Above the Noise

Today I am talking with Nashville based music and technology entrepreneur Mark Montgomery.

Mark is a pioneer in the e-commerce and business to consumer marketing space. Over the past 15 years, he has worked with hundreds of entertainment and corporate clients, including names like Sony, Kanye West, Keith Urban, RIM/Blackberry, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, Best Buy, Gnarls Barkley, Rascal Flatts, and General Motors to name a few.

Mark has been working in the web space since the early 90′s, launching his first B2C ecommerce play in early 1996. In 1999, he co-founded echo, a company focused on building communities around entertainment brands. He was the co-creator of the patented platform echotools™, a direct to consumer delivery and data management system which ultimately grew to serve millions of users and distribute hundreds of millions of pages, data feeds, and e-commerce transactions. In 2007, the company was acquired by Barry Diller’s IAC/Ticketmaster for eight figures.

A winner of multiple “Best in Business” awards, as well as “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 2007, Mark is a frequent keynote speaker and panelist in the US and Europe for corporate functions as well as conferences on a variety of topics.

He recently founded FLO {a thinkery}, and maintains his role as the Entrepreneur in Residence for Claritas Capital, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Along with his EIR role, he holds several board seats in the profit and not for profit companies. In addition, he maintains a small list of consulting clients focused on overall strategy, business development, branding, and technology initiatives.

For more information than you’d probably ever want to know (including facts about the hair metal era) check wikipedia.

Today I am talking with Doug Grean. Doug is a producer, engineer, performer, songwriter, studio owner and all around talented guy to say the least! His career is one that many wish for.

In 1995 he met Scott Weiland and the two became friends. In 1998 he partnered with Scott to form Lavish studios (Burbank Ca) At the same time the two began collaborating and writing together. One of the first songs they wrote together "Big Black Monster" is featured on the newest Weiland solo record "Happy in Galoshes" it is one of 16 songs Grean co-wrote on the record as well as co-producing, engineering, mixing and playing guitar, bass, lap steel, banjo and keyboards. Grean also plays in Weiland's solo band and acts as his musical director.

In 2005 Doug Grean appeared on the 47 th annual Gammy awards with Velvet Revolver as keyboardist performing with an allstar cast including Stevie Wonder, Norah Jones, Bono, Steven Tyler, Brian Wilson and Allison Kraus .

Doug Grean has worked or performed with many talented artist including. Sheryl Crow, Riki Lee Jones, Glen Campbell, Stone Temple Pilots, Scott Weiland, Slash, Velvet Revolver, Tim Mcgraw, Cindi Lauper, Annabella Lwin (Bow Wow Wow), Corey Glover (Living Color), The Crystal Method, Camp Freddy, DJ Hurricane and John Taylor (Duran Duran).

Between his own career and those of the people he has surrounded himself with, I want to find out what he feels the key to success has been and how to be heard above the noise!

You can visit Doug's site here: http://www.douglasgrean.com

Today I am talking with Doug Grean. Doug is a producer, engineer, performer, songwriter, studio owner and all around talented guy to say the least! His career is one that many wish for.

In 1995 he met Scott Weiland and the two became friends. In 1998 he partnered with Scott to form Lavish studios (Burbank Ca) At the same time the two began collaborating and writing together. One of the first songs they wrote together "Big Black Monster" is featured on the newest Weiland solo record "Happy in Galoshes" it is one of 16 songs Grean co-wrote on the record as well as co-producing, engineering, mixing and playing guitar, bass, lap steel, banjo and keyboards. Grean also plays in Weiland's solo band and acts as his musical director.

In 2005 Doug Grean appeared on the 47 th annual Gammy awards with Velvet Revolver as keyboardist performing with an allstar cast including Stevie Wonder, Norah Jones, Bono, Steven Tyler, Brian Wilson and Allison Kraus .

Doug Grean has worked or performed with many talented artist including. Sheryl Crow, Riki Lee Jones, Glen Campbell, Stone Temple Pilots, Scott Weiland, Slash, Velvet Revolver, Tim Mcgraw, Cindi Lauper, Annabella Lwin (Bow Wow Wow), Corey Glover (Living Color), The Crystal Method, Camp Freddy, DJ Hurricane and John Taylor (Duran Duran).

Between his own career and those of the people he has surrounded himself with, I want to find out what he feels the key to success has been and how to be heard above the noise!

You can visit Doug's site here: http://www.douglasgrean.com

This week I'm talking with music supervisor, sonic brander and creative consultant, David Hayman.

Since 2005, David Hayman has led a strong team of music supers at Toronto’s Vapor Music but has now left to start up his own shop SUPERSONIC CREATIVE + CONSULTING who’s clients include Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Hershey’s, Buick and other top brands, and networks like ABC, NBC, CTV and Global television.

David has had great success working with some of the worlds most impressive brands, including Coca-Cola, Nike, Ford, Budweiser, Right To Play, P&G, and every mobile company to name a few. David was an integral part of the team that created the phenomenon that was “Dove Evolution,” and the campaign for real beauty. David also divides his time working on feature films, new media ventures and supervising music for A-list televisions series like HBO’s “Less Than Kind” and CBC’s hit comedy series “The Kids In The Hall - Death Comes To Town”. David is also lead music supervisor on the new Ubi-Soft video game “Shaun White Skateboarding.”

Last year David supervised the music on a feature film called “Textuality” where he produced five inventive covers of popular tracks featuring Ron Sexsmith (“Since I Don’t Have You”), The Midway State (“True”), Chali 2Na of Jurassic 5 (Rump Shaker), Aceyalone & Treasure Davis (Hit The Road Jack), which is being hailed by the Ray Charles Foundation as “the greatest cover of Hit The Road Jack ever”. He also supervised “Bang Bang Club”, “Don’t You forget About Me” and “The Whistleblower” in 2011. David is currently working on the film “Old Stock” and recently competed his work on the films “Love Me” and “Hiding”.

Follow David on Twitter: @davidhueyhayman

Visit David's website: http://www.supersoniccreative.com

This week I'm talking with music supervisor, sonic brander and creative consultant, David Hayman.

Since 2005, David Hayman has led a strong team of music supers at Toronto’s Vapor Music but has now left to start up his own shop SUPERSONIC CREATIVE + CONSULTING who’s clients include Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Hershey’s, Buick and other top brands, and networks like ABC, NBC, CTV and Global television.

David has had great success working with some of the worlds most impressive brands, including Coca-Cola, Nike, Ford, Budweiser, Right To Play, P&G, and every mobile company to name a few. David was an integral part of the team that created the phenomenon that was “Dove Evolution,” and the campaign for real beauty. David also divides his time working on feature films, new media ventures and supervising music for A-list televisions series like HBO’s “Less Than Kind” and CBC’s hit comedy series “The Kids In The Hall - Death Comes To Town”. David is also lead music supervisor on the new Ubi-Soft video game “Shaun White Skateboarding.”

Last year David supervised the music on a feature film called “Textuality” where he produced five inventive covers of popular tracks featuring Ron Sexsmith (“Since I Don’t Have You”), The Midway State (“True”), Chali 2Na of Jurassic 5 (Rump Shaker), Aceyalone & Treasure Davis (Hit The Road Jack), which is being hailed by the Ray Charles Foundation as “the greatest cover of Hit The Road Jack ever”. He also supervised “Bang Bang Club”, “Don’t You forget About Me” and “The Whistleblower” in 2011. David is currently working on the film “Old Stock” and recently competed his work on the films “Love Me” and “Hiding”.

Follow David on Twitter: @davidhueyhayman

Visit David's website: http://www.supersoniccreative.com

Bas Grasmayer is a futurist, communication consultant, DJ and music lover from The Netherlands. He is currently the Head of Information Strategy of Dream Industries – which operates Zvooq, Bookmate and T&P-. He majored in International Communication Management which looks into branding and identity, intercultural communication, trendwatching and concept development, as well as PR.

You may have read one of his articles on Techdirt or Hypebot or even seen his presentation at the most recent MIDEM conference in Cannes, or like me, you may have found out about him after coming across his thesis online!

His graduation thesis is about non-linear music marketing in the digital age. He presents ways in which record labels can adjust their online communication strategy to the realities created by the internet. Through his thesis he develops a thorough understanding of how brands can use the internet to connect with consumers and build a community that they can market to. He talks about how to build an ecosystem so as to build, develop and maintain fans. And, more importantly, how to market to them.

After realizing the current problems within the music industry he has developed a model which he believes is sustainable and profitable for all. Our interview discusses his model, the current industry, the future of music and what you can do to increase your success in it!

Bas Grasmayer is a futurist, communication consultant, DJ and music lover from The Netherlands. He is currently the Head of Information Strategy of Dream Industries – which operates Zvooq, Bookmate and T&P-. He majored in International Communication Management which looks into branding and identity, intercultural communication, trendwatching and concept development, as well as PR.

You may have read one of his articles on Techdirt or Hypebot or even seen his presentation at the most recent MIDEM conference in Cannes, or like me, you may have found out about him after coming across his thesis online!

His graduation thesis is about non-linear music marketing in the digital age. He presents ways in which record labels can adjust their online communication strategy to the realities created by the internet. Through his thesis he develops a thorough understanding of how brands can use the internet to connect with consumers and build a community that they can market to. He talks about how to build an ecosystem so as to build, develop and maintain fans. And, more importantly, how to market to them.

After realizing the current problems within the music industry he has developed a model which he believes is sustainable and profitable for all. Our interview discusses his model, the current industry, the future of music and what you can do to increase your success in it!

Cameo Carlson is currently head of digital business development at Borman Entertainment, a management company that takes care of artists including country stars Keith Urban and Lady Antebellum.

Cameo has been at the forefront of the digital music revolution from its earliest stages and Billboard Magazine has named her one of the industry’s top mobile executives.

She has been involved in radio, from terrestrial to online, and was the rock and alternative music director for AOL Music. She spent three years as manager of label relations and music programming at iTunes and has been the executive VP of Universal MoTown Republic where her role included mobile, online and digital sales, promotions and business development for artists such as Drake, Amy Winehouse, Lil Wayne, and Jack Johnson to name a few.

With Lil Wayne, she made the rare move of releasing six songs from "Tha Carter III" as individual downloads on iTunes before the album was released, using the "Complete My Album" feature to drive album sales. The result: 52% of his digital album sales came as a result of "Complete My Album" purchases.

She has been responsible for three of the 10 biggest digital albums in history as well as breaking mobile ringtone records for first week sales, top-selling of all time and number of multi-platinum sales. To say Cameo can share some insight into the current industry is putting it lightly!

We talk about all kinds of things including digital strategy, how to engage fans depending on the music genre, how to get featured on the front page of iTunes, and a whole lot more!

Aaron Bethune. Music Specialist.

Cameo Carlson is currently head of digital business development at Borman Entertainment, a management company that takes care of artists including country stars Keith Urban and Lady Antebellum.

Cameo has been at the forefront of the digital music revolution from its earliest stages and Billboard Magazine has named her one of the industry’s top mobile executives.

She has been involved in radio, from terrestrial to online, and was the rock and alternative music director for AOL Music. She spent three years as manager of label relations and music programming at iTunes and has been the executive VP of Universal MoTown Republic where her role included mobile, online and digital sales, promotions and business development for artists such as Drake, Amy Winehouse, Lil Wayne, and Jack Johnson to name a few.

With Lil Wayne, she made the rare move of releasing six songs from "Tha Carter III" as individual downloads on iTunes before the album was released, using the "Complete My Album" feature to drive album sales. The result: 52% of his digital album sales came as a result of "Complete My Album" purchases.

She has been responsible for three of the 10 biggest digital albums in history as well as breaking mobile ringtone records for first week sales, top-selling of all time and number of multi-platinum sales. To say Cameo can share some insight into the current industry is putting it lightly!

We talk about all kinds of things including digital strategy, how to engage fans depending on the music genre, how to get featured on the front page of iTunes, and a whole lot more!

Aaron Bethune. Music Specialist.

After being away a few weeks getting married and spending time with family and friends I am back with a new episode of "Above The Noise."

This week I have Mike James on the show and he has a ton of information to share! From writing Billboard hits to radio promoting, music publishing and music placements, Mike has a great wealth of music industry knowledge!

He is the owner of Milk Music Co., a publishing company administered by Netwerk One Music, and co-founder and president of HipJoint, a production company and label with distribution via Universal Music.

Mike has had success with artists of all styles. Kelly Rowland "Unity" - released worldwide on her Diva Deluxe album - Top 10 radio hit in Canada, Delerium "Dust In Gravity" - Hipjoint were the top line writers on this track that achieved US Billboard #1 status on the Dance/Club Play chart in 2010, Calvin Klein CK1 - Hipjoint's song "We Are One" was used as the positioning track for Calvin Klein's worldwide relaunch of CK1 in 2009 Mika Nakashima "Candy Girl" - The Japanese superstar recently took this Hipjoint track to #4 on Japan's Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, Shiloh "Operator (A Girl Like Me)" - Hipjoint discovered this Canadian artist at 13 and wrote and produced her platinum debut hit for her (Universal Music Canada/Universal Republic), Nikon Cool Pix - Nikon used Hipjoint's track "Bounce With Me" by Kreesha Turner as it's positioning song for a series of Nikon Hip Joint Productions Mike JamesCool Pix ads featuring Ashton Kutcher, NFL Network - The NFL has chosen the Hipjoint written and produced "Crank It Up" by The Young Goulets to promote 2010 NFL Thursday Night Football.

With success at writing hits, promoting singles on the radio, placing music in TV and film, as well as developing his businesses I have asked Mike what he does to be heard above the noise in all that he does!

Aaron Bethune.

In our conversation we discuss:

What makes a hit

Writing for radio

Music discovery

Finding new talent

Music placements

What are the parts that make up a successful artist?

What is success?

How you get heard "Above The Noise."