Managing Publicity – SXSW Interview with Heather West

Heather West has spent the last 25 years working in the music business in Austin (Touring Attractions, Antones), New Orleans (Black Top Records) and Chicago (Victory Records, Bloodshot Records), with 12 years of experience as a publicist. In 2009, she started Western Publicity. She represents clients including the Ponderosa Stomp, Riot  Fest, Red Bull, Dead Fingers, Jack Oblivian, the Melismatics, Tim Larson & the Owner Operators, John Paul Keith, Amy Gore & Her Valentines, Mike Bloom, Miracle Parade, SorryEveryAfter, The Poison Oaks, Emma-Lee, Archie Powell & The Exports, Trapper Schoepp & the Shades, The City Champs, Gorevette, Wiley & the Checkmates, The Everyday Visuals, Antennas Up and the New Orleans Bounce Project. Heather’s photo by Aubrey Edwards.

Heather will be part of the Managing Publicity panel at South by Southwest on Saturday, March 17 from 11:00AM to 12 noon in the Austin Convention Center, Room 15. We asked her a few questions about the panel:

What is your background and how does it relate to this panel?

My background (pre-publicity) was in concert promotion and record companies, so I have a great perspective on how publicity hinges into all the other moving parts in the industry. I want to share with interested parties how it all fits together and help them get awareness of when they are ready for a publicist.

Who else is on the panel and what do they bring to the subject?

Howard Wuelfing (Howling Wuelf PR), Suzanne Cadgene (publisher Elmore Magazine), and Alexandra Greenberg (MSO PR) are joining me. I can’t speak for them, but they are experienced on both sides of the issues.

Why is this panel important to musicians?

We want to save them money by helping them realize when they are ready for a professional publicist, so they don’t spend before it can really benefit them, and help them learn how to manage the campaign should they hire someone and what they can expect from the relationship.

What do you hope people will walk away with after attending this panel?

I want people to walk away with a better overview of how the relationship between publicists and bands works.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Most of us are as passionate about music as the musicians themselves, we strive to help them manage their business in a more productive way. This panel is another step in that direction.

Best way for people to contact you?

westernpublicity@gmail.com
www.westernpublicity.com
@westernpub on Twitter
Western Publicity on Facebook