Mitra Mehvar: Digital Marketing at Manifest GRP
Introduce yourself to us! What do you do in the industry? Where are you from?
Hello! I’m Mitra and I’m from the great state of Texas. I do digital marketing at Manifest GRP and freelance for a few other bands. I get to work with all my favorite bands like Dance Gavin Dance, Thrice, and The Used and I LOVE IT.
How did you get your start in the industry, and how long have you been in the industry?
I guess I can say I’ve “officially” be in the industry for about 6 years. I started out doing internships at record labels and management companies and my first real person job was at Bandsintown doing artist relations. Through that job, I made a ton of connections which helped me get to where I am today and I also learned that digital marketing was something I was interested in pursuing.
When did you know being in the business is what you wanted to do? Was there a specific moment where you were like “oh god, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life”?
Honestly, I can’t say there was ever a specific moment but I really can’t think of there ever being a time where I DIDN’T want to work in music. Music has always been the most important thing in my life and I refused to believe I’d end up doing something that didn’t involve music in some way. I was the biggest band nerd (I played clarinet) and originally my plan was to pursue a career in music performance but deep down I always knew all I really wanted was to somehow work with my favorite bands. I just didn’t know it was something I could actually try to do until I went to college and realized the music school also offered a music business program, so I quickly switched my major to that.
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
I get up, check what emails have come through overnight, and then I check my Trello board to see what things I need to get done for the day (seriously, I would NOT be able to survive this job without Trello). Then the rest of the day is pretty much lots of posting on socials and responding to emails. A lot of things come in last minute in this job, which really drives me crazy because I like to plan ahead as much as possible, so I have to make sure I’m always available in case something does come up.
What is the best part of your job? Why?
I get to work with my favorite bands! I still have a moment almost everyday where I’m like “wait, what? This is my JOB?” I always said I want to work with my favorite bands but I didn’t think I’d literally work with my favorite band ever. I love that I get to be a part of the connection between bands and their fans, and me being a fan of these bands too makes that connection even more special to me.
Is there anything you struggled with (or even still do struggle with) being in the industry?
I would say the biggest thing I struggle with is imposter syndrome. I have moments sometimes where I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing and don’t belong here. Even right now answering these questions, I’m like “why did I get picked for this? I’m not that important!” Another thing I struggle with that’s kind of similar to that is sometimes I feel like I didn’t work hard enough to get here and it’s not fair that I already got my dream job only a few years into working in the music industry. I have to remind myself that I DID work really hard to get here and I DO deserve it.
Is there someone who you consider as your mentor in the industry?
I don’t really have a specific person who has been a mentor to me, but every person I’ve worked with has inspired me in some way and helped me get to where I am today.
What advice do you have for women who want to get their start in the music industry?
If you want something, go for it! Do anything you can do to make it happen. It’s not going to happen if you don’t try. And don’t let people get in your head if they’re telling you that what you want isn’t going to happen.
Have you ever been turned down or not taken seriously because you were a female in the industry? What did you do when put into that position?
Fortunately this hasn’t really happened to me, but I do think it’s been a little more difficult for me to make connections because I’m a female.
What are some of your other hobbies? What do you do in your free time (which we know can be very hard to find)?
I’ve recently gotten into concert photography and I’m having so much fun with it. My job takes up most of my time but when I do have free time, I mostly keep to myself and just binge watch something on Netflix and hang out with my cats. I’m a total introvert so I really take advantage of my time alone when I can get it.
Who is your all-time favorite artist?
Thrice
What is something you can't live without?
Music
Tea or Coffee?
Unfortunately, I don’t like either.
First concert you went to?
NSYNC when I was 6. I will love them forever.
What’s something that you always have on you?
A water bottle. I drink a lot of water.
Who is your dream artist or band to tour/work with?
Beyonce. I can’t even imagine all the cool stuff I’d get to work on if I was a part of her team. She always seems to be a step ahead of the game AND she works really freaking hard so I admire that.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Who knows if I’ll still be doing digital marketing since the digital world is constantly changing, but I hope to still be working with the bands I love. That’s what is most important to me.
What do you hope to see done in the industry within the next few years?
More women taking over the industry. I feel like it’s already happening, but I can’t wait to see where we are a few years from now.
What are you most proud of?
I’m really proud that I ended up exactly where I dreamed of being. I really wanted something, I worked hard for it, and I got it. I had a lot of people telling me I wasn’t going to get here or thought my dreams were crazy, but I made it happen.
Lastly, what saying do you live by?
Work hard.
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