Hollywood's current unemployment crisis has many television and film staff worried about finding their next job. This is especially true for freelancers, who often face unstable work and irregular pay.
ShoBizzy is a modern professional networking app for the entertainment industry that aims to address this challenge. And as more workers may be at risk of job loss, ShoBizzy recently expanded its services to allow users to pursue opportunities in additional areas such as live events and content creation.
The app, launched in January, stands out from traditional job boards like Backstage and StaffMeUp because it doesn't require users to fill out an application. Instead, freelancers can create a public profile to showcase their skills and expertise, and form long-term connections with industry insiders that can serve as valuable references for future job opportunities. Provide a social platform.
“Freelancers have a very non-traditional career path in that they don't have a permanent employer, and ultimately their network becomes the most valuable component of their career. You know the business,” co-founder Doug Weitzbach told TechCrunch. Weitzbuch is a freelance TV producer with 20 years of experience in the industry, having previously worked on shows such as “Duck Dynasty,” “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Lip Sync Battle.”
Image credit: Shobizzy
With so much focus on the creator economy, estimated to be a $250 billion business, it's a smart move to allow freelancers to expand their horizons beyond TV and film. Live events also increased rapidly last year. PwC predicts that live event revenue in the U.S. will reach $68.7 billion in 2024.
“The television industry has been in a recession for the past year, and many people are struggling to find work,” said co-founder Kevin Eberly. He previously founded PayYourRent, an online rent payment software company. “As we are building; [ShoBizzy]there was a lot of interest from two perpendicular directions, tangential. One is the production of live events, such as concerts, tours, and festivals. And then the other thing is digital content, like YouTube creators… We can provide our freelance crew with opportunities that they would never have thought of on their own. ”
Eberly added that the company currently has “strong relationships with several companies in the live events industry, including Red Light Management, who are looking to provide a platform for their productions and clients.” .
The new partnership with Red Light Management means the firm represents many notable artists including Luke Bryan, Sabrina Carpenter, The Black Keys, The Fray, The Strokes, Tom Petty and many more. It has an important meaning. This can give freelancers the opportunity to work on big projects that can advance their careers.
Image credit: Shobizzy
In addition to expansions, ShoBizzy has added new features to help live event companies manage hiring more easily. The app's production workflow is tailored to concert tours, allowing companies to add multiple dates and locations to a single production. Businesses can also be matched with the vendors they need, such as camera rental vendors.
Overall, ShoBizzy's suite of tools for production companies is aimed at streamlining the hiring process. The app uses AI-powered algorithms to suggest the best talent for each role, considering factors such as production location, current availability, and relevant IMDb credits. Then, track hiring progress in real-time as your staff comes together. Companies can also send messages to crew members on the app.
Since its launch, ShoBizzy has attracted 6,500 sign-ups and the attention of approximately 650 companies, including A&E, Amazon, Disney+, Discovery Channel, Food Network, Netflix, Nike, WNBA, and more.
The company has currently raised a $2 million seed round.