Tom Callahan has been a thought leader in the music business and tech industry for over 35 years. He began his career as a touring musician and then transitioned into executive record promotion positions at Indie label powerhouses Enigma Records, I.R.S. Records, and Virgin records in the late 80s and early 90s. After leaving the corporate world, he started his Indie promotion company while he simultaneously co-founded and operated Coyote Records and Vellum Entertainment. As a record promoter, Tom was nominated for promoter of the year in 1998 and 1999, and with Vellum Entertainment nominated for “Gold AC record label of the year” in 2000.

In addition to working in the Indie world, Tom also played a critical role in the radio success of major label artists such as Lenny Kravitz, Paula Abdul, Hall & Oats, Rod Stewart, Phil Collins, Shania Twain, Lee Ann Rimes, Lionel Richie and countless others. As Tom continued his promo company, he also moved into artist management, where he launched and guided the careers of many artists over a 15 year period. First as co-founder of Laurel Canyon Entertainment, Tom worked with artists; Donnie Kehr, Lisa Mordente, Arnold McCuller, Natalie Archangel and Thom Bishop. As Co-Founder of Boulder Entertainment Group he worked with artists such as Phoebe Snow, Suzy K, and Deborah Franco. Finally with Callahan’s long held “Tom Callahan & Associates”, Tom represented Jeff Timmons (founder-98 Degrees), Kaile Goh (Lava/Universal), Natalia Lesz (EMI), Justin Hopkins (Pama Records-Sweden), David Boyles (LMFAO, Columbia music-Japan), Michael Shapiro, Amy Hef, Cab 20, J-Henry, Omar Torrez, Jordan Hill, Krish Sharma (3 X grammy winner, mixing), Miggs, Ms Moxie, Olivia Rox and many others.

When music sync and licensing became and integral part of any musicians marketing,Tom joined Paul Wiltshire and was instrumental in the launch and rapid success of leading licensing and tech platform, Songtradr, as their CCO. He is also currently a mentor for the LA Techstars incubator and consults for companies in the digital and advertising space.

Tom currently is Founder/CEO of Music Marketing/Distribution and Management company “Indie Advance”, and sits on a number of advisory boards. He is an in demand lecturer and podcast guest in the music and tech industry. Aside from music, Tom’s other passion is in the martial arts, which he has been studying for 40 years. He currently holds the rank of 5th dan and title Renshi Shihan in Kyokushin Karate serving as Vice-Chairman “All Americas” and International Committee Secretary for Kyokushin-Kan Karate Internatinal. He brings this self discipline, integrity and Budo philosophy to each and every endeavor.

Chris Wright of Violet Recording has over 30 years experience making records in high end studios using the finest gear available. Working with artists to achieve their recording vision is a goal he has realized daily for decades.

Starting his career early in life performing and touring with the Vienna Boy Choir and working with artists like Steely Dan and Maceo Parker he has been able to meld classical vocal harmony and modern pop vocal production for artists looking to make an impact with their recordings. As a co owner of Violet Recording he has been able to work with hundreds of artists in their quests to create modern sounding records that are still firmly rooted in the techniques used in the past to create the sonic masterpieces that are still the benchmark for the recording arts. By seeking out and acquiring the finest vintage microphones and analog gear ever made he is able to offer a recording process that consistently yields recordings that engage and dazzle the listener.

With a life long passion for creating sonic masterpieces the Violet Recording team continues to help artists bring their songs to life by engaging the musical community they have been serving for years and pairing the right session players for the esthetic at hand all while keeping with  the highest standards to produce records of timeless significance

IN MEMORIUM 1972 – 2023

Eric lost his battle with cancer in May of 2023. He died peacefully, at home, surrounded by his family. Eric will always be a part of the Indie Advance team. We love you and we miss you.

 

Eric began managing teams of design, development and programming personnel for technology projects in 1990. After several years of working for various businesses he formed his own successful development company in 1995 specializing in unique content solutions, promotional tools and technical gadgets for the internet.

He has worked with all types of clients — from small business to the music industry to government contracting. He is an expert at creating and implementing strategic solutions and is experienced in moving teams and projects forward successfully.

Pelle Lidell is a Swedish award-winning and globally active veteran music publishing executive (CEO, President, and Head of A&R).

He has served as Head of A&R and Deputy Managing Director at Air Chrysalis Music Scandinavia, CEO and Co-founder at Murlyn Songs, European A&R Executive at Universal Music Publishing UK & International, and President and Co-founder at EKKO Music Rights. 

Lidell’s professional achievements include over 3000 songs recorded and released worldwide, multiple Billboard Hot 100 No. 1’s and Billboard 200 album chart No.1’s, multiple Billboard World Chart No. 1’s, multiple Grammy Award nominations, multiple Ivor Novello nominations with one won award, several hundred million units of physical sales and multi-billion streams.

Lidell has also served as Head of the Jury on Swedish Idol, the immensely successful television entertainment show on Swedish TV4. He’s also been interviewed and quoted in the international press: Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Billboard, Music Week, Music Business Worldwide, A&R Worldwide, The Guardian, Scandinavian and Korean press, and many more.

Lidell has been awarded, inter alia, the Swedish performing rights society STIM’s prestigious award “STIM-Gitarren” for his extraordinary music export achievements as well as Music Finland’s prestigious award “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his extraordinary impact on  Finnish music export. Lidell’s signed writers and producers have won an array of prestigious awards worldwide.

Gary’s unique experience in the global music business combines deep music industry knowledge, a substantial international network, and relationships within the global music community alongside leadership and communication skills deeply rooted in realistic optimism, respect, and collaborative work.

In 2016 Gary was recruited by the company founders to help build the music festival and business summit Mondo.NYC in the role of Director, International Music Business in New York City. Involved in all aspects of the new venture he helped conceptualize, create, design, and implement content for the company’s global music B2B summit. In his role, he focussed on musicians, labels, and managers helping them connect to relevant music industry representatives and participants while working closely with the local and international music community for their participation and involvement in the event.

Before Mondo, he served as International Manager of the New Zealand Music Commission’s Outward Sound program from 2005. He founded and ran the office tasked with fostering artistic and economic growth within the country’s music community. Outward Sound undertook projects and partnerships aimed at exporting New Zealand music abroad and assisting musicians and music businesses in developing their creative and business platforms to expand internationally.

As a part of the Outward Sound program, he facilitated and managed New Zealand’s music industry presence at many of the world’s most popular and well-known international trade events each year that showcase music and music businesses from New Zealand. He travelled extensively around the world where he developed strong alliances within the global music business community working collaboratively with various music export offices organizing business networking events, trade conference representation, and introductions for our attending businesses, managers and artists.

Before Outward Sound Gary worked for BMG NZ, in sales, marketing and promotions. In 2000 the Jive Records label broke away to become a global independent record company under the banner of Zomba Records. He was recruited to the new company as Label & Promotions manager, a role he held until the label was eventually sold back to BMG NZ in 2003. He was recruited by the company to a new position as International Label and Marketing manager where he managed the Jive/Zomba roster as well as several other high-profile BMG artists.

Stefano Curti is an officer-level executive with 29 years of experience in personal care, beauty, and OTC. He has been president and CEO in public and private companies, as well as in private equity and venture capital firms.

Stefano is currently Chief Brands Officer and member of the Executive Committee of Coty, one of the world’s largest beauty companies. Coty’s divisions across fragrance, color cosmetics, and skin care, include iconic brands CoverGirl, Sally Hansen, Rimmel, Adidas, Bourjois, Max Factor, Nautica, and a portfolio of luxury fragrances such as Gucci, Burberry, Boss, Tiffany, Lacoste and several others.

Prior to joining Coty, Stefano was Global President at Markwins Beauty Brands, a global leader in cosmetics with a brand portfolio that includes Wet n Wild, Physicians Formula, LORAC, Black Radiance, Lip Smacker, Bonne Bell, The Color Workshop, The Color Institute, and POP, with a 10+ market share, sustained growth outpacing the industry, and distribution in over 80 countries.

Stefano has held various positions at Johnson & Johnson from 1990 to 2012. He was Global President of the Beauty and Baby divisions (Johnson’s Baby, Neutrogena, Aveeno, Clean & Clear, Lubriderm, RoC, and several others); President, J&J USA; General Manager, Neutrogena; Managing Director and Marketing Director, J&J Europe, Africa and Middle East. During his 22-year tenure, Stefano led J&J Beauty to market leadership in the USA skincare market.

Stefano’s previous executive positions include Global President at Genomma Lab International, driving the brand portfolio and financial results of the leading public company in OTC and personal care in Latin America; Global President of Pfizer Consumer Healthcare; CEO and board member at ExploraMed, a Silicon Valley innovation incubator backed by venture capital firm New Enterprise Associates (NEA), where he led the launch of breakthrough innovation in consumer wellness. Stefano has also served as Board Member and Senior Advisor for private equity and venture capital firms.

Stefano was born in Rome (Italy), naturalized American, and has lived and operated in 10 countries across USA, Europe and Latin America.

Respected as a pioneer at the forefront of nearly every wave of social technology, Mr. Kramer has 20 years’ experience in digital media, marketing and management. He has deep expertise in managing and consulting startups and technology companies, helping businesses achieve their goals through innovative marketing strategies. Over the course of his career, Mr. Kramer has
delivered 100s of platforms, websites, apps and innovative campaigns to businesses ranging from SMBs to the Fortune 100. He was the founder of Ehab.com, the pioneering drag-and-drop marketing platform that enabled marketers to quickly create, manage, distribute and track rich
applications without technical skills.

Currently, Mr. Kramer consults and advises a wide range of businesses and holds board positions with two big data companies: Music Research Consultants, Inc and SentencingStats LLC. He is also busy in the garage building The Sync Spot, a next-generation contact synchronization platform. In recent years, Mr. Kramer has developed a YouTube marketing program that empowers brands and content producers to drive search rank and customer
acquisition through video marketing.

In the 1990s, Mr. Kramer founded the music industry’s first “digital” marketing department at Epitaph Records, and helped a wide range of record labels, music acts and managers effectively leverage digital media. In 2000, Mr. Kramer was recruited to manage a team of developer for Stephen Speilberg, Paul Allen and Ron Howard’s Pop.com. In that role, Mr. Kramer developed a web based video social network, predating YouTube by 5 years.

In his spare time, Mr. Kramer teaches Mindfulness to elementary school children.

Radio App Innovator I CFO I M&A Specialist

Founder: Mad Genius Radio, an Infinite never-the-same twice playlist that plays ALL the songs you love providing a lifetime of lean back unpredictable unparalleled personalization, yet with surprising ease of use.

Senior Accounting and Finance Executive who has held CFO and SVP positions in both private and public organizations spanning broadcast radio, billboard, mobile wireless, technology and hospitality industries. Led M&A on dozens of transactions valued at over $4B over a 25-year career. As the CFO of Chancellor Broadcasting co-led the 1996 IPO. Although a very young CFO to be taking a radio company public on the NASDAQ, it went off perfectly. We delivered on our forecasted numbers a year later which included $12M of cost savings identified to rationalize the seemingly high price we paid for a group of 17 radio stations. We were bought out for $2.5B within 18 months.

Co-led strategic initiatives with operating executives to find hidden value in organizations of all sizes. Acquisitions, dispositions and strategic initiatives all have one thing in common: a forecast that the Board can rely on to decide to deploy capital or harvest their investment. I’ve routinely presented reasonable forecasts — as well as corporate strategy — to investors, research analysts, ratings agencies and boards.

More recently, was hired as CFO and tasked with the restructure of a company’s debt. The privately held company had publicly traded debt that was syndicated across three tranches with 60+ lenders requiring quarterly calls, MD&A and meetings with ratings agencies. Faced with significant challenges from day one, including a shareholder lawsuit and multiple threats to our capital structure — we were able to navigate the company through a successful restructure (achieving better-than-expected returns) and the continuation of positive EBITDA growth. Subsequently, we were tasked by the Board to find a buyer for our assets, which provided the target returns of our equity partners. That process wrapped up in 2015.