Entertainment Matters

Notes – on being motivated inspired by Matt Roberts Matt Roberts made the observation that one of the hardest things performers deal with is maintaining motivation. In this episode, I explore the idea that motivation might not be something we simply wait for. Perhaps it's something we can learn to connect with deliberately. Sign up to the Entertainment Matters Cue Sheet and stay up to date with ne...

With Matt Roberts This week I’m joined by Matt Roberts, Director and Head Agent at Roberts & Day Management. We talk about Matt’s journey into agenting and the origins of Roberts & Day, growing up around music in Leeds and training in Blackpool, the realities of agency work, and some of the opportunities and challenges facing performers today. Conversation sequence Introducing Matt Origins...

Notes – on making and keeping promises inspired by Janine Coombes This episode is inspired by my conversation with Janine Coombes. We explore Janine's idea of Promise, Package and Price alongside Seth Godin's observation that a brand is the promises you make and keep. From McDonald's and farmers market burger stalls to websites, posters, social media and show promotion, we look at how promises are...

This week I’m joined by Janine Coombes, a marketing consultant and mentor who helps coaches and consultants think more clearly about their offers, positioning and pricing. We talk about what an ‘offer’ actually is, Janine’s Promise, Package and Price framework, common mistakes in offer creation, and some of the myths that continue to shape how people think about marketing and selling. We also put...

Notes - on value and worth inspired by Charles Umney In this Notes episode, I explore a distinction that emerged while thinking about my conversation with Charles Umney's work on the politics of value. Phrases like "charge what you're worth" and "know your worth" are often useful and encouraging. But they can sometimes blur together two different ideas: your worth as a person, and the commercial v...

This week I’m joined by Charles Umney, Professor of International Work and Employment at the University of Leeds. We talk about AI and creative work, Charlie’s idea of the politics of value, and why the real question may not be whether AI replaces musicians, but how it reshapes the conditions under which creative work is valued, paid for and understood. We also explore platforms and algorithms, wo...

Entertainment Matters Notes – on being organised inspired by Claire Owen-Jones In this notes episode, John Blackburn reflects on a moment from his conversation with Claire Owen-Jones, where she offers a simple definition of what being organised might actually look like. Rather than treating organisation as a personality type or moral judgement, John explores the idea that being organised may be le...

This week I’m joined by Claire Owen-Jones, an accountant who works with freelancers in the creative industries. We talk about Making Tax Digital, getting organised, and why your relationship with your accountant might matter more than you think. Along the way we discuss: Making Tax Digital and what is actually changing. Why HMRC wants people doing more regular bookkeeping. The benefits of streamli...

In this Notes episode, John reflects on compliments, and why people in live entertainment often struggle to receive them. Part of that seems to come from how seriously people take their craft, and how much of their attention is placed on technical detail. That can lead to quietly judging whether a compliment is “correct” before accepting it. What gets lost in that process is what the compliment is...

Notes inspired by Jillian George Lewis In this Notes episode, John reflects on something Jillian said early in their interview: “I just got a sense for what the right show in the right venue means.” He looks at what that “sense” might actually be. The idea isn’t mystical. It’s repeated exposure, noticing what happens, and adjusting. There’s a tension in that process: ignore feedback and your insti...

With Jillian George Lewis “I had to go and meet Channing.” In this episode, John Blackburn chats with Jillian George-Lewis, Director of Creative Programming at the Hippodrome Casino in London where she played a central role in reshaping its theatre offer and bringing Magic Mike Live to London. Jillian is also an in demand performer working across cabaret, hosting, and live events. Amongst other in...

Notes inspired by Luke Wade In this Notes episode, John reflects on three things Luke said that apply well beyond video production. Beginning with Luke's reference to leaving no stone unturned and exploring different ways of making an idea like that fit you, then moving to talking about the importance of a clear core concept for shows and projects. John then wraps up by talking through and riffing...

With Luke Wade "... if we were just in theatre, we'd be rich and all of our problems would be solved..." In this episode, John Blackburn chats with Luke Wade – founder of LiveWorks, creating video, branding and visual assets for live entertainment producers and promoters who want to raise the standard of how their shows look - on stage and online. Luke talks about some of the important aspects of...

Notes inspired by Jayne Curry In this Notes episode, John Blackburn reflects on a moment from his conversation with Jayne Curry, where she says, “50% of what you do on a cruise ship happens off stage.” John explores what it means to see the real conditions that create success in an environment, rather than simply following the handed-down version of the job description. Using Jayne’s example of vi...

With Jayne Curry "50% of what you do on a cruise ship happens off stage..." In this episode, John Blackburn chats with Jayne Curry – Head of Talent Development for Don Casino in the US, co-owner of Black Box Booking in South Florida, and a professional guest entertainer with 23 years at sea. Jayne talks candidly about feedback, brand positioning, and the difference between the job description and...

Notes inspired by Jess Chambers In this Notes episode, John reflects on three ideas from his interview with Jess Chambers: picturing one real audience member instead of a crowd, treating marketing as something that happens in stages, and remembering the power of a single encouraging sentence. If you would like to hear when new Entertainment Matters episodes are released, please sign up to the Ente...

With Jess Chambers “You can't go straight in and say, BUY MY TICKET!” In this episode John Blackburn chats with Jess Chambers, founder of Tootsuite Marketing and self-described event strategy sidekick, about how events actually sell tickets — and why most people start far too late. We talk about lead time and why “marketing” isn’t one thing. Jess separates the slow, human bit (teasing, warming peo...

In this "Notes" episode inspired by his interview with Ali James, John Blackburn explores the concept of 'Yes And' as a value or way of thinking, emphasizing the importance of exploring ideas before evaluating them. He discusses the difference between 'Yes And' and 'Yes But' and how to start applying this to your own work. If you would like to hear when new Entertainment Matters episodes are relea...

With Ali James "How does the small fish get into the boardroom with the shark, as the old metaphor goes..." In this episode, John Blackburn chats to Ali James - improviser, comedian, producer and director from the improv and musical theatre world. Ali is the movement director and a cast member with  Showstopper! The Improvised Musical , co-director of the London 50 Hour Improvathon and the Southen...