Hiring for a marketing role? Shortlist the musicians.

Moving Beyond Theory

In a previous post,?“Music and Marketing: The Symbiotic Relationship Between Art and Science,”?I explored the similarities between these two fields, both of which require a unique blend of creativity and strategy for success. But now, let’s get practical. If you’re hiring for a marketing role, you should be shortlisting musicians. In this post, I’ll tell you why and identify which ones to look for, to speed up your process.

Why Musicians Make Great Marketers

Musicians possess a set of skills that transfer beautifully into marketing:

• Adaptability and Learning Agility: Musicians often learn new pieces quickly and adapt to different styles or genres on the fly. In marketing, where trends shift rapidly, this adaptability is crucial. Musicians taught classically are trained to sight-read from an early age - looking at a brand new piece of music and playing it immediately, without practice. That’s the kind of quick thinking and versatility marketing demands.
• Discipline and Focus: Mastering an instrument requires immense discipline and focus, the same qualities needed to develop and execute a robust marketing strategy. Take Rach3 (Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3) with its 29,000 notes that pianists must memorise. That kind of dedication directly translates to the detailed grunge work required in marketing.
• Storytelling Ability: Music is storytelling through sound - conveying emotions and narratives in every note. In marketing, storytelling is essential, whether it’s through brand messaging, social media campaigns, or content creation. Musicians already have a deep understanding of how to craft a narrative that resonates and a natural empathy with an audience.

Want more transferable skills? OK, here's more:

• Teamwork and Ensemble Playing: Musicians often play in bands, orchestras, ensembles, or even with a mate in a garage, where teamwork is crucial. They know how to listen to others, blend their sound and contribute to a cohesive performance that is audience-focused. In a marketing team, this translates to strong collaboration skills, an ability to work harmoniously with others, and a deep understanding of the power of collective effort.
• Time Management: Balancing practice with performances, and often with other commitments like work or study, musicians are masters of time management. They know how to prioritise, set goals and work efficiently - skills that are essential in the fast-paced world of marketing. It's often said that a musician will not be mad at you if you waste their money, but they will be livid if you waste their time.
• Listening Skills: Musicians are professional listeners. Whether they’re tuning their instruments, playing in harmony with others, or catching subtle nuances in a piece of music, listening is at the core of what they do. In a marketing context, this makes them exceptionally audience-centric, able to naturally understand customer needs and craft messages that resonate deeply with little effort.

What to Look For in Musical Marketers

Not a music expert? No problem. Here’s what to look for when you’re sifting through the CV pile:

• Grade 5 Musicians and Above: In the UK, musicians typically take exams to benchmark their progress, called Grades, ranging from 1 (beginner) to 8 (semi-pro). Anyone with Grade 5 or higher has honed the essential skills - discipline, focus, and adaptability - to excel in marketing. They have also trained their brain to be equal in the application of science and creativity.
• Grade 5 Theory: To progress beyond Grade 5, musicians must pass Grade 5 theory - a written exam that tests their understanding of the science behind music, from scales to harmony, keys, intervals and composition. This is like a mini-GCSE in music theory and it’s not easy - trust me. A musician with Grade 5 theory understands that great art is underpinned by solid fundamentals and structure - exactly what’s needed for effective marketing.
• Multi-Instrumentalists: Playing multiple instruments is like being fluent in multiple languages. A pianist and a guitarist might be expressing the same musical ideas, but they do it through entirely different methods. This ability to switch perspectives and think in parallel is invaluable in marketing, where seeing a problem from different angles can lead to innovative solutions.

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The Drummer Dilemma

Here’s the deal - most drummers are fantastic at keeping rhythm (I’ve been generous there), but they often lack the musical theory background that other instrumentalists have. That said, some drummers, particularly those who identify as percussionists, have deep musical knowledge and understand the science behind the art. So, while you might want to be cautious with drummers, don’t rule them out completely.

Just don’t be surprised if they steal from the communal fridge. (That is a bit unfair. It’s a well-established fact that in a gigging band, it’s the bass player who steals everyone else’s food.) You'll recognise a percussionist - they usually carry a tambourine at all times - you'll hear them coming.?

Save Yourself Time - Shortlist Musicians for Your Marketing Role

So, if you’re hiring for a marketing position, start by shortlisting musicians - especially those with Grade 5 and above, or who play multiple instruments. They’ve got the adaptability, discipline, focus, teamwork and listening skills that can take your marketing to the next level. I guarantee it.

Musicians bring a unique blend of creativity and structure, making them not just great marketers, but also great team players and strategic thinkers. Next time you’re sifting through resumes, keep an eye out for the musicians - it's where you'll find the next marketing rockstar.

Drummers, please feel free to insult me in the comments. Just line up in groups of 5 (if you can count that far) before you do :)