Artist Management

Providing the finest in musician and songwriter management…..

Our mission statement: To work with musicians who create music we believe in; to work with musicians who are cooperative, have realistic expectations, and believe in our capabilties; and to develop and enhance our clients’ careers to their fullest potential.

The Serge Media Group / Serge Entertainment Group management division offers:

• Professional relationships with numerous song publishers, corporations, music supervisors, film/tv production houses, producers and recording labels (indie & major)
• Personal management, career direction and supervision
• Follow-up and follow-thru providing you with feedback from music industry affiliates
• Sync licensing placement
• Music licensing placement (national and international)
• Booking for our management clients
• Distribution networks established
• Guidance with every aspect of your career
• Artist development
• Honesty and credibility
• “Clients as partners” philosophy
• 40 years music industry experience

Serge Entertainment Public Relations, Music Morsels, Storm Surge Publishing (BMI), Sun Surge Publishing (ASCAP), and Surgeland Records comprise the globally-known Serge Media Group / Serge Entertainment Group. The Serge Media Group / Entertainment Group is the overall title of our management entity. SEG continues to represent some of the finest entertainers in the world and handles all aspects of personal management in musicians’ and songwriters’ careers.

To be considered for management, you must possess the following qualities:

• 100% dedication to promoting your music, CD and shows
• Ability to take constructive criticism and direction without taking it personally
• A consistent positive attitude
• Ability to handle rejection in a very competitive industry
• Trustworthiness
• Willingness to work diligently and avidly to promote your career under management guidance
• Complete dedication to the act you are submitting to SEG
• Willing to tour outside of your current market
• Loyalty to SEG as your manager

We accept unsolicited submissions and will contact you if we are interested in working with you. You must be established in your region and ready to break out nationally or in new regions to be considered by SEG.

To submit your music for management consideration, please send the following:

• Retail-ready CD (current and previous CDs, if available)
• Bio
• 8×10 photo
• At least three press clippings
• Fact sheet
• Live video footage
• Statistics on fan base size/demographics and CD sales
• Cover letter outlining your goals in your music career

The truth: What really makes the Serge Media Group / Serge Entertainment Group want to manage you?

1. Are your songs really strong and well-constructed?
2. Does the band look good and project a marketable image?
3. Do you have a catchy name?
4. Is there anything controversial about your band or act?
5. Is your band marketable – do you have posters, t-shirts, additional merchandising?
6. Is your live show entertaining? Great live shows sell CDs!
7. Do you have a career plan?
8. Is there a “star” in your band – lead singer, guitarist?
9. Are you willing to do anything to achieve success?
10. How hungry are you for fame?
11. Do you earn $75,000 or more in entertainment income annually? If not, are you willing to do whatever it takes to get to that level?
12. Are you willing to cooperate with SEG at all times to reach a significant level of success?
13. Do you live within a 2-3 hour drive of a major music market such as Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, etc.? If not, are you willing to travel consistently to those markets?
14. Do you have the financial resources to stay on the road continuously, performing in new markets that are unfamiliar with your act for no pay until you establish yourself in that market?

WHAT IS A PERSONAL MANAGER?

A manager is not a booking agent, record producer, music publisher, merchandiser, publicist or a bank! They may be willing (and able) to perform or assist in any of those duties, but that is not their true function. Rather, a manager guides, plans, organizes, advises and/or represents the artist in matters affecting the profession of the artists’ career. The manager is usually the only other person besides the artist who sees the entire picture (puzzle).

Some artists have managers that perform only specific functions, such as a business manager who doesn’t get involved in any of the creative aspect.

Many of the indie artists are insistent on managing themselves, to which there are several advantages (you don’t have to give away 15-25% of your income). But overwhelmingly, there are so many decisions to be made and work that has to get done…It does take away energy that the artist needs to be putting towards their music.

Who is a good (and qualified) manager? Someone that the artist can trust for good sound honest advice. Someone that is going to stay on top of trends and happenings within the industry. Someone that is good at planning and organizing. Someone who is in tune with the goals, objectives, needs, wants (and idiosyncracies) of the artist. Someone who is able to get the artist to stay based in reality. And someone who will always represent the artist in a courteous, professional manner to others.

Many of you may be “approached” by managers and management companies. It does not matter how many contacts, famous clients or financial resources they may have. If they just say that you are the “greatest thing” or “with my connections, I can make you famous,” then chances are that they are full of smoke.

Success in this business takes a TON OF WORK by a whole TEAM – from the artist to the roadies and everybody else (record label, booking agent, legal, accounting, merchandising, publicist, tour manager, sound & equipment people, etc…). The manager is the one who makes sure that everything is being done by somebody. In the beginning of a career, the manager will sometimes take on some of these responsibilities. But it shouldn’t be on their backs alone.

Additionally, you should hire a manager because you like their plan, their method and their dedication. Once you hire a manager, you need to let them “manage”. And part of being a good artist is AGREEING to be managed. That is one part of the equation that is sometimes left out and leads to a rocky relationship.

Not everybody needs to hire a manager, but every artist does need management. Remember, those who fail to plan, plan to fail. Whether it is by a band member, friend, professional, etc., management is crucial to success. The Serge Media Group / Serge Entertainment Group excels at providing personal management for songwriters and recording artists.

An important note: Serge Media Group / Serge Entertainment is NOT a booking agency. We only book our management, PR and recording label clients.

For news, happenings and accomplishments at Serge Media Grop / Serge Entertainment, click here:http://sergeentertainment.blogspot.com

For business management, we recommend On The Mark Business Management – Mark Podhorzer, proprietor. Email: mark@onthemark.biz

To view information about clients we assist with shows, please click here: SEG Booking Division

Serge Media Group / Serge Entertainment Group
PO Box 5147
Canton, GA 30114
E-mail: SergeEnt@aol.com