Sitress Promotions

AEG Live - Entertainment Giant For Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Stampohar) — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 01:12:00 +0000

On Tuesday, Anschutz Company announced that it would be selling off the Anschutz Entertainment Group, more commonly known as AEG Live.

Philip Anschutz

Run by multibillionaire Philip Anschutz, Anschutz Company is a holding company based out of Denver, Colorado. The company has a stake in a variety of different industries including telecom, energy, and entertainment. The entertainment segment of the company, which is operated under the Anschutz Entertainment Group, includes the promoting of concerts and other events, a number of sports teams in the US and Europe, and over 100 live-event venues such as the Staples Center located in Los Angeles.

But the big question in the industry is who could take over the sports and live-entertainment giant? It’s not that AEG Live is unattractive to investors. It has held on as the world’s second largest promoter for all twelve years of its existence and has produced some of the highest grossing tours in the last ten years.

What becomes a problem is that Anschutz wants to find a buyer to purchase AEG Live in its entirety. The company announced they would reach a sale agreement with “the qualified party best able to reflect the full value of AEG and fully committed to working with AEG’s management team as it pursues its long-term business objectives” (as quoted in an article from ESPN Los Angeles).

Staples Center. Los Angeles, California

There are a number of industry speculations as to who could take over the company, which is expected to sell for $7 or $8 billion. One company whose name is sure not to be on the list is Live Nation Entertainment. After their battle with regulators for a merger between Ticketmaster and Front Line Management, it’s easy to see that Live Nation would have a hard time convincing regulators that their request to purchase AEG would not bring them excess market power.

However, with Live Nation out of the running that still leaves private-equity firms, other large entertainment companies, and private investors. So as the future of AEG Live hangs in the balance it will be interesting to see over the next few months whether the Anschutz Company is able to find a single buyer or if they will settle for a split.

- Lisa -

Artist Apps: Yes there's an app for that!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Stampohar) — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 03:10:00 +0000

No matter what you’re trying to do or find, “there’s an app for that.” The phrase has become commonplace in today’s world. Four years ago apple began accepting third party applications for the iPhone and today there is literally an app for whatever you want to do.

Along with many other industries, the music industry was eager to find a way to use apps to generate revenues. There have been numerous musician-specific applications to hit the app store, but not many of them have gotten any attention.

One of the most talked about artist applications was from the Presidents of the United States of America (PUSA), who created an app for $2.99 that allows fans to stream four albums. However, artist applications are more often being created for promotional purposes. Promotional applications are used to encourage fans to purchase their upcoming album and include other content such as lyrics, band history, and multimedia material.

Applications like the one from PUSA are not common since it is not a huge revenue generator. Promotional applications may create a buzz around an upcoming album release and increase their followers on Facebook or twitter, but it is difficult to determine how many fans were influenced to purchase the album based on the app.

What the industry is overlooking with the application craze is how they can use applications to enhance the fan experience. Yes it is important to sell albums and sell out arenas; however, an application that just promotes the artist with advertisements doesn’t give fans much incentive to purchase.

What artists need to understand is that fans want to be able to feel like they are involved and connected to the artist, not just simply being marketed to. A great example of how this can work is a recently released application from electronic musician Dan Deacon. His application, which is offered on both Android and iOS devices, is a great example of the types of applications artists should be creating for their fans.

(Screen shot of Dan Deacon App from itunes)

The new app, like many promotional applications, provides links to his website and social media sites, as well as tour dates. In addition to all of the basic functions of a promotional app, Deacon’s new app also transforms your phone into an integral part of his performance. In an article on Billboard.biz, Keith Lea, the head programmer of the application, talked about the making of the application. He shared that they didn’t want to just create an app with interactive features that people could use to participate, but they wanted to design something that allowed fans to use their phones without being self-absorbed.

The Dan Deacon application is a great example of what an artist application should be. While it is available for free, it gives his fans a chance to connect to him and be a part of the performance. In the end, as an artist it’s important to remember that your fans are what helped you get to where you are. So why not give them a reason to attend your concert and participate in the experience?

-Lisa-

Slash On Tour: Local Bands Have Opportunity to Open the Show

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Stampohar) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 23:22:00 +0000

Slash, Veterans Memorial Arena

Jacksonville, FL - February 22, 2011

(John Davisson)

My last post focused on promoting your band by aligning them with other major artists and even getting some type of referral or shout out from them. With the announcement of fall tours for major artists come more opportunities for local artists to be featured as an opening act. Wednesday Slash announced his fall headline tour and with that the opportunity for 20 local bands along the tour route the opportunity to open the show.

In an article on Pollstar.com Slash stated, “I’m a strong believer that the best way to get your music heard is to get out there and play shows.” He went on to state that many of these bands don’t have the resources to go on tour and he is happy to host them as well as introduce these undiscovered artist to his fans.

Slash is working with Guitar Center to discover local bands, 20 of which will be hand selected by the former Guns’N’Roses lead guitarist himself. Additionally, at the end of the tour, Slash will choose one of the acts to win a grand prize package. The grand prize package consists of $10,000 in guitars from Gibson as well as an additional $5,000 towards a shopping spree at Guitar Center. All other acts will receive a tour support pack including gear from Ernie Ball, Zoom, Dunlop, Monster Cable, Pro-Mark and Converse.

The fall tour is in support of Slash’s second solo studio album, Apocalyptic Love, released May 22. The following are the dates and locations of the tour.

Sept. 4 – San Diego, Calif., House Of Blues
Sept. 5 – Phoenix, Ariz., Celebrity Theatre
Sept. 7 – Austin, Texas, Stubb’s Bar-B-Q / Waller Creek Amph.
Sept. 8 – Dallas, Texas, House Of Blues
Sept. 9 – Houston, Texas, House Of Blues
Sept. 11 – New Orleans, La., House Of Blues
Sept. 12 – Atlanta, Ga., The Tabernacle
Sept. 16 – Hampton Beach, N.H., Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
Sept. 18 – New York, N.Y., Hammerstein Ballroom
Sept. 19 – Cleveland, Ohio, House Of Blues
Sept. 21 – Cincinnati, Ohio, Bogart’s
Sept. 22 – Detroit, Mich., The Fillmore Detroit
Sept. 23 – Toronto, Ontario, Sound Academy
Sept. 25 – Indianapolis, Ind., Egyptian Room
Sept. 28 – Chicago, Ill., Riviera Theatre
Sept. 29 – Springfield, Mo., O’Reilly Family Event Center
Oct. 2 – Oakland, Calif., Fox Theater
Oct. 3 – Los Angeles, Calif., The Wiltern

This is yet another great opportunity for local undiscovered artists to promote their talents. Citi card members will be offered an exclusive presale on tickets and VIP experiences. Fan presale begins July 10. Tickets will be released to the general public for sale on July 13.

- Lisa -

Related Article: The Difference a Referral Can Make

The Difference a Referral Can Make

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Stampohar) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 03:30:00 +0000

There are millions of artists all over the world trying to make it in the music industry. It’s perceived that becoming a household name is as easy as uploading a YouTube video of yourself singing. However, many of those struggling artists can probably attest to the fact that this is not the case.

There are many contributing factors that play a role in increasing the popularity of an artist. While look, style, and sound are the major pieces that make up an artist, an often overlooked piece of the puzzle is the live performance. I hate to be a buzz kill, but you don’t have fame and fortune handed to you because you can post a video of yourself singing online.

With competition increasing, it is important to focus on live performances and promotion now more than ever. Whether playing in coffee shops, bars, or stadiums, spreading the word about a gig is one important key to promotions. But as with any industry it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

Building up a following of fans is important and an easy way to do that is by getting the artist booked with other similar bands. Of course this is really no new information in promoting. Many bands and artists have skyrocketed their career by opening for well-known artists, but new bands too often overlook it. Another equally important opportunity to look for as a promoter are plugs from more well known artists. This is one of the best ways for future fans to find out about an artist and there have been multiple examples of this recently in the industry.

Most people probably wouldn’t have the catchy “Call Me Maybe” song stuck in their head all day if it wasn’t for Justin Bieber. Not only did he support her through twitter, but he and his friends also made a YouTube video that has had over 43 million views. Additionally, without Taylor Swift and Adele it’s hard to say when The Civil Wars’ career would have taken off. While they may have surfaced to stardom on their own accord, without the support of Taylor and Adele it’s likely they would still be somewhat unknown rather than a grammy winner.

The success of these artists and others like them just goes to show the difference a referral can make.

- Lisa -

Lights Out at The Apollo!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Stampohar) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:07:00 +0000

No, the famous theater where renowned artists such as James Brown, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson have performed is not closing its doors. But last night, during Justin Bieber’s private show there was a power outage. Initially Bieber and his crew were told it would only last a few minutes, but when it stretched more than 40 minutes he started to get a little frustrated. Probably most irritating was that the show was being taped for an NBC special that was supposed to air later this week as a promotional push for his new album “Believe.”

Perhaps the most amazing thing about this moment was Justin’s reaction to the situation. While most artists may have refused to go back out on stage and blame The Apollo for everything, he chose to go back out on stage. He chose to create a memorable moment for all of his fans in attendance that night. According to his manager Scooter Braun, Justin walked back out on stage and quieted the crowd and said, “I’m sorry the power is out, but you guys have always had my back. I’m going to sing ‘Boyfriend’ and you’re going to sing it back to me."

(Tweets from Justing Bieber and Scooter Braun after the show.)

As you can see from the video, his fans were anything but upset about the situation. The entire crowd was singing along while Justin and his dancers performed for them. While Justin could have just left the stage and refused to go back on, he decided to support his fans like they have supported him. I give credit to Justin because he truly understands the relationship between him and his fans. As an artist it’s important to remember who helped you get to where you are. Without loyal fans, like Justin’s, an artist cannot hope to make it in the industry. It just goes to show that as Braun stated in an interview after the show, that although he has been doubted in the past, “He is a great artist and entertainer and tonight he showed that.”

- Lisa -

Are Hologram Concerts the Future?

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Stampohar) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:01:00 +0000

Snoop Dogg performing with Tupac (2pac) at Coachella 2012

If you have been living under a rock and have not yet heard about the Tupac hologram, then the first thing you need to do is check out the video of what has created such a buzz in the concert industry.

On April 15, 2012 Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg took to the stage to perform at the Coachella music festival in California, but little did their fans know that legendary rapper Tupac (2pac) Shakur would be joining them on stage. No, Tupac is not alive and in hiding as some rumors say, but he was brought to the stage as a hologram. This performance was the most talked about event of Coachella, sparking many debates and even deliberations of future performances.

While some were confused and even uneasy about the Tupac (2pac) hologram, most people were excited about what this meant for the concert industry. If Tupac could be resurrected as a hologram, why couldn’t other artists be brought back to life? Such questions have sparked interest from the estates of other deceased artists including Jimi Hendrix, Marilyn Monroe, Jim Morrison, and Elvis Presley. According to an article published on Billboard.biz, Digital Domain Media Group, the visual effects company that created the Tupac hologram, has signed an exclusive deal with Core Media Group to create a hologram of Elvis for various entertainment projects. While the showing at Coachella inspired the “Presley Project”, the creators plan on taking a different approach. Rather than using old footage and repurposing it for the hologram, Digital Domain plans on giving Elvis fans a completely new experience.

So are full-length hologram concerts the future of the touring industry? What does this mean for concert promoters? And what does it mean for current artists? At this point it’s hard to tell. Some promoters believe that these virtual appearances will become a bigger concert industry trend in the near future, but as guest appearances rather than a full-length concert. While some fans may be excited to see a full-length hologram concert of artists like Elvis, Jimi Hendrix, Marilyn Monroe, and Jim Morrison, I feel these virtual performances will eventually loose their thunder. As a promoter and a concertgoer, I believe there is nothing that can compare to experiencing your favorite artist live and in the flesh. But for now we will just have to wait to see what the future holds for hologram performances.

- Lisa -

Legal Responsibility

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Stampohar) — Sun, 06 May 2012 23:58:00 +0000

The concert industry is no different than any other when it comes to legal liabilities. As a concert promoter it is important to be prepared for and aware of liabilities in which you would be held accountable. Awareness of these issues will lessen your accountability and help to ensure that the artist, the venue, and especially the concertgoers are safe while enjoying the event.

When is comes to planning and promoting a concert it is important to think of everything that may go wrong. First off, take a look at where the event will be held. Will it be in a venue or outdoors? The liabilities are going to be very different between the two. When promoting a performance at a venue it is essential to think of things such as security personnel and an evacuation plan incase there is an incident. With an outdoor event not only do you have to worry about security and an evacuation plan, but you also have to be concerned about weather and the durability of the stage. This is a big issue that came up in the 2011 concert season. There were numerous outdoor stage collapses last year, but most notable was the collapse of the stage on which Sugarland was to perform at the Indiana State Fair. There were many contributing factors in the collapse of the stage, which killed 5 people and injured dozens that could have been prevented or at the least minimized.

Now, almost a year later, the stage builder, concert promoter, tour manager, fair officials and even Sugarland are facing legal liabilities. An article from ABC News Online reported last month that the construction of the stage was inadequate and the emergency plans were lacking. As a concert promoter, especially when dealing with outdoor events, the construction of the stage and an evacuation plan are extremely important to protect the safety of the fans as well as the artists. Had the organizers of the performance created a plan incase of adverse conditions they could have avoided the massive lawsuit that was filed against them on November 22 of last year.

As I stated previously, no matter if the event is indoors or outdoors it is important to have sufficient security on the premises. This will not only protect the artists performing, but also ensure the fans are safe. There have been numerous incidents in the past where unruly crowds have taken over concerts. One in particular that comes to mind is a teen from Boston who was injured during a Tim McGraw concert last July. There are not many details on the event, but according to witnesses the teen was attacked by at least 2 men at the concert. I’m unsure if there was a criminal case or a civil lawsuit filed, but as a promoter it is important to understand that if an incident like this happens at your event you could be held liable. When dealing with crowds, having enough security to isolate an incident and prevent any injuries or damage is a necessity.

In addition to the fans becoming unruly, you also have to be ready incase your artists become unruly. Many artists and bands like to participate in crowd surfing, which could end up as a lawsuit to the artist, the venue, and the promoter. If you do not take the proper precautions when it comes to security and safety, you very well could end up like the promoters who were served a lawsuit after Akon dove into a crowd during the B96 Summer Bash in Chicago. Akon was not listed in this particular suit, however, the radio station sponsoring the event, the village where it was hosted, the security company, the venue and the promoter were all accused of being neglectful for not responding to the situation and not setting up proper safety measures.

The most important thing to remember is that as a promoter, you’re responsible for the safety of the people at the event. Promoters need to work hand in hand with the venue and artists to make sure that the site is secure and that everyone involved is focused on a safe and successful event. You can never plan too much. Work with your team to brainstorm and create a risk management plan. Share the risk management plan with the venue and artists so that everyone is on the same page in case of an emergency. In the long run this could save you time and money, and help you avoid a lawsuit.

- Lisa -

Live Nation Entertainment - Not Only a Concert Promoter

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Stampohar) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:24:00 +0000

Live Nation Entertainment

Now you may know Live Nation Entertainment is the largest ticketer, largest concert promoter, and even a venue operator. What you may not know is that in addition to all of that, they also have a division of artist managers. Although Live Nation has been managing artists for some time with Front Line Management, they have only recently taken over control of the leading artist management company by purchasing the remaining 25% of stock that they did not already own. In February of 2011, when Live Nation acquired Front Line Management, they also acquired over 250 clients including artists such as the Eagles, Jimmy Buffett, Neil Diamond, Christina Aguilera, Kenny Chesney, Fleetwood Mac, and Journey.

Irving Azoff (twitter: @irvingazoff)

With their primary business in concert promotions, Live Nation also has an edge up on the artist management competition because of their venue operations and ticketing ability. Not only will Live Nation manage the artist, but they will also book them for performances at one of their many venues and then sell their tickets exclusively through Ticketmaster (which was acquired through a merger in 2010). For an artist working with Front Line Management this may have seemed like a great deal, except for the fact that because of the declining economy Live Nation, at the time, was trying to maximize their profits by cutting costs and the pay of touring artists. However, at the time Live Nation purchased the remaining stock of Front Line, they also named Irving Azoff (the chief executive of Front Line Management) chairman of Live Nation in hopes that he would help the company stay on top of the declining economy.

Today Front Line Management continues to be the world’s top artist management company, managing more than 250 artists including Jennifer Hudson, John Mayer, Avril Lavigne, Van Halen, and Aerosmith. They are able to give artists a full package when it comes to management. Front Line will manage their careers and concerts will be booked at one of their many venues, which Live Nation will promote. Their tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster, and at those concerts they will sell artist-related merchandise.

- Lisa -

Interview with Event Manager Eddie Padua on Negotiation

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Stampohar) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:24:00 +0000

Negotiations are an important part of any business or industry. In the live entertainment industry negotiations can make or break you. For that reason it is imperative that you know how to handle yourself in a negotiation. When you have an upcoming negotiation, one of the most important things is your preparation. Recently I spoke with Eddie Padua, an event manager in Orlando, Florida. He stated, in our interview, that it is important to be knowledgeable about the topic of the negotiation. However, at the same time you must be mindful not to over think anything. When you meet with the other negotiator you don’t want to be completely caught off guard when a question comes up that you may have over looked. Padua said in the interview that, “staying stress free also helps” when preparing for a negotiation. Everyone is going to have a different way of alleviating stress before or during a negotiation, but my personal preference is running or exercising. Finding a way to relieve stress before the negotiation will help you keep your cool in the negotiation.

Another important part of negotiating is knowing the outcome desired by you and the outcome desired by the other party. When you know what you both want out of the negotiation it is easier for you to know what leverage and power you hold and how to use them. Padua suggests that in addition to being knowledgeable about the topic of the negotiation, you need to know what you’re good at in order to use those skills to your advantage. Knowing what talents you possess will also aid in the negotiation if you are faced with a negotiator who is playing hardball. Padua stated in the interview that “playing hardball with someone is always annoying, but it’s not always a bad thing.” What you really have to work on is keeping your composure and not allowing them to get under your skin. When dealing with a negotiator who is playing hardball, letting your emotions get to you will never help you earn their respect or most importantly come to a mutual decision. Padua advises going into the negotiation prepared with a positive mindset. This will help you handle any negative emotions that come from playing hardball or using dirty tricks and tricky tactics in the negotiation.

The moral of the story here is that no matter what the industry, negotiations play a major role when it comes to business. You need to prepare as much as possible, find a way to alleviate stress, and take time to practice your negotiation skills.

- Lisa -

*I would like to thank Eddie Padua for agreeing to the interview as well as supplying some excellent advice!

Who's Really to Blame for High Ticket Prices?

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Stampohar) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:35:00 +0000

A majority of individuals and households have chosen to drastically cut their entertainment spending due to the economy. And with the rising cost of tickets, concertgoers have no choice but to limit the number of performances they attend. Although many blame promoters, ticket sellers and artists for the rising cost of prices, ticket brokers and resellers are often the causes of drastically rising ticket prices. While some artists are concerned about making money and raising their prices, Eric Church is looking out for his fans by offering cheaper ticket prices and special discounts for his “Church Choir” fan club members. But this strategy of offering cheaper tickets has backfired due to ticket scalpers.

In a recent article on Billboard Church said that for his latest tour they were trying to keep ticket prices for the GA pit and front row reasonable and accessible to fans. Members of the “Church Choir” were allowed to purchase 8 low priced tickets at a time. However, as ticket brokers joined the fan club and purchased large amounts of tickets under multiple accounts some fans ended up paying between $200 and $400 for those very same tickets. In addition to penalizing the fans with higher prices there are around 500 to 600 tickets (according to Billboard) outstanding in the hands of these high priced ticket brokers that very well could cause Church’s performances not to sell out.

After realizing that scalpers were purchasing a majority of the tickets, Church’s team began looking at all of the purchases and trying to pin point the resellers. They have also updated their fan club membership policy to state, “If you’re reselling tickets, it’s grounds to cancel your membership.” While this policy change might slow down the scalpers as they search for a way around the system, it won’t stop them. As Church says, “They are just some slimy sons of bitches.”

www.ericchurch.com/tour

So for now all that Church’s team can continue to do in the fight against scalpers is review the ticket sales and fan club members. Additionally, in the future they plan to use the tools Ticketmaster offers to help stop scalpers from purchasing the tickets to help keep the prices reasonable for the true fans.

- Lisa -

What the "How To" Website's Don't Teach You

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Stampohar) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:03:00 +0000

Go to Google and type in, “concert promoter.” What you will find is a plethora of websites teaching you how to be a concert promoter. Most of these websites, however teach you nothing about the importance of finance. Yet, understanding finance as a concert promoter is one of the most significant pieces of the puzzle.

After working in the banking world for two and a half years I have come to the realization that there are many people who do not fully understand the concept of finance. Most people are scared of finance and at the mere mention of it they respond with “oh, I HATE math!” But finance is not math. Yes it deals with math, but simply put it is “the science or study of the management of funds.”

For a concert promoter who is looking to be successful in the industry, the knowledge of how to manage funds is a must. As a promoter you are responsible for all of the expenses associated with the show. With bigger arena venues or outdoor festivals, most of the time you are given a blank slate and are expected to pay for everything including equipment, security, set up and tear down, as well as any specifics included in the artist’s rider. Smaller venues will usually offer many of the services as well as equipment, but generally they will require some type of profit from the event and take in to consideration everything they are offering you. In addition to the amount you will need up front to pay for the venue and all of the equipment, you will also have to consider all of the other expenses that go along with running a business. Marketing and advertising costs, office supplies, phone service, salaries or wages for employees, travel expenses, and even taxes will all have to be included in your expenses. Making a list of all your expenses may seem like a tedious task, but it will help you to determine the amount of revenue needed to be profitable.

If you’re just starting out as a concert promoter you may be thinking, “where am I going to get the money to pay of all of this?” There are many avenues available to promoters and business owners alike. However, no matter which route you choose to acquire the funds necessary to pay for an event, you will need to have your expected income and expenses in order before any of them agree to give you the money. Borrowing from a financial institution is always an option, however it will be based on your credibility, and lets be honest, banks are very hesitant to lend money these days. A better option as a concert promoter is to look for an investor, someone who will give you money in exchange for either a stake in the company or a portion of the profits from a specific event. And last, but not least, you can look to other local businesses or individuals to be a sponsor of your event.

(For more helpful information on concert sponsorships check out the eJams Entertainment Blog – 7 Concert Sponsorship Proposal Tips)

Although there are many websites out there that teach you “how to be a concert promoter” there are very few that actually talk about the finance involved in promotions. Almost every decision made by a concert promoter, from the type of venue chosen to the final outcome of the event has to do with finance. You may get lucky when promoting an event without understanding the financials of your business, however you can be sure that the luck and the business won’t last.

- Lisa -

A Classic Surprise

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Stampohar) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:55:00 +0000

So as I was doing some research over the past week I came across a video on TED.com. The video I’m referring to is entitled “Benjamin Zander on music and passion.” I, being very passionate about music, was intrigued by this and decided to watch the video of his speech. Of course I knew that his talk was going to be about music and having a passion for music, but when I found out he was speaking about classical music, I’m not going to lie I almost turned it off. Now don’t get me wrong, I love all kinds of music, but I have never really felt a connection, let alone passion when listening to any kind of music without lyrics. Part of my love for music is trying to understand the meaning behind their lyrics. That was until I watched this video.

Benjamin Zander conducts an experiment with the crowd. At first he demonstrates what a child who is learning to play the piano sounds like. Of course, as there is more practice the playing gets better. My first thought was that the child is playing better because he has had practice and has become passionate about the music, but after thinking about this and watching the rest of Zander’s demonstration, I realized that I was wrong. Thinking back on my childhood I realized there are many things I learned to do (or was forced to learn to do) that after practice I was increasingly better at, but that didn’t mean I was passionate about them. What I came to comprehend was that you don’t become passionate about something just because you get better at it; you become passionate about something because you truly understand it and because of that understanding it begins to move you.

The particular part of the video that helped me grasp this was when Zander played a prelude by Chopin to the audience. He told the audience,

“I’ve one last request before I play this piece all the way through. Would you think of somebody who you adore, who’s no longer there? A beloved grandmother, a lover – somebody in your life who you love with all your heart but that person is no longer with you. Bring that person into your mind, and at the same time follow the line all the way from B to E, and you’ll hear everything that Chopin had to say.”

Although I was not in the audience, I was in fact sitting in my computer room starring at the screen watching this, I did as Zander asked and suddenly it all began to make sense. I didn’t understand the story Chopin was trying to tell until Zander interpreted it to me through his words before he played the piece and his actions while playing it. This experiment seemed to have very much the same effect on the audience.

You may be asking, “what exactly does this have to do with live performances?” and I will tell you it has everything to do with live performances. While you can purchase a CD or download a MP3, listen to it and understand what the artists is trying to express, there is likely a deeper meaning. Part of the magic of a live performance is being able to fully understand the artist’s meaning of their music through their body language, their tone, the mood they set, and the energy radiating from other fans sharing in the experience with you, all of which are all things you just cannot get from a CD or a MP3. So as a promoter, the next time you’re working with an artist on the promotion of a live performance, take the time to truly understand the message that the artist is trying to convey to their fans and use that to help create an experience those fans will be talking about for the rest of their lives.

- Lisa -

Focused on the Future

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Stampohar) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:55:00 +0000

It has become more apparent throughout the business world that there is strength in numbers. If you have a problem it is important to rely on your peers to discuss these issues and collectively solve the problem… Enter the concept of networking and industry associations. In the 1970s the live music scene was rapidly changing with the popularity of large outdoor concerts, (i.e. Woodstock). Many buyers and promoters were having difficulty paying for talent, paying for the venues, and charging a fair admission price while still being able to make a profit off of the event. Eventually two of these buyers decided that it would be beneficial for them to create a group which would allow buyers and promoters to communicate formally, while also giving them a voice in the live entertainment industry.

These two men, Hubert Long, a country music promoter and Hap (Harry) Peebles, a show promoter, later founded the International Country Music Buyers Association. Within the last 40 years the association has dealt with issues affecting the live entertainment industry, honored members with various awards, as well as decided to drop “Country Music” from its name to become the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) to gain more members from all-different genres of the music industry. Today the association is more than 800 members strong and is currently planning their 42^nd Annual Conference this coming October.

Not only does the IEBA offer a way for buyers and promoters to network with each other, but it also helps them stay up to date with issues plaguing the live entertainment industry. However, my interest in the IEBA at this point is because of the many benefits they offer to students looking to start a career in the live entertainment industry. Aside from scholarships, the IEBA offers students and recent graduates the opportunity to intern for credit and tuition money, while also receiving mentoring and experience in the live entertainment industry. Another of the benefits for students in the internship program is the opportunity to help in the planning of the conferences and member events, in addition to being able to attend various industry events.

The IEBA over the past 40 years has given industry professionals a place to network in order to discuss industry issues and stay up to date on the latest trends. What separates IEBA from other associations is their willingness to work with students to help develop their skills and give them the ability to network with their future peers. As a student looking forward to a future in the live entertainment industry, I was excited to find an association that not only deals with current issues in live entertainment, but also focuses on the future.

Click here for the full history of the IEBA

Click here for more information on the opportunities available to students

-Lisa -

Planning Makes Perfect

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Stampohar) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:54:00 +0000

Devising a plan is a must before even thinking about how you’re going to get the word out to fans about a tour or concert you’re promoting. The plan will be the blueprint so to speak of, for your tour or concert and it can make or break you in the end. Within the blueprint of the event you must define the scope (what you want to accomplish, as well as ways you will accomplish this), the budget, the schedule, and the quality of your event.

As stated above, you must determine what you are trying to achieve by the concert or tour. Is it a revival tour, promoting a new album, or for a charitable cause? After establishing this, think about what tasks will have to be completed to accomplish your envisioned event. And even though you can do all of this alone, it doesn’t hurt to bring other people into this brainstorming stage of your project. Bringing people into the project at this point will help you to form a team and will give the members of your team a sense of ownership in the success of the event.

Once you have a team in place to help you, assigning team roles is very important. Everyone trying to work on the same part of the project can end up in disaster. The New Kids on the Block-Backstreet Boys team, while working with “two bands, nine members, two giant music catalogs, and two managers” still managed to pull off a successful tour that exceeded the expectations of the industry. Part of the reason they were able to accomplish this was by assigning roles to some of the key players in the project, to ensure that everyone was working on a task that would lead to the finished product being a success.

It is important to have a plan, but problems arise from time to time and it is important to know how to overcome them. At the recent Billboard Touring Conference a panel of experts discussed common issues that come up while planning tours, most of which concerned problems with venues and money issues. While some issues can be avoided with proper planning, the panelists talked about the importance of having a contingency plan for unexpected problems.

Properly promoting a concert or tour is a must to be successful. However, before marketing the event you must have a plan in place. As with any project, you must plan out the details before you begin… or pay the consequences later such as Global Events LLP, which organized the Michael Jackson memorial concert in Wales, UK. Although, the memorial was a great idea, the plan was not well thought out. Many of Jackson’s fans and even some of his family were upset about the event taking place while his personal physician was on trial for Jackson’s murder. The line up was another issue that plagued the event. Many fans were outraged that Kiss was a part of the event due to the fact that Gene Simmons spoke out about his suspicions of Jackson being a pedophile. Additionally, according to Jackson’s estate, the promoters had never even contacted the Jackson estate for permission to use his name or image. There were many complications that hindered the event’s success, many of which can be attributed to improper planning. Due to their improper planning, Global Events LLP owes thousands of pounds to contractors who worked on the tour and has consequently filed for bankruptcy.

- Lisa -

Selling Out, in a Good Way

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Stampohar) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:54:00 +0000

When planning a live event, whether it’s a concert, play, or sporting event, ticket sales are very important when it comes to the success of the event. As a promoter, ticket sales are the deciding factor in whether you make a profit or not. The talent also depends on the sale of tickets for their income. And the better your ticket sales, the happier the sponsors are because of the increased visibility of their company. There are many different ways of promoting the sale of tickets, including online, at the box office, and even at local businesses.

One of the best in the execution of ticket sales is Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s largest live entertainment company. Of course it doesn’t hurt that they merged with Ticketmaster back in 2010. Yes, they use online ticket sales through Ticketmaster.com and at the venue box offices, but just this year they teamed up with Groupon, which offers deals on “the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy” in cities throughout the world. This partnership has created, GrouponLive, another outlet to sell tickets for events.

In a video found on The New York Times website, the CEO’s of Live Nation and Groupon speak about the arrangement between the two companies. A few of the main points discussed in the video are: could this potentially hurt Ticketmaster in the long run and with the struggling concert business, will this partnership help turn it around.

Although it may seem that this partnership could potentially hurt Live Nation and Ticketmaster in the long run, the purpose for teaming up with Groupon is to help fill the seats at events. In addition, Michael Rapino the CEO of Live Nation stated that he thinks partnering with Groupon is an opportunity to reach more consumers. And the numbers speak the truth. By August of this year, merely 3 months after its creation, GrouponLive sold 600,000 tickets, 422,000 of which were Live Nation Entertainment events.

One important fact from all this is, that as a promoter it is important to remember that there are many avenues for selling tickets, but choosing the right ones could make or break the event. Also, when it comes to pricing, if you’re having trouble selling out don’t be afraid to partner with sites like GrouponLive to offer some tickets at discounted prices. Offering discounted tickets, especially when people aren’t spending as much on entertainment, can help fill the seats at your event.

- Lisa -

My Passion

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Stampohar) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:49:00 +0000

Music has been, is, and always will be a passion for me. It changes the way I look at things. It can set the mood for my day, week, or even year and helps me remember important events in my past. Music truly has made a difference in my life. I am not an artist or musician by any means, but I have a love for music that I want to share with others. I won’t be attempting to sing or play an instrument to get my point across, that would probably detract people from music (at least my music), but rather help artists showcase their talents through live productions.

My purpose for writing this blog is to share information about live entertainment promotions. I will be looking at all aspects of the promotions industry, from beginning a career in promotions to creating your own promotion company. I have just begun my research on the topic of promoting concerts and live music, but look forward to sharing all of the great information I find.

I will be following blogs like eJams Ent. Blog and Lefsetz Letter to stay up to date with not only what techniques other promoters are using to reach their audience, but also to stay up to date in the music industry in general. I hope to one-day work for a company like Live Nation Entertainment or AEG Live. For that reason, I will be following Live Nation and AEG Live ‘s websites on a day to day basis, to stay up to date with concerts and artists they are promoting as well as looking at changes happening within these companies. By researching these companies I will be ready when my opportunity comes knocking, to step up and take charge of promoting any event thrown my way.

Thank you and I hope you enjoy!

- Lisa -