About Contraband
Archie has a skill for spotting the next big thing and with this in mind, jumped on the back of Madonna's 'Frozen' video and began selling home henna kits. As a professional henna artist and director of the most successful online mail order henna company in the world - Henna Crazy - Archie had worked at over 400 corporate events, festivals and private parties, meeting many other performers. Clients who were impressed with Archie's skill and professionalism began to ask her if she could source other acts and so, using the network of performers she had built relationships with, she took the bold step of starting her own entertainment agency. In 2003 Contraband became the one-stop entertainment shop we know it as today.
From home, to a small office, to a top floor office with a view; Contraband has grown from strength to strength. Employing office staff from a wide range of backgrounds, all with fabulous people skills, Contraband now boasts a roster of over 1,500 performers and has built up an impressive client list. It's not just Archie who spots the next big thing now - there's a whole team of us and we pride ourselves in offering the most innovative and new ideas to our clients.
From your initial enquiry to post event analysis, our friendly and helpful staff are on hand to answer all of your technical, financial and logistical questions. Our efficient administration and can-do attitude win as much acclaim as our world-class performers.
Whether you are an international business with untold millions to spend, or a young couple wanting to make their wedding day even more special, we will treat your enquiry with equal dedication, speed and fairness. It's this kind of approach that causes clients to return again and again - and tell their friends!
Our Staff
At Contraband, we aim to offer an efficient, fast and friendly service. All of our staff are highly trained and will welcome you with a smile!
Archie Archer - Managing Director
Vital Statistics: Height 5’ 5” - Eyes Blue - Hair Blonde
Previous Convictions: Archie Archer not only has the coolest name in the world, but also the coolest job as Managing Director of Contraband International. Contraband was born from a bedroom in North London, and with over 14 years of experience as a professional henna artist, it was whilst working throughout Europe and the UK that people asked Archie if she knew a belly dancer, a drummer, a Bollywood dancer etc etc. Et voila! Today looking after an ever-growing enthusiastic team, a roster of over 1,500 performers and a client list as long as the Nile, Archie is a multi-tasking extraordinaire, a great sales woman, a believer in being nice to everyone and is also pretty good at pool!
Partners in Crime: The Brewery by ECO, BI Worldwide, Jack Morton, George P Johnson, Quintessentially, Rouge Events, Ernst & Young, John Lewis, West End Studios, HMS President, Land Securities, Lloyds TSB, RPM, Awesome Events, Capitol House Productions, D&D Conferences, Reed & Mackay, Sledge, William Reed Business Media, Blink Marketing (Egypt), The Arc Lights (Dubai), Magnetic Moon (South Africa)...
Day Release Request: An afternoon with her son & cat, or to speed down the Autobahn in her favourite car of the moment.
Charlie Osman - Financial Director
Vital Statistics: Height 5’ 3” - Eyes Blue - Hair Blonde
Previous Convictions: Charlie spent seven years managing in the retail sector in Winchester. Working in retail management has given her the perfect experience in helping to keep the busy environment of the Contraband offices organised, along with all of the other members of this excellent team.
Day Release Request: A day sat outside with a good book and a cup of tea.
James Creedy - Senior Account Manager
Vital Statistics: Height 6’ 6” - Eyes Brown - Hair Dark Brown
Previous Convictions: James has always had a keen interest in the entertainment industry, especially after a brief appearance (of one ankle) in the BAFTA nominated film 'Last Orders'. Having spent three and a half years at Peter Johnson Entertainments, James acquired a great knowledge of artist management and the international world of entertainment. James now specialises in outdoor arena and corporate entertainment and has developed himself as an expert of burlesque beauties.
Partners in Crime: Cadbury, Investec, BBC, Sony, Fresh Approach, Nomura Asset Management, Nintendo, Topsail, Penguins Events, Beatwax, Pretty Green Things, Ikea, Connect PR, RVM Promotions, Royal Bank of Scotland, Mercer, Mother London, Momentum Activating Demand, Unsworth Sugden Advertising, EDF Energy, d’Abo Events, Jumpzone Productions CapGemini UK, Seventy India, Benchmark Event Management, Londonedge...
Day Release Request: A trip to Selhurst Park to watch Crystal Palace (get beaten).
Frankie Burgess - Account Manager
Vital Statistics: Height 5’ 2” - Eyes Blue - Hair Brown
Previous Convictions: Frankie’s recent degree in Art and Events Management is where she began to create and manage her own events from a charity fashion show to a nautical music crawl. Since graduating she has divided her time between working for a branding agency on a number of fashion projects and also within the retail sector.
Partners in Crime: Spirit Pub Company, Cancer Research UK, Novus Leisure, Innovision, Slice Promotions, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bromley Council, The Exchange Shopping Centre, Toolbox Marketing, Carlson Marketing, Brit Insurance, Event Atelier, Incisive Media, JCPR...
Day Release Request: A day spent in London with family and friends and quick visit to the V&A.
Radi Ilieva - Accounts Assistant & Administration Manager
Vital Statistics: Height 5’ 4” - Eyes Brown - Hair Brown
Previous Convictions: Radi is originally from Bulgaria. After finishing her Bachelor degree in Management and Economics in Germany she went back to Bulgaria to work in finance. After 3 months she decided to change her field completely and moved to England to continue her studies with an MA degree in Events Marketing Management and to pursue a career in the UK events industry.
Day Release Request: Wherever, whatever, so long as there’s biscuits involved.
Chloe Henderson - Account Manager
Vital Statistics: Height 5’ 9” - Eyes Blue - Hair Brown (and blonde)
Previous Convictions: After completing a degree in Fashion Promotion and helping organising various events and shows, Chloe decided to pursue a career in events the next step was a marketing and events role for a design agency. Having worked there for a year, she decided to see a bit of the world and took eight months out to travel around Australia by herself, the scariest but best thing she’s ever done! Chloe came back to a freezing cold England in 2010 and has since completed an internship with a PR agency.
Partners in Crime: Upstage Communications, Wonderland Events, Leapfrog International, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Good News & Communications (Turkey), The Planners (Qatar)...
Day Release Request: Time to spend with her Dansette record player (preferably listening to George Michael).
Nicky Edwards - Junior Account Manager
Vital Statistics: Height 5’ 10” - Eyes Green - Hair Brown
Previous Convictions: Having achieved an MSc in Events Management, which included an exciting consultancy project for a carnival arts organisation in Cardiff, it was an exciting step for Nicky to put her developed knowledge to work at Contraband. Nicky has a broad range of events experience from AIDs awareness events in Kenya, to working at UK music festivals, and has always wanted to work more directly with varying clients and performers. This experience has fuelled her love of the events industry and even led to her putting on a carnival costume and entertaining the crowds at Greenman festival, or at least trying!
Partners in Crime: Metquarter, Peter Jones, Warner Bros, Communiqué Communications, Noble events, KDM Events, Outlook Events, Corporate Events Ltd, Alastair Currie Event Solutions, Resorts World (Singapore), Music is My Life (Beirut)...
Day Release Request: Lazing on a sunny afternoon.
Kym Storer - Website Editor
Vital Statistics: Height 5’ 3” - Eyes Green Hair Blonde
Previous Convictions: Kym worked in I.T support for seven years before throwing herself into her passion and obtaining a degree in Creative Writing. After writing for Bella magazine and penning a novel in her spare time Kym was offered the opportunity to join the Contraband team and jumped at the chance!
Day Release Request: Getting together with great company, good food and fabulous wine!
Kate Howarth - Junior Account Manager
Vital Statistics: Height 5’ 6” - Eyes Green - Hair Blonde
Previous Convictions: Since graduating from Birmingham University with a degree in French and English Kate has been working as an intern for an events company, helping to organise student club nights. This is where she first began working with and booking performers. Her love for the theatre from a young age has also developed her appreciation for the performing arts.
Day Release Request: Meeting up with friends for tea and cake.
Petri Vis - Intern
Vital Statistics: Height 6’ - Eyes Brown - Hair Brown
Previous Convictions: Petri is a Dutch student and started his study in 2009 for Advanced Business Creation, which is a marketing study that will provide him with a Bachelor of Commerce diploma. His placement at Contraband is from October - February, and he has been working hard on creating his assignment discovering social media and currently helps in updating the website and assisting the rest of the team.
Day Release Request: Go to beautiful places he’s never been to before.
Shenel Tharani - Administrator
Vital Statistics: Height 5’ 4” - Eyes Brown - Hair Brown
Previous Convictions: After completing a degree in Media Practice at the University of the Arts London, and working as an administrator for a University, Shenel decided to combine her administrative skills and love of the creative world together by joining Contraband. From coordinating short films to charity bake sales, Shenel has the bug and is now pursuing a career in the events industry.
Day Release Request: Meeting up with friends for a catch up with a glass of wine or two.