Speakers

Adam Ritholz, Esq. is a founding partner with Ritholz Levy Sanders Chidekel & Fields LLP, established in 1995. A main focus of his practice is start-up and entrepreneurial entertainment and technology companies, for which the firm provides development of business model strategies, financing documents, revenue modeling, corporate set up and documentation, trademark, employment, talent and IP acquisition, digital platform licensing, as well as joint venture and acquisition transactions and distribution agreements. Ritholz has remained at the forefront of new approaches for infrastructure and revenue models of new and developing entertainment companies amid the challenges presented by the eroding viability of conventional entertainment business models.

Alex White co-founded Next Big Sound in 2008, during his last semester at Northwestern University. The service measures daily music consumption and purchase decisions around the globe. From Facebook fans to sales, Next Big Sound combines artist activity with context to help the modern music industry make informed decisions. During college, White spent two summers at Universal Records, and ran its college concert board. Now, he and his Next Big Sound co-founders have been featured in Billboard (“10 Best Music Companies”) New York Times, CNN, Forbes (“30 under 30”), Techcrunch and BusinessWeek (“25 under 25”), while the start-up company works with thousands of customers, from individual artists to major labels, and licenses two charts to Billboard. In 2012, it announced a $6.5 million Series A financing from IA Ventures, Foundry Group, SofttechVC and other notable angel investors.

What others say isn’t possible, Tenth Street Entertainment/Eleven Seven Music/Five Seven Music founder/CEO Allen Kovac turns into reality. From resurrecting and expanding the careers of Luther Vandross, the Bee Gees, Duran Duran, Motley Crue and Blondie, Kovac remains on the cutting edge by learning and bending the rules—while pushing the envelope to create new, forward-thinking marketing concepts. Kovac remains current by working with up-and-coming acts like The Dirty Heads, Nico Vega and Shiny Toy Guns; and constantly evolving seasoned acts like Papa Roach and Escape The Fate. His mantra: “Create the message, control the content,” using the artist’s assets to open the doors.

Andrew Fechter began his music career at age 16 with his first deal as an in-house producer and songwriter for newly formed indie label LITO Music Group, based in his hometown of Philadelphia. Primarily working in hip-hop and R&B, he continued with LITO during his first two years at Temple University, before transferring to Full Sail University in Orlando, to further his recording skills and business expertise. Upon graduation—following an internship in the Executive department at Atlantic Records—Fechter was hired in January 2012 to work within the label’s Urban A&R department. Since, he has aligned with artists Lupe Fiasco, Jaheim, TGT and Sevyn & Kendall.

Andrew Hampp is Billboard magazine’s senior branding correspondent. Previously, he was a media reporter and Los Angeles Bureau chief for Advertising Age. Haampp has also contributed to Crain’s New York Business, The Columbus Dispatch and The Hollywood Reporter.

Andy Chen is responsible for leading and overseeing all aspects of WiMP Music’s company strategy, development and operations. Previously, he was CEO of Preview Networks, a leading venture-backed video content syndication and advertising platform in Europe, with seven offices in 10 markets (acquired in February 2013). Before that, Chen was VP for MTV Networks Europe and Viacom International, responsible for digital sales, strategy and the creation of digital commercial ventures. He also spent many years with Aegis Media, as Global Director of Digital Strategy for Carat, and with Isobar Global Management in London and San Francisco. Chen began his career during the dotcom 1990s in San Francisco with Universal Music, Interscope Records, McCann-Erickson Worldwide and Tonic360/J. Walter Thompson. He has a triple B.A. degree in Architecture, City Planning and Scandinavian Cultures from University of California, Berkeley in the U.S., and an MBA from Stockholm University, Sweden. He speaks English, Mandarin Chinese and Swedish.

Fueled by his passion for music, Anthony Preston has become a “triple threat” as songwriter, producer and music executive, with credits that include will.i.am, David Guetta, Lil’ Wayne, Jennifer Hudson, Nicole Scherzinger, Pitbull, Eros Ramazotti and Afrojack. When his business sense and talent for combining electric melodies with lyrics caught the attention of mogul will.i.am, he was tapped to join will.i.am music and began leading such projects as Scherzinger’s U.K. hit “Boomerang.” Preston is now writing and producing for burgeoning act Cody Wise (will.i.am music/Interscope).

Ardie Farhadieh is The Billions Corporation’s Marketing and Media Manager, overseeing marketing, media and sponsorships for a roster of 200+ artists. He came to Billions from Rethink Music in Boston, a solutions-focused music conference hosted by Berklee College of Music and Midem, where he spent eight months as project manager, overseeing programming, booking, marketing and production of all aspects of the conference. Previously, Farhadieh was an Agency Associate at The Windish Agency. He is a music business graduate, summa cum laude, from Berklee College of Music, and serves as a junior board member for Rock For Kids in Chicago.

Avery Lipman, President & Co-Founder of Republic Records, stands apart as a visionary industry executive, who teamed with brother Monte Lipman in 1995 to launch Republic Records. In 2000, Universal Music Group acquired the imprint as a fully owned subsidiary. The label evolved into a powerhouse, with a roster including Black Sabbath, Amy Winehouse, Florence + the Machine and The Weeknd. Republic renewed its Universal partnership in 2012, and Lipman was named President/Co-Founder of Republic. His foray in the music business was as an assistant for Clive Davis at Arista Records. In 1991, he joined Sony Records, rising through the ranks of its Business Administration department. He and his brother were both 2007 honorees for the TJ Martell Family Day.

After training at the Polytechnic and Proctor & Gamble, Alex Dauchez worked in the media and burgeoning Internet industries. In 1995, he became Director of Consumer Marketing for Coktel-Sierra-Blizzard, a leader in computer edutainment games and software; and in 1996, launched the company’s first paying online service. He was appointed President of French web agency BDDP & Tequila Interactive in 1998, and in 2002 became CEO of Moonscoop Group, an audio-visual animation production leader. There he oversaw U.S. implementation and created several trans-media storytelling platforms (Kabilion in the U.S., Taffy Kids in Asia and Allofamille with Allocine in Europe). Dauchez joined Deezer as CEO in 2010.

As a professional with 20+ years experience in consumer insights, advertising effectiveness and strategic planning, Barbara Zack offers category expertise in entertainment, CPG and automotive. She joined Nielsen’s Entertainment Measurement division in 2012, bringing a fresh perspective to the challenges facing today’s music industry. In the role, she is focused on developing insights products that help move the music industry toward ever-increasing profitability, including creative solutions for brands wishing to activate and engage customers through music.

Benji Rogers is an independent musician from London, who has been making his own records since 1999. He has lived in New York, Los Angeles and Boston and also worked in TV and film as a camera operator and audio engineer. On one stop in his varied career, he even ran a bar in New York. As a musician, Rogers has been on tour with his band and as a solo artist in the U.S. and Europe with few breaks since 2001. Through PledgeMusic, Rogers funded and released his fifth independent record under the name Marwood. Coming from a music business family—with his mother, father and stepfather all having been managers, label owners, publishers and musicians—he was literally born into it. In 2009, Rogers founded PledgeMusic, the global direct-to-fan funding platform for musicians to record and tour, which helps artists engage with fans, fund their music, keep their rights and raise money for charity. He doesn’t get out much these days and has grown a beard.

Brian Benedik, currently VP of North America Ad Sales for Spotify, is an ad sales veteran and recognized leader in the U.S. audio industry. He recently served as Chair of the IAB Audio Committee and President of Katz360, a division of Clear Channel Communications. Benedik spent a good deal of his career within the Clear Channel Radio family on the radio station & media representation sides. While in his role at Katz360, he built the largest online audio sales network, consisting of numerous premium audio publishers, and helped create its emerging Digital Audio Ad marketplace.

Brian Hennigan focuses on accelerating growth and innovation for YouTube as part of its NextLab, a global team focused on discovering, implementing and evangelizing YouTube best practices to drive success across the platform. He previously spent 18 months in Japan, building Google’s Creative Services organization for the Asia Pacific region. That team’s responsibilities included providing thought leadership on the future of digital marketing and creating programmatic opportunities for advertisers to better engage with users. His Google global hopscotch also included three years in London overseeing advertiser solutions and programs across EMEA, while helping extend YouTube’s footprint in new markets.

Bruno Crolot is Music Markets Director for Reed Midem, in charge of the leading annual international music market held in Cannes, France. Midem brings together leading professionals and decision-makers from the new music ecosystem, from the traditional music industry to new technologies, brands and artists, with more than 75 countries represented. In addition, Crolot oversees Reed Midem’s contribution to the Rethink Music initiative, a partnership with Berklee College of Music. As an 18-year veteran in the music and digital media sectors, he joined Reed Midem in 2010, following positions as VP of Digital Sales & Business Development at Sony Music Entertainment France, and various management posts in business development, marketing and strategy with Orange/France Telecom, Noos and Universal Music France. Crolot holds a diploma in Business Management from the University of Paris IX Dauphine.

For more than 20 years, Bryan Calhoun has worked within numerous music industry capacities, including A&R, marketing, digital licensing, radio promotions, business development and concert promotions. He has held roles at Relativity Records, RED Distribution, Warlock Records, Serchlite Music, as COO of Kanye West’s GOOD Music and most recently, as VP of New Media and External Affairs for SoundExchange. He now provides digital strategy and business development for artist management company The Blueprint Group, representing Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, T.I., Lil Twist, Hit Boy and others. In 2003, Calhoun founded Label Management Systems to help indie record labels succeed, where he developed business solutions to achieve that goal, including the Music Business Toolbox (MusicBusinessToolbox.com), released in 2008 and being updated for re-release in 2013. Professional consulting clients include Kanye West, MSN Entertainment, Ludacris, Monster Cable and SoundExchange. Calhoun has a BBA in Finance from the University of Georgia. He is a voting member of the Recording Academy and on the Board of Directors for the Future of Music Coalition.

Carson Donnelly has been working in the A&R department with Columbia Records since 2009.

Since 2007, Charles Caldas has been CEO of global rights agency Merlin, which represents many of the world’s most prominent independent music entities. In 2012, the firm was voted No. 5 in Fast Company’s list of most influential music companies. As an experienced media professional, Caldas is passionate about harnessing his skills and knowledge to help other companies thrive amid the ever-changing world of digital media distribution and consumption. He believes the creation of Merlin represents a landmark moment in the industry and offers an efficient solution for its members and the services that use their music. In March 2013, Caldas was presented the IMPALA Outstanding Contribution Award, which recognizes his work launching and growing Merlin into the virtual fourth major in the digital space.

Christina Calio is Director of Industry Relations & Business Strategy for the Xbox Music service, which launched in 22 countries in November 2012. She has held leadership positions with Microsoft’s music initiatives since joining the company in 1999, responsible for business development and evangelism for such groups as the Digital Media Division (codec, DRM, and player platforms); MSN Music’s subscription and download service; Zune’s subscription, download service and device; Xbox and Windows Phone entertainment Apps; and the new Xbox Music, which offers free streaming on Windows 8, alongside subscription and downloads. Before joining Microsoft, Calio spent a decade in international marketing & sales with Geffen Records, working with imprints Geffen, Almo, DGC, Dreamworks and Outpost, for artists like Nirvana, Guns ‘N’ Roses, Beck and Aerosmith. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Washington.

Corey Denis has been pioneering digital music marketing for 15 years, utilizing everything from early ListServs & phpbb forums to social networks and MMORPGs. Her first job in the music industry was with What Are Records?, where she built and leveraged online street teams and podcasts to increase sales and connect with fan bases for Frank Black, Figurine, Stephen Lynch, Maceo Parker, The Samples, Innocence Mission, Glenn Tilbrook, Tim Finn, Tony Furtado and March Records. By 2003, Denis was Director of Online Marketing and A&R at the label, facilitating one of the first five direct deals between Apple iTunes and an indie label. In 2005, she worked with IODA, helping create and market Promonet, a promotional distribution platform allowing its member base of thousands of blogs, podcasts and online media outlets to access pre-cleared MP3s and marketing assets. In addition, she produced the non-profit Musician & Promoter Workshop Series in San Francisco, assisting local musicians with digital transitions. In 2009, Denis founded Not Shocking, a San Francisco digital music strategy firm, serving such clients as SoundExchange, Michael Tilson Thomas, Ning, Rdio, Me.dium and Vertebrae Productions. By 2012, she aligned with Dick Huey and Toolshed to create and execute Toolshed, overseeing digital music strategy & marketing for such indie artists as MNDR, Kate Bush, Cat Power, Mother Mother, Ani DiFranco, Melissa Ferrick, John Wesley Harding, Martin Sexton, Redd Kross, Big Scary and Wax Tailor.

Craig Kallman joined Atlantic Records in 1991, when the company acquired his independent Big Beat Records. Advancing through the executive ranks, he was named Chairman/CEO of Atlantic Records Group in 2005. There, Kallman not only heads the legendary Atlantic label as it enters its seventh decade, but oversees a diverse collection of entrepreneurial imprints under the Atlantic Group umbrella, including Bad Boy, Downtown, Fueled By Ramen and Roadrunner. Under his leadership, Atlantic’s market share has risen steadily: The company climbed from the No. 6-ranked industry label in 2004 to No. 2 in 2007. By spring 2008 Atlantic was the No. 1 label.

Damon Williams is Vice President of Programming & Content Development for Music Choice, the multi-platform video/music network that reaches millions of consumers nationwide. In the role, he helps conceptualize and manage product development, including newest network SWRV—the first 24/7 interactive music video network—and Music Choice On Demand. Williams also oversees direction and strategy for Music Choice video and music programming, including content development. In addition to supervising music programmers responsible for programming 50+ music channels, he has guided the development and launch of MC original shows “Artist of the Month,” featuring Beyonce and Avril Lavigne, “Fresh Crops,” featuring Ne-Yo and Taylor Swift, “Tha Corner” and “Rock U.” In addition, Williams oversaw the launch of its first interactive show, “Certified,” the network’s most-viewed original show, which earned MC its first award for interactive music programming, from Billboard. He was also a member of the team that developed and launched its broadband music site and music service for mobile phone subscribers. Williams joined Music Choice in 1998 as lead programmer for urban music channels. He has 20+ years of broadcast experience, including PD of Radio One’s WKYS Washington, D.C., CBS/Infinity’s WPGC-AM Washington, Willis Broadcasting’s 92.1Kiss-FM Norfolk, Va., and Power 94-FM Virginia Beach, Va. Williams serves as Chairman of the Board of the non-profit Rhythm & Blues Foundation.

Daniel Glass is Founder & President of full-service indie music company Glassnote Entertainment Group. Since launching in 2007, Glassnote has served as home to Grammy-winning acts Mumford & Sons and Phoenix, as well as The Temper Trap, Two Door Cinema Club, GIVERS, Childish Gambino, Oberhofer, Daughter, Little Green Cars, Robert DeLong, Half Moon Run, CHVRCHES, Justin Nozuka and Foy Vance. In 2011, Rolling Stone Magazine deemed Glassnote “Best Indie Label.” Glass’ musical career began as a DJ at the famed Regine’s Discotheque in New York City. He then held positions at SAM Records, Chrysalis and SBK Records, before being named President/CEO of EMI Records Group N.A., a founding President of Universal and President of Artemis Records, before starting Glassnote. In May 2013, Glass was the recipient of SESAC’s “Visionary Award.”

Danny Strick is Co-President U.S. for Sony/ATV Music Publishing, responsible for East Coast A&R as well as its Nashville and Latin American divisions. Under his leadership, major artist signings include A$AP Rocky, Sara Bareilles, Beck, Fall Out Boy, Flo-Rida, Hot Chelle Rae, Jonas Brothers, Of Monsters And Men, OneRepublic, Passion Pit, Pitbull, Rise Against, Elliott Yamin and Rick Ross. Key producer signings include RedOne, JR Rotem, Boi1da and Giorgio Tuinfort. Prior to Sony/ATV, Strick worked in A&R for Maverick Records, where he signed Michelle Branch, whose albums have sold 4+ million units and generated five top 10 pop singles. From 1996 to 2000, Strick was President of BMG Songs, the U.S. division of BMG Music Publishing, where signings included Ace Of Base, Erykah Badu, John Hiatt, Beck, Cypress Hill, House Of Pain, Nelly, Duncan Sheik and Wu-Tang Clan. Prior to BMG, he worked at Jobete Music, CBS Songs and MCA Music Publishing.

Before founding pioneering new music company 3qtr—which partners with artists to build businesses in music and beyond—alongside discovering and co-managing hip-hop collective Odd Future (OFWGKTA), David Airaudi spent seven years running strategy and business development with Jimmy Iovine at IGA (Interscope, Geffen, A&M) Records. His focus there evolved from traditional record deals, artist joint ventures and 360s to investing and launching music-related consumer products and tech companies. Airaudi joined IGA from Universal Music Group, where we oversaw Finance and Business Development for North America. He earned his MBA from Vanderbilt University.

David Chesky is Co-Founder & CEO of HDtracks.com, an online download service that delivers high-quality sound via AIFF, FLAC, WAV and ALAC, in up to 192kHz/24bit high-resolution files—as a successful rejoinder to the ubiquitous low-quality proliferation of MP3s. HDtracks offers master-quality music from all major labels and hundreds of indies. In line, Chesky is a global leader in the advancement of research for high-resolution recording techniques: He was the first to create 128X oversampled CDs and 96/24 DVD audio and a pioneer of SACD. Some 25 years ago, he founded Chesky Records with brother Norman Chesky, which has earned countless accolades and remains a quintessential audiophile label. As part of the Chesky label, he has produced and recorded hundreds of jazz and classical artists in hi-res audio, including Peggy Lee, Astor Piazzolla, John Pizzarelli, Chuck Mangione, The Royal Philharmonic and classical pianist Earl Wild. Chesky is also a composer-in-residence for the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, while his operas, ballets and orchestral works have been performed worldwide.

Toolshed, founded in New York by Dick Huey in 2001, is a digital consultancy that advises major consumer brands, media, tech and entertainment companies on digital strategy, social media marketing and rights acquisition and usage. Its San Francisco office provides social media grassroots marketing, direct-to-fan campaign design and digital publicity. Toolshed clients include Beggars Group, Merge Records, Spotify and Red Bull. The firm has orchestrated 350+ digital PR and social media growth campaigns for such artists as The Civil Wars, MNDR, Ani DiFranco, Sufjan Stevens, The Arcade Fire and Aimee Mann. Previously, from 1997 to 2001, Huey launched and led the New Media department at Beggars Group (XL Recordings, 4AD, Matador Records, Rough Trade), licensing its digital catalog and establishing digital direction. He is a founding new media committee member of A2IM, a past board member representing Matador Records at SoundExchange, and an advisory board member at CASH Music, Tunecore and RoyaltyShare.

Admitted to the New York Bar in 2001, Elliot A. Resnik’s general entertainment practice focuses on music industry transactions, including artist, writer and producer representation for recording and publishing agreements, licensing, trademark, joint ventures, digital distribution and content, record label and publishing business affairs. He represents numerous Grammy-winning and platinum-selling artists, producers and companies in a range of genres. Resnik is also experienced in transactions for film, TV, the video game industry, publishing, new technology and the Internet. He is a frequent lecturer and panelist on music industry issues, and has spoken at CMJ, Copyright Society of the United States, New York Bar Association, City Bar Association, New Music Seminar and law schools. Before joining the firm in 2009, Resnik was a member of the legal and business affairs team at independent TVT Records, and principal at The Law Offices of Elliot A. Resnik from 2003-2009. He received a BA degree in Philosophy from McGill University and his Juris Doctorate from New York Law School, where he served as President of the Media, Entertainment & Sports Law Association.

In 2010, Eric Davich and his co-founders launched Songza, a “music concierge” that recommends playlists based on the time of day and mood or activity. There, he works with artists, managers, labels and brands, while forging marketing partnerships. Recent accolades include: Apple App Store’s “Best of 2012,” Time magazine’s “50 Best Websites of 2012,” USA Today’s “Best Apps of 2012,” PC magazine’s 2012 “Editors’ Choice,” and Google Play “Editors’ Choice.” As well, Davich and his partners made Forbes “30 Under 30” list for their music innovations. Previously, Davich & company manned download store Amie Street, which was acquired by Amazon in 2010. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College, with honors in Music; and was recipient of the Sue Winchell Burnett Music Prize. Before getting paid for his acumen, Davich interned for Virgin Records, Billboard magazine and Atlantic Records.

Acknowledged by Fast Company magazine as one of the “Top 100 Most
Creative People in Business” and Billboard magazine’s music’s “Power 100,” Frank Cooper, III, is recognized as a leading progressive brand marketer. His career includes senior executive roles at Motown, Def Jam and Tommy Boy; as well as entrepreneurial and executive positions in the digital space. He is currently CMO at PepsiCo, overseeing global Consumer Engagement for its beverage sector, where he has developed breakthrough branded entertainment platforms (including “The X Factor”), co-led Pepsi’s 10-year NFL deal and launched innovation consumer co-creation platforms (Mountain Dew’s “DEWmocracy”). Cooper is a graduate of the Harvard Law School and served as Chairman of the American Advertising Federation from 2009-2011.

Grammy-nominated songwriter and music producer Gregg Wattenberg is Chief Creative Officer of Wind-up Records, one of the largest independently owned record companies. His career in the industry spans 20+ years, starting as a performer and transitioning to music producer, songwriter and record company executive. In 2007, he co-wrote Daughtry’s “It’s Not Over,” the biggest-selling U.S. song and one of the top 5 most-played at radio. It earned Wattenberg a Grammy nomination and won the ASCAP award for Song of the Year. In 2008, he co-wrote O.A.R.’s “Shattered,” a No. 1 Hot AC song and the most successful hit in the band’s career, earning them a platinum certification. In 2009, Wattenberg co-produced Train’s multi-platinum “Soul Sister,” the band’s biggest hit and the top-selling song of 2010. In 2012, he produced “American Idol’s” Phil Phillips’ “The World From the Side of the Moon,” and co-wrote top 10 “Gone, Gone, Gone.” Wattenberg attended Tufts University.

Heath Miller is President & Founder of concert production & promotion company Excess dB Entertainment, as well as VP of Concerts at New York’s Webster Hall. Excess dB was founded while Heath was still in high school, and has gone on to produce thousands of concerts, events and festivals. In 2011, Miller became the exclusive talent buyer for The Studio at Webster Hall, overseeing the re-launch and expansion of what has become one of NYC’s premier intimate venues. He also produces events and concerts nonexclusively in its other performance spaces, including the recently remodeled and updated Marlin Room. Excess dB is the exclusive outsider promoter for Mexicali Live in Teaneck, N.J., and at venues Santos Party House, Highline Ballroom, Maxwells and The Wall.

J Sider is Founder & CEO of BandPage, a leading service for musicians to engage fans across the web. He has been named to Billboard’s and Forbes’ “30 Under 30” lists for the past three years in a row. Sider is a veteran in the business of managing bands and venues around the country, and says that working day-to-day in the music business “opened his eyes to practical needs of the music community in the digital era.” With that in mind, he founded BandPage to provide “simple and honest solutions” for musicians he has worked with, which broadly applies for all musicians. Sider’s mantra: “Technology is an art, not just a product.”

Jack Isquith, Slacker’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Development and Content Programming, is a veteran of both the digital and traditional music industries. He has previously served in leadership positions at AOL, Warner Bros Records and CDNOW.

Jake Gold is one of Canada’s most successful artist managers and has been an active force in the music industry there for 30 years. In 1986, Gold launched artist management company The Management Trust Ltd. and transformed The Tragically Hip into national stardom. For three years, Gold has been recognized by the Canadian Music Industry Awards as “Manager of the Year.” In 2009, he was elected to the board of CIMA and recently elevated to Vice Chairman. He is a board member for the Music Managers Forum and is 2013’s MMF Honour Roll Award recipient. Gold also manages the careers of Adam Cohen, Crash Karma and Scarlett Jane as well as music producers me&john, Moe Berg, Russell Broom, Terry Brown and Laurence Currie.

As VP of Digital Strategy and Marketing for the Eleven Seven Music Group, Jason Lekberg is responsible for digital strategy for the company’s 22 artists, along with marketing and product management for five of them. Label artists include Motley Crue, Blondie, Papa Roach, HELLYEAH and Escape the Fate. Previously, he was a product manager at Epic Records and oversaw marketing and digital strategy for such artists as Ozzy Osbourne, Incubus, Mudvayne and Lamb of God. Lekberg began his music career managing a marketing team of 100+ at a first-to-market start-up that helped define the convergence of celebrity and social media. There, he oversaw the marketing and launch of more than 120 technologies, such as ReverbNation, Eventful and Ning.

Jay Frank is Owner and CEO of DigSin, a singles-focused music company that allows subscribing fans to obtain music for free. DigSin signs new artists to deals that leverage new platforms, social networks and analytics to expose music to a wider audience, building popularity outside of traditional methods. Frank is also the author of two books. “Futurehit.DNA” is a No. 1 Songwriting book on Amazon and part of the curriculum at a number of colleges and universities. It explores how digital technology has changed the way people discover music and examines what an artist needs to make their songs more hit-worthy in the digital age. His second book, “Hack Your Hit” is a how-to guide for musicians filled with free and cheap marketing tips. Frank was previously SVP of Music Strategy for MTV Network’s CMT, bringing music video ratings to an all-time high, thanks to an aggressive multi-platform promotional strategy. As VP of Music Programming and Label Relations for Yahoo! Music, he was responsible for music programming, and instrumental in bringing audience growth to 25 million/month. He was also Senior Music Director at The Box Music Network, worked in marketing and A&R for Ignition Records, managed a live music venue, programmed broadcast radio stations and created two local music video shows.

As SVP of Muve Music for Cricket Communications, Inc., Jeff Toig is responsible for managing the company’s Muve Music service. He has more than a decade’s experience in wireless and digital media and an in-depth background in product development, marketing strategy, business development and mobile content. Toig joined the company in 2008 as VP of Product Management. Previously, he was a Partner with strategy consulting firm CSMG, which specializes in the telecom and media industries. Toig also worked as a member of the founding team for Virgin Mobile USA, running its messaging and mobile content, building the company’s retail distribution footprint and overseeing its channel marketing organization. Toig has an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.