MEDIA RELATIONS & PUBLICITY
Gulf Coast Celtic Fling & Highland Games 2003
Via the dual role
s of account executive and public relations specialist at van Zandt Marketing, I served as the primary publicist for the inaugural Gulf Coast Celtic Fling & Highland Games, which took place March 15-16, 2003.
In addition to the usual challenges of promoting a first-year event — “What is Celtic?” and “How do you pronounce that?” — I had less than two months to do a job that could easily have taken twice that lead time.
The Fling encompassed bagpipe, drum and band competitions, Scottish and Irish dance exhibitions, athletic competitions, concerts by internationally recognized Celtic musicians, a vendors’ area, Scottish and Irish-themed food service, and more.
I turned the multi-component nature of the event into an opportunity and targeted specific pitches for “events within the event” to regional media, via both press releases and individual contact. This yielded a significant quantity of quality television and newspaper coverage leading up to, during and following the first-year event.
This positive publicity, detailed below, translated into successful attendance for the Celtic Fling… and toward the acquisition of a new client for my agency and me. (For five and a half years, starting in 2003, I served as the publicist for both Gregory Grene and his band, the Prodigals.)
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
Good Day Tampa Bay
Russell Rhodes
WTVT-FOX 13 (Tampa)
Taped package, which ran twice in conjunction with on-location, staged live shots over a two-hour period.
March 12-March 18, 2003
“Emerald Style: The Prodigals revel in their heritage without the cute gimmicks”
Scott Harrell
Weekly Planet/Creative Loafing (Tampa/Sarasota)
Interview with Gregory Grene of the Prodigals to promote band’s Sunday evening Celtic Fling concert.
Arts & Entertainment: “Planet Picks: Two-Day Fling”
Natasha Del Toro
Weekly Planet (Sarasota)
Featured event listing for the week.
Event Listing: Arts & Entertainment/Special Events
Weekly Planet (Tampa/Sarasota)
Thursday, March 13, 2003
This Morning Around the Bay
WTSP – Channel 10 (CBS – Tampa)
Live, in-studio appearance and musical performance, plus bumpers in and out of commercial break.
On the Scene With Sheryl Greene
Sheryl Greene
WWSB-ABC 40 (Sarasota)
Taped segment, which aired during 5 p.m. news and the during the following morning’s Sunrise show. Focused on Celtic Fling as one of the best “things to do” for the weekend.
Friday, March 14, 2003
ABC-40 News at Sunrise (6 a.m. to 7 a.m.)
Anchors: Richelle Ridgeway and Ken Jefferson
Live, in-studio performances by multiple Celtic Fling participants throughout the course of the broadcast (bumpers in and out), during a dedicated segment, and closing out the show. The Sheryl Greene piece was also rerun.
“Celtic Fling: A gathering of cultures & customs”
Rod Harmon, photos from Celtic Fling/Gary Sweetman
Bradenton Herald: Weekend
Cover story and centerfold, which included:
- Feature article/preview;
- Glossary of Celtic terms;
- Interview with Gregory Grene of the Prodigals;
- Sidebar profiling other musical performers; and
- Photography feature focusing on Irish dancers.
“Celtic cultures on center stage in Palmetto”
Steve Heisler
Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Ticket
Overview piece in advance of the event, including interviews with event producers and talent.
Sunday, March 16, 2003
“Celtic Fling soaked in culture”
Abby Weingarten, photos by Alex Diaz
Bradenton Herald, p. 1 of Local & State section
Overview, feature-news piece on Saturday’s festivities; included “If You Go” sidebar with admission prices, etc.
Monday, March 17, 2003
“Irish pride floods Celtic fling, games”
Abby Weingarten, photos by Tiffany Tompkins
Bradenton Herald, photo caption on Front page, p. 1 of Local & Business section
Overview, feature-news piece on Sunday’s activities.
Photo: “Piping Practice”
Rod Millington
Manatee Herald-Tribune, p. 3B
Members of the City of Dunedin Pipe Band practicing before their competition.
