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t takes a certain type of character to manage
I
the world’s biggest egos. Sorry, I mean stars.
Contemporary media and society are drenched in
celebrity. Whether we like it or not – and I’m in
the “or not” category – television programmes and
newspaper column inches are crammed with the daily
endeavours of so-called “important people”.
While many of us wish we could pontificate on the
complexities of the global financial crisis with authority,
it’s more likely the best we can manage is a lame chat
about Amy Winehouse’s latest Camden brawl. Such is
the extent of the dross pinged in our direction.
But if you think avoiding celebrity spew in the press
is challenging, just how difficult is it pandering to their
travel needs on a daily basis? Don’t get me wrong, I
shouldn’t pigeonhole all artists as look-at-me egomaniacs,
but we are talking about a group of people with, by and
large, some of the most extrovert and unpredictable
personalities in the country.
I was, therefore, curious to find out whether travel
managing in the entertainment business is a glamorous
occupation, a labour of love, or just a bind? What kind of
personality do you need to deal with high-profile groups
and individuals, and what
skills must you have to
break into the field?
As senior tours
consultant at travel
management company
Music by Appointment –
part of the Travel by
Appointment group –
David Ferguson knows
everything about the
demands placed on the
YOU NEED TO
celebrity travel intermed-
iary. His work revolves
ENSURE ALL
around the travel needs of
FAVOURS ARE
some of the UK’s top-end
CALLED IN.
A-list icons and a number
SAYING ‘NO’ IS
of European orchestras.
“Flexibility is essential,”
AN ABSOLUTE
he insists. “Without a L50776 LAST RESORT
Reach for the stars
Travel managing the world’s biggest stars may sound glamorous, but it’s not all
caviar and champagne in the entertainment business. Martin Ferguson reports
ttgbusiness.com a79 november 2008
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