10 Questions with ... Lauren Holman

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Started my career as the Chicago local for Epic Records in at the end of 2012 working for Jacqueline Saturn and Erik Oleson.

Moved to New York to be the Northeast local in 2013, where we broke the first Meghan Trainor.

About a year later moved to Los Angeles and became the Epic Rhythm National for the West Coast in 2014, highlight was working Jidenna at Rhythm radio.

Left Epic in 2015 and began working for Caroline at the beginning of 2016 as the National Director of Pop & Rhythm promotion with Marni Halpern & Jacq Saturn once again!

1. What was your first job in the business?

My very first job working in the business was when I was 19 years old, as a Sony Music College Marketing Rep for the Seattle. My mom was one in the 70's for CBS Records, and my sister Austen and my cousin Darby were both Seattle reps prior to me. I worked under Frank DeCicco and Todd Goodwin, and it was one of the best jobs I ever had. I would go to concerts every week, and put up posters in record stores, coffee shops, and at my University of Washington campus. It was amazing to use grassroots marketing to create awareness for up and coming Sony Artists.

2. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?

I wanted to be the one who picked out the music soundtrack for films. (I still do.)

3. Your mother is recently retired promotion veteran Debi Lipetz-Holman. What are some of your earliest memories of the music business, in relationship to your mom?

I don't think I realized how cool it was having a mom in the "biz" until way later. It was normal for me to hang out back stage at concerts (Indigo Girls woo!)- radio stations (KUBE 93 forever!), and never having to buy a CD. I remember CDs were GOLD back then. If mom lost her parking garage ticket, she would let the teenage guy working the booth open her trunk full of CDs and pick out the newest KORN album that was sold out at Easy Street Records.

I remember every week she would get "Chart Breaker" CDs. I would pop it into our CD player and spend hours picking out my favorite songs, and which ones I couldn't wait to show my friends.

4. Was there ever much doubt that you'd get into the music business?

Honestly, yes. Mom started telling me around the early 2000s that whatever I do "Don't get in the business". But eventually when I was graduating college, and the spot was opening up to take Dixie Tipton's place in Chicago, I realized I knew a lot more about radio promotion than I had even realized.

5. What influence did growing up in Seattle have on your career choice?

Seattle definitely has an influence on my career choice. I was a LITTLE young to appreciate the grunge era, but there is absolutely something special about Seattle and music. We have one of the best record stores in the world right in my back yard. We actually just threw my mom a surprise retirement party there last week (thanks Matt Vaughn and everyone who came out!)

6. What's the first job related thing you do in the morning?

Check realtime...and see how many missed calls I have from Marni ☺

7. Despite your youth, you have considerable multi-format experience in record promotion. What are some of the commonalities between programmers across the radio formats that you've worked with?

In my experience, something I noticed from programmers, especially in the Rhythm and Alternative formats, is that there is no room for bullshit with most of them. If you pretend to know what you're talking about, they can smell right through it. I personally love hip-hop music, so I love talking about it and fanning out about it with programmers who are passionate about their format. While I love rock music, I can't keep up with most of the programmers, and I don't try to. That being said, I always love asking programmers what they TRULY love listening to on their free time. A lot of them say Talk radio.

8. Who do you consider to be your mentor(s)?

I have had some of THE BEST mentors in my career so far.

First off... my mom, Debi. While she definitely helped guide me, she also let me figure out a lot of things for myself.

No question, Dixie Tipton. I feel like when you first start off in your career you have to lean on someone A LOT to answer the stupid questions. How should I handle this? How should I phrase that? She still answers those questions for me. Would definitely not be where I am today without her.

Jacqueline Saturn...She took her first chance on me when I was fresh out of college. This woman has looked out for me since I was a kid, even writing college recommendations for me! IT means the world to me when she constantly tells me that my mom helped pave the way for women to have kids in the business and still kill it at their job.

Sandra Afloarei...who made one of the most boring Summer Intern jobs one of the most fun. I love being able to see what she is doing at Epic and what she did with the "Havana" record.

Which moves me on to Michelle Babbitt, who whenever I need advice or even a dentist recommendation I know whatever she tells me is the right way to go.

Amanda Walk-Dobbins...who is pretty much family. When I was a little college rep she would take me with her to shows when she was in town in Seattle and showed me the ropes and how to be assertive yet relaxed and fun around artists/managers/radio, etc. My sister Austen who is FEARLESS and one of the smartest women I know. I couldn't be luckier to have a sister like her.

And lastly, Marni Halpern, who is, by far, one of the best promotion women in THE GAME!

9. What is the most striking thing about Caroline artist, NF?

I first saw NF last April at the Belasco here in Los Angeles. This was before the deal was done with Caroline. The first thing noticed was his fan base. EVERY SINGLE PERSON had an NF hat or hoodie on. I had never even heard of this guy. Then the moment he went on stage, and I believe he was recovering from a terrible flu, but the moment he went on, my mouth dropped. His intensity, passion, lyrics...everything. IT was incredible. He has really stayed true to himself throughout this whole process and it's awesome.

10. You're headed out for dinner in Los Angeles and you are craving comfort food. Where would you go?

Canter's Deli, for sure.

Hypothetical question: You've been picked to compete on CBS' The Amazing Race but you need a partner but your partner has to be a radio programmer. Who would you pick?

This is a hard one. I think I would pick Buster Satterfield. That guy has been through some crazy changes in his career and still continues to shine. He thinks quick on his toes and his gut is usually right. Loveee youuuu BUSTER!

If you could transfer one aspect of Seattle to Los Angeles, what would you choose?

More rain. More green everything.

Last show/thing you binge watched?

Queer Eye For The Straight Guy - new season on Netflix. I cried almost every episode.