Industry Profile: Tasea Margeolas
By Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
Tasea Margeolas is the CEO of booking agency Multi Entertainment in Atlanta, specializing in hip hop and R&B. Tasea first ventured into the entertainment industry by way of street promotions for club Paradox in Atlanta in 1998. After meeting Thomas Knox of 2hyped Entertainment, she began organizing parties for the Atlanta Braves during the 1999 World Series.
Her success with the Braves did not go unnoticed and ASCAP senior executive Ian Burke asked her to set up their upcoming Awards After Party in Atlanta at the Paradox. Her career took off from there.
While still organizing parties for the Braves, the Atlanta Falcons and other organizations, Tasea formed a partnership with Kyle Norman of Jagged Edge and started Multi Entertainment, a full service promotional company. She then started promoting post-concert parties in Atlanta for artists like Cee-Lo, Jadakiss, 112, Jagged Edge, Carl Thomas, Nas, and Usher.
As business picked up, promoters in other cites started calling, and Tasea started setting up after-parties for artists when they were scheduled for concerts in different markets throughout the United States. Tasea soon started fielding overseas calls and was asked by Da Vibe Entertainment to book Tupac Skakur's group, the Outlawz, for a three-week, 15-date tour of Germany in 2001. Tasea not only set up the Tribute to 2Pac tour but also became its tour manager. During this three-week tour, "I learned much more about the booking business and was getting a real feel for the booking aspect of the industry," she says. "I found my niche."
Having developed strong relationships in the industry, she decided to take business to the next level. In 1999 Multi Entertainment evolved into a full scale booking agency and began booking Fat Joe; Trick Daddy; LL Cool J (Miami Arena), Big Boi of Outkast (Citrus Bowl in Orlando), Lil Wayne, Chingy, Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, Young Buck, Lil Scrappy and Trillville (Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh), and many others such as: 112, Ceelo, and 50 Cent.
The company is in the process of expanding the scope of operations by venturing into sports marketing, artist/product endorsements and motion picture.
What artists have you placed with product endorsements
Flavor Flav and Crobar watch company for a new ring watch called "mini bling."
Do you miss being out on the road?
It was interesting, and it's nice to see new places, but it's something I never really cared to do. I have a daughter and a newborn son and that's not an option for me at the moment.
First concert attended
The 1990 rock festival in Athens, Greece. It was a three-day sold out event and featured Boy George, Depeche Mode, The Cure and about 15 other bands. I was young, but it was packed and I enjoyed that.
First concert worked
2000-2001, Tupac Shakur's Remembrance tour with the Outlawz in Germany. Venues ranged from 2,000-6,000 capacities. The tour lasted three weeks and was the first I booked. Their tour manager was unable to go overseas at the time so I acted as the tour manager. I learned a lot on that run about the aspects of booking and what artists needed. That's what got me motivated to start the booking agency.
What have you learned about what artists need?
You have to have everything well thought out and have precise timing when it comes to picking an artist up at the airport so they are not standing around getting swarmed by fans. Having accessible ground transportation while in a city and making sure hotels rooms are ready for check in -- pretty much having overall control of the situation to make the artist feel comfortable while traveling from city to city.
What have you learned about booking?
There are several aspects of the booking industry besides securing talent, and to be successful you must establish working relationships with artist management and keep contact with promoters. Another key to success is to have a business plan that allows your business to operate at its greatest capacity.
First industry job
In Atlanta doing club promotions at Club Envy, Club Paradox and Club Kream. I also did events for the Atlanta Braves, ASCAP and a few celebrities like Jagged Edge, 112, and Carl Thomas. I did after parties for the Braves during the World Series when it was in Atlanta, Ga. in 1999. I did birthday parties for members of Jagged Edge and 112 in Atlanta. Klye of Jagged Edge's birthday at Club Envy in Atlanta, and in attendance I had Petey Pablo, Jazze Phae, Pimpen Ken, Jim Crow, and Philly's Most Wanted.
Career disappointment
I had a multi-million dollar tour set up with Prince and his attorney, and at the last moment the promoters decided to pull out after I spent two months setting it up. That happens sometimes; I learned to stop getting my hopes up until the money came in.
Greatest challenge
Keeping my office organized and keeping my contacts update.
Best business decision
To stop the promotions and artist management and focus on the booking agency.
Best advice you received
Focus on one aspect of the industry. At one time I found myself promoting, managing artists and trying to do booking. I wasn't able to give 100o any of the three.
Best advice to offer
When you're successful, people try to sell you their dream. Don't get sidetracked on someone else's dream, stay focused on what you're trying to do.
Most memorable industry experience
The night I promoted the Usher after-party for his "8701"tour in Atlanta at The Duplex in 2001. Chili, Ti, Nas, and Jermaine Dupri, among many others, were there. The venue was packed with a line outside. I knew then that I had a successful event.
Favorite team/athlete
I love to watch basketball games so the Miami Heat; I'm a Shaq fan. My favorite athlete is Lebron James. He lives up to the hype they put out on him but remains humble.
Favorite restaurants
Houstons in Wnter Park, Fla., Murphy's in Atlanta for breakfast. I'm Greek, so Kyma in Atlanta for the best Greek food.
Favorite hotels
Delano hotel in Miami; and Marriott Ledra in Athens, Greece.
What friends would be surprised to learn about you
My friends know everything about me.
Office paraphernalia
My new Gateway convertible, desktop PC's, printer, file cabinets , pens, blackberry, etc.
If I wasn't doing this, I would be...
doing something in the field of fitness.
Industry mentors
Greg Browning, road manager for 112, taught me so much about what the artist needs while on the road; Sheila Jenkins, president of Nabfemme.
Tasea can be reached at: (678) 480-0372; e-mail: multient@aol.com