Natalie Carlson
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Growth-oriented manager with proven success in music distribution and media sectors. Expertise in building and sustaining strategic partnerships with digital service providers, artists, and labels across diverse markets. Skilled in leveraging industry connections to enhance independent music initiatives and optimize campaign effectiveness. Strong background in marketing and operations, driving high-impact artist and label campaigns through collaborative teamwork and best practices.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head of US Operations
Zebralution US Inc./GmbH
Los Angeles, California
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Oversaw all strategic, operational, and financial functions of newly established entity.
- Managed strategic partnerships with DSPs - handling all marketing and promotional campaigns for labels and artists.
- Controlled budget, generated financial reports, and met all financial targets.
- Tracked US company activities across all departments while ensuring optimal coordination with European headquarters and international offices.
- Led and supported multi-country teams and functions to achieve success on key projects and campaigns.
- Successfully navigated, led, and executed startup functions of US entity operations within accelerated 6-month timeframe, including generating projections, creating business framework, developing best practices, and sourcing talent.
- Partnered with legal and tax specialists to ensure development of proper corporate setup and tax structure.
- Increased brand visibility, expanded operations, and fueled profits, realizing consistent 20% YOY revenue growth for 2 consecutive years.
- Created and executed impactful brand/artist and label campaigns while forging strategic partnerships.
- Structured and streamlined operational and financial processes to ensure compliance and efficiency.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Senior VP, North America & Asia-Pacific
Zebralution US Inc./GmbH
Los Angeles, California
01.2005 - 01.2023
- Designated to oversee all aspects of sales, marketing, distribution, and artists & repertoire (A&R) functions across North America, South America and Asia-Pacific regions.
- Served as liaison between multiple label and DSP clients.
- Achieved 30%+ in annual YOY growth from 2022 to 2023 and expanded operations through identifying and cultivating strategic relationships with artists, labels, and industry partners.
- Identified emerging trends and business opportunities via market research and competitive analysis.
- Played pivotal role in standing up, revising, and strengthening key functions to enable scalability.
- Managed budgeting and financial planning to ensure profitability.
- Surpassed annual targets, including both US and international revenue goals, by securing new label clients and DSP partners, as well as launching successful release campaigns.
- Consistently ranked among company’s highest YOY revenue growth earners, frequently achieving 2X or more growth rate within select market.
- International music and media distribution company; acquired by GEMA in 2019.
Accounting Manager
Ata-Boy
Los Angeles, California
2000 - 2003
- Prepared financial reports to support management decision-making for licensed product manufacturer and distributor of film, television, and music novelty products.
- Generated cost savings and minimized overhead by implementing cost reduction program while steering all aspects of accounting functions (budgeting, cash flow, A/P) for firm with circa $4M in annual sales.
Business Manager
Mean Magazine
Los Angeles, California
1998 - 2000
- Managed editorial calendar and coordinated content schedules for American publication (Media, Entertainment, Art, News) with circulation of 50,000+ copies.
- Increased efficiencies by rolling out new production timelines and workflows.
- Ensured timely production and distribution of magazine, as well as negotiated distribution deals and promotional campaigns.
Label Manager
Grand Royal Records Inc.
Los Angeles, California
1993 - 1998
- Provided overall management of Beastie Boys-owned independent record label, magazine, and merchandising company.
- Managed label operations for diverse music genres and artist projects.
- Coordinated release schedules and promotional campaigns for new albums.
- Coordinated and negotiated all contracts, including artist and international licensing arrangements, while managing all A&R, production, publishing and international business/legal affairs.
- Launched London office and hired all staff to effectively manage European business functions.
Label Manager
Alternative Distribution Alliance Inc. (ADA)
Burbank, California
1992 - 1993
- Oversaw label relations for newly created independent distribution and label services company developed as as consortium of indie labels and Warner Music Group.
- Managed data and product flow between company and client labels.
- Built 10-member marketing and tour support department to assist labels in growing artist releases.
Education
Master of Science - International Business Management
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Geneva And Arizona Campuses06-2005
MBA - International Business
California Poly University, Pomona
Pomona, CA05-2004
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Management
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA06-2000
Skills
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- International Business
- Music & Media Distribution
- Partnership Development
- Music Licensing & Publishing
- Business Development
- Contract Negotiations
- Sales & Marketing Strategy
- Process Improvement
- Client Relationship Management
- Business Projections & Forecasting
- Budgeting
- Global Market Penetration
- Label Management
- Operations Management
- Team Mentoring
- Cross-functional collaboration
Certification
Certified Professional in Human Resources, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Community Service
- Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
- Esperanza
- Rock the Vote
- Board Aid
- Amnesty International
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (Bone Marrow Transplant Unit)
- Milarepa Foundation
Languages
- English, native
- Spanish, intermediate
- French, basic
Timeline
Head of US Operations
Zebralution US Inc./GmbH
01.2023 - 01.2025
Senior VP, North America & Asia-Pacific
Zebralution US Inc./GmbH
01.2005 - 01.2023
Accounting Manager
Ata-Boy
2000 - 2003
Business Manager
Mean Magazine
1998 - 2000
Label Manager
Grand Royal Records Inc.
1993 - 1998
Label Manager
Alternative Distribution Alliance Inc. (ADA)
1992 - 1993
Master of Science - International Business Management
Thunderbird School of Global Management
MBA - International Business
California Poly University, Pomona
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Management
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona