Paramount Booking originated from Ms. Gross' passion for doing what she loves – marketing and selling – and applying it to music, another of her passions. She started Paramount Booking with the idea of creating a point of connection between musicians and venues. As she interacted with more musicians and talented acts she found them all looking for the same thing: representation in bookings.
Conversely she found venues and event planners looking for one stop shopping for quality entertainment. As she came into contact with venue owners and event planners citing a lack of diverse talent, and a central site to go to find it, Cheri's vision of Paramount developed, to fill that mandate. She goes the extra mile to provide additional services: free consultation for event planners, and comprehensive follow-up with logistical help to make the vision realized.
Her early exposure of 15 years working in the Nordstrom culture of superior customer service, has molded the essential foundation of Ms. Gross's approach: integrating premium customer service with a quality product, and applying her determination to be the best.
Prior to the formation of Paramount , Cheri led a successful career in sales and marketing: Well experienced in retail sales and backed with strong corporate sales experience, Cheri has successfully led and developed sales teams targeting efforts to acquire Fortune 500 clients for language service providers. Over five years with Berlitz International she progressively increased profits and implemented successful sales and marketing campaigns as Director of Berlitz Language Centers in Phoenix, and in Campbell, and then served as Berlitz San Francisco District Director where she was responsible for six language centers from San Francisco to Denver, Phoenix, and Seattle with combined sales and revenues in excess of $3 million.
Ms. Gross was hired away from Berlitz International in 2005 to perform business development for Communicaid Corporation and subsequently performed Director of Sales activities for Advanced Global Connections, where she worked until 2007.
In 2007 Cheri jumped the corporate ship and set sail on her own career path, diving headfirst into the music industry to successfully promote a Ska Dance Craze night English Beat event in September 2007. That event led her on the path to creating Paramount Booking.
Cheri credits dedication and commitment to her yoga practice of 8 years to helping her remain calm and graceful under even the most stressful situations and guiding her along her path in successfully building the business of Paramount Booking.
Her love of travel and an international life has led Cheri to visit over 23 countries, living in Austria , Slovakia , and in China where she worked for the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai . She has taken continuing education classes in business and self development at Stanford University , was co-founder of the Foxx Tour , Southern California 's Amateur Golf Tour, and was Vice President of Marketing at Elderberry Creations in San Diego California .
Cheryl Gross graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in Liberal Studies from San Diego State University .
Todd Stephen Benson-Gross Director of Communication and
Public Relations
Paramount Booking's director of communication and public relations serves as the principle contact for press and publicity, with a special focus on traditional media and external affairs. Mr. Benson-Gross in that role handles media inquiries, and develops strategy for informing the media and interested parties in the music community about the activities of Paramount Booking.
As a co-founder of Paramount Booking, Mr. Benson-Gross comes with a strong public relations background won through politics that began in 1984 as an intern for a U.S. Senator, followed by years of work with political campaigns throughout California . Campaigns led to a decade of politically appointed positions with the California State Legislature, allowing him to serve on the Leadership Staff under three Speakers of the Assembly, as a committee consultant, and later as chief of staff and senior consultant to a state Assemblyman, among other positions.
After the legislature, Todd turned to the private sector, working in government relations as a lobbyist and partner in two companies he co-founded. It was during this time he had the honor of being invited to serve as an occasional White House advance man for the Vice President.
On the musical front, while Todd enjoys many and diversified genre, he harbors a soft spot for classical music. Despite the fact that piano is his instrument of choice, when in Washington , he was nonetheless privileged to perform with The Washington Opera at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Among several awards and commendations, Todd is a two-time recipient of the California State Bar Association's Wiley K. Manuel Award for provision of pro bono legal services to the indigent.
Mr. Benson-Gross is a graduate of The George Washington University in Washington , DC .
With over five years experience in the event industry, Emma Josephson comes to Paramount Booking as event planner and manager.
Emma's formal education at San Diego State University in Event Management has been heavily bolstered with many and varied real life experiences in the event planning industry – from fashion shows and weddings to concert production assistance.
Ms. Josephson's popularity with clients stems in part from her ability to stretch limited budgets into unforgettably successful events. Work experience includes trade shows, sporting events, concerts and business conventions. Specifically, Emma has recently put her expertise to work with the San Diego Charger's “ Team Blood Drive ,” a San Diego “On Broadway” production of “Eeka Mouse,” the “2008 Neighborhood Parks Gala” in San Francisco 's Doboce Park , and a fundraiser and auction for the Boys and Girls Club and the National Charity League, respectively.
In addition to her certificate work at SDSU, Emma has supplemented her education with formal specialized studies in the Business and Knowledge of Wine, as well coursework in the Business of Weddings and Contracts to round out her CMP skills.
Ms. Josephson is originally from Canada , but is now pleased to call California home.
Michael Uhila Director
of Venue and Artist Relations
Overseeing venue and artist relations, Mr. Uhila works as a liaison between much of Paramount 's talent and event site management. He also works closely with performing artists and music talent generating bookings at festivals, and venues for live events.
Mike comes to Paramount with a background principally in broadcast and broadcast production, having worked as a television producer, news writer and a disc jockey.
At the young age of just 15, Mike had his first radio job at KEST A.M. where he worked as an engineer. The production side of the business soon gave way, however, to writing and on-air interviewing. His written handiwork can be found in print and electronic publications, including The Stanford Daily, KZSU Stanford Programming Guide, Ano-Masima, EPA Today, and toowrite.com . On air, his interview subjects have been somewhat diverse, and included fashion models, local and international bands, solo performing artists, serious politicians and adult entertainers.
Mr. Uhila is a performing artist himself, who has played with several reggae bands. For the moment though, Mike spends more of his time listening to music rather than performing it: He is able to work double duty as a talent scout for Paramount .
Mr. Uhila can be heard live on his late, late Sunday night radio show, “Now's the Time.” The program airs from Midnight through 3:00 a.m. on KZSU Stanford 90.1 FM.
Jennifer Takahashi is a full time student at San Francisco State University , where she is a student of Business Marketing. She also has a passionate love of music and a strong interest in the music world. These three elements brought her to the doorsteps of Paramount Booking, where she presently consults on cutting-edge use of new media in promotions, marketing and other initiatives.
Jennifer leads ongoing efforts at Paramount 's sister company, BirdyNumNum, where she works on promotional campaigns for bands, performing artists and upcoming events.
When not doing any of the above, Jenn can often be found out on photo shoots both modeling and as a fashion photographer.
Jennifer Takahashi also works as Paramount 's talent scout for new up-and-coming performing artists in the San Francisco Bay area.
