POPULAR PUBLICITY

HELLO

Meet Andy Reynolds dba Popular Publicity. 

He is a NYC-based freelance book, music, film, event and lifestyle publicist, as well as an expert in LGBT media worldwide. He knows people who want to know you and will present your book, music, or service with wit, humor and chutzpah! Placements include The New York Times, Washington Post, The PBS Newshour and various local NPR stations. He is the former VP Marketing & Publicity at visual book publisher, Welcome Books, distributed at the time by Random House. (Welcome was acquired by Rizzoli–distributed by Penguin Random House–in 2014.)

View Andy Reynolds' career as a coffee table book on ISSUU via www.andyreynoldsresume.com

Looking for a book cover designer? He's got you...covered. See his graphic design portfolio–including 5 book covers–at www.andyreynolds.nyc.

Contact him at andy@popularpublicity.com

Linkedin

 

PRESS RELEASE: The Miss Gay America Pageant presents The 5 Best Documentaries About The Art of Female Impersonation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com

(New York, NY) September XX, 2016–In anticipation of the forthcoming Miss Gay America pageant in Memphis October 5-9, get your Drag History 101 on with the five best documentary films on female impersonation.

"The Queen," featuring the legendary Flawless Sabrina, is about a New York City pageant in 1968 and is beloved by fans for its fiercely quotable moments. "Paris Is Burning" should need no introduction. "The Damn Deal" and "Pageant" are about the Miss Gay America competition (the first of which, interestingly, was made by a former Miss America). The forthcoming "The Queens," not only goes inside the Miss Continental pageant–the other major drag pageant–but also delves into the history one of the worlds' most famous female impersonation nightclubs, Chicago's Baton.

The bonus, sixth film, "The Unforgettable Danny La Rue," is not about drag pageantry per se, but about what these pageants celebrate–and reward: the ability to get up on a stage, reliably entertain a live audience, and build a successful, sustainable career as star entertainer. La Rue, arguably the most successful female impersonator of the mid-20th century, did this in spectacular fashion.

In order of the date release. Scroll, watch and learn:

PRESS RELEASE: For Photographer Ron Amato, Thinking Inside "The Box" Is Very Sexy

"The Box Typology 2" by Ron Amato. Scroll for more photos + video.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com

(New York, NY) September 28, 2016–For respected New York photographer Ron Amato, thinking inside the box has proven to be very sexy. "The Box," in this case, is the title of Amato's forthcoming monograph of gorgeously sensual male nudes, for which he has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help cover final production and printing costs.

In return for pledging to the ongoing Kickstarter campaign (ends Oct 20), Amato is offering donors a handful of seductive rewards, including copies of "The Box," limited edition 24" x 24" prints and a private photo shoot for two.

At ninety-six pages, in a smart 10”x10” format, "The Box" will be printed in Italy, sheathed in a clothbound slipcase, and available worldwide, through a major distributor, January 2017.

Focused on themes of isolation, desire, conflict and empowerment, Ron Amato uses a series of boxes to create visual metaphors, echoeing his development from adolescence to adulthood through over 100 color, and black and white photographs. (See many more photos on the Kickstarter page).

“Most of my artwork explores issues of sexuality. The enigma of attraction has been an ongoing question," says Amato. "With 'The Box' I was able to explore those themes more deeply, helping me develop a better understanding of myself as a gay man and the larger gay universe.”

Over thirty men, reflecting a diversity of ages, cultures, races and lifestyles–a thread that runs throughout Amato’s work–were photographed for “The Box.”

Ron Amato is currently an Associate Professor and the Chairperson of the Photography department at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. He has exhibited extensively in the US and internationally, been published in a number of anthologies and photographed for fitness and sports magazines, including Men's Health, Men's Fitness and Sports Illustrated. He lives in Brooklyn with his husband Seth and their two Fox Terriers, Ben and Zeb.

Visit Amato's classy, but NSFW website at www.ronamato.com

Donate to "The Box" Kickstarter campaign at:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1292010249/the-box-2

Below/Media Only: Optional images for posting, include two cropped horizontally.
Photo credit for all: Ron Amato

WATCH: RuPaul's Drag Race Queen Nina Flowers, Sissy Spastik, Battle in Fior's Stunning "Backstabber" Video

Photos by Patrick McPheron.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com

Fior's "Backstabber" Video a Commentary on Coliseum Culture, Troll-Baiting

Fior. Photo by Patrick McPheron.

(New York, NY) September 27, 2016–“Backstabber” is the dazzling new grit-n-glitter music video from Los Angeles recording artist Fior.

Directed by David Berget, the video features drag legend and international DJ Nina Flowers, who appeared on “RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 1)", fellow drag superstar Sissy Spastik, and celebrity dancer and choreographer, Michael Silas (Lady Gaga’s “Monster Ball” Tour, Mariah Carey).

At first glance this post-apocalyptic drag Thunderdome may appear to be a showdown between warring queens, but it’s also a commentary on today’s coliseum culture.

“Personal conflicts and negativity have taken center stage as entertainment,“ observes Fior. "The audience is so quick to dehumanize those they don’t like. Online bullying. Virtual stoning. It’s feeding this emerging troll culture that’s infected the way people view art. In ‘Backstabber’, the queens kill each other, and the crowd just throws money on top of their dead bodies, cheering because they want to see it again! They forget about the queen's humanity, the pain that caused them to lash out. They forget about the sacrifice.”

The drama-whipping “Backstabber” single and epic supporting album, “The Gates of Paititi,” are available now on iTunes, Spotify and Tidal. Listen to three songs, including the anthemic "Love's Here," here. www.tomekfior.com •

> To review Fior's “The Gates of Paititi," contact andy@popularpublicity.com

 

 

PRESS RELEASE: You Be The Judge: Cast Your Vote in the MISS GAY AMERICA 2017 "Man Behind the Make-Up" Poll

Above: 5 of the nearly 40 Miss Gay America 2017 contestants + Miss Gay America 2016, Asia T. O'Hara (with the pearl backdrop). Individual images at the bottom of this page.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com

(New York, NY) September 22, 2016–Meet the 40 Miss Gay America 2017 (Oct 5-9) contestants and take the “Man Behind the Make-Up” Facebook Poll. Vote for your favorite photo here or go to the Miss Gay America Facebook page and scroll to the poll. Voting is live until October 4. The winner will be announced at Miss Gay America.

From October 5-9, Memphis, Tennessee will be the setting for the 44th national Miss Gay America pageant. Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before “RuPaul’s Drag Race"–it is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition. Forty 2016 state and regional preliminary winners will compete for five nights in five categories for the Miss Gay America 2017 crown. One these is "Male Interview," where contestants are interviewed in suit and tie, prior to transforming into their drag alter ego.  •

Follow Miss Gay America on Facebook. More about Miss Gay America on the Popular Publicity press page.

Media: Separate jpegs of the images in the gif above are below.

PRESS RELEASE: Los Angele's Recording Artist FIOR Gives Good Face in Anticipation of His Gorgenious New Video, "BACKSTABBER"

Teaser of images from Fior's gorgenious forthcoming "Backstabber" video.
All photos on this post by Patrick McPheron.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com

Fior's "Backstabber" Video a Commentary on Coliseum Culture, Troll-Baiting

(New York, NY) September 23, 2016–Launching Tuesday, September 27 on YouTube, “Backstabber” is the dazzling new grit-n-glitter music video from Los Angeles recording artist Fior. Directed by David Berget, the video features drag legend and international DJ Nina Flowers, who appeared on “RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 1)", fellow drag superstar Sissy Spastik, and celebrity dancer and choreographer, Michael Silas (Lady Gaga’s “Monster Ball” Tour, Mariah Carey).

At first glance this post-apocalyptic drag Thunderdome may appear to be a showdown between warring queens, but it’s also a commentary on today’s coliseum culture.

“Personal conflicts and negativity have taken center stage as entertainment,“ observes Fior. "The audience is so quick to dehumanize those they don’t like. Online bullying. Virtual stoning. It’s feeding this emerging troll culture that’s infected the way people view art. In ‘Backstabber’, the queens kill each other, and the crowd just throws money on top of their dead bodies, cheering because they want to see it again! They forget about the queen's humanity, the pain that caused them to lash out. They forget about the sacrifice.”

PRESS RELEASE: Trans Men Crying Tears of Joy: First FTM Sex Toy Ever Released Today

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com

(New York, NY) September 15, 2016–Buck Angel’s Buck-Off™, the first sex toy/sexual health aid ever designed for trans men, is available as of today. It’s a boon to those trans men suffering from gender dysphoria. As Buck says on the packaging, “Love Your Body, Love Yourself.” Trans men cried (tears of joy) on hearing the news and seeing the prototype at trade fairs last month.

Watch Buck Angel explaining how the Buck-Off™ works in 20 seconds!

Buy the Buck-Off™here.

Read the full Buck-Off™ press release, with product photos, here.

Buck Angle is available for interviews.

 

 

PRESS RELEASE: In Anticipation of the MISS GAY AMERICA PAGEANT, Former MISS AMERICA Elizabeth Gracen Talks About “THE DAMN DEAL” – Her Captivating Documentary on Drag, Gender & Growing Up Gay in the South

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com

"My brother was a huge football star and now with me in competition in pageants, that’s my football –that’s me being a football star. I’m just a beautiful football star.”
–  Spencer May/Kelly Cruise, Miss Gay Arkansas America 1993,
from “The Damn Deal” (1997)

(New York, NY) September 7, 2016 – In 1997, filmmaker, writer and former Miss America, Elizabeth Gracen, interviewed three young female impersonators who competed in the Miss Gay America Pageant system for her captivating, beautifully lit and shot black-and-white documentary “The Damn Deal” (Flapper Films). The recovered, original footage, now restored, explores gender, identity and what it was like to grow up gay in the South at the end of the 20th century.

Crowned Miss America in 1982, Gracen (Elizabeth Ward at the time) went on to study acting, pose on the cover of Playboy, star (as Amanda) in the Nineties TV series “Highlander,” and established her own film production company (Flapper Films) and boutique publishing company (Flapper Press). She recently filmed actress Lee Meriweather for a documentary short and in March released her first Young Adult fantasy novel, “Shallily.”

In anticipation of the 44th Miss Gay America pageant happening in Memphis from October 5 - 9, Gracen talks about the making of “The Damn Deal.”

Miss America 1983 Elizabeth Gracen. Photo by Emma Bogren.

PRESS RELEASE: Memphis Filmmaker Morgan Jon Fox Celebrates Worldwide Release of His First TV Series “Feral” at Malco Studio on the Square, October 6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Word Doc DOWNLOAD
> Read the "Feral" TV series press release here.

Listings/Calendar Info:
The Official Memphis "Feral" Release Screening & Celebration
Thursday October 6, 2016
7:30 PM
Malco Studio On The Square
Overton Square
2105 Court Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
Reception and screening of episodes 1-5 of Memphis filmmaker's original TV series, "Feral. (Episodes are about 20 minutes long.)
$10.00
Tickets available at Malco Studio On The Square box office and online at Malco.com about a week before the screening.

(New York, NY) September 12, 2016–On Thursday, October 6, Memphis filmmaker Morgan Jon Fox will celebrate the worldwide debut of his Dekkoo.com original TV series "Feral" with a screening event at the Malco Studio On The Square. Joining him for the big night will the “Feral” cast and crew–fellow Memphians, all–including lead actors, Leah Beth Bolton, Chase Brother, Seth Daniel, and Jordan Nichols.

PRESS RELEASE: Spectacular MISS GAY AMERICA Female Impersonator Pageant Comes to Memphis October 5-9 – 40 Entertainers from Across the U.S. to Compete for Ultimate Drag Trophy

Miss Gay America 2016, Asia T. O'Hara
Photo: Kristofer Reynolds
More photos of Asia T. O'Hara at the bottom of this page

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com

• Press release as WORD DOC
• 5 Q&As with Miss Gay America 2016, Asia T. O'Hara WORD DOC
• ABOUT the Miss Gay America Pageant (with photos, video) + as WORD DOC
• 300dpi photo DOWNLOAD
• Miss Gay America Website | Facebook

Miss Gay America 2016

October 5-9
Holiday Inn Airport - Conference Center
2240 Democrat Road
Memphis, TN  38132
Hotel Phone: 901-332-1130
www.missgayamerica.com
Tickets: www.missgayamerica.com/tickets.html

Schedule*
October 5, 8PM: Preliminary Night One
October 6, 8PM: Preliminary Night Two
October 7, 8PM: Preliminary Night Three
October 8, 7PM: Revue Show, $20
October 9, 6PM: Final Night, Crowning of Miss Gay America 2017, $45
*See the "Master Schedule" at www.missgayamerica.com/mga-schedule.html for night-by-night details.

Poster for the Miss Gay America Review Show on October 8.
Not to be missed!

(New York, NY) September 1, 2016–From October 5-9 (five nights), Memphis, Tennessee will be the setting for the 44th national Miss Gay America pageant. Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before “RuPaul’s Drag Race"–it is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition. To date, over 10,000 men from over thirty states have competed for the Miss Gay America crown.

Forty state and regional title holders from 27 preliminaries around the country (totaling nearly 425 contestants) will compete for five nights in five rigorously judged categories to win the Miss Gay America 2017 crown: Male Interview, Solo Talent, Evening Gown, On-Stage Interview, and Talent (big production number).

The pageant will honor the former Miss Gay Texas America 2015 and current Miss Gay America 2016, Asia T. O'Hara (above), of Dallas. On the final night of the pageant, she will step down to pass on the crown to Miss Gay America 2017.

To get glimpse into the world of female impersonator competition, check out the trailer for the award-winning 2008 documentary "Pageant" on Vimeo.

To get glimpse into the world of female impersonator competition, check out the trailer for the award-winning 2008 documentary "Pageant" on Vimeo.

PRESS RELEASE: Buck Angel Unveils First Sex Toy Ever Designed Specifically for Trans Men

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Buck Angle is available for interviews
Download press release as WORD DOC
> Scroll for 72dpi Buck-Off™ product photos
Download 300dpi product + Buck Angel photos here.

As seen on:
Advocate.com
Forbes.com
OUT.com
Refinery29.com
Vice.com

Trans Men Crying Tears of Joy: First FTM Sex Toy Ever Released

(New York, NY) September 15, 2016–Buck Angel’s Buck-Off™, the first sex toy/sexual health aid ever designed for trans men, is available as of today. It’s a boon to those trans men suffering from gender dysphoria. As Buck says on the packaging, “Love Your Body, Love Yourself.” Trans men cried (tears of joy) on hearing the news and seeing the prototype at trade fairs last month.

The Buck-Off™ was collaboratively designed by trans icon and LGBTQ rights activist Buck Angel and Steve Callow, CEO and designer for Florida-based men’s sexual health products company Perfect Fit Brand.

Watch Buck Angel explaining how the Buck-Off™ works in 20 seconds!

“This is something I have been working on for years," says Angel. "I approached many companies within the adult world, only to be told ‘there is no market.’ It's been frustrating," he says. "I have talked with so many FTM people about how they have a hard time connecting sexually with their bodies while transitioning. I never had bottom surgery,” Angel explains, “and when I learned to connect with my vagina and learned how to love it, it changed my life for the better in so many ways. So many men like me have told me that they can’t connect sexually with their bodies, or they don’t even want to touch their vaginas, and that makes me so sad.”