EBay Auction Slave" Making a Splash in South Floridas PR Market

A New York-trained publicist, who once sold herself on eBay, uses all her tricks to land national exposure for unlikely candidates in a region not known for its promotional stature.

Hollywood, FL February 20, 2002 -- In the most unlikely of places, one independent company is making a lot of noise. Karen D. Publicity, the brainchild of former New York City rock music publicist Karen M. DiGesu, is landing national exposure for local businesses and individuals.

DiGesu, who worked publicity tours and scored national press exposure for a host of multi-platinum rock artists and writers, decided to leave the big city behind two years ago but wasnt convinced that an aggressive, NY-style" PR firm could flourish in these parts. I kept finding, to my surprise, that people still have incredibly antiquated notions about South Floridians", she says, citing the long-outdated belief that everyone from Ft. Lauderdale to the Keys is retired, living on a fixed income, playing shuffleboard." Its to her benefit, evidently. While most local publicists and marketers are preoccupied with their belief that this region isnt strong enough to warrant full-out promotional campaigns, my clients are getting all the press attention" says DiGesu, who was recently getting a lot of press attention herself as the person who sold herself on the Internet Web site eBay with the headline Dot Com Employee For Sale." (http://money.cnn.com/2000/11/02/career/karen/) -- that is, until the auction site was forced to remove her post, citing a rule about their site not allowing, slave auctions. It was a stunt, born out of frustration", she says. The Internet is still a vital center for informational research and marketing exposure, but print and electronic publicity has always been my main arena."

Focusing on the small to medium-sized business owner and individual projects, DiGesu maintains her belief that hard work and relentless detail will always close the deal. Her office phones are ringing non-stop as she busily confirms an Oprah spot for a local author, arranges to escort a Miami telecommunications VIP onto Moneyline, CNN's highly-lauded business affair program, which shoots in New York City, and finalizes plans for something she is most proud of - a monthly book signing event for authors on promotional tours, to take place in an upcoming club/catering hall in the heart of Las Olas legendary Riverwalk plaza.

I dont want to say too much yet but Im getting very warm feedback about two national talk shows coming down here to shoot from Ft. Lauderdale for a week. It will be great for this area. There is nothing South Florida doesnt offer -- I defy anyone from any cosmopolitan center to bet against that."

My goal is to single-handedly turn South Florida into an automatic yes" for every person who puts together press junkets, whether its in the film, music, or publishing industry. I want the talent to make a stop here."

Contact Karen M. DiGesu at Karen D. Publicity: 305 522-1897