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.
Entry-Level Positions, Music Industry, Live Events, Talent Management, Career Advice
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 & Fitness
Sales and Client Management
Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Assistant roles at talent agencies, labels, or music management companies provide exposure to multiple facets of the music business and help build valuable relationships.
2. Working for a promoter like AEG, Live Nation, Goldenvoice, or CMN is a great starting point for those interested in live events.
3. Researching your favorite artists to identify their booking agents, labels, and managers can lead to potential entry-level opportunities.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate or graduate student might consider?
An assistant at a talent agency, label, or music management company is a great place to start. You'll see multiple sides of the music business, especially if you're at one of the major agencies or labels. You'll also develop relationships that will carry over into your next roles.
If you're interested in the live event side, working for a promoter like AEG, Live Nation, or Goldenvoice is a great starting point. There are many different promoters, but those are some of the major ones.
Getting a job at a music venue will help you see how live events are managed. Many venues are owned and operated by major promoters, which can be a backdoor into working for companies like Live Nation or AEG.
I also recommend researching your favorite artists and seeing who represents them. Find out who is booking their tours, who their agent, label, and manager are. You can find this information online, sometimes in the info section on an artist's Facebook page or by Googling. These are the three avenues I would take to find an entry-level position.
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