Dan Clift’s Post

Why do I love the entertainment business? Simple: it’s all about bringing people together in ways that resonate, thrill, and inspire. From creating moments that make people forget the outside world to watching a crowd light up when they see something incredible—there’s nothing quite like it. In entertainment, every show, every event, and every project is a chance to make memories and craft experiences that stick with people long after they leave. What I find most rewarding is the behind-the-scenes process. It’s the late-night brainstorming, the collaboration with talented teams, and the endless drive to make the next event even better than the last. It’s hard work, and there are always challenges, but that’s part of the thrill. Entertainment isn’t just an industry; it’s a passion, a way to connect with others, and a chance to leave a positive mark on the world—one unforgettable experience at a time. Here’s to the next great show, the next big event, and all the magic that comes with it. #EntertainmentIndustry #PassionForEntertainment #CreatingExperiences

entertainment industry is so glamorous

📢 Ears With Eyes Presents: A Mandatory Meeting at The B House Performance Garage/Shack 🚨 Attendance Required 🚨 As part of our continuous efforts to foster cross-functional collaboration and maximize auditory deliverables, we are excited to host a Mandatory Meeting that promises to enhance your experience of synergized sound innovation. 🗓 Date: 10/19/2024 ⏰ Time: 8pm ET 📍 Location: The B House Performance Garage/Shack Beacon, NY Agenda includes: - Leveraging key insights on sound paradigms - Maximizing experiential ROI through immersive performance - Real-time optimization of unconventional auditory KPIs - Strategic alignment on future-focused sonic deliverables This high-priority event is designed to ensure all stakeholders are aligned with core competencies and ready to disrupt the status quo. 🤝 Your engagement is vital to our shared success. Remember: Your presence is not just encouraged, it’s mandatory. #EarsWithEyes #MandatoryMeeting #CorporateAbsurdity #PerformanceArt #SoundDisruption #AuditoryInnovation #KPIsAndSound #UnconventionalArt #ImmersiveExperience #ArtPerformance #BHouseShack #CreativeSynergy #OutsiderArt #BreakingBoundaries #LiveArt #AbsurdistComedy #ArtCommunity

One week we were a global entertainment powerhouse with 40+ shows performing around the world, bringing in $1B+/yr, the next… ZERO! It was 2020 and the business world had just experienced one of the most disruptive events ever. My industry, the live entertainment industry, was decimated almost overnight. It was a 2 year long crisis that, even as a seasoned entertainment executive, opened my eyes to how we deal with any problem, issue, or challenge (especially unexpected ones!). As the President of Touring Shows Division for Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, the pandemic ended up handing me a crisis management masterclass and as a result, I now hold these 3 strong beliefs about leading through crisis: (1) No matter how big or small the issue is, the process of dealing with it is exactly the same. (2) You can be dealing with one problem but at different stages and on different levels at the same time. (3) A crisis never ends! What did the pandemic teach you about leading through crisis in your company?

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 ➜ At the Disney parks, anything a guest sees and anywhere a guest is allowed to go is considered “𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞.” This means there are entire sections that are off-limits and for Cast Members only. These areas are naturally considered “𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞.” Keeping this kind of clear delineation makes for a more efficient workflow and sets clear expectations/boundaries ➜ The same should apply with your VO business. Don’t let your personal life bleed into your sessions or marketing strategies (ex. social media). 𝑅𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟, 𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒, 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑠. Additionally, they also talk to *other* clients, game devs, agencies, etc. ➜ so what you say and how you act can have a much larger impact than you realize. Keep things professional, focus on the work, and have a blast being silly. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 "𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞" 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫?

Reposting to reach #utah Marketing leaders. If you don’t want Disney tix but do want to want to reduce your CAC, DM me for an intro.

A section cut from the Netflix career info page: We model ourselves on being a professional sports team, not a family. A family is about unconditional love. A dream team is about pushing yourself to be the best possible teammate, caring intensely about your team, and knowing that you may not be on the team forever. Dream teams are about performance, not seniority or tenure. It is up to the manager to ensure that every player is amazing at their position, plays effectively with others and is given new opportunities to develop. That’s how we keep winning the championship (entertaining the world). Interesting take on things. Read the full script here: https://lnkd.in/e2shW89Q

I used to be the middleman. Running events at MTV, I was stuck between the venue and the clients, hustling for a margin but never really in control. I realized something: → middlemen don’t get the big wins. That’s when I decided to take a big risk. I quit my role at MTV, and I went all in—we bought our own rooftop venue. The cost was MASSIVE. We even put our homes on the line. But here’s what I got in return: → Control over our events, margins, and future. → Bigger profits without paying rent to someone else. → Direct client relationships that transformed our business. Middlemen play it safe. Owners take risks. The shift from “middleman” to “owner” made all the difference. Growth truly begins when you take full ownership of the outcome.

Great post! Really what one needs to grow is taking ownership. In reality, being an entrepreneur also made me realize that growing the middleman business means restraint of growth and lesser controls of one's own enterprise. Taking risks and investing on what really matters, one has got control over his destiny to seize all the fruits thereof. This also brings with it that an owner is a different mindset and a different set of skills from that of a middleman. It requires more responsibility and hard decisions, but the payoff is huge. Thanks for sharing your experience and insights!

Not everyone may understand the responsibilities that come with being an Operations Director at a theater. From booking events to coordinating with the team, handling preproduction, managing volunteers, to overseeing marketing and all aspects of event execution, the role is multifaceted and demanding. One key aspect that often goes unnoticed is the ultimate goal: to ensure profitability. The pressure of making a profit can be overwhelming at times, with the weight of success or failure resting on my shoulders. It's a job that requires resilience and a unique mindset to navigate the highs and lows that come with it. While it's incredibly fulfilling to see a show run smoothly, the flip side can be disheartening when costs aren't covered. The inner battle is real, but the passion for this role is what drives me every day. It takes a special kind of determination to face challenges head-on and emerge stronger each time. The theater industry is demanding, yet immensely rewarding. The ability to persevere through the ups and downs is what sets us apart. Here's to embracing the challenges, finding success in the midst of chaos, and thriving in a role that fuels our passion. #TheaterLife #EventManagement #PassionDriven