I'm a Little Bit Country

This time around I will be dedicating a little attention to the event planner in me (and a lot of other PR and marketing pros). Events can be one of the most personal and elaborate ways to connect to very important publics. It’s a face-to-face connection, an immediate 2-way form of communication, a way to say thanks or congratulations. Often, it is the ultimate way to tie together in a neat little package allllll the other channels we use to reach out and inspire action. When done well, it is also one of the most fun parts of industry.

Now, I wouldn’t consider myself a country fan by first nature, but I have a couple of the local stations programmed in my car. And, I did happen to be home this past Wednesday, and by happenstance tuned in to the 2010 CMA Awards pretty much from start to finish. This is an impressive feat when it comes to most award shows with all the pomp and circumstance, the over-the-top mega stars, lame host commentary, etc. Unfortunately, few shows of that length hold the attention of many viewers for the duration. This one was different.

Even as someone who is not a country music “fan”, this show (and the entire marketing package that accompanied it) felt like the year’s biggest party, and I was invited! The CMA show was an example of consumer buy-in at its best. Year after year in country music, the same great names are recognizable. The family unity between the artists themselves is evidence to the millions of true country music fans. Who needs competition? These fans are fans of the genre, the industry as a whole and if they like one artist, chances are they like all of them.

The country music industry as a brand is seamless and was beautifully celebrated and demonstrated by the CMA in this show. Not to mention, in the website, blog and social media, e-newsletter and slew of other tactics used in the creation of this event, all of which you can check out at the link above.

I guess I’m a little more country than I thought y’all.