Chris Monaco

SVP, Strategic Marketing & Brand Development

Universal Music Enterprises

Chris Monaco is a widely-recognized leader in entertainment marketing and branded content. In 2012, he joined the largest music company in the world, Universal Music Group, bringing with him global expertise in brand, agency, media and entertainment industries.  Currently, Mr. Monaco leads strategic marketing, brand and partnership development initiatives for Universal Music Enterprises, the catalogue division of Universal Music Group. He coordinates with partners in brand, content and digital fields to create opportunities for UMG’s catalogue repertoire. This includes some of the most iconic and acclaimed artists in the music industry: The Beatles, Bob Marley, The Rolling Stones, Rihanna, Katy Perry and many more. His team recently executed an integrated marketing partnership with Hyundai around the release of Bob Marley Legend: Remixed a contemporary reimagining of Legend.  Hyundai featured the remixed version of “Three Little Birds” in their national television ad campaign, “Signs.” The project also included a short form documentary about making the album, which is hosted on the Marley YouTube channel. The film is supported by consumer screenings and events.

Prior to Universal Music, Mr. Monaco was Senior Vice President at Octagon Worldwide, leading music and entertainment marketing for Octagon’s clients: MasterCard, Bank of America, Sprint, American Airlines, Allstate and BMW, to name a few.  In this role, he developed and executed innovative marketing platforms with entertainment properties: AEG, Live Nation, The Grammy’s, Electus, and others. One such project includes the naming rights acquisition, content programming and execution strategy of the now-named MasterCard Center in Beijing, China.

Prior to Octagon, Monaco served as Director of Entertainment Marketing at Allied Domecq PLC and Pernord Ricard USA, overseeing all entertainment initiatives for some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including Stoli, Kahlua, Malibu, Makers Mark, Sauza, Beefeater, and Chivas.  Here, he crafted entertainment strategies that produced numerous branded content vehicles,  including “The Club” TV Series (Spike TV), Stoli Presents Be Real (Documentary and 2 season series Logo Network), Sauza Presents URB What’s Next 100 (Documentary) to name a few.

Chris Monaco has also held posts Indi-CRD, Moonshine Music, and SpikeRadio.com.  He resides in Los Angeles, California. 

Speaking at: Sounding Off: Exploring Opportunities in Music; New Brand Content Upfront: Universal Music Enterprises