Entertainment Management

Entertainment Management Companies

An entertainment management company matches events with entertainment, providing full packages, negotiating riders, and offering diverse entertainment options.

  • Robert Sivek (The Meeting House Companies): Provides full-service event production with all-inclusive pricing.
  • Michael Owen (All Access Entertainment): Highlights the value of using entertainment companies for expertise and efficiency.

Booking Entertainment

  • Professionals: David Williams (David Patrone Productions) suggests using booking services for specific situations (e.g., lack of music knowledge, remote events, major artists).
  • Advocacy: Bob Cherny (Paradise Sound and Light) advises hiring an entertainment contractor to handle contracts and logistics, advocating for the client's interests.

Agents and Managers

Key roles in the entertainment industry:

  • Manager: Manages career development (15-25% commission).
  • Agent: Finds employment offers (10-20% commission).
  • Business Manager: Handles finances (2-6% commission).
  • Promoter: Organizes publicity and finances for events, especially concerts.

Speakers

NSA's ten tips for selecting a speaker:

  1. Determine audience needs.
  2. Establish date, time, and budget.
  3. Identify the speaker type.
  4. Locate resources.
  5. Review options and interview candidates.
  6. Select your speaker.
  7. Get it in writing (contract).
  8. Work with your speaker (share information).
  9. Set the stage.
  10. Evaluate results.

Hiring Headline Entertainment

Process:

  1. Research audience needs.
  2. Select an artist and budget.
  3. Make a written offer.
  4. Sign a contract.
  5. Secure production.
  6. Monitor and evaluate.
  • Offer: A blueprint for the contract which includes details like who, what, where, when, and how much.
  • Contract: Includes riders or addendums for sound, lights, and catering.

Advantages of Entertainment Management Companies

  • Entertainment companies handle paperwork, financials, communication, and on-site representation. They act as the show's producer and handle rider requirements if the planner transfers that responsibility to them.

  • Chris Burke (William Morris): Recommends corporate entertainment companies for their expertise.

  • Rita Tateel (The Celebrity Source): Acts as a matchmaker between celebrities and corporate needs.

Before Booking Entertainment

Factors to consider:

  • Audience age and demographics.

  • Event theme.

  • Venue logistics.

  • Food service.

  • Speeches.

  • Budget.

  • Artist's acceptance of corporate events.

  • Negotiation: Important to consider all cost and rider requirements.

  • Joshua Jones (Painted Desert Golf Club): States corporate entertainment companies negotiate riders effectively and have leverage with celebrities' agents.

  • Musical acts can boost event attendance and visibility, sharing the company's goals.