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Arden, Booking Manager at LA Clippers/Kia Forum: Advize Career Interview
This interview with a Booking Manager at the LA Clippers/Kia Forum unveils a dynamic career path fueled by a passion for music.
From planning concerts with major artists in college to driving revenue for a major venue, this role blends sales, project management, and relationship-building.
Daily life is a whirlwind of show days and administrative tasks, demanding detail-orientation, calm under pressure, and proactive client service.
While the high volume of work and demanding schedule present challenges, the reward lies in seeing thousands enjoying a show and working alongside passionate colleagues.
Thriving in this industry requires passion, proactivity, and genuine relationship-building, while entry-level positions like agency assistant roles offer valuable exposure.
A significant lesson learned is the importance of trustworthy and reliable relationships, built on following through, as well as finding strong female role models.
Ultimately, by following your passion, building a trusted network, and embracing opportunities, one can navigate the complexities and find exciting, unexpected career prospects in the music and events industry.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Arden Baker
Booking Manager
LA Clippers/Kia Forum
Dickinson College
UCLA Anderson (MBA)
Environmental & Related Sciences
Sports
Sales and Client Management
Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
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Career Path of a Booking Manager at The Kia Forum
Arden's career path began with a passion for music cultivated through a student activities board that planned concerts featuring big acts like Childish Gambino and the Chainsmokers, which led to a summer internship at CAA, followed by a full-time role as an assistant to a music agent. Through this experience, Arden realized a desire for more "boots on the ground" involvement in events, which ultimately led to a role at the Forum, where Arden progressed from booking coordinator handling contracts and admin work to booking manager focused on "driving revenue to the building" through sales and business development.
Main Responsibilities Of A Booking Manager At Kia Forum
Arden's main responsibility as a Booking Manager at LA Clippers/Kia Forum is to drive revenue by booking concerts, which is achieved through two key components: sales and project management; for example, in sales, the venue is being sold to a promoter who procures the talent, and then Arden acts as "the liaison between the promoter and the building," overseeing finances from show confirmation through settlement.
A Day In The Life Of A Booking Manager At Kia Forum
A Booking Manager at LA Clippers/Kia Forum experiences two distinct schedules: show days and non-show days, where show days revolve around being the liaison between the tour and venue, ensuring everyone has a good experience and that the promoter receives necessary support, whereas non-show days are more administrative, involving contract management, coordinating with production and box office for upcoming announcements to ensure smooth ticket sales, and collaborating with marketing to review and allocate budgets for shows.
Most Important Skills For A Booking Manager At LA Clippers Kia Forum
For a Booking Manager at the LA Clippers/Kia Forum, being detail-oriented and organized is essential due to the high volume and variability of shows booked annually, impacting multimillion-dollar budgets and artist relations; furthermore, the role requires being "calm under pressure" and "solutions focused" when dealing with intense personalities, alongside proactive client servicing and strong relationship-building to ensure promoters return.
Favorite Parts of Being a Booking Manager at Kia Forum
Arden enjoys the daily variety of the booking manager role, from different genres of music, like rock, pop, Latin, and Chinese artists, to the unique nature of each show. The most rewarding part of the job is seeing the "tangible result" of hard work when 17,000 people are enjoying a show, and the passion of colleagues "energizes" and makes the long hours worthwhile.
Biggest Challenges Faced By a Booking Manager at Kia Forum
Arden's biggest challenge as a Booking Manager at the LA Clippers/Kia Forum is managing the "very high volume of work" that comes with a packed schedule of over 100 shows a year, special events, and promotional shoots, made even more challenging by a small team of only 30 full-time employees. The role requires working "365 days a year" and outside of a "normal nine to five role", making the intense schedule a difficult adjustment.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Music and Events Industry as a Booking Manager
Arden enjoys the music and events industry because it involves working with a diverse range of "interesting people who are really passionate about music," creating an environment where one is always learning about new releases and up-and-coming artists, while also having the exciting opportunity to work with some of the biggest stars in music who one may have "idolized your entire life."
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Music Industry, According To A Booking Manager At Kia Forum
To thrive as a booking manager in the music industry, especially in Los Angeles, one must be "really passionate," proactive, and excellent at their job while focusing on developing strong, honest, and reliable relationships, because the industry is smaller than it seems, and "everyone knows each other."
What a Booking Manager at Kia Forum Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Music Industry
Arden wishes someone had emphasized how long it takes to advance in the music industry and the level of dedication required, noting that "the job really doesn't end at the end of the workday" due to expectations of attending shows and events even with a desk job, which can lead to burnout due to the long hours and relatively low pay. Many people have left the industry because "it's hard to move up," suggesting a challenging career path.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Booking Managers at LA Clippers Kia Forum
Arden recommends starting as an assistant at a talent agency, label, or music management company to gain exposure to various aspects of the music business and develop valuable relationships, highlighting the importance of working for major agencies or labels where one can "see multiple sides of the music business." Alternatively, one could work for a promoter like AEG or Live Nation, or at a music venue, which may provide a "backdoor to get a foot in the door" at these larger promotion companies.
Significant Career Lesson From A Booking Manager At Kia Forum
Arden emphasizes that relationship development has been essential for their career, citing that it secured their internship at CIA and later, their job at the Kia Forum through a connection with an agent at CAA. Beyond simply making connections, Arden stresses the importance of being a trustworthy and reliable person who "follows through," as the music industry can be full of empty promises, and genuine relationships are built on trust.
College Experiences That Helped A Booking Manager At Kia Forum Succeed
To set up for success in the entertainment industry, Arden recommends "following your passion" like music and establishing a network of "trusted, interesting people" while in college. Taking opportunities and risks made them more comfortable with ambiguity, leading to exciting career prospects that they hadn't initially planned.
How Identity Has Influenced a Booking Manager at LA Clippers/Kia Forum's Career
Arden acknowledges that being a woman in the entertainment industry is "definitely difficult," but emphasizes the importance of not being intimidated by louder or more outspoken men, as volume doesn't equate to competence. Finding strong female role models who "support women and want to empower women in the industry" is also crucial, as they can act as advocates and help navigate challenging situations.
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