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Hari Ashurst-Venn
Head of Digital & New Tech at Sony Music Entertainment
Professional Background
Ashurst-Venn Hari is a dynamic and innovative leader in the music industry, currently serving as the Head of Digital and New Tech at 4th Floor Creative, a division of Sony Music UK. In this pivotal role, Ashurst-Venn has demonstrated his expertise in digital marketing by overseeing relationships with established digital platforms and exploring new partnerships with emerging services and technologies. His passion for music and technology has positioned him at the forefront of new trends in digital marketing and has allowed him to play a critical role in shaping the future of music promotion in the digital landscape.
Prior to his current role at Sony Music UK, Ashurst-Venn founded the indie label Double Denim Records, where he leveraged his creative vision and business acumen to develop and promote emerging artists. His experience in the music industry is further enriched by his stint as an artist manager at Red Light Management, where he honed his skills in guiding artists' careers and navigating the complexities of the music business.
Throughout his career, Ashurst-Venn has been actively involved with various music tech start-ups, including Lickd and JAAK. At Lickd, he served as the Head Of Music, where he developed innovative strategies to integrate music into the content ecosystem. At JAAK, a Techstars Music alumni, he took on the role of Partnerships Lead, focusing on building essential relationships that would propel the company forward in the competitive music tech landscape. His previous experiences also include serving as Head Of Creative Services at Lucid Tunes and delving into freelance writing at prestigious platforms like the BBC and Pitchfork.
Education and Achievements
Ashurst-Venn began his academic journey at the University of Liverpool, where he studied English Literature. This background provided him with a solid foundation in storytelling and textual analysis, skills that have proven invaluable in the music industry, particularly in marketing, artist development, and verbal communication. His profound understanding of the narrative aspect of music has played a significant role in shaping how he crafts campaigns and partnerships that resonate with audiences.
Throughout his career, Ashurst-Venn has amassed an impressive portfolio of achievements that underline his influence in both the digital and music realms. His ability to identify opportunities for innovation and growth in the music sector is evidenced by his successful track record in developing strategies that connect artists with audiences through digital channels. His forward-thinking approach is highlighted by his efforts to bring emerging platforms into the fold, thereby broadening the scope of visibility for artists represented under Sony Music UK.
Achievements
- Leadership in Digital Marketing: As the Head of Digital and New Tech, Ashurst-Venn’s leadership has been pivotal in fostering collaboration between various label teams at Sony Music UK, amplifying the reach and impact of marketing initiatives.
- Innovative Partnerships: His unique vision has led to the establishment of fruitful partnerships with both established and emerging digital platforms, showcasing his ability to adapt to and leverage changes in the digital space.
- Artist Development: Through his work at Double Denim Records and Red Light Management, he successfully guided multiple artists through their careers, including developing their brands and expanding their audiences.
- Contributions to Music Tech: Ashurst-Venn's roles in music tech start-ups illustrate his commitment to the innovative side of the industry, helping launch new services that enhance the interaction between music and technology.
- Thought Leadership: His writing contributions to notable publications such as Pitchfork and BBC exemplify his expertise in understanding music trends and communicating them effectively to a wider audience.
tags':['music industry','digital marketing','Sony Music UK','indie label','artist manager','music tech','Digital and New Tech','Double Denim Records','Lickd','JAAK','Lucid Tunes','freelance writing','University of Liverpool','English Literature'],
questions':['How did Ashurst-Venn Hari transition from founding an indie label to leading digital marketing at Sony Music UK?','What innovative strategies has Ashurst-Venn Hari implemented at Sony Music to advance digital marketing for artists?','Can Ashurst-Venn Hari share his insights on the future of music and technology integration in the industry?','What lessons did Ashurst-Venn Hari learn from his experiences at music tech start-ups like Lickd and JAAK?','How has Ashurst-Venn Hari’s education in English Literature influenced his approach to digital marketing in the music industry?'],
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