Music Executive Takes Cues From His Nerd Sensibility

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Long before anyone had heard of a tweet or Facebook friend, Jay Hughen was experimenting with online social networking sites to communicate with other music industry professionals and music fans.

“Before anyone kind of knew what it was good for and how prominent it would become, I was interested in it,” Hughen said. “It just came out of me being a natural born nerd.”

As the newly hired director of new media for Nederlander Concerts, Hughen is using his networking skills to create buzz about events at the Hollywood-based concert producer and its many venues, including L.A.’s Greek and Pantages theaters, and the Grove of Anaheim.

“I’m primarily responsible for communicating with people who will go to concerts at our venues – to get them interested in the show, get them to purchase tickets – using new media,” Hughen said.

Prior to joining Nederlander’s team, he worked at Warner Bros. Records, creating Internet and new-media campaigns for artists such as Michael Buble, Muse and Eric Clapton. His first role in the music industry was at A&M Records in 1999, handling radio promotion and marketing for alternative rock artists.

A former college DJ – he graduated from Tallahassee’s Florida State University in 1999 – Hughen has watched the music industry evolve along with new media. “I have seen it provide a much better direct connection with the artist,” he said. “I think it helps people have a better experience with that artist.”

In particular, Hughen enjoys using social networking to promote the live concert experience.

“This is about the connection with the artist in a live setting,” he said, citing the first concert he attended – Queen at Washington, D.C.’s Capital Centre in 1977. “I’m happy that I get to turn people on to that part of the music experience.”

Hughen, 41, lives with his dogs Otto and Elsie in North Hollywood. He’s a World War II history buff and plays on a hockey team.

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