What Is A Music Marketing Manager And How Do I Become One?
Is there something more to it than combining a love of music and marketing ability to be successful in the world of music marketing?
A music marketing manager is slightly different from the average marketing job.
Music marketing managers must create demand for an artist and genre, and innovatively keep that demand going. Fundamental marketing techniques remain the same, but a music marketing manager must be able to create an emotional response and desire within the audience to fall in love with the music and the artists so that they buy what they love.
What do marketing managers at record labels and music companies do?
Marketing managers in the music industry work to promote both artists and their music. They work with their marketing department to identify creative campaigns and be the lead marketing person for a roster of artists and their music.
They will also assist the marketing director in managing budgets, schedules, creating smart links, email campaigns and generally working within a marketing team.
Alongside the record label A&R team, they will coordinate publicity and promotion to build artist careers and manage the demand for their music. They work with artists to create a ‘brand’ around their vision, which reaches out to audiences and creates a need for their music – understanding marketing techniques, products, and media to make the best use of music marketing tools and strategies available.
Marketing managers oversee the entire release campaign. From setting up the presave campaign and putting together the perfect music PR & radio teams right the way through to marketing the release on release day and beyond. Once a campaign is underway marketing managers must also use music analytics tools and analyze sales/streaming data to see what is working and where the campaign needs to be improved.
Musicians and artists have their management teams and booking agents and the marketing manager will collaborate closely with them. Whilst the roles vary slightly from company to company. They can include the management of artists’ online presence; reaching out to audiences and helping them stand out from the vast pool of musical talent. The role of the music marketing manager is to build relationships with audiences to create a holistic vision of the artist and the music that fans follow and buy.
What experience or qualifications do you need to become a record label marketing manager?
Positions may require direct music marketing experience. However, typically a minimum of two years of marketing experience in a related industry is likely to be enough for an entry-level position. A significant level of project management experience within the record industry and a proven track record will help land the top jobs at the marketing manager level. If you are just getting started in the industry, there are many music industry internships and programs available.
A good standard of general education, is generally a minimum, with some positions requiring a completed apprenticeship or degree. However, formal qualifications are not sufficient alone. Individuals must have an ability to work with digital media, have an understanding of office and presentation packages, and knowledge of how to harness digital advertising services is essential.
A love of music and an understanding of various genres alongside music industry knowledge are usually pre-requisite. There needs to be a connection with the music to be able to sell it effectively.
What type of person makes a good marketing manager?
The obvious person would be creative, capable of collaborating with marketing teams and artists to identify unique marketing opportunities. Excellent written and verbal skills to communicate with the extensive range of personalities encountered using all means are vital.
The prospective music marketing manager also needs the ability to build and maintain solid relationships. The role is about understanding people and the music and conveying those messages to others. Confident presentation skills both in person and digitally with an understanding of the technology available to assist are crucial to success.
A successful music marketing manager is also a person who can be organized and work to deadlines. Not only must they be following what others do within current music marketing campaigns, but they must identify opportunities to build a unique strategy, singular to each artist they deal with. Attention to detail is required to carry out in-depth result reporting and monitoring of success for other market releases.
Bring together conceptual thinking, adaptability, and a love of music and you’re sure to have the qualities needed to succeed in music marketing!
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