Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Lieberman.
Karen, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Staten Island, NY to parents that both came to the US from Europe when they were kids. All four of my grandparents survived the Holocaust before my parents were born, so I come from some pretty strong and amazing genes and all of their stories have informed a great deal of the person I am today.
I grew up mostly in New Jersey, in the burbs by the shore, and I was a major space cadet as a kid. My mind was always in the clouds, resulting in a questionable academic career, and a lot of time wishing every class was art class. I pretty much marched to the beat of my own drum, which is funny considering I wound up on the business side of the ‘music business’. When I wasn’t in the clouds or in art class, I was listening to music ALL. THE. TIME. While I was never a musician or singer myself, there was nothing I was more passionate about than my favorite songs.
It wasn’t until my sophomore year in college (University of Maryland) that I realized that I could potentially have a career in music. I tackled internships at local radio stations, record company distribution centers and absorbed every possible ounce that I could learn. Still, when I graduated and began my hunt for a career as a record label in New York City, I had to start at the very bottom to get a foot in the door. So, that’s what I did. Starting as a temp receptionist, and then slowly moving forward from there.
As a lifelong NY area gal, what I never expected was that I would ultimately wind up in Los Angeles. I am likely one of the ‘New Yorkiest’ people you’ll ever meet, and LA was never in my plan. But at 39, when an opportunity at Disney came along, I had to at least hear it out. A few fast years later and I am a homeowner on the east side, with my two fur-kids in tow. There’s something about LA that makes you feel like anything is possible.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Suddenly this former space cadet became a workaholic! I spent time at Universal Music, BMG, Sony Music, but it wasn’t until a rose to VP status that I realized that I needed a bit more balance in my life. So, I shifted companies, still in music, and used that opportunity to turn the page and see life outside the office once in a while.
It’s not easy to make a change like this, especially when working in a competitive corporate world. It’s a tough business for anyone, but can be especially tough for women. The best advice I can give is to stand up for what you believe and not be afraid to be assertive when you know you are certified expert on the topic. I have definitely experienced working with folks that needed to be convinced that I could deliver. Finding advocates (both male and female!) that will have your back, support you, tell you the good truths and sometimes the things that you need to know but don’t want to hear is crucial.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Disney Music Group – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
At Disney, I am the Vice President of Sales and Digital at the music group. Broadly, we are responsible for getting our music out to listeners in any way possible. That includes everything from streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify, to major multi-format outlets like Amazon, and physical brick and mortar stores, too. It includes web development, social media marketing, advertising and more.
Disney Music Group is most commonly known for the release of Soundtracks for key Disney films and TV shows, but we also work with pop, rock, country, and alternative artists, too.
Our business is changing so fast that it can be hard to keep up.
What really sets us apart is the synergistic approach Disney has across all lines of business. It truly differentiates us from other record labels out there.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
There is no doubt that there are challenges, and always will be. That said, I think there is a ton of opportunity for women and it will only continue to grow.
When you consider the strengths that women are known to bring to the table, including organizational skills, multi-tasking, and empathy, women are very much poised to help businesses see growth and new approaches to realizing success,
Most importantly, women tend to be strong communicators, and in a world that is increasingly filled with background noise and shorter attention spans, getting everyone on the same page and conveying that page to the masses is essential.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbliebs/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbliebs
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
