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10 Questions with ... Maria Musaitef
October 20, 2009
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
My lucky break into the music industry came in 1991 through a Journalism internship at Hollywood Records in the Media Relations Department. Kathy Acquaviva was the VP that I worked for and she became such an amazing mentor and friend through the years. Wanting to go into record promotion, I had a chance to learn about the radio side of the business with Global Satellite Network in 1994, then spent some great years with Album Network and United Stations Radio Network afterwards. HipCricket came along in 2006, giving me the ability to grow my career profile into the mobile marketing world ... which has such invaluable opportunity, especially looking ahead to my future marketability.
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
Remaining active ... I definitely try to keep with a schedule ... up early every morning, check out industry news, employment and company career sites and make sure I network with my peers and friends in and out of the business every single day in some way. I have worked on a few independent projects in the meantime. Eyes of a Child and Pet Orphans are two nonprofit organizations I've gotten involved with recently as well.
Lots of projects at home which have been on my "to do list" forever are finally completed. Staying mentally and physically fit with yoga and long hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains. And spending more time with my dogs, Kobe and Simon, has been awesome! They love you no matter what. Keeping busy and having a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day is so important during this time.
2) Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.
Realistically, it's been both. It's motivated me to shoot for things outside my comfort zone and be more open to taking risks, and I choose to focus on that instead of the discouragements or disappointments, which can stall your forward movement during this time of transition and really mess with you.
3) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?
I would like to, and to try different avenues within as well. I'm always open to learning new things. I'm also very excited about looking outside these verticals at opportunities within areas that I'm interested in, such as sports (the NFL especially!), the pet, wine and travel industries, and animal rescue organizations. The sky is the limit! There's a whole world out there. I think sometimes we forget that.
4) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
This is it ... I should have a much better tan and know how to surf by now! See # 1.
5) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?
Since a lot of what I'm looking at is more in the new business development, sales or new media areas, I'm finding that I'm offering consulting and research to more and more of the companies I speak with since it's a new position or idea they are looking for feedback on. And that's before there's even an offer extended. The economic downturn has affected both ends of the workforce. Salaries are definitely way down and it doesn't matter what your career portfolio looks like or how connected you are. Look, those great salaries in this business are less and less common these days, but people still have to maintain the basic costs of living through their income. Health benefits or 401K plans are offered as a perk with some of the companies I have spoken with. It's definitely a whole different game these days.
6) What's the most unbelievable question you've even been asked in an interview?
"Are you seeing anyone?"
7) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
I bring a diverse background of experience, accomplishments, skill sets and established relationships to the table with a successful track record and openness to growth in new areas.
8) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?
I can survive anything, trust your gut and change is inevitable.
9) Is there anything specific that you regret doing while you were still working?
Not spending more time with some of the people in those companies in the areas where I could have learned something new or different about the company, their job, business acumen, financial strategy, production, etc. ... the producer, the CFO, the integrated marketing director, the researchers, traffic directors, the CEO, heck ... human resources, too!
10) If you were offered a similar position to what you were doing for considerably less money, would you seriously consider taking the job just to stay in the biz?
Yes…that's a reality that everyone, still employed or not, needs to absorb.
Bonus Questions
My favorite new diversion is...
Football season!
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