At the end of a recent two week trip to the Sultanate of Oman,bordered by
Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the UAE, my partner and I couldn't wait to return,
because of the people; right down from the Sultan of Oman (His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said) to
humble and friendly taxi drivers, market
fishmongers, Bedouins and everyone in
between.
It's PR that money can't buy, and believe
me Oman can afford anything.
Investment Billions
Oil and gas rich Oman (population 4 million, of which 1 million are foreign
nationals) is investing billions in tourism, as are its neighbours. It's best natural
assets are its people, compared to its neighbours.
Oman has spectacular and diverse landscapes, six star resorts and so on,
but because tourism is relatively new to the Sultanate, some of the infrastructure
lags.
However, the best PR for Oman are the Omanis.
They are naturally warm and welcoming. Sincerely so. When they say 'you are very
welcome,' you believe it. They also have good sense's of humour, they love their
country and their benevolent Sultan. It is a pleasure to be in their company.
We could learn much from them.
Here are some memorable encounters which reinforce what I'm saying.
How do you promote and publicize your country as a tourist destination when you are a
peaceful and exotic country in the middle of one of the world's most volatile regions,
the Middle East?
That's the challenge facing the tiny Sultanate of Oman.
Bordered by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and with Iran across the water,
it is not in the most ideal situation geographically, yet it has had a stable government
for over 40 years and seems to be unaffected by the region's instability.
As a publicist working with individuals and organsiations, my partner and I are off to
Oman shortly to take in its delights and see how the country handles tourism and
gets the PR message out to the rest of the world.
So far, the message has been patchy, yet more people are hearing about Oman,
though they often don't know why, where it is or its points of difference!
The challenge for Oman is what to promote. It obviously has superb hotels and resorts,
we are staying at one in Muscat, the Chedi, but will it be the people of Oman,
the Sultanate's history, the landscapes, cuisine and so on, or a combination of the above
that makes a wonderful impression?
How easy will it be to navigate our way around the country? Will it be expensive, or
good value? Will we sense the region's conflicts and so on? So many questions!
Stay tuned .
Got a GIFT? Use it!
Written by Brian James
One of the world's hottest gospel singers Myron Butler and his wife
Timberlynn were in Hobart recently giving workshops to 100 gospel
choir members from around Australia.
I was one of the fortunate attendees.
The workshops were about singing,
but more about life.
Myron is a gifted singer, teacher and mentor.
When he sings, there's no effort. Pure soul and
heart, backed up by technique and years of honing
his 'gift'.
At our last workshop, Myron sang a hymn.
It was no ordinary hymn. It was a full blown
performance which demonstrated all his talents
and vocal range.
He sang it accompanied by a pianist, he lent on the piano at times.
As inspirational and moving as this 'peformnace' was, it was the tender words
that followed which moved people to tears.
"I was born with a gift' he said, 'a gift to be used. I work on it every day.
I was fortunate because I knew what my gift was, from an early age."
"Your role in life, " he gently implored, 'is to find what your gift is and use it.
It has been given to you for a purpose."
It's simple, but challenging at the same time. I recognised my gift, when a
jazz drumming Indian window cleaner was 'directed' to give me a message
about investing and utilising my gift, which I had been distracted from for many
years.
Got a gift?
Find it.
Use it
Coffee: Conversation Heart Starter
Written by Brian James
Sitting in the window of my second favourite coffee cafe, Dukes, in Chapel Street Prahran, I was quietly enjoying
my single-origin 3/4 latte amid the usual Saturday morning
craziness. The joint was jumping!
I asked the stranger next to me to
pass the sugar. I got more than sugar.
It was the start of a roaming, heart
opening conversation which in thirty five
minutes covered, family, relationships,
business, politics, how old habits die slowly
and numerous other topics.
Mike was a cappuccino man. Visiting from Queensland, this
successful, nuggety,observer of life had a quiet confidence.
Like me he was still on 'the journey'.
Reflecting on where we are at in life; the balance of achievement,
happiness, doing what you love, having joy, giving joy; you know the routine.
It's remarkable how a chance encounter with a stranger placed next to you,
can create a connection, quickly. We were both willing to share, to be honest,
reveal frailties and swap some philosophy. One such 'pearl' was, 'it doesn't matter
where you are, if you aren't happy within, you won't find happiness outside.
The Universe presents us daily with opportunities to 'connect' and learn.
It's our choice to recognise the opportunity, whatever the wrapping.
A few inconsequential words with a stranger over coffee can be a conversation starter,
to be taken up and run with, opening doors and who knows, hearts?
Next time you are solo having a coffee, risk a few words to a stranger.
It could be a heart starter and opener.
3 Bags Full in Abbotsford is my favourite coffee gig.
Look for the crazy Greek chic on the door.
Jeez Gospel is Great
Written by Brian James
I'm in a 'big arse' gospel choir.
75 extroverted, shy, talented and non talented
people who come together once a week to commune
and imbibe the exuberant soulful joy of black gospel music
with its roots in America's Deep South..
Skinny and not so skinny white Melbourne dudes and dudettes singing 'black'.
Last Sunday afternoon in bohemian Fitzroy, in a
grungy, rock music pub, the choir brought their
two hours of power to an enthusiastic audience,
sandwiched in and standing on beer-stained daggy
carpet. 300 sardines in a pub.
150 people were turned away.
I sing, adequately, but as a choir we sound damn hot.
We sound black, but look white.
We have soloists who have true soul.
Very few of the choir have any religious connection, but we connect to
the gospel music.
It's got heart, soul, triumph over tragedy, redemption, love and courage;
it touches hearts.
The words and music are important, but there's another, almost mystical dimension.
It's truly magical, for me, the choir and the audience.
It can change lives. I've seen it.
For some of the choir, being part of the choir is the best thing in their life.
It's a connection.
Sometimes we search forever to connect.
When it comes into our life, it is joyous; you want to burst
and share the feeling, even with total strangers.
It is beyond thinking, it's a feeling, a knowing.
To share something, with someone, even an interest in a community choir,
can flick a switch and enrich us, touch our soul.
Plenty of people are searching for that soul connection.
250 people want to join our choir. To get joy and give joy and discover their soul and
maybe even have their heart opened.
Open heart surgery without the surgery! It can make your heart sing!
Find a choir, quick, and connect.
Plug into the power of gospel.
www.mmgc.net.au
Success Favours the Brave
Written by Brian James
Thirty-something Mandy Hall is quiet, modest and gutsy.
She's the country's top music photographer. She's also a
'web wizard'.
Her dad John is a drummer (of 50+ years). Mandy loves
instrumental music, so she decided to invite Australia's top
instrumental groups to Melbourne for Instromania recently.
Mandy had never promoted a gig before. She bravely took
a chance and trusted that she would learn along the way.
I happily arranged some publicity. She arranged everything
else and pulled off the gig. Standing room only.
A howling success.
Instromania featured legendary lead guitarist Martin Cilia, from Sydney. Ben Rogers 'Tarantino' style guitar riffs were upfront with
his group Instrumental Asylum. Mandy's dad John, drummed
with the Venturas.
The whole event was a success because of Mandy's bravery
and trust. She also followed her heart and didn't think too much.
She just did!
Sometimes we don't have to know exactly how things will work out.
We bite off more than we can chew and chew like mad. Often the
Universe supports us.
And if you meet a quiet person, get to know them. It may take a
little time, but here's more to them than we might initially think.
Sometimes they are capable of wild, crazy things, quietly.
I had an unexpected exhilarating day recently with 'life changers'
and a 15 year old boy, the nephew of the world's best aunt (WBA).
I have the pleasure of working with outstanding individuals.
They are all highly successful and leaders in their fields.
But it's their character and what they leave with and in people that
makes them truly great.
Their backgrounds are all unremarkable except they were
encouraged to dream, they took action and, importantly,
they had mentors.
Sometimes mentors came into their lives unexpectedly.
Sometimes they sought them out. They in turn became mentors.
My friends spent time with Giorgio because they see the potential in people.
They pass on something, but they also listen. They genuinely want to help
people find their passion, purpose and reach their potential. It's their legacy.
A few words from mentors or just knowing that someone thinks enough of you
to invest their time, no matter where you are in your life, can change a life.
Rob, Nik, Liliane and Diamond (WBA) are life-changers.
By the way they all thought Giorgio was special, a winner.
They hoped that he thought he was too.
They also thought his aunt was pretty special.
Be a Mentor. Find a Mentor. Change a life.
Vocal 'Treasure' deserves Discovery
Written by Brian James
I'm a privileged person.
I know Christine Sullivan, the exquisite Melbourne based singer.
Pity more people don't know of her.
Christine is well-known to the music community because
she's a sublime singer. It's not just the exquisite purity of her
voice; it's her interpretation of lyrics and her musicality.
Her talent is on display in all its glory on the long awaited
new CD 'Away' which she produced.
What makes this recording such a treat is the company she
keeps and the courage and trust to produce a CD like this.
Reputational Publicity & T.L.C. Trust, Love and Chops
Written by Brian James
On a cold wintry Sunday afternoon in Melbourne, I had one of
the most memorable music experiences ever.
It was a lesson in giving beyond expectations, loving
what you do with people you love and admire and being supremely
talented as well.
A bit like the secret to life really.
Photo of David Jones by Mandy Hall
Drummer David Jones and James Morrison are two of Australia's
greatest and much loved musicians.They have international reputations.
Their reputations got people to the gig and will get them back for more
because they lived up to and beyond expectations.
(We should take a leaf out of their books or charts).
As technically brilliant as these two are, David and James are great
soulmates and have a symbiotic musical relationship.
This was on display in buckets at a their Chapel off Chapel gig in
Melbourne. Joining David and James were vocal artist Carmen Warrington
and the one-man orchestra Evripides Evripidou on electric bass and effects.
Here's why the concert was magical.
These cats flirt with danger on stage,but they trust each other and go where
the music takes them; we go along confidently on each blissful, unpredictable
journey.
Australia's Bob Sedergreen is one of the world's best pianists, but
that's not his REAL talent. He makes musical dreams come true.
Bob is a genius blues and jazz player who LOVES music -
what it can do for people - listeners and performers.
The roly poly good humoured pianist runs classes for people
who have a dream to sing in a jazz club.
Few will go beyond this once in a lifetime opportunity, but that's unimportant.
They each have a dream. They have the courage to step out of their comfort
zone and into the bright lights. They have taken action to make their dream
of singing in a jazz club come true.
Bob is their mentor. We all should be so fortunate.
One cold night recently, I attended a singer's 'coming out' session at Melbourne's
Paris Cat. It was standing room only. A buzzing crowd waited in the dimly lit shoe- box
size venue.
It was a life-affirming experience.
One of my favourite coffee cafes is also one of Melbourne's favourites.
On weekends people double-queue
around the corner.
It's a seven day a week recipe for
success and when it opened late
last year, it was successful from
day one, yet it shouldn't be this
successful.
* They haven't invested one cent on
marketing or publicity
generating activities.
* The place is out of the way, in an industrial residential area
with very limited parking
Here's why 3 Bags Full, in Nicholson Street, Abbotsford is full
everyday and SO successful without investing in PR.
It's pretty simple really! 3 Magic Words
The Media & Publicity. Faithful Friend. Woeful Foe
Written by Brian James
When you are receiving good publicity, that's a good thing.
It can drive sales, boost your brand, create a launching pad for a media career.
It all started with a semi nude photo
Australia's most photographed beauty (Lara Bingle) hired a new manager who is known for his 'exhuberant' approach to achieving rapid, widespread publicity.
It backfired.
(The 'toothy' Lara was known for being 'beautiful' and the fiance of Michael Clarke, the Vice Captain of the Australian cricket team.)
After a semi nude photo of her in the shower was released (without her consent), her agent sold her story to a women's magazine.
Watching a make-up make-over TV show, I couldn't believe the name I heard for a new lip pucker product.
It was memorable ... in fact unforgettable.
Are you ready? I hope you are not offended. It's the UK's ... Sexy Mother Pucker.
Of course it's a little risque, but fun and fodder for 'water cooler conversation'.
If you are looking to make a splash in a crowded market place, create a memorable name that gets people talking and make it a really good product that really works.
Tiger, it's Time!
Written by Brian James
Is any publicity good publicity?
People say so.
Tiger Woods is hoping that all the 'free' publicity he's receiving will disappear. That 'free' publicity incidentally is costing him plenty on sponsorship losses.
The publicity stalking this Tiger, Eldrick Tont Woods, won't abate until Tiger faces the media music.
We are forgiving folk, but we do like to see our fallen idols, admit and apologise for their 'misdeeds' and then rise again.
Superstar Product Endorsement. Better if it's FREE
Written by Brian James
Do you have a great healing product that really works, but are hamstrung by a piddly marketing budget?
Why not give a FREE sample to sports stars.
That's what happened with Painaway - a herbal ointment which alleviates pain.
Aussie rules superstar Jonathan Brown uses it and it greatly helped relieve his joint pain.
Other high profile footballers and World champion Boxer Danny Green also use Painaway.
This article appeared about how it helped these guys and the background story.
And, what's more, the stars talk about how good the ointment is and they weren't paid a cent to endorse it!
That's right FREE, zilch, gratis, nada.
Publicity. It helps to be Beautiful & Talented AND have a great name and story
Written by Brian James
This is Melody Garnot. She's the 'hottest'
new jazz singer on the Planet.
There's no doubting her talent and looks,
and she has a captivating story.
When a major record company heard her
demo CD and her story, they spent a fortune
making sure she got plenty of publicity.
It worked here in Australia, where she was
completely unknown.
We heard her on radio, watched her on TV
and read feature articles about her.
I read about her and went to her packed concert.
She's going to be a big star, but sometimes life
can be unfair, if you are talented, but don't get the
breaks. Take Jo Jo Smith.
Instant worldwide FREE Media exposure for your product
Written by Brian James
Do you have a new product which the world is waiting for?
One way to get FREE worldwide exposure is to have your product
featured on the Daily Grommet. Of course you have to submit it,
and if Jules and the team love it, they may feature it on their Daily
Grommet site. It could be the start of something really BIG.
Go for it.
See www.dailygrommet.com
email
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How Your Story will help you attract the Media
Written by Brian James
Bill McIntosh heads Torus, one of the world's most versatile video
and computer games companies. It's based in Melbourne,
Australia. Nothing earth shattering yet about Bill or Torus.
Last year Torus won the Governor of Victoria's Export Award.
100% of the company's output is exported.
Hidden in my approach to the media about Bill were some
inconsequential facts about his life that attracted the media's
attention. Here's what they were.
Beckie Williams was angry when she found out that
big breasted women were being charged more for
DD bra sizes and larger at Marks and Spencer UK
department store, so she did something about it
and made news world wide. Here's what she did.
Emma Doyle toured the world as a pro tennis coach
mixing with superstars from Miami to Mexico,
Madrid to Monaco and everywhere in between, but she wanted a change and a new career.
The media loved her new idea. Here's why.
Media Presentation
When you have attracted the media's attention with your story, via a media release, letter, email or phone call, you have a chance to shine and be memorable. Here's how you do it.
Read more...
Free Publicity Report!
This has to be the definitive report that explains the A to Z of how to draw a flood of publicity to yourself, your product, and your service. Can't wait?
Read more...
Public Speaking
Public Speaking
It’s not about YOU.
When it comes to public speaking, most people think about themselves first; - their nerves, lack of confidence and the undermining 'mind games' – everything except what they should be focusing on.
Read more...
(His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said) to 
This is Melody Garnot. She's the 'hottest'
new jazz singer on the Planet.
Do you have a new product which the world is waiting for?
Beckie Williams was angry when she found out that
big breasted women were being charged more for
DD bra sizes and larger at Marks and Spencer UK
department store, so she did something about it
and made news world wide. Here's what she did.
Emma Doyle toured the world as a pro tennis coach
mixing with superstars from Miami to Mexico,
Madrid to Monaco and everywhere in between, but she wanted a change and a new career.