Have you ever wanted to get out of your tiny, dark, and boring cubicle or out of your grey and uncomfortable desk and into the exciting, keep-you-on-your-toes kind of world like music? If you answered yes to that question, continue reading.
Now if you know anything about the music world, you would know that Warner Bros. Records is one of the largest radio corporations in the U.S. today. They have signed huge artists such as, Prince, Stevie Nicks, Cher, and Jason Derulo. Did I mention some recent up-and-comers like Bebe Rexha, Echosmith, Jake Miller, also Tegan and Sara? Warner Bros. Records falls anything less than short.
With a roster that is very strong and versatile, Warner Bros. needs a staff that also incorporates those characteristics. I had the opportunity to interview Jill Augusto, the Senior Manager of Publicity and Events at Warner Bros. Records.
Although, her job may be fun and exciting at times she says on a scale of 1-10 on intensity she would give it an 8-10, “you need to have a thick skin, be able to adjust quickly to different situations and have an ability to read a room and react quickly.” Being a manager of publicity and events at a major record label sounds anything less than easy.
Now you are probably thinking how does one become a senior manager of publicity and events at such a prestigious record label? Well, it takes a lot of hard work and time. Jill Augusto’s mother suggested that she go to college and major in physical therapy turns out that she was not able to get into that program. She found her interest for radio/music while co-owning a small radio station with a friend at Newbury College.
“I ended up at Newbury College in Brookline for the first 2 years and received my Associates in Mass Communication, and then transferred to Emerson College and received my Bachelors in Audio Radio/Music as a Business and a Minor in Photography.” What a change in choice of majors! She also got her start by interning for WAAF in the productions department, during the day around her classes and also at night. She was able to learn about a particular subject that she was interested in during the day and then put that knowledge to use at night.
Not only was the decision in majors a drastic change, but also the move from Massachusetts to California. When asked how she handled the move she responded, “I took a chance and went to LA...Was offered a job from my old boss after graduation and never looked back. I miss my family for sure - always thought I would have done the NYC move before LA...but I guess that wasn't in my cards.” California is a hub of all things celebrities and their world, it is a perfect place to pursue a career in the radio/music business (much better than Massachusetts for that matter).
First starting at Maverick Records in 2001 in the Marketing Department, the label was owned by Warner Bros. at the time and was later folded in 2006 so Jill Augusto moved labels.
These days her job consists of decorating WB for the holidays, “- that is the fun part of my job! We have a few listening sessions coming up so it needs to look festive. Every day is different - I am in the middle of setting up a Deftones record for a spring release and The Grammy Nominations are next week so there is a lot to do for that as well.” The Grammy nominations? Only the biggest award show celebrating music artists in the world.
Have you ever struggled during your journey? She responded, “All the time - I still do! Depends on the day and the fire I am putting out!” Even senior managers have stressful filled days too, not only us young ones still in high school! Because she rated her job so high on the“toughness” scale, I also was curious as to what drove her to do what she does,“The bands, the music and the people I work with that I call some of the best friends I have ever made.” Taking this wild chance, led Jill Augusto to obtaining a job that she enjoys, being surrounded by some awesome friends (also some celebrities), and staying warm in sunny California!
To end the interview I asked if this job was her dream job or if she saw herself somewhere else in the future. She replied, “One never knows where the path will lead us. I am sure this will not be my last job in the industry - or maybe it will! You have to be able to take it day by day and it changes so fast!”
Just because the music industry is always-changing, Jill Augusto still has the same fondness for the job she first took interest in while in college.
Signing off,
G
