BiGiAM is, in essence, four experienced associates who have between them, served as a Communications Director for a multi national/multi billion industry, founded the original Brighton fringe festival, been main programmers for sizable and prestigious venues, promoted literally thousands of shows – from ‘grass roots’ bands to major artists (with valuable experience in dealing with managers, agents, promoters, and labels) – sourced very many thousands of pounds in funding and sponsorship, contributed (and continue to contribute) to many of Brighton’s main music media (written and broadcast) and much more besides.
Alison Hildyard
BiGiAM was formed by Alison Hildyard in 2003. Starting out as a young lass in a well known record shop in London, Alison moved to Brighton, joined Skint Records and became responsible for planning and overseeing Fatboy Slim’s European DJ tours with the Big Beat Boutique club night, as well as the Boutiques legendary Brighton & London club nights and national, European & American tours.
Fitting in managing the virtuoso fingerstyle guitarist, Eric Roche, Alison became the main booker for the Concorde 2, one of Brighton’s major venues where her many responsibilities included gig programming, artist/management/agent/independent promoter liaison (including dealing with many major artists, record companies and their representatives), event production & promotion (including radio, TV, online and local, regional & national press).
Since forming the BiGiAM, Alison has, amongst many other things, been responsible for the PR, promotion and publicity for Brighton venues & their events. The BiGiAM have also undertaken artist representation, supervised press for album launches & musical events, overseen bookings, production and promotion at Brighton venues and for the last four years, coordinated numerous aspects of the major Brighton music festival – Brighton Live – from sourcing funding, delivering sponsorship packages to marketing & PR and booking bands.
Mark Ede
Mark has a wide and varied proven track record in business and communications where he rose to ‘Communications Director’ for the multibillion, multinational company, O2 Airwave. Prior to that, he held several senior management positions in BT, notably as ‘Head of Reputation Management and Issues Management’ for the BT Group, worldwide.
With the buffer of both a pension and a significant property portfolio, Mark left Corporate life to pursue a lifetime passion – music.
In 2009 Mark was programme co-ordinator for Brighton Live (effectively booking all 150 bands for the festival) and in 2010 this role was extended further to oversee the whole festival adminstration. In the same year he helped industry figures David Courtney and Paul Mex to establish the ‘Brighton Music Awards’, attended by such luminaries as Jimmy Page and Roger Daltrey, in support of Teenage Cancer Trust. 2011 saw him working as part of the core team for Meadowlands Festival, alongside fellow BiGiAM directors.
Mark’s wider musical portfolio includes not just festival administration but also long standing experience running, planning and promoting live music nights and residencies in London (including the Noble Rot club in Mayfair and the 606 club in Chelsea) as well as various gigs in Brighton and beyond.
As a PR professional, Mark’s skills have been employed to help any number of bands, signed and otherwise, and he’s the man behind the ‘Soul Reality Collective’ which has included some of countries finest talents in the genre. His media experience includes producing and presenting independent music radio shows across a number of stations and platforms, writing regular columns for ‘BN1′, ‘Guide2 Brighton’ and ‘Whats Happening Magazine’, as well as being a music reviewer for Latest 7 (print) and BBC Introducing (radio). Mark is also an experienced panelist and facilitator at music seminars and events, as well as being a guest lecturer on music related matters at the University of Brighton.
Jeff Hemmings
After graduating with a degree in Economics, Jeff Hemmings decided to change tack completely and has been fully immersed in the worlds of media, the arts and music since the late 80s, first as a music photographer who worked with Sounds (RIP) and many other music and entertainments publications before relocating to Brighton in the early 90s and setting up Impact Magazine, honing his photography, writing and all-round management skills in the process.
He then founded the Brighton Fringe Festival in 1996 which existed in that format until 2004, before becoming Brighton Fringe and now, The Basement, an exciting new performance space underneath Argus Lofts in the heart of the City.
Since then he has been editor of The Latest magazine, managed local bands, such as Los Albertos, promoted international, national and local acts and become a radio presenter for both Juice FM and Radio Reverb, the latter for whom he is now on the Board of Directors.
He’s also currently programmer for the Latest Musicbar (ex-Joogleberry) and Music Editor for Latest 7, a weekly Sussex based magazine with a circulation of 25,000, and is vice-chairman of Brighton Live Festival.
An all-rounder and ‘fixer’, with a deep knowledge of music and the world of entertainment, Jeff continues to pour his heart and soul into promoting and championing new talent…
Stacie Jones
Stacie originally joined BiGiAM on an internship and, though barely out of her teens, quickly impressed with her ability, ideas, quiet drive, determination and self motivation. In 2012 Stacie was offered an associate position with the company and has quickly become a highly valued member of the team, not least for her social networking and artist promotion skills.
Highly organised and efficient, Stacie moved down south from the West Midlands to pursue a career in the music industry, graduating with a music business degree in 2011. Initial internships with marketing companies, music venues and music festivals – including The Mama group (The Great Escape, Lovebox) – added to Stacie’s fast track experience of the industry.
Her skills as a bassist and training as a sound engineer have, these days, largely taken a back seat to her passion for all things music business related, although she still finds time for her other passion as a jewellery maker.
