Sean Rutkowski

Experience

• 

  National Record Mart

  Mar 1993 - May 1997

  Buyer

  Purchased and managed music and video inventory for 150 stores and a distribution center. Negotiated costs and set up advertising, distribution, reorders, and returns with vendors.• Reviewed store distribution for all new products• Monitored, reviewed and adjusted titles for replenishment based on sales trends and inventory levels• Evaluated and determined disposition of discontinued products, mark downs and returns to vendors• Ensured availability of inventory to support advertising, promotions and off shelf product placement • Directed Information Systems Department to create new computer programs and reports for purchasing department• Organized and promoted successful in-store appearances and midnight sales with multiple artists• Managed consignment program with independent artists across the country. Show less

• 

  Blockbuster

  May 1997 - Jun 1999

  Buyer

  Negotiated and purchased music nationwide for 450 music stores and a distribution center. Managed the largest portion of company revenue-approximately 36% and 14,000 SKUS. • Increased sales by 80% with independent music and niche categories • Designed Blockbuster exclusive CD that became the foundation for a successful chain-wide promotion resulting in 85% sell off• Received "Merchant Award" & “Outstanding Performance Award” in 1998

• 

  Warner Music Group

  Jun 1999 - Jul 2004

  National Account Manager

  Oversaw and drove all sales, marketing and operations of music and video product for Target and Anderson (Wal-Mart) accounts.• Grew net billing with Target by 27% with a 2.1% increase in marketshare, and grew net billing with Anderson 8.2% with a 1.1% increase in marketshare• Generated over $2.5 million in additional revenue and helped the customer reduce excess inventory by creatively working with sales management and the operations team in the development of a new catalog promotion. • Designed a business review presentation that became the model for company business reviews Show less

• 

  Atlantic Records

  Jul 2004 - Apr 2006

  Sales & Marketing Manager-Midwest

  Responsible for all mid-west sales and marketing activity. Established and maintained strong relationships with artists, artist management, purchasing, inventory, and management teams of accounts such as Target, Best Buy, Borders, Musicland, and Handleman.• Worked with Label President, SVP of Sales, SVP of Marketing, and Artist Management in negotiating a multi-million-dollar marketing campaign on the Rob Thomas (from Matchbox Twenty) album with Target, driving first week sales over 40% of national projections• Directed, promoted and coordinated logistics for over fifty artist special event appearances and live performances with third parties• Created a marketing information process that gave account managers and marketing team timely information and clear direction and became a template for intercompany communication Show less

• 

  Warner Music Group

  Apr 2006 - Sept 2010

  Directed over 40 full time Sales and Marketing employees across the US. Responsible for over 30% of company’s reported physical sales.• Instrumental in the architecture and execution of merging Alternative Distribution Alliance into Warner Distribution, resulting in wider services, greater distribution and increased profitability• Developed marketing strategies with local blogs and tastemakers resulting in millions of new social media impressions on marketing campaigns-instrumental in helping build traction locally in the initial years of Record Store Day• Formulated and implemented a field sales training program that was instituted company wide• Designing a series of analytic reports that increased the sales team's ability to generate additional revenue and make more efficient and timelier fact-based decisions Show less

  • VP Field Sales

    Apr 2009 - Sept 2010

  • Sales Director

    Apr 2006 - Apr 2009
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  Alternative Distribution Alliance

  Oct 2010 - Mar 2014

  General Manager

  Drove sales, marketing, and operations for the leading independent music distribution company in the US representing over $130 million in revenue, 150 labels, 29 Top Ten and nearly 400 Billboard Top 200 albums. Managed over 30 employees and reported directly to ADA President. • Increased OIBIDA by 25% over the previous year, making 2013 one of ADA’s most profitable years in its 20 year history• Directed retail marketing and sales of the two biggest independent sales stories in 2013 with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis-The Heist (1.4 million units) and The Lumineers-The Lumineers (1.6 million units)• Developed additional revenue source by building online strategic marketing and geo-targeted SEO/SEM advertising services (Facebook, YouTube, Google etc.) to labels • Implemented a project management strategy by unifying domestic and international department processes which increased efficiency, improved strategic sales planning and forecasting accuracy• Prospected, negotiated and onboarded new label partners with President and Business Development• Spearheaded the creation of new digital metadata processes and sales reporting tools with our Information Technology department for label partners on the ADA B2B Portal• Designed sales and marketing presentations resulting in expanded customer base and acquisition of new label partners• Negotiated ADA’s pricing and marketing strategy with Amazon representing all distributed labels resulting in greater marketing visibility and reduced costs by 5% • Built new sales programs that increased catalog revenue by 9% in a down market Show less

• 

  KeepItUnder45

  Apr 2014 - Dec 2014

  Sole Proprietor

  Providing sales/marketing, project management, distribution services and training to artists, labels and companies including: Yamaha Entertainment, The Artist Cooperative, Liaison Records, 8tiv Labs, and SAE Institute.• Created a social media strategy for the band Rare Essence and increased their organic reach by over 100% & daily engagement by over 250%• Negotiated and licensed first ever independent rock remix for Hip-Hop/R&B producer N.O. Joe (LL Cool J, Ice Cube, Brian McKnight, UGK, Pimp C, Bun B, Geto Boys)• Identified new publishing revenue for Hip-Hop artist/producer Cory Mo (Bun B, Pimp C, UGK, Devin The Dude) through research/analysis and cleaning up publishing metadata to DDEX Standards• Designed new course materials and curriculum for SAE Institute for Music Marketing & Sales class• Instructed students and delivered lectures on topics relating to the music industry Show less

• 

  Independent Record Pressing

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2022

  Identify and develop relationships and provide elite service at all levels (C-Level to Production) with vendors and customers. Responsible for manufacturing commercial and critically acclaimed vinyl albums for the most influential independent labels in the world.• 75% growth in customer base and 150% sales increase in previous 18 months• Create company pricing strategy through consistent market research and competitive analysis• Expand new product lines with production department and vendors• Serve as the onsite representative and primary spokesperson at numerous industry events and press-related activities• Design, moderate and participate in industry wide panels and presentations• Redesigned and built company website Show less Oversaw the design and construction of a new vinyl manufacturing plant. Hired and contracted all vendors and set up all accounting and operational systems and processes.• Brought the plant online in less than eight months and profitable in three years, with 6 presses in full production and 2 shifts• Responsible for Label Relations and Sales, Marketing, Business Development, Product Management, Purchasing, Operations, P&L, Human Resources, and Accounts Receivable/Payable • Developed and onboarded customer base and oversaw the customer service and quality control• Hired, trained, mentored, and grew staff from 2 to 50 employees in 3 years• Managed company operations by allocating resources, scheduling deliverables, delegation, designing processes, policies, and procedures to advance improvements in logistics and workflows• Created reporting system for determining and measuring KPI’s, budgeting, cash flow and financing• Received High Pressure Black Seal Boiler License Show less

  • Vice President Label & Customer Relations

    Jun 2019 - Jan 2022

  • General Manager

    Jan 2015 - Jun 2019
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  BMG - The New Music Company

  Jan 2022 - now

  Sr. Director, Production