[I am Woman-Words, Thoughts and Reflection] It could only be Miss Katie Pinkn...

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Sasha Shantel

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Jun 5, 2010, 5:55:50 PM6/5/10
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It was bound to happen, after getting to know Ms Leigh, I bring to you her PR manager and major player within the Urban industry, Miss Katie PinknBlack. When it comes to striving for the best, Katie is not a stranger to hard work and is wholely committed to being a driving force behind pushing the Urban entertainment industry into the mainstream. She is indeed a one woman machine and is ready to build and expand on her empire, but the question is are we really ready? Read on to find out more.....

I know you work in an office by day, how do you manage your workload and transcend into a business woman?

I work for a great company who know all about Pink 'N' Black Entertainment and they are really supportive of what I do. So, whenever I have spare time in my office I tend to do Pink 'N' Black work. I even have a white bored with my Pink 'N' Black to do list next to my desk. Unless its a rare day off LOL I keep myself in Pink 'N' Black mode always.

Why did you choose to work within the Urban industry?

For me I find that the Urban industry has a lot more talent than the commercial industry and a great deal of this talent is being unheard and unseen. The British Media and public need to take note on the missing talents in the UK. I hope to be involved in changing the views of the Urban Industry and getting these people recognised plus I love a challenge. In my opnion, the Commercial industry would be too easy for me to work within.

You PR manage the UK's very own superstar Ms Carmen Leigh. How did you get into this line of work? and what are the pros and cons of working within model management?

When I started Pink 'N' Black Ents I was asked by one of my current acts to manage them. PR is something I have always wanted to get into so I did some research and went from there. With Carmen I invited her down to a shoot and loved the way she worked I knew that I wanted her on my books So I asked her outright and she said yes :-D. Carmen definitely raised the bar for me. Her strong work ethics and attitude is honestly every PR managers dream. She knows what she wants, when she wants it, and she strives to get it done. She keeps me on my toes, which is why we work so well together.

Pros: 1)Making things happen for people from magazine features to sponsorships its great to know your apart of their success. 2)I absolutely love Photo shoots. They are crazy and I really enjoy being involved in the whole process. It allows me to be hands on and it's a chance to get creative. Models themselves, subject to belief are very hardworking individuals that strive to be the best at their game. I actually find models easier to work with than Music Artists especially in the Urban industry.

Cons: 1)Haters. Models collect haters like an old TV collects dust. It annoys me when someone hates on Carmen because of her progression especially when they are male. I honestly find that weird. 2)The underpayment of models. Artists and clothing designers always asking people to support them by buying their albums and clothing but don't want to pay the models. I think people think Models do this for fun at the end of the day everyone wants to eat so these people need to start paying models. Changes can not be made if this type of disrespect is continually displayed. For things to improve for the better within the Urban modelling industry, "free girls" and their services should not be employed.

They indirectly prevent models from furthering themselves. If these girls stopped offering their services for free, Artists would have to then pay for their models. Thats the only way people will move forward.

What events, promotions have you been involved in? and which ones have been your favourite ones to date?

My events are "Facebook Model" "Soul funk" and I did a one off event "CEO UKs GOT TALENT" with some other people. I've promoted so many events "All About You" "Escape" "Blackberry party" "Candy Mag UK VOl3 & Vol 4 Party" "So London" "Electric Butterflies" "So Sexy" "Its a throwback" I'm sure there is some i've missed out. My favourite events have to be The Candy mag UK parties the efforts made by the Candy Mag UK team and their models are outstanding. They put out all the stops and their events are always great to attend!. Also, Facebook Model because its about pushing forward models and giving them a platform to showcase themselves. Facebook model 2010 will be coming in this summer so watch out for more details on that.

I had to do my research and I had a cheeky peek @ your formspring profile. What was disappointing was the number of negative comments left by women and men who said you are not black! as well as other unsavoury comments. How do you handle such negativity and such direct displays of what we may call 'hateration' which is heavily prevalent within the whole of the entertainment industry?

For me formspring hating is a cowards way out. If you have to hide yourself to say something about me or to me then I just don't give you any airtime or I will reply with a smart comment. As for hating in general it happens i've had all kinds of messages on facebook and Twitter if I let it phase me it will effect my work. The comments about being black etc. I've had them comments since I started working within the Urban industry so it rolls off of me like water on a ducks back. I'm colour blind when it comes to race it plays no mind in my life I don't look at yourself or Carmen and think ooo there black your just Sasha and Carmen.

What's amazing about you is how much you manage. How do you stay on top of your workload? and who else do you work with within team pinknblack to make all your projects a success?

I work alot of hours Pink 'N' Black Entertainment is a 24/7 thing for me the only time I'm not doing anything PnB is when I am sleeping I enjoy what I do so it makes it easier for me to do it. My team is currently building up again I have a PA Kim she has been with me for other a year and I am currently training Chan up for PR work I have a great inhouse photographer called Donata and I also get alot of support from a good friend of mine Charlene who will be back working with me this summer. Also the people I work with help along the success path I tend to surround myself with positive and motivated people.

You are hands on when it comes to the overall creations of all your media and promotional tools- whether it be the creation of twitter backgrounds, posters, flyers, etc. Did you go to college to study graphic design :) or are you naturally talented in this field?

Naturally talented LOL :-P I taught myself everything, it helps that I love learning new skills. When it comes to creating, I love to be apart of making something. Again, I started doing design when I started Pink 'N' Black Ents to save money lol.

What is your overall view of the Urban modelling industry?

The Urban Modelling industry has got the most talent in the UK from the photographers, models, photoshop wizards. All it lacks is the support! UK urban Models don't get enough ratings or support from within the Urban Industry and mainstream media outlets.

What is/are your mantras for success? and if you have any, who are your role models?

I don't really class myself as successful yet but I would say to be successful
is to work hard and to the best of your ability. I push myself to the limit and I never give up at any hurdles. As for role models, it would have to be My Aunty Lorie and Uncle Martyn they are two of the most amazing people I know. If I am half the person they are when I reach a more mature age, then I will know that I am successful.

You are heavily involved with the urban eye candy publication CandymagUK. There are many other urban publications like this including icandy-mag, Juice, UKChoc and Inbox Magazine to name but a few. Do you think that UK glamour publications can compete with its US counterparts?

Candy Magazine UK has everything and more to offer the UK and beyond from an outsiders point of view I would say that the standard of Model to the presentation of the Magazine is more than enough to compete with The USA! if not more .
For me the USA are just setting standards the UK have got the ability to break these standards and raise the bar. It comes down to supporting our own! If all of these publications continue to push themselves forward anything is possible.

You mentioned that you are joining forces with 'Fly Force Clothing' to bring the Urban entertainment industry into the foreground by creating Urban Media Network Awards and Magazine. How important are these ventures to you and why do you feel they will help transform the urban circuit for the better?

Its very important that people find ways to push forward the Urban industry Jay Force and I are both hoping that with the awards and magazine it will open more doors for people and its a great way for individuals to showcase and plug themselves. We also have a group on facebook which helps connect people together. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=398976835314&ref=search

What UK artists whether they be Models, Designers, Actors etc do you respect and admire who are heavily involved within the urban industry?

Jay force for sure I have so much respect for this guy he is 21 years old and the way he pushes himself and works is amazing. To accomplish what he has in such a short period of time is amazing. Alot of people should take note of this guy. I also heavily rate Femelle/Candy UK C.E.Os Kosher and Teresa. The way they push forward Urban models, their work ethic and their continuous support is very rare within the Urban industry.

Models would have to be Sashia Summers, Yourself, Demented, Mercy Prestige.
Carmen Leigh has to be here I admire her work ethics and the way she continues to push and fight for everything. When you work with someone on a PR front you see both the ups and downs this girl just continues through it she keeps me motivated.
Stormparties team. What a great team! They are DJs, Hosts, Photographers their whole movement is refreshing to see and watch grow.There are loads of other people I respect. Overall I respect anyone that puts themselves out there and keeps the industry moving :-)

It is only a matter of time before you takeover all things Urban. Do you aim to in time crossover into the mainstream and to make your mark within the commercial industry which is indeed more lucrative?

I am very passionate about the Urban industry so really I only intend to cross over to mainstream when the time is right for one of my acts. Once that happens I think I will work both industries. As a PR manager it will be beneficial to whoever I am working with for me to have a network within both industries as it opens more doors for them to be successful.

Where do you see the PinknBlack brand in the next 5 years?

In the next 5 years I want the brand to reach its peak I want to expand the brand all over the UK and eventually stateside and Europe I also intend to make a catalogue of people reach major successes. It would be good to see at least one of my acts on the GMTV sofa lol! Anything is possible if you work hard enough.



That was amazing, thanks Katie xxxx (P.S- thanks for the shout out too :)

For everything PinknBlack- check the following links.


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Posted By Sasha Shantel to I am Woman-Words, Thoughts and Reflection on 6/05/2010 01:41:00 PM
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