Ready for Prime Time

[imagegod]

If I'm not mistaken, I think GPO is just about ready for mainstream exposure...20/20, Newsweek, Time...that kind of thing. I think a lot of people are unaware of how far 'computer music' has come in the last few years. In fact, the very term 'computer music' would probably be met by scorn by a lot of serious, mainstream classical listeners. Does Mr. G have a PR person/agency? Would one be useful/desireable?

Any thoughts?

[Styxx]

I have often thought of this from time to time. I dunt know if it would be a good idea or if it would commercialize it to too much of an extent. Good question to ponder. Maybe we can get Oprah to spotlight it on one of her shows! Nope, the only way would for GPO to start some sort of controversy! Hey, whatever..... :D

Tell you my gut feeling, he doesn't need it. I have a feeling this is bigger than he realizes at the moment. Then again, we could always redo the Jackie Gleason show and use GPO for the sound track! :eek:

[SeanHannifin]

I can imagine Oprah telling everybody to look under their seats (for some reason they always wait for the go-ahead) and they all find a copy of GPO! And then they all scream!

It's nice to be part of a community that's not too big though. I know a lot of GPO users don't visit the forums as often, but if there were TV commericals for GPO (or infomercials) then it might too crowded, you know?

But I certainly wish the best for GPO, it has the potential to succeed in the mainstream. I recommend it to everybody.

[Christopher Duncan]

I can imagine Oprah telling everybody to look under their seats (for some reason they always wait for the go-ahead) and they all find a copy of GPO! And then they all scream!You know, Sean, the fact that you know this much about Oprah scares me a little... :)

By the way, enjoyed the March of the Canterbury Tales on your site!

[SeanHannifin]

You know, Sean, the fact that you know this much about Oprah scares me a little...
I can't help it, after that time they all got cars it was all of the news . . . boy it would be funny if they had only gotten keys! Man, that's a trick somebody with a kid should try this Christmas. Give them a little box with a key inside, and when they open it they'll think they got a car! But no, just a key. :D

Thanks for visiting the site, glad you enjoyed it!

[Christopher Duncan]

But no, just a key. :D
Oooh, you're mean! It's a bag of switches for you this Christmas! :)

[Styxx]

I can imagine Oprah telling everybody to look under their seats (for some reason they always wait for the go-ahead) and they all find a copy of GPO! And then they all scream!
I doubt if even half of the predominately all female audience would even know what to do with it yet alone scream. But then again, if it came with keys to a new car, or voucher for a make over then you would hear screams.:D

[imagegod]

I'm serious. And I'm not talking about 'commercializing it' per se. I'm talking about getting the news out to the so-called 'lay public'...people who would be astounded by the sound and general capabilities of this mid-priced, highly useable non-technical computer software.

Just a thought.

[Christopher Duncan]

And I'm not talking about 'commercializing it' per se. Back when I was 19, referring to music as "commercial" was a well known insult. My best friend of 20 years (now gone to that smoky jazz lounge in the sky) was my mentor not so much in how to play music, but in how to conduct myself as a professional. In other words, he slapped me around until some common sense seeped into my skull. :) "Commercial" was one of the things he always pounced on - related to commerce, it means you're making money with something. He would continually remind me that if you're not making money with your music, you're working a day job, not living the life of a professional musician. My idealistic pronouncements weren't buying my burgers.

Commercial can also mean something intended for the mass market. I certainly can't speak for Gary here, but it seems to me that the entire point of selling GPO for such an affordable price is to get it to the masses who could previously not afford something like this. So, I'm thinking that along with the fact that he needs to eat as much as the rest of us do, I'd say that making GPO a huge commercial success would be a Good Thing - for Gary, for the world of musicians it would help, and for us. Why have a small group of great friends when you can have an entire nation of them? :)

Anyway, I know this was your point as well, but just couldn't help passing along what a brother passed along to me. Money is not evil, even if you're a musician! In fact, especially if you're a musician. Who needs it more than us? :)

[imagegod]

Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply. And just to clarify...my idea is to get the word out re: GPO without costly commercials. I'm thinking that Gary and his minions have a great story to tell and news organizations are always looking for a good story. Thus the suggestion of using Public Relations (rather than advertsing per se) to get the word out to organizations like 20/20, Dateline, 60 minutes, Time, Newsweek, etc.

In my experience, public relations can be a very inexpensive way to leverage an unknown, but highly desireable commodity.

Again, just a thought.

[Christopher Duncan]

In my experience, public relations can be a very inexpensive way to leverage an unknown, but highly desireable commodity.Couldn't agree more. In addition to my work as a musician/composer, I'm also an author and speaker. The book business illustrates your point quite well. Not only is PR much cheaper than buying ads, it's typically more effective. One book review or writeup in a magazine is worth a dozen ads.

One of the reasons I've become so active in this community is the way Gary goes about things, which in turn draws the kind of people we have here - good souls, kind hearts, supportive and encouraging of each other rather than trying to say negative things. If you look (and I'm sure you have), you'll see that Gary does a lot of his marketing through benevolent relationships with others. I mean, he even established a relationship with VSL. In the corporate world, they'd be considered "the enemy". In Gary's world, it's more an attitude of, "Hey, guys, there's enough money here for all of us. Let's help each other out and we'll all do even better." What I love about this is that it's not just hollow idealism - he's putting these concepts into practice, and they work.

As time goes on, you'll find that I'm very enthusiastic myself about promoting both GPO and the people who use it. I feel the same way about musicians as I do businesses. There's enough money out there for us all. If we band together, promote each other and help our friends improve their art, we all eat better!

By the way, one thing you can do to help Gary with PR is contact trade magazines and offer to do a review of GPO for them (like the one in Electronic Musician). Editors are always looking for new material, and typically pay you for it as well.