Stephen Blackwell is a well-established entertainment executive who guided SpinMedia as CEO and the Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group as chief strategy officer. Based in New York, Stephen Blackwell is presently an investor in a digital media sphere that continues to expand as new platforms and revenue opportunities come online. One challenge facing many artists is the sheer ubiquity of music, as more affordable distribution channels, paired with a decrease in expenses associated with home recording, have resulted in a plethora of new releases.Musicians who were previously unable to record and access major markets are now able to launch singles and albums from anywhere in the world with a minimum of hassle. On Spotify alone, between 10,000 and 30,000 new songs are released each day. This sheer volume makes it more challenging to stand out, even for those with compelling sounds and visions.One factor in independent musicians’ favor on Spotify is that algorithmically derived playlists are designed to ensure that content from independent artists and major labels is weighted the same. At the same time, curated playlists that reach large demographics also mix in a significant amount of “undiscovered” music. For those who do create music that somehow reaches influencers’ ears, the digital platform can amplify their reach exponentially in a relatively short time. They can also generate long-term revenues as songs remain on royalty-generating playlists for decades. Unfortunately, many musicians do not have the leverage or tools to break through and achieve sustaining success on digital platforms. For a large number of musicians, live gigs are the bread and butter on which they rely to make money from their art.
Knowledgable on the interface between technology and media, Stephen Blackwell’s background includes a previous position as chief strategy officer with the Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Music industry-focused, Stephen Blackwell follows worldwide trends in the digital streaming sphere. As recently reported in the Guardian, the UK is experiencing its fastest level of music consumption growth in two decades on the strength of streaming services. In 2017, British consumers purchased the equivalent of approximately 135 million albums spanning formats such as subscription service streams, digital downloads, vinyl, and CDs. This represented a nearly 10 percent year-on-year increase, with Ed Sheeran heading a list of top earners that also included Pink, Drake, Liam Gallagher, and Sam Smith. The market expansion was spearheaded by audio streaming, which witnessed an unprecedented 51.5 percent surge, with more than half of all albums now listened to and purchased streamed. At the same time, vinyl continued on its upward arc, with traditional albums registering sales of 4.1 million, which was the highest number in 27 years. With Sheeran’s Divide topping UK vinyl sales and all other categories, the other top vinyl sellers were an eclectic bunch that included Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black (2006) and Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours (1977).
Entrepreneur and investor Stephen Blackwell has been involved with several media and technology start-ups. A mentor with the Fordham Foundry, Stephen Blackwell shares the knowledge he has gained throughout his career.To support the Fordham University community in developing and launching businesses that will spark economic growth in the Bronx, the Gabelli School of Business and New York City’s Small Business Services launched the Fordham Foundry, a business incubator that fosters the entrepreneurial goals of students, alumni, faculty, and the staff of Fordham University.To facilitate the growth of new businesses, the Fordham Foundry provides collaborative work spaces, confidential business consultations, a mentorship program, and educational workshops. The foundry also hosts a variety of competitions to inspire those with entrepreneurial drive. Past events have included a three-day start-up program that brought participants together with the goal of creating a viable company in three days. A pitch challenge invited young entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges who work in start-ups and venture capital. The winner of the challenge was awarded a $20,000 prize.
Stephen Blackwell, a business visionary and revenue operator, leverages a decade of entrepreneurial experience as an investor and board member for Rep. Outside of his professional work, which recently included roles as CEO of SpinMedia and CFO of the Billboard-Hollywood Reporter, Stephen Blackwell enjoys personal fitness and weight training among other hobbies. Also known as resistance training, strength training involves lifting, pushing, or pulling various weights to encourage muscle stimulation and growth. The practice serves an important role in an overall health and fitness program, since muscle mass decreases as a person ages. Often, muscle loss is associated with a decrease in metabolism. Strength training presents a solution to this problem, since it has been shown to burn calories and increase metabolism. Other benefits of strength training include an increase in bone density and strength, improved concentration and mental sharpness, and a better overall quality of life. In addition, individuals who practice strength training can reduce the symptoms of chronic conditions ranging from arthritis and back pain, to obesity and depression.
