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Michigan Irish Music Festival organizers talk with FOX17 live in the studio.

Michigan Irish Music Festival came to us wanting a brand refresh. What they got was a dedicated team that created a brand new look–but we’re not here to talk about the creative genius behind their logo (we did that already)- instead, we want to talk about all the pre-event buzz we were able to get for their event… months before the festival.

A Plan is Nothing without Strategy

There’s a lot that goes into securing media coverage, before we even pick up the phone or send an email to a reporter. We compiled research, brought together details on the new rebrand, festival and ticket sale, and compiled a press release with all the relevant information for reporters. 

Then we had to determine who would be the correct reporters to reach out to, which involved researching target markets and pinpointing publications and stations and the reporters at them who are the right fit.

Our main goal with this outreach was to secure media coverage for the festival surrounding the new rebrand and their ticket sale, which fell perfectly on St. Patrick’s Day. 

Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up

After pinpointing who we should reach out to, we got to work, picking up the phone to call and sending emails to reporters. The result: we booked 3 interviews and got MIMF featured in 6 articles. 

But the work didn’t stop there, we prepped Michigan Irish Music Festival staff for the interviews and went with them, to take behind-the-scenes pictures and videos, and offer support. 

During the interviews, we were able to offer the stations more information about the upcoming festival, including the performer set list, which was released close to the St. Patrick’s Day Sale. 

The first interview was a week before St. Patrick’s Day with Cumulus Media and we traveled to Muskegon to meet the team and support the Michigan Irish Music Festival crew. It focused on the new rebrand and the upcoming ticket sale. Then that next week, we had a live interview with WOODTV 8 on their live digital desk and on St. Patrick’s Day, we were in FOX 17’s studio for a live interview on their morning show. The festival team got the word out about the festival’s new look, what’s new this year, the just released performers list, and drove people to get tickets. 

After the interviews, we continued reaching out, getting more eyes on the festival including being featured in the Irish American News, MLive, WZZM 13, and Local Spins’ newsletter. 

The Results

  • 7 pieces of earned media
  • 63,000 total estimated views
  • $23,251 in total advertising value

All that – still months out from the start of the festival. The takeaway–-making a plan for your media outreach pays off. There’s a lot of work and research behind a pitch. Knowing how to stand out and building relationships with media outlets matter.

At 8THIRTYFOUR, we have a human approach towards public relations, we pick up the phone, meet clients and reporters in person, write postcards. That human connection pays off.

Don’t believe us? Check out our PR wins and what we are working on here. Need help getting your story out there? Connect with us. 

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“It has been an incredible experience - getting to connect with women business owners from all across Michigan, learn from experts on planning for growth, and learn to lead to the best of my abilities for myself and my team.”

- @rcdutcher, CEO of @red66.marketing

We’re looking for business owners who thrive in collaborative environments and can fully commit to the program—attending all in-person sessions, participating in one-on-one coaching, and engaging in every aspect of the nine-month fellowship. Participants who gain the most come ready to contribute, learn, and problem-solve alongside other committed business leaders.

Applications close on September 15.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17899228887595814
“It has been an incredible experience - getting to connect with women business owners from all across Michigan, learn from experts on planning for growth, and learn to lead to the best of my abilities for myself and my team.” - @rcdutcher, CEO of @red66.marketing We’re looking for business owners who thrive in collaborative environments and can fully commit to the program—attending all in-person sessions, participating in one-on-one coaching, and engaging in every aspect of the nine-month fellowship. Participants who gain the most come ready to contribute, learn, and problem-solve alongside other committed business leaders. Applications close on September 15.

FUN FACT FRIDAY: It’s only fitting for us to own a building where a trailblazing female operated her businesses in 1906. The Phillips family represented one of the longest-running retail tenures in Grand Rapids history; L.E. Phillips Jewelry in the 1365 Plainfield Ave. building from 1906 until 1973.
Dr. Eva Phillips, a certified and licensed optometrist ran her practice out of the jewelry store’s secondary parlor and was an equal partner in the jewelry store.

Together, they offered a unique one-stop shot which expanded to include appliances, record players, and more. The couple operated the shop through two World Wars and the Great Depression, acting as the neighborhood matriarch and patriarch.

@crestongr @crestoncorridor @crestongrandrapids @citygrandrapids @grandrapidspubliclibrary

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17898983202545176
FUN FACT FRIDAY: It’s only fitting for us to own a building where a trailblazing female operated her businesses in 1906. The Phillips family represented one of the longest-running retail tenures in Grand Rapids history; L.E. Phillips Jewelry in the 1365 Plainfield Ave. building from 1906 until 1973. Dr. Eva Phillips, a certified and licensed optometrist ran her practice out of the jewelry store’s secondary parlor and was an equal partner in the jewelry store. Together, they offered a unique one-stop shot which expanded to include appliances, record players, and more. The couple operated the shop through two World Wars and the Great Depression, acting as the neighborhood matriarch and patriarch. @crestongr @crestoncorridor @crestongrandrapids @citygrandrapids @grandrapidspubliclibrary

Have you tuned into The Happy Hour Hustle Podcast yet?
If not, a) you’re missing out and b) you need to follow immediately. Hosted by @bodespeaks, episodes drop every other week, and feature some pretty bada$$ guests if we do say so ourselves.

This week, Kim sits down with @kelsey_orchard , VP of Marketing and Communications at @fifthwheelfreight to chat building a personal brand, Gen Z entering the workforce, misconceptions about logistics, spotting fake LinkedIn profiles – oh and why your GPA doesn’t matter anymore.

Grab a watermelon margarita, sit back and enjoy for lots of laughs and real talk.

Listen now at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18112263326023209
Have you tuned into The Happy Hour Hustle Podcast yet? If not, a) you’re missing out and b) you need to follow immediately. Hosted by @bodespeaks, episodes drop every other week, and feature some pretty bada$$ guests if we do say so ourselves. This week, Kim sits down with @kelsey_orchard , VP of Marketing and Communications at @fifthwheelfreight to chat building a personal brand, Gen Z entering the workforce, misconceptions about logistics, spotting fake LinkedIn profiles – oh and why your GPA doesn’t matter anymore. Grab a watermelon margarita, sit back and enjoy for lots of laughs and real talk. Listen now at the link in bio.

National Perimenopause Month starts today. We have a LOT to say, and we’re not going to be quiet about it, especially this month, so buckle up.

We were not prepared for perimenopause, much like our periods, sex, or anything else to do with our bodies. God forbid we talk about it openly.

We were taught to be ashamed, keep quiet, and to accept that it is just part of being a woman. We reject that narrative. In fact, like @bodespeaks, we want to bring it up in every conversation.

When we normalize perimenopause and the conversation around it, we stop isolating, and we’re all more prepared.
Join us for Uncomfortable Conversations: The Pause on September 24th — a powerful conversation hosted alongside the @smallbusinessassocofmichigan
Women’s Business Council, featuring some kicka$$ experts who will give you the real talk on perimenopause (more to come on them later).

Register at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18132641716644887
National Perimenopause Month starts today. We have a LOT to say, and we’re not going to be quiet about it, especially this month, so buckle up. We were not prepared for perimenopause, much like our periods, sex, or anything else to do with our bodies. God forbid we talk about it openly. We were taught to be ashamed, keep quiet, and to accept that it is just part of being a woman. We reject that narrative. In fact, like @bodespeaks, we want to bring it up in every conversation. When we normalize perimenopause and the conversation around it, we stop isolating, and we’re all more prepared. Join us for Uncomfortable Conversations: The Pause on September 24th — a powerful conversation hosted alongside the @smallbusinessassocofmichigan Women’s Business Council, featuring some kicka$$ experts who will give you the real talk on perimenopause (more to come on them later). Register at the link in bio.
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