About Me

Michael Brandvold PhotoMichael Brandvold is a freelance music industry consultant based in Northern California. Having launched Michael Brandvold Marketing to leverage his years of experience to provide direction to large and small clients in the areas of online & social marketing as well as e-commerce and customer acquisition and retention.

Gene Simmons of KISS first tapped Michael’s skills as a pioneering online marketing strategist to launch and manage all aspects of Kissonline.com’s multi-million dollar enterprise, including their ground-breaking VIP ticket program.

Michael has also managed the online efforts for Motley Crüe, Rod Stewart, Madonna, Ozzy Osbourne, Madonna and Britney Spears to name only a few.

Michael is also a advisor to a couple start-ups . He has been a speaker or panelist at many events across the country, including SXSW Interactive, California Music Industry Summit, Quicktime Live, NARM, The Conclave, Driven Music Conference and NARIP.

In both mainstream and adult entertainment, Michael Brandvold’s marketing talents, skills and savvy are vital assets that numerous companies rely upon to expand, prosper and operate effectively, efficiently and profitably in the online economy.

Upon graduating from Mankato State University in 1987, Michael accepted the position of Director of Marketing with DKP Productions, an artist management firm in Chicago, before joining Red Light Records 1990, as National Radio Promotions manager.

A self-taught master of HTML, Michael launched websites for Perris Records, Creative Communications, Sportmart, and Montgomery Ward.  But it was KISS Otaku – his KISS fan site launched in 1995 – that would change his fortunes forever.

In 1998, Gene Simmons of KISS discovered KISS Otaku and personally tapped Michael as the Director of Web Services at Signatures Network, a Sony/CMGi company, where he built-from-scratch, managed and grew KISSonline into a multi-million dollar enterprise with over of a half million visitors a month.

Michael was also instrumental in the development and execution of VIP Platinum Ticket Programs, which are now ubiquitous in the concert industry.  The first band to offer such a VIP Platinum Ticket program, KISS’ 2003 60-date US tour, achieved 100% sellout of the $1,000 tickets generating $1.5 million.  Michael implemented the same VIP ticketing programs, and managed the online branding, marketing, and sales efforts, for U2, Motley Crüe, Rod Stewart, Madonna, Ozzy Osbourne, Dream Theater, Alice Copper, Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears grossing $20M in first 12 months of operations. Michael’s responsibilities included working closely with Universal Music Group, BMG/Sanctuary Records, Rhino Records, and Playboy.

Transitioning into the adult entertainment industry in 2005, Michael accepted the role of Director of Affiliate Sales at GameLink.com, a leading online purveyor of adult products and content, where he managed an external sales force in Toronto, Philadelphia and Spain, and a client base of over 10,000 international affiliates, which accounted for nearly $4 million in annual revenue.

In 2009 GameLink.com was acquired by Private Media, a publicly traded NASDAQ, company, and Michael was promoted to Director of Sales and Marketing.  He was again promoted in 2010 to Director of Online Marketing for GameLink (US), Private (Spain) and Sureflix (Canada), where he managed a local staff of seven and coordinated with an international team of eight.  Michael’s efforts were integral to the industry recognition the company received by way of multiple AVN and XBiz Award nominations for Best VOD Website.  Michael was also was the Business Owner of the Brand Management Relationship with Goodvibes.com, winner of two consecutive AVN “O” Awards for Best Online Retailer.

Michael was also the Business Owner for the development and release of other GameLink projects, including the launch of GameLink’s mobile platform, the Flash widget marketing tool, the OpenX ad platform, the transition of all Private commerce sites over to the GameLink platform, GameLink and Private Twitter and Facebook marketing programs, and the marketing direction of Open Invitation, the best-selling adult movie of 2010.