GermanyHeiko Schmidt
20+ years experience as writer, producer, executive producer, publisher, artist manager.
As Publisher, Executive Producer, Producer, Songwriter, Artist Manager (SWEETBOX, Fusion, N’Tunes etc. ), Record Label Executive and Founder/ CEO of Parasongs Corp., Heiko has spotted, developed, produced and market more than 30 different artist and music projects in 42 countries.
He successfully sold the record labels and recording masters to Avex Inc. in Japan in 2007.
In 1995, Heiko started the music franchise SWEETBOX, platform for various young recording artists, still successful after 17 years and combined total sales of more than 50 Million units worldwide.
In 2002, Heiko has pioneered a new system to transfer brand equity parameters into music terms and implemented this technique with P&G Europe for brands like Pringles. Result was a 4.5 times higher recognition quote of the brand product. (phifactor.com)
In 2004, Heiko has invented a complete new international administration platform for music copyrights and successfully implemented the system with the newly founded subsiduary Parasongs Japan in 2005, later roled out with Parasongs Europe, Parasongs Australia and Parasongs International in the US. Between 2005 and 2008, Parasongs has successfully managed 165.000 copyrights worldwide for 122 admin clients including blue chip catalogs like Roy Orbison, with revenue uplifts up to 7,000%.
Heiko has a master degree as sound engineer (Diplom Tonmeister), songwriter, concert pianist from the music university “Hanns Eisler” in Berlin, Germany. He wrote and co-wrote more than 150 songs, has produced more than 500 songs, worked as executive producer for approx. 1,000 music productions, acquired, negotiated and executed approx.1,500 deals in more than 30 countries in all areas of the music business (recording, management, publishing, international licensing, merchandising and touring).
Since 2008 fulltime in the US and backed from various Private Equity Investors, Heiko has focussed on catalog acquisitions and strategic partnerships to leverage the unique innovations.
Hayden Bell
20+ years experience as Publisher, Producer and Songwriter manager
Hayden has discovered, signed and developed artists such as The Veronicas signed to Warner Bros, And was heavily involved in the success of Savage Garden. Hayden has represented writers such as Arnthor Birggisson (JLO, Janet Jackson, Celine Dion,) Billy Steinberg (Madonna, Roy Orbison, Divinyls,Whitney Houston), Rami Yacoub (Pink, Backstreet Boys, NSync, Britney Spears), Carl Falk (Taio Cruz, Niki Minaj, One Direction) and through JV with Murlyn represented Bloodshy and Avant (Britney Spears, Madonna etc). Recently as a publisher Hayden has succefully been setting up cowrites with artists such as Pink, Avril, Kelly Clarkson, Fergie, One Direction, Taio Cruz, J Lo, Sky Ferreira, Shontelle etc. And has recently placed songs with Niki Minaj, One Direction, The Veronicas, Taio Cruz, Leona Lewis, Britney Spears. Hayden has a big songwriter and producer network in the US, UK, and Sweden setting up strategic cowriting partners for his writers.
Hayden has an extensive international network and over the last 20 years has developed a strong hold on the Japanese and Asia market with over 200 songs cut in the last 2 years with 27 number 1’s in Japan and Asia including, Girls Generation, BoA, TVXQ, , Arashi, Exile, Kumi Koda,, making Hayden the most successful international independent publisher in the world today in terms of the Japanese and Asia markets. Many writers are coming to Hayden for his access to the far east. Hayden has the expertise knowledge to direct US writers into becoming successful in these markets.
Andre Recke
20+ years industry experience as artist manager, songwriter-producer manager, merchandising expert
Andre’s dynamic career has featured success in management, concert & tour promotions, music production, music licensing & merchandising, music distribution, TV & movie licensing, and video production. Andre is most notably recognized for his management of mulit-platinum artist Hilary Duff who has sold more than 15 Million records worldwide. Andre represents clients such as Nikka Costa, Jessica Sutta (Pussycat Dolls), Capra, Lena Katina (t.a.t.u.), Vassy, Chico Bennett, Shauney Baby, Chris and Thomas. From June 09 till Oct 10 Andre was SVP of A&R Continental Europe for EMI Music working with Billy Mann to restructure and rebuilt the artist roster.
Damon Whiteside
10+ years experience as marketing and brand specialist in executive positions at Disney
Damon spent 14 years at The Walt Disney Company as an entertainment marketing and brand specialist in executive positions at Disney Music Group, Disney Consumer Products, Disney Channel Worldwide, and the Walt Disney Studios.
Damon was instrumental in developing music brands such as High School Musical, Hannah Montana, Cars, Toy Story, Tarzan, and Pirates of the Caribbean, and music artists such as Miley Cyrus, Cheetah Girls, Raven Symone, Hilary Duff, Jesse McCartney, Jonas Brothers and many more.
Damon plans to continue his successful run in the music and entertainment industries within our venture and his 2011 establishment of Nomad Entertainment Group, Inc., a unique agency that offers a 360 degree approach to artist management, franchise development, brand partnerships and production.
Julie Shama
10+ years experience as A & R, artist manager, sync specialist
Together with Lip Sync Music Agency (partner licensing agency) Julie has secured about $200,000 in sync licensing and $200,000 in master licensing opportunities just in the last 12 months. Julie is Specialized and very successful in proactive exploitation by using a large personal network to various advertisement companies like Saatchi & Saatchi, Vapor Music, RKCR/Y&R, Media Arts Lab. Julie has placed songs into TV commercials for Olay, Yoplait, Nissan, Apple, Ferrero Rocher etc. High success ratio in TV, Film and video game licensing; two Theme songs on USA network (Covert Affairs and Fairly Legal), Prom (Disney Film), The Good Wife (CBS), House Promo (Fox), Covert Affairs (USA), Royal Pains (USA), One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, 90201 (CW), Drop Dead Diva (Lifetime), Rock Band (Video Game), and many, many more.
Mitch Morgan
10+ years experience in various positions on music publishing firms.
Mitch has previously worked for SONY ATV and BMG Rights management. Mitch procured One and Only by Adele in the CBS drama Unforgettable on behalf of BMG Chrysalis and Curl of the Burl by Mastodon for distribution in the Harmonix video game Rock Band on behalf of BMG Chrysalis. 7 Mastodon tracks for score use in the Resistance 3 DLC pack (Sony Playstation) on behalf of BMG Chrysalis, Tupac song in the upcoming Fall 2012 release of Grand Theft Auto 5 (Rockstar Games) on behalf of BMG Chrysalis,The first ever Lennon and McCartney song book night on American Idol on behalf of Sony/ATV. Move it On Over by Hank Williams in the television show Memphis Beat on behalf of Sony/ATVBoom by P.O.D. in a month long UFC promo on behalf of Sony/ATV. Poker Face by Lady Gaga in South Park on behalf of Sony/ATV, Just Dance by Lady Gaga in So You Think You Can Dance, the first ever Lady Gaga placement, on behalf of Sony/ATV.