Features
Q’s With A Pollstar Live Panelist: iHeartMedia’s Alissa Pollack To Be Interviewed By Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx
– Alissa Pollack
“The Rainmakers: The Next 30 Years” feature intimate, candid Q&A with visionary executives that could have a profound impact on the live entertainment industry in the next decade.
Pollack oversees Mediabase’s Domestic and International music ventures as well as those for Rate the Music, BuzzAngle Music and M-Score and works closely with iHeartMedia’s National Programming Platforms team to create national research strategies and to discover and develop new artists early in their career. Her team spearheads artist relations for Premiere Networks’ more than 5,000 affiliates, the iHeartRadio Digital and Podcast teams and internationally through iHeartRadio’s broadcast partnerships.
Pollack also serves on the Board of MusiCares, Musicians on Call and the Executive Board of the Music and Entertainment Committee for City of Hope. She created and chairs the Taste of Hope, which has become one of the best attended music industry events and to date has raised over $6 million for City of Hope.
This year’s annual Pollstar Live! conference will once again bring together promoters, producers, agents, managers, entrepreneurs, venue operators and musicians for keynotes, networking opportunities and a wide range of panels – representing the world’s largest gathering of live music industry professionals.
The first day of the Feb. 11-13 event at The Beverly Hilton is dedicated to Production Live! with programming led by production legend Jake Berry. The conference concludes with the 30th annual Pollstar Awards, hosted by comedian Bert Kreischer.
The four-part Rainmaker Q&A Sessions will also offer wisdom from Ticketmaster’s Justin Burleigh, Endeavor’s Bozoma Saint John and Artist Growth’s Matt Urmy.
Ahead of the conference Pollstar caught up with Pollack to ask her a few questions.
Pollstar: What are most looking forward to about your panel?
Alissa Pollack: I am excited to sit down for a one-on-one conversation with a member of the world’s most notorious rock band, the iconic Nikki Sixx from Mötley Crüe and Sixx A.M. No one knows better about reinvention, forward thinking and the ever-changing landscape of entertainment.
– Nikki Sixx
– Nikki Sixx
What aspect are you most looking forward to at this year’s Pollstar Live! Conference and why?
Alissa Pollack: I have attended Pollstar Live! for years now and I was honored when I was asked to speak, but I cannot wait for the Dave Grohl and Michael Rapino conversation. I also want to hear more about the needs from the promoter and touring side and how we can best partner with them and them with us.
What are some of your biggest recent accomplishments?
I am so proud of the custom branded entertainment and music strategy division my team and I have built together. Utilizing our incredibly rich pool of music insights we have been able to create some amazing brand-artist partnerships across multiple platforms. These campaigns range from multi-city tours and exclusive events to branded audio and video content to custom playlists and podcasts. Through those opportunities, we have been able to provide real wins for both the advertisers and artists that we work with.
Some of my favorite campaigns include: When Fire Strikes, Jack Fire fights back! iHeartMedia teamed up with Jack Daniels to do a 13-city tour benefitting America’s Firefighters and their communities. iHeartRadio First Look, Powered by M&M’s delivered great behind-the-scenes access to fans of their favorite artist. Plus, the launch of the Hilton and American Express co-branded credit card event. Press, card holders and contest winners were treated to interactive experiences and performances by Charlie Puth and The Chainsmokers in a hotel ballroom. The Pepsi Sound Drop not only demonstrates one of the best use cases of data to identify the best emerging talent but it also offers those artists a powerful launch pad and massive exposure.
In addition, I love working with our programming team to identify the biggest new songs and stars early. Radio remains the single biggest platform for music discovery and there is no more rewarding feeling than being part of launching a new artist’s career or exposing the new music of some of the most iconic artists in the industry.
What was the live show or shows that most changed your life?
There are two shows that have been most impactful in my life. The first would be Jingle Ball, which launched during my internship at Z100 and I have attended every year since. The second is the iHeartRadio Music Festival. I was fortunate to be a part of the team that launched it and it still amazes me to see the iconic event it has evolved into.