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10 Questions with ... Anthony Iovino
April 18, 2006
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NAME:Anthony IovinoTITLES:Director of PromotionsCOMPANY:Big 3 RecordsFORMATS:Top 40, Mainstream Rock, AC, DanceLOCATION:New York, NYBORN:Brooklyn, NYRAISED:Long Island, NY
1) Please outline your career history.
MCT Management 1991- 1992- Assistant/club promotions; SIN Magazine/Pellegrino Entertainment 1992-1996- Club/Radio/Mixshow Promotions; TVT Records 1996- 1997- Director of Rhythm/Pop Radio; Edel America Records 1997 - 1998-Sr. Director of Promotions; Priority Records 1998 - 2001- Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional Promotions; Maverick Records 2001- 2001-New York-Philadelphia Regional; Big 3 Records 2002 - present- National Director of Promotions.
2) What made you want to get into the music business? Early mentors? First job?
People and Music have always been a my favorite hobbies passion. My earliest mentor and inspiration was John Boulos when I was his Intern at Virgin Records back in 1989. I would like to say my first job was with Boulos as an intern he gave me a lot of opportunity and responsibility for an intern. From there my first paying gig was at EMI Publishing as a Licensing Assistant.
3) Too many records, too few slots. What data seems to be most important to you when jockeying for an open slot on a radio station and why? Ticket sales? Tour info? Prior success? Retail? Other stations?
All of the above, especially not only with my artist but those I'm competing against. Knowing as much as possible of the artist around you can give you a great edge. Just cover the basics of know what's going on, not only with your groups but those around you.
4) It seems that set-up is more important now than ever. What do you do to inspire your staff for success in the field on a daily basis with the amount of material that recording companies are releasing in today's market place?
Set up has always been important no matter what format you're working. Setting up records early before they even ship to radio is key if possible. It's easier to do now with the MP3 wave that people are riding. It's ALL ABOUT SETUP!!!! I ask my staff to take the time and really look at where they want to go with our records not just leave to any one format, sometimes you find a few tastemakers in a lateral format that can play your record as much as your target format. After all airplay is airplay.
5) Things are changing rapidly in our business. Were it up to you, what would you change in our "system" to give your bands a better shot?
Good Question.....don't get me started, your section isn't that big.
6) Who do you consider the current tastemakers in the ROCK world?
Dude it's all about rock n roll, some of the righteous rockers that have always been open and honest..Dude formerly WEBN, Mike Peer/ Free.FM ( although it pains me not to say KROCK), Mistress Carrie/WAAF , Joe Bevilaqua/CC Denver and Mike Brangiforte/WHJY, Nancy Palumbo/WMGK.
7) It has become apparent that in this research driven time, records are taking much longer to "test". How do you go about making sure that your record will be given a fair shot?
Stay on top of your programmers and make sure your not getting forgotten about that week when it comes time to move rotations, make sure your artist are doing phoners with the stations and being interactive when there in the marketplace, band info is being updated on stations sites if possibly, multimedia updates...god just everything these days.
8) What are the most important tools/resources you use to stay on top of the rock formats growth and constant daily changes?
Communication..phone calls.....you know the old school way..tlaking to people! LOL
9) Artist Development. The lost art of Artist Development. What do you do to ensure your artist is building a career as opposed to just breaking a song? And does it even matter anymore?
Artist development is always key, but it seems to only come if an artist first single shows any sign of success intiially. If a new artist flops on his or her first album these days that seals there faith.
10) You are the remaining survivor on a remote tropical island with no chance for rescue. You have a CD/DVD player with endless power. What five CD's are a "must" to have with you? What five movies?
CD'S: Metallica, Cracker, Ugly Kid Joe, Cheap Trick, Frank Sinatra ( hey I'm Italian right)
MOVIES: Roadhouse, Goodfellas, California suite (good movie look it up), Ferris Buehlers Day Off, Mortal Kombat
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