(* Source: NEKESA MUMBI MOODY *)

A great article that shows the rising of star bloggers and the kind of influence they wield.  Another example that the future of marketing is conversational.  Read on. 

Nekesa says...

This year, he arrived as one of the music industry's key playmakers - and his newfound power was on full display as he played host to one of the festival's more coveted parties.

"Thank you Perez!" Robyn, the Swedish-born pop star who is releasing an album in the United States this summer, gushed onstage Saturday night as she performed in front of a packed crowd filled with industry insiders, artists and the typical hangers-on. Even more people lined the block around the venue in downtown Austin, hoping for a chance to see acts ranging from Internet darling Katy Perry to established artists such as Robyn and N.E.R.D.

"There's a lot of great acts performing these past couple of days, but not all on the same stage on the same night," boasted Hilton, sporting bleached blond hair with streaks of pink, in an interview with the Associated Press. "The musicians performing speak for the evening."

They also speak to Hilton's ever-increasing clout within the music industry. While his site routinely posts salacious details about perennial gossip targets like Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and the crew from "The Hills," he also regularly gushes about his favorite artists and songs - like Robyn.

Hilton (real name Mario Lavandeira) has been credied for helping to boost an artist's sales and profile from his postings: The New York Times reported last month that Warner Bros. Records was in negotiations to give Hilton a development deal that would make him an executive on the label.

"It's very flattering," Hilton said about all the attention.

So, not surprisingly, Hilton lined up a few key artists to perform at his party. The biggest act was undoubtedly N.E.R.D., the trio led by superproducer Pharrell Williams, who said Hilton's site is a key outlet for groups such as his.

"He's connected to the kids, he's connected to our demographic - people who want to be in the know, and he's opinionated and that's what makes it work," Williams said after spending a few minutes chatting with Hilton at a celebrity lounge Friday.