Another ''Exclusive Interview'' for Celinedionforum.com,

[Shamrock_1982]

Interview for www.celinedionforum.com with Sony Music UK’s Product Manager for Marketing, Chuck Clark.

 

 

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Darren: Chuck, thanks very much for giving me the opportunity of interviewing you today.

 

Chuck: No problem Darren!

 

Darren: I’d like to start off by asking you, how you first got into this career, and how you came to work for Sony Music UK?

 

Chuck: I’ve always loved music and got involved with the student newspaper in my university days. I started off by writing reviews and subsequently was elected to Entertainments Editor. Through the role, I suddenly had PRs phoning me up everyday plugging their latest records and I built up a great relationship with the Sony Music rep. After I graduated I started working for Sony Music in PR. I then spent a couple of years in Artist Relations (planning & events) before taking up a role in marketing where I’ve been ever since.

 

Darren: What was it about the marketing side of the business, that really interested you.... and could you give a brief description of what you’re job entails.....

 

Chuck: What really attracted me is that marketing is such a varied role where you’ll work on all aspects of a campaign. A good way of looking at it is being the project manager. We first craft the artist proposition and confirm the overall strategy. We then work closely with sales, promotions & advertising to put together a comprehensive campaign aiming to make an album as successful as it can possibly be.

 

Darren: I can imagine your job can be very pressurised with deadlines, and handling different artists and projects at once, but it also must be extremely rewarding, and fun..... Could you mention a few of the pros and cons of your job…

 

Chuck: Well I love music so I feel very lucky being able to work in this industry. I love the people I work with and the variety of work ensures no day is ever the same. One of the main cons is that you have to put a lot of time and graft into each campaign (often months of planning – sometimes, years!) and because we’re marketing something with an emotional connection, if something doesn’t react how you hoped it had, it can be really disappointing. On the other hand there is the flip side when all your hard work pays off, for example the Celine campaign was fantastic and incredibly rewarding.

 

Darren: Through working at Sony Music UK, have you ever had any dreams realised, by meeting a certain artist or idol of yours, or travelled to somewhere or experience something you always wanted to through your job. Or just have a special memory of something that could only happen, thanks to working there.... maybe you are still waiting for it to happen?

 

Chuck: Wow – so many memories! There are so many situations I’ve been in where I’ve had to stop and realise how lucky I’m am. Actually one of the things I remember was taking my mum to Celine’s gig in the O2 which she absolutely loved. I spoke to Celine’s tour manager and he gave us some of the best seats in the house. She hasn’t been to a gig in about 25 years so was a treat for her!

 

Darren: One of the projects given to you in 2007/2008 was the marketing of Celine’s ‘’Taking Chances’’ album/singles, here in the UK. So could you please tell me, what exactly is involved in the marketing of a single and an album, and are there any major differences?

 

Chuck: I wouldn’t say there are major differences between the formats as the marketing of each overlap. Campaigns are based around albums but singles are released to give media a track to focus on and help promote the sale of albums.

 

Darren: What is involved in the selection of singles from an album.... and who exactly makes these decisions?

 

Chuck: It’s a collective decision between the artist and the label. With an international artist and Celine’s case, the A&R direction comes from the US who will suggest the singles plot. Occasionally, we would change the order if a certain single isn’t appropriate for this market but it’s ideally best to keep everyone around the world in sync.

 

Darren: When Celine brings out a new single, she also has to shoot a music video to accompany it..... and over the years she has had some great videos, and has even made it into a list, for one of the most expensive music videos ever made for '' Its All Coming Back To Me Now''.

But can you explain the process that goes into making a music video, in regards to who chooses the director, the location, the storyline of the video, the budget, the extras, the costumes etc, and how much of a say do yourselves at Sony, and Celine/Rene have regarding a music video?

 

Chuck: The process can vary but generally speaking, you’ll have a budget and the track which is then pitched out to various production companies who come back with ‘treatments’ i.e. storyboards of how the director envisages the video unfolding. More talks ensue to make sure the idea is refined until everyone is happy. The artist, management and the label are all closely involved with this and once signed off, we start shooting. There will be a stylist involved in all campaigns we have so they will work closely with the production company to style the artist in the video and any extras. Again, like most things, it is a collaborative effort and we make sure that all parties are happy before we start shooting.

 

Darren: A lot of fans have commented that Celine often records modern songs and songs that could potentially do well on radio and on the charts, yet Sony seem to pick “safe” options as singles. An example of this could be releasing “Alone” instead of “Fade Away.” Are Sony afraid of updating Celine’s sound, or is this something they have no control over?

 

Chuck: Sony certainly isn’t afraid of updating Celine’s sound and the release of “Alone” was a collective decision with Celine & Rene. It was well received by the media and I don’t think you can deny it’s an absolutely fantastic version of the song. It’s also a great opportunity to open Celine up to fans of the original. I do love ‘Fade Away’ though, it’s got an incredible chorus!

 

Darren: Would it be fair to say that successful albums are much more important these days, whereas in the 90’s successful singles were just as important?

 

Chuck: I think successful albums have always been the most important thing and in the forefront of everyone’s mind. I’m sure any artist will be wanting you to buy into their body of work as opposed to just the odd track. I’d say the big change are the formats. Physical singles market has dramatically declined over the last few years not helped by the recession and the close of Woolworths and Zavvi. Physical now typically only represents less than 1% of total tracks sold in the current top 10. Digital on the other hand is getting stronger and stronger and last year, we had our first Christmas #1 from digital-only sales.

 

Darren: Celine seems to have great difficulty getting her new material played on the radio / TV, in the UK. Is this something Sony can influence?

 

Chuck: Sure, we have an extremely passionate, dedicated and hard working promo team that aim to get Celine’s music heard. They will meet with the relevant people in radio and TV (producers & bookers) who make the decision based on the track and the fit of the artist on that channel.

 

Darren: Celine’s albums continue to do well in the charts today, is this something that is important to Sony?

Chuck: Of course! Celine is one of Sony’s biggest and most important artists. She is an international superstar who we hope to work with throughout her career!

 

Darren: Sony Music UK has several divisions including Epic, RCA, Syco and Columbia. Celine is currently on Columbia. In real terms what does this mean, could you please explain the divisions, and why Celine is on the Columbia label?

 

Chuck: Sony is an umbrella of lots of record labels including the four you mentioned however we are all one big family so broadly speaking, it doesn’t affect things hugely which label an artist is released on. The whole of Sony Music will be behind the release.

 

Darren: Celine was in London on a promo tour, for the ‘’Taking Chances’’ album in late 2007.... Can you tell me a bit of what is involved in arranging a promo tour, for such an international star like Celine, when she comes to the UK?

 

Chuck: Firstly, we coordinate with the US when and for how long we’ll be able to have Celine in the UK and once we establish that window, we aim to fill it up with promotional opportunities to give the best platform possible to launch her album. As with all big international stars, the travelling party can be quite large so we have to make sure we are incredibly organised, planning days out literally by the minute! The days can be long but the results are incredibly rewarding.

 

Darren: Like Me, you attended Celine’s sound check @ the o2 arena in London, during the uk leg of the world tour. And you also had the chance to meet her and her team and hang out backstage before and after the shows. Can you share any memories of that time, as that would be every fans dream, to hang out with Celine, her band, etc....

 

Chuck: At the O2, I first remember heading backstage and meeting Rene for dinner. It was the first time I’d met him but you are immediately struck by his warmth. I remember the food being absolutely incredible – normally in music venues, you don’t expect to eat so well but Rene explained he had discovered the best caterers in the world so booked them for the whole tour! When I met Celine after, the first thing that struck me was how wonderfully down to earth she is. It is amazing that after all these years and the incredible success she’s had, she’s still so humble. There really is a nice atmosphere back there, they are like one big family.

 

Darren: I just want to thank you again for this opportunity and to say a huge thanks to you and you’re colleagues at Sony Music UK, for all you’re help and support over the past few years. For the great promo giveaways you have supplied, the passes to Celine’s sound check in Birmingham for a few lucky forum members, and all the amazing updates...... we are so grateful, for everything you have done for our forum, and I can’t thank you enough, and I’m sure other fans will agree.

 

Chuck: It’s an absolute pleasure Darren and thanks so much to you and all of the forum members for continually supporting Celine.

 

Darren: Thank alot Chuck, take care.

 

Chuck: Thanks.

 

 

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Exclusive Interview with Sony Music UK’s Chuck Clark.

February 10th 2010 - www.celinedionforum.com – Ire23 & Shaun.

 

* A very special thanks to a member of the forum and a very good friend of mine, Shaun, for all his help, contribution and support with this exclusive.

[browseceline]

Well done Darren! Thank you for the interview!

[stevo]

Thanks Darren again! This was very interesting. I hope they go all out on her next album.

[zuv]

Thanks!!!

That was great interview!

[ghazal]

thanx

[angelil78]

thank you for that interview

[Frenchie]

absolutely thank you for the interview!!! It was an excellent read. =)

Alicia

[davidjag79]

Wow Darren thanks!! Fantastic interview!! I think Celine's new album should be more of a dance influenced album i truely believe it would make her more mainstream. Anything she does i will love though : )

 

J'adore Celine

[Timster]

Great interview Darren - well done!

[Shamrock_1982]

Great interview Darren - well done!

 

Glad you like it, but I really couldn't have done it without Shaun , he put alot into this too.

 

A huge thanks again to Chuck for the interview, and for all he and his collegues at Sony UK have done for the forum over the years.

 

Darren.

[Lawna]

Great interview! Thanks so much =)

[Peppercorn1991]

Wow i really loved this interview! Its was very interesting and you asked some really good questions there darren that alot of us would have wanted to ask! I loved the alone and fade away question! maybe they will relise what we want

 

 

thankyou darren and shaun

 

kev

[CelineRox]

Wow! Thanks Darren and Shaun! Interesting interview

[No1IrishFan]

Thank you so much Darren! You always ask great questions

[celinedream]

Another great interview thanks Darren ! what a fantastic day this has been Celinelishly speaking

[Javito]

Thank you Darren for this very interesting interview!

[Celininha17]

Nice. Congrats!!!

I hope I can help you one day!

[celinesounds]

Thanks Darren & Shaun

 

I Loved the Interview.

 

Chuck: . I do love ‘Fade Away’ though, it’s got an incredible chorus!

 

With this opinion why they didn't try with this song after EYES ON ME

[I Love You]

Thanks Darren for the interview again.

[betterone]

Thanks for the interview, Darren. I hope someday I can be in music industry, too. I think it is amazing.

[celinefanonline]

that's something !! thank u so much

[Shamrock_1982]

The next interview confirmed, and that I'm about to begin working on is with Celine's makeup artist Scott Barnes........

So I'm looking for a member of the forum, who has an interest in contributing to this interview, and who's possibly a fan of is, or maybe uses his products or reads his books, or who just has a great interest and love for makeup.

 

If so, please pm me

 

Thanks,

 

Darren.

Edited February 13, 2010 at 09:58 PM by Ire23

[mirage]

OMG that's sooo coool Scott Barnes...

 

when you get a hold of her hairstylist, give me a call ;-) if only the day comes when i can do Celine's hair

lol i did hair on some models, some actors, fashions shows, photoshoots... but celine oh god i would give anything haha

Edited February 13, 2010 at 09:54 PM by mirage

[Shamrock_1982]

Zhane, and Annie Horth, have also been approached, so fingers crossed!

 

Darren.

[mirage]

WHOOOOO

I like these interviews really!!!

 

finally some questions that never been ask, and also people around celine, they can tell us so much more

[Dionesque]

Thank you Darren & Shaun! It was a nice, interesting read.

That's really great that you can get in touch with all these people who are somewhat closer to Céline and provide us with such a well done interviews!

 

Of course I would like to read more backstage memories, for example, stuff from 'behind the scenes' that we, regular fans, will probably never be able to experience. Still Chuck said a lot of interesting stuff.

 

As for interviews with Scott, Annie and Zhane: just wow! Can't wait and I keep my fingers crossed so it will all work just great for you to talk to them!

[kathy4]

thanks darren for sharing the interview with us.

[No1IrishFan]

Zhane, and Annie Horth, have also been approached, so fingers crossed!

 

Darren.

 

 

These two would be amazing! As a matter of interest Darren, how do you go about approaching people for these interviews?

[zoea2812]

That interview is brill Thankyou

[J-Man]

Thanks Darren & Shaun for that interview. I especially was happy to hear questions being asked about the singles choices being safe options. This is a great addition to the forum. Any chance that these interviews could be grouped together in a seperate category or something so that each seperate interview and it's comments are all together under the one heading.

Well done again guys, keep working your way up to the woman herself!