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Hello Everyone -
Love catching up with friends especially ones who are leaders that are doing good while doing well.
In this conversation, I spoke with John Rough, SVP Enterprise at UnitedMasters + Translation. Both businesses were founded and are led by music industry veteran and advertising maven, Steve Stoute.
UnitedMasters is a platform for independent artists to build a business around their craft: from music distribution, promotion, and working with brands.
“So our platform, so UnitedMasters, is home to 1.7MM artists that come and do everything from distribute their music, use creator tools to better their music, as well as what my team’s role is to broker brand partnerships for independent artists.”
“and so a couple of examples of that are we measure our programs on impact, right? So we work with Bulleit Bourbon under the Diageo portfolio to bring mentorship to artists in sync licensing, in performing, performanceing, performance, it’s not even a word, performing and writing, right?’ - John Rough, SVP Enterprise, UnitedMasters
John doesn’t mince words when it comes to his unconventional yet creative-infused career journey and path, and how each stop along the way to where he is today was deliberate in hindsight even if it didn’t feel so in the moment.
“But the Weiden and Kennedy’s and BBDO’s of the world thought differently [graduating college in 2008] and obviously coming out in a recession was tough. So I pivoted my career towards sort of the media side of the world and understanding how TV media works and then product and tech media works and digital media works was kind of this kind of assemblance of a journey towards getting back to my creative side.”
What has helped fuel and shape John over his career are the people who surround him — bosses and colleagues who have become good friends and mentors. Mentorship is something that John thinks is invaluable. And in doing so, he makes a conscious effort to give back and provide guidance to those climbing the ranks.
“Yeah, I take a lot of the lessons that I learned throughout my caeer and try to implement them, not in the ‘this is how to be successful’ phase, but I think the general lessons we as humans should lean into, right? And I mentioned curisoity. I think that’s what fuels growthin creative industries. Trying to do net new things take a level of curiosity.”
John’s advocacy for coaching and mentorship has been answered…
“So I’m always constantly raising my hand. I just got an email today that I’m allowed to be an advisor for our intern class. I’m incredibly honored to do that. I’m a huge fan. Not only do I work in youth culture, but I’m a huge fan of being able to learn from youth culture.”
Links:
Watch our Full Conversation on YouTube
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