Jeremy Geffen Shares his Expertise on How to Succeed In the Music Business
May 24 2018, Updated 2:51 p.m. ET
Jeremy Geffen has been working to ensure the legacies of the many iconic artists he's worked with over the years. It hasn't been an easy feat, but his goal to facilitate musical artists talents and create a situation in which they are fully credited and compensated for their hard work has been fulfilled. While the artists he has worked with over the years may get the recognition they undoubtedly deserve, Geffen's contributions to the entertainment business has truly been something to behold and admire in its own right. His knowledge has been unmatched and his understanding of the industry are just some of the reasons for his incredible rise as a true Hollywood success story
Geffen was tailor made for the music industry. It was always meant to be, in a sense. As a third generation music executive, Geffen grew up around talented people including Lionel Richie, who he would eventually manage himself.
He began his music management career with Lindsey Scott and Roger Davies, assisting on the Janet Jackson Velvet Rope tour, then became General Manager at Creative Management Group, which was ultimately acquired by The Firm. It was there that he was tasked with handling day to day responsibilities for Sisqo, Teddy Riley, Christina Milian and others. He was then asked to partner with Wright Entertainment Group, which worked with the likes of Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. He found success there managing the careers of Dream, Blaque and Robin Gibb.
It was his experience working with such artists that led to his position as President and CEO of Creative Rights Group. The CRG was founded by Geffen in 2014 with the mission to facilitate the recapture and/or monetization and marketing of songwriters’ assets to ensure their legacies. With so much experience managing the careers of established artists, Geffen has shared his insight on how to make it in the business.
What can an aspiring musician do to have their demos heard?
"There are many conferences, mentoring sessions and other opportunities to meet high profile and decision-making executives in the music business and have them listen to you music and give you some helpful feedback and critiques. That’s a good place to start. You must also work diligently to build a fan base, work at clubs anywhere and everywhere until you feel confident enough to have managers, agents and A&R people from record companies come to see and hear you. There are no short cuts. Be ready to work hard, practice hard, and most importantly, learn the art of teamwork."
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When is the right time for an artist to hire a manager, agent, publicist, business manager, and everyone you need to move your acting career up the ladder?
"Your team is your backbone. Without one, it is very difficult to reach any reasonable heights. Sometimes the best first step is to hire a lawyer who has great connections. Yes, that requires money. But that is why they will be more responsive. All of the others, except a publicist, work on commission so they are not as anxious to work mightily until you get your break and are generating income.
The alternate first step is to get the attention of a good manager who can help to further your career, largely because of their relationships with the best people in all the areas you mentioned. Although you will hopefully find a team that will grow with you, as you will grow with them, sometimes changes or expansion are necessary as you opt to take another route or expand into other areas that require unique representation and expertise.
You should think of yourself as a brand, to be operated like a corporation. You are the CEO; your personal manager is the President. He or she recommends and helps to facilitate the hiring (and firing) of those to head each 'department' – an agent facilitates 'Sales,' that is, getting you work. The business manager (or bookkeeper in the beginning or when the need arises) is head of Finance and ensures collection of monies owed you, pays bills and makes sure your taxes, dues, payroll and all other financial necessities are handled properly and in a timely fashion. Think of a publicist as your head of Marketing; he or she is the person who gets your name and face out to the public to enhance your image and, thus, your credibility in the entertainment industry. Hand in hand with publicity is often the need for a director of Social Media since the number of followers you have will often make the difference between getting a job or not.
Once there is a need, the manager will hire an attorney to essentially be your head of Legal Affairs. Just remember, you are the CEO so you make the final decisions. However, having said that, you must trust your manager and most of the time his suggestions should be heeded. The key is to work as a united front to protect you and your interests and to share the same vision for your career and work towards the same goals. Strength in numbers!"
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