More Than Who You Know
Well, as we all know, in the music business, it's all "who you know", right?
Wrong.
The information age continues to narrow the gaps between Buyer and Talent Agencies and agents (Local, Regional and National) are finding it a necessity to develop, maintain and market cross-functional skills with regards to booking, promotion and production.
The days in which an Agent can close a deal, issue contracts, collect deposits and send the show downstream to management and promoter are coming to an end (This is especially the case for Local and Regional Agencies). Management and Agency firms continue to downsize. Technology practically forces efficiency to take center stage. Those firms and individuals that can utilize technology to integrate and streamline functions (booking, publicity, production, etc.) , while maintaining superior customer service, will stand a much better chance of survival in the evolving marketplace.
This trend towards cross-functionality applies to Concert Promoters and Producers, Talent Buyers, Talent Agents and Managers alike. These afore mentioned roles, at least we hope, will remain intact, but the manner and degrees to which they interact will continue to be in a state of flux . This trend will be seen as well in the private, corporate and military markets, as these clients are being exposed to online event planning directories and "fast food" talent booking sites, etc., which are at the moment are shoddy at best, but have the potential to mature into reliable resources if effective ranking and qualification measures can be implemented.
Ed Shaw
http://www.edshawentertainment.com
Ed Shaw is a Full Service Entertainment and Production Firm that has produced 3500 engagements since 20003. http://www.edshawentertainment.com
