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UFO Background | Meet Our Personnel
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Peter Casperson - CEO
"The future of the music industry lies in the ability of unique, original, career artists to be able to survive, develop, and be granted entry. The current industry malaise is due to the fact that these artists are not being nurtured by the major label model. UFO offers the qualifying artists the infrastructure to build their individual business while being true to their artistic vision. Our model will create the future legends of this industry. The UFO team is dedicated to this mission."
As an established veteran in the music business, Peter Casperson has run successful companies in the areas of artist management, records, publishing, recording studios, and booking. Peter started his first entertainment company in the late 60's while attending Babson Institute as a Finance major. Since that time, his commitment to the music industry has been unwavering. Having been a successful booking agent, personal manager, producer, music publisher, label owner and briefly the CEO of a start-up software company, he feels that the culmination of this extensive career is in the UFO concept. Always the independent entrepreneur, Peter has created the model for UFO based on his vast experience and understanding of the problems with the current music industry. Through charismatic and intuitive leadership, Peter is able to motivate his colleagues to create new opportunities for success in the toughest of business climates. With his independent ideology and hands on experience in all areas of the industry over the past 35 years, there is no better steward to successfully navigate the current rapid evolution of the digital music age.
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Steven Saporta - Director of Strategic Alliances
"In all my 25 years of working in the music industry, there's never been a better time for the UFO business model. This is especially true due to the massive consolidation in the major sector. Literally hundreds of mid-level artists will be looking for a home that UFO provides."
Steven Saporta began his career working with Herb Goldfarb's (former president of London Records) independent marketing company, Herb Goldfarb Associates, where he was instrumental in the breaking of such artists as Steely Dan, Iggy Pop & Melanie. Considered one of the founding fathers of music video, Steven was interviewed on ABC's Nightline the night MTV debuted, as a definitive expert on the subject. Steven was later credited for his help through video in launching and re-launching the careers of Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, Van Morrison, Rod Stewart, Aerosmith, Reba McEntire, Billy Joel, Garth Brooks and Sting.
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Steve Dalmer - General Manager
"Touring is a great barometer of potential, if you can consistently react live, UFO will be the perfect partner to fuel those flames and spread your music to a wider audience."
While studying business at the University of New Hampshire, Steve began his endeavors in the music business by supporting the efforts of grassroots/regional bands in New England. It was through these "D.I.Y." experiences that he gravitated towards a focus on artists whose growth was based on touring. Relocating to NYC in 1997, he spent 2-years working as a web producer for Penguin Publishing, where he learned the ins and outs of website development, internet marketing and sales. Growing tired of the publishing business Steve returned to his calling of music, where in 1999 he formed a national booking agency and management firm called "In the Pocket," representing artists such as Groove Collective and Jai Uttal. Soon after he joined Invasion Group where he serves as Director of Operations and Artist Manager.
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Noah Dinkin - Digital/Marketing/Business Development
"Having seen the business from a variety of angles as well as being personal friends with several major recording artists, I came to realize the hardships major-label artists face. I believe UFO is the solution for artists to be able to retain their creative freedom as well as maintain a fair and equal relationship with their record label."
Beginning his career in radio, Noah quickly moved to Arista Records where he helped implement several very successful marketing campaigns for Avril Lavigne, Dream, and Adema. With an extensive understanding of internet marketing techniques, Noah has created and managed several extremely popular online music destinations and has been sought after by many record labels to help coordinate digital strategy at the artist and label level. With experience in radio, video, artist management, sponsorship, marketing, and business development, Noah is a frequent panelist/lecturer at both universities and music industry conferences.
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Bob Donnelly - Legal
""I believe that the music business is in the middle of a giant
cataclysm. I think that the music industry will change more in the next
2 years than it has changed in the last 30... and I believe that
companies like UFO will be part of the new paradigm for how records
will be sold in the future."
Bob Donnelly, an attorney with more than 25 years experience in the music business, maintains his independent law practice within the UFO corporate offices. Over the years, Bob has been involved with a diverse client roster including Aerosmith, Riverdance, Live, Ornette Coleman and The Dave Matthews Band. A lawsuit that Donnelly waged with the New York State Attorney General recently resulted in a settlement of $55 million dollars in past-due royalties being paid to thousands of musical artists. In July 2004, the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts organization gave Donnelly their highest award for service.
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Ali Sachedina - Legal
"Artist empowerment. Two words synonymous with UFO. As a manager and music lawyer with first hand experience in trials and tribulations of the music industry, nothing excites me more."
Ali Sachedina is a member of the UFO Legal and Business Affairs team and UFO Music's world music A&R. A full time music attorney associated with the Law Offices of Bob Donnelly, Ali represents a wide array of artists, composers, labels and new/digital media concerns in the United States and India. Ali segued from the criminal defense and corporate litigation sectors into the music industry as the Head of Legal and Business Affairs for Uprise Management LLC, the premier world music management company in North America with diverse client roster such as Karsh Kale, Susheela Raman, and Hassan Hakmoun. Ali has maintained his strong ties to the world music community both as a music attorney, a manager, and as a board member of the North American World Music Coalition. He is admitted to the New York and Virginia State Bars.
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Rick Kennell - Finance
"In this cluttered and demanding business, it is a pleasure to be associated with a label whose personnel have had a wealth of experience in day to day artist management. Finally, a label that can truly excel in the rapidly shrinking world of artist development!"
Rick began his career as a musician signed to a major label. After deciding to switch over to the business side of the industry he went to work at a financial service company, Lawrence Blau & Associates, where he became a partner in 1988. At Lawrence Blau & Associates, Rick gained an extensive background in business management and financial planning of artists. Rick now manages royalty systems for various publishing and record royalty entities, and is fully versed in the operation of all royalty calculations and the fiduciary responsibility of artists, record companies, and distribution companies.
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Karen Macmillan - Retail
"I am excited to be a part of an organization that values artist's
musical
vision and also brings to the table much practical knowledge of
the music
industry as it stands, and where it is heading."
Karen Macmillan has over sixteen years experience in the music
industry, a
BA in Communications/Media Studies and a lifelong love of music.
Most
recently she has focused on providing sales and marketing services
for
independent labels including; Acony Records (owned by Gillian Welch),
World
Music Network, and Rockingale Records (owned by Carole King). She
was also Manager of the Marketing Department at DNA Distribution,
did Sales &
Marketing at Valley Media, was a Regional Marketing Manager at Tower
Corporate, and also worked at independent retail. Karen's first
hand experience working at retail, combined with her experience
at independent distribution and at a one-stop, allow her to maneuver through these varying systems with efficiency and respect for all
involved. |
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David Werner - A&R
"More than ever musicians know how necessary it is to take an active role in defining themselves and their music to the listener. You just can't rely on someone else to do it and at the same time you can't do it all alone. UFO is a great way for any motivated artist or band to professionally release their music to a large audience without having to sacrifice creativity or control."
David Werner's music career began as a recording artist, songwriter and producer at the age of 17 with the first of three critically acclaimed solo albums. "Whizz Kid" (RCA), "Imagination Quota" (RCA), and "David Werner" (Epic) were all written and co-produced by Werner. David's work was a contemporary synthesis of rock music encompassing, in the broadest definition, the best elements of power pop and hard rock with a commercial hook, yet very distinctive.
In the years following his recording career, David concentrated his efforts on songwriting and producing, signing on as a writer with EMI Publishing. It was not long until Werner established himself as one of EMI's top writer/collaborators, getting numerous covers on albums released in the US and Europe. In 1990, he earned a platinum record for Billy Idol, penning his hit single "Cradle of Love." With over thirty years of experience in writing hit songs and developing unique talent, David Werner is perfectly suited to assist UFO in the signing and nurturing of career oriented artists.
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Scott Wolfman - A&R
"I feel good about bringing together talent and the team of people at UFO,
who actually have souls, and an appreciation for art and artists. I am all
about the win-win and UFO's business model provides just that."
Scott Wolfman has dabbled in the music business for over 20 years, buying and selling music acts at colleges and universites and through his own booking agency. Sixteen years in business, Wolfman Productions is one the nation's top booking agencies for speakers, celebrities and performing arts programs. Scott is a music fiend, listening to a varied and eclectic mix of music from all over the world.
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Etty Glenn - Administrative
"My experience in dealing with international issues for our artists will allow me to assist UFO in becoming a fully internationally connected organization."
Born in Tangiers, Morocco and raised in both Europe and the United States, Etty Glenn is a vital asset to the UFO. Her fluency in Spanish and French provides UFO with the ability to communicate effectively with business contacts, concert promoters, and a wide range of entities across Europe and beyond, significantly increasing the company's worldwide reach. Ms. Glenn handles international travel, touring, and visa issues as well as foreign press and translations when necessary. Additionally, Ms. Glenn serves as UFO's office manager in New York, where her duties include maintaining procedures and systems, overseeing client accounts and invoicing, and other trafficking issues.
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Liz Degen - Graphic Design
"Being an artist, a musician, and an illustration student at F.I.T., I understand the tremendous importance of being seen, being heard, and learning. As a graphic artist at UFO, because of the diversity of the label I have been given the opportunity to push my skills to a new level with each new project."
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UFO Intern Program
UFO has a comprehensive intern program offered to both students interested in the entertainment business and graduates looking for entry into the business. If you are interested in more information about the UFO internship program, please contact us with the subject "Internship Program."
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