UMG Nashville

Sales Analyst Intern

My position with Universal Music Group in Nashville was foundational for my knowledge of the intricate relationships that facilitate growth within the music industry. Given my combination of experience in both the implementation of data analytics and the elements of the recording industry, I was an ideal fit to tackle the wide-range of projects that were to strengthen and develop upon my previous knowledge.

As a part of the Sales team at UMG, I worked with an intimate team that thrived on trust and accountability. Over the first two weeks I became proficient with all of the research analytics tools at my disposal including Nielsen Media Connect, SoundScan, and BuzzAngle. Using these resources, I compiled all relevant streaming and sales data for each of the new singles and albums reaching the Billboard charts. These reports tested and expanded upon my knowledge of Excel, consistently dealing with workbooks that included an extensive amount of relational sheets.

By the third week, I was entrusted with the responsibility of researching and assembling essential reports and compiling them to create the sales packet which is routinely referred to and utilized by all departments to gauge the success of the label's current projects. After executing and distributing the packet to over eighty employees, I would be leaned on not only to manage the packet moving forward, but also to construct original reports that broadened and enhanced the intelligence we provided to the rest of the label. 

Though much of my time at the label was spent engaged with analytics, I was able to immerse myself in the multifaceted business through participation in both internal and external meetings. Each week I would sit in on calls with representatives from physical and digital clients including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and even Live Nation. In these sessions I gained first-hand insight into how these label-retailer agreements are structured, negotiated, and implemented within the music industry. I became familiar with each of the other areas in the label through informative meetings with the department leaders, as well as collaboration between units. As someone who was involved with much of the sales output, employees from the promotions, marketing, and finance teams would often reach out to me for assistance on specific projects, allowing me to attain a firm grasp of their activities and functions within the label. Responsible for composing certification requests for eligible records, I also corresponded regularly with employees from the LA office and representatives from the RIAA. Frequent exposure and participation in these relationship-driven deals fostered my awareness and understanding of the personal interactions that exemplify the corporate music world, one of the most crucial skills to possess in order to successfully navigate the landscape of the industry.

The direction that I wish to take my career was cemented over the course of my internship at Universal Music Group. Not only was my experience rich and filled with stimulating projects that required me to approach issues unconventionally, but I also thrived in the situations I was placed into. My heart lies in music, and the ability to combine my passion for the art with my passion for business intelligence and analytics was a privilege that will allow me to swiftly transition into my career.