We recently had the chance to connect with Mark Spratley JR and have shared our conversation below.
Mark, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
That’s literally the story of my career. I always fight for my artists and my talent, no matter what it costs me. Let me be the bad guy, I’ll take that hit. I can swim. I’d rather protect the artist and their image. Yeah, sometimes it comes back to bite me in the ass, but at the end of the day I’m always gonna have my client in mind and fight for what’s right.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Mark Spratley, but most know me as Sprat or SpratFool. Marketing is my forte, but my real gift is my ear and my ability to see things before they happen. I’ve helped countless artists go from just having a name to becoming household names. Over the years I’ve found success across every lane, agency, label, management, PR, marketing, events, mansion parties, journalism, and so much more. My story has always been about spotting potential, building it up, and turning it into something the world can’t ignore.
Starting Five is the modern day one stop shop label/agency, 12 years in, countless success stories and notable moments.
CreatorSpaceLA is our 7K square foot creative compound and event venue in the heart of Santa Monica, California. My partners and I at CreatorSpace LA are not only powerful individuals ourselves, but came together for a rebranded space and a true one stop shop. Stapled around optimizing and maximizing creators and influences, immersed in music, film, tech, volumetric capture, AI, animation, merchandising and so much more. We are creating a house of brands.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Disloyalty, greed, entitlement, treachery, ulterior motives, there’s plenty
But for real, loyalty, respect and integrity are a rarity these days.
What restores them? If they are even restorable, communication, and some things just take time and putting aside egos.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
How to get back up and how to pivot. I always say, I never took a loss, everything was lessons. You learn, you become wiser, you become stronger, you keep going. Year 1 and 2 I came into the industry, I had success, I thought I had it all. Granted, I had an arsenal, a machine at the time and this same damn ear, but me 12 years later, I’m built all around. I’d be foolish to say I’m not more powerful or that I haven’t built something beyond me 12 years later.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That they do this and that. When really they don’t. A lot of the music industry is smoke & mirrors. A lot of people are glorified assistants. A lot of people take this as a job rather than a passion or 24/7. This industry is interesting, there’s politics, “Friends” and those people putting their “Friends” into position, Everybody is an A&R, a PR Guru, a marketing genius blah blah blah.
A lot of people put up a facade for people, especially on social media.
Artists are not always the victim, a lot of these artists just don’t have it together, musically, spiritually, physically, mentally, professionally etc.
It takes money to move something. That is not always true. It takes the right strategy, sound and push.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
That is the music industry for a lot of the people that are shifting careers and doing great things. A lot of people behind the scenes go unnoticed and they certainly deserve their flowers. I don’t seek validation or praise, I love what I do, I enjoy the life I live, even through the BS and stress the industry provides. If the praise comes in, amazing, everybody loves some appreciation or to be championed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.SpratFool.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SpratFool
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/mark-spratley-5bb34867
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/spratfool
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spratfool
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/spratfool
- Other: https://www.Starting-5ive.com
