GrandPR meets ArtPrize 2014
The streets of Grand Rapids are stirring with tourists and locals, exploring the 1,536 pieces of art entered in this year's ArtPrize competition. Over 400,000 tourists are to be expected to visit Grand Rapids during this 19 day event! Event is an understatement, I would call it an experience - you cannot simply describe ArtPrize to someone, they have to go for themselves. And behind the scenes, there is a team of relentless professionals making it seamless. Before the this year's event is complete, they have already begun working on plans for ArtPrize 2015 and 2016.
ArtPrize hired GrandPR to help with public relations tasks throughout the 19 days of ArtPrize festivities. Jaenell Ott and Emma Higgins warmly welcomed members into the Hub to help with all things public relations. The two of them have been working 70+ hours per week; this includes the weeks leading up to ArtPrize and the weeks of the competition itself. They have spent many late nights in the office and early mornings interviewing with the media. Jaenell and Emma contact media, set up interviews, create crisis communication plans, help at events. To list their full agendas, we'd need much more than this blog. They are truly the definition of super-hero PR women.
GrandPR members had the opportunity to live tweet at special events, pitch stories to artists’ hometown media, and work with media at events. Staff members live tweeted at Critical Discourse events from the ArtPrize Twitter to showcase the panel of speakers; this gave members the opportunity to enhance their social media skills. On October 4, Account Executives Meg McPhee and Kelsey Jeurgens, teamed up with Account Associate Lindsay Papciak to help with the first annual Final 20 announcement. Members assisted in management of the media, explaining to them the do and do-nots of the event. Before the event, staff members worked hard and contacted the media to ensure their presence by pitching the event story to them. They acted as a barricade when the media tried to bombard the Top 20 artists, and helped escort the artists to the stage once their names were announced. Other members helped create media lists for specific artists, working to contact them with a press release to get more coverage on the event. Volunteering our time and skills for ArtPrize is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most. This international art competition is growing every year, and it is a pleasure to work with an amazing event. We cannot thank Jaenell, Emma and the extended ArtPrize team enough. On the behalf on GrandR, we look forward to working with you in the future years!
Kelsey Juergens, Account Executive