GANG would like to welcome it’s new board members, Russell Brower (Blizzard), Steve Schnur (EA), and Sal Farina (Sumthing Else Music Works). Check the complete list of current board members, and bios after the jump…
Russell Brower
Audio Director/Lead Composer
Blizzard Entertainment
Russell Brower has 30 years of experience as a Composer, Musical Director and Post Production
Supervisor. My background includes television, film, theme-parks, games, plus I
am a three-time Emmy Award winner. Currently I am the Director of Audio and
Lead Composer of Blizzard Entertainment, a leading developer/publisher of video
games, including “World of Warcraft”. I have previously served as a
Principal Media Designer and Musical Director at Walt Disney Imagineering. I
currently serve on the Board of Directors of the Society of Composers &
Lyricists, plus I am on the Advisory Board of the Game Audio Network Guild, the
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, and a member of A.T.A.S. and
N.A.R.A.S.
Sal Farina
Chief Executive Officer
Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc.
Salvatore Farina is a professional Accountant and Business Manager in the entertainment industry. He holds degrees (AAS, BBA, MBA) in Business Administration, Accounting and Management from SUNY and DowlingCollege where he attended both undergraduate and graduate schools.
In 1997, he joined Nile Rodgers in the management of Niles’operating Companies. In addition to Mr. Farina serving as Chief Executive Officer of Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc., and NRP, Inc. (dba Sumthing Distribution), he is Vice President of Nile Rodgers Productions, Inc.; and The CHIC Organization. Sal also serves as Mr. Rodgers’ personal Business Manager.
Aware ofthe superior quality of video game soundtracks and their potential as a legitimate music genre, Sumthing Else Music Works (via mandate from Nile Rodgers and under Sal’s direction and management) has committed itself and its resources towards the strategic objective ofgaining equitable recognition of this genre.Accordingly, Sal believes there are several crucial tactics that he (as CEO of SEMW) can most effectively accomplish.These tactics include vigorous licensing and marketing of videogame soundtracks to create a “healthy showing” at retail andassisting Composers in developing and satisfying their fanbaseby releasing and promoting their works.
“G.A.N.G provides the game audio profession an organization dedicated to establishing and maintaining the highest standards of quality in videogame music. Success in this endeavor will result in richer game experience and the rightful accreditation of the genre and it’s audio professionals.”
Steve Schnur
Worldwide Executive of Music and Audio
Electronic Arts
As Worldwide Executive of Music and Audio for Electronic Arts, Steve Schnur works closely with EA production, publishing teams and the international record industry to supervise and select in-game music for EA GAMES, EA SPORTS BIG and EA SPORTS franchises. A 15-year music industry veteran, Mr. Schnur has brought both established stars and new breakthrough artists that include Snoop Dogg, Avril Lavigne, DMX, Fabolous, Sum 41, Nelly, Jimmy Eat World, Good Charlotte, Queens Of The Stone Age, Blink 182, Nappy Roots, Radiohead, Fat Boy Slim and scores more to EA Games, and was recently selected by Entertainment Weekly in their 2003 “It” issue as One Of the 100 Most Creative People In Entertainment for his work in bringing together the worlds of music and gaming. His accomplishments include managing the EA TRAX initiatives which resulted in the first RIAA certified platinum video game soundtrack with NBA LIVE 2003, as well as helping to establish the collaborative partnership with legendary hip-hop lifestyle company Def Jam to produce the top-selling, ground-breaking Def Jam VENDETTA.
Prior to joining EA in January 2002, Mr. Schnur was Staff Producer/Senior Vice President of A&R at Capitol Records. He began his career in the 1980s at MTV where he worked in programming during the network’s formative years. Mr. Schnur also has held various executive positions with Elektra Entertainment, Chrysalis Records and Arista Records, was instrumental in breaking and establishing the careers of such major artists as Natalie Merchant, Sarah McLachlan, Metallica and Bjork, and has supervised and produced music for films including CRUEL INTENTIONS and MISS CONGENIALITY. In less than a decade at only three major labels, he was involved in marketing, promoting and producing albums that totaled sales of more than 60 million units. Mr. Schnur has been an invited guest speaker on the gaming industry and international youth culture at The Rolling Stone New Technology Seminar, The Jacobs Media Conference and The Billboard Plug-In Festival, and delivered the Keynote Address at The 2003 NXNE Music Conference. Steve Schnur is also a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS), on the Board Of Directors of the Lili Claire Foundation and is Chairman of the Music Committee for the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences.
“As the video game industry continues its pattern of growth beyond the film industry, we have to insure that we sound as quality and talent driven as other areas of entertainment. G.A.N.G. creates and nurtures an audio community with an ear towards the future.”
2011-2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Game Audio Network Guild
Tommy Tallarico
Paul Lipson
Michelle Sorger
Rod Abernethy
Clint Bajakian
Alexander Brandon
Russell Brower
Sal Farina
Scott Gershin
Bob Rice
Victor Rodriguez
Tom Salta
Brian Schmidt
Steve Schnur
Scott Selfon
Chance Thomas