GIA Desantis

GIA DeSANTIS

181 Bret Harte Ave., Reno, NV 89609 | (775) 772-2177 | [email protected]

CAREER SUMMARY

Accomplished entertainment industry executive with deep experience leading artist partnerships to grow businesses. Leverages a keen understanding of the intersection of art and commerce to drive sales, build an audience, and both predict and influence pop culture. Strong experience managing $1MM+ marketing budgets, raising $1MM+ for nonprofits, and consulting on winning mayoral campaign. Applies communication skills honed interviewing hundreds of artists to build consensus and achieve business results. Areas of expertise include:

Client Relationship Development | Artist Relations | Communications and Imaging On-Air Interviews | Radio and TV Content Programming | Video and Audio Production | Team Leadership | Big Picture Creative Development | Marketing Campaign Management

RADIO & TELEVISION

Music Director, On-Air Personality, KVNV/NV89, An NPR Music Station Jun 2017 – Sept 2019 Created new programming strategy and imaging for Nevada Public Radio’s expansion into Northern Nevada. • Focused programming strategy to engage audiences with new, classic, and local music that resulted in a 400% increase in state- wide listenership within a span of 6 months. • Interviewed international and local artists to foster closer audience connection to the content • Regular contributor to NPR Music (dot) com • Created unique experiences and opportunities for boosting membership, incorporating art, food, and retail • Featured on NPR’s “Here and Now”

On-Air Personality, Indie 103.1& The Independent FM Mar 2014 – Jun 2018 Programmer and Host for Cocktails in the Kiddie Pool, a weekly thematic two-hour music program with international listenership

On-Air Personality, KROQ-FM, Los Angeles Dec 1992 – Dec 1995 Air personality who in addition to regular on-air shifts, guest-hosted and was featured guest on Loveline with Dr. Drew Pinsky

KDOC-TV, Los Angeles May 1984 – Nov 1992 Created, produced, programmed, directed, and hosted live daily program, Request Video • Recipient of Billboard Magazine Award for Best Music Video Program in U.S. • Live interviews with major and emerging artists • Coordinated with major record companies and management for live, in-studio performances and special off-site events • Producer, Writer and Host of Walk the Line, winner of National Association of Broadcasters award for Best Public Service Program in U.S. • Assistant Production Director, overseeing schedule of all in-site and remote television productions, including staffing

MAJOR RECORD LABELS

Director of Marketing / Tour Marketing / Music Video Promotion, Capitol Records & Reprise Records, Los Angeles Feb 1993 – Feb 1998

Drove $1.3MM marketing campaigns, setting strategy and tactics, managing budgets, leveraging relationships with MTV and other music video outlets, and collaborating across the organization to fulfill campaign goals plans. Oversaw all scheduling for artists on the road, maximizing appearances, video shoots, and radio/TV interviews based on key airplay and sales.

Key Projects: • A member of the 10-person, elite Capitol Records Task Force team for Beastie Boys Ill Communication. • Product Manager & Tour Marketing for Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Marcy Playground’s “Sex & Candy” campaign, Supergrass, and all Matador/Capitol artists, creating marketing plans and overseeing all aspects of the album releases in collaboration with department heads for Sales, Promotion, Merchandising and Art Departments, including input for ad buys. • Ensured airplay with MTV, VH1, and other music video outlets for artists such as Green Day, Barenaked Ladies, Wilco, Alanis Morrissette, and more. • Managed partner relations with MTV Video Music Awards, Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show, MTV and MTV2 as on-site representative for artists including Bonnie Raitt, Richard Marx, Pavement, Filter, and more.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & NON-PROFIT

Owner, Smart Mouth Industries / Pretty Mouthy Marketing Feb 2006 – Jun 2018 Built independent consultancy to meet music business demand for MTV, VH1, BET, and other music video outlet marketing. Clients include Disney, Warner Bros. Records, Universal Music, Sony Music, Atlantic Records, DreamWorks, and more.

● Consultant for established and emerging artists for management, publicity, marketing, and performances. ● Consultant for successful Mayoral Campaign for Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve, advising on messaging and imaging.

Director of Development & Special Events, Mountain View Montessori Jan 2012 – May 2014 Instituted fundraising structure and created and executed organization-wide marketing and community relations initiatives that resulted in $1MM in school donations.

MEDIA APPEARANCES & CONTRIBUTIONS

Featured as a respected pop culture influencer in books and documentaries and represented companies as a panelist at industry events, including SXSW and Billboard Magazine conferences.

• PBS “Great Performances”: Conducted all backstage interviews for “Hit Man: David Foster and Friends” and “Hit Man Returns.” (2008, 2009) • Crime and PUNKishment Contributing Author (Brenda Perlin, Blossom Press, 2019) • 25 Years of Beastie Boys’ PAUL’S BOUTIQUE: For Whom the Cowbell Tolls (33 1/3 Press, 66 2/3 Press, 2014) • NPR Nationally Syndicated “Here and Now” DJ Sessions (WBUR, 2019) • NPR Music Contributor – “Heavy Rotation” and “Songs Public Radio Can’t Stop Playing (2019)