MUSIC MOGUL’S PEOPLE ASK TO SPEAK TO US “OFF THE RECORD” AFTER TOUTING FOR MULTIPLE “KEEN AS MUSTARD” INTERNS, PAYING EXPENSES ONLY
** ANOTHER GRADUATE FOG EXCLUSIVE **
Simon Cowell has been caught up in another row about his companies’ use of unpaid interns, after one of his staff posted a Facebook shout-out advertising for “keen as mustard new interns” to work on one of his major business projects. Syco “can pay expenses, with a lunch allowance” and the internships are a “great chance for people wanting to gain experience.”
The music mogul’s spokesperson tried to speak to us “off the record” before refusing to answer our questions about how this could have happened again, given that Cowell has been investigated by officials before for having unpaid interns working on X Factor.
(We told him we don’t do “off the record” – keep reading to see the whole exchange).
The advert appeared on Facebook last week, for multiple interns to work on Cowell’s video auditions platform You Generation, a digital project run jointly by YouTube, Sony and Cowell’s company. The advert said:
“Looking for keen as mustard new interns for www.youtube.com/yougeneration/tv We’re based in central London and can pay expenses, with a lunch allowance. Great chance for people wanting to gain experience working on a fast turn around online channel. Feel free to share to anyone you think it might suit. Drop me an email at [REMOVED BY GRADUATE FOG]”
Several people stated their interest in the position, including one who asked “…just wondering if this is a paid position?” to which the response was “expenses only for this one”. When another asked her to expand on what the role would involved, the staff member said: “We’re looking for people who will get to try a variety of roles and get generalised experience, rather than just a runner position.”
When another asked: “Are you planning to keep people/someone on at the end of the internship if they do well? or is this just for experience only?” she replied: “We aren’t bringing in interns specifically with a view to hiring someone, but as you know in the industry it’s great to make contacts, and things do change.”
SEE THE ADVERT WITH YOUR OWN EYES! Click here
This is not the first time Simon Cowell has been linked to unpaid internships. In December 2011, Graduate Fog exclusively revealed that several unpaid interns were working on X Factor. The story was picked up by the Guardian and then HMRC, who agreed to investigate.
A few months later, we exclusively revealed that all unpaid interns working on the show had received compensation for their work, for the sum of several thousand pounds. None of this was announced publicly – an intern contacted Graduate Fog directly.
So we decided to challenge the people behind the advert. First, we emailed the staff member responsible for posting it, asking her to explain the advert:
To: Syco staff member who advertised the internship
From: Graduate Fog
Date: Tuesday 14 January 2014, 16:32
Subject: Press comment about Syco internshipsI understand that Syco is currently offering multiple internships lasting three months and paying expenses only.
Can you please clarify the nature of these positions? What work is involved, what hours do the interns work, etc?
Also, if these interns are making a useful contribution to Syco, can you explain why the positions are unpaid?
Many thanks,
Tanya
After a day’s silence, she confirmed she had passed our request on to HR. Then we received this, from the Head of Media at Sony…
To: Graduate Fog
From: Communications Director, Sony Music
Date: Wednesday, 15 January 2014, 11:47
Subject: Sony MusicHullo Tanya — I can’t see a number for you — can I call you please?
Paul Bursche
To: Communications Director, Sony Music
From: Graduate FogHi Paul
What’s it about – can you email please?
Thanks
Tanya de Grunwald
Founder, Graduate FogTo: Graduate Fog
From: Communications Director, Sony MusicYes — its about your enquiry to [STAFF MEMBER WHO POSTED THE ADVERT], which has just been passed to me.
Paul
To: Communications Director, Sony Music
From: Graduate FogI think I was quite clear in the email what I would like you to address.
Would you like me to send the questions again?
I like all this correspondence to be done in writing, as it means that there is no chance you can claim that I have taken anything you say out of context.
Thanks
Tanya
To: Graduate Fog
From: Communications Director, Sony MusicDo you want to call me — because I’d like to speak to you off the record, but the answer to your question is we’re not. But I’d be curious as to where this has come from.
My number is [REMOVED BY GRADUATE FOG]
To: Communications Director, Sony Music
From: Graduate FogSorry Paul, I don’t do ‘off the record’.
[STAFF MEMBER] wrote a brief advert on Facebook asking for multiple interns to work on the You Generation platform. Several Facebook users interested in the roles asked questions, and it became clear that the roles were unpaid and will involve real work.
The thread was then taken down.
Would you like to comment or not?
Tanya
To: Graduate Fog
From: Communications Director, Sony MusicHi Tanya, you put us under a deadline to respond. I’ve looked into this – a Facebook posting went up for four days only and was taken down as it didn’t fit our intern policy.
We’re three months into our 2013/14 internship programme which provides year long paid internships, and which is what I’d be more than happy to talk to you about.
To: Communications Director, Sony Music
From: Graduate FogThanks Paul.
So can you confirm that these expenses-only internships will now not be taking place?
Or will they be taking place, but paid at least the minimum wage?
And can you also explain how a member of your staff was able to post an advert for multiple roles like this, without the necessary supervision to ensure that she was doing so within the law?
If this problem had not been flagged, would the interns have been taken on?
What action have you taken to ensure this doesn’t happen again?
Simon Cowell has been linked to unpaid internships before, when we highlighted the fact that there were unpaid interns working on X Factor in 2012. Following this story, the interns subsequently received back pay for their work.
Can you explain to me why there is seemingly so little structure around Simon Cowell’s business operations that this can happen not once but twice?
Thanks,
Tanya
To: Graduate Fog
From: Communications Director, Sony MusicHi I confirm no interns taken on from that FB post yes.
Not going to comment further.Regards
Paul
Graduate Fog is disappointed that an error like this could have happened yet again at one of Simon Cowell’s companies. The majority of the worldwide audience – for both his TV shows and the acts they produce – is people under 25. He has built an empire using an instinctive understanding of what makes this audience tick. So why doesn’t he ‘get’ why it’s so important to pay young workers the wages they deserve? And why it’s such a bad look for him be associated with the practice of unpaid internships, not once but twice?
*WANT UPDATES ON THIS STORY?
Follow @Graduate Fog on Twitter and Like us on Facebook
Every internship I’ve applied for so far have conflicted with this law. And usually these jobs ask a lot of their candidates. It’s basically the jobs that other workers don’t want to do bundled onto some poor person who needs the experience. People are desperate enough for work that they will spend months without pay. It’s just not right!
Even right now on IdeasTap there are a number of jobs advertising for unpaid internships!
@Annaliese
Thanks for your comments – I agree there are still far too many unpaid internships around, which look very like real jobs to me…
Re Ideas Tap, can you send the links to the internships you think look dodgy? Thanks!
http://www.ideastap.com/opportunities/jobs#tags=Job%2BType,Intern&pg=1
These are all the ones listed at the moment. A couple of them don’t mention what the pay would be. Or say it is voluntary with some travel expenses.
It’s not just Simon Cowell whose hands are dirty in this case. Sony have already had their knuckles rapped for unpaid internships very recently:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/unpaid-intern-who-sued-sony-awarded-4600-8794347.html
Clearly not learned their bloody lesson.
Great news – this story has been picked up by:
The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/jan/22/simon-cowell-company-criticised-advertising-unpaid-interns
BuzzFeed: http://www.buzzfeed.com/jimwaterson/simon-cowells-company-advertised-for-unpaid-interns
Evening Standard: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/celebritynews/simon-cowells-syco-company-removes-advert-for-keen-as-mustard-interns-after-criticism-from-campaign-group-9077712.html
Thanks everyone for all the RTs and Shares!
I don’t think you come off particularly well here, I’m afraid; it’s fairly obviously not a company policy; more a single employee who couldn’t be bothered to follow/ didn’t think about policy, and went rogue. They then got shut down as soon as it was noticed.
The high and mighty “I don’t do off the record” tone / refusing to take a phone call is kind of immature. But the opportunity to seed a story for yourselves with the word ‘Simon Cowell’ in the headline was clearly too much to resist.
@Daniel – Oh dear, sorry you didn’t enjoy this post!
I do agree that everybody who is doing an internship should be paid a minimum wage for their hard work and effort. In addition, many students are struggling to pay for tuition fees and jobs are scarce at the moment.
Nick Clegg has apologised for this in his new remix:”I’m Sorry”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUDjRZ30SNo
I hope this song makes your day 🙂
I did a check on the internet and there are still intern jobs via his company, and no doubt lots of other companies have also jumped on the band wagon. While I like simon cowell I dont always agree with things. If this is going on in his company I assume he would be aware of this. Unless now he just leaves everything to everyone else while he floats on his boat. But I just read an intern for his company, the stuff wanted you would be practically run off your feet. When I was at school, we did work experience, working for nothing was referred to as cheap labour. Even back then companies would get you to do their entire administration for them for nothing. the details copied over for intern are below from a site…I have worked in jobs and been paid quite good money for much less then what is required below for an intern…
Responsibilities:
Media Placement:
Maintain comprehensive press file & contacts database (trade press & broadsheets)
Producing & circulating regular communications & press updates internally
Assist in creating photographic contracts
Assist with press releases
Keeping up to date stats for artists / boiler plates
Create system to keep press of notable interest
Update social networking sites & websites.
TV Development Placement:
New ideas — to generate ideas for weekly brainstorms
Assist with development of existing & new televisions brands
Research — keep abreast of both UK & international television formats across all genres
Research facts for presentations
Assist with image & clip research
Keep up-to-date with popular culture, news, lifestyle, music
Source events/conference for creative team to attend
Assist talent team looking for contributors & new talent
Keep abreast of new digital innovation & platforms
Production — assist production teams on shoots
Edit clips using iMovie /Final Cut Pro
Assist with location finding for shoots
Communication (visual, verbal, written) — assist with presentations design using keynote
Write persuasive programme proposals
Keep detailed notes at weekly brainstorms.
Commercial Placement:
Assisting in the preparation of new business presentations & pitches
Gathering case studies from different markets regarding sponsorship & branding partnerships
Assisting team with the coordination of X Factor & Britain’s Got Talent
Coordinating the product development & delivery of the merchandise between Syco TV, Syco Music, Management & Licensee
To understand & be proactive in researching consumer relationship data streams & working closely with the CRM Manager to contribute to analysis & strategy.
International:
Update International X Factor & Got Talent production schedules
Keeping up-to-date stats for International artist development from the X Factor & Got Talent global shows
Assist with international presentations design using keynote & research facts for presentations
Assist with image & clip research
Edit clips using iMovie/Final Cut Pro
Assist team with international guests attending live shows (organise tickets, host guests)
Organise Syco International library (download episodes)
Maintain contacts database
Keep abreast of both UK & international television formats across all genres
Keep up-to-date with popular culture, news, lifestyle, music
General Support to all Departments:
To provide administrative support, ensuring smooth running of the office — correspondence, ordering stationery, answering general enquiries, ticket ordering etc
Arranging meetings (both internal & external as well as meetings via conference or video call), logistics for the meeting & preparing necessary documentation to facilitate. Taking minutes & isolating action points in department meetings.
Deal with archiving & storage
Raise purchase orders, ensuring these are assigned to the correct project & accounted for in the related budget
Book cabs, bikes & couriers
Manage diaries & expenses as required
Book travel & arrange hotels where required, & devise travel itineraries
Be an ‘ambassador’ for Syco Entertainment, meeting & greeting visitors, & actively participating in all Company meetings
Keep abreast of market developments, new technologies, market conditions…..
@Dee Thanks for sharing this – do you have a link for these placements?