Welcome to the latest edition of Six Questions With..., a regular short and sharp interview with a live music figure. Email jhanley@nbmedia.com if you would like to take part or recommend someone for inclusion.
This week's Q&A is with Brett Taylor, CEO of media platform Ibiza Live TV, which presents video and music content from the White Isle.
What was your first job in music?
One of my very first roles was over 20 years ago designing individual event artworks for various events ranging from dance music through to live events and also for local venues
How long have you been in your current role?
I became part of Ibiza Live TV a couple of years ago heading up the content development role which then led to business development. Recently I became a partner CEO for the company as it has grown into what is now known as the VERA Live Group, which encompasses all our networks in addition to other technology projects we are working on. Our platform has grown from being a small local start-up to what will soon be reaching multiple territories.
What is your favourite thing about working in the live music industry?
I love music through and through, so meeting some great artists, musicians and DJs is always a highlight. I am focused on business development, personal development and happiness and so working in an area I love luckily does provide me with that. Plus I would have to say that having a base in Ibiza in the sun is the icing on the cake!
What is the one thing you would like to change about the business?
I would like to see more respect between people generally both inside and outside the business. Appreciation in all areas of teamwork so that everyone reaps the rewards thus driving the business forward to success. This is something which we are implementing within our team environment so that no one person is greater than the group. Respect works on many levels but starts from the ground up, it can influence a person’s well being, their performance and therefore their involvement within the business they are in. Respect works also from the top down –a CEO or manager has to respect the people that are helping to build their business, event or platform. Our aim also is that the values developed within our team permeate through to our clients and the work we do with them.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Every moment is a highlight in one way or another. Getting to this point where we are at now has been non stop hard work - long hours, sacrificing some elements of our lives to make what we do happen and building a business which will reach across the globe. I always stop and take stock of where I am , what we have done and the diverse range of skills we have accrued over time.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Some of my favourite festivals from back in the day were the likes of the very first Creamfields and Homelands. More recently Connect Festival by the guys at Timewarp and Awakenings, plus I love popping into the nights on the island of which there have been many that were epic - like Resistance, Eric Prydz, The Prodigy and Faithless to name but a few.
