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10 Questions with ... Ronny Gutfreund
June 25, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. We have the tenacity of any major label. We don't shy away from rolling our sleeves up and giving the big dogs a good fight. It starts at the top with Steve Greenberg and Milo Pacheco, and they have built a lean and mean team of pros who work together to break our artists. And beyond them, our artists deserve a ton of credit too. And we're so fortunate to have some great ones
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- 2001 - Started answering the phones at Mammoth, segued to radio promotion in 2002
- 2002 - Joined Elektra as the Alternative assistant
- 2003-2007 - Wind-up Records Mid-Atlantic Regional Southeast Regional then East Coast Director
- 2016 - Capitol Records Director Alternative
- 2018 - Started Goodfriend Promotion consulting after position was eliminated
- 2019 - Joined S-Curve Records
1. Congrats on your new job at S-Curve. You and VP/Promotion Lori Anderson previously worked together at Wind-Up. What ultimately led you to S-Curve?
I was hustling my consulting company when I learned of the opening here (tip of the hat to you, Shawn!). The opportunity to join forces with Lori and the team at S-Curve was an easy decision
2. Last year you downsized at Capitol Records which is tough mentally and financially. What was your personal experience like over the past year getting your job status settled?
Man, you quickly find out how many people care for you when you get laid off. The outpouring of support was incredible, and it truly made for a bittersweet moment. Getting laid off and having no idea what's next is scary for sure, but hearing from countless people on both the radio and record sides made me feel assured that good things were on the horizon. It really helped the adjustment. Plus, Capitol helped make it a soft landing for which I'm thankful.
3. What's it like working again with Lori Anderson?
I am thrilled to be working with her again. Her grasp of every component of radio promotion puts her in an elite class. We work well both in tandem and when it's time to divide and conquer. Even though we haven't worked together in a long time, it was a completely seamless transition back.
4. Give us the 411 on S-Curve Records.
We have the tenacity of any major label. We don't shy away from rolling our sleeves up and giving the big dogs a good fight. It starts at the top with Steve Greenberg and Milo Pacheco, and they have built a lean and mean team of pros who work together to break our artists. And beyond them, our artists deserve a ton of credit too. And we're so fortunate to have some great ones
5. AJR has become a hot new artist for Alternative. Give us the sales pitch on where AJR is heading into summer and what else you have coming up for Alternative Radio.
Three top 5s including a #1 at Alt, and throw in great achievements at the pop formats. That's a pretty rad sales pitch right there. They make fun hit records that are enjoyed by all, not just focusing in on one demo. Their mass appeal makes them a such a hit and I'm glad radio has seen that from the get go.
6. How different is the culture at S-Curve from your previous promotion gigs?
S-Curve really brings the best of both worlds. We're a tight family, and everyone wears a lot of hats. And being under the BMG umbrella gives us the backing to run with the majors. Then you add hard working bands, and you have such a great recipe for success.
7. What would surprise people the most to learn about the label?
We cannot be pigeonholed. We're not a pop label, we're not a rock label. We are flat out in the business of delivering great records to the masses.
8. What is your favorite part of your job?
Working more closely with other departments to advance our priorities. Radio promotion is more than spins nowadays. It's still central to the job, of course. But getting all parts of the machine to move in unison doesn't come easily, but the payoff is huge.
9. What is a typical workday like for you?
While every day is different, they're also the same. I look at spins, check out consumption, etc. There's always a new fire to put out while I'm still trying to put out yesterday's. I try really hard to put check marks inside all of the boxes on my to-do list. And all the while, hit the phones.
10. What are you most passionate about?
Family. And food. But mostly family. Having front row seats to watching my kid grow up is the best.
Bonus Questions
What are weekends like for you with your family?
Saturday we're usually running around trying to get our lives and home in order. Inevitably, there's often a stop to Target. Then on Sunday we like to hang. Play with my son, cook some food with my wife, and just unplug and recharge as best I can. When it's college football season the days are flipped.
You like to cook. You have a favorite recipe that you would like to share?
Not really, cuz I like it all. Could be something weird, could be some comfort food. If I can fire up my grill that's a good day.
What music do you enjoy listening to away from work?
I like to shuffle. While the Alt stuff is definitely in my wheelhouse, we also like to jam out to music across the board. Could be Beach Boys into Eminem to Black Keys right into Billy Joel. It's a singalong fest for the 4+ crowd.
When you get back home to South Florida what are your top priorities?
Swimming pools and seeing my family. Otherwise, it's a hard pass on soflo, I left for a reason. My god the heat!
Anything else you would like to add?
A big thank you to everyone whose paths I've crossed in the last 18 years of this boogie. Made lots of lifelong friends, and so many have had my back in the tough times. And I graciously have theirs. Couldn't do this without shouting out to some key people that have helped shaped my career and given me great instruction. Shanna Fischer, Drew Hauser, Gary Gorman, and of course Lori!
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