Syd Schwartz

Syd Schwartz founded Linchpin Digital, the marketing and strategy firm in 2010, building on a 20-year career working in leading digital marketing posts for some of the world’s best-known entertainment brands. He is a seasoned digital marketing executive who specializes in the creative application of technology to help connect fans and brands with musical artists, films, TV and other entertainment properties. Prior to Linchpin, Schwartz spent eight years years in digital marketing leadership positions at EMI Music, based in New York, including work at EMI's Capitol and Virgin labels. While there, he was responsible for the strategic, creative and technical direction of all EMI artist websites, their online presence and digital marketing campaigns. He also evaluated and recommended new platforms and technologies to integrate into EMI music's sales, marketing and promotional efforts. He worked with a diverse roster of artists including the The Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, Gorillaz and Katy Perry. Schwartz is recognized as being one of the music industry’s digital pioneers. Prior to EMI, Syd spent nearly a decade at independent label Wind-Up Records. While at Wind-up, he was responsible for a series of groundbreaking online campaigns for multi-platinum artists Creed and Evanescence. Before his record label career, Schwartz learned the nuts and bolts of the music business from the cash register upwards, with a variety of managerial positions at both chain and independent retail, as well as eight years at music wholesaler Alliance Entertainment, where he oversaw purchasing operations, driving Alliance's growth to become the largest music one-stop in the U.S. Schwartz is a frequent panelist at digital media conferences and has been an active participant in many online music communities since the ASCII days (if you have to ask…). He has written liner notes for the progressive rock group Yes, contributed to a reference book on the legendary jam band Phish, and fondly remembers Prodigy for DOS. Syd is actively involved in the Mockingbird Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to generating funding in support of music education for children.