In July 2003, a team of Walls Communications media specialists coordinated and managed press coverage of the U.S. Army’s participation at the annual Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.
A number of Army officials, including General John Hawkins and Command Sergeant Major Michelle Jones mixed and mingled with such notables as Essence Magazine Editor-in-Chief Susan Taylor, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and students from Hampton University’s ROTC Pirate Battalion.
Walls Communications also produced and distributed several audio news releases (ANRs) from New Orleans. The ANRs featured stories on the Festival’s tribute to singer Luther Vandross as well as interviews with noted UPN celebrities Monique and Lisa Rae. The ANRs garnered more than 19.7 million audience impressions.