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Mr. Stessel was appointed Chief Marketing Officer in May 2007 and has been acting in that capacity since November 2006. During his tenure with Sony Music from 1975 to 1991, Mr. Stessel was the executive responsible for the marketing strategies for Michael Jackson (including Thriller, the biggest selling album of all time), Babyface, Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, Charlie Daniels Band, Pearl Jam, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Luther Vandross and numerous others. As Senior VP/Marketing for Epic Records, Mr. Stessel oversaw and directed all marketing and advertising campaigns, music video production, touring and media relations for that label’s U.S. operations. Subsequently Senior VP/International Marketing for Sony Music, he was responsible for implementing all strategic marketing plans for the international market as it related to U.S. based artists.
As General Manager and Senior VP of Mercury Records from 1992 to 1994, Mr. Stessel oversaw the development of seven new platinum artists including Vanessa Williams, Black Sheep, Rusted Root, Billy Ray Cyrus and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. He also initiated marketing campaigns with third party companies such as MasterCard, Discover Card, The National Football League and the Playboy Media Corporation. As General Manager and Senior VP of EMI Records from 1994 to 1996, Mr. Stessel oversaw all of the activities of the marketing, sales, promotion, media relations, creative services, artist development, touring and video production departments.
As President of Alliance Entertainment’s Independent National Distribution (INDI) from 1996 to 1998, Mr. Stessel directed all aspects of the company from label development and acquisition to sales campaigns and marketing operations. In 1997, Mr. Stessel founded Trillium Entertainment, an independent marketing and consulting company emphasizing strategic marketing campaigns, business plans, event marketing and corporate sponsorship opportunities for recording artists, start-up entertainment ventures, independent music labels, Internet companies and others entertainment driven businesses. Mr. Stessel is an associate member of the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and a voting member of the Country Music Association (CMA). He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida in 1975.
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