Photo credit Entertainment & Creative Arts Magazine
Ama Appiah is a woman who wears many hats, as an entertainment attorney and owner of the Law Office of Ama N. Appiah, founder of Entertainment & Creative Arts Magazine, and, in her minimal off time, working as a graphic designer and fine artist.
As an entertainment attorney located in St. Petersburg with over 20 years of experience, Appiah’s role entails drafting and reviewing agreements across film production, book publishing, collaborations, music labels, and related areas.
“Locally, the predominant need seems to be agreements in film/tv production and collaboration agreements. I also help my clients register their trademarks and copyrights with the federal government,” Appiah explains.
Appiah’s law firm has sustained longevity by navigating the ever-changing economic market. Given the economy’s constant market fluctuations and understanding that her clientele’s financial situations change as well, Appiah meets them where they’re at, often offering payment plans for those who need it.
For typical cases such as basic appellate cases, trademark and copyright registration cases, and one-time draft/review agreement services, she charges flat fees. If hired as an attorney to represent a project or a client requiring ongoing representation, charges are based on billable hours.
Alongside her duties as an attorney, the right-brain-left-brain polymath sets aside time to pursue her creative endeavors.
The attorney-turned-publisher’s Entertainment& Creative Arts Magazine was initially intended to be her law firm’s monthly newsletter. While working on the layout’s design and brainstorming information, she realized that this media forum could work better as a magazine with the sheer amount of information she could report.
“I jumped in headfirst and have learned the particulars of digital magazine publishing and marketing along the way. Each issue has been an improvement from the issue before,” said Appiah.
Her would-be newsletter evolved into today’s magazine, featuring exclusive interviews, legal insights, and career resources for creatives.
“I enjoy being able to offer aspects in the magazine that you don’t typically see in other arts or entertainment magazines, like a section to help creatives with getting focused to create…I also enjoy being able to offer legal information in the magazine to creatives about court decisions or language to include in their contracts based on current issues,” Appiah shared.
To help balance her full-time legal career and creative projects, Appiah relies on a team for editorial support.
“I am lucky enough to have a dear friend from college who proofs for me, and several people who recommend people to interview,” she acknowledged.
Looking to transition to magazine publishing and her art projects full-time, the multi-hyphenate believes she will eventually retire from practicing law.
With the magazine’s second anniversary a month away, Appiah is focused on marketing the magazine both nationally and internationally – and is confident she can help bring more eyes to Tampa Bay’s ever-burgeoning art scene.
Share Your Story with Us
To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokermagazine.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube.
Photo credit from Ama Appiah.
