Iman Barnes is exploring their personal brand and career path in the music industry. They have over 20 years of experience in music production, leadership roles at tech companies, and a passion for promoting underrepresented talent. Their goals are to land an entry-level marketing role, work their way up to an executive position, and eventually own their own business focused on hip-hop and culture.

1. PERSONAL BRAND EXPLORATION
Iman Barnes
Project & Portfolio I: Week 1
September 5, 2021

2. Hi, my name is Iman Barnes. I was born in the '80s
and raised by Hip-Hop since the '90s. I've been
writing, recording, and producing music since I
was 12 and landed my first industry job at 16. I'm
also a nerd and have held leadership positions
with Apple, Microsoft, and AT&T. Now 40; I'm
exploring my purpose and using my experiences to
help others achieve unimaginable goals. I'm
passionate about becoming a music industry
professional and staying true to providing
opportunities to great talent no matter "what"
they are.
IDENTITY

3. PROFESSION
Potential Job Titles:
•Marketing Manager
•Campaign Manager
•Marketing and Promotions
Manager
My creativity allows me to realize
a vision and bring it to life. I dream
big, and like a magician, I make
ideas come true. Being a friendly,
authentic person allows me to
collaborate with other talents to
get projects done.
Promotion, and Marketing Hiring Managers
Music Business

4. Advertising and Promotions Hiring Managers
TARGET AUDIENCE
Erin Styles
Outreach Plan:
• I will study her career, education, and skills to
build a conversation about things we have in
common.
• I'll initially approach her through LinkedIn, and I'll
also connect on Instagram; she seems pretty
active there. I've already followed her on socials
and will take any opportunity to communicate
with her. I'm looking to start reaching out within
the next week with likes and repost.
Head of Advertising Business
Communications & PR at Spotify
Matt Plotnik
Outreach Plan:
• Research his career background. We have
both worked for Sony and Apple; that's a
possible conversation starter.
• On his LinkedIn highlights, he o
ff
ers methods of
reaching out to him for mentoring.
Global Head of Marketing, Apple
Music, Apple Podcasts, & Shazam
at Apple
Timothy Hinshaw
Outreach Plan:
• RESEARCH who he knows, who we have in
common, and what exactly he does.
• He’s very active on social media and in and
around ATL. Covid makes it harder to network, but
the internet makes it easy…er.
• I’m actively following him and trying to engage in
conversation with him based on his posts.
Head of Hip-Hop & R&B at
Amazon Music

5. GOALS
Short Term.(2023)
• Audit and continuously grow my Linkedin and Social media
network with a professional industry base at 20% by
12/31/2021.
• Follow my goal guide gaining certi
fi
cates and achievements
toward my desired industry profession outside of school.
• Land an entry-level/management position in an industry-
leading company.
Mid Term: (2028)
• To reach an executive level in a corporate environment or
equivalent accomplishment within my own company.
• I will constantly educate and network increasing growth on
social and professional platforms by at least 20-30% annually.
• I will make my name and services synonymous throughout
the industry with creative, innovative, and inclusive
contributions to hip-hop and its culture.
Long Term: (2033)
• Semi-retire from corporate industry role to fully own and
operate my industry-related business.
• Con
fi
dent industry reputation, industry connections, and
resources.

6. SKILLS ANALYSIS
Notable Skills & Current Proficiencies:
Notable Skills REQUIRED in MARKETING & Current Proficiencies:
Microsoft O
ffi
ce Suite
SOFT
HARD
Novice / Adept / Expert
Public Speaking Novice / Adept / Expert
Leadership Novice / Adept / Expert
Adaptability Novice / Adept / Expert
Social Media
SOFT
HARD
Novice / Adept / Expert
Digital Marketing Novice / Adept / Expert
Integrity Novice / Adept / Expert
Creativity Novice / Adept / Expert

7. PROMISE
•I help brands emotionally connect and thrive using
innovative marketing approaches to cater to,
capture, and monetize these niche markets.
•

8. CREDENTIALS
Work Experience:
• Learning & Development Trainer-
Microsoft
• Creative Lead Trainer- Apple
• Equipment Manager Sony Music Studios
• Marketing Intern - WEA
Education:
• Music Business., Five Towns College 1998
•Music Business, B.S., Full Sail University 2023
Leadership Roles:
• Lead TrainerMicrosoft Specialty Store /
Windows 10/ Surface launch.
• NSO Lead Trainer- Microsoft
• CEO/Co-Founder of multi-media brand
and recording studio owner.

9. COMPETITION
Malcom Holman
Noteworthy Experience:
• Music Instructor
HEADSHOT
Industry Experience:
• Music Instructor
Education:
• Full Sail University-Game Design, Music Business
• Berklee College of Music- Bass Guitar
Skills and Proficiencies:
• Microsoft O
ffi
ce- 1
• Administration-1
• Program Management-1
• Public Speaking-1
Overall Online Presence:
• Mr. Holman's LinkedIn page has 500+ connections
with a customized banner, professional headshot,
and a customized URL. I would've liked to see more
about the tasks of his current role; that detail
would've helped. He has no published articles just
yet, and he's semi-active on Instagram. I give him
an poor score of 50 out of 100.
Iman Barnes
Industry Experience:
• L & D Manager- Microsoft
• Equipment Manager Sony Music
• Marketing Intern - WEA
Education:
• Music Business., Five Towns College 1998
• Music Business, B.S., Full Sail University 2023
Leadership Experience:
• Lead TrainerMicrosoft Specialty Store / Windows 10/
Surface launch.
• NSO Lead Trainer- Microsoft
• CEO/Co-Founder of multi-media brand and recording
studio owner.
Skills and Proficiencies:
• Leadership- 8
• Customer Service-7
• Team Leadership-7
Overall Online Presence:
• Page has 280+ connections, no customized banner,
a semi-professional headshot, and a customized
URL. The page has content on what I've done, not
where I'm going. I have no published articles just
yet; I'm very active on social media. I give myself an
average score of 70 out of 100.

10. COMPETITION
BRANDON HOLMAN
Industry Experience:
• Associate Director Of Marketing
TicTok
• Digital Marketing Manager
• Social Strategist
• Strategic Marketing Coordinator
Education:
• Loyola Marymount University
Leadership Experience:
• Professional Member of The Recording Academy
• Young Ambassadors Board Member-MusiCares
Foundation
Skills and Proficiencies:
• Social Media Marketing - 28
• Social Media - 27
• Digital Marketing- 17
Overall Online Presence:
• Mr. Holman’s LinkedIn page has 500+ connections
with a customized banner, professional headshot,
and a customized URL. I would've liked to see
more about the tasks of his current role; that detail
would've helped. He has no published articles just
yet, and he's semi-active on Instagram. I give him
an excellent score of 95 out of 100.
Iman Barnes
Industry Experience:
• L & D Manager- Microsoft
• Equipment Manager Sony Music
• Marketing Intern - WEA
Education:
• Music Business., Five Towns College 1998
• Music Business, B.S., Full Sail University 2023
Leadership Experience:
• Lead TrainerMicrosoft Specialty Store / Windows
10/ Surface launch.
• NSO Lead Trainer- Microsoft
• CEO/Co-Founder of multi-media brand and
recording studio owner.
Skills and Proficiencies:
• Leadership- 8
• Customer Service-7
• Team Leadership-7
• Training-4
Overall Online Presence:
• Page has 280+ connections, no customized banner,
a semi-professional headshot, and a customized
URL. The page has content on what I've done, not
where I'm going. I have no published articles just
yet; I'm very active on social media. I give myself an
average score of 70 out of 100.

11. BRAND POSITION
For music industry professionals who want to
connect emotionally to a more diverse audience, I
advocate, provide resources, and share real-life
experience to set a specific industry standard around
representation from the eyes of the underrepresented
artist because who better to tell MY story than me?
“UNDERREPRESENTED”

12. NETWORKING & MARKETING
Industry Events & Organizations
• A3C Festival & Conference
‣ 10.22-24.21 | Atlanta, GA
• ComplexCon
‣ 11.6.7.21 | Long Beach, CA
• NABFEME National Association of Black Female Executives in
Music & Entertainment,
• 10.2021 | Atlanta, GA
Digital Marketing
• Primary Content: I’ll create informative and entertaining material
around my music industry journey: fun stories and long-lasting
lessons, sort of like a published journal.
• Primary Tools: I’d like to publish monthly via Instagram, Facebook,
Twitch, Youtube, my site, and an audio podcast. I can use the
same video for all platforms and separate audio for a podcast.
• Website: My professional website will be used to validate the skills
and experiences I share in my brand's content; professionally. The
site will allow hiring managers, artists, prospective clients, and
other potential opportunities to become more familiar with me.

13. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Mentor
• I'm seeking a mentor around my age with a wide
range of expertise in di
ff
erent industry roles—someone
who's sat at many seats at the table. Preferably
someone who's is or has been an artist and has a
particular Hip-Hop culture about them. 9/22/21
Formal Education
• Music Business, B.S., Full Sail University 2023
Technical Skills
• Excel 2016 Essential Training.-Linkedin Learning,
• 12. 21
• Learning Adobe Creative Cloud, Linkedin Learning,
• 1.22
• AWS software - Linkedin Learning, 2.2022
• Project Management Foundations, Linkedin
Learning 3/22
Soft Skills
• Persuasion Linkedin Learning, 9.21
• Leading Without Formal Authority, Linkedin Learning
10.21
• Collaboration, Linkedin Learning 11.21

14. IMAN BARNES
You know how Hip-Hop lacks representation
from women and the LGBTQ+ community? Well, what I
do is discover, develop, and promote that underrepresented talent.
I've dedicated the last 28 years to my artistry and the advancement of others.
Over the previous two years alone, I've successfully assisted over 16 artists
and businesses with strategies to achieve brand partnerships and other
opportunities in the US and UK.
“

15. REFERENCES
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www.linkedin.com/in/holmanbrandon/
Erin Styles [Linkdin page] (09/2021) https://
www.linkedin.com/in/erinstyles/
Freedman, M. (2021a, April 8). Guide to Marketing
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fi
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Keough, K. (2020, February 21). Brand Positioning
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merlinone.com/brand-positioning-statements-with-6-
examples/
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traditional media. Di
ff
erence Between.
Malcom Holman [Linkdin page] (09/202) https://
www.linkedin.com/in/malcom-j-holman/
Matt Plotnik [Linkdin page] (09/2021) https://
www.linkedin.com/in/mattplotnik/
NABFEME. (n.d.). NABFEME - Home. Https://
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September 5, 2021, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/
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Senior Insights Program Manager at LinkedIn. (2019,
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Timothy Hinshaw [Linkdin page] (09/2021) https://
www.linkedin.com/in/timothypaulhinshaw/