Nashville, TN: June 13th - Tim Gray, Grayscale Marketing CEO and Host of the music business web series "The Golden Rules," moderated a music business panel covering the topic of influencer marketing in today's landscape. The panel was hosted by Nashville-based Music Industry Non-Profit, SOLID (Society Of Leaders In Development). The panel included speakers from two major Nashville based agencies representing the top artist, influencers and brands as well as Universal Music Group.
SOLID Panel: Bands, Brands, and Fans
Tim Gray is the Host of The Golden Rules, a Q&A style web series focusing on the lives and businesses of today’s music industry executives. Gray also serves as the CEO of the award winning company, Grayscale Marketing, a full service agency focused on digital marketing & advertising, content creation, and strategic partnerships. His entrepreneurial career spans 15 years with experience in creative branding, event ticketing, concert promotion, booking, management, video production & photography, and sponsorships. Throughout his career Tim has been awarded the Nashville Emerging Leader Award in Arts and Entertainment, SOLID member of the year, and has been listed as People On The Move by Nashville Business Journal. In addition, Gray was nominated for NBJ 40 Under 40, a Facebook Advertising Award, Small Business of the Year, Best in Business and Entrepreneur Of The Year. Furthermore, Tim’s a passionate educator and speaker on the power of financial freedom, monetary responsibility and the benefits of long term planning as he has consistently maintained his personal and professional life debt free. In addition to his entrepreneurial experience, Tim is impassioned philanthropic leader. He holds Board Of Director positions for three Nashville based non-profit organizations, Musicpreneur Storehouse, Alumni Advisory Council (AAC) for MTSU College of Media and Entertainment and Music Makes Us (MMU). He has held multiple Board positions for Nashville based music industry 501c3, SOLID (Society Of Leaders In Development) and is a member of Young Entertainment Professionals, The Troubadour Society, Nashville Chamber of Commerce, The Other Nashville Society, The Recording Academy and the Country Music Association. To name a few, Gray’s worked with artists, organizations & events such as IEBA, Virgin Hotels, Hangout Music Festival, Saving Abel, Warner Chappell Music Production, Rolls Royce, Pilgrimage Music Festival, Anheuser Busch, Joe Diffie, Panorama NYC Music Festival, Ole Smoky Moonshine, Shooter Jennings, Cessna, Maui Jim, Sony Music Nashville, Ask4 Entertainment, Blue Chair Bay Rum, Neste Event Marketing, Country Stampede, Tito's Vodka, Minor League Baseball, and Sixthman's Music Festival Cruises.
WHITNEY BYERLY - FlyteVu
Whitney joined FlyteVu, an entertainment marketing agency that creates pop culture platforms for brands at the intersection of music and technology, in 2015 and currently oversees accounts out of the Nashville office. She began her career interning on the Marketing team for Universal Music Group and in 2013 joined the Music Sponsorship team at Creative Artists Agency where she helped develop and launch innovative partnerships and entertainment platforms between artists and brands. Since joining FlyteVu, Whitney has helped lead clients such as Bumble, Cracker Barrel, Tennessee Tourism, American Red Cross, and Snap Fitness to develop one-of-a-kind campaigns to serve the brand goals.
AMY JACKSON – Universal Music Group Nashville
Amy Jackson’s professional career in the music industry has spanned over 18 years, but her lifelong love for music is what drives her passion for the industry. After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Music Business at Eastern Kentucky University, Amy started her career working in radio promotions in her hometown of Lexington, Kentucky. Her work in radio and promotions opened doors to the digital marketing world where she started her work with a local startup company, TopsinLex.com. Since entering the digital marketing industry, Amy has followed a path that led her to Universal Music Group Nashville where she now works with artists such as the great George Straight, Keith Urban, Sam Hunt, Chris Stapleton, and many more. This long time passion for music coupled with her years of experience in the industry and her knowledge of current/evolving trends in influencer marketing allow her to continually find new ways to market current and upcoming artists!
JULIE (BEHR) STURDIVANT – Marbaloo Marketing
Julie (Behr) Sturdivant, daughter of a California entrepreneur and public school teacher, started her music industry career on air as "Julie The Intern" at KOST 103.5 and then joined the Iovine-era Universal Music Group-Interscope Records. She worked and innovated at the crossroads of global marketing and the emerging digital frontier for Top 40's biggest stars, including Lady Gaga, All American Rejects and Black Eyed Peas. In her twenties, she was a recognized entertainment executive known for her ability to create shatter-the-box campaigns, generate first-ever opportunities, and play matchmaker between talent and partners with a knack for true mutual results. Julie has created that reputation while leading Marbaloo Marketing for over eight years, serving as Senior Vice President. Marbaloo Marketing is an innovative and comprehensive marketing agency for superstar celebrities, progressive products and major brands. She oversees all subsidiary operations, including creative agency, Remedy Creative, live event activation and PR firm, Band-width, and the original entertainment talent firm, Marbaloo, which are headquartered out of the iconic Life & Casualty Tower in Nashville, TN. Sturdivant spearheaded the acquisition of the Los Angeles based public relations and partnerships firm, The Avenue West, in 2016 which has been Marbaloo Marketing's most lucrative venture to date. Julie is a member of the Recording Academy, Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, Forbes Communication Council and the Public Relations Society of America. Her passion is coaching talented and hardworking females as they pursue their entertainment industry dreams.
Learn more about music industry non-profit Society of Leaders In Development SOLID here.