A little over a decade ago, after getting his start in the entertainment business working at OZ Nightclub as Director of Public Relations and Promotion, Michael Benedetti (California native, New Orleans resident as of 2000 / for 17 years) set out to forge his own talent agency, public relations consulting, and touring management company, Executive PR & Talent (EPR&T). His vision was to create an agency that served the LGBTQ community by building a roster from LGBTQ and LGBTQ-allied talent, which could be marketed to venues, tours, and performances around the globe.
Since then, Executive PR & Talent has grown into the premiere talent booking agency of its kind, now boasting: the largest exclusive roster of Ru Paul Drag Race contestants and winners; a lineup of over twenty worldclass DJ/producers who’ve won Grammys, topped the Billboard Charts, and who headline the biggest electronic dance music events in the world; and a score of acclaimed actors, widely-recognized reality stars, and awarding-winning performers and musicians (roster: www.executiveprandtalent. com).
Executive PR & Talent not only represents an impressive roster of talent, but over the years it has grown to represent festivals, tours, shows, and venues around the globe that seek to procure diverse, multitalented lineups. From 2016-2017 alone, Executive PR and Talent has programmed talent lineups for World Pride Madrid, Black and Blue Montreal, San Diego Pride, Seattle Pride, White Party Palm Springs, Memorial Day Pensacola, Pride Toronto, Gay Days Orlando, Mile High Party Denver, Desert Tea Palm Springs, Di Roma Brazil, The Week Brazil, Mardi Gras Sydney, Propaganda New Zealand, Rio Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week and Official Events for Madonna.
The agency has also made a name for itself producing tours, events, and shows of its own. DragapaloozaTM, a rock concert with drag queens singing live that features notables like Courtney Act, Willam, Sharon Needles, Derrick Barry, Coco Montrese, Trixie Mattel, BibleGirl, and Rhea Litre has sold out venues in Los Angeles and Seattle, and recently received acclaim for its stop at House of Blues New Orleans in October.
In October, EPR&T’s drag division merged with Producer Entertainment Group (PEG) in a move that formed a super-agency partnership for drag talent by expanding EPR&T’s licensing and publishing prowess, as well as growing and adding diversify its exclusive drag roster.
Upcoming EPR&T productions in New Orleans include:
• Christmas Queens www.christmasqueens.net (House of Blues — Nov. 22)
• Tiffany – 80’s Pop Icon and Touring Superstar (concert at House of Blues — Nov. 30)
• Queens with Cox – The Premiere Impersonation Show (House of Blues — June 8, 2018)
• Dragapalooza 4 (Decadence 2018).
