Why Entertainment Marketing ?

Entertainment Marketing is an exciting field that is expanding everyday. With the growth of digital, online, and social marketing, the entertainment industry is finding new ways to broaden how they market to their targets. For me entertainment marketing is a way to use the many ideas that I come up with on a daily basis and expand them in a industry that I love. With any career field passion and drive are a must, but knowing your field is what sets you over the edge. When you think of entertainment marketing you think of movie stars, musicians and athletes. There is so much work that goes into branding these stars. A look, a song, and sound, and phrase, a dance, these are all things that can define someone in the entertainment industry. As an entertainment marketer, it is my job to find whatever that thing is and blow it up. The more massive the attribute is the more like it is to become a brand. My passion for entertainment marketing came when I was studying communications as a minor for my undergraduate degree. I actually wanted to study entertainment law but found out that marketing was more my speed and interest. I love that the industry is filled with opportunities to evolve and change. The great thing about marketing is that it has so many components that connect it. Digital marketing is the new phase of marketing. Not only can you market and person or product but you can easily access how your marketing has effected the change of growth of person or product. The more and more I learn about the industry and what it offers, the more and more I fall in love with it. I am excited to see how far I can go in my career within this amazing industry

Here are some tips from an Entertainment Marketing Entrepreneur

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKOdEWQjlFs

How to get in where you might not fit in.

Starting off in the entertainment industry is definitely tough. In order for most people to make it to the top, you have to start all the way at the bottom. I find myself always saying, “I know what I want to do, I just don’t know how I am going to do it”. It is cool to say, “ I want to be a big time marketing executive, with a big office, and a great salary”, but in order for anyone who is just starting out to eventually get to this role you have to know how to get in where you might not fit in. It is always important to carry yourself with the upmost amount of dignity and respect. No matter what your job is, it is always important to look your best. People respect those who respect and care about themselves. Learn as much as you can from whoever you can. It does not matter how much you think you know all that matters is how much you are willing to learn. The more you put yourself out there to learn from people around and above you, the better it is for people to see that you are someone serious about this industry. Networking is a must. Sometimes no matter how many degrees you have and how much information you can retain, it really comes down to who you know. A recommendation from a reliable source or an interaction with a top executive can be the icing on the cake for you to move up in the entertainment industry. This industry is full of daily networking events that allow you to meet top level executives and for them to meet you. Being memorable is a must at these events so wear something that is appropriate but that allows you to stand out. Speak up, use the knowledge that you have acquired and give an opinion. Most of all, listen. The more you show that you can listen and retain the information being given to you, the better off you will be. Fitting in in the entertainment industry is very important. Unfortunately it is a very tough industry that requires a lot of confidence and patience. If you use some of these steps I am sure that you will have no problem establishing yourself in the entertainment industry.

What it means to be Independent

Webster defines independent as “not subject to control by others: self-governing." Learning more about Entertainment media publishing and distribution, I was put into perspective as to how many rights to work and artistry that one loses when they sign a contract with an agent, record label, or investor. As a marketer it is always good to see how the artist can be branded, and who the artist can be marketed to. Fortunately for the artist, being independent has its rewards. Many people believe that in order to be a successful artist you must be signed to the best label, under the best marketing and branding team, in order to make the big bucks. However, there are many artists who are independent, own all of the rights to their music, and make good money. There is a blessing to being an independent artist. First, you have the creative leeway to do whatever you want. Many times when you sign to a record label or find an investor, they try to tell you how you should sing and what type of genre you should go into. As an independent artist you can sing whatever music you want and gain fans from what you believe to be good music. As an independent artist you don’t have to worry about the rights to your music. Sometimes when labels fund an artist they also claim rights to the music. This could lead to less money in your pocket after profits are made from the album and concerts. All in all, being independent is not as easy as it seems. Of course it is costly and the exposure is not as big as it would be if you were signed to a label. However, if you can get the following as an independent artist, you can definitely get a lot of the benefits those artists who are signed to major labels get and more.  

Definition of Independent

Entertainment Law in a Nutshell

What is entertainment law? For many people when you think about entertainment law it seems like an exciting practice to get into. Who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by celebrities and athletes all the time, getting a glimpse of the glamour? However entertainment law is completely on the contrary. There are many aspects that go into being an entertainment lawyer, from contracts to music rights to trademarks and patents, entertainment law can be very tedious. Of course it is exciting to work with musicians and celebrities but because they work with so many different people, they constantly have to make sure that they are protected under the law.

One of the most important jobs of an entertainment lawyer is being able to read and decipher contracts. One contract can be like reading a book and because it is specific in nature, it is important that the entertainment lawyer read it thoroughly and make sure that it is in the best interest of their client. Contracts have many revisions through negotiations and advice given by both sides legal council. If one thing is missed it can cause someone a lot of money or rights that they probably deserved.

The podcast below help me to get a glimpse into the everyday life of an entertainment lawyer. For most of my life, especially during my undergraduate degree I seriously wanted to get into entertainment law. I loved every aspect of the law and I thought it would be great to work in the entertainment industry while still practicing law. Although it is something that I am still considering doing, I will never make the mistake of thinking that it will be easy and stress free. The law is complicated on its own, but when dealing with specific individuals and the rights to what they own, what they deserve, and what they are going to get, it can be really challenging. 

Entertainment Industry through Law

In the entertainment industry, there are so many laws and liabilities that come into play. Because the work of the artist and business is so important, especially when it comes to a profit that can be made, it is important the entertainers and businesses to what is necessary to protect their intellectual property as well as defend and get what they deserve when it is infringed upon. I will discuss three cases in the entertainment industry that dealt with intellectual property and how they were handled

1.     Milton H. Green Archives, Inc. v. Marilyn Monroe , LLC

In this case the plaintiff sued the defendant claiming that they had ownership of the right is Marilyn Monroe. They believed that the defendant was violating these rights by using the actresses’ image and likeness for unauthorized commercial purposes. [1] I thought this case was interesting because I often see images of Marilyn Monroe from posters to t-shirts. Her image is very popular and she is still cherished today even by those who weren’t alive to appreciate her talent. It is interesting to know that each of these images have to be approved by the owners of her estate and rights. The court however, decided that the plaintiff did not own these rights based on the time of Ms. Monroe’s death.

2.     1^st media, LLC v.  Electronic Arts Inc.

This case deals with the infringement of patents related to an entertainment system for use in purchasing and storing songs, videos and multimedia karaoke information.[2] I also thought this case was interesting because I found interesting that even things like karaoke have to go through the appropriate patent and trademark laws. The case was dismissed because the inventor and his attorney did not name all the appropriate information and withheld information dealing with the specific patent.

3.     Howard Entertainment, Inc. v. Kudrow

The former actress was sued by her manager for breach of contract. [3]This case was the most interesting to me because I find it interesting that the manager sued the client. I’m sure this happens all of them time especially when the artist are offered projects and things without the manager’s consent. When the artist decides to pursue these projects, the manager looses out and this could possibly be a breach of their contract. The court ruled in the defendants favor because of the lack of foundation provided by the plaintiff.

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[1] Milton H. Greene Archives, Inc. v. Marilyn Monroe LLC, 08-56471

[2] 1st Media, LLC v. Electronic Arts, Inc., 10-1435

[3] Howard Entm't., Inc. v. Kudrow, B234962

Sometimes you have to be a JERK

Let’s be honest, in a perfect world everyone is honest and sweet and cares about your feelings. Unfortunately we do not live in a perfect world and when it comes to business it is the best place to find imperfections. Being a woman in the entertainment industry is not easy. First and foremost you have to compete with a man, second you have to gain the respect of the people around you, and since the entertainment industry is a male dominated industry that is probably who you will be proving yourself too. It is easy to get walked over and taken for granted. Many people that I have met in this industry have all asked me the same question. “How mean can you be.” Sometimes you just have to be a jerk to be taken seriously. Of course I don’t mean go around disrespecting each person you see but it does mean being able to check those you need to be checked. It is important to always back yourself up with facts. You don’t want to give anyone the opportunity to say that you don’t know what you are talking about. The entertainment industry is so tough and it is important that you can give back a little of the crap that it throws at you everyday. It is always good to remember your self worth. Remember that you are an amazing person, you worked hard to be where you are, and your not going to let anyone or anything take that from you. Unfortunately that means backing up your niceness, smarts, and patience with a little bit of jerk once in a while. Trust me you will gain the respect you deserve. 

The Art of Being Humble

The Art of being Humble

Many times, on the journey to success in the entertainment industry, you can get lost in where you are now and where you want to be. No one becomes successful over night. It is something that takes a lot of times and hard work. Right now I am in a stage of being humble. What this means is, I have acknowledged my accomplishments but I don’t let them make who I am. Being humble means knowing that you still have a lot more to learn, and will probably continue to learn, all throughout your professional career. The entertainment industry is really hardcore. From artist to manager to record executive to movie executive, everyone is fighting for a place and hoping that someone falls off so that they can take that place. The more you know the better off you will be. When interviewing for jobs, especially in the entertainment field, just having a degree is not enough. You have to have work for experience that proves that in some time in your life, you have done the work that is required of the job that you are applying for. Being humble and knowing that you have to start somewhere, usually at the bottom, working your way to the top, is the best way to get to where you want to be. For myself, I know sometimes it can be a bit frustrating being passed over time and time again because of lack of experience, especially when you think you have enough experience. I just remind myself to be humble and to try to learn as much as possible from any job that I take on, so that one day when I do get to the interview of my dream, I can get the job of my dreams. Humble yourself but don’t doubt yourself. If you put in the work, you will eventually reap the benefits.