There’s a lotta folks talkin’ shit on the Interwebs, but often I wonder who’s actually DOING stuff. In other words, if you work in this industry, shouldn’t you actually be doing something instead of just pontificating on your blog?
Here’s what I’m up to…pontification coming soon 😉
1. Marketing Mensch: Nimbit.com
I’ve been working with/for Nimbit in varying roles for about 5 years now. In the guise as marketing director, I’m helping steer the industry’s understanding of Nimbit toward that of Direct to Fan leader. The disciplines involved are basic, but implementation and execution make for challenges. Since March, Nimbit has appeared at multiple major industry events (SXSW, ASCAP Expo, etc.), relaunched their corporate site, launched major platform enhancements, hired a new CEO, re-tooled email/messaging campaigns and protocol, and gotten placements in some little publications like Billboard. And in my marketing role, I’m involved in just about all of that. Remember, sleep is for the weak. Or maybe the weekend?
2. Post-Modern Producer: The Oedipus Project
Back when I started in radio, Charles Laquidara said that “someday, we’ll all work for Oedipus.” It only took about 15 years, but he’s right. And I do. On Valentine’s Day 2010, The Oedipus Project debuted. Featuring the best new music alongside musings and archival material from a massive (25,000+ pcs) of music, Oedipus continues a legacy of turning ears toward the greatest new music they’ve never heard. His style and perspective is uniquely his as is the challenge of creating a platform to serve this material. Legalities and licensing became a bigger deal than anyone could’ve foreseen as did the actual delivery platform to hear the music. The goal was to create a free, legal, and compelling opportunity for musicians to share and grow. Instead of producing a radio show (which is really how I cut my marketing teeth), I’m producing a website. It’s oddly the same, just without the 3 AM wakeup call, coffee jitters, and live remotes. At least, not yet…
3. Marketing Ninja – Hollow Vixen
Every semester, I guest lecture at Berklee College of Music. Occasionally, the students call me to work with them on their own projects. As such, the gentlemen of Hollow Vixen presented a rather tantalizing proposition. With an album about to drop, a website about to launch, and a tour about to start, all that was missing was a marketing effort designed to validate and hype their efforts. For their part, Hollow Vixen is an addictive band that breeds the best kind of debauchery wherever they go.
4. Deconfusionator – Andy Pratt
Some people know Andy from his 1973 hit “Avenging Annie.” And you gotta admit, it’s a monster song. Others know Andy for his peripatetic wanderings through the music industry. He’s recorded albums in genres from gospel to rock to pop to jazz, and all are impressive. But along the way, there were a bunch of contracts, major label deals, handshake deals, and haziness that caused Andy’s material and presence to be scattered across the web. Now it’s time to “bring it all back home” and create an official web presence, organize the music, and get Andy the credit he and his music deserve. Watch for a brand new (and official!) website coming soon alongside new music, and a fresh look at some overlooked gems.
