Harry Benson Francis
Marketing & Entertainment Professional
Alexandria
Summary
Self-motivated professional with a creative and proactive approach towards problem solving. Maintaining a solid record of accomplishments in day to day events operation, engagement with influential partners/clients, and working with dynamic individuals across multiple industries to promote brand awareness. Collaborative in nature, passionate lover of web3, and dedicated to creating something that is long lasting.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Lifestyle
Hotel Heron
01.2023 - Current
- Designed, developed, and executed on a comprehensive monthly event programming calendar for our local community and guests.
- Played an instrumental role opening Hotel Heron and her 3 F&B outlets by leading our marketing efforts across property, with our investors, and on our social channels.
- Organized from start to completion numerous special events, such as a concert series, art shows, DJ programming, health & wellness initiatives, and bringing in collaborators for various pop-up shops.
- Established meaningful and authentic relationships with local vendors, businesses, collaborators, and our community to secure key partnerships for the hotel.
- Maintained detailed records of all event planning, execution, and expenses needed for accurate reporting purposes. Making sure to always be mindful of a positive ROI when developing each event.
- Managed the Lifestyle department budget efficiently and strategically to maximize resources and provide high-quality, high impact events.
Brand & Experience Manager
Riggs Hotel
03.2023 - 08.2023
- Increased brand awareness of two properties through event marketing, on-site activations, sales, and brand promotions.
- Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders, vendors and industry influencers to create positive brand experiences.
- Curated music playlists for all of our Hotel outlets and provided quarterly marketing material reflecting rotations in Music.
- Showed understanding of guests personal style and preferences when offering various services.
- Designed lighting and directly oversaw the ambiance in all of our outlets.
- Regularly liaison with Creative/PR team in London
- Developed unique and exciting experiences for perspective guests.
- Collaborated with media representatives to optimize coverage of special events or on-site activations.
Guest Engagement Manager
Riggs Hotel
08.2021 - 03.2023
- Engaged with guests to understand their individual needs and to develop/curate unique experiences to the region.
- Primary point of contact for all VVIP guests and any specialized requests they or their team may have.
- Collaborated between all departments to assure a seamless welcome experience across the board.
- Approached strangers and interacted in natural conversation with goal of developing brand loyalty.
- Coordinated with design and media teams to develop high-quality creative assets.
- Guest survey scores maintained throughout the year above 90%.
- Honored to receive "Leader of the Quarter" for great demonstration of leadership property wide.
- Onboarded new employees with training on brand and culture.
Label Manager
Pangea Music Group
09.2020 - 02.2021
- Half-year contract to run day to day operations at Pangea Music Group.
- Identifying and isolating potential revenue streams for the company to become profitable going into 2021.
- Building out, tagging, and reorganizing Pangea Music Groups media servers.
- Pitching PMG's libraries to major SYNC licensees and locking in contract deals.
- Creating an accessible library for potential clients and creators to shop Pangea's services.
- Provide A&R services to PMG's artists and producers.
- Developed detailed plans based on broad guidance and direction.
Front Office Manager
The Line Hotel
03.2017 - 08.2019
- Managed and oversaw operations of 3 guest facing departments which at the time included Guest Experience, Bell, and Front Desk.
- Responsibilities included inventory tracking, P&L, team training, creating SOP's, scheduling, & approving weekly payroll.
- Directly supported the opening of a 145-million-dollar hotel in close coordination with its investors while also working in synchronicity with the executive team to meet all goals and deadlines.
- During the construction phase I became an important connection point between Sydell development teams and contractor crews.
- Developed procedures to establish accurate and organized check-in and check-out processes.
- Implemented proactive solutions to improve property wide efficiency.
- Monitored customer service trends and provided insights to management team for further improvement.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Sydell Group tasked me to Los Angeles, CA as well as Austin, TX to provide support in both back and front of house capacities for the opening of their two upcoming properties.
Artist Relations Manager
New World Talent Agency
06.2016 - 04.2017
- Oversee inter-personal relationships between our talent and various companies invested in cooperation.
- Designing and developing strong brands which represent the very best of our talent both domestically and internationally.
- Organized and arranged international travel for talent.
- Travel with various DJ's/Artists to assure their needs are met.
- Heavy calendar management. Secured numerous artist bookings both domestically and internationally.
- Raised brand awareness through consistent marketing efforts and social media campaigns.
- Contributed to creative process through original ideas and inspiration.
- Occasionally acted as a "runner" whenever the need arrived. This included everything from bringing important items to UPS/FedEx as well as picking up high profile clients and welcoming them upon arrival.
Welcome Desk Talent
W Hotels
03.2015 - 03.2016
- Greet and welcome guests upon arrival.
- Register guests into the computer, verifying reservation, address, and credit information.
- Generate reports, uphold brand standards, and coordinate hotel operations with Director of Welcome and Rooms.
- Promote Starwood Preferred Guest Program and provide recognition and benefits to all present members.
- Maintain workspace and public area. Building authentic relationships with all guests and being their guide to the city.
- Manage high profile VVIP guest arrivals.
- Answered questions and addressed, resolved, or escalated issues to management personnel to satisfy customers.
- Welcomed guests with a friendly greeting, answered general questions, gathered nature of visit and directed to specific outlets.
Project Manager
Fear.FM
01.2011 - 12.2013
- Produce, host and prepare a 1 hour weekly show for Fear.FM which totaled 80+ episodes.
- Organize weekly track list data through excel of both current released and unreleased music with extreme attention to detail for royalty payouts.
- Conduct interviews with various artists to add to the show. Set aside sections of the show for sponsors/advertisers.
- Stay current with all news regarding the changing Hard Dance scene.
- Maintain relationships with various record labels, agencies, and artists.
- Regularly manage all social media platforms including numerous related forums.
- Heavy usage in multiple DAWS (Digital Artist Workstations).
Intern - Music Programming
Sirius XM (Pop/Dance)
01.2011 - 09.2011
- 2 sessions of internships with a focus on the BPM/Electric Area channels.
- Correction of metadata, Extensive audio editing in various DAWS.
- Assembly of promo pieces.
- Distribution of playlists to record labels, "Ingestion" of music into database.
- Show preparation for on-air talent (concert dates, news, etc).
- Occasional on-air participation.
- Cataloged, time stamped, and organized all interviews and DJ mixes during Ultra Music Festival in Miami.
Education
Northern Virginia Community College
01.2011 - 1 2014
Cosmic Academy
06.2014 - 9 2014
George Mason High School
01.2006 - 1 2010
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
Property Management
Artist/VIP Handling
Public Relations
Audio Production
Google Ads / Analytics
Marketing & Branding
Video Editing / SFX
Photoshop / Photo Editing
Passionately motivated to build and foster relationships on a day to day basis
Taking pride in pushing boundaries to meet timeline objectives
Highly organized and able to multitask efficiently
Socially oriented with strong people skills
Results driven
References
Austin Kramer
Former Global Head of Dance/Electronic at Spotify.
C: 917-941-1909
Stephanie Saik
Regional Director of People & Culture at Lore Group.
C: 703-677-6294
Meade Atkeson
Area General Manager at Sonesta International Hotel Corp.
C: 202-905-5077
** Further references available upon request **
Timeline
Brand & Experience Manager
Riggs Hotel
03.2023 - 08.2023
Director of Lifestyle
Hotel Heron
01.2023 - Current
Guest Engagement Manager
Riggs Hotel
08.2021 - 03.2023
Label Manager
Pangea Music Group
09.2020 - 02.2021
Front Office Manager
The Line Hotel
03.2017 - 08.2019
Artist Relations Manager
New World Talent Agency
06.2016 - 04.2017
Welcome Desk Talent
W Hotels
03.2015 - 03.2016
Cosmic Academy
06.2014 - 9 2014
Project Manager
Fear.FM
01.2011 - 12.2013
Intern - Music Programming
Sirius XM (Pop/Dance)
01.2011 - 09.2011
Northern Virginia Community College
01.2011 - 1 2014
George Mason High School
01.2006 - 1 2010
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