Clifford Schultz
Vice President Sales

In joining Gold Circle Entertainment as National Sales Manager, Clifford Schultz has an opportunity to take his accumulated experience from 20 years in music promotion and sales and put it to work on a national scale for a fledgling company. Drawn by Gold Circle's corporate strength and creative spirit, he recognizes that the company is unique, encompassing the best elements from the worlds of both major labels and independents.

Schultz graduated from Southwest Missouri State University in 1975 with a B.S. in Industrial Technology and hopes to fly for the U.S. Navy. However, when a change in eyesight forced him to give up that dream, he formed his own construction business in St. Louis. He was hired to do a remodeling job by a person who worked for Capitol Records and, as a bonus, Schultz got a chance to meet Capitol's Vice President of Promotion-a meeting Schultz turned into a position as promotion manager at Capitol Records in Minneapolis.

From 1975 through 1990, Schultz worked his way up through several positions in various Capitol/EMI companies. In three years in Minneapolis, he handled radio promotions for a six-state area in the midwest and helped break such acts as the Little River Band, Bob Welch, Billy Squire, Sammy Hagar and The Knack. In 1979, he moved into sales, becoming Capitol's territory manager in Kansas City where he saw sales increase by 80% in his first year on the job. In 1982, Schultz became special accounts manager in Dallas where he managed major distributor accounts and earned recognition as Capitol's Salesman of the Year in 1985.

In 1986, Schultz moved on to become National Sales Manager for EMI America Records in Los Angeles. In his position, he not only increased the efficiency of EMI's sales operation, he creates sales and marketing campaigns for the Pet Shop Boys' debut album, increased sales levels for Queensryche, Sheena Easton, Stray Cats and Corey Hart, and launched EMI's first budget oldies line on CD. Then, in 1987 Schultz became the National Sales Manager for CEMA Distribution (now EMI Music Distribution), where he developed and directed successful marketing campaigns for new and established artists on several labels.

Schultz left the Capitol/EMI companies in 1990, when he joined American Gramaphone. Handling the exclusive sales and marketing duties for four national direct sales accounts and nine independent distribution accounts, he was responsible for 55% of the company's total sales volume, which doubled in his last year. His job also gave Schultz the chance to meet and work with then and future boss, Michael Delich, and Richard Musil.

After American Gramaphone, Schultz moved to JVC Music, Inc., where he served as Eastern Sales & Marketing Manager and oversaw all sales and marketing activities in liaison with WEA branches and their associated sales offices. While at JVC, Schultz was invited by Michael Delich to talk about joining a new start-up: Gold Circle Entertainment. Schultz saw the job as a major career opportunity and came aboard in early 1998.

Schultz was attracted to Gold Circle and Samson Music on several levels: the quality of acts they're signing, their music format, their direction and the national scope of his position. He also liked joining a start-up with the resources to sign and develop strong acts, believing that any music company is only as good as the music it signs. In his role, he will develop marketing campaigns and serve as liaison with the company's distributor, RED Distribution. He'll also step in to handle major accounts personally and even has some unusual projects that he will be bringing on board.

Schultz cites his professional experience, which includes working with major and independent labels and distributors, as a key strength he brings to his position. He also cites his management and decision-making skills, much of which has been honed by his personal experience as a pilot and owner of his own high-performance aircraft as well as the captain of his own 40' boat (Schultz also holds a 100-ton Coast Guard captain's license). As Schultz says, he "just likes to make things happen."