We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aaron Jordan Liebowitz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aaron below.
Aaron, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
The best investment anyone working in the creative industries can make is establishing and developing relationships. Now, not every person you meet you’re going to hit it off with, and that’s okay. Being able to go into spaces and learn how to feel comfortable while getting to know a wide range of people from all areas of the industry is vital in helping determine who will be the best match to help you strive for and achieve success. Some of my most important connections have been made by just saying yes to a networking event, a drink with a friend to meet someone also working in the industry, or a random email or message to someone I thought would be a great mind to learn from. In terms of realising this is an industry built on relationships, one of the most important relationships anyone can have is that of a mentor. The people who mentor me both as a booking agent and film producer came through simply saying yes in moments which might have been daunting or filled with uncertainty. On the music side of my life, this came through a conversation with my aunt, who runs Marian Liebowitz Artist Management. At the time, I was unsure what exactly my role in the music industry could be, how connected I truly was to it and what outcomes I desired from it. Yet, I decided to throw myself into the inner works of a talent agency and began to understand my appreciation and love for the industry through it. The same happened on multiple occasions in my time producing film; once you meet and develop relationships people just want to bring you onto projects and help you develop into your best self.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Currently, I work as a Booking Agent holding the position of Assistant Booking Agent/Media & Operations Manager at Marian Liebowitz Artist Management (MLAM). My purpose at MLAM is ensuring our curated roster of artists tour across the globe, while also continuing to work to bolster our commitment to musical outreach, especially to the Latine community. At MLAM our mission is to connect performers, venues & resources to create magical experiences for community enrichment, including an array of educational activities that support the concert experience. As an agent that represents a wide array of ensembles in the classical, jazz, pop, folk, and world music genres, I have found my role as one that works with the people who represent the music to uplift them and ensure their work is shared with as many people as possible. While working for MLAM, I also work as a filmmaker, independently producing, directing and casting films in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Currently, I serve as the lead producer for the Film Production Initiative at Viola Media, along with working on the marketing strategy team of Mes Films en Couleur. Through these positions and other projects I am focused on ensuring films are able to go from script to screen in a manageable manner which focuses on the power of narrative storytelling and the impact it can make. I have spent the past few years working as a festival strategist as well, with specific focus on how we can utilise the message of the film to further its impact; connecting with NGOs and other organisations which further the distribution of the film in a meaningful way. Outside of the Media and Entertainment Industry, I also work as a Policy Advisor for Islip Forward, which is dedicated to empowering the residents of Islip, New York through civic engagement, advocacy, and keeping residents informed; and other political organisations on the local level.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect by far is when I get to witness audience reaction to the musicians I represent or the films I help bring to life. Visually and emotionally understanding the wide variety of reactions to the art I help uplift pushes me to continue to create more and work with artists I represent on a deeper level. Knowing more fully who we do this all for and why people come out to see what I help bring to a community is vital not only in understanding what the world needs from art but also why I care about what I do. I would highly recommend that anyone working in the creative industries focus more on really watching people’s reactions to their work. This can help give us all a more enriched sense of purpose and connect with people in a more powerful way.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Well, I happened to spend time in University studying Classics, and I have to say although those writings, ideals, and themes might be centuries old, I truly believe they have helped me develop the style of entrepreneurial thinking I have, and ethic I bring to everything I work on. Specifically studying and decoding the Ancient Greek novels, which is a genre of prose narrative fiction writing that emerged during Roman rule in the early first century CE, has been truly insightful in my philosophy of how to properly tell a story. Chariton’s Chaereas and Callirhoe which has a special place in my heart and Xenophon of Ephesus’ gorgeous Ephesian Tale have been writings I keep close to me both personally and publicly. There is simply something about them that cannot and have not been replicated since, and with that view of them, I keep going back and with each point of engagement find something else which allows me to more purposefully work in the creative sphere.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronjordanliebowitz/#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaronjordanliebowitz
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronjliebowitz/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13707579/
