ABSTRACT
Artist managers bring representation, administrative supervision, and surrogate control to an artist’s complex image and long-term career. A developed strategic management plan links the business and creative systems of the artist’s career together. Career goals are established based on the perceived commercialization or “branding” of the artist’s image and talents. Managers act as gatekeepers, selecting only the recording deals, concert appearances, and staff members that can best enhance the artist’s long-term goals. Managers supervise everything connected with the business of the act. Booking agents are hired to establish contacts with promoters, who create concert appearances. Business managers are added to the team to control the revenues and take care of the accounting, taxes, and investments. Road or tour managers hire security, roadies, and everyone else needed to control all aspects of the tour. Attorneys are hired for legal opinions and representation concerning legal issues. Publicists and marketing experts provide artist interviews to retail stores and the mass media to promote the act in addition to the work being done by the label.
