Ariel Hyatt of Ariel Publicity and CYBER PR® secretly launched ReviewYou in 2004, as a response to multiple requests from musicians who just wanted 1 or 2 CD reviews to add to their press kits and websites.
These artists wanted to have reviews because club owners, festival coordinators and booking agents told them that they needed these reviews to get booked for live gigs.
One artist confided in her that he was passed over for a showcase slot at SXSW because he had no “press” on his press reviews page in his Sonicbids EPK ™. That’s a terrible reason to not make it to the biggest music festival in the United States.
She was outed and carped at by The New York Press as the creator of the service and the CD review requests continued to flood in… Not only from artists who wanted them but also from reviewers (bloggers and music journalists) who wanted to contribute.
The music business continues to radically shift since then and with over 2,000 CDs being released every week, it has been harder and harder for artists to get their music reviewed.
24 of the 25 largest newspapers are experiencing record declines in circulation. And some of the first jobs on the chopping blocks were the music editors who now serve as the arts, dance, and cultural editors if they have jobs at all…. What does that mean for you? It means that getting reviewed in the traditional newspapers is even more of a long shot than ever before
Ariel is delighted to have teamed up with talented and insightful music writers and bloggers from all over the world to help provide the much-needed service to artists and bands wishing to add reviews to their press kits, websites and promotional materials.
» Read more about Ariel’s PR Firm and CYBER PR® Campaigns
» See how Ariel’s book can change your relationship to Marketing & PR and help you swiftly grow your fanbase at www.musicsuccessinnineweeks.com
Chris Hacker
ReviewYou Managing Editor
Chris originally hails from Chicago where he worked at Triple A powerhouse WXRT 93.1. Chris took to traveling throughout Europe in 2004 and when he returned to the US made the decision to relocate to New York City. Upon his arrival in his new home town, he started working with several independent artists and in 2006 was hired at the independent record label Engine Room Recordings, first as the Director of Tours and Promotions and then later was promoted to Label Manager. In addition Chris also founded Howling Clue Entertainment, a NACA affiliated college booking agency. In 2011 Chris joined the team here at ReviewYou as Managing Editor.
