Thomas Sachson

I am a seasoned entertainment + technology development executive and attorney with a diverse skill set.  I am now seeking a new challenge after an eight-year stint at Sony Music Entertainment in Los Angeles.

My continued focus is on creating new monetization opportunities at the intersection of media, communities, and technology that will enable new models of content distribution and consumption, as well as forging the partnerships and business models that support them.  As an industry veteran, I have relevant skills in the areas of business development, contract formation, negotiations, product management, product/market fit, financial planning, partnerships, strategic planning, market analysis, personnel management, and communications.  

I have both a B.A. in Economics and a B.A. in Fine Arts from Vanderbilt University, as well as a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.  I am a licensed attorney in good standing with the District of Columbia and Missouri Bars.  As a former investment banker, I passed my U.S. Series 7 FINRA General Securities Representative examination and held a U.K. FCA CF21 Investment Adviser qualification.  I rely on my previous law, banking, and international experience to assess and manage projects with the widest possible perspective and create new opportunities for my employer (40+ career patents filed).

Professional Experience – 2012 to 2024

Sony Music Entertainment, Los Angeles, CA                                                                                                2016 – April 30, 2024
2020 - 2024 – Vice President, Head of Monetization & Strategic Partnerships, Sony Immersive Music Studios
2016 - 2019 - Director, Emerging Technology Group
Worked with Sony Corporation’s diverse global business units (music, film, TV, gaming, consumer electronics, automotive, drones, robotics, data, IP, policy, investments, brand, and innovation) to create emerging technology strategies, revenue opportunities, and equity investment opportunities in mixed reality (XR), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), user-generated content (UGC), virtual production, game engine design, Web3 wallets, blockchain, virtual currencies, and artificial intelligence (AI).  Coordinated with internal and external ecosystem participants (investors, label teams, content distribution channels, tech industry, standards bodies, universities, consumer brands, legal and regulatory groups) in furtherance of "One Sony" activities.  
•  Strategic partnership lead for major brand outreach, collaboration scoping, and testing for leading global consumer brands.  Created over 100 new brand relationships for my group.
•  Authored and filed over 20 patents for Sony Music Entertainment with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
•  Originated, developed, and supported new technology and content releases, including Project Lead for the Casamigos / George Clooney Mixed Reality Experience (XR ultra-short form, UGC music videos), support for Kygo "Carry Me" VR Experience (One Sony Award winner), origination of Verizon sponsorship of Sony Music’s Madison Beer TikTok Concert, and execution and support roles for Sony Music’s Roblox and Fortnite experiences (“AVNU”, “Nitewave”, and “Jericho”).
•  Prepared business plans for numerous projects, including comprehensive financial models and forecasts, IP licensing frameworks, operational plans, KPIs, user experience research, and go to market strategies for exploratory projects in the fields of immersive music experiences, digital twins, LED volume stage use, and location-based entertainment (LBE). 
•  Additional roles and activities:
o    Salesforce AI & Web3 Advisory Board, Founding Member.
o    Metaverse Standards Forum, Founding Member.
o    RIAA Blockchain and Hi-Res Audio Working Group, Member.
o    Sony USC Summer Development / Intern Program, Manager.
o    Techstars Music Accelerator Program, Mentor.
o    Sony Music Bowling Team, Member.

Viosoft Corp, San Jose, CA                                                                                                                                                          2014 - 2016
Vice President, Incubation & Strategy 
•  Managed investment and business case modeling and incubation process for various Viosoft mobile app projects, including idea origination, patent filing, oversight for prototype builds (alphas), user experience and design, partner acquisition, and channel to market positioning.
•  reated digital engagement and mobile app messaging platforms in the fields of food sustainability and affordability, gamified financial commodities hedging, blockchain utilization, virtual currencies, toll-free mobile data, and advertising and content personalization.

Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, CA                                                                                                                                         2012 - 2014
Director Intel Labs Venturing, General Manager Perceptual Compute Team (Beijing, Seoul, Santa Clara)
•  Created the market’s first avatar-based, brand-sponsored mobile messaging app.  As Director of Intel Labs Venturing, I led the business, engineering, and strategy efforts for Intel's perceptual computing Pocket Avatars app, which implemented Intel Labs’ state of the art facial gesture recognition technology (machine learning based) and enabled next-gen over-the-top (OTT) messaging and communications.  18 patents filed.
•  Earned Intel Achievement Award (Intel's highest honor) in 2014 for initiating and guiding the Pocket Avatars mobile app project from Intel Labs into an Intel business unit on an expedited schedule and under budget.
•  Originated relationships with leading brand and entertainment partners (film, TV, music, sports).
•  Promoted to GM of 40-person perceptual compute engineering team.
•  Managed early-stage internal venturing for other projects including:
o    Origination and implementation of user-defined tablet for 50+ community (AARP RealPad).
o    Mentoring for Graph Analytics Operation (later transferred to the Data Center Group).
o    Mentoring for small-form factor compute platform (later released as Edison).

Earlier Career Highlights – Silicon Valley Executive, Technology Banker & Attorney
•  Successful turnaround of industry-leading automotive & medical device MEMS sensor fabrication facility (Silicon Microstructures).  Later sold to TE Connectivity for $94M.
•  Prototyped industry’s first environmental sensor for mobile phones (Silicon Microstructures).
•  Originated highest private equity return on investment in WestLB history (Wolfson Microelectronics).
•  $10B+ aggregate deal value for securities and M&A activities as attorney and banker for Merrill Lynch International, including early sports stadium receivable and real estate mortgage securitization transactions.

Education
J.D., University of Virginia School of Law.
B.A., Economics, Vanderbilt University
B.A., Fine Arts, Vanderbilt University.
Continuing Education (Music Licensing), Berklee College of Music.

Qualifications
Washington D.C. and Missouri Bar Associations, Licensed Attorney & Member - In Good Standing.
Previous holder of U.S. Series 7 FINRA General Securities Representative qualification (Good Standing throughout).
Previous holder of U.K. FCA CF21 Investment Adviser qualification (Good Standing throughout).
Previously registered with the Law Society of England & Wales (Good Standing throughout).