Christina Calio

SUMMARY

17 years experience in music industry; 5 in the software entertainment space at Microsoft leading music business development efforts for Windows Media and working with the music industry to move from traditional sales and marketing into the digital marketplace, and twelve years experience directing worldwide sales and marketing in the record industry.

• Comprehensive understanding of codecs, digital rights management, and players and the opportunities and challenges associated with on-line distribution of music.
• Ability to close difficult deals across cultural divides (Microsoft - Entertainment industry).
• At helm of change with many on-line firsts - first major single release (Mariah), first major album (Bowie), first Grammy nominated single (Lenny Kravitz), first video for sale (Kravitz), first 5.1 album (Gabriel), second session toolkit for secure media (WMDSTK)
• Worked and toured with a variety of artists ranging from Guns N' Roses to Nirvana to Beck to Aerosmith to Hole to Cher.
• Ability to communicate entertainment industry needs to product managers and executives at Microsoft and thereby affect technical changes contributing to a thriving digital marketplace
• Effective project management skills based on the release of 25-30 albums per year, with the organization of successful promotions and events resulting in increased sales and artist awareness.
• Problem solving and diplomatic skills honed through years of chaotic and at times confrontational situations between software and entertainment industries, lawyers, labels, and artist managers.
• Excellent understanding of global marketplace forged through extensive travel and daily communications with 56 international offices around the world.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

MICROSOFT, Redmond, Washington
2003 -
Senior Business Development Manager, MSN Entertainment

Drive business strategy and partner relations and licensing for MSN music, which launched in October 2004.

• Led team that has signed over 3,000 indie labels to MSN music and over 1 million tracks
• Determined and signed many differentiating content deals for MSN music from companies like Monterrey Jazz Festival, GarageBand, and the Smithsonian archives

1999 - 2003
Business Development Manager, Music

Drive and lead strategic efforts for Windows Digital Media Division for music.

• Work with the 5 major record labels (Universal, Warner, Sony, BMG, and EMI) in the area of format adoption of Windows technologies and the development of a rich digital media marketplace worldwide.
• Responsibility includes one direct report and work with major aggregators (MTV, Launch) and music retail (Amazon, Best Buy, FYE).
• Key areas of music development include promotions on MSN and WM.com, digital downloads, subscription services, and a PC friendly solution for emerging secure physical formats (second sessions).
• Closed complex deals with most of the above partners.
• Work across Microsoft in the area of music, including work with Windows (i.e. Sting at XP launch), MSN, Xbox

GEFFEN RECORDS, Los Angeles, California
1986 - 1999
International Marketing Manager/Director

Worked with WEA, BMG, and UNIVERSAL companies worldwide around the world to market and sell Geffen, Almo, DGC, DreamWorks, and Outpost albums, and develop artist careers.

• Strategize and developed marketing and promotional plans for album releases; coordinated execution of plans to completion.
• Assisted and motivated affiliate companies in customized plans and strategies, to include radio airplay, in-store campaigns, publicity, tours, advertising, special marketing, and production.
• Facilitated teamwork and collaboration between artists and managers, affiliate companies, and internal departments at Geffen; was able to adapt quickly as strategies changed.
• Analyzed sales and chart information and communicated results daily
• Conducted product presentations at international marketing managers meetings; represented Geffen worldwide. Accompanied artists on working tours and promotional visits.
• Hired, trained, and supervised international staff in Los Angeles, responsible for department budget and billing, artist promotions, weekly mailing, production, solicitation of merchandise, videos, and advertising.
• Developed and maintained a broad network of relationships with recording artists and managers throughout the industry.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, Political Science (International Relations) with German Minor
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington