By Oluwadamilola Akinduro

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A United State of America based Nigerian Music Promoter, Anthony Olaoye has described the nation’s entertainment industry as not only flourishing, but growing with talented artistes that can compete favourably with their counterparts across the globe.

This is just as he added that promoters must be positive, friendly and polite to every single potential customer to arrive at a robust and mutual agreement.

“Music promoters are the driving force behind successful concerts, album releases, and artistes’ publicity”, he stated.

He spoke in an interview with Weekend Extravaganza from his base in the US.

Olaoye who expressed satisfaction over the conduct of Nigerian artistes scattered in the US, noted that they are portraying the nation in a very positive light.

He however said entertainment business booms more in the US during the summer times when people troop out to have fun than winter periods, but lamented, that Africans do not like to pay for the gate fees, but rather, they love to spend or spray the musicians on stage.

On what it entails to sponsor artistes abroad, the Ayede-Ekiti state born Chief Executive Officer of Olantech Global Promotions, explained, that such musician, especially those coming to the US, must strictly abide by the rules and regulations dished out to them by the promoter.

“Besides this, the Artistes must have paperwork especially newspapers/ magazines where some some of their stories must have been published and other documents.

“Artistes can not sign a contract or enter into an agreement with two promoters same year, saying if such happens, If any Artistes does that it will affect such artiste negatively.

Speaking on how he maintains relationships with media outlets to ensure maximum exposure for artistes, he responded, that “understanding each outlet’s audience is crucial, and that acknowledging their support goes a long way in maintaining these relationships.

“A simple thank you note or social media shout-out shows appreciation and fosters goodwill”, he noted.

“Promoters also build relationships with artistes through various ways which included; by attending promotion trainings, attending different festivals/funfairs, by connecting to online arts forums and communities among others, adding that knowledge of media production and communications play major roles in standing him out in the entertainment business.

On his sojourn in the industry, he disclosed that he’s been building his career since his primary school days in Nigeria, saying commitment and dedication have been his driving force, adding that his role models are those that started before him, while he remains role model to those that joined the industry after him as well as the unborn.