New York University’s Program in Music Business has named Chris Stanchak, founder and CEO of TicketLeap.com, as Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the fall semester, 2010. Stanchak’s residency is supported by the Aronson Family Guest Speaker Fund and the Steinhardt School for Culture, Education and Human Development.
New York University’s Program in Music Business has named Chris Stanchak, founder and CEO of TicketLeap.com, as Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the fall semester, 2010. Stanchak’s residency is supported by the Aronson Family Guest Speaker Fund and the Steinhardt School for Culture, Education and Human Development.
The residency will include mentoring soon-to-be entrepreneurs in the music business program, working with graduate students to write a case study about TicketLeap, and judging the final venture presentations of students enrolled in a music entrepreneurship course.
NYU’s Music Business “Executive-in-Residence” program is a semester-long commitment by a distinguished music industry professional to work with students in the music business program. The individual’s contributions may include multiple lectures, coaching, mentoring, and performing. Executives-in-Residence also contribute outside the classroom, generously offering guidance on research topics, job searches, networking, and many other questions from students and alumni.
Stanchak and the TicketLeap team have developed a social ticketing platform that is deeply integrated with Facebook and Twitter. “The platform is designed to help event organizers have better events, achieve a personal connection with event attendees, and sell more tickets,” says Stanchak.
Based in Philadelphia, TicketLeap had its start at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Venture Initiation Program, where Stanchak was a student. He started the company in 2003 and his first employee was one near and dear to his heart - his mother. Early and rapid growth within the company convinced Stanchak to quit his day job at GSI Commerce. Today, TicketLeap has 26 employees (his mother, Connie, is still with the company and a Director of Business Development with Performing Arts clients). TicketLeap is now the fastest growing ticketing company for small- to mid-size events and has worked with thousands of event organizers in around the world.
The fuel for TicketLeap’s growth has come from Philadelphia-area investors, which provided the company with over $5 million in investments since 2003.
Launched in 2003, “Executives-in-Residence” program alumni have included John Scher, legendary concert manager, producer, and promoter; Robert K. Haber, founder and CEO of CMJ Network, Inc.; JD Souther, award-winning singer/songwriter; Russ Crupnick, vice president and senior industry analyst with The NPD Group; and Phil Galdston, songwriter and producer.
Founded thirty five years ago, the Music Business Program at NYU prepares both graduate (MA) and undergraduate (BM) students to be leaders in the dynamic, global music marketplace of pop and commercial music. Academically rigorous and cross-disciplinary, Music Business combines the boundless artistic resources of New York City with the cutting-edge inquiry and innovation of a major research university.
Successful music business candidates are highly motivated and prepared to take advantage of a professional program set in the world’s music business capital, New York City. In addition to providing structured courses, the curriculum promotes individual choices and development through an interactive classroom atmosphere, internships, participation in an independent record company, Village Records, and research opportunities.