For anyone who exists in the CHH community but does not do music, this episode is for you!   Powerhouse publicist and media strategist Jackie O. Asare drops in on Da Fixx to discuss marketing strategies, the music and entertainment business, and the invaluable role she plays in the successes of the artists.

Getting to know Jackie O

Originally the Howard University alumni wanted to be in radio.  As it would happen the radio station, she interned at changed formats.  Jackie pivoted.  “I ended up going to work at a record label and found my way into publicity and fell in love with it.  Although I’m not behind the mic I still get to tell stories.  I still get to take people’s aspirations and dreams and weave them into something and bring them forth.”

The importance of marketing

Whether in music or any other business, it’s important to understand the vital role marketing plays in a successful rollout.  To understand your audience is to understand who it is you are reaching out to and how your product and or service resonates with them.  “Once you figure out who you should be reaching out to, then we can go to different outlets that make sense for the project.”

What makes a good publicist?

What makes a good publicist?   “You’re going to know how to write and create content.  Because not everybody is going to have the time to sit there and figure out how to write it out.  When you know how to be organized and put your content together.  That’s half the battle with publicity,” explains Jackie.

Effective communication is also necessary as a publicist.  Lastly, you have to be able to cultivate and create relationships.  “Making sure that if there are opportunities that you have control of, where you can take care of people, that you take care of them.  You don’t do it to get something from it.  But they’re all gifts that come back to you.”

In addition to being a publicist, Jackie also does media training which also requires “finding the story” within the project.  “I don’t like to over-coach people where by the time you finish coaching you don’t even know who they are.  But really starting with who the person is so they can bring themselves into the answers.”

As a publicist, you’ve got to be adept at crisis management.   “Earlier I was talking about relationships.  Relationships are important even in putting out a fire.  If you can have someone you can call and say Focus this is what’s going on.  I need him to talk to those 4 or 5 million people about what just happened.  He has the voice to fix the problem.  Those relationships are so important.”

Know who your audience is in every situation.  Whether you’re marketing, doing public relations, or as an artist, know who you’re speaking to and tailor your message around them.  You can find Jackie online at Jackieo.co and on Instagram at Jackieoandco.

Focus and Dice discuss consistency in our walk with God and in our finances. Have a topic you’d like to hear more about? Please leave a comment and let us know what you thought of the show and want hear! We’d love to hear from you!

Catch this wave weekday mornings at 6 est. with Da Fixx Morning Radio Show on Holy Culture Radio Sirius XM Channel 154.  And remember to follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and Twitter to join the conversation. Please, leave a comment and let us know what you thought of the show. We’d love to hear from you!

Want to support Holy Culture’s music ministry, visit our donations page or shop our online store and support Christian hip hop!