Take Note KSU Program Helps Grow Georgia's Music Business

LESSONS LEARNED FINE ARTS Some of the best Virginia Hepner knowledge comes not combines business from schools, but from acumen with the arts experience. STRATEGIES community. HARVEY MACKAY IDEAS FOR GROWING BUSINESS EXECUTIVE PROFILE 27A 28A March 1-7, 2013 Page 25A LESSONS LEARNED FINE ARTS Some of the best Virginia Hepner knowledge comes not combines business fromLESSONS schools, but LEARNED from acumen withFINE the artsARTS Someexperience. of the best community.Virginia Hepner knowledge comes not combines business from schools, but from STRATEGIES acumen with the arts experience.HARVEY MACKAY IDEAS FOR GROWING BUSINESS EXECUTIVE community.PROFILE 27A 28A March 1-7, 2013 STRATEGIES Page 25A HARVEY MACKAY IDEAS FOR GROWING BUSINESS EXECUTIVE PROFILE 27A 28A

MarchMarch 1-7, 2013 1-7, 2013 Page 25A JOANN VITELLI JOANN Resident musician: John Driskell Hopkins, bassist and songwriter for Zac Brown Band, is the first Artist in Residence at Kennesaw State University’s Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business Program. Hopkins recently lectured and met with students, all of whom are interested in getting into the business side of the VITELLI JOANN music and entertainmentResident industries.musician: Georgia’s John music Driskell business Hopkins, supported nearlybassist 20,000 and jobs songwriter in fiscal year 2012. for Zac Brown Band, is the first Artist in Residence at Kennesaw State University’s Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business Program. Hopkins recently lectured and met with students, all of whom are interested in getting into the business side of the

music and entertainment industries. Georgia’s music business supported nearly 20,000 jobs in fiscal year 2012. VITELLI JOANN Resident musician: John Driskell Hopkins, bassist and songwriter for Zac Brown Band, is the first Artist in Residence at Kennesaw State University’s Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business Program. Hopkins recently lectured and met withKSU students, program all of whom are helps interested grow in getting into the business side of the Takemusic and entertainment industries. Georgia’s note music business supported nearly 20,000Georgia’s jobs in fiscal musicyear 2012. business By Martin Sinderman The emphasis here is on providing students with CONTRIBUTING WRITER Music makers real-world experience in the industryKSU through program extern- helps grow tudents of all majors who want to ship and internship programs that enable them to learn pursue careers in entertainment — The list of musical artists with close tiesKSU to Georgia program is from professionals helps in the grow entertainment business. particularly the music end of the long and diverse. It includes (in no particular order): For example, John DriskellGeorgia’s Hopkins, bassist and music business business — can take advantage of a Georgia’ssongwriter music for Zacbusiness Brown Band, whose album ■ OutKast ■ Collective Soul Takeunique program at Kennesaw Statenote Uncaged is the 2013 Grammy winner for Best Country By Martin SindermanTake noteThe emphasis here is on providing students with University that preps them for the ■ Zac Brown Band ■ Indigo Girls Album, recently agreed to be the first Artist in The emphasis here is on providing students with ByCONTRIBUTING Martin SindermanWRITERBy Martin Sinderman real-world experience in the industry through extern- CONTRIBUTINGwide variety WRITERof jobs in this fast- ■ UsherMusic makers ■ Trisha Yearwood Residence for the program. CONTRIBUTING WRITERgrowingtudents Georgia of all majors industry. who want to Hopkinsship will and lecture internship to MEBUS programs classes that on enable song- them to learn real-world experience in the industry through extern- ■ ■ Music makers A joint venture betweenpursue careers KSU’s College in tudentsentertainment of the Artsof all — majors SugarlandThe list who of musical want toartists Newith Yo close ties to Georgiawriting, is from publishing, professionals copyright in theand entertainment recording. In business. ship and internship programs that enable them to learn Sand its Colestudents Collegeparticularly of Businessof all the majorsthat music began end inwho of the want■ longto pursue and diverse. careers It includes■ (in no particular order):addition, studentsFor example, in spring John 2013 Driskell classes Hopkins, will work bassist and Ludacris Lady AntebellumThe list of musical artists with close ties to Georgia is January 2011, KSU’sbusiness Joel A. — Katz can Music takepursue advantageand careers of a in entertainment — with Hopkinssongwriter to promote for Zac his Brown new solo Band record,, whose album from professionals in the entertainment business. in entertainment — particularly■ Justin■ OutKastthe Bieber music end■ Alan■ JacksonCollective Soul Entertainment Businessunique Program program (MEBUS) atparticularly Kennesaw provides State the music end of the long and diverse.Daylight, UncagedIt featuringincludes is Zacthe 2013Brown(in Grammyno and particular Jerry winner Douglas. for order): Best Country For example, John Driskell Hopkins, bassist and students withof practical theUniversity business experiences, that preps — on-the-jobbusiness canthem takefor —the advantagecan■ Liltake■ JonZac advantage Brown of a Band unique of ■a The■ Allman Indigo Brothers Girls The programAlbum, recently has also agreedserved asto anbe incubatorthe first Artist for in songwriter for Zac Brown Band, whose album training, and explorationwide variety of career of jobs opportunities in this fast- in ■ The■ UsherB-52s ■ Elton■ TrishaJohn■ OutKast Yearwood new, entertainment-relatedResidence for the■ program.Collective businesses. Soul music and entertainment.programgrowing at Georgia Kennesaw industry.unique Stateprogram University at Kennesaw that preps State These includeHopkins PlayPro will lecture Media to, a MEBUS music marketing classes on song- Uncaged is the 2013 Grammy winner for Best Country ■ ■ themBasedA joint on forventure the notionthe between widethat success KSU’s variety inCollegeUniversity this industry ofof thejobs Arts that in preps The■this SugarlandBlack themfast-growing Crowes for the James■ Ne Brown■ Yo Zac Brownand Band distributionwriting, publishing, firm, active■ Indigo copyrightin Georgia Girls and recording.Florida, In Album, recently agreed to be the first Artist in Srequiresand its Coles a broad College range of skillsBusiness from that diverse began fields, in the ■ Akon■ ■ R.E.M.■ that promotesaddition, emerging students talent in spring in college 2013 communities classes will work Ludacris Lady Antebellum SGeorgiaprogram offers industry. a 24 credit-hour certificate,wide essentially variety of jobs in this fast- ■ through an arrangement■ with Education Realty Trust, Residence for the program. January 2011, KSU’s Joel A. Katz Music and with Hopkins to promote his new solo record, ■ Justin Bieber ■ Alan JacksonUsher Trisha Yearwood Entertainment Businessa minorA Programjoint that accompanies venture (MEBUS)growing a stu- providesbetween Georgia industry.KSU’s College of a developerDaylight, and manager featuring of Zac collegiate Brown housing. and Jerry Douglas. Hopkins will lecture to MEBUS classes on song- students with practicaldent’s experiences, major field of on-the-job study. encompass■ Lil Jon individuals involved in ■the The marketing,■ Allman Sugarland Brothers MEBUSThe students program have■ has worked Ne also Yo withserved PlayPro as an as incubator pro- for A jointOpen venture to all majors, between it is designed KSU’s management, College production of the Arts and other aspects of moters, agents and managers; and, according to Perissi, writing, publishing, copyright and recording. In training, and explorationthe Artsof career and opportunities its Coles in College of Business new, entertainment-related businesses. Sand itsto meet Coles the entertainmentCollege of indus- Businessentertainment. ■that The beganB-52s in ■ Elton■ John the company has hired six■ MEBUS graduates to date. addition, students in spring 2013 classes will work music and entertainment. Ludacris These include PlayPro Lady MediaAntebellum, a music marketing try’sthat demand began for talentin inJanuary a wide 2011,“Eighty-five KSU’s percent Joel of the A. jobs [in the entertainment Georgia’s music business supported 19,955 jobs in the Based on Januarythe notion that2011, success KSU’s in this Joel industry A. Katz Music■ The Black and Crowes ■ James Brown and distribution firm, active in Georgia and Florida, with Hopkins to promote his new solo record, variety of fields, according to industry] are nonperforming,” Perissi said.■ Justin “For Bieberstate during fiscal year 2012■ Alan(July 1, Jackson2011-June 30, 2012), requires a broadEntertainment rangeKeithKatz of Perissi, skillsMusic frominterim Business and diverse director Entertainment fields, Program the example,■ (MEBUS) Akon thereBusiness is a huge provides Pro need- in film ■ R.E.M.and TV for on-set accordingthat to promotes recent Georgia emerging Department talent inof collegeEconomic communities Daylight, featuring Zac Brown and Jerry Douglas. program offers a 24of credit-hourthe program. certificate, essentially accounting personnel.” ■ Developmentthrough (GDEcD) an arrangement ■figures. with Education Realty Trust, studentsgrama minor with (MEBUS) that practical accompanies provides experiences, a stu- students on-the-job with prac- Lil Jon a developer and manager The Allman of collegiate Brothers housing. The program has also served as an incubator for Perissi “We are responding to the needs MEBUS started with about 50 students, a number The business benefits from state-level production training,fromticaldent’s theand major experiences,full explorationspectrum field of study.of the enter-on-the-jobof careerthatencompass hasopportunities sincetraining, grown individuals to 150, andin involved Perissi said. in the marketing, incentivesMEBUS that provide students up to have 30 percent worked of withGeorgia PlayPro as pro- new, entertainment-related businesses. Kennesaw State ■ The B-52s ■ Elton John University musictainmentexploration andOpen entertainment.industry, to all majors, whichof career it includes is designed opportunities “Wemanagement, could be up in productionto music250, but I and don’t other want aspects to grow of the productionmoters, expenditures agents and in managers;transferable and, tax accordingcredits for to Perissi, These include PlayPro Media, a music marketing musicto meet but thealso entertainment film, television, indus- programentertainment. too fast,” he said. “I know each■ and The every Black featureCrowesthe films, company television has ■series, hired James commercials,six MEBUS Brown graduates music to date. andvideo gamesentertainment. andBased socialtry’s media,” on demand the Perissi notionfor talentsaid. thatin a wide success student. “Eighty-fivein That this is industrywhy percent I am able of the to place jobs [inthem the in entertainment intern- videos, animationGeorgia’s game music development business supported and other 19,955 jobs in the and distribution firm, active in Georgia and Florida, Those needsrequires go wayvariety beyond a broad of musicians,fields, range according actors of andtoskills ships.fromindustry] I knowdiverse whatare nonperforming,” theyfields, are doing, the what Perissi■ they Akon said. have “For qualifiedstate projects, during part fiscal of■ ayear R.E.M.mix 2012 that (Julymakes 1, the 2011-June state 30, 2012), that promotes emerging talent in college communities actresses,Based and onother theKeithperformers, Perissi,notion and interim extends that director to success done, example,in what this they there areindustry isgood a huge at.” need in film and TV for on-set according to recent Georgia➤ See Department TAKE NOTE, of27A Economic programof the offers program. a 24 credit-hour certificate,accounting personnel.” essentially Development (GDEcD) figures. through an arrangement with Education Realty Trust, Perissi “We are respondinga minor to the needs that accompaniesMEBUS started a stu-with about 50 students, a number The business benefits from state-level production a developer and manager of collegiate housing. from the full spectrum of the enter- that has since grown to 150, Perissi said. incentives that provide up to 30 percent of Georgia Kennesaw State dent’s major field of study. encompass individuals involved in the marketing, MEBUS students have worked with PlayPro as pro- University tainment industry, which includes “We could be up to 250, but I don’t want to grow the production expenditures in transferable tax credits for music but also film, television,Open to all majors,program too it fast,”is designed he said. “I knowmanagement, each and every productionfeature films, and television other series, aspects commercials, of music moters, agents and managers; and, according to Perissi, video games and social media,” Perissito said. meet the entertainmentstudent. That is why indus- I am able to placeentertainment. them in intern- videos, animation game development and other the company has hired six MEBUS graduates to date. Those needs go way beyond musicians, actors and ships. I know what they are doing, what they have qualified projects, part of a mix that makes the state actresses, and other performers, and extendstry’s demand to fordone, talent what they in aare wide good at.” “Eighty-five percent of the jobs [in the➤ entertainment See TAKE NOTE, 27A Georgia’s music business supported 19,955 jobs in the variety of fields, according to industry] are nonperforming,” Perissi said. “For state during fiscal year 2012 (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012), Keith Perissi, interim director example, there is a huge need in film and TV for on-set according to recent Georgia Department of Economic of the program. accounting personnel.” Development (GDEcD) figures. Perissi “We are responding to the needs MEBUS started with about 50 students, a number The business benefits from state-level production Kennesaw State from the full spectrum of the enter- that has since grown to 150, Perissi said. incentives that provide up to 30 percent of Georgia University tainment industry, which includes “We could be up to 250, but I don’t want to grow the production expenditures in transferable tax credits for music but also film, television, program too fast,” he said. “I know each and every feature films, television series, commercials, music video games and social media,” Perissi said. student. That is why I am able to place them in intern- videos, animation game development and other Those needs go way beyond musicians, actors and ships. I know what they are doing, what they have qualified projects, part of a mix that makes the state actresses, and other performers, and extends to done, what they are good at.” ➤ See TAKE NOTE, 27A requires a broad range of skills from Brown Band, whose album Uncaged record-breaking year due to Georgia’s diverse fields, the program offers a is the 2013 Grammy winner for Best competitive incentive package, an in- 24 credit-hour certificate, essentially Country Album, recently agreed to crease in production infrastructure, a a minor that accompanies a student’s be the first Artist in Residence for the deep base of qualified labor for pro- major field of study. program. duction crews, and the ease of access Open to all majors, it is designed Hopkins will lecture to MEBUS provided by the world’s busiest air- to meet the entertainment industry’s classes on songwriting, publishing, port,” said Lee Thomas, director of demand for talent in a wide variety copyright and recording. In addition, the Georgia Film, Music and Digital of fields, according to Keith Perissi, students in spring 2013 classes will Entertainment office, a division of the interim director of the program. work with Hopkins to promote his GDEcD. “We are responding to the needs new solo record, Daylight, featuring “More than 30,000 Georgians are from the full spectrum of the enter- Zac Brown and Jerry Douglas. now employed by the entertainment tainment industry, which includes The program has also served as an industry,” she said, “and a countless music but also film, television, video incubator for new, entertainment-re- number of ancillary businesses have games and social media,” Perissi said. lated businesses. benefited from all of the activity it Those needs go way beyond musi- These include PlayPro Media, a music generates.” cians, actors and actresses, and other marketing and distribution firm, active GDEcD reports Georgia was home performers, and extends to encom- in Georgia and Florida, that promotes to 333 feature films, television mov- pass individuals involved in the mar- emerging talent in college communities ies and series, commercials and music keting, management, production and through an arrangement with Educa- videos shot across the state during FY other aspects of entertainment. tion Realty Trust, a developer and man- 2012. Direct spending by the enter- “Eighty-five percent of the jobs [in ager of collegiate housing. tainment industry during this period the entertainment industry] are non- MEBUS students have worked with totaled more than $879.8 million, the performing,” Perissi said. “For exam- PlayPro as promoters, agents and highest amount ever, according to ple, there is a huge need in film and managers; and, according to Perissi, GDEcD. TV for on-set accounting personnel.” the company has hired six MEBUS On the non-quantitative side, mu- MEBUS started with about 50 stu- graduates to date. sical entertainment is an integral part dents, a number that has since grown Georgia’s music business supported of Georgia’s identity, said Simon Hor- to 150, Perissi said. 19,955 jobs in the state during fis- rocks, co-president of Georgia Music “We could be up to 250, but I don’t cal year 2012 (July 1, 2011-June 30, Partners, an Atlanta-based nonprofit want to grow the program too fast,” he 2012), according to recent Georgia that promotes the business of music said. “I know each and every student. Department of Economic Develop- and related music technology in the That is why I am able to place them in ment (GDEcD) figures. state as well as co-founder of Affix internships. I know what they are do- The business benefits from state- Music LLC, an Atlanta-based music li- ing, what they have done, what they level production incentives that pro- censing company. “Georgia has a long, are good at.” vide up to 30 percent of Georgia pro- rich history of music that is linked in- The emphasis here is on providing duction expenditures in transferable delibly to the image of the state,” he students with real-world experience tax credits for feature films, television said. “And I think it is great for the in the industry through externship series, commercials, music videos, state to make it known to visitors that and internship programs that enable animation game development and Georgia is home to the Allman Broth- them to learn from professionals in other qualified projects, part of a mix ers, Usher, Ray Charles, Johnny Mer- the entertainment business. that makes the state attractive to the cer and a host of other major names in For example, John Driskell Hop- entertainment industry. the music industry — names that have kins, bassist and songwriter for Zac “We are in the midst of another stood the test of time.”