Dee Dee Cocheta is the owner of  A.B.C. Publicity – The branding Group – a PR & Marketing Firm specializing in assisting small businesses and non-profits to grow along with marketing the lifestyle of music, fashion and film. Dee Dee has consulted and coordinated publicity efforts for music events, conducted media training and developed marketing and PR strategies for hundreds of independent artists in addition to: Chaka Khan, KRS One, Killer Mike, Tony Terry, DJ Benny D, music producer Isaac “Ike Dirty” Hayes, III, Rudy Currence, Cherish & Arrested Development. She is well respected for her work ethic and positive spirit. Checkout my interview with her below:

How long have you been in the public relations industry?

I started out in radio doing Marketing and Promotions. By 1999, I created a marketing firm and within two years I was called on to do public relations because there were not many in Atlanta or the south who understood the entertainment industry of which music was my main concentration working with record labels, radio stations and artists.

What influenced you to start your own firm?

I always wanted to own a business. Once I was let go from radio because they were switching formats, I couldn’t find another job so it made sense to finally put my goal in place.

What trends have you seen over the years?

When I started out, on-line promotions or public relations wasn’t a major factor, yet the focus went from printed material – newsletters, print magazines to the use of email newsletters and on-line magazines. For the past five years, social media platforms and networks have now become a huge part of public relations.

How has social media impacted public relations practitioners and their clients?
As I stated before social media is now a major part of public relations and is the forefront of campaigns, therefore PR practitioners must know the intricate parts of the many social networks. The impact of social media is the way clients can reach consumers directly and PR professionals must understand the best use for client and how to measure it’s effectiveness.

What are your thoughts on friends becoming business partners?

I never thought about this before. I have only been questioned about doing business with family of which I would state it has both pro’s and con’s. So my thoughts about working with a friend would be the same and you must outweigh them to see what would be best for both parties involved. Money usually is the top factor in ending relationships personally and professionally so I definitely suggest the friends be on the same page with all goals and expectations and have everything on paper.

Describe a typical work day for you?

The top of the week I always conduct business development wether it’s replying to RFP ‘s and proposal writing to marketing and PR for the company. Daily, I usually wake up to check major media headlines to see if there are any stories that fit with our clients. Then I begin the day by looking over client management list for each project at hand and start working on what needs to be completed. On an hourly basis: check emails for any follow up to client pitches as well as creating pitches for client, make phone calls to media and organizations for client outreach as well as check social networks, make posts for business, clients and reply to customers. Lastly, a few times throughout the week taking clients to events or attending events for networking purposes.

What does it take to be a successful publicist?

Have a plan, work your plan, be persistent and never give up!

What advice would you give to new publicists?

To make sure they have a plan – know what type of public relations they want to practice or be a part of, work persistently towards that and never give up!

What life lessons has being a publicist taught you?

Effective communication – that listening is the most important quality you can give to clients, friends and family.

How important is networking with other publicists?

VERY IMPORTANT – my top leads come from other PR pro’s so it is wise to never feel you are in a competitive world. Plus it helps to be able to share with one another new or effective tools, applications and other resources to continue raising the standards in our PR industry.

Follow Dee Dee on Twitter @deedeecocheta