Michael Kauffman

Michael Kauffman: Creator, Content and Product Marketing, Corporate Communications

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Michael Kauffman is a visionary content marketing and corporate communications executive who creates and launches game-changing ideas that drive revenue and impact customer engagement. He brings two decades of sales and marketing experience, expertise and relationships to his position of Product Marketing Manager at YouTube. He spearheads corporate and community communication efforts as well as drives key content strategies and marketing initiatives.Previously, he was SVP of Corporate Communications and Content at RightsFlow, a licensing and royalty service provider selected the #8 Best Place to Work 2011 by Crain's NY, and acquired by Google in 2011.  The team has now provides music copyright identification, licensing, reporting & payment services to YouTube, Google Play, and beyond. Kauffman joined RightsFlow after founding The HiFive Group, a consultancy providing sales, marketing, social media, brand partnership, and content distribution services. Clients included global corporations (Disney, Universal) and initiatives like "Record Store Day", as well as retailers (Patsy's Italian Restaurant, Hoodlums), labels and artists. Prior to that, he was SVP of Sales at the Verve Music Group (Universal Music Group) responsible for account management, field sales and marketing, and catalog development for the label's roster including Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, Gladys Night, Herbie Hancock, and the rich legacy of jazz and adult pop imprints under Universal Music Group. He led an acclaimed award-winning sales team "The Jazz Pack" to NARM 2005 and 2006 Label of the Year honors. Early career experience included positions at Windham Hill, Bertelsmann and Sound Warehouse, along with stints as a DJ, record store clerk, promoter and copywriter. He graduated with honors from Temple University in Philadelphia, active in music and broadcasting. He currently serves on the Temple Alumni Board. Kauffman has been a past presenter at CMJ, New Music Seminar, ASCAP, Toyota Scion's Music(less) Fest, Berklee College of Music, NARM, and A2IM events.

Senior Vice-President of Corporate Communications and Content at RightsFlow (acquired by Google)

January 2010 - December 2011 | New York, NY

RightsFlow is a leading provider of mechanical licensing services and royalty payment technology for online music services, record companies, distributors and artists. The RightsFlow technology powers rapid song identification and provides an unprecedented level of transparency for both licensees and licensors. RightsFlow specializes in obtaining bulk physical, DPD, and ringtone licenses including streaming, tethered, and limited download rights. Our proprietary "FLOW" licensing technology and 30 million song database allow us to license content, render accounting, and pay royalties on behalf of clients quickly and accurately, ensuring that rights-holders are paid for the use of their work.

Partner at The HiFive Group, inc.

January 2007 - December 2009

HiFive delivers physical and digital strategy, sales, marketing, social media, distribution and partnership services. We are a leader in skillfully managing situations within the shifting ecosystem of the entertainment industry. With award winning expertise in sales, account management, marketing and social media, our focus is to tell your story, build community, drive revenue and make your life easier.

Sr. Vice-President of Sales at Universal Music Group / The Verve Music Group

August 1996 - December 2006

Leader of "The Jazz Pack" - a team of seasoned sales and marketing executives. Oversaw all domestic sales activity for Verve, Grp, impulse, Blue Thumb and associated labels including product development, projections, co-op spending, manufacturing quantities, inventory control and more. Significant interaction with Universal Distribution and retail at both the national and regional levels. Responsible for a national and regional sales staff consisting of six. Voted NARM Label of the Year 2005 and 2006.

National Director of Sales at Windham Hill

1994 - 1996

Oversaw all domestic sales activity for the Windham Hill, High Street and subsidiary labels including projections, co-op spending, sales department budgets. Involved with strategic planning and implementation for both new releases and for the company. Interfaced with artists, managers, BMG distribution personnel, and retail contacts. Responsible for a regional sales staff consisting of seven.

Regional Sales Manager at Windham Hill

1993 - 1994

Coordinated all sales and field marketing activity for the Northeast region of the US for the Windham Hill label group. Worked with BMG Distribution branches and the retail account base to ensure proper support, growth and capitalization on opportunities.

Product Development Coordinator at Bertlesmann Music Group (BMG Distribution)

1991 - 1993

Regional Marketing representative for pop, rock and country acts on the BMG family of labels (Arista, RCA, Jive, Windham Hill). Worked the midwest region out of the Chicago office ("Branch of the Year" 1992/93).

Corporate Communications, Product Marketing at YouTube

2011

-Supporting the monetization of content and ensuring that creators are paid. Focus on: - Driving partner awareness, engagement and opt-in adoption success via internal and external messaging. - Executing educational and marketing collateral and campaigns to targeted community verticals. - Event support.

Temple University

1982 – 1986

Bachelor of Arts