Do you have a passion for music and the promotion there of? Do you have amazing organisation and communication skills? If so then you may want to consider a job in music Publicity.
We pulled Sarah Hall, Senior Press Officer at record label RCA (Sony Music) to find out how to steal her job.
Name: Sarah Hall
Job title: Senior Press Officer
Company: RCA (Sony Music)
What does your job role entail?
Looking after the publicity for artists signed to RCA. Currently this includes Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx, Giorgio Moroder, Van Morrison, Jodeci, D’Angelo and Andrea Faustini among others.
Describe your working day or week?
No day is the same in this job which keeps it exciting. I can be calling and emailing journalists pitching feature ideas about my artists in the office; or i’ll be covering a day of interviews; on a photo shoot or attending gigs in the evening.
What key skills do you need to do your job?
Organisation is key as we often have to deal with editorial deadlines from newspapers and magazines. Being able to maintain good relationships is also important whether it be with journalists, artists, managers or colleagues within the company.
What made you decide to go for this job role?
I had a love for music growing up and initially wanted to work in music journalism. The contacts I made doing work experience for magazines led me to a long term internship at Island Records in the press office and I’ve worked in PR ever since.
Best part of your job?
Working at Sony Music means I’m constantly surrounded by a full team of creative, passionate people and our artists are some of the best in the world. Despite doing this job for over a decade, there’s still nothing more satisfying than seeing a shoot or interview for one of my artists in a newspaper or magazine.
Worst part of your job?
When a newspaper calls you up with a story you don’t want printed about one of your artists. All publicity isn’t always good publicity!
Most memorable moment at work?
When I worked at Island Records I was in Abbey Road Studios with Stevie Wonder listening to him record a session. It was a real pinch yourself moment and something i’ll never forget!
If I’m choosing a course to study, what type of course suits this job best?
I did a degree and MA in Journalism, but a PR degree is probably more appropriate.
Does work experience really help you to get the dream job?
Work experience is key in getting your dream job. There are so many people who want to get that first foot on the career ladder that you’ve got to try and stand out from the crowd.
Give us a tip on how to steal your job.
Write to all of the companies you’d like to work for and ask about internship programmes. When you get the work experience be friendly, make yourself indispensable and do all the jobs you’re asked to do with a smile on your face (no matter how rubbish they seem) – everyone remembers a good intern and it will be the people you’re working for that will be the ones recommending you for your first job.
Follow Sarah on twitter @Sarah_Hall1983
