Jeeni Blog

Helping the next generation of talent to build a global fanbase

Kickstart Scheme - Jeeni Marketing Executive Freya Devlin

/ By Freya Devlin
Kickstart Scheme - Jeeni Marketing Executive Freya Devlin

  

Launched by Rishi Sunak last September as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government’s Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create jobs for 16–24-year-olds who are receiving Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. Jeeni have already successfully taken on young people through the scheme and will continue doing so. The successful Kickstart employees are taken on for initial placement of up to 6 months. And given training to learn new skills, and ongoing support to look for long-term, permanent work.

What was your role within Jeeni?

My title within Jeeni was marketing executive, but my responsibilities were very broad. Everything from content planning, crowdfunding, PR and copywriting. Although I mostly focused on promoting Jeeni events, writing blogs and social media management.

What skills did you believe you have developed during your time at Jeeni?

I’ve developed many skills everything from SEO to project planning. But most of all I believe I’ve developed my soft skills such as team working, critical thinking, and communication. Working remotely it's important to utilise time management and to be extremely organised, so these are skills I've further developed. Additionally, I've been encouraged to work both independently and collaborate with colleagues. In doing so I have become more self-sufficient as well as improving my interpersonal skills.

What did you enjoy the most during your time at Jeeni?

Overall, I have enjoyed my entire experience working at Jeeni as part of the Kickstart Scheme. A few notable things would definitely be promoting various types of artists, marketing for events and working alongside a team who are passionate about the work that they do. Seeing the success of projects I've worked on and the experience I've gained has helped me become more confident in my own capabilities.

Do you have any tips for future Jeeni employees, that will help them succeed? 

I think that it’s important to trust in your own abilities while also taking on board advice from others and learning along the way. Jeeni is such a supportive company, that encourages creativity and personal growth. So I believe that just being yourself and working hard will guarantee success.

What would you say are some of the best aspects / features of Jeeni? 

Jeeni is an incredible platform for creatives to share their work, they are treated fairly while keeping everything that they earn. It's a welcome contrast to the majority of streaming services that are available. Jeeni shines a spotlight on independent artists who otherwise may struggle to be heard over the noise of big record labels. Furthermore, Jeeni supports all types of creatives not just music artists but dancers, animators, voice actors and more.

Do you have any suggestions on how Jeeni could perhaps be more effective as an overall streaming platform?

To just keep improving on what they are already doing and to remain focused on independent talent.

Goals for the future?

I’d like to keep learning and improving my skills, take on bigger projects, and hopefully be working for a company that values its staff, customers, and creative talent just as Jeeni does. It's been a great opportunity to work with Jeeni through the Kickstart Scheme. And the experience I've gained will continue to support me throughout my career.

04
Jul

Alice Milburn - ‘Not Yours’ Single Review

Alice Milburn continues to perfect her innovative blend of glossy jazz chords with empowering upbeat pop with the new and improved version of 2019’s ‘Not Yours’.  Alice has only just begun to expand on a variety of Jeeni’s channels, including but not limited to: jazz, pop, indie and lounge. Fresh, new talent is what powers Jeeni and with artists such as Alice, Jeeni couldn’t wish for much better fuel for our mission of uplifting and supporting unrepresented artists. Check out Alice’s young and expanding showcase on Jeeni here. On this redesign of ‘Not Yours’, Alice displays her flexible and adaptable comprehension of musicality clearer than ever. The willingness to broaden both the understanding of jazz and pop whilst also incorporating rock elements without resulting in a confusing mess of a composition is an absolute feat. Alice’s attitude to music is totally refreshing and it’s more often the attitude and approach to creation that separates the greats from the rest, not just superb musicianship.  Immediately, this re-telling of Alice’s popular 2019 single holds more atmosphere and impact than its predecessor. The guitar cuts through so much cleaner thanks to less muddy settings on both the amp and after effects during the mixing process. And this fresher, more attentive approach isn’t limited to just the guitar parts; the bass guides the harmony much more seamlessly, the drums snap harder and as a result of these perfected parts, Alice’s soulful, impassioned vocals sit in this new arrangement so much nicer. Her voice is never drowned out, overshadowed or squashed, although the guitar solo certainly takes its fair portion of the limelight, and rightly so.  Another key improvement can be found in the addition of the horn parts. Tasteful trumpets can be heard reinforcing the chords in the choruses and do so well to glimmer and shine up the composition’s instrumentation. The key difference between the 2019 version and the new 2022 version is the brightness and rejuvenation in the tone of the track and not much brightens up a mix as well as horns. A live performance where the horn parts get their own moment to solo and shine would surely be breathtaking.  It could possibly be argued that a song about a romantic betrayal shouldn’t be so bright and that maybe the first, slightly darker version is more apt for heartbreak, however this song is more empowering than it is hopeless. The title itself, ‘Not Yours’ is a triumphant announcement that Alice can’t be owned or manipulated, especially not anymore.  It’s not always easy to perhaps acknowledge that a previously released track could be realised and finished in a more polished way, however Alice is the type of artist to take that brave step in improving her sound and raising the standard of her craft up another notch. Check out more of Alice Milburn’s fantastic work here. 

05
Jun

MD of Jeeni USA has been honoured as one of the “Top 100 Women of Influence”.

The woman who brought digital entertainment to the world is set to become MD of Jeeni USA. Kelli Richards is based in Cupertino, California, where the mighty Apple Corporation has its headquarters, and where she is honoured as one of the “Top 100 Women of Influence.” An Amazon Number One best-Selling author, and former A&R executive with EMI Music, Kelli played a key role in launching the entertainment division of Silicon Graphics. She’s celebrated as a digital media trailblazer and was responsible for launching Apple’s entry into music and entertainment during her many years with the company. In other words, Kelli Richards was directly responsible for the birth of digital entertainment and global music online, now known as Apple Music. Jeeni founder Mel Croucher worked with Kelli on projects for superstars like Eminem and Prince, and it seemed a perfect fit for Mel to invite her to represent Jeeni in the USA. “I was privileged to have been mentored by the legendary Steve Jobs over a period of several decades,” says Kelli. “I work on cool projects with cool people, and Jeeni is very, very cool.” Kelli Richards at Jeeni-USA HQ Keen to find out more about Jeeni, check out our new website www.jeeni.com

21
Oct

Get Gaming for Halloween!

With Halloween approaching, many games have spooky events taking place over this period. There's a screaming variety of games to choose from and we are dead sure there's one that will get you trembling. Firstly, Call of Duty Warzone has an event running from the now to the 2nd of November called ‘The Haunting’! There are new scary skins available including the Scream franchise’s Ghostface! As well as new weapons and other bundles including items for the game's zombies mode. Secondly, the Nintendo game Animal Crossing has many new Halloween items available from Nooks Cranny, the games very own island shop as well as the clothing store. Players can buy Halloween treats and costumes alike. They have also introduced a new Day of The Dead festival within the game which we are sure will be very successful. The spooky month is running through to October 31st so don’t miss out. ‘Fury of the Damned’ from Sea of Thieves is scheduled to run until November 7th! During this, you battle skeleton camps and hordes, and if you complete enough challenges you can win rewards. And don't forget Fortnite and Overwatch with the drop of many new skins for players to use, and other games such as Rocket League and Pokemon Unite also getting involved in all sorts of monstrous ways. Be sure to check if your favourite game has any special content we haven’t mentioned already! Jeeni is proud to be partnering Chillblast, the UK’s most awarded gaming PC manufacturer. Whether you are a console gamer or are already a PC gamer be sure to visit Gaming PCs by Chillblast | Budget, 4K, VR Gaming PCs.  Visit Jeeni PCs (chillblast.com) to take a look at our very own Jeeni gaming PCs. Free UK delivery, 5-star Top-Rated on Trustpilot, 5 Year Warranty, monthly payment options from just £21, they're a dead cert!