Goldengate Talent Agency Gains More Time to Invest in Relationships
It's About Building Relationships
After 15 years of working as a talent agent and entering into the pandemic shutdowns, Jason Kupperman ("Kup") realized that it was time to go out on his own to write his own story. And why not? Artists needed support more than ever, and Kup was uniquely capable of building a business dedicated to artists.
Goldengate Talent Agency was thus born in 2020, focusing solely on artists and their best interests.
It's not a surprising approach, coming from a man driven by his lifelong passion for music and an industry based on relationships. What is surprising is Kup isn't concerned with actively building an extensive roster. He's more interested in investing in and focusing on each artist he represents, allowing them to play on their own terms and providing a vision for their career. To him and his artists, relationships are everything-these deep connections are precisely why Kup has found success in a relatively short time.
Getting In on the Ground Floor
While embarking on a new business venture in the live music industry during the pandemic may have seemed counterintuitive, it presented a unique opportunity to put his money where his mouth was. Artists were struggling, and Kup found ways to support them mentally, emotionally and professionally.
He also took the downtime to build a business infrastructure that would be ready when live music reemerged. In his previous agency stints, the Prism database of promoters and venues was a mainstay. So when he heard Prism was expanding to the agency side with the future goal of having agencies and promoters be able to communicate within Prism, he was all in.
"I like being involved in things from the ground up," says Kup. "I saw Prism's vision and strongly felt it was a space in need. To be a part of that was exciting, especially when touring wasn't yet in full effect. Yes, there was similar software out there, but most of it did things that didn't benefit agents. Prism was building software that precisely fits agents' needs, and they encouraged and valued my feedback. We were in constant communication, and even now, I provide my input on what the software could do even better. If there's an issue while I'm working in Prism, I can click a help button from my portal, and within minutes, I'm talking with them.
"Prism is more than a piece of software; there are dedicated people behind it, and that's what any agent wants to be involved with as a partner. If changes need to be made, it doesn't take a ton of time or cost. I feel like my voice has been heard. The Prism responsiveness has been extraordinary, and because of it, their software is continually evolving to meet the real needs of agencies, not just what they think agencies would want."
A Critical Agency Tool
As Goldengate's go-to system of record, Prism offers a consolidated view of the business. Kup tracks his bands and all of the information around them, including serving as his contact database. Most importantly, it's where he tracks the money and contracts. It's easy to see if a deposit or signed contract is overdue, taking Kup just seconds to check it and get things on track.
"I've used other programs, and hands down, this is the easiest and most flexible to use. I'd go so far as to say it is one of the top pieces of software available to the agency world," says Kup. "Like other agents, I have to juggle so many things, and to have such a crucial piece like making sure bands are paid without wasting a ton of my time is a game-changer."
Kup compares Prism to a successful backend system, saying, "Band managers can go in at any time to check whatever information they need without having to call me. They use the information in Prism for logistics, planning, budgeting and whatever else they want."
Goldengate leverages Prism more than a database; they use it to issue contracts to venues and promoters. Most everything they need is in one system now, instead of being scattered in multiple systems. With agents in sync with promoters, workflows are more efficient. For Kup, that efficiency translates into more time available to spend nurturing relationships with his artists.
Doing What's Best for the Agency So Agencies Can Do What's Best for their Bands
Kup isn't the only beneficiary of Prism software. Prism has become the software of choice for agencies, promoters and venues because of how Prism listens to what they need and builds functionality around their desired workflows. For instance, users wanted a single place to track offers and contracts, so Prism launched a new "Deal Tracker" tab so users have the detailed and high-level status of every deal at their fingertips. It saves Kup and other users precious time, speeds up booking shows and ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
"My business isn't a volume business; it's a quality-of-artist model," says Kup. "If my booking software were taking more of my time, I wouldn't have the opportunity to strategize for my roster, which is my priority. I am crucial to their success, and I take that responsibility very seriously. If they aren't successful on the road, that impacts their families."
As far as having options with how he could manage his artists, Kup says the decision to stick with Prism is clear: Prism allows him to take care of his artists and values relationships as much as he does.
"I would be really nervous about changing software at this point," he continues. "It's like having an iPhone and switching to a flip phone. Once you get a feel for Prism, you can't imagine returning to the way you used to do things. Prism is only getting better and more user-friendly, and my relationship with Prism is like the ones I have with my artists. We are on the same page, and I know Prism's mission is to help me succeed."
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