NEW BOSSES NEW BOSSES 2018
We received more nominations than ever for this year’s New Bosses - IQ’s annual celebration of the people aged 30 and under who are helping shape the future of our business - and the number of young, talented people around the world who nearly made the list was enough for IQ to contemplate running profile pieces in every issue for the next year. But that’s not how the process works, so the following pages show you the cream of the crop from this year’s nominees. The individual profiles are heavily edited versions of each New Boss winner, but we would encourage you to read the full responses of our New Bosses on the IQ website, www. iq-mag..net, which will be published over the coming weeks.
Kevin Jergenson (29) Agent: ICM Partners (US)
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A native of Los Angeles, Jergenson graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in business management. During his studies, he was accepted into ICM’s summer internship programme. Interning for now-mentor, Scott Mantell, became a full-time job, which led to Jergenson being promoted to co-ordinator, and then agent, in 2016. What’s the most exciting event you have been involved with in 2018? Having H.E.R. sell 5,000 tickets in London her first time in the market, without an official album release, was incredibly exciting to see and be involved with. What’s the biggest lesson that you’ve learned at ICM? Representing an artist takes a village. As a full-service agency, our clients are not only looking to be represented for touring but also film and television, branding, digital, etc. I am extremely fortunate to work with some amazing colleagues who really help us touring agents surround our clients in all areas of the business. Where is the most exotic place that your work has taken you? This summer I covered Haven Festival in Copenhagen and Lowlands Festival in the Netherlands. What advice would you give anyone who wants to get into the live music business? This business is a true grind – nothing comes easy. It takes a lot of time and effort to build a quality business for yourself, and you should always be eager to keep learning. I learn a lot from my colleagues on a daily basis, which in turn only helps my business and my clients.
...we’re an industry of specialists, and the sooner you figure out what you’re going to specialise in, the better
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Michael Jones (29) Co-founder/promoter: The MJR Group (UK)
Jones has been promoting shows since the age of 12, primarily because his friends’ bands were terrible and nobody else would book them. Aged 14, he began promoting American and European touring acts and then ran TJ’s venue in his home town of Newport, in the UK, before setting up a chain of live venues with The Intertain Group, which led to establishing MJR with fellow promoter, Rich Buck. What are you working on at the moment? The outdoor Summer Series at Domain Park in Sydney, Australia, headlined by The Jacksons. Elsewhere, we’ve got 50 Cent’s UK and European tour, along with some new venues opening in Birmingham, which I’m very excited about. Who was your mentor? John Sicolo who owned TJ’s was a big part of my life. He passed away a few years ago, but he gave me my first real chance and made me believe in myself. What advice would you give anyone who wants to get into the business? Decide what specific sector you’d like to work in, and concentrate solely on doing your absolute best in that role. If there’s not an opening with an existing company then get out and make your own. A lot of young people coming through try to be all-rounders, which will get you up to a point, but really, we’re an industry of specialists, and the sooner you figure out what you’re going to specialise in, the better.
Crying Nut feat. Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols - DMZ Peace Train Music Festival
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IQ Magazine September 2018