Pursuing a career in music Archives

New opportunities:

Coordinator, Music Programming (SiriusXM – Nashville, TN)

Works with members of the music programming team to create superior radio programs as needed. Supports creative processes, content development and production. Exercises both creative abilities and technical skills. Edits materials and operates an audio board. May be assigned to more than one program and perform slightly different functions across channels.

Music Writer (Apple – Culver City, CA)

Apple Music’s copy team is looking for a writer to join our fast-growing Editorial team as we expand our coverage. This candidate will be responsible for crafting everything from thorough album copy with artist interviews to short promotional tags. Expertise in particular genres is crucial, but so is versatility and flexibility and the ability to write at a fast pace. Understanding the connection between current artists and their influences is key, as is being able to layout those connections to a user. A particular interest in current hip-hop and R&B is a plus. We believe that strong, informed writing sets Apple Music apart from its competitors. The Apple Music copy team is responsible for all of the words that appear across Apple Music—from playlist descriptions to album commentary to artist interviews to promotional display copy and all points in between. We provide important context for the music on the service and its features.

Director, Brand Management (Bravado – Santa Monica, CA)

Bravado is currently looking for a Brand Management Director to join the Brand Management team and oversee a number of Bravado’s contemporary artist brands. This individual will work with the unique needs and challenges of our clients to deliver full-service product management and marketing support in a variety of categories including strategic planning, brand development, consumer marketing and creative development. This person will be the central owner of the brands and will work cross-functionally with sales, licensing, direct to consumer and operations teams to develop creative plans and ensure they are executed flawlessly across the globe.

Coordinator, Digital Marketing (Sony – NYC)

Work with digital project managers to execute highly impactful, customized campaigns.

Coordinator, Marketing (BMG – Los Angeles, CA)

Your primary mission is strategizing and coordinating album releases and campaigns by creating timelines, digital and standard marketing plans, assist in playlist pitching, asset management, webstore management and social media management for a rock-oriented sub-label. You will support the product manager and label manager as needed. Additional responsibilities will include formulating creative and meaningful content, track follower growth, work with online and physical retailers around album releases and utilizing targeted ads/boosted posts and album scheduling.

Social Media Assistant (iHeartMedia – NYC)

The Social Media Assistant for iHeartRadio will work closely with the Sr. Director of Social Media Strategy and Audience Engagement to execute the day-to-day programs that grow engagement, brand recognition, brand affinity, and ultimately drive listenership and revenue. The ideal candidate will be well versed in the best practices of existing and emerging social networks.

Director, Social Media and Content (Ticketmaster – Hollywood, CA)

Ticketmaster is looking for a strategic, creative and results-oriented leader to join our growing Brand Marketing team. You are a social media aficionado, a seasoned storyteller, and passionate about content and breakthrough creative. You are excited about the chance to grow at an evolving organization and have extensive experience driving brand building initiatives. You possess a “can-do” attitude and are not afraid to navigate a complex and fluid environment. You think editorially and have a keen understanding of what it takes to deliver the right message at the right time in the right place. You are a natural born leader, but someone who understands the importance of collaboration and teamwork, all while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. You are knowledgeable about what’s current, but even more excited about what’s next. You leverage data and insights to optimize your plans and aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty. You perfectly balance strategy and scrappiness.

Assistant, Digital Marketing and Revenue & Commercial Accounts (WMG – Los Angeles, CA)

This position would assist the SVPs of two Departments: Fan Engagement/Digital Marketing and Commercial Accounts/Revenue. Websites, email, social media, influencers, and more – the Fan Engagement/Digital Marketing department oversees all these vital consumer touchpoints. We do more than take great #selfies! We oversee all of the ways artists communicate with their fanbase online, be it a meme that made you laugh, a tweet that made you cry, or an ad for an album you can’t live without. Our mission is to acquire, engage, and retain fans with clever digital strategies and compelling content. In a complex and ever-changing music marketplace, the Revenue & Commercial Accounts team are the wizards of it all. Our team is responsible for driving revenue for our artists in a demanding and varied ecosystem. We oversee all the ways fans consume music, from streaming services like Spotify and Apple to physical retailers and everything in between.

Product Marketing Manager: Spotify for Artists, Content Promotion (Spotify – NYC)

We’re looking for a passionate and seasoned product marketing manager to join the Creator Marketing team in New York – a cross-functional group dedicated to helping artists and their teams thrive. You’ll help shape the products we build for artists, labels, managers, and publishers. And you’ll bring these products to market to maximize their impact. Ultimately, you’ll be a key part of a team reimagining the way artists and their teams leverage the Spotify platform, share their art, and build their careers.

This role specifically focuses on content promotion products we are building to help music marketers reach listeners and fans with creative, engaging, performant promotional formats.

GOA Music Artist Representative (GOA – Franklin, TN)

GOA Music is seeking candidates who are well organized, detailed oriented, and outgoing with strong communication skills. Candidates should be comfortable talking on the phone and working in an office environment. To be considered for this position, candidates should adhere to company values for GOA, Inc., have a strong work ethic, and aim to creatively grow the Music division.

Marketing Manager, Integrated Marketing (TouchTunes – NYC)

A marketer who is passionate about growing a business by acquiring new customers through the execution of integrated awareness and lead generation campaigns with experience in Paid Media, SEO, E-mail and Content Marketing, Lead Generation, Segmentation, Marketing Analytics, etc.

Advertorial Content Project Manager (Townsquare Media – NYC)

The Project Manager for Advertorial Content will oversee Townsquare’s local digital marketing campaigns involving Digital Endorsements and Sponsored Social Mentions created by our radio stations about local businesses. The Project Manager’s key duties will be interacting with and coordinating among multiple teams to effectively set up, launch, execute, and track Advertorial campaigns. The measures of success for the role include success rate of campaigns, profit margin and renewals.

Manager, Partner Requirements (Sony – NYC)

As a manager on the Operations Team, you are crucial in executing on a value proposition that drives client satisfaction and revenue. You will be responsible for ensuring The Orchard remains a top-tier partner at digital service providers, helping us stay on track in our quest to consistently improve our operations. You are driven, methodical, detail-oriented, and adept at managing multiple projects simultaneously. You’re great with Excel, and not only are you able to analyze large data sets, you also think strategically and come up with recommendations once you review your results.

Business Operations Project Manager (Eventbrite – Nashville, TN)

The Business Operations Project Manager is an integral member of the Revenue Operations team. This position requires applied knowledge of project management frameworks and tools to optimize the planning and implementation of strategic projects and initiatives. This is a critical role and includes high-level visibility and interaction with stakeholders across the organization globally. The role requires an understanding of the business need for each project and the ability to make ongoing decisions based on what’s best for the organization, even if that means challenging senior stakeholders on critical success factors.

Operations Manager (4Wall Entertaiment – Nashville, TN)

While every day is different at 4Wall, you will be responsible for providing oversight, coordination, supervision, planning, administration, training and logistical support to the Nashville location. This role requires superior organizational skills that help in driving continuous improvement surrounding operations, clients, and employees. You will build rapport with both internal/external clients and strive to maintain business commitments that allow fulfillment of defined service agreements and will build a high-performance team by exercising superior judgment and the proper balance of command and control.

Strategy & Operations Lead, Personalization (Spotify – NYC)

We seek a Strategy & Operations Lead to help us grow, organize, and nurture the team working on personalization. You will play an active role in shaping the new music economy. Our organization of engineers, designers, and product managers are located between New York, Boston and Stockholm.

Social Media Coordinator (Indicate Media – New York, NY)

Indicate Media Public Relations seeks a creative, motivated, and organized individual with outstanding social media and writing skills to work with our technology / financial client accounts as well as execute an internal social media strategy. The ideal candidate should be self-motivated and have a track record of social media execution. Intelligence and strategic insight will be paramount to this position. Indicate is a boutique company operating in a fast-paced industry, so we are seeking applicants who are agile, hardworking, and ready to collaborate with the team to ensure we produce great results for our clients.

Assistant Director, Entertainment Media and Communications (UJA Federation of New York – NYC)

The Assistant Director of the Entertainment, Media & Communications Division will be responsible for engaging professionals within different areas of the media space, around the mission of UJA.

Social Media / Marketing Coordinator (Blade – NYC)

BLADE is seeking a Social Media/Marketing Coordinator interested in building a career in a high-growth, fast-paced, innovative company. You will wear many hats and be responsible for supporting multiple functions across BLADE’s Marketing organization, including social media posting, community management, content creation, influencer and PR relationship management. The ideal candidate must be highly organized and detail-oriented and have the ability to learn new skills quickly.

Executive Assistant to EVP Repertoire & Marketing (BMG – Los Angeles, CA)

You live by the words of trustworthiness, organization, and dependability. Everyone will recognize you as the prime go-to-person for just about anything, and your abilities have never disappointed anyone. Managing the lives of the company’s decision-makers is not an easy task, but then you showed up and made it seem like cake.

Music Program Facilitator (UCLA – Los Angeles, CA)

The Music Program Facilitator will develop an engaging Music curriculum and progressive lessons, with references to the National Core Art Standards, within a unit tailored to meet the needs of a broad range of music development levels for students ages 4-12 at UCLA Lab School; develop appropriate follow-up practice at home for the various age groups and language levels; communicate with parents, either through our website, email and/or in writing, the units of study and additional resources providing opportunities for parent engagement with their child bridging home to school; identify and utilize resources appropriate to support the music program; utilize the classroom environment to support music development.

Part-Time Music Researcher (BMI – Eagle, CO)

Occasional part-time hourly work with hours ranging from 0-25 hours per week depending on availability of assignments. Work consists of music and market research in businesses in various states. Assignments include onsite research in businesses during late evenings, including weekends, and may require travel and overnight stay. Assignments also require completion of detailed reports following on-site visits.

Senior Account Executive, Music & Entertainment (Berk Communications – New York, NY)

If you’re fearless and looking for a career growth opportunity with an agency that has best-in-class clients and a fun, entrepreneurial work environment, then Berk Communications is the place for you. We are seeking a super motivated and talented Senior Account Executive to work on our Music and Entertainment business. We’re a team of innovative and creative thinkers seeking new ways of doing things… developing solutions nobody has considered and pushing the boundaries of expected thinking. As an integral part of the account team, the candidate must have solid writing, research and media relations skills. The candidate must have experience contributing to creation of communications plans that meet client objectives; building relationships with clients, media and other influencers; and consistently producing high quality work. The ideal candidate will have experience servicing music and entertainment clients and have established contacts in both spaces.

Personal Assistant (Tuff City Records – NYC)

Company president needs a personal assistant to complete organizational and secretarial tasks, at both the company office and his home office. Excellent organization skills required. Must be tech savvy. Experience as a personal assistant is an absolute prerequisite. Knowledge of music industry a BIG plus.

Director Music Licensing (20th Century Fox – Burbank, CA)

The Walt Disney Company is seeking a Director, Music Clearance for Twentieth Century Fox Television (TCFTV). This position is responsible for all music copyright and music licensing functions for the TCFTV Music Department, servicing the creative and clearance needs of designated television series as assigned.

Music Consultant (Ability Now Bay Area – Oakland, CA)

Do you love music? Do you love sharing your love of music with others? Do you like helping others explore their creative self and experience new and exciting things? Then we want you!

If every idea or plan I ever heard in every conversation I ever had with an aspiring industry professional or musician the music business would be a vastly different place than it is today. I’m not sure that is for the better or worse – depends on the project – but what I do know of from my time working in the industry and my admittedly puddle-deep exploration through its many ranks has become the stuff of legends to myself and anyone who may have been there in that moment those words were shared. Big bands, small bands, PR professionals and startup masterminds. Name a thing in music you could aspire to become and there are at least 5000 people who tell people they also want to do that thing every day, and that’s likely just in North America alone.

I am certain there are a variety of reasons things didn’t work and a number of people who could be, should be, or would be held responsible if things had gone another route, but in many cases it comes down to your willingness to fight, but in many cases it comes down to your willingness to fight and your ability to evolve. Both sound easier than they really are, but they are absolutely essential traits for anyone hoping to make it in this business.

There is one upside: Everyone is fighting this battle in their own way.

Everyone hoping to do anything in this business wakes up with the prospects of going to war. It doesn’t matter whether it should or shouldn’t be like this because the fact of the matter is it is the way things are at this point in time. The boom of access through technology and the internet happened much faster than the music industry was able to adapt. Even if the industry were able to see the changes the internet would present in advance and had ample time to prepare it’s hard to imagine a world where there are anywhere near enough reliable full-time jobs in the creative area you want to work in to allow everyone a place of there own guaranteed. That’s not how life works and it’s not how music works.

The best you can do is to wake up every day and put action to your dreams. Start today. If you want to write the next song that is going to change the world, it’s probably time to take mastering your instrument and songwriting seriously. If you want to manage the next big band, find a band you give a damn about and do whatever it takes to make sure me and everyone else feels the same way this time next year. If you want to pitch Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, XXL, or anyone else, learn how to form a good pitch and start sending emails. If you want to be a publicist, find an artist you believe in and make the rest of us feel the same through any means necessary. I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.

You’re going to fail, but there’s another upside: Everyone Fails.

Everyone fails a lot, in fact. More bad songs are written every day than future classics, just like more bad press releases are sent than those that make people who receive hundreds of press releases a week actually read what they wrote. It’s not about a single try and it’s not about a single day, week, or month. Building a career of any kind in any field in the music business is an ongoing series of trial and error where you and everyone you know hopes to succeed in some way more often than not. We take our chances and we take our bruises. We complain about the way corporations have devalued music while making billions of the art that musicians create while hoping streaming payouts really do lead to the bright future we were told would come. We claim we found the next best band in the world when we really just heard a good song on the internet. We put our faith in people that turn out to be nothing like we expected and we in turn sometimes surprise ourselves.

Some failures hurt more than others, but that’s okay. You learn to take the good with the bad because you remember that hope only gets you as far as you’re willing to fight in this business and that everyone else has ups and downs too.

Be honest with yourself and others. You cannot do everything. In fact, some things you probably shouldn’t do, and that’s perfectly okay.

To attempt anything is to accept the fact you may fail. Everyone fails, as we mentioned above, but if you find yourself failing again and again without ever finding a sliver of success you may need to take a hard look at your goal and ask yourself whether or not they can be achieved. The hard truth of the matter is that only a very small amount of those who dream and strive to work in music every actually make a career for themselves in this business. If you are not one of them it does not mean you are a failure. You rose above being a failure the moment you decided to try and chase your dreams. You wouldn’t believe how many people never even take the first step towards getting what they want. If things are not working out after a long enough period of time you need to consider the possibility that there may be other fields and areas of expertise where your particular set of skills could be of value. The world needs motivated souls, and you are one. Find a way to make existence a bit better for others and do that thing. Music will always be here, and you will always have it in your life, even if it isn’t what pays the bills.

You are never alone, though it’s going to feel like that sometimes.

When you’re working with others in any capacity you begin to realize your individual performance really does influence their ability to pay their student loans and cover their share of rent in the apartments they more than likely share with anywhere from one to six, seven, or even eight people depending on the metropolis they were forced to move to in order to take their time in this business ‘seriously.’ (You don’t have to do that, by the way. Be the biggest thing you come out of your spot on the map, and don’t forget to thank the internet – and this author – for your success down the line.) You, like them, were once just a kid who really loved a particular band or sound and that somehow turned into a career where you’re now responsible for doing something (or more than likely, many things) in exchange for money. Compared to the way most people approach finding a career in something, that’s crazy! We’re all a little crazy and we many of us deal with the same stresses and bouts of self doubt that you may experience from time to time. We’re strongest when we work together, and that means being open and honest with one another. Recognize that we are all crazy fans deep down inside and we all know of the power music has to impact lives. We are all working toward the same thing, and that is to lift up the art that gives us the ability to wake up every day and fight.

There is power in numbers. Work together.

As much as my individual drive and talent has helped me make a way in this industry, all my greatest accomplishments were the direct result of projects I worked on with people I believed in. Surround yourself with like-minded people who fight for the things they want and understand that real work that lies ahead. This may be the friends you know now or it may be a group of strangers you meet only after you take it upon yourself to start chasing whatever it is you want to do. The bonds you form with these people will last a lifetime, and they will come to mean more than any paycheck possibly could.

Commit.

There is no denying that finding a career in music is often driven by networking, but even the best connections still require commitment. Music is considered one of the easiest industries to get your foot in, but no one ever stops to tell you everyone and their brother currently has a foot in the door of this business. It takes nothing to do the bare necessities required to claim to have a presence in music and that is a beautiful thing. It’s also a litmus test of sorts to separate the truly driven from those who will eventually turn to a more reliable and suitable (and arguably sane) career. If you want to do anything you have to make yourself known, and it’s both as easy and as hard as committing to working towards your goals every single day. To borrow from Nike, “just do it,” and soon things will begin to fall into place.

James Shotwell is the Digital Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. He is also the Film Editor for Substream Magazine and a 10-year veteran of the entertainment business. James has spoken about careers in entertainment and how to achieve them at festivals, conferences, and college campuses across the United States, and he is currently working on his first book on that very topic at this moment. If you like what you have read here, please make it a point to follow him on Twitter. If you have questions about this or anything else related to working in the entertainment business, please email him: james@haulix.com.