Stephen Blackwell

As a media and technology entrepreneur and executive, Stephen Blackwell has created innovative user experiences for new and established entertainment brands. He entered the industry as founder of the music and lifestyle entity Death and Taxes, which integrated live music experiences with digital media. Stephen Blackwell led the company to its successful acquisition by SpinMedia in 2014, at which time he became CEO of the acquiring company.

Stephen Blackwell went on to revitalize the SpinMedia by transforming key brands SPIN and Vibe into purely online publications. He also oversaw the increased creation of new content and the expanded use of experiential marketing, already in place through such events as the Vibe awards and SPIN at Stubb's. Charged with the leadership of daily operations as well as multi-platform growth, he ultimately facilitated its 2016 sale to The Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group.

Mr. Blackwell then accepted the position of chief strategy officer for the acquiring company, overseeing sales and marketing as well as development and operations. He now applies his industry expertise as a board member for the peer-to-peer human influence company Rep, in which he is an investor.