Knowing When to Grab a Publicity Opportunity

Blue Ivy Events is enjoying unexpected residual publicity
from sharing a name with the newborn of Jay Z and Beyonce.

Before this week, how many people could say they had heard of a Boston small business -- an event planning company called Blue Ivy?

Now the whole country -- and dare we say, the world -- has exposure to the company because it happens to share its name with the already ultra-famous kid of Beyonce and Jay Z.

So what did the owner Veronica Alexandra do to ride this unexpected media gem as far as it can go? In addition to explaining how she came up with the unique name (the media is having a field day trying to figure out how  Bey and Jay did for their new bundle of joy) she is also taking full advantage.

Huffington Post reports: "... Alexandra's business name has been dethroned in Google searches by the power couple's baby. She is now working the 'if you can't beat them, join them' approach -- she has done whirlwind media appearances, posted a banner on her website that says 'CONGRATS to our SOUL MATE Couple with Baby Blue Ivy!' posted messages on her Facebook and tweeted 'event planning company came first ... Beyonce 2nd ...' and 'Beyonce's daughter just validated how artistic we care to be. Love IT!'"

Great way to recognize a publicity opportunity. The moral of the story? Keep an eye on what celebs are naming their kids. 

Note: I have to thank my buddies over at Complete Concepts Consulting, Inc. for the inspiration of this post.


Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media consultant with The Write Vision Group, Inc.With a background in print media, she has written thousands of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how to get their programs and efforts in the news. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism.