A graduate of Florida State, Jonathan Archer-executive sales and event manager for Metropolis Productions, an Orlando-based event and entertainment production company-has had a love for music his entire life, specifically auxiliary percussion, and is pretty good at it, as well, having once performed at a corporate event for I.B.M. Now he suits up to tackle business and further develop the corporate entertainment industry, one note at a time.
BREAKING INTO THE INDUSTRY An active member of his college's activities board, Archer aided in the production of several campus concerts-including Puddle of Mudd and George Clinton-as well as other campus events.
"The board really took a chance on me and entrusted me with budgets, marketing, etc.," says Archer, who continually increased campus event attendance during his involvement. Knowing that his passion lay in music and special events, he moved to Orlando in 2006 to tackle the corporate event market.
"Orlando is very diverse, and I'm content here," says Archer. "One day I will be producing a theme park show and the next, a show for Microsoft; Orlando will always attract corporate dollars."
MAKING HIS MARK In the past year, he not only has been able to help clients determine what entertainment needs are best for their events while managing logistical operations, but also had the opportunity to produce tracks specifically for some of them.
"Having a musical background, I can really relate to the situation at hand, and I know from my own experience what works and what doesn't musically," he says.
Archer and the team at Metropolis also recently launched a new Web site in September, a personal goal of his since joining the company. "I spearheaded the project, selecting content and format," explains Archer. "An efficient Web site is crucial to a business's success, and most entertainment companies don't have a 16,000-square-foot facility to showcase, as we do, that offers clients a more hands-on approach, to the degree of fully produced dress rehearsals."
LOOKING AHEAD Introduced in March, Metropolis's Karaoke Live program has been one of Archer's main focuses to develop and promote throughout the industry. Its creators have described the program-available to corporate groups at a venue of their choosing or on location at CityWalk's Rising Star-as "karaoke on steroids."
"The future is all about expanding on entertainment that engages guests as much as possible, and Karaoke Live does just that," Archer says.
Though he's a musician at heart, Archer's dedication to his clients and to producing showstopping entertainment for their events is what has gotten him recognized by key players in the industry and is sure to keep them coming back for more.
"No mater what facet I am brought into on the project," he says, "I always want the client to rest assured knowing that with us, their event will deliver."
