Okay, FIRST, let me start this thread by saying I do not mean for this to be rude, or antagonizing, or offensive but for sincere, honest, discussion and something that has always kind of bugged and bothered me.
My background is in the music industry, 20 years of radio and records promotions, a few of those years at the largest and top dog... Sony Music/Epic Records. We had the biggest of the big artists. I was responsible for those artists when they came through my market, meaning airport pickup, radio and tv visits, meet and greets, etc. I worked in conjunction with their day to day tour manager, but usually they were off doing other stuff and deferred to "the record rep" to handle all the promo type stuff, as they dealt with the venue,the roadies,club owners, etc.
Over the years, I developed great relationships ( and reputation) with radio program directors in major markets, down to the smallest of markets. When doing indie radio promo, (working for all the labels) in a sense, I was a "manager" or agent, because I would work to create promotions with radio that got airplay. They took my calls most importantly. I got to know the bands, and the artists on personal levels and professional. It was all about relationships, and being likable and having that special,unique, personality.
So, I've always thought that I would make a great agent, much like Jerry Maquire, I love making deals, I love putting our artists first, looking out for their best interest, getting them deals or gigs, watching their career blossom and explode worldwide. I took pride in that and I did it with passion , which was the key to my success.
So...here is my question if you are just scanning this thread. WHY do they (agencies) require a bachelors degree or higher to be even considered for employment? A manager doesn't do the legal documents, that's what you have lawyers for right? OR you have a general knowledge of the deal, but have someone on staff that does that stuff right? The manager is the person who markets and promotes them, lays out the path for them, sets up and takes meetings, and uses their "inside relationships" in the business to get their client noticed and hired right? A lot of power lunches, dinners, events, shows, networking, etc. I know this to be true, cause I lived and worked in L.A. for a few years in 2000 and was out every night at numerous events,shows,dinners, etc. (right before the big music industry crash).
I would really love to hear from some managers on this, if most hold college degrees, and how it has helped them? I'm talking about managers, not agents, I think the agents have more duties and things to do than a manager. It's a people business, and if you have great people skills, an understanding of the business, what good is a college degree?
DISCLAIMER!! I am not putting down or belittling college, it is my personal belief that you do NOT have to have a college degree to do a job. Nor should a company make that a requirement, actually seems like discrimination in a way to me, hey maybe I can sue them! lol...Does it (a fancy degree) look nice, yes, it does, does it help in some ways? sure, I'm sure it does. Do companies (for some reason) feel more at ease if they see someone went to (insert fancy university here) yes... But I also feel that having a strong work ethic, a fast learner, people skills, and being mentored or trained by another person in the business who brings up in it showing you the ropes, you can be just as successful as the person with the fancy degree from the fancy college.
I honestly feel discriminated against when I see companies hiring and their requirement is "college degree in.....". Has anyone ever thought about it this way???
My background is in the music industry, 20 years of radio and records promotions, a few of those years at the largest and top dog... Sony Music/Epic Records. We had the biggest of the big artists. I was responsible for those artists when they came through my market, meaning airport pickup, radio and tv visits, meet and greets, etc. I worked in conjunction with their day to day tour manager, but usually they were off doing other stuff and deferred to "the record rep" to handle all the promo type stuff, as they dealt with the venue,the roadies,club owners, etc.
Over the years, I developed great relationships ( and reputation) with radio program directors in major markets, down to the smallest of markets. When doing indie radio promo, (working for all the labels) in a sense, I was a "manager" or agent, because I would work to create promotions with radio that got airplay. They took my calls most importantly. I got to know the bands, and the artists on personal levels and professional. It was all about relationships, and being likable and having that special,unique, personality.
So, I've always thought that I would make a great agent, much like Jerry Maquire, I love making deals, I love putting our artists first, looking out for their best interest, getting them deals or gigs, watching their career blossom and explode worldwide. I took pride in that and I did it with passion , which was the key to my success.
So...here is my question if you are just scanning this thread. WHY do they (agencies) require a bachelors degree or higher to be even considered for employment? A manager doesn't do the legal documents, that's what you have lawyers for right? OR you have a general knowledge of the deal, but have someone on staff that does that stuff right? The manager is the person who markets and promotes them, lays out the path for them, sets up and takes meetings, and uses their "inside relationships" in the business to get their client noticed and hired right? A lot of power lunches, dinners, events, shows, networking, etc. I know this to be true, cause I lived and worked in L.A. for a few years in 2000 and was out every night at numerous events,shows,dinners, etc. (right before the big music industry crash).
I would really love to hear from some managers on this, if most hold college degrees, and how it has helped them? I'm talking about managers, not agents, I think the agents have more duties and things to do than a manager. It's a people business, and if you have great people skills, an understanding of the business, what good is a college degree?
DISCLAIMER!! I am not putting down or belittling college, it is my personal belief that you do NOT have to have a college degree to do a job. Nor should a company make that a requirement, actually seems like discrimination in a way to me, hey maybe I can sue them! lol...Does it (a fancy degree) look nice, yes, it does, does it help in some ways? sure, I'm sure it does. Do companies (for some reason) feel more at ease if they see someone went to (insert fancy university here) yes... But I also feel that having a strong work ethic, a fast learner, people skills, and being mentored or trained by another person in the business who brings up in it showing you the ropes, you can be just as successful as the person with the fancy degree from the fancy college.
I honestly feel discriminated against when I see companies hiring and their requirement is "college degree in.....". Has anyone ever thought about it this way???
Comment