LESLIE ANN BENNETT

adukrt@r.postjobfree.com 917-***-**** http://www.linkedin.com/in/leslieannbennett

MULTI-FACETED EVENTS MANAGER – ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

Campaign publicity Special Events Production Orchestrator International Talent Visas

Versatile events manager for the entertainment industry with expertise in a wide range of functions involved in producing special events. Ensured that every aspect was executed on time and flawlessly from publicizing the events to managing budgets to overseeing complex international immigration / visa policies for talent outside the U.S. Career has primarily been in the entertainment industry. Skills include:

●Designing campaigns

●Labor relations

●Problem-solving

●Budget administration

●Mentoring staff

●Liaising with Immigration officials

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

• The Lion King composer Lebo Morake, “I came to respect her for her passion, integrity, humor and the way she approached all aspects of the job. She went above and beyond in her work with so many actors around the world. I nicknamed her the Ambassadress of Goodwill.”

• Academy Award-winning Producer and Director Ed Zwick for “diligently bringing about this incredible launch” of The Last Samurai.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Independent Consultant 2014 - Present

● Circle in the Square Front of House

●Managed social media for Dawn Animal Agency -2019-2020 (Top agency for animals used in film and theatre)

●Served as Freelance Publicist for film and television talent - Serge PR Publicity Firm - 2016-2020

●Managed Project for “Freedom Day of South Africa,” - United Nations 2018

●Authored children's book Penny’s Special Trunk, DoYoSe – 2018

●Served as Music Production Consultant - BierGram Productions, LLC 2017

●Performed as VIP Ambassador for Eddie Izzard’s Believe Me book tour - WestBeth Entertainment 2017

●Managed Huru International - Clinton Global Initiative Fundraiser, 2016

●Produced screenings of “West Side Story” with George Chakiris for the C.H.A.R.G.E. Syndrome Foundation, 2015

●Served as Consultant/Director of Operations - Digital Media Systems - 2014-2015

Warner Bros. Publicity and Special Events Senior Administrator New York, NY 2002-2014

●Produced and managed 50+ special receptions including promotion, hiring performers/animal trainers, and facilitation of talent and press.

●Orchestrated publicity campaigns for a wide array of films and theatrical shows, most notably: The Last Samurai, Letters from Iwo Jima, and Phantom of the Opera.

●Produced opening night reception at the Waldorf Astoria for Jersey Boys complete with costumes, wigs, makeup, vintage furniture, period magazines, bandstands, cocktails, and pianist from the Broadway Show.

●Managed the Warner Bros. screening room for all external bookings including not for profit, film talent and producers

●Hired and managed all documentation for vendors/freelancers to a successful completion.

●Trained and mentored 84 interns over 12 years for a year-round internship program and invited to lecture at schools.

Disney/Buena Vista Theatrical Group, Ltd. Manager of Labor Relations New York, NY 1996-2001

Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hoops, Aida, and Carnival

●Managed collective bargaining agreements, contract administration and international relations with great success.

●Negotiated and tracked contracts/buy-outs with SAG & AFTRA, Actors’ Equity, United Scenic Artists, Local 802 Musicians, and Local 306 Projectionists for all Disney theatrical productions to a successful outcome.

●Managed international logistics, protocol and procedures for talent travel for South African actors in future companies of The Lion King.

EDUCATION

B.M.E. Musical Arts, Bowling Green State University

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