Stars in their eyes: Working with showbiz royalty

Behind every star and VIP, there's usually a hard-working, media-savvy mover-and-shaker. Publicists, agents and public relations advisers are essential for a successful showbusiness career in today's image-obsessed world, securing bookings, organising events, handling media coverage and offering a shoulder to cry on when the going gets tough. Here, three leading Belfast-based promoters give a glimpse of the busy life behind the scenes of the red carpet and the stage.
Cathy Wilson has been working with Aiken Promotions for 20 years. The Belfast-born fortysomething started out covering administrative duties in the well-known music agency's office, but worked her way up to management level, overseeing the organisation and promotion of high profile concerts and tours. Cathy lives in Belfast with her husband, Gavin, an engineer, and their children, Jamie (20) and Euan (17). She says:
When I was young I thought I wanted to be a teacher, but I left school after A Levels. I did English, French and Spanish, and I took typing lessons at the same time, which came in handy.
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I worked in retail and administration for a while, then I ended up with Aiken by accident. My sister Dawn was working there then - she went on to become the stage manager for Cirque du Soleil - and when they were looking for someone to cover admin in the office, she suggested me.
It was supposed to be for two weeks but here I am, 20 years later. I learned a lot about the business from Jim [the late Jim Aiken, the highly respected agent] and Peter [Jim's son and company MD]. Jim was a gentleman and the best mentor ever. He had a great rapport with people. He taught me the biggest problems could always be sorted; there was always a way round them.
The Garth Brooks gigs were an exception. I'm still in shock about that. It all started off with a simple plan for two shows; then it got to five and developed into something huge. It couldn't have fitted into anywhere else but Croke Park in Dublin. I'll never forget standing on the stage he played on, in Central Park in New York, when about a million people turned up. To see that many people was incredible.
I have a very real passion for the entertainment business and I can keep calm under pressure; I always could. It takes a lot to phase me. You have to be very organised and plan ahead, and make sure the paperwork's done. You do need patience at times but we're quite lucky to have had fantastic people to work with. There have been no real divas. The artists come as part of a well-oiled machine.
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