We pride ourselves on the success of our students. This month, we spotlight pointblank alumnus, Adrian Mason. A forward-thinking entrepreneur, Adrian has channelled his passion for music, technology, and inclusion into creating UniteVerse – an innovative platform designed to transform how people discover and experience venues with a focus on safety, accessibility and community.
If you’re passionate about becoming a music industry entrepreneur, our Music Business Degree is the perfect place to start. You’ll explore essential modules such as IP & Copyright, Professional Development, Business Planning & Management, and Legal Affairs – equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the industry.
Hi Adrian, tell us a little about yourself!
I turn 50 this year and moved to London 14 years ago from Guernsey, so I definitely have some stories – it’s certainly been a journey. I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember, but with there being few opportunities in Guernsey, I fell into a finance job after dropping out of school at 16. Getting to London felt like a new lease of life.
I have an eclectic taste in music, and it really is the universal language that brings people together. I’m an advocate for charity, gender, racial, and socio-economic equality. ‘Tech for good’ is also a passion of mine. We are all responsible for our own destiny, right? As cheesy as that sounds, I’ve made sacrifices and worked very hard – but if you want something, you just need to make a plan, crack on, and give it the best shot you can.
What course did you do at pointblank?
I studied pointblank’s Music Business short course, which was called Music Industry Diploma at the time.
What was your experience like?
I really enjoyed it and met Thomas Irwin, one of the artists I currently manage. He’s a graduate of the BA (Hons) Music Production & DJ Performance. I love working with him, and it’s been one of the best things to have happened. Especially since working in music has always been a dream.
Any standout lecturers/modules for you?
Artist Management, because it was important for what I was doing at the time, plus it’s my favourite thing. I love learning!
Let’s talk about UniteVerse. How did it all start?
It’s very exciting. The idea and vision came to me after attending a panel talk by Beatport at the International Music Summit in Ibiza in April 2022 on safety and accessibility.
UniteVerse is all about community, with diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI), safety, accessibility, neurodiversity, and mental health at its core. UniteVerse supports consumers, businesses, musicians, and brands, it’s also a transformative two-tier platform rooted in innovation. It combines a mobile app and a SaaS solution to revolutionise businesses.
What is the app designed to do?
The app is designed to foster discovery and build community by connecting consumers with businesses in a personalised and meaningful way. By encouraging users to share real-time feedback, it helps companies enhance customer experiences while ensuring venues are safer, more accessible, and inclusive.
The SaaS product equips venue owners with valuable insights driven by real-time data. Through its intuitive, AI-powered chat interface, businesses can engage directly with people. It uncovers key trends and makes informed, data-driven decisions to boost revenue and customer satisfaction. It also integrates seamlessly with CRMs and marketing tools, automating campaigns and synchronising reservations.
Learn more: https://uniteverse.app/
How did the pointblank course help you build UniteVerse?
The course I did included an entrepreneur module, which ultimately, helped me to focus and give me confidence in my capabilities.
Any industry advice for entrepreneurs such as yourself?
It can be tough, stressful, and sometimes lonely, but don’t give up – make sure to surround yourself with the right people. Don’t be afraid to pivot, network as much as possible, and, most importantly, listen. If you’re solving a problem, be specific about the solution and clear in how you communicate it.
For me, if you’re passionate and truly believe in what you’re doing (which you have to be), don’t forget to enjoy the journey and celebrate the milestones along the way.
Any alumni advice for students interested in coming to pointblank?
As with any investment, make sure it’s the right time for you and that you’re able to fully commit – remember, it’s ultimately an investment in yourself. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Along the way, you’ll meet great, experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly people.
Any current projects/updates you’d like to share?
I manage some exciting up-and-coming artists who have a lot of great things happening – including Thomas Irwin. Check out his Spotify here.
Inspired?
Thanks to the dedication of our industry expert instructors, pointblank has earned a prestigious Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), placing us among the very best institutions. Whether you’re passionate about DJing, music production, sound engineering, vocal performance, software engineering, radio or songwriting – pointblank offers degrees or short courses in London, LA, Ibiza and online. No matter your location or aspirations, we are here to help make your dreams a reality.
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