Meir Malinsky

Consulting start-up companies
Building bridges to close the gap between content and distribution, on- and offline
Main current client: EDUCADOMO, a private tutoring company

MIST Technologies is a start-up company in the quickly growing field of high definition and 5.1 sound research. Its activity lies at the core of the future challenges of the movie, music, TV, home entertainment and video games industries.

MIST has developed the only technology in the world that allows the transformation of any mono or stereo recording into the perfect surround sound multi track (5.1, 6.1, 7.1…) audio file.

MIST caters to the increasing demand of consumers for the best quality audio, either in the movie theater or to accompany high definition programming becoming available on home cinema systems and computers in the home environment.

Identifying potential partnership and/or acquisition targets globally.
Analysing target. Writing the business plan(s).
Leading negociations and due diligence. Conducting integration.

Selected achievements

Identified and led the acquisition process (negociation and integration) of a company in Brazil and one in Spain, in the time frame of a few months.

Led the entire due diligence process for a major acquisition in Italy.

Creation and execution of plan to reorganise, manage and grow the strategic marketing activities in 55 territories.
Running all product activities, licensing of rights, direct mail sales and premium activities (local and international).
Decision taker on general product and pricing policies.
Running global partnership and online marketing activities.

Selected achievements:

Created and presented full reorganisation plan to senior management. Set up a synergetic marketing strategy between the different teams in New York, Munich and London and the operating companies. Supervised implementation of strategy for each territory.

Initiated and finalised the new strategic projects for the company, generating revenue from its dormant assets. Started and finalised company’s first global joint venture deals with other major record companies as well as international partnership deals with Renault Formula 1, Lycos and Yahoo at no cost to BMG. Generated turnover of $US 226 million in FY 2004, representing 23% of the total company’s sales and up 10% versus previous year. Gross margins for FY 2004 were at US$ 69 million, up 17% versus FY2003. Turnover for FY2003 was at US$ 205 million, 21% of total sales and up 11% versus previous year, with profits at US$ 59 million.

Establish and run the European arm of this US B2B music service provider, funded by leading UK media company CARLTON PLC.
Recruitment of the management
Secure content acquisition
Overlook the marketing efforts
Generate affiliated programs
Expand distribution avenues through local partnerships.

Selected achievements:

Created a business and launch plan for Europe from scratch. Recruited the management. Secured content licensing deals with several major entertainment companies. Generated affiliated programs with several blue chip on- and offline companies, such as FortuneCity, Chello, TF1 and Bonnier Media.

Initiation and implementation of corporate expansion plan from scratch.
Recruitment in different cultures of a comprehensive, global, professional team.
Management of International Marketing Activities and New Technology initiatives.
Running all product activities, licensing of rights, club sales and premium activities
Decision taker on general product and pricing policies.
Analysis, planning and recommendation on how people will consume musical entertainment in the future.

Selected achievements:
Created a common marketing strategy for all 28 territories internationally and adapted it to local needs. Supervised implementation of strategy for each territory. Instigated and managed new technology initiatives, including creation of the company’s website and other novel, non-traditional marketing methods to maximize revenue. Achieved a turnover of $US 130 million and profits of $US 42 million in fiscal year 1999, representing 25% and 33% of Universal Music International’s consolidated revenues and profits respectively.

Recruited 28 Strategic Marketing managers and build the international headquarters’ team. With 28 local Universal Music marketing departments spread around the globe in different cultures, saw the need for a coherent approach. Travelled extensively to motivate and supervise the implementation of a global strategy. Organised three times a year international conferences to enhance communication, exchanges of ideas and interaction of all the members of the team. Gained a cohesive international team that worked effectively with common objectives to enhance turnover and profits.

In FY 1998: generated US $ 111 million turnover (22% of the company) and US $ 36 million gross margin (34% of the company)
In CY 1996: generated US $ 91 million turnover (28% of the company) and US $ 30 million gross margin (40% of the company)

Launch of Sony’s videogames activities in Europe/FMCG strategy
Recruitment and management of the International Marketing department (10 people).

Selected achievements:

Prepared and launched business plan for 15 European countries, including full market analysis, product strategy, pricing, marketing and distribution. Successfully presented the business plan to the Board for approval. Selected the best possible local Sony infrastructure to implement the approved marketing and distribution plans. Managed to get the business up and running in only 12 months.

Management of the French company’s Strategic Marketing Activities (20 people).
Running all product activities, licensing of rights, club sales and premium activities.
Decision taker on general product and pricing policies.

Selected achievements:

Based on success at CBS/Sony Music Belgium, promoted head of Strategic Marketing of Sony Music France to consolidate the substantial business growth achieved over the previous two years (30%). Re-engineered the marketing practices. Expanded scope of the business by exploring new category revenue streams. Achieved to maintain turnover at FF 450 million in 1991 and managed to grow the business by 5% to FF 470 million in 1992 although the mandate was to consolidate.

Creation and management of the Strategic Marketing department (5 people).

Selected achievements:

Built a marketing department from scratch. Recruited 5 staff and implemented a FMCG based marketing strategy in the entertainment business. Developed comprehensive marketing plans for all departments and achieved a 32% sales increase in 1989 and another 30% in 1990. Was offered promotion and accepted to move to Paris to assume the same role for CBS/SONY France.

Various Brand Management and Sales Positions

Management of high profile brands such as Dreft, Camay soap and Pampers