[imagesource:wikicommons]

It seems to be the Age of Taylor Swift, and starting soon, one lucky journalist will be paid to keep tabs on the pop star.

The Tennessean is currently looking for a journalist who can “capture the music and cultural impact of Taylor Swift.” The extremely focussed job requires “an energetic writer, photographer and social media pro who can quench an undeniable thirst for all things Taylor Swift with a steady stream of content across multiple platforms.”

The reporter will be responsible for reporting on Swift’s impact on the world of business as well, so it’s not just all about the music.

The posted job listing reads: “Seeing both the facts and the fury, the Taylor Swift reporter will identify why the pop star’s influence only expands, what her fanbase stands for in pop culture, and the effect she has across the music and business worlds.”

Requirements for the job include a degree in communications, journalism or marketing, as well as five years in a digital-first newsroom. The job will favour an applicant with “a clear and concise writing style,” as well as “a thorough understanding of metrics and how to use data to understand audience behaviour and to inform coverage decisions.”

Applicants must also be prepared and willing to travel internationally, the listing says. Perks!

Hardcore Swifties might need to assess their allegiances before applying: the posting specifically wants “a journalist with a voice — but not a bias.”

“This reporter will chronicle the biggest moments on the next portions of Taylor Swift’s tour, offering readers of USA TODAY, The Tennessean and more than 200 local news sources an inside view.”

As cool as the advert may sound to Swift’s gazillion fans all over the planet, it may be a great opportunity for a serious journalist to figure out exactly why the planet is so obsessed with the singer.

The job posting comes as the Eras Tour recently became the highest-grossing tour of all time, surpassing a record-setting $1 billion in sales. The tour has been so popular that Swift was able to strike a deal with AMC Theatres to get a concert film into cinemas. Tickets for the theatrical event have sold so well that some analysts predict it could rake in $100 million during its opening weekend.

I have to ask again: Why is Taylor Swift so big? Granted, the lady is an incredible singer and performer, but does her talent really explain the global hysteria that follows her every blink and fart? She’s no Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey on the vocal front, and her songs, although catchy and relevant, are not filled with mind-bending wisdom and poetry. She’s not Bob Dylan. So what the haps?

And now Swift is a job description too, leaving me with some genuine questions as to why she literally makes the earth shudder.

Hopefully the ‘Swift Reporter’ will be able to give us some insight.

[source:cnbc]