Today we’d like to introduce you to James Mack.
Hi James, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My first proper career step was at the Ministry of Sound in London, where at 16 I was able to gain a work experience opportunity through a family friend. I had no idea what the work experience would entail, I just knew that I was excited to be working in the offices of one of the biggest global dance music brands. I ended up being placed in the promotions department, and that started off my passion for PR and promotions.
After finishing University in London, I was then able to gain an internship placement in the world-renowned venue fabric’s PR department. At that time online PR was only just emerging so I built myself a database of journalist contacts and was then able to gain features, interviews and reviews on credible editorial websites for the venue and its record label releases.
After working at fabric for five years, I then went onto to set up my own digital marketing and PR company. That was a quick success from the start and after 6 months I merged that into Listen Up with my business partner Luke Neville which was now 12 years ago. From just 2 employees at the beginning, we have grown the business to a full team of 30 across both our London and Los Angeles offices.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
COVID-19 and staffing a large business over a long period of time has been the 2 biggest obstacles.
COVID rocked the live events industry which had a knock on effect for our PR business.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Listen Up?
Listen Up’s is a global Music PR, TV, streaming and radio promotions company covering the globe through both its London & Los Angeles offices.
The business works across major and independent label projects and maintains exceptional relationships with the music industry’s biggest players. We’re also just as passionate about breaking the careers of up and coming clients – our expertise allows us to work with some of the most cutting-edge labels, events and acts around. Providing a 360 solution to a client’s PR requirements, we can build campaigns from the ground up: taking care of biographies as well as press releases and providing advice and guidance for every intricate aspect of an artist, label or event’s brand.
With in-depth knowledge of the constantly evolving world of press, Listen Up delivers worldwide campaigns with results in every continent. Our experience and long-standing relationships with the world’s largest and most influential publications mean that whether it is an album, tour, single, label or festival, we can provide a campaign tailored to the client’s needs.
Proudest moment has to be our client Black Coffee’s Grammy 2022 win for best dance / electronic album. There was a small independent team behind the project which made it even more of a fulfilling win.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Honesty, decisiveness and creativity. Having a clear set of goals for your business and clients and to always focus on those goals and not get distracted along the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.listen-up.biz
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/listenupbiz/
