YNOT – “What Rock Stars & Porn Stars Know about Publicity and Online Promotion that You Don’t…but Need to,” a workshop with what may be the longest title in the history of education, is slated to take place Wednesday evening in Oakland, Calif. The presenters, both owners of companies that help celebrities create public images, said the two-hour program will deliver exactly what its title implies: an overview of the marketing magic they employ on behalf of their clients.

Michael Brandvold is president of Michael Brandvold Marketing; Christopher Buttner is president of PRthatRocks.com. Separately, the men have designed online promotions, marketing campaigns and publicity programs for mainstream entities including Kiss, U2, Motley Crüe, Rod Stewart, Madonna, Ozzy Osbourne, Dream Theater, Orgy, Kid Rock and Britney Spears. They also have worked with adult companies including Gamelink, Private Media, Vivid Entertainment, Kink.com, Playboy, Good Vibrations, The Exotic Erotic Ball and Masquerotica. Their experiences led them to formulate a plan almost anyone can use to his or her marketing advantage, they said.

Among the mysterious topics Buttner and Brandvold intend to demystify during the workshop are:

• How to obtain press coverage.
• How to write an effective press release quickly.
• How to identify media outlets and opportunities.
• How to develop newsworthy “hooks.”
• How to find editors, journalists and reporters and communicate effectively with them.
• How to overcome fear of pitching an idea.
• How to deal with rejection.
• How to write online copy for best search engine results.

Presented by Shrouded Monkey Productions and the Oakland Music Complex, the workshop will take place Wednesday from 8-10 p.m. at the Oakland Music Complex Lounge, 1255 21st St. in Oakland, Calif. A map and other contact details are here.