The Lawrence Blake Group

New York Historian & Author John V. Amodeo Confirmed for Special Excerpt Reading of New Book The Captain’s Coin at Hell’s Kitchen Artist Event Saturday, May 19^th

[New York, NY] John V. Amodeo, New York City professor, historian, and author of four published books, is confirmed to present a live reading and Q&A forum from his upcoming novel, The Captain’s Coin, on Saturday, May 19^th, 2012 at Clinton House at 6:30pm located at 300 West 46^th Street in New York City. John V. Amodeo will read from his new novel, address guest questions, and discuss exciting new projects including an upcoming partnership with a national non-profit organization. Complimentary selection of international cuisines provided by local restaurants. Guests are then invited to a Special Surprise Soiree till 4am at a Hell’s Kitchen hotspot. Confirmed coverage includes the New York Times.

John V. Amodeo (Twitter @JohnVAmodeo) is presenting as part of Hell’s Kitchen largest artist festival, Artists in the Kitchen (www.ArtistsintheKitchen.org), featuring intimate performances and presentations from artists with a connection to one of New York City’s most artistic neighborhoods. John V. Amodeo is a strong supporter of creating dialogue between artists and their communities. In addition to participating in this years Artists in the Kitchen Festival, John V. Amodeo, a New York City Historian, will also be offering guests the chance to go on a walking tour of the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, with exciting commentary on where the community has come in recent years.

Born in Troy, New York, John V. Amodeo now lives in the Hell’s Kitchen area of Manhattan. For three decades, Amodeo worked for the NYC public school system as assistant principal and history department head; now retired from that post, he is an adjunct professor of American history and political science at Mercy College. Amodeo exercises his love for NYC as a part-time tour guide. His previous books include: ‘Voices of Hell’s Kitchen,’ a fictional account of the myriad personalities of his unique neighborhood. In addition, he wrote, ‘Believe—Journey from Jacksonville,’ a biography of former world boxing champion, Ken Norton and ‘Blessed or Cursed,’ a biography of WBF current light heavy champion, Rayco Saunders. Currently, he is working on his next project, a biography of Paul Vaden, former world light middleweight champion in upcoming ‘Answer the Bell.’

The Captain’s Coin on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/The-Captains-Coin-ebook/dp/B006XZA600). Hardcover release to be announced shortly.

There is no cost for this John V. Amodeo’s reading event, and members of the press are invited to attend and speak to the author. John V. Amodeo is available for live interviews, readings, and public speaking engagements. For inquires please contact L. Blake Harvey at (646) 481.8237 or Press@LawrenceBlake.com.

Grammy Award Winning Artist Ashanti is Back with her Forthcoming Album “Braveheart” and the Princess has Teamed up with Brice D. Vick, Choreographer to the Stars.

[New York, NY] With the ever competitive world of popular music, it’s no surprise that recording artists are going to impressive lengths to entertain their audiences. Celebrity Artistic Director and Choreographer Brice D. Vick (www.BriceVick.com), is continuing to pioneer in the dance industry, this time preparing Grammy Award winning recording artist Ashanti for the release of her forthcoming new album, “Braveheart”. Brice D. Vick is the current Artistic Director for Ashanti, directing the choreography of the superstar, as well as her team of world-renown dancers. You can see Brice’s choreography on any of Ashanti’s live performances around America, including Live with Kelly, Good Morning America, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Brice Vick is no stranger to working with celebrities, with a client list that has included Chris Brown, Beyonce, and Lauryn Hill.

While most Choreographers are spitting images of one another, Brice D. Vick courageously stands alone escorting celebrity recording artists to their peak by utilizing a unique approach to dance that is unattainable by conformists.

His electric style is rapidly becoming the standard for artists seeking to gain that critical edge that will set them aside in an industry that is flooded with clones. Brice D. Vick does not stop at what is ‘hot for the moment.’ Brice D. Vick is known in the industry for pushing the envelope and encouraging artists to take a chance at being different. He forces his clients to not only embrace what has already been done but also encourages them to take their performance to the next level - - stimulating audiences with something refreshingly new, distinctive, and most of all memorable.

Brice D. Vick is available for live interviews, choreography demonstrations, and public speaking engagements. For inquires please contact L. Blake Harvey at (646) 481.8237 or Bharvey@LawrenceBlake.com.###

Seasoned New York Author John V. Amodeo Sets Release Date of May 11th, 2012 for Much Anticipated Novel The Captain’s Coin

[New York City, NY] John V. Amodeo is no stranger to the New York City literary scene, with a handful of published books already under his belt, but until now, John has never dabbled with writing a novel. His historical accuracy and impressive use of literary technique has made his past books a coffee table staple. Trestle Press, publisher of “The Captain’s Coin” describes the novel:

Michael Brady epitomized the American dream. Coming to this country with nothing, he became a national hero at the Battle of Antietam by holding the Union forces and surviving because of a gift given to him by a grateful captain. A simple gesture by the captain saved the young man and gave the country a much-needed hero. The coin took on a life of its own. The coin given to a young immigrant became a part of the national folklore at a time when the country was in need of a rallying symbol.

At the time of his death in 1916, at age 81, Michael’s widow, Kit decided that the famous coin should be given to the city upon her death. “It wasn’t right to inter the coin with Michael. It belongs to the country.” In the midst of an ongoing war that would soon see the US enter, the coin once again became a rallying cry for the US. Joining silent-screen stars, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks in 1917, after the US entered the war, Kit Brady displayed the famous, well-worn coin. It again became a symbol for the US. Upon her death in 1928, the family, as directed by Kit, gave the coin to the city to be displayed at the NYC Public Library on 5th Avenue. There it remains.

Born in Troy, New York, John V. Amodeo now lives in the Hell’s Kitchen area of Manhattan. For three decades, Amodeo worked for the NYC public school system as assistant principal and history department head; now retired from that post, he is an adjunct professor of American history and political science at Mercy College. Amodeo exercises his love for NYC as a part-time tour guide. His previous books include: ‘Voices of Hell’s Kitchen,’ a fictional account of the myriad personalities of his unique neighborhood. In addition, he wrote, ‘Believe—Journey from Jacksonville,’ a biography of former world boxing champion, Ken Norton and ‘Blessed or Cursed,’ a biography of WBF current light heavy champion, Rayco Saunders. Currently, he is working on his next project, a biography of Paul Vaden, former world light middleweight champion in upcoming ‘Answer the Bell.’

The Captain’s Coin will be available in electronic and hard-copy on May 11th, 2012 on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/The-Captains-Coin-ebook/dp/B006XZA600)

John V. Amodeo is available for live interviews, readings, and public speaking engagements. For inquires please contact L. Blake Harvey at (646) 481.8237 or Bharvey@LawrenceBlake.com.

Easy Tips to Begin Creating a Luxury Brand from Blake Harvey, President at The Lawrence Blake Group.

Whether you’ve spent 36 hours working on hand-crafted detail on a handbag from your latest collection, or spent twelve weeks away from family on an international tour beside one of four musicians you manage, there comes a point where you need to decide the direction of your business. As your brand experiences growth, you are faced with the pressure of regenerating prices to match clientele, maintaining service and product standards, as well as managing brand communications. So what does this mean for the entrepreneur who wants to truly elevate their brand?

A luxury brand is simply described as a business providing goods or services purchased by high-net consumers 35 years of age and younger. Here are easy tips that can be used to help create or transition-into a luxury brand.

Create a loyalty program: Treat your returning clientele to a creative incentive for supporting your brand. At The Lawrence Blake Group, contract extensions receive a 10% discount, not to mention a monthly networking brunch for clients who have reached a 3-month minimum with the company. Think of out-of-the-box ways to entice your customer’s return, then try them out.

Create unique offers: A successful brand learns to understand their consumer’s wants and needs. To attract customers, consider offering complimentary 3^rdparty services that will fulfill a need of your customer. How about a spa day for two, for those purchasing Mother’s Day gifts over $500? Additionally, consider reaching out to local high-end spas about a strategic brand partnerships.

Don’t over saturate any particular markets: A rule of thumb to consider; a client should never be inconvenienced when purchasing a product or service, especially a luxury good. Your brand should be easily accessible for your target market, and there is no excuse for inaccessible brands, in a world of social media.

Maintain a professional media relations department: Think this sounds expensive? Well, it’s not the least bit costly or complicated. A professional media relations department consists of a working telephone line, e-mail address, and individual to alert the press of key brand events. Keep in mind, if the media wants to work with you, don’t make it harder than it should be. A New York Times reporter should not have to speak to three sales associates and a general manager to get a comment for an article.

The most important piece of advice is to know your clientele. Don’t assume that because someone can afford the $5,000 price tag of your hand-crafted handbag, that it will be any easier to sell it to them. Most consumers of all tax brackets are making well-educated spending decisions, so instead, create a simple marketing plan designed to better understand your potential clients, where they are, and how you will reach them.

Blake Harvey is the President of The Lawrence Blake Group Int’l (www.LawrenceBlake.com), a New York City based Corporate and Entertainment Public Relations Firm specializing in experimental marketing techniques.