1998 Audio Production Graduate
Management Assistant, KSM, Inc.
A lot has changed in Lisa Reed-Preston's life since she graduated from The New England Institute of Art & Communications (The New England Institute of Art) in 1998. Lisa was in the Audio Production program and she followed her dreams to New York City shortly after graduation. She worked for SAE, an audio school in Manhattan, until she was hired by an online division of Sony Music. Life was good until Sony downsized and Lisa was left jobless just before the holidays in 2001. By the New Year, Lisa was getting quite restless. Unemployment did not agree with her so she bought the Musician's Atlas and prepared her resume. Lisa compiled a list of 100 different companies that sounded interesting to her and mailed out a resume to each of them. "I sent them out on a Saturday, received a call from Kathryn Schenker that Monday, interviewed on Wednesday and started my career at KSM, Inc. on Thursday. It was really as fast and easy as that!"
KSM, Inc. is an artist management company that manages the successful recording artist, Sting. Originally, Lisa was hired as general office help and busied herself with duties such as ordering supplies and coordinating office meetings and travel arrangements. Since then, Lisa has been promoted to Management Assistant and her responsibilities include reviewing and responding to appearance and donation requests and providing input on future merchandising efforts, tour planning and album recording. She communicates with the record label, publisher and legal and business teams on a regular basis. "I enjoy being involved with so many different aspects of the music industry."
Working for Sting definitely has its perks. Lisa has worked on benefit concerts for both Tim White (former Editor-in-Chief of Billboard Magazine) and the Rainforest Foundation. In addition to Sting, she has met many other performers and celebrities such as Jimmy Buffet, Sheryl Crow, Billy Joel, Smokey Robinson and Elton John. But with perks, comes pressure and Lisa admits that her job can be stressful at times. "It is very high-pressure. You only have one chance to get things right &.so you learn quickly."
Lisa recognizes the important role that education played in getting her to where she is today. She enjoyed her time at The New England Institute of Art and truly made the most of it. While a student here, Lisa worked full time in Studio Operations, was an Orientation leader, had her own radio show and interned at recording studios such as Rear Window and Q-division. She was very busy but understood the importance of being involved and learning as much as she could. She credits The New England Institute of Art with teaching her about the music industry and the importance of networking. There were many instructors that influenced Lisa along the way including Len Mailloux , Mary Cardaras and Rob Lehmann. "Rob Lehmann was my Academic Advisor and also my friend. He made me believe that good people can finish first." Lisa learned a lot of lessons in college and she urges current The New England Institute of Art students to get involved, to intern and to take a variety of different classes. "Do not give up. Be persistent, confident and hungry. Finally, have fun &and enjoy it while you can!"
Lisa is happy with her position at KSM, Inc.. She has fulfilled her dream of working in the music industry, but she is not done growing. Since her days at The New England Institute of Art, Lisa has always wanted to get into marketing. "My long term goal is to get into international music marketing. My current job has introduced me to so much including the importance of marketing differently based on cultures and locations". But Lisa is in no rush. She knows that she will get there someday. "I am on the road to where I want to be &I am just taking the scenic route."