From paper saleman to party planner

By Karen Tina Harrison | Special to amNewYork

July 14, 2008

The big career switch
From paper salesman to party producer

Who pulled it off
Pierre Battu, 42, runs French Tuesdays, a members-only social club and party series. (www.frenchtuesdays.com)

What he used to do
Battu, who holds an MBA, did sales and marketing for a French paper manufacturer.

Why he did a 180º
"After working here, my company transferred me back to France. I missed the city so much, I quit and returned to the Apple. I'd produced some parties in Paris and began throwing events here. The parties became regular, and I named them French Tuesdays."

What a party producer does
"My business partner Gilles Amsalem and I have 11 employees. We run parties here and Miami, L.A. and San Francisco, and we just launched a social-networking division of our site. I work all day, doing Internet research and meeting with sponsors, advertisers, clubowners, DJs, webmasters, you name it. After work, I produce a party or go to someone else's."

What a party producer needs
"For the business side, you need to be organized, creative and hardworking. For the social part, you should enjoy people and nightlife, and know instinctively what makes a great evening. And I have to come across as the suave Euro after four hours of sleep!"

How's the dough?
"Party series take time to catch on, so you must be patient and expect a modest income at first. Big money comes when your parties become the 'in' thing and you open in other cities and attract corporate sponsors. And social networks can get bought out by ad agencies."

What about perks?
"There are many! You travel and you're a nightlife VIP, with lots of friends and invitations. For someone like me with a business background and a passion for entertainment, this job is heaven."

What you should know
"I had an amazing on-the-job moment last week. I was drinking Champagne on Miami's South Beach with some French models and realized, 'Mon Dieu, I am at work right now!'"