Biography:

BRIAN UCKERT
Global IT Director
V2 Music Group

Brian Uckert, 47 was named global IT Director for Sir Richard Branson's V2 Music in March 1999. Headquartered in Holland Park, London. V2 is a worldwide record label with notable Platinum recording artist Moby. V2 Music employs approximately 500 people in 10 countries worldwide.

Provided the technical implementation of the marketing campaign "Buy the Crowes Get the Shows". The focus of the campaign was to give the consumer of the physical CD secure access to value added content such as streaming audio and video with, limited download and burning to CD capability.

The duration of the campaign was seven months, which coincided with The Black Crowes touring schedule. Each show was recorded at the soundboard on DAT tape that was then encoded and published to the secret site overnight. In essence Digital distribution of audio content utilizing Microsoft Windows Media Player in conjunction with Reciprocal digital rights management.

Trained and established guidelines for Video production and streaming QuickTime, Real Networks, and Windows Media using Final Cut Pro auto encoding and file transfer (FTP) solutions for all affiliate offices. Delegated the responsibility of local content creation to individual regional offices.

Established an in-house music streaming process to facilitate efficient global decisions for A&R.

Additionally Uckert has provided technical leadership and management solutions of new media technology, IT help desk, network operations, security, application support, web services, and business intelligence systems.

Prior to the appointment in London, Uckert was the North American IT Infrastructure manager, responsible for the roll out of all computer business systems for the start up label.

Uckert planned and participated in V2 Music information systems disaster contingency plan and was personally responsible for the Y2K accountability.

Developed a secure Lotus Notes based system to provide official press releases, biographies approved images, as well as tour and release schedules to external vendors, publishers and broadcasters.

Additionally Uckert held the position of Computer System Specialist at PolyGram NA in New York, where he was responsible for the information technology management within the creative departments of Mercury, Island, Verve, and Classic records.

Uckert earned a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in communication from State University of New York College at Oswego, in 1980. In addition to IT Leadership Program certification from the Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University and Novell CNE.