Eurovision 2016
Eurovision 2016 has been my biggest touring opportunity as I attended five different European countries from the start of the year through to May. My main goal was to finesse my university training in media production and promotion while challenging myself to take on a more on-camera role through presenting.
My first event of the year was attending the Maltese national final in Valletta. Even though it was one of the smaller press events from the confirmed countries it provided essential insight to event management and cost efficiency. It also provided a great opportunity to network with established press members, songwriters and broadcaster delegates.
Next stop was London for the British national final; "Eurovision: You Decide". I attended the venue for my first broadcast show - which gave some useful insight to the production capabilities required to host a live, televised music contest. The show was also my first real test on-camera as the above photo showcases.
In co-operation with ESCDaily, I decided to self-produce and co-host a web-series talk show called "Europe Calling". Through the first season's six episodes in-depth discussion on the contest's current events would be provided alongside Allie Lindo and light-hearted, lip-sync performances by Betty Beyond.
During the writing stage of the talk show, I attended Dansk Melodi Grand Prix in Horsens, Denmark where I got my first taste of a big budget production for a Eurovision national final for which the Scandinavians seem to be providing as of late. Through my promotion work, I was able to strengthen my ability to independently present and interview artists on-camera for ESCDaily and later on Europe Calling.
After all national finals had concluded, next up was the official promo concerts and my return to Amsterdam for the eighth annual 'Eurovision in Concert'.
During the weekend, I quickly adapted to taking content for both the website and talk show. After interviewing numerous of the year's artists and attending the official promo event, I gained all the intel I required for how to prepare an artist for press and what to expect during the tours.
My final event before arriving to the host city for the official show was London once again, however this time for the 9th annual London Eurovision Party at Café de Paris at Coventry Square. Event ran exceptionally and fully prepared me for heading to Sweden for my return to the host city since 2014.
For the following two weeks, I was in Stockholm for the promo events and broadcast shows. The full experience provided final wisdom to budget and time management.
During the live shows, I provided my first experience of local radio and podcast commentary in relation to the contest's progress through U105 and ESCInsight respectively.
Overall, through this experience I was able to re-acquaint myself with old associates and establish new ones from fellow press editors to industry professionals within the event. After much planning through the Summer, I decided to take advice given to me and to start my own management & promotion agency to aid upcoming artists and songwriters in gaining entry into the contest and therefore enhanced European promotion.
Completed on 14 May 2016.