Interview with John Boulos

I interviewed John Boulos, who works in promotion and marketing for Atlantic Records. He has been working in the music industry for about 30 years. Within that time, he has worked at 10 different companies.

He indicated that the illegal downloading of free music has changed the music industry. The music industry, in turn, must adapt a new business model to solve this problem. He used the analogy of the situation concerning bottled water nearly a decade ago. People have tap water for free. However, companies that sell bottled water convinced people the buy their product even though that have tap water for no expense. Likewise, the music industry must convince people to buy CD's that artists produce.

In the music industry, Mr. Boulos said that there are many key skills useful in his job. Social skills are the most important. One must have good listening skills and always have a strategy. Before entering this industry, a college student should be passionate about working and want to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He should take the opportunity to learn from others and be able to apply general principles that coordinate with the job.

He explained how small companies are struggling to survive now that the music industry has been forced to change. Small, innovative companies that have yet to be created could have a large effect in the future of the music industry. The company that finds a way to sell music in this digital generation will have the most success.