Chris Sumner

Head up business development & strategy at Refinery29, the leading digital media & entertainment company dedicated to helping women feel, see, and claim their power.

Greenlight is an award-winning creative agency & industry-leading production studio responsible for the likes of the Lady Gaga x Intel x Grammys platform, Huddle Up with Cam Newton & Under Armour, and the Spotify original series Music Happens Here. We build creative platforms that transform culture..
Greenlight is a Live Nation Company born out of Red Light Management

Responsible for building Live Nation's media & content business across Live Nation Originals, Live Nation Studios, and Live Nation Productions.

Report to Chief Strategy Officer at Live Nation.

Oversaw Live Nation's joint venture with Vice Media to produce best-in-class digital music content for live music fans.

Responsible for evaluating new investment & acquisition opportunities for Sony Music Entertainment and forging partnerships to help improve business outcomes for Sony Music and its artists.

Led Sony Music's acquisition of The Orchard in 2015, and helped to found Sony Music Originals (now Rumble Yard) alongside Lee Stimmel.

Took over as Chief Operating Officer / Business Lead for Astronauts Wanted while the permanent COO was on maternity leave.

Performed Hulu Due Diligence; strategic initiatives for Fullscreen, Base79 and Mitu Networks; evaluation of new venture investment opportunities

EMI Global Digital Business Development. Responsible for sourcing, negotiating, analyzing and obtaining internal exec approval for new digital distribution opportunities for EMI content throughout the Americas; together with developing EMI's digital strategy with respect to new business models.

Strategic adviser to major multinational corporations and governmental institutions. Provided in-depth analysis and advice to senior clients, including:
- Global strategy for incoming CEO of major pharmaco
- M&A opportunity for CEO of major UK Tour Operator
- Joint growth initiative between major FMCG and supermarket retailer
- Addressing health challenges in Tanzania with the goal of meeting the country's MDGs for Health
- Published McKinsey knowledge papers on pharmacy management systems

Provided strategic analysis and advice to portfolio companies within the digital arm of the Daily Mail General Trust, including:
- Pricing model for Property Classified business (findaproperty.com)
- Branding for Motors Classified business (motors.co.uk)
- Expansion of job posting aggregation (Broadbean)