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10 Questions with ... Jen Sullivan
May 18, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. I work with a lot of baby bands and if they’re not touring and don’t have substantial streaming, it’s tough to compete with a Tik Tok hit. In those cases, I try to get creative and develop a song market by market instead of playing the chart game. For example, I had multiple stations using a track as their station intros which lead to Shazams and station performances in those markets. Working this way really gives you a sense of what you have before committing to a full radio push.
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
K-Rock/New York + RCA Records + The Spin Project + eOne
1. You’ve been at eOne now for almost four years. Tell us about your new role as VP/Streaming & Sales.
It’s wild to think it’s been that long already! Yeah, I’m really excited for this new position In this expanded role, I will be still be overseeing all things radio, while taking on SiriusXM, Pandora, Facebook & Instagram as accounts. It’s a big addition but I am so ready for it & everyone has been incredible nice which is making the transition very smooth.
2. What are your new responsibilities working with the digital platforms?
Getting our bands/artists as much exposure as possible. I have been very fortunate to have great relationships at SXM. Now, along with those relationships, I will be broadening the scope by working all formats on the music side, as well as pitching for interviews/promotions on the editorial side. With Pandora, it just seemed like a natural fit for me to take on. There is a lot we can tap into at Pandora, and it is going to be very beneficial for our artists. And then there’s Instagram/Facebook. Ironically, I have been on a social media fast since January (only going on once a month) so the fast has ended and mama is back! IG/FB are constantly changing, so ill be making sure our artists are using all the most up-to-date services that both platforms have to offer as well as pitching them on fun/different ways to promote our artists.
3. Music consumption has become a big piece of the promotion puzzle. How has this changed how you work with radio?
You just have to adapt. I’m a very realistic promotion person, and I know that radio wants to see a story before investing in a song. I work with a lot of baby bands and if they’re not touring and don’t have substantial streaming, it’s tough to compete with a Tik Tok hit. In those cases, I try to get creative and develop a song market by market instead of playing the chart game. For example, I had multiple stations using a track as their station intros which lead to Shazams and station performances in those markets. Working this way really gives you a sense of what you have before committing to a full radio push. It’s all about understanding what each radio station needs while still building something for your artists.
4. eOne Music was recently sold To Blackstone. What's the message from the company moving forward?
It’s business as usual & everyone is very optimistic!
5. Who are you mentors?
Thank you for asking this because I LOVE to brag about two of my favorite people in the world! Billy Burrs & Michael Williams. They are my favorite weekly phone calls and have guided me my entire career. They truly want me to succeed, and I can’t tell you how valuable it is to have people like that in your corner. I honestly wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now, if it wasn’t for their support and friendship.
6. You previously have described your promotion style as the “Female Billy Burrs.” Explain.
Did I? Ah yes, that very much sounds like me. I remember early on in my career a programmer told me that. The reality is, I learned this job by sitting outside his office and listening to the hysterical madness that ensued, so his energy definitely rubbed off on me. To this day, I don’t think I’m ever on the phone him without crying laughing, so I will take the ‘female Billy Burrs’ as the highest compliment. He’s like a brother to me and I love him.
7. What stands out the most from when you started your record label career at RCA Records?
Everything. It was just the best. I worked for the best promotion people in the business. Richard Palmese, Peter Gray, Dave Dyer, Billy, Michael Williams, Dontay Thompson… I mean... it doesn’t get much better than that! These guys absolutely LOVE what they do & that energy is infectious to work with. They set the bar so high. When you begin your career under industry greats like that, you are truly built for success. I will always look up to them and… no matter how much I grow in my career, I will always expect them to pick up the bill.
8. What is a typical workday like for you?
So happy you didn’t ask me this question two weeks ago because “hiding in my closet to take a zoom call” would definitely have been part of my answer. Workdays are BUSY. My typical day is getting the boys ready for school, I try to ‘Forest Gump’ around my town a couple times a week for some sort of exercise (especially after not moving once in 2020) and then straight to work. Calls, meetings, laughs, coffee, brainstorming, meetings, calls, repeat. It’s nuts but in the best way.
9. How have you been dealing with the work for home environment and taking care of two boys?
Shawn, I’m not gonna lie…we had a lot of unstable moments ha! but since the boys were born, I’ve primarily worked from home, so there was no adjustment there but the kids being remote from school was TOUGH. I am a very positive person by nature, so I really try to set the tone for them every day. It also helps that I have a very hands-on husband (who also works from home) so we’re able to balance it out.
10. What do you like to do for fun and relaxation when you’re not in "work" mode?
God, I MISS FUN SO MUCH! I truly can’t wait for a good antic. At the moment, I am just so chill. I love a good sip & hanging out with my husband & my “snugs” (aka my kids). I seriously cannot wait for the summer, there will be endless swimming in my luxurious intex blow up pool & trips down the shore.
Bonus Questions
Favorite food?
Ah so any options, but at the moment I’m incredibly high on peanut butter & raspberries.
Favorite drink?
Coffee + Spicy Margaritas
Rank your sports teams in order of passion.
Easy… Whatever team my son is on + Carolina Panthers + Yankees (but maybe more for apparel than watching baseball these days).
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