The Record Online
Fall 2001
My Communication Internship
 I
always get a bit of a giggle when people refer to me as a professional
publicist. To me, I’m still the same old person that I was
a year ago when I was a student at Greenville College. The only
difference is that I live in Nashville, Tennessee and work for Essential
Records instead of going to classes every day and trying to avoid
getting hit in the head with the frisbee from the never ending game
of Ultimate on Scott Field. It always struck me as strange that
the world viewed us differently once we were out of college. We
were looked upon as “professionals” who knew what we were
doing and we could jump into whatever profession we chose on a whim
four years prior. I look back on my time at Greenville College as
an incredible time of growth and challenge, but more importantly
as a time of developing lifelong friendships and experiences that
will last me a lifetime. Greenville not only prepared me for my
career, but also instilled in me that serving God and others is
the foundation upon which we all need to build.
Like I said before, I have been blessed with the opportunity to
work for Essential Records after I graduated from Greenville College.
Essential Records has eight artists on its roster, including Jars
of Clay, Third Day, Caedmon’s Call, FFH, True Vibe, Bebo Norman,
Andrew Peterson and V*Enna. The roster also includes the special
project City On A Hill. My official title is publicity manager,
which can be described as being the bridge that links the media
and our artists together. I write press releases, biographies and
publicity plans. I make up our artist’s press kits, pitch story
ideas to publications, coordinate interviews, and manage a veritable
quandary of other responsibilities that are too numerous to mention.
I’m the only in-house publicist, so I have a full plate!
It has been an honor to work with our artists and the staff at Essential
Records. Many people ask me how I was able to get a job with Essential
right out of college. The answer stems directly from my internship.
In the summer of 1999, I moved down to Nashville for two months
to work as an intern for Pamela Muse of Muse and Associates. Pamela
is one of the most respected publicists and managers in Christian
music and it was an honor and quite an experience to work for her.
Before I even stepped foot into her office, I prayed that my experience
would be fruitful and that I would do my job to the best of my ability.
I worked my tail off and made myself available for anything that
she might have me do. I asked a lot of questions and wanted to prove
to Pamela that I was completely capable of doing anything that she
needed. I stayed in touch with her after I left and she contacted
me whenever she saw a job opening. It was through her that I was
notified of the position at Essential Records. I interviewed with
Essential a week after I finished my interterm class in January
of 2000, and amazingly enough they hired me the following week.
I have to be honest and say that this past year has not been easy.
I have made many mistakes and have had to learn A LOT in a short
amount of time. I have been “baptized by fire,” as some
may say, in the world of publicity. But I really wouldn’t have
had it any other way. In the same breath, I can safely say that
Greenville College enabled me to be very well prepared for my job.
I am so thankful that Professor Veronica Ross was hard on me, demanding
nothing less than perfection. I’m thankful for Professor Warren
Pettit’s counsel, wise words and direction into the world of
music business. I’m thankful for Coach Bob Johnson teaching
me how to fence, enabling me to beat my boss (who also fences) in
a bout! I’m thankful for all the professors at Greenville College,
for their incredible guidance and for selflessly giving of themselves
and of their knowledge to students like me. I thank each and every
one of you from the bottom of my heart.
When I look back at this amazing year that has been both a dream
come true and a whirlwind of craziness, I know without a doubt that
this is where God wants me right now and I’m so thankful for
His goodness. It has been so cool to go back to Greenville College
and speak for classes or talk to students and give advice to those
who want to work in the music industry. That is an awesome thing
and I cherish it! I want to be able to give back to all those who
have given so generously to me and to be a guide and a friend to
anyone who wishes to serve God with the gifts and abilities that
have been bestowed upon them. I am a firm believer in serving others
and I want to serve anyone that needs advice, direction, the name
of a good restaurant in Nashville…anything. I am here for you!
For God knows the plans that he has for you…be open to His
still small voice and direction in your life. He will guide you
down his path if you are willing to trust Him! God bless you all!
Editors note: Jennifer Hansen
recently joined the marketting staff at Sparrow Records in Brentwood,
TN. She will continue her publicity work with an atrists roster
that includes Steven Curtis Chapman, Avalon, Carmen, Michelle Tumes
and Nichole Nordeman.
Last updated: November
1, 2001
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