About The Authors

Arthur Mitchell is executive vice-president for business development at Urban Network and its flagship publication, Urban Network. magazine. He is also the founder and chief executive of Music Management Systems, which he formed in May 1999 for the purpose of talent development, promotion, marketing and distribution.

Mr. Mitchell was executive vice-president of HGI Marketing from 1988-1992 where he designed a highly successful national marketing campaign around a series of board games that recieved high-profile sponsorship partners including Burger King, Disney World and Motown Records. He garnered product endorsements that included Colin Powell, Coretta Scott King, Oprah Winfrey and Ed Bradley of 60 Minutes. He founded Deemo Records in 1993 as an independent label, and was named as an authority on sales and marketing in the 2000 edition of Who’s Who.

Harold Whaley has been called a "renaissance man" due to his mastery of so many musical and technical skills. Harold was signed as a vocalist to Deemo/Solar/Hines Records, which was the first home of super producer Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. Harold soon ventured out to the World Wide Web and became involved with MP3.com as it was rising to prominence. He was recognized as “Best Urban Artist of the Year” in 1999 by the San Diego Music Awards and was crowned the “Next Breakaway Artist of the Millienum" by an online vote on BET.COM in June 2000.

Harold has dedicated himself to educating artists around the globe about alternative and unconventional methods of advertising and promotion. In addition to all of his other pursuits, he designs award-winning websites (Soul Train Television, for example) and is program director for Urban Network's two major online radio stations.

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After planting roots in South Florida, Allen Johnston – "The Music Specialist" – created Joey Boy records, Miami’s first Afro/Cuban-owned record label, with sales of over 4 million units. He created the region’s first and largest Black Music Month Festival in conjunction with Dade County Parks & Recreation. In 1994 he created “The Music Specialist” website (www.asha.com) dedicated to entertainment industry education.

Mr. Johnston also developed a course of study called “Edu-tainment, The Business of Music” for OIC Miami. This course of study, funded by the Federal Government, took in at-risk youth, paid them a salary to attend class and taught them the essentials of the entertainment industry. To date this program has the highest graduation rate of black males of any in the region.

As a speaker for the Florida, Georgia and Tennessee Bar Associations’ CLE (Continuing Legal Education) courses, he has written several position papers, and has been published in Nichols Cyclopedia of Legal Forms. Mr. Johnston’s latest book, “Publishing Quick & Easy,” is a mainstay for both new and experienced attorneys.

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David A. Mitchell started his 20-year music industry career during the 1980s as a product manager for the Wherehouse Music chain. He helped make the LaBrea & Rodeo Drive location the premier urban music retail spot on the West Coast. Mr. Mitchell purchased product for the store, coordinated artist appearances and acted as a liaison between the store and the record companies. In 1993, he would segue to Urban Network magazine, where he was promoted to the managing editor position.

In his 12 years with the publication, Mr. Mitchell has managed the day-to-day efforts of the writing, creative and production staff, while personally interviewing some of the most respected professionals in the entertainment business. His journalistic portfolio includes stories on Radio One founder Cathy Hughes, Universal-Motown CEO Sylvia Rhone, The Inc. CEO Irv Gotti, top black sports agent William Strickland, radio personality Doug Banks, Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, Whitney Houston, rapper JaRule and a host of others.

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Erik Jay is a writer, editor, designer and BMI composer/artist. His 25-year background in communications includes two stints as a managing editor for national magazines. From 1991-2001 he was the executive editor and publishing director for a specialty periodical publisher. Now a freelance writer/designer, musician and consultant, his clients include a leading movie studio, a top investment newsletter and a B2B trade publisher.