Nora Dabdoub is a music producer and music supervisor at NYC’s MAS (Music and Strategy), a music company that works with brands to get the right music for their projects.
Dabdoub joined MAS in August from agency Dentsu Creative, where she was a music producer and supervisor. While there, she worked on the US Tennis Association’s US Open 2023 campaign, Spectacular Awaits. For this project she found a rising hip-hop artist to could provide the music and voiceover — Cookie Kawaii and her song “Violin.” Prior to this, Dabdoub was a creative producer at Bannerboy while also freelancing for companies like KR Consults and others.
Outside of advertising, Dabdoub was the programming director at former Brooklyn music venue Shea Stadium, worked at the interdisciplinary arts space Knockdown Center as an events and music producer and started her career in artist management.
Let’s find out more…
What does your role entail?
I’m the bridge between our clients and the role of music in their projects — whether that is producing original music, doing creative searches, clearing songs, casting an artist and/or a little bit of everything.
It involves translating a project’s creative needs into a musical language while staying in budget and dotting our I’s and crossing our T’s — working with composers, rights holders, media partners and client partners in tandem.
What would surprise people the most about what falls under that title?
Perhaps the detective work that goes into tracking down certain rights holders and the level of admin beyond that, which comes with all of the creative fun.
What’s your favorite part of the job?
Giving an artist and/or composer their first placement and landing music that all involved parties are excited by. Those are two of many.
What is your least favorite?
Anything out of the realm of our control can be especially frustrating, such as having to tneeding to take out a piece of music that fits due to unresolved claims or a rights holder not being accessible.
What is your most productive time of the day?
Productivity is fluid, but I feel most focused and disciplined in the morning.
Can you name some recent projects you have worked on?
Ralph Lauren Spring 2024, the trailer for The Syd & TP Show and some fun projects for Triptent agency and Ryan Reynolds’ production company Maximum Effort that aren’t yet live.
If you didn’t have this job, what would you be doing instead?
I’d stay within music — publishing or back to live events, maybe. Outside of music, I’m not sure — but casting director comes to mind.
How early on did you know this would be your path?
I knew early on there was passion and interest in it, however, I took detours and explored different routes before buckling in on this ride. I’m very grateful for all the experiences that led me here.
Name three pieces of technology you can’t live without.
My phone, my computer and my headphones are my top tech priorities.
Care to share your favorite music to work to?
The favs vary, but an all-time pick to focus on is J Dilla’s “Donuts.”
What do you do to de-stress from it all?
See live music, read, spend time in nature and with loved ones.
Finally, would you have done anything different along your path? Any tips for others who are just starting out?
Hard to say. I think everything prepares you for the next thing and the ultimate thing — I know it did for me. If anything, I’d travel with less doubt about it all.
Tips for those interested: Meet as many people as possible who do what you, want to do (or anything related), ask questions, be nice and be real! People are mostly happy to help, and you really never know where you’ll encounter each other again.
