Industry Ink (7/25/14)

Nashville-based Randi Events, led by founding CEO Randi Lesnick, has been named on of the 40 “Best High-end Luxury Event Planners” in the world by The International Man, an online portal that offers rankings and editorial on luxury goods and services. Randi Events is included on the list, along with David Tutera and Wolfgang Puck.
Randi Events’ exclusive client list has included Big Machine Records, Warner Bros. Records, General Mills, CAA, Beats, Samsung, AIG, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
“This honor means so much to me and my incredible staff, who work day and night to deliver the best service to our clients. ‘No’ is not an option for us at Randi Events. We strive to make the impossible…possible! And we appreciate International Man for recognizing that,” said Lesnick.

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Nashville-based Access Brand Strategies has re-branded as New Heartland Group. For more than 12 years, the agency has helped leading brands connect with U.S. customers who live in the New Heartland, an area composed of the Southwest, Midwest and parts of the Southeast. The area claims 13 of the top 20. U.S. cities, ranked by population.
Clients including Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Lipton and Mountain Dew have worked with New Heartland Group, which was founded by Paul Jankowski. Jankowski is the author of the upcoming book Speak American Too: Your Guide to Building Powerful Brands in the New Heartland. The agency recently partnered with Prince Market Research to conduct the first-ever consumer study regarding New Heartland vs. Non-New Heartland consumers. The research will be released in full on Sept. 16.

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Kelly Symone has been hired as the new Director of Promotion & Marketing, West Coast at Nine North/Turnpike Music. Symone will begin in her new role on Friday, Aug. 1.

“I’m thrilled that a person of Kelly’s intelligence, background and skills is joining this team,” Nine North/Turnpike Music/Edgehill Nashville president Larry Pareigis said. “She will continue our seven-year tradition of being Nashville’s go-to virtual label for promotion, social media strategy & associated services to maximize exposure at Reporting and Indicator/Activator Country radio.”

Symone has previously worked as a radio personality at KBGY, KHYL, and KNTY. She has also worked with Quarterback, Blaster and HitShop Records as West Coat regional Director. Symone, who will continue to be based in Sacramento, can be reached at kelly@ninenorthmail.com.

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Warner/Chappell will take over Nashville’s Whiskey Jam in Loser’s parking lot on July 28. Hosted by Josh Hoge and Ward Guenther, the free, 21+ show will feature Native Run, Lauren Alaina, Michael Ray, William Michael Morgan, Brandon Lay, Sean McConnell, Drew Baldridge, and Runaway Saints.

Doors open at 5 p.m.