Seek and Ye Shall Find...and Get!

I hit a roadblock about two weeks ago. For the first time in a very long time I lost my mojo. I felt like I didn't know which direction--if any--my professional life was going. I was stuck. For those of us blessed and cursed with an entrepreneurial spirit know this place very well--and it's a place we hate to reside in for too long.

Ironically, this was exactly where I needed to be at this juncture. The wall that I found myself facing would soon provide me with a new-found motivation and desire to work even harder. You see, I needed answers and the "wall" helped me find them.

As a PR chick, our mission and purpose in life is to cheer for our clients, keep them in a positive spotlight, get the public excited about their product, service, or latest creation (in my case working with artists), and do all of this with a smile. Living in these volatile economic times, it's no easy feat procuring new clients or maintaining existing ones. Times are tough...but remember the "wall"? I shut down for two whole days and vedged out in my condo. Thinking, thinking, and thinking...and then it hit me. The same energy I was exerting to promote my clients is exactly what I needed for myself. I was a pr rep who wasn't promoting herself!

As I ascended from my very brief hiatus, it occurred to me that there are entirely too many FREE resources and platforms with which I can promote my business. It's up to me to utilize them for all they're worth. The same social networks I grew weary from using day in and day out are the same ones that helped me land a new client--almost immediately. I know it's overwhelming when you stop and think of all the things to keep up with online. But in 2009 it's imperative for business people to work in the digital space if you are to be competitive and anywhere near the leading edge.

All this venting to say: embrace the social media space and make your time online count. There are opportunities waiting for you on the other side of your wall. It's okay to shut down and re-group. I found myself simply not knowing where to go or what to do next. So, I re-entered the world of Twitter--the same social network I denouced because it was too exhausting to keep up. Little did I know that my answers, pep talks, inspirational vitamins, and motivation would come from this network. Again, I say, make your time online count and work for your good.

So for any of you finding yourselves at a professional crossroads, just remember to put yourself in a positive space where the answers will easily flow to you. Head up...Eyes Forward!

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Jennifer Colter
Sophisticated PR...Without the prentention.
YOUR.POWER.MOVE.

Get Lifted: Young Ed...HE'S GOT NEXT!

So my partner FAT Thomi, President of X Records, asked me if I wanted to attend a listening party for a hot new artist. It was a Monday, I was exhausted, and all I had on my mind was getting some take out and watching a Law and Order marathon. After brief trepidation, I told Thomi I'd go. Boy am I glad I did!

Young Ed, a dynamic and burgeoning urban pop star, was the reason for the buzz and unconcealed energy in the air. A unique choice of venues set the scene for his listening party. Elif Fine, a posh jewelry design and retail store in Buckhead, was not only the location for the event but also set a certain tone for what was to come. Packed with some of Atlanta's most beautiful people, the loft atop Elif Fine's store quickly became a celebration hall of life via an artist who is the answer to the needs of urban music today.

At the risk of comparing Young Ed to several current superstars, he actually represents the best that a Pharell, Kanye, and Common [combined] have to offer. This is music that will inspire you. He's just that good. Stellar writing and production on songs like "Lost In Your Spirit", "Feelin It" and "My Love" will set a new standard for both Gospel and Hip-Hop/R&B artists, producers and labels alike. A day doesn't go by without someone telling me "the industry has to change...people want to hear good music again". I'm compelled to agree. And after being in the presence of this dynamic young man, I feel optimistic that "good music" is on the horizon. Young Ed's Got Next...and you can forget about calling him Gospel, Hip-Hop, R&B, Christian or whatever genre one may want to cram him in. Just call him global...yup, that about sums it up!

Check out Young Ed and the movement at www.myspace.com/edwardlong or www.newskoollive.com.

______________________________________________________
Jennifer Colter
Sophisticated PR...Without the prentention.
YOUR.POWER.MOVE.

Are You LinkedIn?

Okay! So the term social media is now a household name. Everyone between the ages of 12 and 37 live on MySpace, Twitter, MyYearbook, Plinky, Tagged, IMEEM, and of course Facebook--and the slightly maturer surfer can be found on Ning, BlackPlanet, and InTuit. Social networking has quickly become our source for information, advice, inspiration, romance, business opportunities and so much more. I'll admit, I'm a junkie and I log on more than daily to see what's poppin in the world.

As a young professional however, all my e-socializing isn't in vain. It's important to be productive online--there's money to be made out here you know. One networking space I didn't mention was LinkedIn.com...probably the best professional social network EVER! Day after day I meet professional people from all areas of business, and I'm baffled at how many don't know about LinkedIn. I mean, this is a place where you can connect with CEOs, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and decision-makers from every corner of the globe. What's more incredible is that LinkedIn was rated numero cinco of the top 25 social networking sites--with a monthly visitor count (January 2009) of a whopping 42,744,438. THAT'S BANANAS!!!

All this to say, make your time spent online make sense--and dollars. It only takes a few minutes to set up a profile and before you know it, you're on the road to being "Linked In" to sucessful and enterprising people who love to share information and opportunities. Connect with folks one-on-one, join a group, or attend an event--this e-experience is invaluable. If you are truly serious about your career and getting to your next level, then slide over to LinkedIn and carve YourSpace.

____________________________________________
Jennifer Colter
Sophisticated PR...Without the prentention.
YOUR.POWER.MOVE.

X Records Will Distribute Burgeoning DyFor Entertainment

Fast-rising collective of business-savvy industry vets and uber-creative music makers are poised to revamp the urban music scene with a roster of artists that stretch across six area codes.

Washington, DC – Richmond, Virginia-based X Records continues to create its own lane in the entertainment industry by inking lucrative business deals with the hottest up-and-coming labels. Thomas “FAT Thomi” Hairston, President of X Records, has added another champion to his roster by signing on DyFor Entertainment—a forward-thinking and self-contained music label based in the renowned DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area. With a dedicated fan base, support of local DJs and tastemakers, and a rock-solid new album in the pipeline, DyFor Entertainment is on task to putting DMV back on the Hip-Hop map.

Managed by industry veteran Tymikia Wells, CEO of CatFight Entertainment, DyFor has been groomed for its impending success. Fortune and DyVerse, the brains, production and talent behind the breakout label have laid a foundation for their company that took most majors years to accomplish. By establishing a rock-solid 2.0 presence, DyFor has been able to test the market, garner new fans, and stay relevant all before reaching the mainstream. Their new media savvy has been a key element in their early success, and will be the means to promoting their band of artists. As the DMV area is known for its diversity and being a cultural melting pot, DyFor Entertainment brings the same ingredients to their unique brand of music.

“The bar in the [music] industry has officially been raised through this deal,” says Ty Wells, DyFor Manager and CEO of CatFight Entertainment. “DyFor is not just a creative team of producers and rappers; it’s an enterprise…a movement. What this venture will do for artists and the industry, respectively, is going to change the way people do business, promote talent, and create the ultimate consumer experience in the mainstream.”

To learn more about DyFor Entertainment or to hear music samples from their new album “Against All Odds”, please visit www.myspace.com/dyfortentertainment or www.myspace.com/catfightent.

About X Records
X Records was founded in 2001 and is manufactured and distributed by the Malaco Music Group. Founded by Thomas “FAT Thomi” Hairston after a ten-year career in the music industry with giants like Warner Brothers, American Records and Arista, X Records emerged as the creative outlet and distributor for his own roster of artists. After promoting major label projects for the Notorious B.I.G., TLC, Usher, Toni Braxton, OutKast, Tamia, Eric Benet, Tevin Campbell, Something for the People and the Wu-Tang Clan under FAT Thomi Promotions, Mr. Hairston has the knowledge and track record required to be an industry leader.

_____________________________________________________
Jennifer Colter
Sophisticated PR...Without the prentention.
YOUR.POWER.MOVE.

X Records Signs Real Talk Studios to Distribution Deal

X Records Signs Real Talk Studios to Distribution Deal with Plans to
Catapult the Texas Urban Music Scene

Dallas, Texas – Real Talk Studios, based in Dallas, Texas has signed a distribution deal with X Records--a venture that will lead Real Talk from the independent circuit into the mainstream arena. With over two decades producing music, videos, and developing artists, Real Talk has been a staple in the Dallas/Fort Worth music scene because of its strong support of independent musicians. Lou Schober, President and CEO of Real Talk Studios, plans to utilize its main facility in Dallas, as well as its hubs in Long Island, NY, Montgomery, AL, Toledo, OH, and Anaheim, CA to produce and promote projects from its roster of almost twenty Hip-Hop and R&B artists.

Casting a new spin on traditional label operations, Real Talk Studios is taking a different approach in artist development, music production, and marketing. The recording house that has signed some of rap’s hottest breakout performers like Bossaliny, We Mayja and Thyra is not only providing its talent with top-notch production capabilities, marketing and promotions, but a sense of autonomy and ownership—a rare perk in the industry for artists. Real Talk Studios offers high-quality audio and video production in communities where first-rate resources are difficult to come by. As an artist-run facility, Real Talk can provide its talent with all the elements of a larger label because of the low overhead.

This cooperative effort inevitably places X Records and Real Talk artists in a position for success because there is a consistent machine behind them. Other acts on deck for Real Talk Studios include: Dimension, Reddy Red, Blue Print, Blacq Diamondz, LaConda Davies, Trill Game Spitters (TGS), Big Rillo and many more.

“This venture is a win-win for everyone involved,” says Real Talk Studios President, Lou Schofer. “X Records has a strong team with major support from the top, and [Real Talk] has a roster of artists with solid fan bases. The Hip-Hop scene in Texas is about to come full-circle again and we’re pleased to be at the forefront of this movement along with X Records.”

For more information about Real Talk Studios recording facilities and the artists, please visit www.realtalkstudio.com and www.myspace.com/realtalkstudios.

About X Records
X Records was founded in 2001 and is manufactured and distributed by the Malaco Music Group. Founded by Thomas “FAT Thomi” Hairston after a ten-year career in the music industry with giants like Warner Brothers, American Records and Arista, X Records emerged as the creative outlet for his own roster of artists. After promoting major label projects for the Notorious B.I.G., TLC, Usher, Toni Braxton, OutKast, Tamia, Eric Benet, Tevin Campbell, Something for the People and the Wu-Tang Clan under FAT Thomi Promotions, Mr. Hairston has the knowledge and track record required to be an industry leader.

______________________________________________________
Jennifer Colter
Sophisticated PR...Without the prentention.
YOUR.POWER.MOVE.

Longstanding Recording Label, the Malaco Music Group, Makes Plans to Expand and Creates a New Lane for Urban Music

Southern-rooted Malaco Records is poised to take the music industry in a new direction with the launch of an urban music division, and long-term partners, X Records, is prepared to be their premier label.

Richmond, VA – Coming off the launch of its Dreamz to Reality Live Tour which is a national talent search for the country’s best new artists, X Records is also gearing up for big changes with their parent label, The Malaco Music Group. Historically a Blues, R&B and Gospel recording and distribution label, Malaco has represented some of the world’s most successful artists from Yolanda Adams, the Mississippi Mass Choir, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong to Bobby Blue Bland, Jonnie Taylor, ZZ Hill and Anita Ward. With the company’s plans to expand and open an urban music division, the super-charged roster of Hip-Hop artists under X Records are on deck to make waves in the lackluster mainstream rap scene.

At the helm of Malaco’s new urban music division is industry veteran Lionel Ridenour, former executive and thought-leader at powerhouses like Arista and Capitol Records—and most recently the Executive Vice President of Urban Music at Virgin Records where he played a significant role in the careers of Janet Jackson, Craig Mack, Notorious B.I.G., Diddy, MC Hammer, OutKast, Whitney Houston, Tony Braxton, Pink and Usher.

Mr. Ridenour’s concrete experience and vast knowledge of the music industry and its trends are what will make Malaco a leader in developing and producing top-selling artists. X Records President, Thomi Hairston, knows of Ridenour’s talent first-hand, as the former National Director of Hip-Hop Promotions at Arista Records worked directly under Ridenour during his tenure there.

“This is an exciting time for Malaco and X Records—and now with Lionel [Ridenour] on board, the game is officially on a new level. For the past five years X Records has been distributed by Malaco and represented them on the independent Hip-Hop side, however with this expansion the mainstream lanes will now open up,” says Thomas “FAT Thomi” Hairston, President of X Records when asked about the launch of his newest Hip-Hop artist, Shaka Sema-Jhi.

About X Records
X Records was founded in 2001 and is manufactured and distributed by the Malaco Music Group. Founded by Thomas “FAT Thomi” Hairston after a ten-year career in the music industry with giants like Warner Brothers, American Records and Arista, X Records emerged as the creative outlet for his own roster of artists. After promoting major label projects for the Notorious B.I.G., TLC, Usher, Toni Braxton, OutKast, Tamia, Eric Benet, Tevin Campbell, Something for the People and the Wu-Tang Clan under FAT Thomi Promotions, Mr. Hairston has the knowledge and track record required to be an industry leader.

______________________________________________
Jennifer Colter
Sophisticated PR...Without the prentention.
YOUR.POWER.MOVE.

Dynamic Youth Empowerment Conference Gears Up for Second Run at Paramount's King's Dominion

Soul Saturday, a leading Christian-based youth conference, is providing fellowship for participants and unique fundraising opportunities for churches.

February 24, 2009 (Richmond, VA) Preparations for the 2nd Annual Soul Saturday Youth Empowerment Conference are in full swing. Founder and CEO, Thomi Hairston, is on a mission to take this uplifting one-day event to levels that will permeate participants all year round. Taking place at Paramount’s King’s Dominion located just 20 miles north of Richmond, VA, Soul Saturday is designed to bring youth together for a positive, uplifting day filled with music, food and fellowship—a much-needed event during a time where community driven initiatives are desperately needed.

The conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 10am to 8pm. Soul Saturday will provide life empowering seminars with youth ministers, live performances by notable artists and choirs, and park amusements and activities will also be available to make the day complete for kids and adults alike. More importantly, this event affords churches a unique opportunity to raise funds for their own programs and congregational needs.

“This conference is exactly what every community needs. The economy is a mess, people are struggling, [and our kids]…they need something to look forward to…something to keep them motivated toward their hopes and dreams. This event can really change people lives,” says Carla Johnson, an elementary school teacher and single mother of two boys.

For more information about Soul Saturday, to register your church or group, or to receive an itinerary of the day’s events, please visit www.soulsaturday.com or call (804) 334-2262

About Soul Saturday Youth Empowerment Conference:
Founded by entertainment industry veteran, Thomas “FAT Thomi” Hairston in 2007, this community-focused initiative is designed and instituted on three principles: To devote a day to praise and worship; unite souls of all races, cultures and genders in order to showcase talent and provide faith-based leadership seminars and; afford an opportunity for congregations to raise money for their ministries. This unparalleled annual event is the perfect forum for organizations as well as churches and their members to share ideas with other Kingdom Builders and is on task to being the premier youth conference in America!

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Jennifer Colter
Sophisticated PR...Without the Prentention.
YOUR.POWER.MOVE.