"21"

           As of October 2012 Adele’s “21” album has sold more than 25 million albums across the world. 

Releasing chart topping singles like’ Set Fire to the Rain”, “Rolling in the Deep”, and “Rumor Has it”, 

this album has become the talk of several towns around the globe and made a huge impact in the music 

business in the music business. Having topped the charts in more than 30 countries, the “21” album 

appeared in this years Guinness World Records.

The deep lyrics and celestial sounding melodies was inspired by her breakup in 2009 with her partner after having a broken heart due to a failed relationship. Immediately after the separation with her partner Adele was in the studio recording driven by the inspiration gained from a broken heart. Though her pain caused her severe grief in the young singers life, it changed the lives of many others across the globe having had the opportunity to hear such a wonderful work by the British musician.

Nevertheless, this album sent Adele from a mere mediocre position in the music industry to instant superstardom and now being considered for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The “21” album was inspired by the singer’s North American tour from success of her “19” album. The style was inspired by the American folk style mixed with real American country blues developing what we would call a new age contemporary pop style blues.

The singer’s undeniable soulful voice breaks the doors open to a new group of individuals’ ears. Consistently topping the pop charts but not limited to a pop star demographic she easily reaches new heights with new audiences. Be that as it may, there is no misunderstanding in regards to the recent success Adele has had in the last two years of her career. 

Kaufman, Gil (14 September 2011). "Adele, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber Land New Guinness Records". MTV. Retrieved November- 11, 2012.

"Adele Makes Billboard History After 'Set Fire To The Rain' Tops US Chart". Capital FM. 27 January 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2012.

 Graham, Mark (13 February 2012). "VH1′s 100 Greatest Women In Music [COMPLETE LIST] – | VH1 Tuner". Vh1.com. Retrieved November 11, 2012.

http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200#/charts/billboard-200

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/the-body-harpies-have-it-in-for-adele-for-the-sake-of-all-women-lets-hope-she-stays-strong-8304939.html

MoManagers

The music business has various aspects by which it is comprised of. One of the most ubiquitous of them all is management. Whether it’s managing a product, artist, band or duo, any one thing or person needs a manager if the intended objective is success.

Oprah Winfrey recently interviewed the highly esteemed Usher Raymond; toward the end of the interview there was an appearance by Usher’s mother         

who represented the artist for a number of years. 
During the interview she discussed some of what it was like being the manager of Usher Raymond the mega-superstar. Her comments were found to be sort of a light bulb moment to my understanding. For one moment Usher’s mother answered the question Oprah asked about what was it is like to have to depart from Usher as his manager. Her reply, and I’m paraphrasing, it hurt badly having spent well over a decade building this enterprise. Oprah always makes the comment about having a light bulb moment; the only thing on my mind at that point, was great minds think alike because that was my thought exactly. Most artists have a problem with the idea of thinking outside a creative box and they are unable to get into a business state of mind. In using the term enterprise, which opens the door for me to think that even behind an art form, there must be someone not so concerned with the colors, dynamics and picture-perfect photos but that the product will sell and how will it sell.

The everyday hassle with the mandatory operations in addition to the fact that, this is a business; is just one aspect of the job of being an artist manager in the entertainment business. In a nutshell, the manager is the person who must run the show for his artist so the talent can attain, endure, and sustain success in the industry.

References: 

Oprah Interview with Usher's Mom:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=oprah+usher+interview&oq=Oprah+usher+&gs_l=youtube.3.0.0l10.12691.28981.0.31756.12.9.0.3.3.0.650.1021.5j5-1.6.0...0.0...1ac.1.p8UcD_cKKdI

Goggle Images: 

http://www.google.com/search?q=google+images+of+usher+raymond&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=imvnso&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=SmmUUJbgIIe68AT9kIDYBA&sqi=2&ved=0CEAQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=704

Negotiation Interview

Adrian I. Johnson

Negotiation and Deal Making

This past week I reached out to a man who is employed with a sports marketing and Multimedia Company called Learfield Sports. The man I interviewed is named Adam Ihgrig. Mr. Ihgrigs’ office is based out of Champagne, Illinois.

Before conducting the interview I expressed to him that my objective for completing the interview was to explore some of his daily duties that require him to negotiate for the business. He then explained to me that the company has acquired long-term relationships with several collegiate athletic departments and they are consistently negotiating deals with new clientele.

“When I first sit down to discuss business with the client I first express how much I appreciate their time. It always breaks the ice and lets them know that I am grateful for their time.” He mentioned that sometimes he even brings donuts or some sort of gifts to show appreciation. It makes the client feel like they are not going to be negotiating with a shark but a giver. Mr. Ihgrig mentioned that he always has to research the particular client’s history who he intends to meet with so that if needed he has some type of leverage when knowing their strengths and weaknesses. This way when he sits down at the table to negotiate a deal he knows exactly what it is that he can offer to make the deal.

When it got to the idea of mutual gain Mr. Ihgrig explained that he never wants a client to feel like they are not getting the best deal possible for them along with the business getting the best deal that he can get for Learfield. The idea is to make them feel like there is equilibrium of mutual gain for both parties.

Throughout the entire interview I realized that even in the simplest jobs, when there is a contract or deal, there is negotiation.