About Your Hosts
Speak Out! (or we’ll do it for you) Podcast
Jo-Ann Geffen and Lois Whitman-Hess are two long-time publicists and business advisors who have championed the biggest names in entertainment, tech, fashion, publishing, sports, art, and the specialized field of crisis management. There is not a challenge in these businesses that they have not had to face and cure. Their podcast is an inside look at what is really going on behind the curtains.
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Episodes
Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
Most Americans who are not in the entertainment, publishing or tech business may not really understand the ramifications of AI, Artificial Intelligence, in their daily lives, both personally and professionally. It would be wise to listen to this episode of “Speak Out! Or We’ll Do It For You” so you can learn how to safeguard yourself in the world of computer systems that are becoming more proficient in visual and audio perception, speech recognition, decision-making and translation between languages. You don’t want to be misrepresented in any situation or carry on a conversation with a clone's voice or image pretending to be someone else. It’s important that you listen so at least you are aware of the many possibilities. Stay safe and very aware in this fast-moving world of technology. Many of us think this doesn't affect us but if it doesn't now -- it will!
Friday Sep 15, 2023
Friday Sep 15, 2023
Women all over the world are talking about Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis’s decision to write letters to a judge vouching for their friend and former “That ‘70s Show” co-star Danny Masterson’s character. As most of us know, Masterson was convicted to a 30-year jail sentence for plying two women with drugs and raping them while they were unconscious. Jo-Ann Geffen and Lois Whitman-Hess certainly believe Masterson deserves his jail time, but they question how well Kutcher and Kunis were prepared by PR agents for the backlash they are receiving for supporting their friend. Here are their professional thoughts.
Jo-Ann Geffen
Jo-Ann Geffen, founder and President of JAG PR, began her four decade career in New York where she worked with comics, then music stars, some of whom she still represents. Her expertise expanded to other areas, notably television and books, and after moving to Los Angeles in the ‘70s and setting up shop there, the client list expanded to include branding and promoting products, corporations, websites and more. In addition to the Commodores, one of her first successes was helping to brand Body by Jake which went on to become a phenomenon in the fitness world. She has also been a personal manager for the Commodores, Michael Cooper, Club Nouveau, Chaka Khan and David Cassidy, and has licensed the name and likeness for the Commodores, Rick James, David Cassidy and others. Another aspect of the business is talent booking which she has successfully accomplished for domestic and international events, TV shows and concert promoters. Crisis management is another area in which she excels, representing several high profile people and cases in and out of the entertainment industry, working closely with and usually hired by the clients’ legal counsel. This aligns with her integrity and goal to help to make a difference in the world which is largely displayed by her support of and work for several non-profits including Cancer Schmancer, weSpark Cancer Support Center and Mending Kids, to name a few.
Having gained prominence in the music industry, she is also President of Creative Rights Group which brokers the sale of songwriters', recording artists' and music producers' music assets. Some of those for whom CRG has successfully sold catalogs or various assets include Smokey Robinson, the Isley Bros., members of the Commodores, the estate of Hoagy Carmichael, Yelawolf, and many other A-listers who prefer to remain anonymous. CRG entered this business before it was widely known or exploited, over a decade ago, and remains active in the sales of all genres and ages of music.
Lois Whitman-Hess
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