E3 Group

Last week we reported how the Jayne Middlemiss win on Celebrity Master Chef generated a flurry of interest from event planners looking to hire a celebrity chef. Booking a professional chef for a demonstration, team day or training course has become an increasingly popular option for corporate events and one which we regularly facilitate here at E3 Artists. However, some businesses are not always prepared for the price tag associated with hiring a well-known chef. Fees for top chefs start at around £2,000 for the day.

However, for those who are planning an event without a celebrity budget there are other options. E3 Artists has recently teamed up with catering and hospitality specialists Anne Stewart Ltd. They make it possible to hire a chef for all types of events and circumstances including private cookery lessons, birthday parties and weddings. For further information please contact our London office on 020 7836 4759.

Our entertainment agents here at E3 Artists are used to dealing with requests to book professional chefs for cooking demonstrations and activity days, however, following her win on the Grand Final of this year’s Celebrity Master Chef, our agents are now dealing with a surge in requests to hire Jayne Middlemiss for her culinary skills.

The television and radio presenter, who nearly fell to pieces in Theo Randall’s kitchen on Thursday night’s penultimate installment, went onto win on Friday evening’s show preparing a sensational starter of seared scallops on apple puree, followed by a main course of pan fried veal and a dessert of lavender panacotta with crystallised violets.

Having worked on countless culinary workshops with our clients in the past (co-ordinating demonstrations from maestros such as James Martin and Aldo Zilli), we know that booking a charismatic chef is a guaranteed winner for event planners seeking a unique and unifying team building experience. Those looking to employ the skills of a celebrity chef, Miss Middlemiss included, can contact our agents for advice on 020 7836 4759 (Option 1).

With series 10 of Big Brother now in full-swing, this month’s recommendations are all memorable contestants from previous editions of the show. A popular option for those planning events on a low budget is to hire a Big Brother contestant. Events such as award ceremonies, store openings, exhibitions and corporate fundraisers can have their profile raised by the appearance of a recognisable face from the popular C4 show. Former Big Brother contestants are also an ideal booking for marketing and event managers looking to raise the profile of their brand with their target audience.

1. Jack Dee
Sardonic, dead-pan comedian Jack is one of the UK’s most recognisable comedians. He’s also one of the most memorable contestants from the show, winning the 2001 series of Celebrity Big Brother. For an indication of the cost to hire Jack Dee, view Category A.

2. Les Dennis
Comedian and quiz show legend Les also made a very memorable appearance on series 2 of Celebrity Big Brother. Whilst experiencing personal issues at the time, he still captured the hearts of the nation and followed his appearance on the show with a truly brilliant send-up of himself on the Ricky Gervais sitcom Extras. For an indication of the cost to hire Les Dennis, view Category B.

3. Kate Lawler
A talented DJ, televsion presenter and model, Kate has enjoyed the kind of career that many former Big Brother contestants can only dream of. For an indication of the cost to hire Kate Lawler, view Category C.

4. Brain Dowling
Winner of series 2 of Big Brother, Brian went onto become the first openly gay children’s TV presenter with the ITV show SMTV Live, emerging later as a popular late night television host and awards presenter. For an indication of the cost to hire Brian Dowling, view Category C.

5. Nadia Almada
Remembered as the first transexual winner of Big Brother, Nadia proved extremely popular with viewers with her memorable accent and mannerisms, her volatility and humour. She continues to be a popular booking for fashion and fashionable events. For an indication of the cost to hire Nadia Almada, view Category C.

6. Other Big Brother Contestants
Some of the more memorable contestants from Big Brother can be booked for as little as £500. Notable names include: Anna Nolan, Kinga Karolczak, Makosi Musambasi, Craig Philips, Glyn Wise, Brian Belo, Jon Tickle, Paul “Bubble” Ferguson, Chantelle Houghton, Aishleyne Horgan-Wallace, Sam & Amanda Marchant, Pete Bennett and Cameron Stout.

E3 Artists has forged a close link with many former Big Brother contestants and their management teams. As we regularly book on behalf of our clients we are able to negotiate lower fees. For further information you can contact one of our entertainment agents on 020 7836 4759 or send us a message using our online form.

Looking for a good live band to hire for your function or party can be quite a difficult task. Budgets tend to prohibit being able to book chart-toppers of the Coldplay or Arctic Monkeys variety. In any case, bands of this sort are less likely to accept fees for private performances when they are filling out stadiums and selling albums by the truckload.

So, is it possible to recreate a certain vibe for your event - be it rock, pop, jazz, soul, disco or swing - but without the rock star price tag? The short answer is “yes”. There are literally hundreds of talented bands for hire throughout the UK, the vast majority of them are unknown and generally unsigned acts. Many of these acts are groups of highly skilled musicians who have developed their own material but are able to cover the classics of their prefered genre. Knowing which one to choose for your event is the tricky decision. Approaching unknown bands directly is risky if you have not seen them perform live before. They will always tell you they are perfect for your party or function even if they are not (their desire to work is greater than their concern for your satisfaction). It’s also quite tricky to preview bands prior to the date of your event. Often the bands in question have busy private booking schedules, are performing at opposite ends of the country or have no live dates fixed in the short term future.

One option is to trawl the internet looking for band websites in the hope of being able to view video clips of them perform. This can be time consuming and, unfortunately, unreliable. Often groups change their line-ups or present material that is inaccurate reflection of their true ability. It’s also quite difficult to make decisions based solely on grainy youtube clips. The other option is to employ a reputable entertainment agency to do the work for you. This has many benefits, a primary one being the inclusion of a legally binding contract between you, your agency and the band. Many event and party planners who book bands directly are left high and dry when the act calls at the last minute to say that they can’t make it. With a legal contract in place your financial investment is protected and, in the event of a last minute cancellation, a replacement is virtually guaranteed.

How much does it cost to hire a band? Fees for 2 or 3 piece bands tend to start at about £500 to £600. A good quality 4 piece band is normally around the £1000 mark. It’s recommended that if you want a great quality, highly skilled and sought after 4 piece band then allow for a slightly higher budget of say £1500 to £2000. In any case, most entertainment agents tend to represent or have close working relationships with a very wide range of bands and will be able to advise you accordingly on suitable acts and budgets. You can view some of our recommended bands here.

Finally, if you are committed to booking a band for your event be aware that there can sometimes be additional costs involved. Most bands have their own sound systems, however, depending on your venue size you may need to consider the hire of additional technical equipment such as speakers and lighting installations. Again, all good entertainment agents will be able to advise you on how to organise these essentials.

Fees quoted by artist management companies to corporate event planners are on the rise in spite of the recession. The Telegraph reports today that a short set by Susan Boyle will cost in the region of £100,000 plus VAT. However, artist management companies are notoriously cagey when dealing with enquiries from individuals or groups they have not come across before. It is a common tactic for them to start with an astronomical quote; as this helps them to determine whether or not they are dealing with an experienced booker.

Here at E3 Artists we have forged a close link with Industry (the artist management company quoted in the Telegraph article) and many of the Britain’s Got Talent acts. We’re pretty confident we could have negotiated a much better deal for booking Susan than the one quoted above. As a dedicated entertainment booking agency, we book regularly on behalf of many of our major corporate clients. This gives us the leverage to negotiate lower prices. For further details see our ‘celebrity agents’ page.

Studying this year’s crop of Big Brother housemates has taken up a bit of our time this week as we try to determine which housemates will progress to the final weeks and build up booking-worthy public interest. It may seem odd, but Big Brother housemates are an extremely popular booking for corporate clients looking to promote their products or services to the young generation of avid Big Brother fans. Those who follow the show tend to do so avidly and as a result, build up strong opinions, likes and dislikes regarding their favourite housemates, ultimately voting with their hard earned money to keep their favourites in the house. Those who watch the show take part in the journey of that particular housemate and they subsequently become an important and relatable media profile. Brian Dowling, Kate Lawler and Brian Belo all enjoyed this rapport with Big Brother fans and it is obvious why they are still popular with clients looking to hire a Big Brother Housemate today.

It may be still too early to tell, but there are a few candidates for success in the current house. Sophie Reade, whose legal name is now Dogface thanks to a particularly cruel BB task, will no doubt have a glittering career in modelling waiting for her post eviction or victory, which ever comes first. Rodrigo is the clear fans favourite at the moment with Heat magazine professing their love and the bookies labelling him early favourite. The dark horse of the show could be Freddie Fisher, now known as Halfwit after he carried out the same task as Dogface. He seems likeable enough although he’s perhaps even too wide eyed to go the distance. The housemates seem to think so after putting him up for eviction this week. As the show progresses, it will be interesting to see who reveals their hidden talents and that unquantifiable likeability that keeps certain former housemates so popular for so long.

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Update June 6th 2010 - Please note the following article relates to Britain’s Got Talent Series 3. For information on the latest series of the show, please click here.

As we enter the month of June, there is no sign of the public obsession with Britain’s Got Talent receding and with the national tour set to begin shortly, it’s not likely to die down any time soon. Requests to hire acts from the show to appear at corporate events, private parties or organised functions are flooding in on a daily basis so this month’s guide offers some information on the most bookable Britain’s Got Talent acts.

The cost to hire a BGT act can fluctuate significantly according to a number of factors including the media exposure they continue to receive after the show and the demand for their time that this creates. As a general guideline it is possible to book some former BGT acts from as little as £500. However, the majority of acts that make it through to the finals have fee expectations of £2,000 or more. Some of the most successful acts, such as 2009 winners Diversity, can command over £10,000 for a performance. For a more accurate indication of booking fees you can contact one of our entertainment agents using our online form.

1. Hire Escala
Escala wowed the nation on BGT series one with their classical renditions of modern favourites and their stunning image. It’s possible to hire Escala for corporate events, however having recently had an album reach number 2 in the UK charts they are now one of the more costly acts to book. For an indication of the cost to hire Escala, contact us via our online form.

2. Hire Diversity
This electric dance act pulled off the shock result of the competition this year by being crowned champions. Deserved winners on the night, Diversity are available for both corporate and private events. For an indication of the cost to hire dance act Diversity,
contact us via our online form.

3. Hire Flawless
Eventual winners Diversity claimed that they were inspired to create their dance troupe after seeing Flawless perform. A popular booking request, Flawless are available to bring inspiration to your next event. For an indication of the cost to hire dance act Flawless, contact us via our online form.

4. Hire George Sampson
Winner of series two and the forerunner to the hugely successful BGT dance acts that followed. George is available to perform at professionally produced private and corporate events. For an indication of the cost to hire George Sampson, contact us via our online form.

5. Hire Stavros Flatly
This father and son duo proved to be much more than just a one trick pony delivering exciting and hilarious performances at every stage of the competition. For an indication of the cost to hire Stavros Flatly, contact us via our online form.

6. Hire Signature
Favourites from Britain’s Got Talent, Signature have forged a hugely successful career as entertainers following their massive popularity on the show. Currently a very popular choice for a wide range of events. For an indication of the cost to hire dance act Signature, contact us via our online form.

7. Hire Gareth Oliver, Strike & Julian Smith
Gareth Oliver amazed the BGT crowd with his fantastic ventriloquist skills, narrowly missing out on a place in the grand final. Strike’s high impact martial arts skills were a crowd favourite on BGT series two and Julian Smith’s laid back saxophone stylings secured him a place in this year’s grand final. For an indication of the cost to hire these acts, contact us via our online form.

8. Hire The Barwizards
The Barwizards jaw-dropping act kept audiences entertained, flipping, spinning, throwing, catching, shaking and pouring their way through to the BGT final. For an indication of the cost to hire The Bar Wizards, contact us via our online form.

9. Hire Bang On!
Bang on! is a unique live percussion act perfect for experiential events. For a competitive fee, Bang On! are the perfect booking for event planners looking to make a real impact. For an indication of the cost to hire Bang On!, contact us via our online form.

10. Hire Tracey Lee Collins
Tracey Lee Collins is a sensational drag act with a unique voice who owes her creation in no small part to Simon Cowell’s matter of fact judging style. For an indication of the cost to hire Tracey Lee Collins, contact us via our online form.

E3 Artists has forged a close links with many former BGT acts and their management teams. As regular bookers we can negotiate preferential rates for our clients. For a tailored quote please contact us using our online form. Alternatively, subscribe to our blog for monthly updates!

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As summer has begun to slowly creep up on us in the typically stop-start fashion that we are used to here in the UK, E3 Artists has seen a marked increase in the amount of enquiries we’ve received to hire a band. These requests have been dominated by clients looking to secure the services of a function band for their wedding, garden party or summer soirée. With a few months until the height of summer and therefore the height of wedding season, it has been prudent for these clients to get in early and make sure they have their entertainment sorted well in advance of the big day. It is surprising how quick these events can sneak up on you and organising all the minor details of your entertainment can be more of a headache than you might anticipate. Your chosen band will invariably have to transport their equipment to your venue and detailed checks will have to be made on what technical equipment is available and what your chosen band will have to supply themselves. Here at E3 Artists, the bands we work with are fully equipped with all the necessary sound equipment and we aim to manage all the logistical aspects that go along with ensuring quality entertainment at an event.

Proving extremely popular for these kind of functions are The Urban Jazz Collective, FUNKification and Swing Connection. These three bands adaptability, huge repertoire and ability to tailor the band size to each individual booking makes them a great choice for anyone looking to take the hassle out of their entertainment needs. These bands have also been requested for a surprising amount of Hollywood themed parties in recent weeks, bringing the big band sound to events centred on the golden era of cinema and the amazing film scores and musical numbers this era produced. Many clients have expressed their concern regarding bands not turning up on the day and throwing a huge spanner in the works of an event. Often we find that these experiences are the result of improper contracting between the band and the client. Often, the band is under no obligation to perform due to verbal agreements or cash-in-hand deals. The best way to avoid this is to ensure that you have a contract in place recognised by the Agents Association of Great Britain. That way, only an act of God or ‘force majeure’ as it is known in the contract can dissolve the agreement and all other circumstances will allow financial or legal action. Of course this is scant consolation if you have no entertainment for an event so using a booking agent is a good idea for more than just contractual concerns. As an agency, we book a huge number of bands and so in the event of one not turning up, we can make every effort to replace them with a band of the same quality and genre. The phrase ‘book early to avoid disappointment’ gets thrown around a lot in entertainment but this is one instance where it really does pay to get in early and secure some piece of mind along with your chosen band.

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In recent months, E3 Group has been attending some of the top events related exhibitions in London’s capital. As I blogged before, these events are great networking opportunities and also a fantastic chance to see new talented entertainers and keep abreast of developments in this dynamic and vibrant industry. Looking back, I have spent some time thinking about how exhibitors effectively communicated their message to attendees. The conclusion I came to was that people are much more willing to hear what you have to say if you manage to grab their attention. This may seem like an obvious point but in the events industry, with thousands of professionals attending some of the most glamorous events the world has to offer, grabbing attention is easier said than done. The stands which grabbed my attention and encouraged me to engage with the exhibitor the most were those that provided entertainment. I was not alone in this viewpoint as many attendees flocked to those stands that had entertainment on offer. I found magicians in particular to be particularly effective in generating brand engagement.

Magicians, by their very nature, set out to confuse and beguile you; not really qualities you would associate with effective brand communication. However, when followed up with an effective sales patter or brand message, the magician’s worth is clearly emphasised. Their ability to transport their audience into a child-like state of wonderment makes that audience much more receptive and less cynical than they would be with their business hats on. Magicians are experts in dismantling barriers between groups and their skills translate to almost any event imaginable. E3 Artist clients who hire a magician for live events benefit from the increased audience engagement. Corporate functions with a magician in their midst create a relaxed atmosphere for attendees and help to generate talking points for people who may have been strangers five minutes ago. Nick Reade, one of E3 Artists’ own magicians, has performed in front of celebrities such as Kylie Minogue, Emma Bunton and even for Queen Elizabeth herself as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. Nick can verify the same level of wonderment at his magic from them all, no matter the status. Any company exhibiting at a trade show, hosting an event designed to generate brand engagement or simply hosting a function in need of some adept ice breaking, should book a magician. They provide entertainment with a clear purpose and instantly measurable rewards.

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Britain’s Got Talent began again in earnest this weekend providing avid viewers with entertainment that continues to add new definition to the word variety. From the bizarre to the sublime, Britain’s Got Talent has it all. Whether your personal preference is dancers, singers or perhaps something a bit more madcap like Stavros Flatly, the show continues to provide a buffet of entertainment spectacle to suit all pallets. In my opinion, Shows like Britain’s Got Talent are a real bonus for event organisers everywhere. It is a platform from which some of the less traditional but often more remarkable acts are thrust into the public eye and therefore making them more attractive booking propositions.

Before Signature’s amazing run on the show, offering a potential client looking to hire an entertainer a bangra-infused Michael Jackson dance spectacular would have labelled you as some kind of raving maniac. The overwhelming public support and acceptance Signature received during and as a result of the show has made them extremely popular amongst our clients looking to book utterly original entertainment. Britain’s Got Talent has opened the doors for people with exceptional skills to promote themselves to the events community. E3 Artists’ entertainers such as The Barwizards, Bang On! and Tracey Lee Collins (who all indecently found fame appearing on Britain’s Got Talent) as well as acts who would fit right in to the make up of the show such as Nathan Zorchak and Mat Ricardo, have all benefited from the huge resurgence of variety as a popular entertainment option. So whether you’re a small venue booking a magician or a huge outdoor event looking to hire a unique entertainment experience, examining the variety entertainer option is a great way to maintain impact while keeping the budget reasonable.

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