An Interview with the University Negotiator

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Once I graduate from full Sail University, I plan to open my own event planning company. I plan to have an entertainment department, so I now that I will have to do some type of negotiating. At this time I am currently working at Johnson C. Smith University in the student activities department. I do not hold a high position in this department, but we as a whole are responsible for being entertainment to the campus for the students. From working in this department, I am able to learn a lot from my fellow employees.

I was given the opportunity to interview someone at the university who happen to be the liaison for the school and the entertainers.  He may not work in the entertainment industry directly; but I am still able to get some insight on negotiating. The person that I had the change to interview is Charles Amerson. He is the Director of student activities here at Johnson C. Smith University. He is also the person I am currently working under. He is actively working with businesses and entertainers in the entertainment industry in a deal- making capacity, who negotiates as a regular part of doing business.

Me:   As a Johnson C. Smith employee, please describe in detail your position, and the department you currently work in

Charles:  I am the director of student activities here at Johnson C. Smith University, and I book student focused entertainment for the University.

Me: In what ways do you implement negotiation into your work from day to day?

Charles: I deal with entertainment contracts and event operations among non-related departments of the university. As a small University, we depend on the cooperation of outside departments to ensure proper event execution.  Regularly meeting with service providers and open communication with agents and artists is key.

Me: How do you separate the people from the problem when negotiating

Charles:  By understanding that everyone is doing their job and looking out for the individual welfare of their area. There are ways that everyone can get a benefit out of any deal.  Identifying what those benefits are early is crucial to good negotiation.

Me: How have you used leverage and power to move forward in negotiation with an entertainer

Charles:    I do not feel that I have.  My personal ethics calls for even bargaining strategies.  If I am interested in booking the artist I go forth and work towards a win-win situation understanding that this is how the artist makes his/her/their living.

Me: Explain how you may have used objective criteria to get what you wanted out of a deal

Charles: I don’t tend to think of it as objective criteria.  I work within budget and timing constraints that are presented to me.

Me: How do you deal with dirty trick and tricky tactics

Charles:   Most campus entertainment comes under a code of ethics established by the National Association for Campus Activities.  If I come across anything such as a dirty trick I would report it to that body.

Me: When negotiation with entertainers, have you every incorporated mutual benefits. If so, please explain how?

Charles:    NACA Cooperative buying is a win-win for both the University and the artist by the two means below:

 
1.University gets discounts on booking act

2. Artists is ensured multiple concentrated dates in which he/she can perform

Me: How do you deal with negative emotions in negotiation

Charles:    I don’t.  I move on to a similar artist. I believe in keeping emotional ties out of negotiation and sticking with a logic perspective. Emotions makes negotiation more one sided rather than win-win.

Me: If you could give me any advice on negotiating, what would it be and why?

Charles:  you have to understand what your motivations are in negotiation. Whether, it has to do with something that will be taking place at the University/venue, or getting paid.  Keeping it focused on the basics and realizing how to keep everything win-win is often the utmost importance.

This interview was as valuable as the work I see Charles from day to day. I get to see first hand how to negotiate a contract with someone who may work in the entertainment industry. I have learned how to take a small budget and create a large event. I may not want to work directly in the entertainment industry, but I do want to work in the event planning industry. So, what better what to some knowledge and some experience? I have been working in student activities for over a year, and I know how to negotiate artist contracts, book venues, and how to do a successful event. 

  Websites: http://www.jcsu.edu/athletics.htm

Young artist and education

This blog will talk about why the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Smith has no time for school.  In an interview with Willow Smith, she talks about how she is behind in her math because she doesn’t have time to focus on it.  She stated that she is usually on tour or hanging out with her father all of the time.  With all of the money that her parents have, you would think that they would put education first. As you can see, this is mostly her parent fault because they are to busy focusing on their children becoming stars. I have to agree with a lot that was written in is article.  During my elementary day’s, I have seen a lot of my friends parent’s get locked up or find because their kids wouldn’t go to school. However, in this case that wouldn’t happen because these folks are rich and famous.  With anything you do, you need to know how to read, write, and count. With willow Smith trying to pursue a music career, I think that it’s best that she keeps her education going.  Her parent won’t be by her side always, and what if one day their money happens to disappear (all gone). Then they would wish that they had a back up plain that included furthering their education.

Today we come to fine that there are a lot of young people working in the entertainment industry. I believe that it’s mostly in the film and music industry.  Most child stars benefit because of their parents being well known stars. These young people have to grow up fast and they miss out on some of the best things in like. I believe in people fulfilling their dreams, however I also believe in getting an education. A lot of young stars are working constantly and have no time for school. As a parent I don’t think that I would allow my child to be a child star. If I had the opportunity cost of being rich due to my child being a child star or just being middle class, then I would take middle class.  I rather not have my child miss out on life. When I say that, I am referring to going to school with other kids, going to college, going to the promo, playing in the dirty, or maybe even playing sports in school. I would want my child to maybe make that decision after she graduates from college. I want her to be able to say that she has had the all around experience. I that once you become a parent, you show always but education first.

http://www.atoast2wealth.com/2010/12/12/blame-her-parents-willow-smith-admits-she-has-no-time-for-education/

http://www.4tnz.com/content/willow-smith-mamas-girl

Interview with Max Davis: “giving artist their fair share”

This interview basically talks about how people use a great bit of technology. The types of technology they are describing happen to be the use of cell phones. With having a cell phone we also have the luxury of being able to send and receive  SMS (Short message service) and MMS (multimedia messages).  Carriers charge for both types of messaging ($1.99 per megabyte of usage per user for MMS). Critics   argue that cell phone Carriers; have not been giving people who hold rights to these messages their share. They are making a profit based on how large the message is and the number.  So with that being said, Mr. Davis established a company called DataRevenue.org (movement). This company wants to convert copyrighted material in some type of profit for the rights holder, when the material is being sent from one phone to another.


DataRevenue.org (movement) was recently form and consist of rights holders who think that there should be legal rates created for multimedia messaging. “We believe that sending or sharing music, videos or images via mobile2mobile would constitute a comparable “delivery of a phonorecord” or actually the “delivery of copyrighted materials.” (Davis,) This company will provide services to those who are interested in music, but they are not limiting their selves to others. Davis believes that cell phone companies maybe violating copyright laws and that rightsholders should get their share of the profit. This company is open for anyone to join and only cost $49 for the entire year. Also, since it is non-profit members are able to use this on their taxes as a business expense.


My reasons for doing my blog on this interview are due to the fact that it was very interesting. It also related a little to the current event discussion we had for class this pass week. The discussion talks about other s artist can make money and so does this interview. I believe that starting this type of company is a very great ideal. With artist not being able to make a lot of money off people purchasing CD’s, this could be another way for them to make a profit. Why not utilize this company; people are making money off of artist and its time for artist to get their share.

Retrieved Nov.29 from musicindustrynewswire.com. http://musicindustrynewswire.com/2009/05/03/min1632_162840.php

Recording and Entertainment Industries

    The recording industry Association of America, presents a summary about recording industries and what people interested and researching in this field. Also it promotes good ideas on how the person should have there label. For instance the Limewire downloading case, it is now being shut down by the federal court.  The blogs gives a heads up on what going on with the music entertainment industry.  Like the “I Gotta Feeling’ This Song Is #1” blog, it promotes and sends out the message, that the black eye peas are doing something for there empire.  They also highlights the past songs that the black eye peas past hits “Boom Boom Boom”.  

    The programs are very persuasive to tactics to help people to start with their company. However one may feel the goals can be a little lecture based.  Overall it can help starting recording companies begin in slow methods.  The programs such as the parental advisory blog, will explain why things should be block for prevention of suits.  These programs can help me extend my knowledge about companies. Therefore, my company can become successful and be known as Roc a Fella  Records.

   This Association can help promote my industry and extend my,not yet in the progress of building, entertainment empire.  By presenting my artist to the before the single is out into the world. My team will be able to send them the song and the bio of the artist.  Hopefully we will get great feed back and become a good example like the Black eye peas.  Our goal, with this, would have expand our empire like bad boy records. Bad boy records has expanded into many industries, such as the  recording company, the clothing company, cologne company, and Alcohol.  The record industry association of America, will be a beginning entity of my empire. PYT is in need of a network group to fill in one part.  The Company now is a just into two small groups, entertaining and event planning. We hope we can break the competition with Sean “Diddy” Combs Marketing empire.  And this will be a start.

        PYT is a small business that is trying to expand in the entertainment industry. The main goal is to combine with other companies. This will give us a chance to be internationally know. With this association is very resourceful and productive.

http://www.badboyforever.com/

http://riaa.com/blog.php?content_selector=Gotta_Feeling

http://riaa.com/blog.php?content_selector=NPR_Explains_

http://riaa.com/blog.php?content_selector=LimeWire_Update

Newton Aduaka tells the story of Ezra

After watching Newton Aduaka speak on TED.com, I must say that it encouraged me to want to do a blog on this piece. He has inspired the audience by letting them know that even though things may have happen in the world; we should move on and embrace all the advancements we have. However, we should always remember what occurred and we should try to never let it happen again. By Newton becoming a film director, being focused, educating himself on other things that are happening around the world, and being open are all the ways he has avoided adversity. One significant event happens to be, the video Newton showed of a child soldier named Ezra, along with other child soldiers in Sierra Leone fighting a war that they may not have understood. These young kids went around killing families in different villages. They were injected with drug and seem a lot of murders. The kids were turned into true killers all over some diamonds.
At the start of the speech he built trust and shared knowledge through showing of a few clips. The first clip told a story a girl who felt that she would be happier only if she lived in Nigeria. This ways taped in 1997 during the RUF wars. The second clip, you find a young boy talking about the lack of opportunities black people have living in Europe. The audience gets to see that this was during the time of multiculturalism in the United Kingdom. The third clip, just showed some film directors defining what cinema means.
I do believe that Newton’s speech has helped me to develop a deeper understanding of the topic. I say this because, I got a better since of why people feel safe at home, no matter what disaster may of took place there. I have learned that people want to have something to hold on to when they feel alienated and what to preserve what home is. I also get a better since of what reality (real life) means to some people.  When it comes to kids, when they have a lack of opportunities, live in the ghetto, are around violence, this tends to make them build anger inside.  I have decided to do a little more research on the war in Sierra Leone

 http://www.ted.com/talks/newton_aduaka_tells_the_story_of_ezra.html

The Barrino Comeback

In 2004, Fantasia Barrino made her way to stardom by winning the third season of American Idol. She had become an R&B and pop sensation over night everywhere.  With the release of   her first album “ Free Yourself”, this album went certified platinum.  Barrino was nominated for eight Grammy awards and in 2007 stared in a well-known play called “ The Color Purple”. After the release of another album, there was a lot talk of fantasia being flat broke. Unable to barely read, she had been taken advantage of by several different people in her life.  Not knowing anything about managing money, she would just pay people with out checking her finances afterwards. Fantasia had also been taking care of everyone in her family, including her daughter.  Another reason why she went broke happened to be because of different people suing her including her own father for ten million dollars.  In 2008, she was dropped from the label due to creative differences. For the next two years fantasia would stay out of the spotlight, trying to get her life, finances, and health in order. Earlier this year Barrino had released her third album titled “ Back to Me”. “ Even Angel” happened to be the first single to be released off of this album, but the single failed.  Also earlier this year, fantasia stared in her own reality show “ Fantasia for Real”. This show put Barrino back on the map, and she once again releases her third album with “Bittersweet” as the single this pass may.  With the premier of the second season of her show last month, Fantasia Barrino has been the subject of several topics in entertainment news lately. It was said that she had overdosed, with the intentions of committing suicide. This happens to be the result of a sex scandal. After all of this, she is still standing and continues to pursue her career in music.

My purpose for writing this blog is to show how Fantasia’s issues can be related to projects and team management.  Throughout her reality show, you will see that Fantasia transitions into a bran new person.  She has begun to form a team to help her better manage her career. Barrino has set future goals for herself and eventually goes back to school to receive her diploma.  I think that it is a good thing that she is taking step to plan and take control of her life and career. By receiving her diploma in 2010, this could be considered one of the goals she has executed. Also, throughout the show you will see how she learns to budget and better manage her own money.  Fantasia has moved into her own home and is letting her family members take care of themselves. Being in full control of all her projects, fantasia finally has the chance to writ her own songs, pick want single she want to release, decide how to market herself, and choose her own tour dates.  With the release of Fantasia’s latest album, I truly think that customer have been satisfied with the product she chose to put out.

http://straightfromthea.com/2010/08/25/video-fantasia-behind-the-music-full-episode/

http://thatgrapejuice.net/2009/12/grape-juice-interview-fantasia/

http://downthenet.com/finder/Grand+Fantasia+Free+Gold+Hack.html

Tiny and T.I. Giving Back

The one thing that I enjoy the most happens to be reading about what goes on in the world of entertainment. Weather or not this news happens to be good or even bad. I always find myself reading about these famous celebrities in the music industry. A lot of people find celebrities’ life’s just so amusing. Maybe its because they either have nothing better to do or simply because they are just so interested. I would have to say that for myself, I am one of those people who happen to be very interested.   My reason for saying this is due to the fact that I keep up with the news and current events dealing with the music industry.  This is, also due to the fact that I hope to someday work in the music industry. So, I think that it’s best for me to stay on top of what’s going on.

One of the latest things that has caught my eye in the news world of entertainment would happen to be T.I. (Clifford Harris) the rapper and his wife (Tameka “Tiny” Cottle) starting a foundation called “ For The Love Of Our Father.” This foundation happens to be a charity for Alzheimer’s disease.  To give you some more information on this disease, Alzheimer’s causes older people to lose their memory and suffer from personality changes. I think that this is a really good thing that they are doing. Last month he was pulled over in L.A. and had drugs on him, but that is never here or there.  I just wish that the news would talk about the good things that celebrities do more often. This will show that they are more then just your average celebrity.

After reading this story, I started thinking about how more people in the music industry need to come together and do similar things.  I believe that it is very important for people to work as teams in this industry.  I think this is the most important thing to do to make in this industry. When people work together, they can accomplish so much more and maybe even change the world.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101003/ap_en_ce/us_people_ti;_ylt=AqWDlm1xIO2x1IiCdcF1yEBxFb8C;_ylu=X3oDMTJkbzdpZ29uBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAxMDAzL3VzX3Blb3BsZV90aQRjcG9zAzEEcG9zAzMEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yeQRzbGsDZnVsbG5ic3BzdG9y