In my copy of the MU mag today a big article on "new" folk says the Waterson/Carthy/Van Eyken axis employ a PR agency!!
What that costs a year I can't imagine but now we know why they are the only ones we ever see in magazines, documentaries etc. PR agencies are employed to keep you in the public eye. Not too many of the good pros who work the clubs can afford that, or would want it.
There are too many festivals booking the same acts, because those acts have this sort of back up. The young ones coming on the scene undoubtedly aspire to having a PR agency, an Agent, a good Accountant, a record label, a press cutting agency, and a chauffer, but they can't all get it.
Those that do will have personality and talent and be different in a way that appeals to people. The younger ones would do well to study the approach to an audience of some of the old pros, but I don't think that's part of the university courses that churn out fine players, good business people, but uncharismatic and formulaic performers of a catalogue, that by its very nature,resists change.