Founder

Lauren Blitzer-Wright (former VP of BD at Sony Music) is a dynamic leader with a passion for building authentic brands and driving meaningful growth. With over 15 years of experience in entertainment, lifestyle marketing, and business development, she brings a creative, data-informed approach to every initiative. Known for her collaborative spirit and strategic vision, Lauren thrives at the intersection of culture, storytelling, and business results.

Nicole Marinake is a strategic marketing leader with a track record of building high-impact brand partnerships across entertainment, sports, and media. She’s connected major brands like Coca-Cola, T-Mobile, and JPMorgan Chase with top talent including Taylor Swift, Post Malone, and the NY Knicks. Nicole has held leadership roles at Sony Music Nashville and Madison Square Garden. She’s passionate about emerging tech and serves on the Board for Creative Girls Rock.

Drew Thurlow is the founder of Opening Ceremony Media where he provides consultation to music and music tech companies. Previously, he was Senior Vice President of A&R at Sony Music and Director of Artist Partnerships & Industry Relations at Pandora. His first book, about music & AI, will be released by Routledge in 2026. 

Achim is a music and tech executive with 15+ years of experience, including a decade at Sony Music leading strategic initiatives and global partnerships with platforms like Spotify and Amazon. 

He launched Sony’s Voice AI Lab and played a key role in scaling streaming revenue through advanced optimization strategies. In his current role, he advises investors and companies at the intersection of music, technology, and IP.