Rivers Of Rhythm Is A First Of Its Kind Digital Exhibition
The Rivers of Rhythm® (RofR) web-based digital exhibition is a comprehensive resource to learn about and experience the significant impact of American music. Click here to view full PDF
Public Relations Opened a Whole New World
Recently, we’ve been talking among the duGard Communications team about what we like most about the profession and even about the actual job. A few answers immediately popped into my mind, like how duGard Communications (dGC) isn’t a one-dimensional firm. We have expertise in multiple industries. As a result, my job deals with a variety of clients, in different companies that spread their reach across middle Tennessee. This allows me to see how public relations works. However, that isn’t exactly why I enjoy working in public relations.
As it turns out, there are a few things in life that book smarts can’t prepare you for, obviously working in a firm is one of them. Since graduation, I have stepped into a world that has changed my perspective on public relations completely. Someone once told me, a person I consider wise, ‘you learn more in school than you will ever apply within your career.’ I didn’t really understand that statement until I started working. I think back on that and realize that maybe what they meant was there’s a lot of information taught out of books, but not all is applicable to the real-world. In many cases, I’ve found that things that I learned in class haven’t even been helpful yet. Maybe never. And while it was very important, today, I think I might change that phrase because I believe there is book knowledge and applied knowledge.
Today, I understand that ‘applied knowledge is what truly helps you progress in the real-world.’
It didn’t matter how many college internships I completed or textbooks I stayed up until 3 a.m. studying, nothing truly prepares you more than actually gaining hands-on experience and working full-time (in an agency/firm or on the client side). The one thing that college did teach me was that negotiation skills are handy, and very important, regardless of your career choice. There have been times when a client’s request is out of scope, or too tall of an order to accomplish in the time frame provided. We have had to negotiate (and in some cases compromise) with the client to convince or use a voice of reason with the request. That has been an interesting thing to see and learn.
One thing I did grasp fairly quickly, here at dGC, is that being a people-person is a big plus. I am the type of person who loves to talk to people and help a person fulfill their needs to the best of my ability. Getting to apply myself, in that way, has made me fall in love with public relations more than I already have. Though I know it’s not just about talking to people, there is a lot of work that goes into execution. Everything from analyzing, drafting, crafting and creating content and strategy. I will even admit that with every project, there are some requests and tasks that are easier to fulfill than others.
All in all, I am glad to be in a place where I like what I do and enjoy the work I am doing. While most people think that thoroughly listening to clients is a bore, I thrive off of it. Being able to work one-on-one with clients, hear them out, talk with my team and then execute, is what I enjoy the most. After working with clients in different industries, I have seen the different steps and processes taken to fulfill their needs. Though there is still more to learn, I find this extremely interesting to grasp and understand that what works for one client may not work for another. This has resulted in my growing awareness of how to adjust to the many personalities (and sometimes attitudes) of a client to figure out what works best.
There is still so much more for me to learn, but I look forward to the continued opportunities that dGC provides me and cannot wait to see what PR challenges are in my future.
Ashley Basak is an avid student of the public relations industry and managing the fast-paced atmosphere of dGC. As a graduate of MTSU’s School of Communication, she rapidly adapted to the real-world – gaining experience within multiple industries.
Cece Winans Announces Organization’s First-ever Digital Exhibition During National Black Music Month
Museum announced first-ever digital exhibition and additional financial progress
June is African American Music Appreciation Month (Black Music Month) as declared by President Barack Obama and The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) announced additional, and significant, financial support along with its new Rivers of Rhythm® Digital Exhibition on Thursday, June 16, 2016. The first-of-its-kind digital exhibition was revealed by museum officials and award-winning Gospel artist, CeCe Winans, who was recently announced as one of NMAAM’s National Chairs. The museum hosted a press conference at Belmont University in the lobby of the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.
As a National Chair, Ms. Winans focuses her efforts for NMAAM specifically around the Gospel genre and serves as an active ambassador, providing support in the form of appearances and access to her professional network for the organization. She, along with Darius Rucker, Keb’Mo’ and India.Arie were announced earlier in the year and are actively engaged in the project. All are prominently featured in the Rivers of Rhythm® Digital Exhibition (RofR).
“With over 50 genres identified as created or influenced by African Americans, RofR is an interactive tool that depicts the ebb and flow of music using a web-based platform to tell the Museum’s story even before our doors open,” said H. Beecher Hicks, III, NMAAM’s president and CEO. “We’re excited to provide an outline of the history, connections and impact that American artists and genres have around the world.”
NMAAM also announced a $250,000 donation, from Belmont, to the organization in support of this digital exhibition.
“Belmont has an outstanding reputation for fostering and nurturing top musical talent so supporting this project is a perfect fit for our campus,” said Dr. Bob Fisher, president of Belmont University. “What is even more important is that, this digital exhibition reflects another step in Belmont’s efforts to become increasingly more diverse and broadly reflective of our local and global communities.”
Ms. Winans, Dr. Bob Fisher, president of Belmont University and NMAAM board member, along with NMAAM’s president & CEO, H. Beecher Hicks, III, participated in the press conference. The announcement was a live media event that was live-streamed on Facebook via @BelmontUniv.
About CeCe WInans:
CeCe Winans is a multi-talented singer, who has won numerous awards, including ten GRAMMY® Awards and seven Stellar Awards. She has sold twelve million records worldwide. CeCe is also the best-selling female gospel artist of all time. CeCe’s collection of Top Ten R&B radio hits include “Count On Me,” her duet with Whitney Houston, from the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack. The single was certified Gold in the US and reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 4 on the Adult Contemporary chart and No. 8 on the Billboard R&B Singles charts.
View the press release here.
The Impact of Tiger Woods’ Brand on Young African American Men
Regardless of Tiger Wood’s personal struggles, watching the Masters this year made me wonder where his impact and brand strength went wrong. Not the personal portion, but the impact. Why are there no African American, male pro golfers?
Tiger Woods
Even reporters are surprised. In reading Michael Bamburger’s 2013 article, he waxes on about the dearth of ‘soul’ in golf. “In 1997, when Tiger won the Masters — by 12! — the floodgates were supposed to open to minority golfers in general and black golfers in particular.”
Nearly 20 years after the phenomenon that was “Tiger” came on the scene, several articles have been written about the lack of diversity in golf, and have asked why there aren’t more Tiger’s in the game. One such article states that it’s because of the lack of caddie opportunities.
Really? I’d like to have more Bagger Vance moments, when the intellect of the caddy was relied on…that’s me saying, tongue-in-cheek, the black man behind the white man playing was what propelled the wins…and more green jacket hugs that include a diverse cast of celebrators.
Don’t get me wrong, I get that there’s a cause and effect for everything. There’s even a type of succession planning for everything. Even brands. For Golf, especially the PGA Tour, it seems like there should be a stronger level of brand planning to impact diversity of the game.
Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas
I was truly excited for Danny Willett several weeks ago. It takes a lot to win the Masters. Period. And while it was great to see Jordan Spieth attempt to defend his 2015 title, at the end of the day, Willett played an awesome final round. As a former athlete, I really just love to see a good, competitive match. The excitement that the game of golf brings didn’t really hit me until I saw Tiger play. Even though I understood golf, I didn’t understand the dynamics and the history of the game. But what will it take to have the brand of golf not be associated with an all-Caucasian cast of winners?
Winning his first major in 1997, Tiger started playing golf professionally in 1996. Why is it that there are not any additional African American, young men, who have followed in his footsteps? Is the brand of Tiger so tainted that young men that look like him are no longer interested? Or is it the brand of golf itself? Is golf solely to be known as an exclusive and elusive sport? Is there such a dire lack of access to sports like golf that still prevents the sport to include diversity that looks like our country? Is it the caddie process? Or does golf just want to keep it the way that it’s always been?
One would think that with 20 years of golf fortitude, that there might be more young men that look like Tiger now vying for professional golf prowess. However, on the PGA tour, there have only been a handful of African Americans.
Tiger’s mainstream success seems like it would’ve broken that barrier. Since that’s what happened after situations like integrating the Quarterback position of the National Football League with the success of Joe ‘Jefferson Street Joe’ Gilliam, James Harris, Doug Williams, Rodney Peete, Warren Moon and Randall Cunningham.
In golf, after John Shippen (first African American to play in the US Open (1896)), Ted Rhodes (the second African American to play in the US Open (1948)), Charlie Sifford (the first African American to earn his PGA tour card (1961)), Pete Brown (the first African American to win a PGA sanctioned eve
nt (1964), Lee Elder (first African American to play in the Masters (1975)) and Calvin Peete (12 time PGA tour winner) there was Tiger. And now there is Harold Varner, III who earned his PGA tour card in 2015.
But really, there was Tiger.
Not meaning to offend, but Tiger’s ‘mainstream’ brand held no color barrier. He said so himself. “I am not black. I am ‘Cablinasian.’” I remember watching that, announced on ESPN, with utter amazement. Here is this man, who kinda looks like me saying he’s not like me at all. And maybe that’s the point.
Because his exposure was to succeed in a sport dominated by white men, maybe he never would’ve been a true inspiration for African American youth. But there was a true increase in the number of people playing golf, watching golf and enjoying a sport that was touted as an exclusive and elitist craft. An increase in golf classes and events where you could get training and information on the game of golf were readily available, but we still are not seeing African Americans on the highest stage – the PGA Tour. Twenty years after Tiger Woods turned pro, we have several young Caucasian Americans, and players from abroad, who are making their mark on the game of golf – all younger than 25 years of age. Most of these players cite Tiger as their inspiration, but where are the African American golfers in that age group? The question remains what will it take for African American’s to reach the PGA after so few have done it in the last 120 years?
I’d like to think that there are more Tiger’s somewhere out there. I’d also like to think the brand of golf will weather the storm once Tiger hangs up his bag.
Anthony “A.T.” Owens is director of operation at duGard Communications. An avid sports aficionado, he hung up his cleats several years ago and picked up a set of golf clubs instead.
Meet Perri duGard Owens
PERRI DUGARD OWENS | President & CEO – is an experienced marketing, communications and public relations professional and has developed strategies and programs for clients across multiple industries, of varying sizes and needs. She brings proven leadership in launching major brands, creating measurable results and building awareness to achieve goals through various communication channels. Through experience in public relations, marketing and advertising, Perri utilizes her skills in impactful and meaningful ways for clients at dGC.
duGard Communications’ growth has been cultivated by Perri since its inception, with the intent to become a respected organization and leader within the public relations industry. Formerly known as dGE Public Relations, Perri led the organization through a strategic process that assisted in tremendous growth expanding the organization into multiple states and industries. This growth led to an opportunity requiring her leadership into a new and more strategic phase, becoming duGard Communications in 2015.
Serving in progressive leadership roles, Perri’s experience extends to her work in roles that range from serving as an outsourced Chief Marketing Officer for organizations like Southwest Transplant Alliance and the National Museum of African American Music, as a consultant for clients across multiple industries or through positions with companies such as DCI Donor Services, as communications director, and HCA’s TriStar Health System as marketing director. Additionally, Perri served as vice president of marketing and communications for the Nashville Chamber of Commerce and account supervisor for BOHAN.
Perri earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from North Carolina Central University. She has served several non-profit organizations through board of director positions and leadership roles. She enjoys serving the community through organizations like Nashville Public Radio (community advisory board), the YWCA Women of Achievement Awards (nominations committee chair), ATHENA Awards (public relations committee chair), Choral Arts Link, Inc. (chairman), the Nashville Business Incubation Center (marketing committee chair), Matthew Walker Health Clinic (nominating committee chair) and several others. Perri is a recipient of The Tennessean’s Top 40 Under 40 award, an ATHENA Award Nominee and 100 Black Women Davis-Galloway Empowerment Award Nominee, along with INROADS/Nashville Alumnus of the Year.
Learn more about Perri by reading her blog Chronicles of a Late Bloomer.
Your Potential Will Expire, Why Not Unlock It Now?
I recently watched a TEDx presentation given by United States Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement Jim Shelton.
Jim Shelton, Former Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement at the US Department of Education.
Pointed out by a professional colleague (who won’t let us use the term mentor), it was important, meaningful and impactful to hear Mr. Shelton speak about the entire room being full of people who were once, “potential Colin Powells.” What was more interesting was the fact that the dGC team recently had a conversation about potential…but not in the sense of unlocking it…but more from the aspect of potential lost.
In God’s economy, nothing is slag. Nothing is wasted. In every scar there is a lesson. In every memory there is potential to make more. – Toni Sorensen
A former consultant had worked with us as we launched a new client, had developed a good rapport with us – and the client – and we were progressing nicely. So much so, that at one point the former consultant asked what the future held. We were pumped. But somewhere along the way, said consultant became different. We worked with, counseled, modified and adjusted. And finally, after more stress than necessary, had to say thanks-but-no-thanks (with documented steps and details). Yet, we were the bad guys.
Sometimes, there isn’t always a good fit, even as you travel down the path together…things change. And we understand that there may be challenges.
The issue, for me, was we had provided access, autonomy and training to allow all ability to unlock potential. So much so that it was a huge disappointment that it didn’t work out.
So, when an organization, its leaders or even your friend/co-worker give you the chance, provide you with the resources and encourages you on your way…think of this: your potential will expire. You can’t expect to continually be granted opportunities. You have to maximize those that are offered, you are positioned for, or that fall into your lap. And if you don’t, at a certain point, people move on to the next person who ‘has potential.’ Find a way to unlock your potential when the opportunity is presented to you. And be the next Colin Powell. Not a potential Colin Powell who missed out.
Don’t Go To The Interview In Flip-Flops OR Sandals
As the season warms, I am looking forward to regularly wearing open-toed pumps, sandals and on an off day, flip-flops. I’m a firm believer in being fashion-forward. But, whenever I see flip-flops, it reminds me of a young lady who wore them to an interview. She was very well dressed, in a fashionable pants suit, with flip-flops. Now it might not have been a big deal, if she’d said, ‘I’ve had a wardrobe malfunction, this was all I had in my trunk’ or something like that…but when I asked the question, this young lady looked at me like the question was the problem.
I lost focus the entire interview – which was much shorter than typical – because I was trying to rationalize why she’d worn those as her shoe option.
If you are seriously considering wearing flip-flops or sandals to an interview, PLEASE, think twice. As cute as it may make your outfit, for an interview…even in a creative space/environment…it’s just not appropriate. We interview a lot of people…some for us, some for our clients and overwhelmingly, the response we continue to hear is that you should always leave flip-flops by the pool or in your gym bag.
Definitely be jazzy, but be smart about your interview attire!
dGC Team
615-823-4020 
