St. Louis Mardi Gras Foundation
As a St. Louis Mardi Gras Foundation Board Member, I support a thriving Soulard neighborhood and St. Louis region by advancing the foundation’s events and community service initiatives. I specifically manage media and public relations activities and serve as a Soulard Mardi Gras spokesperson.
Mardi Gras 2023
In 2023, my earned media efforts generated approximately 141 million impressions and provided approximately $4.2 million in ad value for Soulard Mardi Gras. In a year where crime in the region and the neighborhood had been leading stories and a truck caught fire during the parade, overall coverage sentiment was 59.5% positive and only 4.6% negative.
Scroll down for samples of media coverage.
Coverage by Media Type
Coverage Sentiment
Top Outlets by Volume
Media Samples
While serving as a Mardi Gras spokesperson is an important role, one of my favorite parts of 2023 Mardi Gras was helping reporters tell the story of Solard Mardi Gras through someof the volunteers and krewes without whom Mardi Gras wouldn’t be possible.
The People Who Make Mardi Gras
The Origins of Soulard Mardi Gras
This story tells the history of Mardi Gras in Soulard through the last living founder and some of Soulard Mardi Gras’ longest-running volunteers. I worked with the reporter to identify interviewees, provide guidance on their contributions to the story, and schedule interviews.
The Krewe of Vices and Virtues
The Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade wouldn’t be possible without the volunteer krewes. I was originally approached by a producer wanting to do a basic story on the events during Grand Parade Weekend. Instead, I pitched them on an opportunity to preview one of the floats as it was being decorated. In doing so, I built excitement about the parade while also spotlighting the people who make it possible.
The Grand Sultans of Excess
Like the Krewe of Vices and Virtues, I was approached asking for a story overviewing what to expect at the Grand Parade. Rather than telling them myself, I gave the producer the important talking points and let them talk to one of our krewes. This not only added visual interest to their story, but also highlighted the people who make Mardi Gras possible.
The Wiener Dog Derby
One of the more overlooked events during the Soulard Mardi Gras season, the Wiener Dog Derby is made for TV. Who doesn’t want to watch small dogs in costumes spring (or slowly meander) down a race track? This story highlighted one of the more obscure events while highlighting the volunteers who make Soulard Mardi Gras what it is.
