Young & Ambitious: Allison Hales

Professionalism, honesty, hard work and integrity have always been Allison Hales’mottos. Born in south London to a Jamaican mother and British father, she discovered her passion for music at an early age, growing up listening to her father’s record collection. While at university she undertook a three-year internship with renowned London-based agency Drum PR. There she learned the fundamentals of the entertainment industry by shadowing industry veteran David Millar while he coordinated and oversaw European promotional campaigns for US multi-platinum artists including Jay Z, Diddy, Lennox Lewis, Faith Evans and Carl Thomas.

In 2003, armed with a BA in Marketing and Communications from London Guildhall University, Allison packed her bags, leaving her hometown for New York on being offered an assistant position at The Fuerte Group. As a full-service marketing and music management company, headed up by industry powerhouses Rich Isaacson and Jerry Blair, Fuerte’s roster included Coca-Cola, Western Union, WWE, The Mottola Company, Universal Music Group, Hollywood Records, J Records, Clear Channel, Koch Entertainment and Heineken. As well as working on these accounts, Allison also administered the recordings and launch of SafetySuit and the band Si*Sé, whose music has been featured on TV shows Sex and the City, Nip/Tuck, One Tree Hill, Six Feet Under, Project Runway and CSI. She also played a major role in managing Grammy Award winning writer Jodi Marr (Ricky Martin, Mika, Paulina Rubio, Thalia) securing writing sessions and coordinating song licensing.

After being with the company for only two years, Allison’s hard work and determination resulted in promotion to senior manager. During that time, she was instrumental in the development and success of international superstar Mika, overseeing all marketing, touring and worldwide operations which resulted in him selling over 6,000,000 records to date, gold/platinum in 30 countries and has received countless awards around the world.

In 2008, Rich Isaacson established RI Entertainment and made Allison a partner. After two years and having outgrown her position, Allison has decided to follow her entrepreneurial dream and start her own company. Named after her father, Charles

Alan Management will showcase her multifaceted experience in strategic, tactical, creative marketing and management skills. Her clients have already included singer/model Cassie and UK fashion designer Wale Adeyemi – heading up US. operations in marketing and sales for his line. She also continues to consult RI Entertainment.

Having become a powerful force in the music industry within a few short years, Allison Hales’ goals are centred around building a successful business, opening a Charles Alan Management office in London and LA, and continuing to develop top talent around the world as well as exploring other new ventures in and outside the entertainment industry.

Words by Yvonne Eba