NY Liberty - Entertainment Mktg Manager


		Little Torches
		The Torch Patrol
		Michelle at Work
		Rehearsal Schedule
		Event Presentation Schedule

Michelle Harris has a very busy job to say the least, but it is also exciting and utilizes a lot of creative energy. As manager of Entertainment Marketing for the Knicks and Liberty, she oversees all of the performance teams and entertainment that rev up the crowds at the games. This includes overseeing the music, costumes and creating themes for the Knicks City Dancers, Knicks City Kids, NY Sticks Drumline, Acroback Team, Anointed S (Knicks beatboxer), Knicks Breakers, HSBC Kids Talent Search, Liberty Torch Patrol, Lil’ Torches and Timeless Torches.

Also as part of the job, Michelle works on branding and marketing as well as sponsorships and maintaining budgets for all of the entertainment teams listed above.

Creativity & Inspiration

“You need to be very creative and have a vision of what each performance team represents,” says Michelle. “ In New York City fans expect the best, so we aim to give them something new and fresh. You also have to be able to inspire performers to be on board with your vision and manage them so they execute well, especially in a fast-paced environment. You definitely need a strong sense of teamwork.”

Typically working from 9 to 6 (plus game nights), Michelle often finds herself brainstorming about new music, new costumes, theme ideas and design changes. She works with costume makers, hires choreographers and keeps an eye out for new entertainment acts. It is important to diversify the music and costumes for each game so that fans are not always seeing the same look and hearing the same music.

“I also pitch ideas for marketing and PR, plan special events and give constructive feedback to the dancers,” adds Michelle, who sometimes pops into the rehearsals after work to make sure routines are being executed properly. “During the games, I oversee the game script that details when and where the performers are needed,” explains Michelle.

From Dancer to Dance Manager

Michelle went to the Stern School of Business at NYU and double-majored in Marketing and Management/Organizational Behavior. After college, she worked in a small graphic design firm, where she learned a lot about business.

Although she came to New York City intending to go to business school and work in corporate America, she never stopped dancing, something she loved doing for years. “My high school dance team coach really inspired me to continue dancing and he taught me how to be a good leader. When he died during my freshman year of college, I knew I owed it to him to do what I was good at and make this my career.

Michelle became a Knicks City Dancer and a member of the Liberty Torch Patrol, where she danced for seven years and became the team Captain. “Because I was very familiar with working at Madison Square Garden, I was qualified to fill the manager position when it became open,” explains Michelle. “I always knew I wanted to be behind the scenes working as a producer or other executive in the entertainment industry when I finished performing, so I always made sure I emphasized that I was capable of being a leader or manager at many of my dance jobs,” she adds.

For others to follow in her dancing footsteps, Michelle says that it is important to be very persistent and organized. “So many great ideas fall by the wayside because it’s not always easy to get people to do new and different things. Thus, it’s really important to communicate and inspire people to be a part of the team and strive to stand out from the rest,” says Michelle.