Chris Manning
Client Services and Operations Manager
Joined The Orchard September 2008
I hear you’re kind of a jack of all trades in the London office Chris… Please tell me, what the #&@$ do you actually do?!
A jack of all trades is one way of putting it! I look after labels, generally a mix of catalogue both local and international. I also look after the dance labels we have. Managing labels means I cover many things from marketing campaigns, delivery issues, help building label revenue, advising on release strategy, accounting and so on. From the operations side, I am the point of contact for our EU-based stores and the ops point of contact for the EU team. On a more general note, I am the support for our EU team when things go wrong in our client dashboard, OA [our backend administrative system], the office etc… or if things don’t happen as they should!
So what you’re saying is you’re the go-to person for clients, retail partners and Orchard-ites alike and the rest of us can just go home, haha. How do you manage all of that? Can you take me through a day in the life of Chris Manning?
I couldn’t do what I do without the support of an amazing team so if everyone went home I don’t think I would last long ha! The days are very busy and varied which is great but juggling many different things certainly keeps me on my toes, I am very organized so I think that helps! The day starts with going through emails and addressing the issues that get sent my way. This generally continues throughout the day helping the team. I keep in contact with my labels talking about release plans, marketing schedules and plans, meetings, plans to grow revenue and general day to day management of their needs. Then it’s a case of keeping on top of any store issues as well.
A little bird told me you’re a fan of dance music and have an upcoming stag trip to Ibiza. What can you say in your defense, and what do you have up your sleeve for the trip?
Dance music is where my passion lies in music! I was very happy to sign Intec Digital – Carl Cox’s label – at the end of last year. Good times ahead on that one.
