Come with me as I explore my personal online brand and presence for my Portfolio 1 class at Full Sail University. 12-10-23

1. PERSONAL BRAND EXPLORATION
AJ Barbin
Project & Portfolio I: Week 1
November 27th, 2023

2. I was born into a
fi
nancially struggling family,
and when my parents separated, I faced
various hardships that forced me to mature
early. Through these challenges, I gained a
strong sense of self and a clear vision for my
future. My core values center around building
meaningful connections and providing comfort
to others. My primary objectives include
achieving
fi
nancial stability and securing a
reliable job in A&R to continue my personal and
professional growth.
IDENTITY
Picture of You
Goes Here

3. PROFESSION
Potential Job Titles:
• Sound Engineering Technician
• Talent Director
• Agent and Business Manager of
Artists, Performers, and Athletes
BRAND ARCHETYPE - My brand
archetype is all about providing comfort and familiarity to
people, while prioritizing community and building
meaningful relationships. According to kayeputman.com,
the Girl/Guy Next Door types are seen as an "everyman,
realist, and a friend". I completely agree with these
descriptors, as being friendly and approachable is
something that comes naturally to me.
A&R (Artist and repertoire) in the music industry
Picture Relevant
to Your Industry
Goes Here

4. Hiring Managers at music businesses
TARGET AUDIENCE
Nicole Starke
Outreach Plan:
• Prior to reaching out to Nicole I will research her journey
with the company and gain as much information about
her as I can so I present myself as well prepared.
• The
fi
rst time I contact her will be via email because it’s
accessible to the public and allows her to respond when
she has the time.
• If I don’t here back from her within three weeks, then I will
call and leave a voicemail for her explaining the contents
of the email and ask if she’s interested in a conversation.
Human Resources Coordinator at
TouchTunes
Outreach Plan:
• Prior to reaching out to Daniel I will research his journey
with the company and gain as much information about
him as I can to present myself as well prepared.
• The
fi
rst time I contact him will be via LinkedIn because
an email was not provided.
• If I don’t here back from him with three weeks, I will then
email or call Hume and try to get through to him that way.
PROFILE
PICTURE
Daniel Scalone
Director, People & Operations at
Hume
Adam Schulz
Outreach Plan:
• Similar to my preparation for Nicole, and Daniel, I will research
Adam’s path and Atlantic records so I present myself as
prepared.
• The
fi
rst time I contact him will be via email because it’s
accessible to the public and it allows him to respond when he has
the time.
• If I don’t here back from him within three weeks, then I will call
and leave a voicemail for him explaining the contents of the email
and ask if he’s interested in a conversation.
PROFILE
PICTURE
Vice President A&R Research
at Atlantic Records

5. GOALS
Short Term: (Immediately After Graduation, 2025)
• Present myself as a professional online
‣ I will clean out my social media pro
fi
les and
remove any content that doesn’t align with how I
want to be perceived. Additionally, I will update my
LinkedIn pro
fi
le to prepare for applying to jobs.
Mid Term: (2030)
• Secure a job that aligns with my degree.
‣ By 2030 I will have established myself in a
position related to music business to gain
experience and excess knowledge about the
industry. Additionally, I will connect with 300
people on LinkedIn.
Long Term: (2048)
• Secure and establish myself in an A&R position at a
record label.
‣ By 2048 I will have my dream job of working in
A&R at a top tier record label. I will have
discovered and signed at least one superstar with
critical and commercial success.

6. SKILLS ANALYSIS
HARD
Notable Skills & Current Pro
fi
ciencies:
Notable Skills REQUIRED in TRADE & Current Pro
fi
ciencies:
Working Pro
fi
ciency in Excel
SOFT
Novice / Adept / Expert
Project Management Novice / Adept / Expert
Adaptability Novice / Adept / Expert
Problem Solving Novice / Adept / Expert
Set up Royalty accounts
SOFT
HARD
Novice / Adept / Expert
Pro
fi
ciency in artist relation software Novice / Adept / Expert
Communication Novice / Adept / Expert
Detail Oriented Novice / Adept / Expert

7. I help others stay motivated by fostering a
positive attitude, and work environment.
PROMISE

8. CREDENTIALS
Work Experience:
• Lead Groomer at PetSmart - Gained
leadership experience and strong people
skills
• Filing Coordinator at Law of
fi
ce - Gained
experience in paperwork and handling
important documents
Education:
• Pet stylist academy, PetSmart
• Music Business, B.S., Full Sail University (2025)
Awards:
• Outstanding Brigader from The Brigade (youth
leadership training organization) - Provided me
with the knowledge and lessons needed in order to
be a pro
fi
cient leader.

9. COMPETITION
Brian (Kent) Blanford
Industry Experience:
• Music Business Student
Education:
• Music Business student at Full Sail
Leadership Experience:
• Managed a Carpet and Tile cleaning service,
Skills and Pro
fi
ciencies:
• Team Leadership - 2 endorsements
• Business Development- 2 endorsements
• Communication - 2 endorsements
Alfred (AJ) Barbin
Overall Online Presence:
• Brian seems to have an incredible online presence.
With 51 connections, his LinkedIn pro
fi
le is extremely
well versed and provides reasoning on why he is a
strong contender in this competitive space. All
pictures are customized and professional, he explains
his goals and aspirations and what he’s willing to do to
achieve said goals.
• Grade: Superior, 90 out of 100
HEADSHOT HEADSHOT
Industry Experience:
• Music Business student
Education:
• Music Business student at Full Sail
Leadership Experience:
• Lead Groomer at PetSmart
Skills and Pro
fi
ciencies:
• Excel- 1 endorsement
• Problem Solving - 2 endorsements
• Customer Service - 2 endorsements
Overall Online Presence:
• Compared to Brian’s, my online presence is very poor.
With only 1 connection and an outdated LinkedIn
pro
fi
le people aren’t able to get to know me and my
professional journey. My pro
fi
le pictures are not
professional and are old. I don’t have much
information listed except some minor skills and my
education.
• Grade: poor, 15 out of 100

10. COMPETITION
Allie Miller
Noteworthy Experience:
• Scheduling & Enrollment Manager at Elevate Rock
School
• Head Voice Teacher at Elevate Rock School
Alfred (AJ) Barbin
HEADSHOT
Industry Experience:
• A&R Intern at In Flight Music Group
Education:
• Bachelors of Music from Campbell University
• Masters of Music from Boston Conservatory at
Berklee
Skills and Pro
fi
ciencies:
• Scouting - 1 endorsement
• Google Docs - 2 endorsements
• A&R Administration - 1 endorsement
Overall Online Presence:
• Allie's online presence is exceptionally pro
fi
cient. With a
robust network of 174 connections and a collection of
professional pro
fi
le photos, she presents herself as an
experienced professional ready to contribute effectively. Her
pro
fi
le showcases a comprehensive list of 48 skills, providing
prospective employers with clear evidence of her extensive
experience and pro
fi
ciency in speci
fi
c areas that may be
crucial for the roles they seek.
Industry Experience:
• Music Business student
Education:
• Music Business student at Full Sail
Leadership Experience:
• Lead Groomer at PetSmart
Skills and Pro
fi
ciencies:
• Excel- 1 endorsement
• Problem Solving - 2 endorsements
• Customer Service - 2 endorsements
Overall Online Presence:
• Compared to Allie’s, my online presence is very poor.
With only 1 connection and an outdated LinkedIn
pro
fi
le people aren’t able to get to know me and my
professional journey. My pro
fi
le pictures are not
professional and are old. I don’t have listed except
some minor skills and my education.
• Grade: poor, 15 out of 100

11. BRAND POSITION
For Hiring Managers at music businesses who
need a reliable, hardworking employee, I provide
positive energy and dedication behind
everything I do because I deeply care about the
work I put out in addition to my reputation
“THE NICE GUY”

12. NETWORKING &
MARKETING
Industry Events & Organizations
• First Friday Open House & Jam Session
‣ First Friday Every month | studio #305 in the Flat Iron
Arts Building, Chicago IL
• Music Biz 2024 Powered by Music Business Association
‣ May 13-16, 2024 | Nashville TN
• American Musicological Society Annual Conference
‣ November 6-9, 2025 | Minneapolis, MN
Digital Marketing
• Primary Content: I will persist in sharing content in the
digital realm that is not only clean and informative but also
directly tied to my ongoing professional development.
• Primary Tools: My primary emphasis will be on LinkedIn,
recognized as the optimal platform for nurturing
connections within the industry. Simultaneously, I'll actively
showcase my progress and development on platforms like
Instagram to broaden my online presence.
• Website: To elevate my online brand awareness, I am
committed to consistently refreshing it with the latest skills
and experiences.
Picture of You
Goes Here

13. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Mentor
• I will establish a meaningful relationship with someone
who is well versed in my local music scene, and who is
knowledgable about the industry. Their day-to-day
lifestyle should be someone who is either in the studio,
of
fi
ce, or out trying to discover new talent.
Formal Education
• Graduate from FullSail University with my Bachelor’s
degree in Music Business in October, 2025
Technical Skills
• Learn how royalties work - Internship, Spring of 2024
• Familiarize myself in artist relations software -
Internship, Spring of 2024
• Solidify my skills in project management software -
Trello, Jan. 2024
Soft Skills
• Grow networking abilities - Music Biz, May 2024
• Solidify my Orginazatiional skills - Jan. 2024
• Enhance my critical thinking skills - Internship, Spring
of 2024

14. Alfred (AJ) Barbin
You know those employee’s that say they’ll do good work but then fail to
produce it? Well, what I do is identify with the work I’m doing, and I care
about it. In fact, every client I’ve worked with has told me how much they
appreciate what I do and they can tell I actually care about them.
“
Picture of You
Goes Here

15. REFERENCES
13-1011.00 - agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes.
O*NET OnLine. (n.d.-a). https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/
13-1011.00
27-2012.04 - talent directors. O*NET OnLine. (n.d.-b). https://www.onetonline.org/
link/summary/27-2012.04
27-4014.00 - sound engineering technicians. O*NET OnLine. (n.d.-c). https://
www.onetonline.org/link/summary/27-4014.00
Allie Miller A&R Intern (n.d.) Home [LinkedIn] Retrieved November 26, 2023 from,
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allie-miller-4444521aa/
Brian Blanford - music business student - full sail university - linkedin. (n.d.). https://
www.linkedin.com/in/briankentblanford
Coleman, K. (2022, October 20). How to create a winning personal brand. Ramsey
Solutions. https://www.ramseysolutions.com/business/what-is-a-personal-brand
Girl/guy next door brand archetype: Psychology brand strategy. Kaye Putnam |
Psychology Driven Brand Strategist. (2023, May 23). https://
www.kayeputnam.com/brand-archetype-everyman/
Industry events site links. MusicalAmerica. (n.d.). https://www.musicalamerica.com/
mpages/?pagename=pa-events-confs
Job search - sony music. Sony Music Entertainment. (2019, November 11). https://
www.sonymusic.com/job-search/
Major Contacts. (2019, December 10). A&R and talent scout contacts. Major Contacts.
https://majorcontacts.com/arcontacts-demo/
Music biz 2024: JW Marriott Nashville. Music Business Association. (2023, November
8). https://musicbiz.org/events/music-biz-annual-conference/
Ufer, T. (2023, June 26). Careers in music business with an M.B.A. MTSU Online
M.B.A. https://mba.mtsu.edu/articles/careers-in-music-business/
We are Hume. we are hume. (n.d.). https://www.wearehume.com/