HELLO.
I'M HANNAH
Project + Community Manager
survived the bible belt
reads banned books
lives, loves, & creates in knoxville, tn
What I Do
After my hire into the music business straight out of college, I've cultivated my passion for all aspects of communication, branding, narrative identity, design, and business organization by way of managing internationally renowned musicians, marketing five of North America's top music festivals, and managing a pool of marketing creatives. With my marketing work on both sides of the coin with artists and promoters, I know the right questions to ask -- and how to get the work done.
I specialize in artist relations and management, community building, and creative content management. I've been a featured panelist at Pollstar, FestForward, and Knoxville's American Marketing Association Conference, was a finalist for the 2017 Young Professionals of Knoxville Outstanding Young Professional Impact Award, and have even been cited in an undergraduate honors thesis.
Experience
Here's a little bit of what I've done.
This Is Meru Manager/Partner:
January 2017-present
"Classical and rock and dance and hip hop and ambient talk to each other furiously, often all at once." (Paste Magazine)
Joining the team at This Is Meru, I work as the project manager for Son Lux's self-created label, overseeing forthcoming releases from the band plus assisting with marketing and management. I also assist in the management of the band and manage its individual members (Ryan Lott, Rafiq Bhatia, and Ian Chang) along with managing artists Emily Wells and Hanna Benn.
The Hive Community Manager:
January 2017-May 2019
"A small organic community" (Inside of Knoxville)
I work with The Hive (and its owner Rebecca Ridner) as the community manager, joining the all-female ranks to plan community events and assist with branding and marketing work.
Forecastle Festival Communications:
2013-2016
"One of the best festivals not just in the South but in the country" - Southern Living Magazine
AC Entertainment became involved with Louisville's Forecastle Festival in 2012, and I came on as the communications coordinator in 2013. I handle all fan digital touchpoints. This work includes:
- Social media and website management, social image and copy creation, development of engaging cross-platform promotional campaigns with artists, email marketing management (view the latest template design I created using the branding elements here), app management, and design support.
- Additional role fulfillment came to include hand-selection, management, and organization of festival house photographer teams, with work featured in Rolling Stone, Stereogum, Consequence of Sound, and more; publicity assistance and press archiving; patron survey creation and analysis; analytics tracking; and oversight of marketing intern program.
- View a case study of my 2015-2016 social strategy and successes here.
Big Ears Festival Communications:
2013-2016
"One of the most quietly earth-shattering, subtly luminous festivals the world over" - Oxford American
Big Ears Festival began in 2009 as the brainchild of AC Entertainment founder Ashley Capps. After the festival's hiatus, I worked to reintroduce the brand to the public beginning in 2013. Like Forecastle, this work includes:
- Social media and website management, social image and copy creation, development of engaging cross-platform promotional campaigns with artists, email marketing management (view the latest template design I created using the branding elements here), app management, and design support.
- Additional role fulfillment came to include hand-selection, management, and organization of festival house photographer teams, with work featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, and more; publicity assistance and press archiving; patron survey creation and analysis; analytics tracking; and oversight of marketing intern program.
- View a case study of my 2015-2016's social strategy and successes here.
WayHome Festival Communications:
2015
"It wasn't 'Bonnaroo of the North' or a second shot on The Farm - it was a new experience that no one will ever regret or forget." - BLARE Magazine
AC Entertainment partnered with Canadian promoter Republic Live in early 2015 to launch the all-new WayHome Music & Arts Festival. After some difficulties getting the social media pages up to par, I was brought on in May 2015 to oversee the social strategy through the end of September. This work included:
- Social media management, social image and copy creation, development of engaging cross-platform promotional campaigns with artists, email marketing management, and design support.
- Management and organization of festival house photographer teams.
Mountain Oasis Festival Communications:
2013-2014
"Glorious weirdness" - NPR
Mountain Oasis was introduced in fall 2013 as a multimedia rock, EDM, and experimental festival in the foothills of Asheville, NC. For my role with this festival, I handled the social media and website management, image and copy creation, development of engaging cross-platform promotional campaigns with artists, email marketing management, app management, and design support.
Note: the only iteration of this festival was in 2013.
AC Entertainment Communications:
2013-2016
Overseeing the "big picture" representation of AC Entertainment and its ventures.
Along with the various festival properties, I also oversee AC Entertainment's brand properties that showcase all of our festivals and the 1,000+ shows we produce every year. This work includes:
- Social media and website management, image and copy creation, development of engaging cross-platform promotional campaigns with artists, email marketing management, and design.
The Mill & Mine Introduction Social Strategy:
2016
Spreading the word about Knoxville's new music hall.
On the heels of its introduction in Big Ears 2016, I was tasked in April with launching the brand-new social properties for AC Entertainment's latest venture, The Mill & Mine. Together with the venue marketing manager, I created and implemented a "golden ticket" contest to convert people to fans and followers. In the first 2 days, the contest increased Facebook likes by 167.29%, Twitter followers by 171.43%, and Instagram followers by 460.58%. View a case study of the introduction social strategy and successes here.
AC Entertainment Artist Management:
2012-2013
My first love.
I began my work in the music industry in June 2012 a whole three weeks out of college. After several rounds of interviews with the AC Entertainment president, vice presidents, and support staff, a position on the team was created just for me thanks to my varied skills and experience. I jumped headfirst into my work in the artist management division, which included:- Social media and website management, image and copy creation, development of engaging cross-platform promotional campaigns, email marketing management, and design for Abigail Washburn and Trixie Whitley.
- Designed Trixie Whitley’s NoiseTrade-released EP. Assisted in the oversight of Whitley’s self-released debut album, from the studio to the digital and physical stores.
- Created and distributed the everyday itinerary for artist teams while on tour, as well as booked flights, secured hotel and car rentals, and coordinated miscellaneous venue details.
Design
Here are a few examples of my work.
Software & Skills
Event Planning: Event Management and Production, Talent Scouting, Vendor Coordination, Community Liaising, Client Relations, Venue and Travel Coordination, Brand Strategy Alignment
Communication: Excellent Written and Verbal Communication Skills, MLA Formatting, Customer Service, Press Releases, Local and Regional Community Building, Public Speaking, Team Leadership and Delegation
Social, Email & Web: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Tumblr, Pinterest, Spotify, Hootsuite, TweetDeck, MailChimp, SurveyMonkey, Bitly, Soundcloud, CMS, Copywriting
Design: Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, Layout Design, Squarespace, Typography, Experience with DSLR Cameras
Project/Office Management: Google Drive, Microsoft Office, Dropbox, Flickr, Google and Apple Calendars, Asana, Slack
Testimonials
Still not sure? Here's what others have to say.
"I had the pleasure of working with Hannah at AC Entertainment when I was the head of the artist management department. I was deeply impressed by her intelligence, her initiative, and the wide range of skills she brought to the table. From web and graphic design skills to marketing savvy and strategic planning, she was absolutely invaluable to me and the artists we represented. Plus, she was a joy to be around and brought so much life and laughter to our part of the company."
Carissa Stolting, Founder and Artist Manager, Left Bank Artists
“Working with Hannah on our social media strategy was not only a pleasure, but was a journey along a creative and insightful path drawing from her many seasoned years in the industry. Her dynamic approach and strategical planning helped engage our audience and grow our followings by telling stories and sharing content that was relatable, quirky and relevant. Hannah's long-standing relationships in the music space and intimate knowledge of the live music world allowed us to leverage artist engagement through our social channels and truly connect with our audience.”
Laura Kennedy, Former Vice President of Public Relations and Marketing, Republic Live
“I coordinate marketing efforts for artists diverse in both size and genre. Over the years, I've found it quite refreshing to work with Hannah because she gives the same amount of detail-oriented attention and thought to each artist whether it's a festival headliner like Wilco, the indie-pop Lucius or the one man folk-show of Sam Amidon. Her communication skills are as top notch as her personality and she goes out of her way to bring ideas and support to the table (even in the middle of planning a wedding!).”
Crystal Meyers, Artist Manager, Wilco
“Hannah is the perfect combo of a coworker. She is knowledgeable and excellent at what she does— she knows how communicate important information to fans in effective, fun and creative ways. She is also a joy to work with— organized, fun, solution-oriented, and a team player.”
Brandy Blaylock, Co-Founder, Grey Street Events
“Working on-site with Hannah at several festivals, I’ve seen firsthand her ability to keep a cool head and a positive and professional attitude in stressful situations. Hannah’s passion for her career is apparent in her dedication to producing some of the best marketing content in the music industry. Her eye for composition and design has enabled her to assemble top-tier creative teams and to curate fresh and engaging stories for social media and marketing platforms.”
Kara Smarsh, Kara Smarsh Photography
Education
Carson-Newman University: Jefferson City, TN • 2008-2012
Summa Cum Laude Graduate
Double Major: Bachelor of Arts in Art with an Emphasis in Graphic Design and in English with an Emphasis in Literature
Academic Focus:
- 2D design, layout, typography, copywriting, and client management (Graphic Design)
- Literary criticism, major authors of American and British literature, history of the English language (Literature)
Leadership & Activities:
- CN Outstanding Graduate in Art and English Departments (awarded to one graduate per department as decided by faculty)
- Senior art show in Omega Gallery, 2012
- President of EPC (Campus Entertainment Board), 2011-2012 (elected position)
- 2-week intensive study program in South Africa, 2011
- Mortar Board VP, 2011-2012
- Alpha Chi Honors Society Member, 2010-2012
- Head of Concerts of EPC, 2010-2011 (elected position)
- Featured work in Ampersand, student literary journal, 2010 and 2011
- Honors Program member, 2008-2012
Kentucky Institute for International Studies: Florence, Italy • Summer 2010
History of Michelangelo and Drawing II
(study abroad program)
Additional Hobbies and Interests
AIR Serenbe National Advisory Council member (January 2020-present), All Souls Knoxville board member (January 2017-December 2020), Friends of Literacy board member (May 2016-present), music and music writing, non-fiction literature, documentaries, art and art history, barre, politics, travel, cooking, Stiegl-Radler
Get In Touch
Let's work together and make something great.
hannahbhouser@
gmail.com 865-640-6392
Natasha Kingsley © 2016