kris allen

Since skyrocketing to stardom as the winner of the 2009 season of American Idol, Kris Allen has enjoyed success with five singles on the Billboard charts. His self-titled debut album features his hit single “Live Like We’re Dying” which has a combined digital sales of over 1.7 million. Since the release of his album he has toured with Keith Urban, Maroon 5, Barenaked Ladies, Lifehouse as well as headlining his own club tour.

Kris is currently in the studio working on his brand new yet-to-be-titled album, and is set to release his brand new single “The Vision of Love” on March 26th.

ingrid michaelson

Ingrid Michaelson has earned enviable name-recognition thanks to her knack for crafting beautiful, idiosyncratic songs, many of which have wafted out of your television in handfuls of Grey’s Anatomy episodes (not to mention countless other series since such as American Idol, Parenthood, and So You Think You Can Dance), in an affecting Google Chrome ad, and on VH1 as an artist You Outta Know. She has sold over 800,000 albums and 3 million singles. Her new album, “Human Again,” produced by David Kahne (Regina Spektor, Paul McCartney) and released on Cabin 24 Records/Mom+Pop Music, was her highest-selling debut yet, reaching #1 on iTunes and Top 5 on the Billboard sales chart in its first week.

alisann blodd

Alisann Blood handles strategic marketing for EMI music creating marketing partnerships for their roster of artists. Alisann’s experience spans 10 years; prior to her current role, she worked in marketing and promotion roles at Steve Madden, Island Def Jam and Elektra Entertainment Group. Alisann has a degree in Television/Radio/Film from the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University.

erika brooks adickman

Erika Brooks Adickman is a writer, performer and storyteller currently living in LA. In addition to creating the interactive screening Troop Beverly Hills: The Experience, her other pop culture credits include host of Idolator's 'At Your Request', the website 'Oh Crap. My Parents Joined Facebook' and the animated web series 'Pop Waffle'.

Tom Calderone, Vh1

Tom Calderone was promoted in October 2008 to President of VH1, one of the most successful and talked about brands in all of television. During his tenure, VH1 generated 23 consecutive quarters of growth among its total viewership by delivering a critically acclaimed mix of music and pop culture-based series, specials, live events and digital media.

In 2007, Calderone was named one of Mediaweek magazine’s Top 50 most influential executives shaping the future of media. He currently oversees the strategy and management of VH1 including business development, marketing and promotion, finance, communications, public affairs, research and human resources.

He also oversees VH1’s digital media efforts including VH1.com and the digital music networks VH1 Classic, now in 57 million homes. Calderone also shepherds the growth of Palladia, MTV Networks’ high-definition music network.

He has infused music into the VH1 brand in new ways including the return of the historic “VH1 Divas” event and the resurrection of the award-winning “VH1 Storytellers” franchise. He also was the architect behind VH1’s deals with the Broadcast Film Critics Association to televise its annual “Critics Choice Awards” live on the network as well as Do Something.org’s annual “Do Something Awards” which recognize young people and their initiatives for social change.

Calderone also captains VH1’s award-winning pro-social efforts, serving as chairman of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, which has donated $47 millionworth of new musical instruments the last 13 years to restore music education programs in public schools. He also directed VH1’s multi-million dollar media partnership with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria as well as VH1 Classic’s “Rock Autism” initiative.

Calderone joined MTV Networks in 1998 when he was named Senior Vice President, Music and Talent Programming at MTV, creating new music initiatives for the various MTV screens including television, online and wireless. He also managed artist relations and communication with the music industry. He later became Executive Vice President of Music Programming and Talent for MTV, MTV2 and MTVU where he oversaw the development of such breakthrough music franchises “Spankin’ New Music” and “MTV Ultimate Mash-Ups.” He also shepherded new programming such as the underground hit “Wondershowzen,” Snoop Dogg’s “Doggy Fizzle Televizzle,” “Jennifer Lopez: Beyond The Runway,” “mtvJAMMED,” “Life & Rhymes,”, the music performance series “Discover and Download” and music block “Sucker Free Sundays.” He also worked on the production of top-rated television events including the MTV Video Music Awards and MTV Movie Awards and such successful franchises as “Unplugged.”

Calderone launched his media career at Buffalo State College at WBNY-FM which still stands today. In 2008, he received an honorary doctorate of human letters from his alma mater.

louis horvitz

Louis J. Horvitz is one of the most accomplished and prolific directors in the rarified, Top-Gun field of live television event broadcasting. He has directed one of the most watched television programs, the annual “Academy Awards” telecast, a record 12 times, receiving 14 Emmy nominations and winning six Emmys for consistently turning out seamless and elegant work under pressure. He has also helmed the “Prime Time Emmy Awards” a total of 14 times, directed “The Kennedy Center Honors” for 17 years and the American Film Institute (AFI) Life Achievement Award tributes a total of 20 times.

Horvitz recently directed the 2011 Billboard Awards, The 53rd Grammy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards and the multi network telethon, “Stand Up 2 Cancer” and the “XXI Winter Olympics” Opening and Closing Ceremony. Currently he is co-producing and directing the AFI’s tribute to Morgan Freeman.

Horvitz has been the Executive Producer and Director of “An Evening of Stars,” for the past 14 years. Horvitz and his team have won three prestigious NAACP Image Awards for “An Evening of Stars” – 2006 for the tribute to Stevie Wonder; 2009 for the tribute to Smokey Robinson and 2011 for the tribute to Lionel Richie. Horvitz has also won a Directors Guild of America (DGA) Award and received multiple nominations as well. In a career that has spanned over four decades, Horvitz has directed numerous other high-profile programs including "The American Music Awards," "Fashion Rocks," "The MTV-Video Music Awards," "VH-1 Hip Hop Honors," "VH-1 Divas,” “Kids Inaugural: We Are The Future” for President Barak Obama and First Lady Michele Obama,” "VH-1 Concert for New York City" benefiting survivors of 9/11, the "U2 Half-Time at the Super Bowl XXXVI," "Paul Simon in Central Park," "The Rolling Stones Steel Wheels Tour," "Live Aid" and the landmark musical variety series, "Solid Gold." A native of Los Angeles, California, Horvitz earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts at the University of California at Los Angeles.

mark didia

A 30 year music industry vet, Mark DiDia has served as Executive Vice President/General Manager of Columbia Records. He was also EVP/GM at Capitol Records, Hollywood Records, Def American Recordings and Geffen Records. Mark began his career in music at rock stations WXRK (K-Rock) in New York, and WYSP in Philadelphia. He is now an Artist Manager at Coran Capshaw's Red Light Management.

paul cothran

Paul Cothran is Vice President and Executive Director of VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

In his position, Cothran oversees The Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of education in America’s public schools by restoring music programs in cities across the country, and raising awareness about the importance of music participation for our nation’s youth. Since VH1 Save the Music Foundation’s inception in 1997, nearly $47 million worth of new musical instruments have been donated to over 1,700 public schools in 100 cities, benefiting over 1.6 million children.

Cothran was most recently Director of Health and Community Programs for The Big Apple Circus from 1997 to 2004, where he provided administrative oversight of the Circus’ community outreach programs. He was responsible for strategic planning, budget preparation and management. While there, Cothran significantly expanded the scope and reach of all programs nationally.

From 1992 to 1997 Cothran served as Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Pace University where he cultivated support from local and national corporate and foundation prospects. He also drafted grant proposals, stewardship reports, and developed and implemented solicitation strategies in conjunction with the University Officers, Trustees and Deans.

Before his employment at Pace University, Cothran was Development Director for the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund where he managed the national fundraising program, including corporate and foundation solicitations, major donors, direct-mail, bequests and special events.

Cothran also served as Director Development for the Community Research Initiative on AIDS and Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Fordham University.

paul flattery

Paul Flattery has produced well over a 200 TV specials including: the world wide broadcasts of the Emmy winning Live 8, Live Earth, the Emmy nominated post 9/11 Concert For New York City,
 Kids Choice Awards and Teen Choice Awards He has also produced several of VH1’s flagship shows Divas and Rock Honors.

His concert and variety music specials include ones for Britney Spears, NSYNC, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Gloria Estefan, David Bowie, Santana, Rod Stewart, Hall & Oates, Crosby Stills & Nash, Hall & Oates, New Kids On The Block, Genesis, Tina Turner, Queen Latifah, Phil Collins, Genesis and Bonnie Raitt.

Born in Liverpool, England, Paul Flattery moved to the United States in the late seventies. A philosophy graduate, he had edited his university’s Arts and Science magazines as well as the student newspaper – for which he won a national award.

His videos have won dozens of awards and nominations including the Grammys, MTV Music Awards, American Music Awards and International Monitor Awards.

rob davidson

Rob Davidson serves as the Director of Programs and Policy for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, working with, among many others, the Baltimore, Boston, Cincinnati, Houston, Indianapolis, Little Rock, Philadelphia and Washington DC School Districts to advocate for and restore music education programs. Rob joined VH1 Save The Music after ten years experience in Education and Orchestra Management. Most recently, Rob served as the Director of Education and Community Engagement with the Brooklyn Philharmonic where, during his tenure, he doubled the number of services offered for NYC public school students and brought the organization into the National music education advocacy arena. Before Brooklyn, Rob spent four years in the Education and Community Engagement Department at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Prior to his Orchestra Management experience, Rob taught music and performed with Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA and worked with the Center for Gifted Education at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. Rob holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Music Performance from Truman State University (Kirksville, MO) and a K-12 Music Education Certification from Carnegie Mellon (Pittsburgh, PA).

stephanie hopson

Stephanie is the Senior Director of Marketing for Vanguard Records where she oversees online, print and TV advertising campaigns as well as various marketing initiatives and third-party brand partnerships. Vanguard’s artist roster includes: Matt Nathanson, Trevor Hall, Greg Laswell, Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, Robert Francis, and more.

steve leeds

Steve Leeds is the VP of Talent and Industry Affairs at Sirus/XM Radio. Prior to joining Sirius/XM, Steve was the SVP of promotion at Virgin Records, working with artists such as the Rolling Stones, Iggy Pop, Courtney Love and 30 Seconds to Mars.

trent vanegas

Trent Vanegas is the founder of Pink Is The New Blog, the insanely addictive celebrity and pop culture blog he founded in 2004. A Detroit native, Trent lives in Los Angeles where he blogs about Britney, Beckham, Brangelina, Madonna, and more. "It's not just a blog, it's a brand," says the New York Times in profile of Trent, who's also appeared on CNN, E!, MTV, and VH1.

Harvey Leeds

Harvey Leeds, retired from Sony Music & Entertainment, after 35 years as VP of Radio Promotion and Marketing and then VP of Artist Development. Leeds was responsible for the success of numerous careers including Boston,Cyndi Lauper,Gloria Estefan,Culture Club,Pearl Jam,Incubus,Rage Against the Machine to name a few. He is presently Owner of Headquarters, a management and consulting firm within Live Nation, Inc.

In 2007, at the 16th annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards show Harvey Leeds was named Artist Development Executive of the Year for the sixth time. At the conclusion of the show, Pollstar retired the award as a testament to his expertise.

He is currently managing Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Marky Ramone, Dangermuffin, Glint and Jax. In addtion to music, he is managing Cheryl Kilodavis author of the children's book "My Princess Boy" and has launched the Marky Ramone Pasta Sauce company and food truck. Recent consulting clients have included David Mamet, Rebecca Pidgeon, Alicia Witt, Amanda Palmer and New Found Glory.

Liz Lewis

Liz Lewis is a record label executive at Warner Bros. Records. While Liz was in school, she participated in her high school choir and took guitar lessons. She is honored to be a judge for the Battle of Bands and can’t wait to see the creativity that ensues.

Diane Mayer

Diane Mayer is a veteran music executive with nearly two decades of experience in music marketing and promotion. She has worked for entertainment giants BMG, Interscope and Disney, and was the Department Head in charge of television development, video promotion, and visual marketing at EMI Music - North America. Diane has worked closely with a world-class roster of artists, including Coldplay, Katy Perry, Beastie Boys, Paul McCartney, Radiohead, Kylie Minogue, Corinne Bailey Rae, Bonnie Raitt, Snoop Dogg, Joss Stone, Lily Allen, Lenny Kravitz, Jane’s Addiction, and Norah Jones -- and her contributions have earned dozens of gold, platinum and multi-platinum records, resulting in the sale of over 250 million albums worldwide.

Diane Mayer is currently the CEO of MAYER 360, a New York-based music marketing, talent development and production company specializing in strategic marketing, brand partnerships and original content solutions.