Columbia Records / Sony Music Entertainment
Director, Publicity
Music has been a fundamental element in so many of my favorite memories in my life, and it was during my college years that I discovered music was the path I wanted to follow professionally. I feel so fortunate to have landed my position with Publicity at Columbia Records, and even more so to have been able to grow here for the past nine years. My primary job as a publicist is centered on sharing our artists' stories and music in the media, with the goal of maximizing their reach to as many people as possible. This includes securing TV and podcast appearances, writing press releases, pitching and securing press coverage across print and online media outlets, executing red carpet appearances and photo shoots, and more. My whole team is so great at working together to stay on top of all the latest advancements in the press world, sharing knowledge and collaborating to ensure we serve every artist on the roster in the most effective way.
Being a publicist requires strong attention to detail and effective writing skills. Meaningful storytelling is a significant part of the job and in helping steer our artists’ narratives. Being a good communicator is also essential as publicists are often the face and the voice of the artists in the media when they are not the ones interacting directly. Establishing a rapport with journalists and editors, and conveying honesty, approachability, and authenticity is crucial to gain trust and maintain positive relationships. Persistence and confidence are also essential to succeeding and breaking through the crowded landscape of the news. Rejection is common with the increasing difficulty of securing media coverage in this day and age, so it is important to have faith in and be strategic with what you are pitching. Looking to the future, as the media landscape evolves, we are constantly identifying and adapting to new platforms like podcasts and utilizing more video/social media content on press’ accounts in order to keep broadening the reach of our artists.
The team in our LA office is fairly small, and that has definitely brought us all closer together and created such a close-knit, family-like environment. We have such a fun and diverse group of people from so many different backgrounds – it’s really great to see and I hope that we only continue to progress in that way. Our leadership at Columbia Records is very empowering and encouraging, and they have a strong passion for the artists and music we work with, which trickles down to the rest of us. Some of my favorite moments are when we have a big music launch and everyone gathers in the conference room, we count down the minutes and the seconds, we execute and then we celebrate together. We take a great amount of pride in our work and we love to watch our artists succeed and do what they love, so I am very grateful to be part of a great company like Columbia Records that allows me to be a part of something so special and fulfilling.
It's also a very unique experience being that our office is on the Sony Pictures Entertainment lot. There is a real, tangible sense of the company's immense scope and legendary status. Easy access to various group companies of Sony, including Sony Pictures and Sony Interactive Entertainment, is not only convenient for us, but it’s also an attractive element for artists looking to sign with a Sony record label. Our Publicity department also often collaborates within Sony Music with the other labels, like RCA Records and Epic Records, to exchange important industry information and ideas when needed and collaborate on broader Sony artist projects. Knowing that we are part of something larger and can anticipate future collaborations within the Sony group is always exciting.
Starting as an administrative assistant and working my way up within Columbia, I have progressed through various roles and five different positions to arrive where I am today. Each transition brought on new responsibilities, opportunities for growth, and increased confidence in my abilities through all the continued first-hand experience. There have been so many different types of rewarding moments along the way. Our roster is so diverse and ranges from brand new artists to some of the biggest stars in the world, so it keeps things interesting, and each come with their own challenges and special experiences. Working on a developing artist and securing a very meaningful opportunity for them with a major outlet is always such a thrilling moment. On the other end of the spectrum, attending the GRAMMYs or seeing an album go #1 with the more established acts is also very exciting and validating. It is so amazing to see our artists shine at red-carpet events or during TV appearances, knowing you played a role in setting up those opportunities. I have been blessed to work with so many great artists over the years, and I hope to work with many more and continue to grow here at Columbia Records in the years to come.
The title, organization, and duty are the ones at the time of interview.
