Underwrites GPTV Show on Southern Music

ATLANTA—charbaxter.communications, an agency specializing in integrated marketing services for the technology industry, is underwriting a show on southern music that airs at 10 p.m. Monday, October 22, on GPTV.

“We’re proud to be sponsors of Southern Beat, a television series on the history of southern music,” said Char Baxter, CEO and founder of charbaxter.communications. “It’s been great fun watching the series take shape over the years, and to see it snatched up so quickly by GPTV for an initial six episodes.”

Produced by cdb Productions in the broadcast division of charbaxter.communications, the project has had copywriting, design, Web and marketing support from the agency. “The technology industry will always be our first love,” said Char Baxter. “But our creative team really enjoyed flexing its muscle with Southern Beat.”

Artists highlighted in the first episode of the series, which airs immediately following the Georgia Music Hall of Fame annual awards program, are Jerry Reed, Duane Allman, Jennifer Nettles, Jeffrey Butts from the group Modern hero, Shawn Mullins, Third Day and the Atlanta Rhythm Section. Host of the 60-minute episode is Oteil Burbridge, bassist for the Allman Brothers Band.

cdb Productions’ Dennis Baxter says that Southern Beat will deliver what music fans have been long searching for. “The problem I’ve had with previous musical documentaries is that they’re two dimensional. They provide a chronology of events with as much backstage gossip as possible, but they miss the point of what the music is all about. Southern Beat lets the artists themselves talk about the craft they love best. You not only learn about them, but also about their inspirations and methodologies in creating truly great music. This program is as much for the avid musician as it is for the enthusiastic fan.”

charbaxter.communications’ broadcast division began 10 years ago as an entity separate from the agency proper, producing work for Fender Musical Instruments, Audio Technica, Martin Guitars, MarsMusic.com, as well as providing consulting expertise to the Atlanta, Sydney and Salt Lake City Olympic Games. “Over the years we have brought the division’s expertise into the fold of charbaxter.communications, so the high technology clients we serve can also benefit from their talents,” said Char Baxter. “The team works onsite with us, and has produced some dazzling broadcast ads, corporate videos and more for our clients.”

For Char Baxter, the stretch into areas beyond high technology is refreshing. “Most people don’t realize our agency not only serves high tech companies, but also firms in the financial services, franchising, education, music and entertainment industries,” she said. “We’re business people with a great love for the arts. That’s why we support Southern Beat and groups like the Georgia Coalition for Arts Education, for whom we are a pro bono sponsor. We understand the value of the arts to the quality of life in our community.”

About charbaxter.communications

With over $4 million in billings for 2000, charbaxter.communications traces its roots back to 1991. Early clients included SAP America, Deloitte Consulting and Imlay Investments. The agency continued its high technology focus by developing award-winning branding strategies for technology leaders across North America. These included Sequent Computer Systems, Portland, OR; i-Cube, a Cambridge, MA-based company that was acquired by Razorfish; Clarkston-Potomac, Raleigh; and Atlanta-based companies such as SQL Financials (now Clarus), SynQuest, Inc., Optio Software, Manhattan Associates and o2wireless Solutions, whose integrated rebranding launch won a 2000 gold ADDY award for the agency. Other clients range from startups to established players including Atlanta’s Spectrum Software, Magnet Communications, Covast Corporation and The Complex Sale. A sponsor of the Technology Association of Georgia, the agency is also pro bono sponsor of the Georgia Coalition for Arts Education, a group that is working for legislation and funding to ensure arts education is a requirement in the Georgia public school curriculum. In addition, the agency underwrites and provides marketing support for Southern Beat, a GPTV series on the history of southern music.