Gerd Leonhard

Gerd Leonhard is one of the world's leading digital media experts, and is the Co-Author of the acclaimed book "The Future of Music".

Gerd Leonhard is immersed in the digital media & entertainment space, and is internationally known as a thought-leader. His second book "The End of Control" is scheduled for release as a Blook (i.e. Book-Blog) soon, expanding his work further into TV, Radio, Publishing, Games and Interactive Media.

Gerd speaks on the Future of Content (Media & Entertainment), Communications & Technology. Digital technologies, social media, the culture of participation, the "attention economy" and the increasing pace of convergence are changing every business, every process, and most ways how people communicate, and create or consume media content. Gerd focuses on these subjects, uncovers trends and patterns, outlines possibilities and opportunities.

Based in Basel, Switzerland, Gerd has spent over twenty-five years in new technology and entertainment, both in the U.S. as well as in Europe. He experienced the .com boom as Founder of LicenseMusic.com, Inc. in San Francisco, revolutionising the process of music licensing and introducing E-Commerce into B2B processes for labels and publishers.

Currently, Gerd is Co-Founder & CEO of Sonific LLC, a leading provider of music widgets and applications to social networks, online communities and Web2.0 services.

As a strategic consultant, he also works with many cutting-edge start-ups and new ventures in the entertainment and technology industries worldwide, as well as with investors and venture capital companies.

He has spoken at many international digital media conferences, including the European and Asian Broadcasting Union AGMs, MIDEM, FT Events, MIPCOM, Digital Hollywood, Mobile Music Summit, Total Telecom, Popkomm, and Euroforum, and at in-house events for SonyBMG, RTL, the BBC, Unisys, EBU / ABU, and Nokia.

He is frequently quoted by Wired magazine, BBC Worldwide, UK's Guardian, NBC, Billboard, Hollywood Reporter, Music Week, and Handelsblatt.

He is an Advisory Board Member, University of Westminster, for their Music Business Program, and is a former expert adviser to the European Commission for Arts, Education, and Training.
 

Testimonials:

"Gerd really impressed the audience. His insights into the convergence space and has influenced the nature of strategic discussion in the organisation" MTN

"Highly recommended. Engaging speaker who provided food for thought." ITV Plc