Chris Kurtz Chris Kurtz

Mediatwist Facilitates Sponsor Acquisition with Celebrity Appearance

Originally Published - April 2012
On Friday April 20, a first of it’s kind appearance will take place at T.I.S. College Bookstore in our hometown of Bloomington Indiana.  Definitely not the first time a celebrity has been used for star power, rather the first time a traditional bookstore with roots in customer service and book buy back is dabbling with the power of famous names and faces. One of the biggest time’s of the year for Bloomington residents and Indiana University Students is centered around the Little 500 bicycle race.  Each year the IU Student Union Board puts on a music concert and they have a knack for securing the best and biggest musical performers each year. This year is no different, legendary band Sublime with Rome will be the headlining artist at Assembly Hall Friday night.  Thursday night and Friday afternoon the same band members of Sublime will be on a media frenzy at stop’s throughout Bloomington, all acquired by Chris Kurtz of The Mediatwist Group. ” I approached the marketing department of T.I.S. Group and urged them to get involved with this possibility of an appearance by the members of the same group that were going to be the ‘talk of town’ for Little 500″. They came back to me with, ‘yeah great idea Chris, but we don’t want to pay anything’. I knew I could generate revenue for the band and I knew I had a place to put them on ‘display’, I just needed some sponsors”.  Chris explained how his experience with spot sponsor acquisition on past tours in the music industry was a bonus when trying to pull the same thing off in his new home town.  “I just asked for a list of community partners from the marketing department at T.I.S. and started cold calling.  I knew as long as I could relate this appearance to added value and buzz for their brands, they would buy in”. “And they did!” says Chris.  This year’s Pampered Celebrity Meet Greet with DJ Rocky Rock of Sublime with Rome will take place on the afternoon of April 20 just before Rocky Rock takes the stage to headline the 2012 Little 500 show.  The event is sponsored by Bucceto’s Smiling teeth, a local restaurant in Bloomington, and also by Les Champs Elysees Day Sap and Salon. Sponsors will be on hand to give away free pizza and free massages. One of the promised perks to the sponsors from Mediatwist was a 30 second Youtube video by the celebrity for the sponsors to use on their social sites.  Here is the video http://goo.gl/B5bII . 

Stay tuned for update after appearance…………………………….

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Chris Kurtz Chris Kurtz

Mediatwist Lands Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Tour for Clearwater Youngsters ‘BMIL’

Originally Published - October 2011
TMG just announced yesterday that Clearwater Florida based rock band Bet Me I’m Lying will support global rockstars “The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus” as opening act for the South-Eastern leg of TRJA’s World Tour. It’s not the first time these hip kids have shared the stage with rock greatness. Last year BMIL was headliner of Jackson Michigan’s “Rockapalooza” along-side seasoned rockers like Motograter and Hawthorne Heights. Look for “Bet Me I’m Lying” on tour with The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus this November. For more info visit http://www.redjumpsuit.com

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Chris Kurtz Chris Kurtz

TMG Sits On “Rock Solid Pressure” Industry Panel

Originally Published - October 2011
The Mediatwist Group was lucky enough to be invited to speak on the 2011 Rock Solid Pressure Industry Showcase at The State Theatre in St. Petersburg, Florida. There was a plethora of VERY talented bands. TMG’s Chris Kurtz was one of the industry panelists chosen to critique the bands and was among a host of other industry heavy hitters such as Matt LaPlant and Ken Kromgard. After a very long day the judges left St. Petersburg with plenty of great new art. One of the first announcements Chris has made from the showcase was about his dealings with Orlando hippies “The Getbye”. They will be appearing at The Metrodome in Minneapolis Minnesota on December 10,2011 and the band will perform in front of over 60,000 motorsports fans for Feld Entertainment’s “Monster Jam”. Check out this candid Youtube video of this unique act out of Orlando Florida….http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN4z3lh_TV8

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Mediatwist Signs One of Rock’s Best Drummers

Originally published - May 2011
The Mediatwist Group, a full service talent development and artist promotion company out of Miami Florida announced Friday that legendary drummer Jon Wilkes will now be part of their camp. Jon Wilkes is better known for his work behind the kit with globally successful rock band The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. At the ripe age of 24, Jon Wilkes a Jacksonville Florida native is quickly making a name for himself on the rock and hip-hop circuit. Past projects of Jon’s include, Flo’rida’s rock re-mix of “Low” and Soulja Boy’s “Tell Um”. TMG’s first order of business will be developing Mr. Wilkes’ “Drummer VS DJ” show across the United States. Tour stops in Florida, Las Vegas, and Hollywood have already proven mega successful. “Drummer VS DJ” features Jon Wilkes on drums battling head to head with Jacksonville Florida’s DeeJay Capone. This show exploits the Rock/Rap dynamic that has proven successful for the likes of rock mainstays Linkin Park and Limp Biscuit with an added battle edge that keeps fans at the edge of their seats. “Im ready to take over the world with this”,Jon Wilkes explains as he talks about juggling his hectic tour schedule with TRJA and now “Drummer VS DJ”. The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is currently on tour throughout the U.S. and is set to release their next album this summer. “I will get off the coach for any club, and I want the world to know about ‘Drummer VS DJ’. Lets take over!”- Jon Wilkes. For more information or to book “Drummer VS DJ”

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Mediatwist Scouts Artist For National Rock Festival

Originally Published - May 2011

With celebrity hosts and headlining Billboard artists,this all day concert is making a name for itself. Bands from all over the world have submitted for consideration to play Rockapalooza, and a major producer has set his sites on Pennsylvania.

Miami Florida (I-Newswire) April 30, 2011 – This year’s Rockapalooza promises to be the best to date. Promoter Tim Corser has pulled out all of the stops to bring Jackson Michigan one of the best live events its ever seen. On June 25 Hollywood comes to town. Rockapalooza will be hosted by some heavy hitters on the big screen. Chanel, Big Black and Big Kat of MTV’s “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory will all MC the big day along with motion picture star Pauly Shore. There is no shortage of superstar music acts either,with some of rocks top acts to hit stage including Saliva, Pop Evil, Hawthorne Heights, Silverstein, Chiodos, Mushroomhead and Shaman’s Harvest.

With all of these top notch names there is alot of bands wanting to get onto this bill. I had a chance to sit down with one of the major players behind this year’s Rockapalooza, and I found out about little corner of the world that has caught his attention and why.

The Mediatwist Group is one of the entertainment companies behind this years Rockapalooza and I spoke with TMG’s founder, Chris Kurtz. “I have always wanted to go back home to find artists that deserve a decent shot at some good touring shows.” says Chris about choosing Northeastern Pennsylvania as his focus area for scouting talent. “I came up in that area, and I wasn’t even close to the best the coal region had to offer. There are some amazing musicians that have paid their dues and there is also some fresh sounding music coming out of the Pottsville and Hazelton areas.”

This year Chris has hand picked 4 bands to perform alongside mega artists on the Rockapalooza stage. Now!The City(Pottsville,PA),Maddam Ink(Allentown, PA),Homicidal Supermodels(Hazelton,PA) and Cyanide Sunrise(Pottsville,PA).

“I live in Indiana and Miami now so I miss the PA music scene. The last great things to come out of PA musically were Breaking Benjamin and Fuel, its time for someone new to be proud of from my home state.”,Chris proudly says while pointing to a vintage t-shirt which says,”Jesus Loves The Poptart Monkeys”. Chris toured in PA icon rock band The Poptart Monkeys long before sealing his spot as hip royalty in the music industry. “I’ve spent a good bit of time in all of the green rooms and back-stages Pennsylvania clubs have to offer and I’m excited to bring some of the same entertainment those venues have birthed to this giant rock show.”

For more information on The Mediatwist Group or the latest happenings of Chris and his artists visit him on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/poptartmonkeys

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