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  • Antonio Harvin Named Director of Marketing, Sales and Licensing

    With over 20 years of strategic marketing, brand management, and international business development experience in music, television and higher education, Antonio Harvin has been named the new Director of Marketing, Sales, and Licensing of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings effective February 6, 2017. A division of the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, Smithsonian Folkways is the nonprofit record label of the national museum of the United States, distributing more than 50,000 recordings of American and international music.

    “We are delighted to have Tony on board, who brings over two decades of experience spanning major record labels, developing new markets, internationalization, and education, as well as an excellent sense of the unique spirit and mission of Smithsonian Folkways,” said Huib Schippers, Director and Curator of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. “He is the perfect fit to complete our executive team, and will play a central role in marketing and branding the label as we celebrate being part of the Smithsonian for 30 years in 2017 with the launch of our new membership program and a very strong release schedule.”

    “I am excited to join Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, as I have been a fan and loyal customer for many years,” said Harvin. “Smithsonian Folkways has always made me feel more connected with the world around me, and as a result, my life and I'm sure the lives of countless others have been greatly enriched. In a time of great social, political and technological change, I believe Smithsonian Folkways' mission of disseminating knowledge and cultivating understanding among peoples through sound and music is as vital today as in anytime of its history. I look forward to working with the dedicated and creative team at Smithsonian Folkways to strengthen and expand the brand, raise the level of engagement of our dedicated fans, and build a new generation of audiences and supporters.” 

    Prior to joining Smithsonian Folkways, Harvin led the marketing and recruitment team for The George Washington University‘s College of Professional Studies (2006-2012), and launched and directed the college’s first Office of Alumni Relations (2013-2016). He also brings international sales and licensing experience from the Discovery Channel (2000-2003), where he led a team of program sales representatives based in London, Miami, Singapore, and Munich, and guided significant increases in international revenue for the department. He joins Folkways with 10 years of global marketing and branding experience in the music industry at Rhino, Blue Note, Capitol, Arista, and Motown Records (1989-1999). As Vice President of International Marketing at Motown Records (1997-1999), he generated record ROI and revenue, and achieved gold and platinum sales levels for multiple artists in various international markets.

    Antonio Harvin earned a M.B.A. from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and a B.S. in Computer Science from the Catholic University of America. He is also an alto saxophonist, formally trained oboist, and former world music DJ.

    Antonio Harvin Named Director of Marketing, Sales and Licensing | Smithsonian Folkways Recordings