Fiona Bloom on The Global Hip Hop Throwdown showcase at the College Music Journal (CMJ) Music Marathon and Film Festival this year:

“CMJ is a perfect place for a global hip-hop event like this” said The Bloom Effect CEO, Fiona Bloom. “An event that unites MCs from a variety of backgrounds, countries and nationalities is exactly the kind of event that we want to be promoting at a global music conference like CMJ”.   - Full press release here: Global Hip Hop Throwdown – CMJ

CMJ goes down in Nueva York, this coming October 21 – 25, 2008.  It has become a yearly highlight for fans, artists, filmmakers, and industry professionals. Whether it’s the artist side, production, PR, distribution, etc.,  this festival is worth going to at least once… (I have yet to go, ha!)  If you don’t believe me, ask Fiona Bloom… She has been a key figure in the independent hustle and beyond, having worked with clients such as The Lyricist Lounge, MIDEM, StonesThrow Recordings, Mixtape Riot, Mudville, Aloe Blacc, Anthony David, Roxy Cottontail, Sway Dasafo, Saian Supa Crew, Tommy Boy, and Spectre Entertainment Group, amongst many others, with her independent PR and Marketing company – The Bloom Effect.

As a publicist, event planner, A&R, business consultant (and so much more!), Fiona, whether or not she realizes it, has been a mentor to me for quite some time. I asked her a few questions for the lo down segment of this blog that I thought you would find interesting:

- What is Public Relations?
- What is an artists biggest misconceptions of the purpose and role of a publicist?
- How do you know when it’s a good time to have someone manage your press and marketing?
- What should you look for when hiring a publicist?
- What can an artist do for themselves to get press and exposure?
- What common do’s and dont’s would you advise to an artist manging their own image and press?
- What companies/sites do you recommend an independent artist work with to promote themselves?
- What advice would you give to someone that feels like giving up their dream?

You can find out what The Bloom Effect had to say in the next few days (oh, the suspense!), But before you do, mark this event in your calendar if you’re in NY and say hello to Fiona for me!

ps. volunteering would be a good way to soak up game and experience CMJ, for information on volunteering contact: volunteer@cmj.com

www.cmj.com
www.thebloomeffect.com

pps. Check back in the next few days for the full lo down with Fiona, or subscribe HERE for updates.