Brief Summary

Edward Straiter

Email: sm3884@gmail.com | Phone: (803) 665-8945 | Website/Portfolio: edwardstraiter.com


Executive Summary

Edward Straiter is a trailblazing executive with over 20 years of experience transforming industries through innovative leadership, strategic foresight, and a passion for creating cultural and financial impact. An accomplished CEO, music executive, and creative marketing visionary, Edward has redefined success across global communications, philanthropy, writing, finance, broadcast, and entertainment.


Renowned for discovering and developing top-tier talent, orchestrating groundbreaking campaigns, and driving multimillion-dollar growth, Edward combines business acumen with a creative spirit to lead with purpose and deliver transformative results.


Core Competencies

  • Executive Leadership: Visionary leadership with a proven track record of scaling global organizations.
  • Music Executive Excellence: Talent discovery, artist development, and label management expertise.
  • Global Communications: Designing impactful cross-cultural messaging strategies.
  • Philanthropy Management: Championing initiatives that align corporate goals with community impact.
  • Strategic Marketing: Crafting award-winning campaigns that resonate worldwide.
  • Broadcast Media Leadership: Delivering compelling content to diverse audiences.
  • Creative Writing: Engaging storytelling across multiple platforms.
  • Finance & Operations: Managing multimillion-dollar budgets and maximizing ROI.
  • Partnership Development: Building lasting collaborations with brands, nonprofits, and influencers.


Professional Experience

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Straiter Enterprise Inc., Los Angeles, CA | 1994 – Present

  • Founded and scaled a global consultancy specializing in investments, music, entertainment, communications, and creative marketing.
  • Negotiated $200M+ in partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and entertainment brands.
  • Directed artist development initiatives, launching 400+ artists to award winning status and Grammy nominations.
  • Created and implemented a philanthropic strategy supporting education, health, and arts programs across 30 countries.
  • Designed and executed digital transformation projects, increasing audience engagement and revenue streams by 75%.


President, Global Communications & Marketing

American Basketball Association, Indiana | 2022 – Present

  • Manage global communication strategies for a Basketball League with a roster of over 2400 players.
  • Spearheaded a rebranding campaign that resulted in a 65% increase in attendance and advertising revenue.
  • Produced award-winning programming in collaboration with top-tier talent, including  documentaries and live events.
  • Lead a cross-functional team of 200+ professional coaches, fostering innovation and operational excellence.
  • Cultivated partnerships with global organizations, raising $45M for collaborative content initiatives.


Executive Vice President, Music & Brand Strategy

UniversalCMG/Sony Music Entertainment, Los Angeles, CA | 1999 – Present

  • Directed music label operations, including A&R, marketing, and finance, overseeing a $200M annual budget.
  • Signed and launched international stars, achieving over 10 platinum albums and multiple award wins.
  • Designed co-branded marketing campaigns with Coca-Cola, Adidas, and Apple, generating $15M+ in revenue.
  • Orchestrated the production of global music festivals and tours, engaging audiences worldwide.
  • Championed diversity initiatives, increasing representation of underrepresented groups in leadership roles by 40%.


Senior Director of Creative Marketing & Philanthropy

Wingspan Records, Danville, VA | 1998 – 2004

  • Pioneered cross-platform campaigns that drove record-breaking album sales and digital downloads.
  • Developed a corporate giving program that donated $10M+ to music education and youth empowerment initiatives.
  • Partnered with local and international NGOs to create impactful awareness campaigns.
  • Managed a team of creatives, writers, and marketers to produce award-winning album launches.
  • Conceptualized and executed collaborations that merged music, fashion, and film, resulting in industry-wide acclaim.


A&R Manager

Sound Choice, Charlotte, NC | 1994 – 1998

  • Discovered and developed emerging talent, contributing to the careers of several multi-platinum artists.
  • Built relationships with producers and songwriters, ensuring consistent delivery of chart-topping hits.
  • Managed recording budgets, timelines, and promotional strategies for debut and sophomore albums.
  • Expanded the label’s influence in the digital space, leveraging early streaming platforms for artist growth.


Education

  • High School Diploma (Irmo High School)
  • Completed advanced coursework in Business, Marketing, and Technology at Midlands Technical Collage(On Tour).
  • Studied Creative Writing, finance and Media Studies at Winthrop University (On Tour)
  • Participated and hosted industry-specific professional development seminars and leadership training programs.
  • Microsoft Office Business Software Certified
  • Hewlett Packard Small Business Certified
  • International Banking Homeland Security Certified
  • Senior Global Angel Investor


Awards & Honors

  • Billboard Music Awards
  • Grammy Award Nominees
  • Music Executive Impact Awards
  • Memory Maker Awards
  • IMDB Awards
  • Hewlett Packard for Business Award
  • Microsoft Office for Business Award
  • Global Humanitarian Award
  • Senior Angel Investment Awards
  • Over 300 Interviews and Articles in major media platforms


Professional Affiliations

  • Recording Academy (Voting Member)
  • National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
  • International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
  • Global Philanthropy Alliance (Board Member)
  • American Marketing Association (AMA)


Key Achievements

  • Global Leadership: Grew Global Ventures into a $300M enterprise, impacting millions globally.
  • Music Executive Excellence: Signed and developed 400+ chart-topping artists, achieving $200M+ in cumulative revenue.
  • Creative Innovation: Led campaigns blending music, fashion, and technology, setting industry benchmarks.
  • Philanthropy: Raised $30M for global causes, including health, education, and disaster relief.
  • Broadcast Media: Produced Award-winning programming, expanding audience reach by 50%.


Technical Skills

  • Creative Tools: Adobe Creative Suite, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Microsoft
  • Analytics & Strategy: Tableau, Google Analytics, Salesforce
  • Financial Management: SAP, QuickBooks, Oracle Financials
  • Communications Platforms: HubSpot, Mailchimp, Google Docs
  • Content Creation: Speechwriting, storytelling, press releases, Graphic Design


References

Available upon request