Johnna Johnson
Sr. Account Executive, Billboard
A perfectionist that is serious about her
work, Billboard's Johnna Johnson has been conquering music
industry obstacles and taking charge for over 17 years. Maintaining
a hectic daily 10-hour schedule, Billboard's Johnna is one
of the most respected executives in today's music entertainment
industry. Acting as the advertising liaison between leading
record labels, Billboard magazine and it sister publication,
the R&B Airplay Monitor, Johnna Johnson's career began
in 1983. She got a much needed career boost when she was hired
as Tour Manager for Lewis Gray Concert Entertainment in Los
Angeles, responsible for advertising, concert bookings and
tour promotions.
Later, a brief stint as an administrative
assistant at Motown records led to the 1986 move to Urban
Network Magazine as Special Project Manager. Here Johnna handled
circulation, advertising, radio and retail tracking, cover
layouts, as well as product mailings. Johnna, working with
then president Jerry Boulding helped devise the first "Quiet
Storm Chart."
The next phase in Johnna Johnson's career
came in 1995 when she assumed the position of National Promotions
Manager at GRP Records in New York. Maintaining a front line
position, she was responsible for everything from artist promotions
to creating marketing plans. She was responsible for launching
GRP's first Urban Promotion Field Staff and was instrumental
in the careers of Phil Perry, Incognito's Maysa and violinist
Jerald Daemon.
When describing her career, Johnna says...
"People use terms like keep it real but don't really
apply it nor do they practice it in their day-to-day life.
But that has been my life, trying to keep everything in its
proper perspective. When it comes to working in this industry,
I pride myself on working with folks who teach and can pass
on the knowledge they have to offer. I liken it to a championship
team, if you've won before, then you know how to win, how
to get to the playoffs. If you've never been to the playoffs
before, then you don't know what to expect and you stumble.
I enjoy learning from folks I've worked with, being under
their tutelage and soaking it all up like a sponge... taking
all I can get."
Johnna continues by saying, "we work
in a business that can cause to you to get caught up! The
life style, the parities... all the glitz and glamour, its
really infectious! I make it a point to keep my personal life
separate from my job. As for my roots, my family-we're a close
family, even though I live 3,000 miles away; we see each other
often and talk all the time, my sisters in Midwest make sure
of that! Family is first; my two sons give me the greatest
joy. Just thinking about them make me simile. My husband is
my best friend and teacher. We have been through more than
anyone would ever imagine; we've been friends for almost 20
years. He has shared his experience of retail and radio promotions,
which gives us a common ground and helps alter a long day,
having someone who has an understanding of the industry.
The glue that keeps my family together is
our faith in the Creator and his son Jesus Christ. Without
a spiritual foundation, we would have crumbled a long time
ago."
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