In this interview, Quadri Rasheed Atanda, a reputable Travel and Tourism Consultant, as well Artist Manager who has carved a credible niche for himself as a media and publicity manager by serving some of Nigeria’s most notable and accomplished music industry Acts, especially, DJ Boombastic and Phatiah. In this interview with our Entertainment Columnist and Correspondent, Abiodun Adeyanju, bares his mind on what it takes to function as a media and publicity manager to an entertainment industry figure.

You are known to have provided artiste management services and support to several musicians and disc jockeys in the past. What is this role of being a media and publicity manager in the entertainment industry all about?

Thank you for that question. I am a regular artist manager to music youngster Phatiah, however I provide such support services in various areas to musicians such as Segun Opontisun, Zion Century and Skaliey Mental when required but not regularly. The difference between the service that I render for DJ Boombastic and the others is that my services for DJ Boombastic are more specific in terms of media and publicity and regular compared to services I render for the others aside Phatiah.

Can you explain that better?

I provide one off services for the others, as it is not on continual basis. I also do that for some film industry practitioners in Nigeria, I develop materials for them that can be used both online and offline for publicity and interviews. I do monitor their social media contents to provide them reviews and feedback. But for DJ Boombastic and Phatiah, I work on consistent basis.

So, what exactly do you do for Phatiah as her artist manager?

As Phatiah’s artist manager, I monitor her rehearsals and studio activities to ensure she is up and doing. I also handle correspondence on her behalf and develop materials used for her publicity in the press and interviews. I equally reach out to get her interview opportunities through print and broadcast media. However, her music career has been less active due to her academic activities. Soon, she will be proceeding to the university. Therefore, there is need to ensure she acclimatises with her soon to be academic environment before requiring her to multi-task her academic activities with her music career.

Are there differences between the services you render for Phatiah and the ones you render for DJ Boombastic?

There are definite and glaring differences. Phatiah is a musician I create time to monitor since she is still a teenager. DJ Boombastic is an adult, a Disk Jockey and On-Air-Personality who is a master at his game and does not need me for that.

What Specifically are your roles as DJ Boombastic's Media and publicity Manager?

I act as His Personal Assistant to support him on daily basis during his rehearsals and On-Air presentations on radio, serving as his co-host, Spokesperson, bridging the gap between him and his clients and supporting his media visibility to enhance his publicity and brand image.

How would you describe your experience so far in the music and entertainment industry?

It has been very interesting especially the media and publicity roles. I enjoy creating publicity contents, managing artists public relations, organising interviews, media appearances and media coverage for artists, communicating with the press and media representatives on artistes behalf. Such activities have helped me build more relationships in the music and entertainment industry. However, I try as much as possible to limit publicity around my personality as I do not enjoy it when I am personally exposed to the public.

Are there not aspects of your music industry related activities that you do not find so pleasant?

Yes, there are. I do not really enjoy the road and tour management aspects because one would have to be on the move regularly with the musicians and entertainers, and being someone who treasures my privacy and loves quietude to enable me work on my creativity, I try as much as possible not to engage in those aspects. Besides those aspects require lots of planning and management of human and material resources, I do not view those areas as my strengths, that’s why I leave those areas to other people and focus on areas where I have the strength to excel.