The Mockingbird Foundation has announced a new technical assistance initiative to its grant recipients, offering media relations support. This new in-kind charitable capacity is an extension of the Foundation’s mission in music education for children, strengthening organizations doing good and in need by helping get the word out about their goals and achievements. This outreach will help these music education programs achieve their publicity goals, through consulting and guidance that will assist in garnering positive exposure in their local media.
“All of the programs that Mockingbird grants benefit are atypical and have very interesting stories to tell,” said Chip Parker, Mockingbird Foundation Media Relations Director. “As an added value, we provide media counsel and support to these programs after they receive the grants, so we can help them get the recognition they deserve.”
Parker has been volunteering for the Mockingbird in a media relations capacity since the onset of 2005, and offers his time to help drive the marketing and public relations goals of the foundation. With experience in promoting major telecommunications and home-building products clients, Parker is thrilled to spear-head this new Mockingbird initiative.
The Mockingbird Foundation is the leading provider of historical information about the band Phish and its music. Since its inception in 1996, the Foundation has been operated entirely by volunteer fans of the band, without any salaries or paid staff. It fundraises for music education for children by celebrating the music of Phish through books, innovative recordings, creative donation premiums, and special events for the Phish fan community. Funds are distributed through a two-tiered application process that is one of the most competitive in the country and that has so far resulted in over 120 grants, in 33 states, totaling nearly $420,000.
The second edition of The Phish Companion (the Foundation’s 928-page authoritative encyclopedia) is available from major book outlets nationwide. Its double-disc tribute album Sharin’ in the Groove is available in CD format through Amazon, CDBaby.com, and Homegrown Music Network, as well as in digital format from nugs.net/livedownloads.com, iTunes, MSN Music, Rhapsody, Napster, BuyMusic, MusicMatch, Sony Connect, MusicIsHere, Liquid Digital Media, PassAlong, MusicNet, Puretracks, MusicNow, and LoudEye! For more information about Mockingbird, or to make a donation, please visit www.mbird.org.
Phish was a rock band that started in 1983 and performed its final show on August 15, 2004. For more information about Phish, please visit http://www.phish.com.