THE
MUSIC PLAY-
GROUND
The Music Playground is a custom music and artist licensing studio servicing television, major motion pictures, brands, and streaming platforms, with content featured in over 4,000 ads, shows, and movies.
P/C founder Andrew Stadelberger was brought on to manage the culture driving powerhouse music house.
Drove $9M across 3 company verticals through key partnerships with networks, brands, and agencies.
​Client portfolio and agency partnerships include Nike, Samsung, PGA Tour, Mercedes, Pop Tarts, HBO, Showtime, BBDO, Havas, Ogilvy, R/GA, McCann Worldwide, JWT and Droga5.
Presided over a team of 20 direct reports across sales and creative divisions; exceeded quarterly sales and client retention targets year over year.
Grew custom music business revenue by 100% through optimized brand messaging and cross-division collaboration.
Strategically reduced overhead by 30% and created a 23% overall revenue increase in first year.
Ran client representation, event production, artist showcases, social strategy, and new business development.
SUMMARY
THE MUSIC PLAYGROUND, A LEADING MUSIC
and artist licensing company based in Manhattan's Soho district, embarked on an extraordinary journey to revitalize its business and achieve remarkable revenue growth. With two decades of experience in custom music creation, sync licensing, and music placement, the company faced challenges amidst a saturated market and an outdated operational structure.
THE CHALLENGE
In 2016, The Music Playground underwent a significant rebranding effort and a change in management. They realized that the rapidly evolving music market had become fiercely competitive, with numerous boutique shops and stock libraries vying for market share. To adapt to the changing landscape, the company downsized its staff and faced the challenge of restructuring its operations and streamlining its processes. Outdated legacy software and scattered data further hindered their growth potential.
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SAMSUNG GALAXY
GRAMMY WINNING ARTIST
THE HOT SARDINES - LIVE EVENT
THE SOLUTION
We took a multi-faceted approach. We began by building a new, user-friendly website that consolidated their diverse offerings, enhancing their brand presence and attracting inbound sales leads. Coupled with an aggressive marketing campaign, they engaged existing and potential clients, showcasing the value they could deliver.
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Efforts were also directed towards optimizing customer relationship management and updating client details, allowing for more personalized interactions. A city-based strategy was implemented to expand into new territories, with clear objectives and monthly sales plans for each team. The teams were empowered with an expanded catalog of music options and warm leads, enabling them to make compelling pitches to potential clients.
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The creation of a dedicated Business Manager role for key account management strengthened relationships with top clients. The company also established a monthly open mic series, providing artists with a platform to perform live and distributing their performances online. This initiative not only fostered meaningful relationships with Chief Marketing Officers and other decision-makers but also increased visibility and credibility.
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The Music Playground's senior team traveled extensively, meeting important clients, supporting staff in various areas, and networking with creative agencies. They prioritized top-tier events for clients, which became synonymous with the company's brand and further solidified their position in the industry.
The transformative strategies implemented by The Music Playground yielded impressive results. In the first year alone, they reduced operating overheads by 30% while achieving a remarkable 23% increase in revenue. The subsequent years showcased consistent growth and success.
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Their custom music business revenue experienced a phenomenal 100% growth, driven by optimized brand messaging and cross-division collaboration. The company's client portfolio and agency partnerships expanded to include major brands such as Nike, Samsung, PGA Tour, Mercedes, Pop Tarts, HBO, Showtime, BBDO, Havas, Ogilvy, R/GA, and McCann Worldwide.
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Notably, The Music Playground formed impactful advertising partnerships with media networks, brands, and agencies, resulting in an impressive $9 million in revenue. Their innovative campaigns for renowned brands like Polo Ralph Lauren Blue and Toyota's collaboration with J Balvin and the MTV VMA's garnered significant recognition and success.
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Building on their achievements, The Music Playground continued to evolve under the leadership of senior management, expanding their team and strengthening relationships with clients. Their consistent surpassing of quarterly sales and client retention targets demonstrated the effectiveness of their strategies and the company's sustained growth trajectory.
THE RESULTS
CONCLUSION
The Music Playground's unwavering commitment to innovation, strategic partnerships, and customer-centric approaches has enabled them to navigate a challenging market and deliver impressive revenue growth.
Their reimagined business model, bolstered by a dynamic team and a focus on client satisfaction, has positioned them as a leading force in the music licensing industry. As they continue to shape the future of music and artist licensing, The Music Playground stands