Image Credit: Mathew Imaging
Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Bellamore.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Passion for music has been the driving force throughout my career. My love and appreciation for music began at a very young age. Having a violinist as a mother and a father with a great appreciation for music, especially opera, meant that music was a constant in the household. I grew up going to my Mom’s concerts, and playing violin (briefly), oboe and piano. My parents encouraged me to follow my passion and do what I love, so naturally, I wanted a career in music. Not having the chops or discipline to be a professional musician myself, I spent some time thinking about what kind of career would enable me to work in the industry, utilize my best skills and suit my personality, which is how I decided on a career in public relations. My first position in the music industry was Marketing and Public Relations Manager for the House of Blues in Boston, where I was attending graduate school. It was a dream come true! Little did I know, accepting this job would significantly change the course of my life. About two years into the job, the venue, which was the original House of Blues located in Harvard Square, closed down.
The company offered me a transfer to Los Angeles, which I accepted with an equal combination of fear, excitement, and honestly, heartbreak. It was very hard to leave my family, but their unconditional support made it possible. I remember my first day on the job, the news broke that Phil Spector shot and killed Lana Clarkson, who was a House of Blues employee. Welcome to Los Angeles. I worked at the House of Blues corporate office for the next two years as a National Account Representative, managing the day-to-day execution of integrated marketing campaigns for nationally sponsored tours. During this time, I met a wonderful woman who became a dear friend, and recommended me for a public relations job with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Soon after, I joined the LA Phil’s public relations team, and for the next 10 years, I managed campaigns for performances in all genres – classical, pop, rock, jazz, world and more – at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. One of my proudest accomplishments at the LA Phil was working on the public relations campaign for the appointment of Gustavo Dudamel as Music Director – one of the most significant moments in the LA Phil’s history. Over the course of a decade, there have been many amazing, life-changing, pinch-me moments, and I cherish each and every one of them. But the time came to move on, which was driven by my desire to expand my responsibilities, grow my career and take on new challenges. My next career move was also the result of a friend’s referral. (Network, network, network!) I accepted a position as Head of Music Communications with YouTube. I was absolutely thrilled to be in this new arena, this new frontier, at the intersection of music and technology, where the possibilities seemed limitless. But the position was just not a good fit, and didn’t make the best use of my experience and skill set.
After a year, while I was contemplating my next move, I received an inquiry for freelance work. This wasn’t the first time. I would get calls fairly regularly over the years, but just didn’t have the time to take on additional work on top jobs that occupied my days, nights and weekends. But this call came at a time where I felt like I had the courage and motivation to leap. It wasn’t planned, but this client would at least make it possible to keep a roof over my head, and take the plunge without complete panic. Soon after I started working with my first client, I received more calls thanks to friends and contacts who were helping to spread the word, and soon realized that self-employment, while scary and risky, was a viable option. I started my company, Crescent Communications, in February 2017. I’m working with wonderful clients and can maintain a healthy work/life balance. And I’m certainly expanding my skill set as an entrepreneur. From website development to accounting, it’s an all-in experience. Crescent Communications is named after my Dad, Crescent Bellamore, who passed away in 2015. My Dad was a kind, honest, hard-working, and good man. He saw people as people, treated everyone equally, and always saw beauty in the world. I hope to bring some beauty into the world by supporting artists and the performing arts with public relations efforts that share their stories.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There certainly have been peaks and valleys! I’m fortunate to have started my company with a year-round client, which helped me establish a reasonably stable foundation. I also lost two clients abruptly, and the sudden loss of income is difficult to manage, not to mention the negative impact on my confidence. But these experiences also taught me how to better manage my budget, something I didn’t have to think about so acutely when I had a regular paycheck. I’m also learning not to take these losses too personally, and to manage expectations very carefully from the start. I also realized quite quickly that as an independent publicist not affiliated with a marquee brand, it’s much harder to get a journalist’s attention. I have to be much much more proactive in building and nurturing relationships with the media. In a way, this makes it more rewarding when I secure coverage for my clients.
Crescent Communications – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My company is an extension of the work I have loved doing throughout my career. I’m a publicist who is dedicated to supporting artists and the performing arts through customized public relations campaigns driven by impactful storytelling. As mentioned above, Crescent Communications is named after my Dad, Crescent Bellamore, and reflects the qualities and values I most admire most in my Dad – kindness, honesty, goodness and respect for all. I think I’m known for being a hard worker, for being responsive and reliable, and perhaps most of all, for being positive and relatable. I think that’s what sets me apart – the ability to relate to many different kinds of people from many different cultures and backgrounds. This is reflected in my client roster, which includes a performing arts school, a YouTube star, a streaming service, a chamber group, a singer-songwriter, and a film composer collective.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.crescomms.com/
- Email: [email protected]
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