While publicists are mostly using Blinder to provide phone access to the media, fans are now getting in on the act. With audio of these conversations able to be captured, and shared with other fans on social media, it’s changing the rules around fan engagement.

I had a birthday in October, which a few of my mates described as “half-time”. It’s a sporting reference apparently (soccer to be specific), and a fairly sobering one to boot. It’s left me quietly hoping that I get to play the full 90, but also focused on playing really well in the first part of the second half.

When Kevin Durant announced he was leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors, he didn’t do so via a press conference or ESPN or the Golden State Warriors.

As a former director of Sony Music Australia – following roles at Warner Music, Festival Mushroom Records and EMI – Frank Varasso knows music publicity well. He’s worked with artists from Prince to Usher, and Armin van Buuren to Sia. 

When music and sport combine, powerful things can happen – as those at both the AFL and NRL grand finals found out over the weekend.

At the Big Sound music conference in Brisbane last month, 150 hot young acts were strutting their stuff by night and hoping to catch attention and step into brighter lights. Tash Sultana – who is currently on a sold-out US tour – is one who had done just that after performing at Big Sound last year.

The best player in the NRL right now started the season as, perhaps, the fourth-best player at his club.

Being open and honest is always the best policy – except when it isn’t. And when it comes to media management in professional sport, that can be quite often.