Objective:
Provide consistent marketing and publicity surrounding the Grand Opening, development and subsequent expansion of The Johnny Cash Museum.
About The Johnny Cash Museum
The Johnny Cash Museum takes you on an in-depth journey through the Man In Black’s amazing life. Officially authorized by the Estate of Johnny Cash, the museum features the largest and most comprehensive collection of never before seen historical documents, letters, awards, costumes and instruments will take the visitor on a three dimensional journey through Johnny Cash’s life with interactive technology.
The museum, designed by the Temeka Group in collaboration with Bill and Shannon Miller, unites the extensive and acclaimed collection of Bill Miller, longtime friend of Cash’s and founder of the official Johnny Cash website JohnnyCash.com, and pieces from friends, colleagues and family members including his daughters, son and siblings.
The collection features the earliest known Johnny Cash letters and documents as well as the handwritten manuscript to the last song ever written by the prolific songwriter, just days before his passing. Visitors also will be given an extensive look into Cash’s non-entertainment related life including his childhood and early adulthood and his service in the United States Air Force.
What We Did
The Grand Opening
On May 30, 2013, The Johnny Cash Museum celebrated its Grand Opening with a day full of prizes and limited time offers to fans and patrons. PLA Media was at the helm, coordinating the groundbreaking press conference, a private VIP and public grand opening celebration.
Legends of Sun Records
The Legends of Sun Records exhibit opened to the public on August 15, 2014, featuring artifacts that spotlight Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and drummer W.S. Holland.
Bongo Java Coffee Shop And Gift Shop Expansion
The Johnny Cash Museum teams with Nashville’s oldest and most-honored coffee company Bongo Java to perk up downtown Nashville with the addition of a coffee shop to the museum. Opened in late February 2015, the expansion offers a variety of Bongo Java’s most sought after brews alongside a selection of pastries and gourmet cafe fare.
Coordination and press for Special Events
– Partnership with WSM and the Grand Ole Opry
– CMA Fest exhibit hall meet and greets with Cash family and band members
– Signing and Q&A with Robert Hilburn, author of Johnny Cash: The Life
– Johnny Cash Birthday Bash (twice)
– Songwriters Night
The Result
In the 23 month months that the museum has been opened, PLA has secured 260 pieces on The Johnny Cash Museum, in top publications including:
- ABC News
- Austin Chronicle
- Better Homes & Gardens
- Billboard (9x)
- The Boot
- CMA Close Up
- CMT
- Conde Nast Traveler
- Country Aircheck (4x)
- Country Weekly (4x)
- D Magazine
- Dallas Morning News
- Entrepreneurs Magazine
- Forbes (2x)
- GAC
- Garden & Gun
- Guitar World
- Huffington Post
- Money Magazine
- Nashville Business Journal (2x)
- Nashville Lifestyles
- Nashville Parent
- National Geographic
- New York Post
- New York Times
- Paste
- Rolling Stone
- Southern Living (2x)
- St. Louis Dispatch
- Teen Vogue
- Tennessean (4x)
- Time
- USA Today (2x)
- Vogue
- Varies affiliates for ABC, CBS, FOX & NBC
The Johnny Cash Museum has acquired numerous awards and accolades as a result of our coordinated efforts with the museum staff.
- 2014 Award of Excellence – The Tennessee Association of Museums
- Gem Rating – AAA
- #1 Must Visit Museum for Music Lovers [Worldwide] – Conde Nast’s Traveler
- #1 Pitch Perfect Museum [Worldwide] – National Geographic
- 5 Nashville Must Sees – Forbes
- 7 Great American Vacation Spots (That Won’t Bust Your Budget) – Time
- 50 Reasons We’re Thankful to be Southern – Southern Living
- Reason 8 of 10 why Nashville’s SoBro is the Next Great Neighborhood – Southern Living
- 22 Reasons You Should Visit Nashville – Huffington Post
- Top 10 Tennessee Spots for Music Lovers – Rolling Stone
- Best Culture Stop in Nashville – Money Magazine
- 11 Great Ideas for Nearby Fall Getaways – St. Louis Post Dispatch
- 5 out of 5 stars – The Digital Journal
- Top Destination in Nashville – Group Tour Magazine
- Top 11 Hottest Museums You Need to See This Year – SmarterTravel.com
- 20 Things for 20-Somethings in Nashville – The Sudbury Star
- Two More Reasons to Visit Nashville – The Tribune (Texas)
“Being entrusted to present Johnny Cash’s life and legacy to a worldwide audience is an awesome responsibility and honor. I take that responsibility very seriously and only work with associates who measure up to the very high standards we set to assist in accomplishing our mission. I went about a very deliberate search to find the best public relations firm available to work with us and did extensive due diligence before selecting PLA Media to represent the Johnny Cash Museum. A year later, to say that I’m thrilled with my selection would be an understatement. Pam and her amazing team consistently exceed my expectations. They don’t just deliver, they over-deliver. They care about Johnny, they care about me and they care about our mission. In fact, they don’t feel like consultants. They are so invested that they’ve literally become part of the very fabric of our team. I look forward to continuing our association with PLA for years to come.”
– Bill Miller, Founder