Over the last 15 years, Watson has built a strong reputation as a go-getter and savvy professional in the entertainment industry.
Watson, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, began his career in 1995 at BMG Distribution, one of the world’s premiere music and video distribution companies. Paying his dues as a Field Marketing Representative, no task was too small. He worked in all aspects of inventory and marketing, including but not limited to putting up poster displays in the “Mom & Pop” retail stores throughout the New York and New Jersey regions.
Earning a name for himself in the field, he later joined Universal Music & Video Distribution (Now called UMGD), the largest distributor of music, video, digital downloads and ring-tone content in the world, in 1997 as an Urban Marketing Specialist (UMS). He was responsible for covering the Northeast region, which included: New York, Boston & New England. He developed marketing strategies for artists, including; promotional campaigns at independent retail, coordinating album release parties, album listening events, as well as regional promo tours. Becoming a sales star in his own right, Watson was promoted to a Sales Representative position. In his new position, he solicited and sold album projects to his account base in New York & New Jersey. He spearheaded strategic sales and marketing promotions with UMVD’s Artist Development Representatives regionally, to maximize enhance the awareness, create a demand and maximize sales opportunities at retail, for all UMVD albums. He also worked closely with label reps to executive set-up and rollout plans for all projects with Universal Records, Interscope Records, MCA Records, Island Def Jam Records, Verve Music Group and Motown Records, just to name a few.
In 2001, Watson caught the eye of Island Def Jam Record executives and was tapped for their East coast Sales Manager position. In his new job, he was responsible for a quarter of the labels revenue, in excess of 75 Million dollars. He handled new release solicitation, advertising and marketing of urban records for Def Jam/ Def Soul and pop/ rock records for Island, for the likes of artists like Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, DMX, JA Rule, Bon Jovi, Melissa Etheridge and Lionel Richie. “Any one of the artists could walk into a store and confront his superiors about their record placement, stock level, or any number of elements affecting sales,” says Watson. So, he became the best in the business spurred by the aforementioned pressure and his personal ambition. Working with the artists soon paled with other pursuits and he began to craft music presentations, set up artist walk-thrus/generate in-stores special events for the Purchasing executives (Buyers) at the retail level. Essentially all artists P.O.P and promotional tools positioned in the marketplace under his domain.
After 2-1/2 years of being a part of a winning team, Watson made the difficult career decision to leave the company for a higher position at Virgin Records America, Inc. He became their Director of Urban Marketing in 2003. As head of this department, he provided direction on marketing plans for all their urban acts, including: P.O.P tools, album artwork/packaging, advertising (radio/TV/print), websites and solicitation pages. He worked diligently at establishing relationships/ campaigns with third party partners and non-traditional lifestyle outlets, in an effort to cross promote Virgin artists. The by-product of this brand of broadening project awareness created demand in the marketplace, while increasing the sale potential of records.
In 2005, Watson left New York City for the Sunshine State, Miami Florida. Armed with an arsenal of major record label and major distribution experience, he joined forces Slip–N-Slide Records. There, he ran all aspects of the company’s business. He revamped the staff and managed all departments including: sales, marketing, radio promotions, new media, A&R, legal and the national street team. He developed an amazing relationship with artists Rick Ross, Trina, Plies, and Trick Daddy, while treating each project like it was his own, while bring the albums to the marketplace.
Never one to become too comfortable with current success, Watson had an inner desire to consistently progress, which led him to be a bigger market, Los Angeles, CA 2007. Determined to be a well rounded executive in entertainment, he advanced to the Film Industry via Codeblack Entertainment. There, he became the Direct of Retail Sales & Marketing, managing and executing short/ long term sales & marketing initiatives for all Codeblack Entertainment releases. With goals of making the company bigger, he focused on maintaining fiscal responsibility related to budgets and revenue.
With record year successes in the music industry, Watson knew music is his passion. In 2010, he became Senior Vice President of Miami music powerhouse Poe Boy Music Group. “My goal to bring our CEO’S vision to life, take our company to another level by breaking new artists in the marketplace,” says Watson.
