Released on: September 22, 2008, 9:25 pm

Press Release Author: ii-DG

Industry: Entertainment

Press Release Summary: Staystrongnation.org hires Blackman Rakowitz Public Relations

Press Release Body: Los Angeles, CA/New York, NY/October 18, 2008- - Blackman
Rakowitz Public Relations has been retained by the music label Boo Yoo Back
Productions, for their hip hop single, “Stay Strong.” The single, performed by
Michael Lietz (a.k.a Bishop) and Charles Cook, is a forceful reminder to our
servicemen and women that the nation respects and reveres them, and this time, will
not forget or forsake them once they return home. It is an anthem designed to give
our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan hope despite the difficult situations
they face and to raise awareness about the often invisible war veterans fight
against Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The project is the vision of L.A. Keith Crosby and Gresford Lewishall, president and
vice president respectively of the music label Boo You Back Productions, who have
formed StayStrongNation.org and filed for a 501(c)(3) charitable status. This
grass-roots effort reflects their commitment to the more than 1.65 million service
members deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.

Though both men do have extensive connections to the music business, these residents
of Maui describe themselves as just “regular guys.” Crosby is a maintenance worker
and Lewishall a tour bus operator. Crosby has been composing for nearly 40 years and
Lewishall has been involved in music promotion since the 1990s. For them, “Stay
Strong” is a chance to make a real difference in the lives of our combat veterans.

This critical message comes at a time when there are concerns that the ongoing wars
in Iraq and Afghanistan are producing an alarmingly high number of cases of PTSD. An
April 2008 Rand Corporation study noted that 300,000 veterans who served in either
Iraq or Afghanistan reported signs of major depression or stress disorder. Common
symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, sleeplessness, irritability, feelings of
detachment, alienation and trouble concentrating.

Blackman Rakowitz Public Relations represents a bold new partnership that will build
on the duos’ strong foundation in public relations, media, corporate communications,
crisis and reputation management, branding and marketing to develop breakthrough
strategies that not only get noticed, they achieve bottom-line results. The agency
kicked off its PR campaign by securing an impressive full page story in the business
section of the New York Times announcing the cross Atlantic deal between the
venerable British advertising agency Dewynters, legendary for creating theatre’s
most iconic imagery such as the Phantom of the Opera mask and the Les Mis girl, and
America’s modern-edged SpotCo, which launched Rent into the stratosphere and
represents nearly half of the shows on Broadway with multiple Tony wins. Subsequent
press placements have included The International Herald Tribune, Yahoo Finance,
Reuters and AOL Money.

With offices in New York and Los Angeles, BR Public Relations can capitalize on its
access and relationships to top tier media outlets across all platforms. They know
the people who matter--key trendsetters, opinion leaders and decision makers—and
have shown they can generate ideas and stories with the interest and power to
saturate the media. In the fast-changing world of new media platforms, BR Public
Relations’ rapid response team is highly skilled at crafting messages and delivering
them in any medium, including the internet, viral campaigns, prime time TV,
newspaper front pages, magazine covers, guerilla marketing and influential blogs.
For the firm’s global clients, the intense media exposure translates into optimum
profitability.

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About Blackman Rakowitz Public Relations:

Seasoned executives, Blackman and Rakowitz each boast an impressive record of
turning unknown products, attractions and companies into blockbusters, building

brands that stand out from the clutter and catapulting them to the next level, while
generating an enormous buzz for their diverse clients worldwide. Their expertise
also extends to all areas of corporate communications, including crisis
management,internal communications and public affairs.

Bi-coastal clients have included: Madame Tussauds New York, Loews Cineplex
Entertainment, NBC Universal, Sony Corporation, Africana.com and Dr. Henry Louis
Gates, Jr., Danny Pearl Foundation, Discovery Networks, IMAX Corporation, SA Baxter
Design, Modavox Inc., Michael Moore, Multivision Inc., Columbia Tri-Star, Patron
Tequila and Spirits Company, PBS, The Perlman Music Program, The Oaks Center for
Cosmetic Dentistry, Cornerstone Executive Development Group and Shock Coffee.


Contact:

B•R Public Relations
Diane Blackman – New York Office
dblackman@brpublicrelations.com
212.989.3646

Cindy Rakowitz – Los Angeles Office
cindy@brpublicrelations.com
818.783.3307

Contact: Jan Andrew
jan@brpublicrelations.com
(212) 989-3646

Web Site: http://www.brpublicrelations.com

Contact Details: Blackman Rakowitz Public Relations
16000 Ventura Blvd. Suite 1000
Encino, CA 91346
cindy@brpublicrelations.com
818.783.3307