207 Records – Entertainment

The Good, The Bad And The Indifferent (Entertainment)
Sounds like the title of a spaghetti western, and to be honest, it probably over the years has had as many casualties. So what am I talking about? The answer is bad entertainment.
I think most of us can relate to either a personal experience or the experience of a friend, to how the focal point of an event ruined it. The entertainment at an event is probably the most crucial part, if you don’t include inviting the guests, and when it goes wrong everyone notices. Just the other day I was in a conversation and was told about how a DJ failed to turn up at an event, that event being a wedding, and how despite repeated phone calls no one could contact the party involved. This basically ruined what should have been the best day of two peoples lives, a real shame as everything else had gone so smoothly. This is something not just confined to private events, it can also effect corporate ones too. Imagine planning a corporate event, your colleagues will be there, perhaps someone high up within the company is flying in from abroad, or you are trying to make a good impression on future clients and seal a deal worth a lot of money. Everything is in place, or so you think, then out of the blue. . . . . nothing, no entertainment. Panic sets in, but in the end there is little you can do, it is too late. Of course the entertainment can arrive, but still let you down. A band in jeans and T shirts at a black tie corporate event, the wrong music, there are so many aspects that to list them all would become boring for those of you reading this.
So what is the solution you ask? The best solution is to use an entertainment agency. Allow me to explain. At one time all UK entertainment agencies had to be licensed, which is no longer the case, however all entertainment agencies are required to comply with the employment agencies act and it’s amendments. This gives you, the client, legal recourse, which you can exercise if, need be. Some entertainment agencies are members of professional bodies such as The Agents Association or the NEAC (National Entertainment Agents Council), if they are then these should be your first point of contact if you have a problem, which you cannot resolve. Both organisations have a code of conduct for members and also have a disciplinary process available. If an agency is not a member of either, and the complaint is serious enough, then you can make a complaint to the DBERR, formally the DTI, who have powers to act against and impose severe sanctions on rogue agencies.
I am sure there are people reading this who are saying to themselves, is this just a plug to get business, the answer is no. Although I run an entertainment agency, I am not saying that everyone should use our services, people should and do have a choice. I am saying make sure you use a reputable entertainment agency, of which there are many. So what can you expect from a reputable entertainment agency, the first is a high level of service, professional people to source entertainment to your needs. The second, if something goes wrong, a reputable agency will do its best to put it right. Third, legally binding contracts between the parties involved.
Now I am sure there are some people saying, I have a contract for my DJ/Band, he/they sent me one, or I always use an agency and have a contract. My question to those people is “IS IT LEGAL”? Just because you have a contract doesn’t mean that it is legal or that in a dispute it will hold up in court. Always make sure that any contract you have complies with the law. If in doubt always ask the person issuing it, or take independent legal advice. The good news is that a legal contract is everybody’s safeguard, and it will detail all the requirements, so you can rest easy knowing that everything is covered.
So in conclusion, to make your event memorable for all the right reasons:
Always use a reputable agency, to avoid the bad or the indifferent, and just enjoy the good.
Good luck with your next event.
© Paul Sims 2008

Are you one of those creative people who would relatively starve as opposed to be caught working a nine-to-five desk job? One who is bursting provided imagination and needs an outlet for ideas? One who wants to, or by now does, work in the entertainment industry, whether it is the business of filmmaking or producing Broadway shows? If so, you need to mull over purchasing entertainment insurance. Entertainment indemnity can be compared to the workplace indemnity available to standard, nine-to-five jobs. Entertainment insurance can cover liability issues, as well as damages to or theft of the equipment you, your staff, and your cast use for your entertainment performances. Entertainment insurance can act as worker’s compensation if you, your staff, or your cast become injured on the job, and entertainment insurance can even help cover the values of production if the injury or illness of you, your staff, or your cast delays further creation for a certain quantity of time. You can also purchase additional entertainment protection that goes beyond just covering you, your staff, and your cast, as well as your equipment and production costs. You can deal entertainment insurance to cover the price levels of injuries and/or damages to audience members and/or such a belongings caused by your performance, as well. Most entertainment protection policies endure just for a specific amount of time, and this amount of moment is generally the beginning, the during, and sometimes the ending of your performance. When you purchase entertainment insurance, you need to let your insurance agent can appreciate how long the entertainment policy must last. If you fail to do this, your entertainment insurance policy may run out before it’s time, and if an accident occurs, you’re stuck with no entertainment insurance. Yes, there are many differences between the world of entertainment employment and the world of nine-to-five jobs; however, protecting your workplace, your employees, yourself, and your customers by getting insurance is definitely not one of those differences.

Valentines Day is one that many people look forward to. This is mainly because it is a day of great fun and entertainment. There are so many people that continue to make the day more special every year. The day is not an ordinary one because it is set aside to celebrate and rekindle love in people. Therefore, it calls for entertainment. To have fun on this day is what all people with a heart to love should do. However, it is vital to keep in mind that having fun has its own limits. There are so many people who continue to make the mistake of having fun while hurting them. For example, getting high on harmful drugs is a sick idea of fun. When you want entertainment, you look for something that will leave you in one piece. Therefore, entertainment on Valentines Day should be safe. When you are safe, you will definitely be happier with your life. This is not to say that you do not go wild. Go wild with all good things. For example, if you have never stood up before people, it is a good time to think karaoke. Good and clean entertainment on Valentines Day is what all people need. Entertainment on Valentines Day will be determined by the kind of things you love. For example, if you are a soccer fan, it is time to buy tickets for the valentine’s match that will be playing near you. Keep in mind that entertainment to different people can mean different things. What will make one happy might not make the other happy. For couples considering entertainment on Valentines Day, it is probably a good thing to compromise. This is the time to look for something that will work for both of you. In many instances, couples give up their idea of entertainment to enjoy the company of each other. They also take the time to come up with their very own entertainment. Your lover is a person who should be your focus on this special day. For this reason, you have to do things for each other. Celebrate love together and you will be entertained. Lovers can also go down memory lane and rekindle some of those lost frames; there is nothing more entertaining than this. Entertainment on Valentines Day for your children needs to be very creative if they are going to enjoy themselves. Consider their ages and make sure that everyone is happy. There is nothing more interesting than having all the right information in regard to suitable entertainment for your kids. Let this information come from the children. Younger kids will be happy to play with others while bouncing on castles. Teenage kids might want to go out with their boyfriends and so on. Kids should have their fair share of entertainment so that they can fully be happy on this special day of love. Keep in mind that good entertainment will always leave you refreshed and happy to face the future.

One of the things that tend to stick in cruisers’ minds is the onboard entertainment. Gone are the days of second-rate entertainers and the same old shows. Today, a lot of effort is put in to organising entertainment on cruise ships and the entertainers could well be stars of the future. Who remembers Jane McDonald appearing on the documentary The Cruise? Also, Claire Sweeney, who appeared in Brookside, started off her career singing on cruise ships. You could also be wowed by stars from the present and past – I was pleased to see that Kelly Monteith (the American equivalent of Dave Allen) is going strong and can be seen on some Royal Caribbean cruises.

Inspired by my recent trip to see Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas, I decided to find out more about the entertainment onboard having heard so much about it. Royal Caribbean prides itself on its entertainment programme. You could be forgiven for thinking you’re actually in the West End rather than in the Coral Theatre onboard Jewel of the Seas. Shows include “From West End to Broadway” featuring musical numbers from Cole Porter to Les Miserable, “City of Dreams” with music from artists such as Elton John and Celine Dion, and “Tango Buenos Aires” starring Argentine dancers and musicians. Shows are put on twice each night to tie in with the two dinner sittings, so you won’t miss out, and are not repeated during the cruise – just the thing for theatre lovers.

As well as being wowed in the Coral Theatre onboard Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas, you can take part in numerous activities throughout the day, including gaming lessons (perfect for trying to make your fortune in the casino), game shows and piano lessons.

I went behind the scenes to ask Bobby Brown, the Cruise Director on Jewel of the Seas, a few questions about the entertainment onboard the ship. Born in Scotland, Bobby started his entertainment career at a very young 5 years old, competing in ballroom dancing competitions around the world. In 1998 he moved to London where he met his wife and together they competed professionally in ballroom dancing, reaching the rank of 19th in the world (a future dancer on Strictly Come Dancing perhaps). Bobby first started working in the cruise industry when he joined Sun Line Cruises in 1993 before moving to Royal Caribbean in 1995. How long have you been in charge of entertainment on Jewel of the Seas?

Since November 2006, but I have been with Royal Caribbean International since 1995, when I started as cruise activities staff on Legend of the Seas. I moved to assistant cruise director in 1996 on Majesty of the Seas and was then promoted to Cruise Director in 1997. I have served on Legend of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas. How far ahead do you plan the entertainment itinerary?

Guest entertainers can be booked as much as one year in advance, although we do have changes in the entertainment schedule sometimes just days before the start of the cruise. Guest activities are finalized only days before a cruise starts as we keep up to date with the final figures for guest demographics. What is your favourite part of being in charge of entertainment?

Seeing smiles on the guests’ faces and hearing their comments about how much they enjoyed the entertainer. Which show has been your favourite so far?

Ben Vereen (US star of stage and TV), Gordy Brown (singer impersonator who is big in Las Vegas) and Scott Record (US singing comedy impressionist). Who is the most famous person you have had onboard providing entertainment?

Ben Vereen. Inside Cruise: For those of you haven’t heard of Ben Vereen, he started his career in Broadway during the 1960s and has also appeared on TV (including Star Trek: The Next Generation and Grey’s Anatomy) and in films (including Funny Lady and All That Jazz). Who would you like to have as part of the entertainment?

Scott Record, an incredible act. His show is unbelievable and I have seen him get a standing ovation in the first 10 minutes of his show. He is the only act I know that sings New York, New York as if it was skipping on an old juke box!How many entertainment staff are onboard?

In all there are 71 onboard made up of 4 singers, 8 dancers, 25 musicians,11 technicians, 10 youth staff, 2 sports staff and 11 activities staff.

Phew! With such a range of quality entertainers and acts onboard you’ll be hard pushed to be bored on Jewel of the Seas.

Are we no longer in the Information Age?Are we destined to be “gamers”?Whether you’re in marketing — particularly the digital side — or just looking for a job in marketing and related fields, you may have noticed the growing emphasis on entertainment. Entertainment activities becoming more the focus of our digital and offline lives.

And, as you’d expect, entertainment marketing seems to be following that growth. I don’t mean entertainment marketing as in promoting movies, actors and actresses. I’m talking about entertainment marketing for the sake of having fun with a brand wrapped around that fun.

The traditional, age-old tactics of marketing to customers and prospects via one-way communications is falling by the wayside. Ads of all type. Direct mail. Mass-distributed news releases. Yes, they will always have a place – some place – but those tactics of marketing communications are becoming a smaller part of the total marketing effort. Today’s successful marketing is individually-focused and better targeted to people’s own interests. Mass marketing is slowing going the way of the dinosaur.

The strong potential of wrapping marketing around entertainment first hit me a couple years ago after reading an article in BusinessWeek. Here is an excerpt: 

We’ve all read a lot about viral videos and how to create them. Of course, the main aspect of viral videos is their entertainment value. No one will share a commercial with friends and family – unless they see it as entertaining first and foremost. Any marketing push in the video must be secondary and indirect.

But, a successful viral video is not easy to develop and is not right for marketing every company, product or service.

The trick in the entertainment and marketing combination is to develop some level of connection with your audience. Create tools, services and experiences that complement your company, products or services while being part of your customers and prospects’ entertainment habits and interests.

One good example of this approach is Southwest Airlines. According to a June 26, 2008, MediaPost Marketing Daily story, Southwest Airlines “has signed on to sponsor the Midnight Gaming Championship (MGC) 2008 video gaming season to capture mindshare from tomorrow’s professionals, now ages 16 through 25…. The marketing message tied to the sponsorship focuses on educating consumers about several Southwest services such as the downloadable computer desktop widget ‘Ding’ that offers exclusive fares on flights; along with the company’s weekly email, Click ‘n’ Save, that reaches 6. 9 million subscribers; and Rapid Rewards. ”

Southwest Airlines is marketing its services that are tied to the interests and habits of its targeted 16-25 years of age demographics. There’s a connection between what Southwest is pushing and its audiences’ habits.

There are other ways to connect marketing messages with customers and prospects’ lifestyle. One is video – and not on TV. The use of online video is becoming more and more popular. And, video is being used for entertainment purposes more and more, according to a June 25, 2008, eMarketer article. Based on a study it conducted, Solutions Research Group “predicted that total hours with video-based entertainment would grow by nearly one-third to an average of about eight hours per day by early 2013. ”

Another key stat from the eMarketer article is the trend to online rather than offline video:

Marketing is evolving to have companies become connected with their audience much more so than just communicating to them. And, as more of the audience members are focusing on entertainment, it’s up to the marketers and communicators for companies to develop ways to connect brands with their audience around their entertainment preferences.