Evan Stein

Bio

Evan Stein: A Visionary in Music Licensing, Branding, and Artist Development The foundation of every great innovation begins with a simple question: “Why?” It’s the essence of transformation—the spark that challenges conventions and drives progress. Evan Stein has spent his career asking "why" and using that curiosity to revolutionize the music industry. At the start of the millennium, as the traditional music industry was caught in corporate cruise control, Evan saw the disruption that digital platforms like iTunes would bring. He envisioned a future where artists and brands could connect with audiences in more innovative ways while music supervisors became pivotal architects in shaping the soundtracks of our lives. In 2003, Stein co-founded Experience Music Group, a boutique agency specializing in music licensing, branding, and artist management. Offering pre-cleared, one-stop music solutions for Film, TV, video games, and advertising, Experience Music Group quickly became a cornerstone of the licensing industry. With over 1,000 placements to its name, including high-profile projects like Cobra Kai, The Big C, Shameless, I Love You, Man and American Reunion as well as global campaigns for Toyota, Budweiser, American Eagle Outfitters and Rogers Stein has continuously proven his ability to pair the perfect song with the perfect story. Stein's breakthrough moment came in 2008 with the discovery of Latch Key Kid, whose song “Good Times” became the soundtrack to Coca-Cola’s Super Bowl commercial. Two years later, he signed Imagine Dragons to their first sync deal, recognizing the band’s potential long before they became global icons. Evan’s global reach is matched by his hands-on approach to artist development. From quarterbacking an aggressive multi-platform rollout for Boston based My Silent Bravery, helping the band ascend to #11 on the Billboard Rock Chart to guiding Em Rossi to a Sony Music deal, his strategies are always tailored to the artist’s unique story and goals. Evan’s success lies in his ability to see the big picture while crafting specific steps for artists to reach their full potential. In addition to licensing and artist development, Stein has become a trusted consultant for artists seeking to refine their brands and narratives. At Experience Music Group, Evan helps artists uncover their "why"—the core purpose that fuels their art. His consulting work focuses on crafting compelling stories that resonate with fans, labels, music supervisors, and brands alike. Through a combination of branding workshops, messaging refinement, and strategic storytelling, Stein helps artists build cohesive narratives that connect their music to a larger vision. Whether it’s defining key themes for a release campaign, aligning music with lifestyle brands, or enhancing artist imaging for digital platforms, Evan’s approach is holistic and results-driven. He ensures that every element—from bios and social media content to visuals and live performances—tells a unified story that amplifies an artist’s impact. Over the years, Evan has expanded his expertise to include playlist curation, music supervision, and soundtrack production, including his award-winning work on the feature film GBF. His impact extends beyond the business, as he shares his knowledge through lectures, publications, and podcasts, mentoring the next generation of music creators and professionals. Evan Stein’s career is a testament to the power of asking “why.” By challenging the status quo and seeking new ways to connect artists, brands, and audiences, he has transformed not only his own career but also the careers of countless artists around the world. As the music industry continues to evolve, Stein remains at the forefront, building bridges and painting new horizons for what’s possible in music. EXPERIENCE MUSIC GROUP: Services, Sync Opportunities, Playlist Details & What We’re Looking For SERVICES EMG OFFERS Branding, Imaging & Messaging Full artist brand development Why/How/What + core narrative building Archetype + persona mapping Tone of voice development Visual direction (colors, fonts, aesthetic) Website + bio rewrites (long, short, press-ready) Artist Development Release strategy planning (waterfall, singles, rollout) Music marketing strategy Social media optimization + content frameworks Email marketing strategy & list-building World-building + creative identity sessions Music Licensing & Sync Sync pitching to: Film & TV studios Music supervisors Advertising agencies Streaming platforms Trailer houses Video game companies Catalog curation + metadata preparation Mix/production feedback for sync viability Personalized placement strategy Industry introductions (UM, Netflix, Hallmark, AMC, etc.) Distribution Support Introductions + support with United Masters, Symphonic, DistroKid, AWAL Pitching for platform-level opportunities (Spotify, Apple, SoundCloud) Playlisting & Marketing EMG-curated playlists Pitching to independent curators DSP editorial prep TikTok, Reel & short-form strategy SYNC OPPORTUNITIES ARTISTS CAN RECEIVE THROUGH EMG These are categories EMG pitches to regularly: Film & TV Dramas, thrillers, comedies Teen & young adult series Reality TV Crime & procedural Network television / cable Streaming originals (Netflix, AMC, Paramount+, Hulu) Advertising National brand campaigns Fashion + luxury Tech products Automotive Wellness + lifestyle UGC-style commercial spots Trailers & Promos Series promos Sizzle reels Game trailers Movie teasers Sports & Gaming ESPN-style hype placements Stadium cues E-sports music Game soundtracks Corporate & In-House Content Internal brand films Product launches Brand storytelling content GENRES EMG IS ACTIVELY SEEKING (Based on supervisor requests + reliable sync demand) Indie Pop / Alt Pop Indie Rock / Alt Rock Dark Pop / Electro Pop R&B / Neo-Soul Singer-Songwriter (emotional, cinematic, sparse) Folk / Americana Dark Folk / Alt Folk Cinematic Indie Alt Hip-Hop Synthwave / Retrowave Blues Rock / Gritty Roots Lo-fi + chillhop Emotional piano or acoustic cues High-energy stomp/clap pop Dream pop + shoegaze (select opportunities) MOODS & CHARACTERISTICS SUPERVISORS REQUEST MOST High-demand emotional tones Empowering Hopeful Triumphant Bittersweet Nostalgic Intimate & vulnerable Dark + moody Mysterious Intense buildup Anthems / rising energy Sync-friendly characteristics Clear storyline or emotional arc Strong hooks + memorable sections Dynamic builds Minimal profanity (unless requested) No complex samples Easy-to-clear (must be one-stop) Clean intro + edit points Instrumental versions available High-quality mixes/master EMG PLAYLIST DETAILS EMG-curated playlist ecosystem includes: 1. Pop Trending Pop + indie Pop discoveries 2. Indie Nation Indie tracks 3. Rock Stars All genres of Rock 4. Party Zone All genres of Party Music 5. Dance Madness All genres of Dance Music 6. Hip Hop Movement Hip Hop and R&B Tracks

• https://experiencemusicgroup.com/