Future Planning

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 

         (Philippians 4:13, NKJV)

Planning is key when one is trying to reach a new height greater than self. All of us have a unique set of goals and dreams; both personal and professional, that is tailored to our own desires and needs. Some people are creatively inclined and can instantly transform the vision they have in their head and turn it into a masterful piece of artwork or the latest hit record. But it takes a little more work for the majority of us.

         As I previously stated planning is a vital aspect of all professional and personal decision making, many powerful individuals attribute it to their success. The first step with planning is to access self and start where you currently are. This process of self-evaluation requires pure honestly and humility as you will be examining the strengths, weakness, talents, and drawbacks of the one most important individual, YOU! Once a good assessment of self has been taken, one must being developing a road map to get through your journey. A road map to success can include career goals with designated timeline, personal improvement goals, and strategies for achieving ones goals.

         The planning stage should be a sobering process that allows you to take a good hard look at self. What’s required of you next is to take action. Action means attempting new activities that will lead to achieving goals and dreams, as well as doing the required self-development that is needed.  Action means to step out on faith and challenge yourself past your limits. It can be a very risky process at times but if it doesn’t challenge you then it doesn’t change you. The only person who has the ability to hold you back is you!

Another significant aspect of action is your developmental team. Who are the people you surround yourself with? Are they assisting you on achieving your goals or holding you back? By asking yourself these simple but honest questions will allow you to gain better understanding of which outside influences are holding you back from your potential success.

Strategic and detailed planning is an ongoing process and requires constant attention. The self-development process commands pure self-discipline, honest self-evaluation, and knowledge. The only way one can grow and allow their vision to become a reality is by, pushing yourself to the limit while taking time to learn from every experience that occurred along the way. Knowledge is power, and is one proven way to obtain pure happiness and self-gratifying success.

Planning is an individual tool used to ensure that one is always on the right path to making their dreams a reality. 

       Peace & Blessings        

       

       -RB 

The Art of Deal Making

The Art of Deal Making

There is an art to deal making. Many of the greats in the entertainment industry are at the top of their game due to the masterful negotiation skills. The purpose of this post is to explore the characteristics of an expert negotiator; whether he or she is an artist manager, event planner or sport agent, they all have the capacity to close major deals.

When I began preparation for this post and interview a few significant entertainment professionals came to mind, but do to tragic unforeseen circumstances I was unable to conduct this interview with said individuals. Although I was able to conducted my interview with a woman who wears many hats in the industry. Whether she is wearing her Artist Manager, Production Manager, or even CEO hat, Rebekah Foster of Ujima Sound Productions is always down to business.

Foster, has over thirty years of experience within the music industry and many of her peers and counterparts would consider her to be a music industry expert.  I asked Rebekah several questions concerning dealing making and negotiations but a few significant points from our conversation stood out.

Mutual Benefit happens in a negotiation when both parties are committed to producing a Win / Win situation.  I asked Foster, “How is mutual benefit achieved?” She stated that it “truly depends on the nature of the project, event, or artist.” “Each situation is different but it’s important to eliminate the negatives while focusing on the positive aspects of a negotiation. “ In many instances within the entertainment industry the artist is always considered to be right, “therefore one must be able to compromise.” Proper research is always expected before you enter any deal; “when you know your stuff, you are able to guide them in the direction that best suits their career.”

Foster has been able to work with some of the most influential voices ever, from Whitney Houston to Marcus Miller to Busta Rhymes.  Over the course of her impressive career, Foster had had to learn how to always be the bigger person. During a negotiation it is imperative to ‘separate the person from the problem.’ When asked what methods she utilizes to eliminate emotions Foster stated, “you must always have a positive attitude.” “The music industry is a thankless job, so you must have a will power and attitude that will sustain you through the difficult circumstances.” “Break their negativity with your positivity,” it demonstrates professionalism and focuses negotiators on issues.

I’ve had the pleasure of shadowing Foster on a few occasions, and have taken away life long lessons. Over the years that I’ve known her, she always taught by example, using objective criteria and industry norms to get significant points across.  I’ve always taken heed to her valuable advice because I understand her significant impact on the industry. During our conversation, Foster made reference to superstar Artist Manager and Brand Developer, Chris Lighty.  Foster and Lighty have had a business relationship and friendship for many years, and personally Chris Lighty would have been both of our first choice to gain information on deal –making from.

I include information about Darrell “Chris” Lighty due to his unexpected and tragic death last Thursday, August 30^th, 2012. Lighty committed suicide last week outside of his Bronx, NY home. As this is a very sad situation I just want to shine light on some of his amazing accomplishments and accolades.  Lighty was a prominent figure in the music industry, by building his empire, Violator Management, from the ground up, to serving as longtime manager for 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, Diddy, and Mariah Carey, Chris Lighty was the man.

Lighty was an exceptional dealmaker! He is noted as being the architect behind 50 Cent’s Vitamin Water deal that grossed the artist over 100 million dollars, as well as many other deals with Gap, Mountain Dew, and Sprite. Chris also guided and empowered some of music’s most inspirational artists, and after many years of experience he founded Brand Asset Group because he believed in the power of branding. His expertise ensured that all of his artists were creatively well rounded with each obtaining many endorsement and record deals.

Chris Lighty was an inspiration to me. He fought, taught, and helped construct the Hip-Hop industry we now know and love. Ever since the first time I heard of Violator or Chris Lighty, I’ve tired to embody the strong positive characteristics which he did. I was fortune enough to intern with Violator Management in the summer of 2008, and remember feeling pride and joy being in his presence. He will always be a mentor to me; Chris Lighty is the artist manager I strive to be.

Much respect, Mr. Lighty, I’m grateful to have your career be an inspiration for my future! Gone to soon, but I pray you Rest in Peace and Paradise!

Russell Simmons said it best “So here's to Chris: a man perfected by God and freed from struggle long before we were ready to say goodbye." 

Peace & Blessings        

       

       -RB

Lesson Learned

Life long lessons can be taken from every aspect life as long as we take the time to observe and learn. I gained some life long lessons through my last working opportunity that I was afforded.  For the last six years I have been an on and off intern with Ujima Sound Productions, an entertainment production company located in New York, NY, and I was asked to represent them on a gig for their new client The Dream. I've taken the last five years to study and enhance my formal education and gain valuable knowledge and experience in the entertainment industry, and now I was ready to show the world what I’ve got. Well, at least that’s what I thought.

            The show was on July 7^th, 2012 in the middle of London, England’s historic Hyde Park, which is one of the largest parks in central London, roughly half the size of New York’s Central Park. On this day seven years ago, the city of London was attacked by a suicide bomber, similar to the 9/11 attacks; but this year the city was hosting the men and women’s Wimbledon finals, London’s gay pride parade, and the incredible Barclaycard Wireless Festival. I was there as a road manager for The Dream who performed on the second day of the festival. The Barclaycard Wireless Festival is owned and managed by Live Nation, which was previously known as the O₂ Wireless Festival; but switched names in 2009 when Barclaycard became the main sponsor.

            The festival has housed some of the greatest musical voices of the past decade, such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, James Blunt, Moby, and The Black Eyed Peas to name a few. This year show hosted The Roots, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, J Cole, plus many more and was no less than incredible.

            Even though the venue was located in the middle of Hyde Park, this gig was no walk in the park for me. It took a lot of hard work and dedication to perform at my absolute best. Although, it was a great experience and will look great on my resume, the personal knowledge that I gained is of greatest value to me.

            From this experience I’ve developed a new sense of motivation and drive. There were many times during the day when I just wanted to give up, but I could not, I was fearless. I gained many lessons; the first being that you cannot please everyone, and second is that the entertainment industry can be a thankless job.  But the greatest lesson gained, is that everyone may not see the hard work and dedication that you exhibit, but it does not mean that there are any excuses for performing at you absolute best. There will be many times when we must endure to raise to higher heights and achieve personal success.

            I’m extremely grateful for the experience and lessons learned.

Peace & Blessings        

       

       -RB

A few pictures from my day trip to London...

"Produced By Faith"

As I sit here and think about what I should blog about the first thing that comes to mind is my new read. 

Recently I began reading a very inspiring book called "Produced by Faith" by Colombia Pictures executive Devon Franklin. The books tag line says " Enjoy Real Success Without Losing Your True Self" - How powerful is that premise? I was first introduced to Franklin through the entertainment media new circuit, as he was gaining notice because he was set to marry one of Hollywood's Leading Black Actresses, Megan Good. But his genius has come to my attention a numerous amount of times over these last few months. Oprah Winfrey was one of the many who took heed to the greatness in this man and featured him on her OWN network show 'Super Soul Sundays.' Which aims to give her viewer a little faith, a place where people could become inspired, a sort of Food for your Soul type of show. 

Franklin started out in the film industry over fifteen years ago for megastar Will Smith at his production company Overbrook Entertainment. He was raised in a Christian home and the church as a Seventh Day Adventist and has always been steadfast with his faith and able to find solace in the Lord. The book 'Produced By Faith' shares Franklin's views on obtaining real life success while being bold about ones beliefs. Franklin states, "To get where you want to go, you first have to become the person God want you to be." This obviously connected with me. 

This book has special importance to be because it is opening my mind, while helping me to truly believe in myself and the ultimate power of my God. I believe for someone to fully understand their purpose in life they must be connected to a higher and greater being. Through this book I have learned that by embracing who I am, the right doors will open and not shut until its time to move onto the next stage of development. This book has also helped me to understand that there is a purpose to everything we do, and it’s that its just preparation for the greater things that life has to offer us. 

Ambition, Beliefs and Career should not be separate if one wants to obtain real life success. They must be in harmony. 

"I have put my faith front and center for everyone to see... not only has relying on my faith not harmed my career prospects, its has actually enchanted them." - DeVon Franklin

Peace & Blessings        

       
       -RB

Road To SXSW

Road to SXSW

South By Southwest’s (SXSW) original goal was to create and event that would act as a tool of creative expression for people and companies alike to work together in developing their careers.  The festival features presentations on music, film, and interactive innovations.  The music conference aims to bring together people from a wide area to meet and promotes the share of groundbreaking ideas and good creative music.  The festival is held in Austin Texas during the month of March, and just concluded their very successful 2012 conference.

As a young and eager individual I have wanted to attend for sometime now but was unable to attend this year. This festival bridges together young individuals; 31% of attendees are between 21 – 30 and 40% are between 31-40.  The festival consist of a “Start Up Village” that brings together entrepreneurs, investors and cutting edge digital tastemakers in one environment to share ideas and network with some amazingly creative and intelligent individuals. 

The festival was first held in 1987 and appeals to artist from all over the world.  This year the show featured the musical styling of Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent and Eminem, and Jay-Z. Alternatively, SXSW who usually caters to an alternative and rock crowd, this year show consisted on many prominent names within the hip hop industry.  A remarkable brand alignment was announced at the performance of hip-hop superstar Lil Wayne and Mountain Dew, while commenting on his new partnership Lil Wayne stated, "If you get anything from me, it's to find your name and do you because, ladies and gentlemen, that's what I dew." Its always great to see artist brands grow and reach a new demographic.

Another prime example of brand alignment is between Jay-Z and American Express.  Thanks to Amex Sync Show, fans were able to watch the show live on American Express’ Twitter, YouTube, and Xbox Live accounts all while obtaining and interactive experience, that significantly promotes all five brand being used, SXSW, American Express, Jay-Z, Twitter, and Xbox Live; overall creating great awareness for each.

SXSW is vital to the entertainment industry because it promotes new, young and hip ideas and acts as a catalyst for future business ventures. I hope one day soon I will be attending my very first SXSW experience.

See below for videos of Jay-Z and Lil Wayne performing at SXSW.

Peace & Blessings

-RB