UNITEDMASTERS BUILDS OUT TEAM
Tech music and media talent joining from Adobe, Twitter, Uber, Masterclass, Warner Music Group and Complex Networks
NEW YORK, September 21, 2022 -- Today, creator platform UnitedMasters, announced six new senior hires who have joined the music startup from top tech, media and music companies including Twitter, Uber, Adobe, Masterclass, Warner Music Group and Complex Networks. UnitedMasters has more than doubled its headcount in the last two years. The company is backed by Andreesesen Horowitz, Apple, Alphabet, and Disney with a total of $170M raised and a $550M valuation. UnitedMasters is continuing to aggressively hire top talent; a wide selection of tech, product and creative open roles are on its job board: https://boards.greenhouse.io/unitedmasters
“UnitedMasters is bringing on new talent from some of the biggest names in Silicon Valley,” said Steve Stoute, Founder & CEO of UnitedMasters. “We are growing fast and these new additions to our leadership team will help us continue to scale and democratize the music industry. UnitedMasters is home to millions of up and coming artists who are using our tech to own their future - that’s where you want to be.”
UnitedMasters is staffing up as core parts of its business have also grown following David Reich joining as President at the end of 2021. This year the number of UnitedMasters artists who were paid for brand deals is on track to double and the total revenue from brands has already more than doubled.
Engineering
Pablo Jablonski, Head of Engineering
Pablo Jablonski joined as the new head of Engineering after working at Twitter over the last 7 years on a variety of creator products. Starting as part of the Periscope live video team, Pablo oversaw the development of the iOS application, and later the integration of live video into the core Twitter system.
Most recently, Pablo built and led the engineering team that created the Spaces product, bringing live audio to Twitter, all the way from initial prototypes to a successful global launch with millions of daily users. Prior to Twitter, Pablo has an additional 7 years of experience working on customer-facing technology, leading teams across multiple startups focused on building new customer experiences in a variety of industries.
“I have always been obsessed with building technology that helps people live their life and connect with others, and have a deep passion for supporting creators succeed. I am extremely excited to bring that passion to UnitedMasters, and build the next wave of technology that will support independent artists not only to make a living, but to simplify all aspects of the music industry so they can focus on what they do best: creating their art,” said Vice President of Engineering Pablo Jablonski.
People
Nicole Keller, Chief People Officer
Nicole Keller joined as Chief People Officer and will be leading all areas of UnitedMasters people & talent strategy and operations. She comes to the company most recently from Frame.io, an Adobe company, where she was the CPO. Prior to that, Nicole led the People and HR functions across various industries including at Yodle, Shapeways, and Yieldstreet.
During her career she has guided companies through the significant changes of high growth, evolution, and mergers & acquisitions. Nicole has a Bachelor of Business Administration from University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
“There’s nothing quite like coming into a rapidly growing startup. Building and fostering teams that are rewriting the rules of the music industry is as fun as it gets. I’m here to help UnitedMasters continue to scale and expand its culture of ownership and creativity,” said Chief People Officer Nicole Keller.
Music
Andre Howard, Head of Commerce
Andre Howard began his career in the Def Jam A&R department segueing into artist management working for Family Tree Entertainment & Violator where he worked directly with artists like Outkast, Missy Elliott, Pharoahe Monch, Busta Rhymes, Fantasia and many more.
From there, he founded his own Agency (The Media Music Inc.) with a focus on helping provide support for artist management & marketing teams. During this time, he worked with Shady/Aftermath, Reebok/RBK, ESPN Games, HBO, and more, helping to seek out product placement, sync/licensing opportunities, producing & distributing music. Andre later returned to Universal Music working in eCommerce doing metadata management which led him to Republic where he became an in-house Product Manager for all visual projects released. A particular highlight: working on Jack Johnson's “From Here To Now To You” which became the first ‘visual’ album of its kind. Andre led digital & commerce efforts at eOne/MNRK Music where he worked with Royce Da 5'9, The Game and Brandy. Andre recently worked at Warner Music Group, where he worked across Asylum Records as Head of Digital Marketing at ADA as commerce lead for Black Music but also working across all genres.
“I've spent my whole career working to empower artists within the industry. I love the option UnitedMasters gives artists at creating and sustaining their independence! I love being a "cog" in that process...helping artists build their business, their brands. This is the future of the business and I am honored to be a part of the UnitedMasters team!” said Head of Commerce, Andre Howard.
Communications, Marketing and Brand
Meg Donovan, Head of Marketing
Meg Donovan joined UnitedMasters in May as Head of Marketing, leading marketing across all verticals. She brings expertise from her time at MasterClass, where she was Senior Director of Marketing—owning marketing across b2b, partnerships, social impact, and new products. Meg also stood up the company’s first major global expansion as its first General Manager of International. Prior to that Meg spent nearly 7 years at Uber, where she led numerous global marketing functions including growth, product, brand, and consumer insights.
She joined Uber in 2014 as one of the first hires for the global marketing team—helping to grow the global footprint of the brand to 80+ countries and 120 users worldwide. In her time there, she led the company in some of the boldest, impactful communications that the brand and product deployed to-date.
“UnitedMasters is leading a bonafide movement—creating a new way for the next generation of artists. We’re empowering independent artists to fully realize their creative potential and own their future. To work on a brand with such a clear, meaningful purpose is so rare and a total dream,” said Head of Marketing Meg Donovan.
Damien Scott, Head of Brand Strategy and Editorial
Damien Scott joined as UnitedMasters head of Brand Strategy and Editorial after leading J. Cole’s Dreamville Holdings as President. During his time at the company, Damien helped oversee the day-to-day of the record label-turned-multimedia creative agency.
Prior to that, Damien was editor-in-chief of Complex Media, where he led the company’s editorial effort and managed the production of award-winning digital shows, as well as the annual culture festival ComplexCon.
"UnitedMasters is creating true independence for artists from the record labels. That's a mission with the power to shape the future of the entire creative industry. I'm hyped to be helping to shape and share that brand story," said Head of Brand Strategy and Editorial Damien Scott.
Matt Wing, Head of Communications
Matt Wing joined as UnitedMasters head of Communications after over 7 years working in Uber’s Communications department. During that time, Matt ran communications for Uber’s global driver and courier issues, advanced technologies and for the company’s northeast markets including New York City and Boston. In his final months at Uber, he was also interim director of driver and courier product marketing.
Prior to that, Matt spent over 8 years working politics and government including serving as press secretary for the New York Governor and communications director on statewide and citywide political campaigns.
“Tech that empowers artists is just cooler than other work. UnitedMasters is democratizing the music industry, giving independent artists the space to focus on their craft and the opportunity to make more money for themselves. I feel lucky to play a part in that mission,” said Head of Communications Matt Wing.
UnitedMasters is expanding its team as it expands the tools, resources, and opportunities for independent artists to distribute their music and maximize their earning potential while maintaining full ownership over their music.
About UnitedMasters: Launched in 2017 by Translation founder and music industry veteran Steve Stoute, UnitedMasters provides a new industry alternative for over 1.5 million independent artists. UnitedMasters gives artists access to premium music distribution services, a suite of tools to help them directly connect with fans, and opportunities for unique partnerships with some of the world's biggest brands. The UnitedMasters platform enables artists to operationalize their independence and maximize their creative and economic potential while allowing them to maintain full ownership over their master recording rights.
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