The Life of a Synner

My Story

Welcome! My name is Kate Lynch and I am 22 year old grassroots marketing rep, currently located in the awesome city of Tampa, Florida. About this time last year I was searching through the local Craigslist postings for the area to find a part time summer job to do on nights and weekends. I wanted a different focus other than the full time job I already worked 9-5, so since music has always been a huge part of my life I was hoping to get lucky. I fell onto a posting about becoming a concert promoter and getting paid to go to shows! (How lucky was I?!?) Considering I have been going to shows since I was 16 years old, it definitely struck my eye. I applied immediately and within two weeks I got a call back and was hired! I was selected to be the official Synner for Tampa, Florida.

This awesome company is called The Syndicate (www.thesyn.com). They are based out of New Jersey, just outside of New York City, where they hire reps (Synners) all around the United States to promote for different clients, mainly comedians through Comedy Central or various artists through many different recording labels. What makes this promoting company different than other street teams that you may have heard of before (Fueled by Ramen, Fearless, etc.) is they PAY their reps for all their hard work! They will even give you BONUS if you go above and beyond! Ultimately in a sense, you can think of it as something where you get PAID to go to work a show!

They offer all types of campaigns for Synners to promote. The most popular are the retail campaigns, competitive shows, and day of shows. Retail campaigns offer Synners a chance to promote a hired artist through the streets of their local city. It is a great way to establish many great connections with local book, music, and independently owned clothing stores and their employees. Personally, I know that when it comes time for a retail campaign for a particular type of artist, I already have 15 set places to go to and place materials! Day of shows are shows where a Synner will promote a particular artist on the tour or another related artist, as well as receiving (2) tickets to see the show! Speaking from experience, these types of shows are a GREAT way to meet people in the industry, whether they are bands, tour managers, or other industry reps! Synnners arrive before doors and start promoting before the show starts, during the show, and after the show. There are also competitive shows. These types of shows allow Synners to promote a hired artist or comedian at particular event in the area that would have an audience most interested in the hired artist/comedian. When promoting at competitive shows Synners handle them as if they were a day of show, except you do not get tickets for the show you are promoting at.

I often get the question of “ how did you get started and all of this?” The simple answer is Craigslist and a lot of hard work and dedication to become Synner. Words cannot express how much I love this company! I am so honored to be able to call myself a Synner. This blog is for ALL OF YOU to see what is like to be a Synner! I hope that if you are interested in becoming a part of Synner Nation or into the scene in general that you refer to this blog. I also encourage you to check out the other recommended websites that are listed, for they are people that I have been fortunate to meet, collaborate, or work with directly all through getting started with The Syndicate!

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February 8, 2012

I arrived to work this morning to hear about the saddening news of Jonny Craig and his future in Dance Gavin Dance. While there are many things being posted about him through multiple sources, to me, it is still some of the saddest news to hear. While I would never support or defend his personal actions and how he has treated people throughout his music career, my opinion of him is very clear.
I was introduced to Emarosa through a friend at a show almost 3 years ago and through my journey with attending their shows, there has never been one time when Jonny or the band he was in at the time be rude to me. In fact during my time on Warped Tour last year, the members of Dance Gavin Dance were very helpful to my friend and I. While it’s no secret that Jonny has a very well established reputation in the scene, it is heartbreaking to hear the news of his struggle for I’m sad that his life has come to this all time low.
In my own personal thoughts, I hate that I will never see him share the stage and perform with Emarosa or Dance Gavin Dance again. It forces me now to hold the memories I have of him performing even closer. I am thankful for that.
Again these are just my thoughts and experiences with Jonny Craig.

May he be safe on his journey through life.

Kate

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