A new Baton Rouge company plans on giving local acts and big names a platform to entertain University students.
Platform announced its existence Oct. 15 at the Downtown Development District Meeting.
Jordan Green, founder of Platform, said the fuel behind the fire for starting this company was his desire to do something about the resounding complaints from local residents about the lack of entertainment options in the city.
The entertainment company already has two acts lined up, Mutemath and Matt Kearney, to perform at the LSU Union Theater Nov. 8 and Nov. 15, respectively.
In addition to bringing in stars, each performance sponsored by Platform will also feature a local opening act.
“Here is the fun part for me,” Green said. “I want us and the people on our Facebook page to be as interactive as possible. If you have a band you want us to listen to, post it on our Facebook page.”
Platform’s public relations spokesperson Kelli Rodriguez said the company is trying to get as involved in the community as possible.
Green said he chose to locate his business in Baton Rouge instead of New Orleans because of the community within the University.
“We don’t need to go to New Orleans,” Green said. “We have people here who want to go to music shows, so why make them drive to New Orleans to do it?”
Green added that the built-in community within the city of Baton Rouge and LSU lends itself to many opportunities for Platform.
“There is something about being a part of the LSU community,” Green said. “Even at football games, you feel like you’re part of the team, and it’s completely genuine.”
While Platform’s main goal is to bring entertainment to the community, the company also plans to give a voice to nonprofits by pairing each event with a nonprofit group and donating a minimum of $5 per ticket to that organization.
“Platform is more than just a music company,” Green said. “It’s going to be focusing on people’s passions — break dance competitions, film festivals; the sky is the limit for us, we aren’t limited to just music.”
The company also plans on integrating University students into the company through internships.
“I have always said I do not know everything when it comes to music,” Green said. “There is so much out there and I want to give people the opportunity to showcase their stuff on our platform.”