Lou Plaia

In 2006, Lou Plaia co-founded ReverbNation, the global leader in empowering independent artists to advance their careers. ReverbNation’s powerful career management and online marketing tools combined with its A&R capabilities and broad industry relationships offer emerging artists access to the global music industry. Plaia dedicates most of his time brokering valuable opportunities for the 5 million artists on ReverbNation by connecting them to record labels, publishing companies, festival talent buyers, managers, agents, publications, blogs, podcasts, brands, radio stations, TV shows, and other industry professionals. Plaia has created alliances with dozens of record labels to act as an A&R source and has also created partnerships with more than a hundred festivals and conferences of all sizes including but not limited to Summerfest, Warped Tour, Sunset Music Festival, Sturgis Buffalo Chip, Launch Music Conference, and many more.

Prior to ReverbNation, Plaia worked 12 years at Atlantic Records where he was VP of Strategic Marketing. Plaia then worked 4 years at Atlantic imprint, Lava Records, where he was the Head of Marketing and Artist Development.

Plaia also recently launched Hot Rats Records and Hot Rats Management.

Plaia is also an Adjunct Professor at Five Towns Music College where he teaches classes on Artist Management and Concert Production & Promotion.

Plaia has been a guest speaker at SXSW, CMJ, Canadian Music Week, Music Biz (f/k/a NARM), Americana Music Conference, Launch Music Conference, The Future of Music Summit, New Music Seminar, Dubai Sound City, and dozens of other music conferences throughout the world.