Arts organization works with budding artists

November, 2004
Source: Jackson Hole Journal
Jackson Hole, WY

by Mary Billiter

Free membership allows people to have their work evaluated by others.

So you're a budding artist but you haven't found the venue to express your talent? For Jackson residents the solution is a simple Internet connection away.

"The fact is there is a lot of hidden talent that never gets the opportunity to showcase their work," said Brad Klatt, the Chief Operations Officer, a network dedicated to exposing the best independent emerging talents in music, television, film and print throughout North America.

"After viewing shows like, 'American Idol,' we came up with the idea because it's the audience that really determines the next biggest hit," said Klatt, who is the Chief Operating Officer of the Vancouver-based Yeah Media.

Yeah Media provides an artist exposure and feedback of their work from its member base, which is free to join.

"We are ad supported. There is no fee and no hidden fee to join," said Klatt, who is calling on all independent artists to submit their work.

"It's a good opportunity for people who have been in the business to give them the opportunity to reach a new audience and have a chance to make it big."

For freelance photojournalist Andrew Wyatt, the free exposure could be the means to an end.

"I work as a teacher's assistant and I enjoy the work, but my true passion is photography," said the thirty-something-year-old, whose work has appeared in Utah and Texas-based magazines and runs weekly in the Jackson Hole Journal.

"It's a great opportunity. I mean, why not, try it? It's free. What have I got to lose?" commented Wyatt, who plans on submitting his landscape photography.

Artists who submit their work are then eligible to make the "shortlist," which is chosen by a Yeah Media panel.

"Each panel member is assigned to a specific area to evaluate. Our panel narrows it down," said Klatt of his board members who initially decide the "shortlist".

Those artists who make the coveted "shortlist" have their art medium, via song, video or photography, evaluated by other Yeah Media members.

Yeah Media provides the artist's media to its network members by finding out what each audience group wants and provides them with custom-tailored content.

"We have segment audiences to determine from members what forms of entertainment they'd like to receive. We have specific areas, like music, short films, videos, even writing. All these different types of entertainment are put into the hands of the audience to let decide who should be placed on the CD," said Klatt, who expounds on the benefits of artists who make the "shortlist."

"Chances are Yeah Media members and other audiences will want to see and hear more of their work. The possibilities are endless."

Yeah Media is not a direct mail company nor is it a company that uses Email marketing to spam its members. Yeah Media doesn't sell or rent their databases or conduct telemarketing campaigns.

"The beautiful thing is that to make the shortlist you get your song put on a CD. It's a release that would be released nationally. So we bring advertisers in to work on this national ad campaign for the music. We like to bring all parties together," said Klatt of the collaborative effort that unites the Internet-based company with advertisers that fund the project.

Yeah Media uses a wide variety of distribution methods to expose the work of their artists. Compact Discs (CD's), DVDs, print magazines and the Internet are a few of the platforms they use for their releases.

Klatt highlighted the avenues Yeah Media intends to market their finished product.

"We redistribute the CDs, DVDs back to our membership base. They also may be used as gifts with purchases or for promotionally-related products, like Teen Wear, or fashion accessories."

For an artist, it's all about the exposure.

"The benefits are obvious. The exposure generated helps artists increase their fan base and promote their careers," said Klatt.

Artists can join the Yeah Media network by contacting info@yeahmedia.com.