Kristen Shank: A Musical Introduction to a Marketing Career

by Ela Schwartz

Undergraduate students are just starting out in terms of their careers, but Kristen Shank, a junior pursuing a B.S. in Marketing, is well on her way to reaching the gold at the end of the rainbow.

The Lone Bellow may not yet be a household name, but Kristen is already well aware of this indie country-rock trio, which released its debut album in 2013. That’s because promoting musical artists is part of her job as an intern at RED, a division of Sony Music Entertainment that specializes in sales, marketing, radio promotion and product development for more than 60 independent record labels.

“We work with everyone from established acts to emerging bands,” she said. “I track which stations play certain formats or genres, then burn CDs and create reports for distribution,” she continued, easily handling the many tasks assigned to her at the beginning of her career.

Kristen wasn’t always interested in marketing. She had originally considered going into accounting but changed her mind when she began working in retail at a Victoria’s Secret store. While working there, she became interested in marketing and promotions and “the creative ideas that help you make a sale,” as she described it.

As she’s become more savvy and educated in the art of sales, Kristen has recognized Adelphi’s marketing efforts and gives the University high grades in communicating its selling points. A transfer student, she said she never felt part of her previous school but finds Adelphi to be “very welcoming. I have gotten one-on-one advisement and help building my resume. Brian Rothschild [assistant dean of the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business] sends us information on scholarships and internships. My previous school…didn’t offer these services or take it upon themselves to get the information to students.” At Adelphi, she did her part as a member of the School of Business Student Advisory Board during the spring 2013 semester.

As for the future, Kristen says she would like to continue on the road toward a career in music or retail marketing, but she’s keeping her options open and simply looking forward to taking every opportunity to do her job…and be successful at it.