Look at the World of a Music City Publicist

Chania Crawford 


On Saturday, October 14, Keisha Monique, founder of Keisha Monique's public relations and marketing firm, along with Shawn Caesar, vice president of marketing at DTLR, a large urban retailer with stores across the country, spoke to students about what to expect when working in the music industry with artists, record labels and more. 

Monique and Caesar have worked with various artists such as DJ Quicksilva, Megan Thee Stallion and Jack Harlow to help develop themselves as artists and raise awareness of their music. 

“Publicity is absolutely critical,” Monique said. “A PR story is infinitely more effective than a front page ad.” 

Monique and Caesar both work as a liaison between an artist and their audience; they work as a publicist. 

Monique outlined some of the roles and responsibilities that are required of a music publicist: 

• Image management: craft and maintain the artist's public image to align with their brand and style.
• Media Relations: establishing and nurturing relationships with journalists, bloggers, editors, and media outlets. Pitch story ideas, interviews, and features about the artists to the media.
• Press Releases and media kits: Writing and distributing press releases, media kits, and biographies that showcase the artist's latest work, achievements, and updates. 
• Storytelling and narrative building: PR professionals shape the artist's narrative by telling a compelling story about their background, journey, and the inspiration behind their music, helping the audience connect with the artist on a personal level. 

Monique stressed the importance of getting earned media for the artist you represent and how important it is to create a large network. It will get the artist further in their career rather than relying on an ad that can be put out. 

“It looks much more organic when it comes across as a PR story than a paid ad,” Caesar said. “The difference is really having that organic appeal and approach; it makes all the difference at this level.” 

A story is more effective when connecting with an audience and an artist's fanbase; you cannot connect with an ad the way you can with a story. 

Caesar had an in-store event at the DTLR Atlanta location with Jack Harlow to sell his CD, allow him to interact with fans, help him reach streams and raise awareness of his first album Come Home The Kids Miss You.
This allowed Harlow and his fans to connect on a personal level and build that relationship between his fans and his image as an artist. 

Monique and Caesar ended the session with helpful tips and advice for students looking to work in the music industry as public relations professionals:

• Passion and knowledge: start with a genuine passion for music. Having in-depth knowledge of various music genres and an understanding of industry trends is essential.

 

• Build a diverse network: Networking is a cornerstone of PR. Connect with artists, record labels, journalists, bloggers, and industry professionals to expand your contacts. 

 

• Stay informed: Stay updated on industry news and emerging artists. Follow music blogs, publications, and social media accounts to remain in the know. 

 

• Educate yourself: Consider formal education in PR or related fields. Courses in communication, marketing, and music business can provide valuable insights. 

“You gotta get out there,” Monique said. “You got to build a network."