A Behind The Scenes Look At A Toy Publicist
Beth Blenz-Clucas is a well known publicist who runs her own publicity firm, AV Publicity. Beth was kind enough to participate in this interview question and answer series and provide her invaluable input.
Beth specializes in children's videos and music, and has extensive experience with children's media products. In the toy industry, a publicist holds a very important place indeed. Every toy or product needs publicity to become popular. In this interview with Beth, we get a glimpse of what being a publicist is like. Beth's answers to the interview questions provide an insight into the world of public relations, and are invaluable for any budding publicists.
DM: Beth, it's a pleasure to be able to speak with you today in this Interview With A Toy Publicist. Thank you for taking time out for participating in this interview and answering these interview questions.
Interview Question: What does your work as a Children's Video and DVD Public Relations specialist involve?
Answer: I am a publicist specializing in children's media - mostly music and videos/dvds. I work with several independent labels and companies, and larger companies with catalogs of high quality children's media. I like to take on projects that have some merit beyond entertainment value, but they do have to be fun! I'm lucky that at this point in my career, I can pick and choose the projects I want to work on. I only represent titles that I really like and that I believe are worthwhile for children.
Interview Question: Could you tell us a little bit about yourself - your education, interests, past work experiences.
Answer: I have a master's degree in English lit, an abiding interest in the arts. Play a little piano, and used to be involved in drama in high school. I also have a journalistic background - worked for newspapers, wrote freelance feature articles for magazines, edited a magazine called "Video Rating Guide for Libraries" in 1989-91. I'm involved on a pro-bono basis with the local Neighborhood House social service agency - www.nhweb.org.
Interview Question: That is very impressive indeed. What led you to become a publicist?
Answer: I worked for a publication that reviewed educational media, then started my own company in 1992, doing media relations for educational video producers. Later, about 1996, I branched out to work with children's music labels and artists.
Interview Question: What would you say makes you uniquely qualified for your line of work?
Answer: Journalism background, knowledge of the media for press outreach. Some musical background. Strong writing and communications skills.
Interview Question: What is a typical day at work like?
Answer: A blur! I do a lot more emailing and internet searching lately than even 2 years ago - My day is a mix of calling out to press contacts on my various lists, researching and contacting new media people, connecting with clients, and running the basics of my business - bookkeeping, billing, etc (which I try to keep at a minimum!) Some of each week is spent in viewing and listening to new CDs and DVDs that are either in the marketplace, or about to be released. I like to network with other people in the field, even if they aren't my clients, so that I am aware of what is going on in the children's entertainment industries. I subscribe to various toy trade publications as well.
Interview Question: Would you like to offer any advice to people wanting to go into PR?
Answer: Know your field, and become familiar with media you're trying to reach. It helps to specialize (works for me!) but some publicists want to take on any project and tailor their media outreach for each client. I prefer to get to know a core group of media contacts who come to rely on me for news about high-quality children's music and videos. I find that it's all about the relationships you build with these media contacts - that is where I find success.
On the next page of this interview, Beth answers some important questions relating to children's media. She provides recommendations for children's videos and music that all parents who are looking for good quality viewing/listening content for their children must read.