OUR BACKGROUND/ INTERVIEW WITH JON FLANAGAN
JON FLANAGAN started RADIO&RETAIL PROMOTIONS in 1994 after
having worked at several major labels where he saw talented artists
get left behind in the rush for quick hits.
We give bands individual attention - promoting them regionally or nationally, building their fan base, increasing CD & concert sales & gaining attention of distributors & labels.
Jon Flanagan has been Interviewed 5 times by Music Connection magazine (interview excerpts below) as a Radio Promotion & Artist Development Expert & speaks at several Music Conventions each year to help bands & singer-songwriters.
JON has trained a staff of 'Phone Hounds' on the inside workings
of radio stations & record retailers. Most of the RADIO&RETAIL Promotions
staff have either previously worked at radio stations or have promoted their
own bands in the past, so we understand first-hand how individual attention
to each client on each phone call is important towards achieving our goals
of building a fan base &/or getting music industry recognition for our clients.
JON's 'Ears' for picking the Hits were trained while working at:
JON has an extensive & varied background in the business, & shares his
expertise as part of your campaign:
Music Conferences where Jon has been asked to speak as an Expert on RADIO AIRPLAY, BREAKING NEW ARTISTS &/or RECORD DISTRIBUTION:
JON's RETAIL PROMOTION,
DISTRIBUTION & SALES EXPERTISE comes from 4 years of work with TOWER RECORDS &
doing RETAIL MARKETING for A&M RECORDS.
JON has the inside track with Music Directors & DJs from having been on the
other side of the phone as MD & DJ at KALX, WDNR & KZSC. He knows how to talk
to these 'animals'. (just kidding you guys!).
Interview excerpts:
While working for ten years in nearly every aspect of the music industry - from A&R and music publishing to band management, publicity and promotion - for such labels as Capitol, EMI, A&M and Morgan Creek, Jon Flanagan developed a unique sensitivity for the needs of young, developing artists.
Jon customizes each campaign based on an artist's individual needs.
"What I have formed is a home for developing artists who need the sort of attention my staff can give them."
Radio & Retail chooses to specialize in lesser-known talent. During a national or regional campaign, the company aims not only to attract listeners and consumers, but also large distributors and major labels who might sign these independent artists.
We've developed strong relationships with stations and retail stores around the country, and we know who likes what type of music. Those relationships are vital to this business.
His background in management also enables him to offer expert consultation and career guidance.
At college radio, unlike commercial radio, the playlists are
determined by the program director and the dj's have to play from that list.
At commercial radio the dj's have control of their shows, so therefore, we promote directly to the individual dj's while other companies deal with the music director, who is in charge of submitting the charts, but not in charge of what the dj's play
Music Connection: When is the best time to contact a promotor?
Jon Flanagan: As soon as possible. I prefer to be contacted prior to the record being finished. I want to assess the project and make sure it's as professional as possible - that includes the songs, the artwork, the song order and the live act, basically the whole package. I offer to consult before the Radio Launch for as long as it takes to get it right. All time given by us to the project is included in the Radio Promotion Cost.
Sometimes it might take up to three months before everything is set to go, and I'll help every step of the way. We are a full-service organization
that can get involved in every aspect of marketing the product, if you want us to.
Approaching the process this way could save you substantial money. If
you're going to spend $20,000 to $50,000 on a record, wouldn't it be a good idea to see if there's a viable radio single on it? We also have a TEST A SONG ON-AIR Program to see if it's a radio hit - and that could save you a lot of time, money and frustration by doing a TEST before a Big National Push.
CAPITOL RECORDS,
COLUMBIA RECORDS,
A&M RECORDS,
EMI RECORDS,
MORGAN CREEK RECORDS,
TOWER RECORDS,
UNITED RECORDS,
( VP PROMOTION & MARKETING )
A&R,
MUSIC PUBLISHING,
BAND MANAGEMENT,
PUBLICITY,
VIDEO PROMOTION,
FILM MUSIC SUPERVISION,
RETAIL MUSIC SALES,
MARKETING & of course,
RADIO PROMOTION
-ATLANTA Music Conf.
-TAXI Music Conf.
-PMC ( 6 years )
-INDIE NATION Music Conf.
-NASHVILLE Music Conf.
-MIDWEST Music Conf.
-JUDGE & SPONSOR of Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco
and New York's DiscMakers' UNSIGNED BAND CONTESTS.
eMail:
promotions@radioandretail.com
Phone: 323-876-7027
SUBMISSIONS: please go to our CONTACT Page
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Jon Flanagan - Lead Dog
Jon Flanagan (Center)
Radio & Retail Staff & Musicians