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10 Questions with ... Joe Guzik
July 6, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. One of the many reasons that I love this company is that we can help artists at any stage in their career, you don't have to leave to become huge or we don't drop you when your sub-genre falls out of favor with radio.
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National Director Promotion Roadrunner Records -(1998-2000)
VP Rock Formats, Columbia Records (2000-2011)
EVP, Red Bull Records (2011-2020)
ONErpm, Head OF NY Business Unit (2020-present)
1. After 25 years heading up promotion the label side, and most recently 9 years at Red Bull Records, what led you to ONErpm?
I have always been close to my artists and managers. Each step of my career I am looking for a home that will be a better push innovation and be a better partner for more artists. Major label deals are wonderful for a very small section of artists. Good indie label deals like Red Bull are better for a larger set of artists. And, now the fully born digital distribution + label companies like ONErpm are the best partners with our artists. We work for the artists building a sustainable business so they can financially afford to live their lives and make great music on their own terms. I've been blessed to work for the best record companies in the world. ONErpm is the best company I've ever worked for in music.
2. Give us the 411 on ONErpm's digital distribution service and fan engagement platform and how it works.
I sign artists to custom distro + label deals. Each artist's deal is different because every artist has different needs and dreams. Basically, our marketing methodology starts me as the "Genre Expert" and to work with the product manager to create a plan that gives the artist everything they need and nothing they don't! This lets us be efficient and lets the artist receive amazing royalty splits while still having the strength of a big company that can tap into 26 global offices and their local specialists.
3. ONErpm’s business model revolves around artist discovery and career development. Tell us about 3 levels of services you offer: DIY, Taking Off, and Next Level.
One of the many reasons that I love this company is that we can help artists at any stage in their career, you don't have to leave to become huge or we don't drop you when your sub-genre falls out of favor with radio. If you're just starting out you are DIY, and you can use all the amazing digital suite of marketing tools, I use for no upfront cost. Once you start to build an audience I can sign you to a custom deal that is appropriate to help you grow your musical career faster by adding financial resources and marketing professionals. Finally, once you're ready and/or already have been on the global stage our Next Level deals leverage the full resources and music professionals on your team in our 26 offices around the world to work for you.
4. Tell us about ONErpm's investment in a Global direct-to-fan marketing group and how that helps clients with Tik Tok, Facebook, and YouTube.
Our D2F innovates and grows every day. The percentage of income that artists receive from the non-traditional dsps like Spotify, Apple and Amazon is growing exponentially. It's not uncommon for the many of our latin american artists to have most of the revenue come from Youtube. Facebook and TikTok realize the power of music on their platforms and are compensating artists for its use. It won't be long before services like Twitch and other platforms have broad revenue deals with the global music community and compensate artists for their work. D2F is the future, and we work on building it every day.
5. So the digital distribution service and fan engagement platform was founded in 2010 by Emmanuel Zunz and you have offices in New York, Nashville, and Brazil. How big is the ONErpm team and what's it like working for the company?
The company is closing in on 400 employees around the world in 26 offices. In the U.S., we have NYC, Atlanta, Miami, Nashville, Los Angeles and San Francisco. ONErpm is still a very young and flexible start up. It has a new school etos, and an innovative company culture which I love. If you have an entrepreneur's mindset as an artist or employee, you will flourish here.
6. How much has the company grown in the last 10 years?
ONErpm was started with the vision of our founder, Emmanuel "EZ" Zunz about 11 years ago and now is approaching 400 employees, 26 global offices with expansion plans into the middle east going on right now. The road map for territorial expansion is robust.
7. What may surprise people most about the company?
It's still private, and self-sustaining. Meaning, we don't operate at a loss and/or use venture and corporate parents to finance a money losing business model.
8. What is your role as Head Of NY Business Until and what is a typical day like for you?
I can honestly say I'm working harder and having more fun than ever. I'm in the gym at 6:30am Monday, Wednesday, Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, I use that morning time to talk to clients in Europe from my home office as the time zones are crazy especially dealing with Sweden or Russia. I'm in the office by 10am which is usually a mix of working with our internal teams speaking to signed artists about executing our marketing plans and discussing with potential clients their needs and discussing if ONErpm could be a good fit to help their music dreams come true. Home on the 8:30pm train most nights.
9. Tell us about the Alternative artists you’re working with and how you work with radio?
Our alternative roster of artists is growing exponentially every day. I recently signed Bryce Fox, he's an amazing artist that we've been able to grow to 1.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify but we are in no hurry to launch a single to Alternative radio. Our artist-partners have the luxury of building an engaged fan base through our digital marketing team and proving through data that a song is a "Hit" before ever launching a full blitz to radio.
10. What is your favorite part of the job?
Delighting our artists, hearing comments like, "I never knew working with a label partner could be like this - I wish I knew about ONErpm sooner."
Ok, let’s have some fun.Bonus Questions
First, I know you had some sad and difficult news recently with the loss of your dad. How are you holding up?
Thank you for asking. I'm honestly still in shock. I was very tight with my dad; he was my Super Hero.
What are weekends like for you?
It's all about hanging with my family. I try to make up for long work hours during the week.
Tell us about your rock star days as a guitarist.
That's why I'm in the business. I thought my early bands were destined for glory but luckily, I realized early enough I didn't have the talent or patience to write great songs. And as we all know success is about great songs. But what I did have a knack for is being the first to realize a song is great and push it on everyone who would listen. Not much has changed in the last 20+ years in that respect. LOL. I just unearthed some early band demos from the late 90s may be next time I'm in L.A. I'll play them for you. Who knows maybe I'll release them as a goof.
Are you still reading a lot? What book are you currently reading?
Yes, reading is a form of meditation for me. I'm currently into an author named William Manchester, his biographies on Winston Churchill are amazing, start with the Last Lion and you'll finish his three-volume set on Churchill before you know it.
What are your favorite restaurants in New Jersey?
Our favorite restaurant in NJ is Halcyon in Montclair, NJ
How about in the city?
Johns of 12th St. (cash only or a house account)
Favorite food?
My wife's artisan mac 'n cheese
Favorite drink?
Protein shake
Rank your sports teams in order of passion.
Yankees! Yankees! New York Red Bulls (MLS), Cornell Big Red Football
Favorite new band over the past year that you’re not working?
The Aces without a doubt. The last album is still in power rotation in my house.
Anything else you would like to add?
Thank you, Shawn, you've been a great partners for decades not only to me, but also to the greater alternative community.
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