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MTV's 'The Real World' visits Lawrence

By Brian Lewis-Jones

Monday, February 5, 2007

Two personalities from MTV’s “The Real World” stopped in Lawrence on Saturday during an 11-state promotional tour of Place Properties, an Atlanta-based real estate company that owns Legends Place apartments in Lawrence.

Randy Barry, who was on “The Real World 14: San Diego” in 2004, and Syrus Yarbrough, who was on the Boston season in 1997, have been doing similar promotional tours for the past few years. The show is in its 18th season.

“Not everyone gets this opportunity,” Barry said.

He said he didn’t think he had a chance of being on the show, let alone making a career out of promotional appearances.

The day’s events included raffle drawings and leasing specials at Legends Place, 4101 W. 24th Place, as well as a party for students at the Eldridge Hotel, 701 Massachusetts St. Scott Valentine, manager of the Jayhawker Bar in the Eldridge Hotel, said more than 100 people showed-up Saturday night to party with the celebrities. Admission was $5.

I personally don’t think of them with a celebrity status. They’re just regular people.

-sophomore Nikki Welsch

Nancy Longhurst, general manager of the hotel, said about 60 people, who were usually older, were typically in the bar on any given Saturday night. She said the party attracted a younger demographic to the hotel.

“It’s a great way to get KU students in the hotel who have never been here before,” Longhurst said.

She said booking celebrities like Barry and Yarbrough cost about $1,000.

Matt McCoy, celebrity booking agent for Special Interest Entertainment, accompanied Barry and Syrus on the tour. He said fan turnout was ample during the first half of the promotional excursion, which included stops at Indiana University and the University of Missouri.

“When it comes to college campuses, it hits the demographic right on target,” McCoy said.

Nikki Welsch, St. Francis, Minn., sophomore, was at the Eldridge Saturday night. She said that she had heard of Barry and Syrus before, but hadn’t seen them on the MTV series.

“I personally don’t think of them with a celebrity status,” she said. “They’re just regular people.”

Jenna Tippin, marketing specialist for Place Properties, said that attracting students to lease specials was the main reason for the celebrity event.

“Whether or not they’ve watched the show, they’ve heard of it,” she said. “It’s a great draw for us.”

Tippin said that Special Interest Entertainment celebrities would be paid an appearance fee for the promotional tour.

Kansan staff writer Brian Lewis-Jones can be contacted at bljones@kansan.com.

— Edited by Carissa Pedigo

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