Anyone can do social media marketing, right?

A few years ago Social Media Marketing didn't even exist. Facebook required a university email address, Twitter wasn't born and YouTube was for filming fanatics looking for a platform to exhibit their work. Now the world has changed if you don't have a Facebook you might as well not exist. Music stars are discovered and led to number 1 stardom by millions of YouTube views. Breaking news is now discovered through Twitter.

As a business you would be stupid to ignore social media as part of your marketing mix but you would also be an idiot to think anyone can be responsible for your social media. It is a complicated landscape with endless opportunities for your company, but importantly not all are suitable and more importantly than that not all will provide you with a return. Taking up every opportunity is not cost effective and it essential for companies to carefully access what platforms to be utilise and others to discard.

Check out this amazing image that Buddy Media displayed recently. Social media may be used my a twelve year but working your way through that diagram is strictly for an intelligent adult.

Breakin' Convention 2012

This year for the third year running I had the pleasure of working at Breakin' Convetion. Under the artistic direction of Jonzi D, Breakin' Convention is an international hip-hop dance theatre festival at Sadler's Wells. The three-day weekend is immense and a highlight of my dancing calendar. It is a jam-packed programme with the main show kicking off at 6pm each day and combining the best of UK and international hip-hop.  

What is I find the most exciting about the programme is the range of work. This year at one end there was Zoonation Youth Dance with a true piece of hip-hop dance theatre that was lyrical and emotional. Whilst at the other there was the breath taking Wagabond Crew from France. Now the French kill it when it comes to hip-hop. I remember back in 2010 watching Pro-Phenomen and being in awe of their sheer power and intensity. They were back this year and on form, but as the closing act of the final night Wagabond Crew proved why they are the current champions of the two most prestigious bboy events - Battle of the Year and Uk Bboy Championships. The Wagabond Crew for what seemed forever threw their bodies across the stage. Moments were breath-taking, some crowd pleasures, but also just solid technique Bboying. 


I also want to mention Storyboard P from Brooklyn, New York. He described his style as mutant. I am guessing this is because he moves his body unlike anything on this earth. Full of charisma, the incredible smooth Storyboard P glided through a range of movement to sweet and sometimes seductive sounds. Storyboard P took charge of the stage and without all of the speed, tricks and strength that is usually seen. Instead, Storyboard P used his body and expression to demand the attention. And all of this in the tightest trousers I have ever seen a 'hip-hop' male wear. 


This year the Breakin' Convention experience was taken to a new level with the final day being streamed live at breakinconvention.com, sadlerswells.com and thespace.org. This was all part of The Space initiative, which has been set up by the Arts Council of England to instigate the production of digitally recorded art. I am guessing with the overall intention being more people will be able to access the artistic products. With a mixture of live interviews, filming around the festivals and recording of the performances it was a crazy hectic day. I ran underneath Sadler's Wells stage too many times but for the final product it was definitely worth it. An amazing festival and a great live stream too and I am sure all of those who watched would agree to. 


If you didn't manage to see the festival don't worry because Breakin' Convention is currently on a UK tour. Check out the tour dates here. If you are not lucky enough to see a touring performance then you can still watch clips, when they become uploaded, on The Space website.

Arts administration: access for all?

So today marks my first anniversary working for Actors Touring Company. That's right I have worked for a whole year as a full-time arts administrator. It still hasn't quite sunk in because for a long time I thought getting my solid year of experience under my belt would never happen. This is because the market is beyond competitive and graduating in 2009, in the middle of the 'economic crisis', didn't help matters either. This landmark has made me take a moment to consider how I have got to this moment in time and how accessible the arts truly are. 

Nowadays it is standard practice for an individual to do an internship before gaining an entry-level job. The title entry-level job really annoys me since it is all lies. There is no job that a graduate can just enter having finished University with no experience. Well maybe there is but I haven't met a person my age in the arts that has managed to do so yet. The industry has become overrun with internships and everyone has an opinion on them. People feel that it is necessary to gain experience in an industry before you get a job. There are those who think they paid their dues in the beginning so they think everyone else should. However, in the never ending' economic crisis' that we have been in the industry have been seen to exploiting interns. Posts are being filled by interns rather than recruiting a new employee. I so often see full-time internships or 6-month part-time internships. The situation got so drastic that last year ArtsJobs took a stance and banned the advertising of internships. 

My issue with internships in the arts in particular is that it is limiting those who are able to work in the sector. Arts Council England are constantly saying their aim is to make the arts accessible and for everyone. Recent years has seen a focus on diversity and young people. The arts as a whole are trying to encourage more people to take part. However, really and truly, for there to be a diverse audience there needs to be diverse management. Internships is stopping the diversity. Instead, pursuing a career in arts management is for the privileged or the stupid (I class myself as the latter). To do an internship you have to either have saved prior, have someone financially supporting you or put yourself into debt, whilst often living in awful conditions. Now I understand the need for people to gain experience but this can be done through voluntary work that allows a person to have a job at the same time paying for them to live. 

The worse thing is internships are so competitive and it doesn't guarantee you getting a job afterwards. I had interned for two companies, had part time experience, volunteered numerous hours to the sector and it still took me 8 months to get a job. Even now over 18 months after graduating from my Masters in Arts Administration I know of numerous individuals who have been unable to secure jobs. This are highly intelligent individuals, with a relevant qualification, as well as the essential internships behind them. 

I am not naive and I am aware that for as long as the industry can get away with it legally internships will still be offered. However, people need to stop pretending they are giving people opportunities. Just be honest that it is free labour and is ensuring that the next generation of managers are the fortunate.