Entertainment - Artist Relations Pro (Beijing, China)

Gibson Brands, Inc. (“Gibson” or the “company”), the world’s most iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for more than 100 years. Orville Gibson founded the company in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Gibson has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships and progressive product evolution that is unrivalled among musical instrument companies. Our portfolio of brands includes Gibson as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, Kramer, and others; we also own Gibson Pro Audio with brands such as KRK and Cerwin-Vega. Many Gibson instruments are highly collectible since Gibson was at the forefront of innovation for many genres of music including big band, rock-n-roll, and blues. Gibson operates via a central headquarters based in Nashville, TN, supporting five manufacturing facilities as well as four regionally-based support centres that enable the sales, marketing, and distribution activities in each of four different worldwide regions.

Gibson Brands, Inc. (“Gibson” or the “company”), the world’s most iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for more than 100 years. Orville Gibson founded the company in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Gibson has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships and progressive product evolution that is unrivalled among musical instrument companies. Our portfolio of brands includes Gibson as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, Kramer, and others; we also own Gibson Pro Audio with brands such as KRK and Cerwin-Vega. Many Gibson instruments are highly collectible since Gibson was at the forefront of innovation for many genres of music including big band, rock-n-roll, and blues. Gibson operates via a central headquarters based in Nashville, TN, supporting five manufacturing facilities as well as four regionally-based support centres that enable the sales, marketing, and distribution activities in each of four different worldwide regions.

OVERALL JOB PURPOSE

The Entertainment Relations Team is responsible for identifying and creating opportunities that deliver an unrivaled brand experience to artists, fans, and like-minded lifestyle brands. This team works collaboratively with Sales, Marketing, Production/Manufacturing, Content, Social, and Events to deliver tailored promotions, experiences, and partnerships both nationally and globally. The Entertainment Relations Pro, reporting directly to the Entertainment Relations Director and sitting within the Global Entertainment Relations team, will be responsible for cultivating and maintaining regional and national relationships and collaborations with artists, lifestyle brand partners, and other influencers to further increase Gibson’s exposure and impact within the music industry and beyond. The Entertainment Relations Pro will be responsible for representing and promoting the Gibson brand and other brands within the Gibson portfolio (Epiphone, Kramer, Steinberger, KRK, Cerwin-Vega, etc.) to generate and expand brand exposure and brand loyalty. This encompasses product placements with artists and brands, product placements in TV and Film, artist and partner accommodation sales, marketing support via bespoke events and promotions, and administrative support of Gibson’s Signature Guitar program with marquee artists.

The Entertainment Relations Pro bears the responsibility for developing, planning, implementing, and reporting results on all Entertainment Relations activities in his or her market. He or she will work with Entertainment Relations teams around the world to develop artist and industry collaborations. In addition, the Entertainment Relations Pro will be responsible for the overall utilization of the Gibson Showroom in his or her market, producing events that amplify Gibson’s regional/national presence and dedication to supporting our roster of artists.

The Entertainment Relations Pro is critical, as this position represents the face of Gibson and our commitment to servicing our artists who represent the brand’s biggest fans. The successful Entertainment Relations Pro must represent Gibson professionally and with passion in all interactions with partners and artists. As an important member of the team, the Entertainment Relations Pro must reflect Gibson’s commitment to music and its makers.

Willingness to dive deep into the details while keeping an eye on the bigger picture will be critical to identifying opportunities and providing an exceptional brand experience to the company’s artists and fans. A demonstrated ability to influence people and create successful brand experiences while working in a fast-paced, multi-functional, matrixed, and international team is required.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Entertainment Relations:

Responsible for all artist and brand interactions in his/her market, the Entertainment Relations Pro will maintain appropriate representation of the brand while applying creativity and strategic vision to develop and maintain relationships, one-of-a-kind brand experiences, and influential partnerships/promotions. Specifically, the Entertainment Relations Pro will oversee all regional ER activities:

• Develop, augment, and maintain all regional Gibson artist relationships across genres.
  • Oversee strategic product placements across Gibson portfolio of brands as part of the artist loan program that will ensure exposure for the brand and increased artist loyalty.
  • Identify emerging artists in your region that will benefit from Gibson’s instrument support. These artists must be identified strategically with the understanding of their potential to grow nationally.
  • Create relationships with established artists in your region that do not currently use Gibson guitars.
  • Consistently provide quality artist content featuring Gibson product placements for use on Gibson socials and Web.
• Thoughtfully curate community-specific activations in the Gibson Showroom and in the field relevant to the Gibson brand, partners, and artists (music showcases, cultural events, festivals, etc.).
  • Ensure Gibson’s presence and artist support initiatives are meaningfully executed within your region, resulting in increased brand loyalty and exposure.
  • Support music-oriented non-profits that provide critical services to musicians and music industry infrastructure.
  • Manage regional event budget and product allocations.
  • Evaluate and report success of events and promotions while providing content for Gibson channels.
• Collaborate with artists and industry partners to develop exposure points beyond Gibson’s audience to amplify broader marketing initiatives.
  • Artist tour promotions
  • Custom content
  • Brand alliances
  • Support retail promotions/ activations
  • Support content creation initiatives
• Work closely with other ER Pros, Directors, and Coordinators to craft and execute national and global event activations as a team.
  • Tradeshows
  • Festivals
  • Artist Signature Launches

Reporting:

Full and transparent communication of weekly activities is a critical element of the Entertainment Relations Pro role due to being remote. Specifically, the Entertainment Relations Pro will:

• Keep a daily log of artist and partner interactions.
• Submit a weekly report of key successes and exposure points.
• Prepare bi-weekly visual highlights and other informational reports/analysis for management and stakeholders.
• Recommend benchmarks against which to measure the performance of your Entertainment Relations market and showroom.

Other:

While the Entertainment Relations Pro must be proficient in executing the responsibilities noted above, tasks of equal value are required in this role:

• Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with teams locally and globally to identify their needs and seek full range of business solutions (Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing/Production, Social, Events, etc.).
• Manage day-to-day responsibilities of the Showroom Coordinator.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Required Experience

• 4-6 years of Relationship Management experience
• Social media savvy/ understand social media mechanics
• Knowledge of MI industry i.e. retail, e-commerce, MI press
• Deep knowledge of music industry with strong existing relationships within and beyond music industry (luxury brands, media, influencers, etc.)
• Experience in producing both regional and national events
• Proven ability to work with all levels of management and foster relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Proven experience supporting growth through transparency, consistency, and disciplined execution

Essential Skills & Knowledge

• Strong organizational skills
• Must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and organize workload to meet organizational timelines in a fast paced, very high-growth environment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Personal Qualities

• High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation, with a track record for delivering to plan
• Flexibility to adapt quickly to changing circumstances; able to proactively question and challenge to prioritize and identify solutions in timely manner
• Clear thinker with outstanding ability to build relationships and ideate exceptional event and partnership collaborations, supported by a rounded commercial awareness
• Able to see the big picture but possesses a pragmatic/flexible approach to delivery
• Curious in nature and always looking to question, learn, and look for better ways to do things
• Relish working in a company with a diverse and fast paced environment
• Personable, fun, team oriented

Travel

Periodic travel for event execution and the company’s manufacturing and sales locations will be required (approximately 10%).

Nota Bene:

The company’s job descriptions are not intended to be a complete detailed account of all expected/anticipated activities. We operate in a fast-moving and competitive global environment and therefore need employees to be flexible.