know a good story when they see one, and their antennae usually cut through the hype. *cough* That goes for twitter.

4.) Name Dropping

Name dropping is kind of lame and no one likes a name dropper. This often indicates that the story is weak. In most cases, the connections that celebrated names are intended to conjure up are tenuous at best and unless the celebrity is directly involved, they seldom change the story's value. While name dropping may work with friends, it will hurt you with media professionals.

5.) Follow-Up, Follow-Up, Follow-Up

Media depend on others to supply them with the information they need to do their jobs. Don't send a press release and call or fax, and then don't follow up when additional information is requested, you make it difficult for them to meet their deadlines. If you say, or even imply, that you're going to do something. do it and do it promptly. Otherwise, your contacts will consider you unreliable and unprofessional. If you don't respond promptly, it may be too late. You can't expect the media to wait for you.

Stay tuned to the socialchix.blogspot.com for the remaining ten things the media dislikes! Also, coming soon...Things that the media loves!

Source: "Guerrilla Publicity" by Jay Conrad Levinson, Rick Frishman, and Jill Lublin

PHOTOS: Tweet Spot 6.18.09

Here are just a few of the pics from last year's Tweet Spot. View all the photos in our Facebook photo album!

Still not a Hater...

Hey Friends, check out The Social Chix Collective Pt. 2 with Hater Magazine! This time Marjorie Sheriff steps up to bat for Q & A with Hater. See what she has to say about playing a part in our network! Visit www.haterhouston.com or follow this link!