New Masses Media is a multi-level public relations and production company based in New York City, embracing the wider creative arts and entertainment industry. We offer a distinctive hands-on approach. Services include campaigns of varying reach, image consulting, press release and distribution, social media, brand management, media relations and crisis management, as well as on-set and onstage consultation. Dialect coaches are also available.
Our clients include celebrated actors Louise Sorel and Concetta Tomei, author Alexis Hunter (Joi Lansing: A Body to Die For), award-winning singer-songwriter Lynn Portas, comic entertainer Mindy Fradkin, independent record labels and businesses, and many more.
The firm has also focused on close work with underground performing artists in publicizing new works, tours, concerts and other events through insightful campaigns and, when needed, the creation of full productions. Free Jazz musicians, experimental composers, revolutionary writers and others have called on our expertise. From the the production and publicity for the annual Dissident Arts Festival and the 2014 Tribute to ‘New York Eye and Ear Control’ concert to PR for the tribute Jazz Funeral of Will Connell (the Stone, NYC 2014; St Peter’s Church 2015), the Unseen Rain Record label and a variety of indie artists. New Masses Media is a multi-level public relations and production company based in New York City embracing the wider creative arts and entertainment industry.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LAURIE TOWERS has engaged in public relations, representation and event-staging over decades. Her campaigns, often aligned with women’s rights, humanitarian and environmental causes, have been constructed for broadcast and podcast hosts, actors, models, authors, musicians, artisans, raconteurs, and many others. Press as a result of her campaigns, has included New York Magazine, Allure, NY 1 News, Time Out, Soap Opera Digest, Glamour, New York Times, National Public Radio, Broadway World, Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair, Newsweek, New York Daily News, Travel & Leisure, Page Six/NY Post, Gotham, Maxim, Newsday, and other print, television, radio and internet media. Among Towers’ illustrious partnerships has been theatrical producer Ken Davenport (“Kinky Boots”, “Spring Awakenings”) for his “The Bachelorette Show”. She also serves as producer and co-host of WFMU’s popular “Beneath the Underground” program, and hosts feminist podcast “She’s Raising the Bar” (Blogtalk Radio). Among her coveted interviews, Towers engaged the elusive 93-year-old Mamie Van Doren. Laurie is also a musician with multiple recordings to her credit on the ESP-Disk label.The firm has also focused on close work with underground performing artists in publicizing new works, tours, concerts and other events through insightful campaigns and, when needed, the creation of full productions. Free Jazz musicians, experimental composers, revolutionary writers and others have called on our expertise. From the the production and publicity for the annual Dissident Arts Festival and the 2014 Tribute to ‘New York Eye and Ear Control’ concert to PR for the tribute Jazz Funeral of Will Connell (the Stone, NYC 2014; St Peter’s Church 2015), the Unseen Rain Record label and a variety of indie artists.
CO-FOUNDER AND WRITER JOHN PIETARO is a poet, arts journalist, musician and organizer whose music/spoken word festivals and other events throughout the New York area have been ongoing since 1989. Critic of “The NYC Jazz Record” newspaper, Pietaro has written for PleaseKillMe, The Nation, The Wire, Z, Sensitive Skin, Peoples World, and CounterPunch, among many more. He was among the honorees at the New York Press Association Better Newspaper Awards 2021 for his obituary of drummer Dee Pop in “The Village Sun”. Pietaro hosts the weekly “Beneath the Underground” program (WFMU, New Jersey/New York) and is the author of four books of creative writing.
MASS MEDIA PRODUCTIONS/EVENTS
OUTREACH: Celebrate the Children of Resistance, Town Hall, New York NY (2003)
CONCERT PRODUCTION: produced, hosted and publicized by New Masses Media:
DISSIDENT ARTS FESTIVAL, 2006-present:
Festival Locations: 17 Frost Theatre of the Arts (Brooklyn NY), 5C Cultural Cafe and Winston Unity Hall (Manhattan), El Taller Latino (Manhattan), ShapeShifter Lab, (Brooklyn), El Taller Latino (Manhattan), Brecht Forum (Manhattan), Howland Cultural Center (Beacon NY)
Festival beneficiaries (all proceeds donated): “ Silent No More” event. The Dwelling Place NYC, Rosenberg Fund for Children, New York Families for Justice, others
PREVIOUS MASS MEDIA EVENTS
NEW MASSES NIGHTS performance series (2017, Winston Unity Hall, Manhattan)
TRIBUTE TO “NEW YORK EYE & EAR CONTROL” (2014, Firehouse Space, Brooklyn)
DRUMS FOR WARREN: Benefit Concert for Warren Smith (2014, Brecht Forum Manhattan)
OCTOBER JAZZ REVOLUTION (2013, Cornelia St Café, Manhattan)
WOODSTOCK WOODY GUTHRIE BIRTHDAY FEST (2007-2009, Colony, Woodstock NY)
PHIL OCHS FEST (2003, Sidewalk Café, Manhattan; 2005-2009, Colony, Woodstock NY)
MADE FOR YOU AND ME – TRIBUTE TO WOODY GUTHRIE (2001, Winston Unity Hall, Manhattan)
MAY DAY CONCERT (2000-04 Union Square Park, Manhattan, and Howland Cultural Center, Beacon NY, 2005-09 )
HANSS EISLER CENTENARY FESTIVAL (1998, Brecht Forum NYC)
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