The New Basement Tapes Take Dylan to a New Level

The New Basement Tapes - Photo by Donna Balancia

VIDEO By DONNA BALANCIA in HOLLYWOOD — The New Basement Tapes proved work and friendship can indeed mix, performing a “one and only” show that knocked the socks off a curious audience in Hollywood Thursday night.

JOHNNY DEPP AND HAIM MAKE SURPRISE APPEARANCE CLICK HERE

The band, comprised of Elvis Costello, Rhiannon Giddens, Taylor Goldsmith, Jim James and Marcus Mumford played the songs each had co-written to Bob Dylan lyrics discovered in Dylan’s upstate New York home.

SEE TNBT PERFORM CARD SHARK

Produced by T Bone Burnett, Lost On The River: The New Basement Tapes brought together the supergroup and their lively performance in a “one night only”-billed affair.

The New Basement Tapes was also joined onstage by the sisters Haim, and Johnny Depp.

JOHNNY DEPP PERFORMS WITH RHIANNON GIDDENS AND THE NEW BASEMENT TAPES LIVE AT MONTALBAN - DUNCAN AND JIMMY

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Coastal Florida Sparrow and Lizard Threatened by Sea-level Rise

Photo courtesy USFWS. This photo is available for media use.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice of intent today to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the agency’s failure to protect the MacGillivray’s seaside sparrow and the Florida Keys mole skink under the Endangered Species Act. 

Both species are severely threatened by sea-level rise: The sparrow depends on marshes that are threatened by rising seas, while the mole skink is found only on Florida’s low-lying keys, at risk of inundation. 

Driven by climate change, sea-level rise of three feet to six feet in Florida is highly likely within this century.

“Help can’t come too soon for the seaside sparrow, Florida Keys mole skink or many other plants and animals on our vulnerable coasts,” said Jaclyn Lopez, a Center attorney based in Florida. 

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Coastal Florida Sparrow and Lizard Threatened by Sea-level Rise

Gold Machine: Innovative Distribution of Valued Investment

By TERRENCE McCOY 

Broward-Palm Beach New Times - 

BOCA RATON — Meris Kott has a thing for gold.

The Boca Raton woman wonders if her daughter would like gold for her birthday. She studies gold use in other countries. She’s got one of those old-timed gold obsessions we hear about in stories — in which pirates whisper there be GOLD – but rarely see manifested in contemporary life.

And now, Kott, 53, has taken her zest for gold and made it tangible, recently opening the first American credit card-operated gold vending machine in the Town Center Mall in Boca Raton. It’s a quest, she says, to bring gold to the American common man. People crowd around it, she says, and coo: “Wow. Gold.”

But these aren’t customers, she says — they’re investors.

Read more: http://bit.ly/X9EJPU

http://balancemarketingandpr.com/2013/01/15/boca-ratons-gold-machine-the-rainbow-ends-here/

Donna Balancia, Journalist

Donna Balancia covers entertainment, technology, business and travel

 Donna Balancia

Donna Balancia has been fortunate to have a career unique even among journalists.  On assignment, she has traveled to some of the most exotic destinations in the world, winging off to Tahiti, Monte Carlo, or Bangkok on a moment’s notice.  

Her vast and diverse portfolio of stories includes everything from interviews with Claus Von Bulow and Marlon Brando, to investigative pieces on The Asian economy, American corporate indulgences and the journey of journalism through the years.

Donna has covered sports, tourism and entertainment industries. In business, finance and technology, she has broken news on company mergers, and products about to go to market. 

http://newsbydonna.com/about/

Editorial Needs have changed in a Social Media World

Editorial in a Social Media World

By DONNA BALANCIA

Today, publicists need to know more than merely how to write a press release in order for their clients to justify media relations expenses in their marketing budgets.

So, the publicist of today has a heavier burden than ever before.  PR is no longer about calling a newspaper editor and begging for a borderline story to see the light of print.

Media relations experts must enhance their skills and show their clients that these efforts impact the client's bottom line.

"I really feel strongly about continuing your media education no matter how old you are," said Jannie Jameson, a publicity expert in NYC, who continues to take classes at New York University and State University of New York to keep her skills up to date. "Publicists need to learn all they can because the client of today is very results-oriented. Our culture is one of immediate gratification and that goes for PR results."

The savvy publicist engages on several levels when he or she shows the client results.

"You have to be skilled at social media platforms," Jameson said. "You have to know what to 'Tweet,' which story to put on Facebook, when to use Foursquare and Tumblr and when to go to Yelp.  It's more than putting something up on Facebook that tells people you're on the front porch with Granny."

While technology is enabling publicists to do a better job promoting their clients, there is a steep learning curve for many newbies coming into the business.

"Today's media relations expert has to know how to text and talk.

A piece of advice from Perry Fontaine, promotions expert in Southern California:

"Check with the client to make sure they really want publicity before you embark on a full-fledged campaign," he said. "Sometimes, you create media opportunities, you find a TV show your client can do, or have a column that can be written, and the client decides he doesn't want to follow through.  Make sure you're ready to jump in on a moment's notice if need be."

Spotlight aside, publicists have to play a variety of roles to get their clients out in the public eye.

"If I find an event a client should attend,  I make sure they go to it and if they can't I always try to attend," Jameson said. "Social media or not, we have to be attuned to what's happening in our community and also on a national level so the client can benefit."

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Donna Balancia is a producer and journalist who advocates for social media.  Her company, News Notables is located in Beverly Hills.