August 2021

Music Supervisor, Jessie LaBelle, has worked with multi-platinum artists like Teddy Geiger (Shawn Mendez, Lizzo, Maroon 5, Leon Bridges) and award-winning composers including Dan Romer (Beasts of the Southern Wild, Ramy, Maniac). She’s collaborated with some of the world's biggest brands and ad agencies, and worked widely within the film and television industries.

Past clients include The Coca Cola Company, Showtime, HBO, Ubisoft, McDonald's, Capital One, Levi's, Kohler and many others with highly successful campaigns and brand/artist collaborations.

Jessie is also the Chair for the Chicago Chapter of Women in Music, a non-profit organisation working to advance the awareness, equality, diversity, heritage, opportunities, and cultural aspects of women in the musical arts through education, support, and recognition. She is also a member of the Guild of Music Supervisors, as well as The Recording Academy (Grammys). She’s got a pretty awesome career going on. Let’s hear more…

MASA: Can you tell us a bit about your career path to date? How did you get your first break into the industry?

JESSIE: I began my career in post production, working as an engineer in a fast-paced five studio audio facility. They needed someone to help manage music supervision for the final spots, so I eventually became a full time music supervisor and licensor, managing creative music requests for all clients in advertising and film.

MASA: What does an average work day look like for you?

JESSIE: I field music briefs from a wide range of clients in advertising, film, TV, and more, pitching existing tracks from both well-known and indie artists, as well as executing custom music requests. I also handle quotes, licensing, clearance and anything else needed. From full-service music strategy across various clients, to sending curated playlists, pitching artists with detailed decks, editing music to picture, or handling licensing. I basically have my hands in all stages of the creative music process!

MASA: Have you placed anything in the recent past that you’re really excited about?

JESSIE: I think all placements are special and exciting in a way. My favorite part of working in the music industry is hearing just how much of an impact licensing an artist’s music can make to their careers. It can truly be life changing! Also learning how someone has discovered a new favorite song or artist through a placement can be really empowering on a creative level as far as being a music curator.

MASA: Are you seeing more brands wanting to focus on developing partnerships with bands / artists?

JESSIE: I think brands see the value in partnering with real artists as a way to connect in a meaningful way to their audience. Big brands have the ability and platform to push pop culture forward, and music is a huge way to make an impact.

MASA: What advice would you give composers these days on getting their music placed?

JESSIE: Cultivate and nourish your network, develop meaningful relationships and compose music that is authentic to your style. Composing music that you excel at, or resonate with, really shines through, rather than trying to fit into several styles / genres trying to get placements. Organize your files and have them accessible for editing, and consider partnering with an agency or company that can help bring opportunity to showcase your work.

MASA: What impact has Covid had on business this past year and a bit?

JESSIE: I think initially it made everyone take pause, consider what was important, and then pivot to rise and meet the challenges of working remotely. With all the challenges of being apart, in a way working remotely online has brought us all closer together. It definitely had an impact in the way brands, agencies, etc wanted to connect with their audience, so music became even more important in providing an emotional narrative to the storytelling.

MASA: What will you be looking for when judging The Music+Sound Awards this year?

JESSIE: I’ll be looking for authenticity, creativity, and ability to capture overall messaging, as well as execution and style!

MASA: Thank you Jessie. It’s a great privilege having you on this year’s jury.