Kelli Richards’ article,Small Business Advice: How to Land (And Rock) Meetings with Potential Big Business Partners, published May 20, 2013, The Washington Post
Small business owners are often focused on adding customers, providing better service, and improving their products — all in an effort to grow. But sometimes, growth is less about expanding internally and more about forming connections with big business partners.
However, many small businesses hesitate, wondering why an established company with seemingly unlimited resources and a large customer base would want to work with them. What they overlook is that big growth requires big sacrifices, and large companies have often become less connected to their consumers, causing them to lose sight of that initial innovative spark. >>Read More
Kelli Richards’ Featured in Guardian Media, Trinidad and Tobago: “Kelli Richards Powerhouse Woman” published May 19, 2013
Kelli Richards was born and bred in Cupertino, Silicon Valley. It’s where Apple’s headquarters is based and where she spent ten years as an executive. At the age of eight, she knew she wanted to become a record producer. There was a slight problem though, she was female. Richards said, “It was a lock-out field” despite California being progressive. On evenings, while attending high school, she studied recording techniques for four years.
Her career started with a focus on the music industry. To get through college, she worked at Guitar Player and Keyboard magazines in her hometown and then moved to Los Angeles to work for EMI Music as a young executive after she graduated. She was then recruited to launch the music focus at Apple. She spent a decade driving all of Apple’s music and entertainment initiatives. Richards is a powerhouse woman. She’s a consultant, mentor, speaker, producer, coach, author and is president/CEO of The All Access Group. She also brokers deals and has a bestselling eBook called The Magic & Moxie of Apple—An Insider’s View. >>Read More
Kelli Richards’ Featured in Guardian Media, Trinidad and Tobago: “Digital Distribution Dilemma,” published May 14, 2013
On May 7, Kelli Richards, President and CEO of The All Access Group, presented the second of several local talks on digital distribution at hte UTT Campus at NAPA.
Richards began working in digital media at Apple in 1987, back when all online distribution of music and video was illegal. >>Read More
Press Release: Embassy of the United States, Trinidad and Tobago
Port of Spain May 1, 2013 – Former Apple executive and current President and CEO of the All Access Group, Ms. Kelli Richards will visit Trinidad from May 6-8 to share her knowledge on digital media and how musicians, authors and filmmakers can market and sell their work online through Amazon, iTunes and other platforms.
A known pioneer and veteran in the world of digital music, media and entertainment, and coach for successful professionals (from rock stars to tech innovators), Kelli is the author of the bestselling eBook, “The Magic & Moxie of Apple –An Insider’s View” and was honored as a “Top 100 Woman of Influence 2013″ by Silicon Valley Business Journal. >>Read More
Kelli Richards selected as one of the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Women of Influence, Women of Influence Awards, San Jose, CA, May 2, 2013:
The Silicon Valley Business Journal will honor the 100 most influential women in Silicon Valley of 2013. Honorees have been selected from the private, public and nonprofit sectors.
Thursday, May 2, 2013 5:30 – 8:30 pm
The Fairmont, San Jose 170 South Market Street San Jose, CA
More Information on Women of Influence Awards
Branding, Social Media and High-Powered Connections; 1-Day Mastermind, San Jose, CA, on April 19, 2013:
Join Kelli Richards; in this 1-day Mastermind & Branding Event with Internet GIANT Mike Koenigs, and Social Strategist Mary Agnes Antonopoulos, Kelli Richards will focus on supporting attendees to leverage and create a powerful online presence and brand, build valuable connections, AND set achievable goals, blow past roadblocks and support other attendees. This exclusive group will work with Kelli Richards and her two valuable guest speakers – serious and respected mentors in their field – to accomplish powerful results. This event is perfect for Entrepreneurs, Creative Thinkers, Professionals, CEO’s, and Small Business Owners.
Space is limited. Visit here for more information and to register.
Kelli Richards’ Article, What Your Startup Can Learn from Spotify’s Success, published April 8, 2013, Tech Cocktail
Giving consumers access to virtually any song they’d like to hear — at any time and for free — may not sound like a business model tech startups would be quick to emulate. But the truth is that Spotify’s model is focused on more than free streaming. Startups across the board can learn from the company’s strategic product launch.
When Spotify opened for limited public use in 2008 in Europe, it was a blip on the radar. Listeners could only enjoy the tool with a paid subscription, and it was only available in certain markets. After years of setbacks with record labels, funding, and music ownership rights, Spotify finally launched its U.S. service for listeners in 2011. The success of the music streaming service was hard-won, but in a market of ever-changing variables, Spotify’s hold is shaky at best. Still, there are a few key lessons that can be taken from the music disruptor’s success. >>Read More
Kelli Richards’ Featured in Entreprenista: Interview: Kelli Richards, of The All Access Group, published March 15, 2013, Entreprenista
What was your path to entrepreneurship? How did your career start out, and what led you to working in Silicon Valley?
I grew up in Silicon Valley, or, specifically, Cupertino, which is where I still reside. Silicon Valley and I grew up together; I worked at Apple, literally in a building that stands on the same land where I picked apricots as a kid. So, I have extremely deep roots here — and a huge investment in the continued, vibrant growth of this area, and the tech industry itself. Remaining at the cutting edge of technology is one way for our economy to continue to thrive, despite all obstacles.
My career actually began with a focus on the music industry. I started out working at Guitar Player and Keyboard magazines, which were also based in Cupertino. I put myself through college while working and then moved to Los Angeles to work for a major record label — EMI Music. Of course, music has always been tied very closely to tech advancements, and I have always focused on building strong relationships on both sides of that equation to have a strong effect on the two industries I love. >>Read More
Kelli Richards’ Article: How This Former Apple Employee Built A Killer Network As A ‘Celebrity Wrangler’ published March 3, 2013, Business Insider
When businesses want to engage celebrities for things like sales conferences, marketing campaigns, company anniversaries, and VIP customer events, it’s important that they work with someone who knows how to work with celebrities.
They need someone who understands the unique type of interaction that’s involved, how to make deals, and what to expect when working with entertainers. That person is known as a celebrity wrangler, and there are invaluable lessons business leaders can learn from the handlers of the stars. >>Read More
Kelli Richards’ Article: , “Company Culture: How to Improve Employee Retention and Reduce Turnover” published January 24, 2013, YFS Magazine
Do you empower your employees with the opportunity to express their opinions of the job process, or possibly even reward them for a job well done? In today’s fast-paced business environment, without a system to motivate and reward your team often times employees will feel unappreciated, lack of motivation to get the job done, and resent not receiving a pat on the back for their stellar performance.
Generally, if (and when) employees are acknowledged for their efforts (or given a chance to provide feedback) it comes at the end or beginning of the year. If this is how your company culture rewards productivity – do you think this common process is really as effective as it is meant to be? >>Read More
Kelli Richards Featured in Forbes, “6 Tips to a Successful Mentorship“ December 18, 2012
John Hall, Contributor
“A mentor’s knowledge in the industry is important, as is the compatibility of their style to your own. Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group and a trusted consultant, coach and mentor to start-ups, had some advice on finding the right mentor match.
“It’s helpful to get a sense for the mentor’s philosophy and style,” Richards said. “How open-minded are they? How worldly? How do they speak, write, and present themself as a professional? But really the most important things to assess are fit and trust. Does it feel good to interact with the mentor? Have they achieved things that can accelerate the entrepreneur’s path? Can they impart wisdom that will make a lasting difference to the person being mentored?” >>Read More
Kelli Richards’ Article: “The Best Entrepreneurs Are Born In A Cubicle” published December 7, Under 30 CEO
What motivates someone to launch a startup? The secret sauce in this recipe includes things that are almost mystical in nature, including ambition, fearlessness, and more than a handful of luck. The motivation to begin a startup always begins with an idea — the next “big thing” that an entrepreneur envisions. That’s how Apple, Google, Facebook, Foursquare, and countless other success stories begin. While many famous entrepreneurs launched their businesses in a garage or dorm room long before they were legally able to drink. However, there are other successful, inspiring entrepreneurs whose stories begin at the least expected starting point: the 9-5 job. Yes, your best chance to turn a startup into a commercially viable entity may begin with your experience sitting behind a desk and working inside a traditional corporation.
Obtaining Experience
My career path through EMI Music, Silicon Graphics (SGI), and finally, a dozen years at Apple absolutely helped me launch my own successful venture, The All Access Group. As a new consultant, starting out some 15 years ago, it was vital that I understood corporate structure and processes for my clientele. I was able to take ideas and concepts from all of my previous positions and bring those values into my own company (and to my own team as a clear set of expectations). >>Read More
The Intersection - January 19, 2013, Mountain View, CA: Kelli Richards will attend as an Ambassador to the Event: The Intersection is a gathering of some of the brightest and most innovative entrepreneurs & leaders in Silicon Valley along with some Hollywood types focused on innovation for social change. It is a one-day gathering of innovative thinkers, designed to stir your creative imagination, vision and action-planning strategies. Intersection brings together leading innovators from a number of fields to share their thoughts about up-and-coming trends in personal, team and organizational creativity, as well as social impact. Uncover new ideas, tools and “intersections” that can be applied to your personal or professional life and help inspire social change. Join Kelli on January 19, 2013, at Googleplex in Mountain View.
Kelli Richards’ Article: “How Apple’s Culture Seeped Into Silicon Valley’s DNA”, published November 21, 2012, Fast Company
There’s no question the business world has changed because of Apple. A look at the core cultural shifts that came as a result of Steve Jobs’s leadership.
Apple’s culture has invaded the business world and had a powerful impact. As a supremely successful company that has risen above strife to become a market leader, competitors look to Apple for inspiration, adopting its practices to improve their own companies.
The other reason so many follow Apple’s example is because there are a slew of Apple “graduates,” who, like me have taken its culture and strategies to new companies. Apple’s innovation, and its eventual success, led to its playbook being adopted by myriad other corporations–and for good reason. << Read More
Kelli Richards’ Article: “Apple: An Insider’s Perspective” published November 6, 2012, Business2Community
Apple is famous for its leadership and innovation, and I was privileged to spend 10 years there, experiencing firsthand what sets Apple apart from other companies. People are often surprised to learn that the guiding principles that led to Apple’s success are simple, and any company can adopt them. << Read More
Kelli Richards’ Article: “Even the Lone Ranger Had a Sidekick” published October 26, 2012, Score.org
As a business owner, you have a big job on your hands – but that doesn’t mean you have to shoulder it alone. Accepting help is not synonymous with accepting defeat; far from it, in fact. After all, Batman had Robin, the Boy Wonder; Sherlock Holmes had Dr. Watson, and the Lone Ranger had Tonto.
It can often be very beneficial to brainstorm and collaborate with others to develop the most powerful solutions. There is strength in collective wisdom and in harnessing the insights and experiences of others, whether you’re doing it via a formal partnership or through a coaching mentorship. << Read More
Kelli Richards’ Book, “The Magic and Moxie of Apple – An Insider’s View,” Hits #1 on Amazon
Cupertino, CA
On July 20th at midnight, Kelli Richards’ long awaited eBook on Apple Inc., “The Magic and Moxie of Apple – An Insider’s View,” hit #1 in Kindle for Systems and Leadership and broke the top 100 in the Business and Leadership Category (our highest ranking was #70) on Amazon overall. This is Richards’ second #1 bestseller on Amazon.
This book delves into the best practices of Apple Inc. from the inside out and takes a close look at what makes Apple one of the leaders in the tech industry – and a global change agent. Author Kelli Richards saw Apple hit rock bottom from the inside, before Steve Jobs returned to the company and then watched from outside as Apple Inc. began its climb to stardom and became the global leader it is today. This close study of Apple Inc. and the best practices it employs creates a blueprint for all companies and entrepreneurs to follow. Through interviews with other alums and her own experiences at Apple for over a decade, tech industry thought leader Kelli Richards creates a compelling view of what makes Apple Inc. the company it is today. She looks at its failures, its successes, and the people who will continue its course toward greatness.
Kelli Richards has more than twenty years of senior-level leadership experience in the tech and music industries. Working with the innovators in technology and creative leaders in entertainment, Richards is a highly sought-after consultant, mentor, speaker, producer, coach and author. Richards and her team facilitate powerful strategic business opportunities in digital distribution between technology companies, established artists and celebrities, film studios, record labels, and consumer brand companies to foster new revenue streams and deliver compelling consumer experiences.
Prior to founding The All Access Group LLC, Kelli served in senior roles at Fortune 100 entertainment and technology companies, including Apple Inc. She also served in senior-level leadership capacities at EMI Music as an A&R exec, and at Silicon Graphics (SGI) where she helped launch Silicon Studio, the company’s entertainment division. She developed PatroNet, the first Internet-based artist subscription service with rocker partner Todd Rundgren in the mid-90s – and helped to launch the entire digital music revolution.
A frequent speaker and panel moderator at digital music and entertainment industry conferences globally, Kelli has also been an acclaimed talent producer of a wide range of award shows, epic concerts, and celebrity fundraiser events for over 25 years. She co-produced a celebrity fundraiser event to support the UN’s “Adopt-A-Minefield” initiative featuring Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Stephen Stills and hosted by Jay Leno.
Kelli Richards has co-authored two other books, including the critically acclaimed “The Art of Digital Music: 56 Artists, Visionaries & Insiders Reveal Their Creative Secrets” and “Taking the Crowd to the Cloud – Social Media for the Music Industry,” which also reached #1 on Amazon in several categories. A true renaissance woman, Kelli is also a Certified Integrative Life Coach trained under best-selling authors and coaches Debbie Ford and Alan Cohen. She lives inCupertino,CA in the heart of theSilicon Valley.
Marina del Rey, CA. April 31-May 3, 2012. On Wednesday, May 2nd, Kelli will lead a panel on the monetization of music apps on Smartphones and Tablets. Digital Hollywood is the premier entertainment and technology conference in the country.
New Digital Economics – San Francisco, CA. On March 27-28, Kelli will speak at The New Digital Economics Executive Brainstorm Series is part of a research and industry transformation programme from business model innovation firm STL Partners focused on the Telecommunications, Media and Technology sectors. Supported by leading trade bodies, the Executive Brainstorms are held on a regular basis in different parts of the world to bring together senior execs to think creatively about new growth opportunities.
Silicon Valley Capital Club. Kelli is to be the esteemed guest and presenter on March 21st at the The Women’s Luncheon Series at the Silicon Valley Capital Club. Kelli will share about her role as CEO of The All Access Group, LLC and her experience in working with celebrity events.
On March 16, Robert Tercek of “This Week In“ welcomed Kelli Richards, CEO of All Access Group and author of “Taking the Crowd to the Crowd- Social Media for the Music Industry” to the show to talk about the future of music, how social media helps or hurts the industry, and how musicians and content creators can harness social media. Click here to see the interview in its entirety.
Kelli is privileged to be the most recent guest on “In The Hot Seat” with Larry LeBlanc for CelebrityAccess. ”In the Hot Seat” profiles entertainment leaders from around the world in a Q&A form. It was very exciting, and AAG invites you to click over and read the interview today!
Kelli will attend the San Francisco Music Tech Summit on February 13. The Summit brings together visionaries in the music/technology space, along with the best and brightest developers, entrepreneurs, investors, service providers, journalists, musicians and organizations who work with them at the convergence of culture and commerce. We meet to discuss the evolving music/business/technology ecosystem in a proactive, conducive to dealmaking environment.
On February 22 Kelli will moderate a panel at Digital Music Forum East in NYC on using social marketing in today’s new digital age: “Taking the Crowd to the Cloud.” Digital Music Forum is known worldwide for the news that is made in the auditorium, the deals that get done in the hallways, and the friendships and partnerships that are forged year after year.
***********************************************
Kelli will be attending the KidScreen Summit, February 7-10, in NYC. Kelli’s client PlayTales, a leader in children’s books as interactive apps, will be launching its US presence at this event. Using the world’s most competitive kids TV market as his lab, UK media buyer Dean Weller presents proprietary research on how kids are spending their time with social media and apps, and assesses the impact on TV broadcasters in the region.
Kelli will join a panel discussion at Pollstar Live! 2012 on February 1-3 inLos Angeles, CA. Pollstar Live! continues the tradition established by the Concert Industry Consortium by presenting delegates with opportunities to focus on and collaboratively tackle the latest challenges in the concert industry, in an open environment ideal for frank discussions, brainstorming, idea creation and problem solving. Whether in a panel, social or caucus-style environment, industry leaders and newcomers alike have a unique opportunity to share information in person and improve their business practices as well as the fan experience. The goal of Pollstar Live! is not only to shed light on some of these practices but to work towards developing an industry consensus that change is needed. Kelli is co-producing the annual awards show, and moderating a panel on social media in music at the event.
On January 26, Kelli will speak at a dinner and networking event in Los Altosfor the prestigious ACG gathering of CEOs and senior executives in the Silicon Valley. http://www.acg.org/sv/ “What Do You Media” will host a lively, diverse panel illuminating myriad facets of what “media” means today and across the coming years.
On January 20th, Kelli will moderate a panel of industry entrepreneurs using social marketing in new and innovative ways for the NAMM Social Marketing Mini Conference. Among the panelists will be Ed Byrnes, Ultimate-guitar.com; Craig Knudsen, Piano Guys; Jon Luini, Chime Interactive; Nic Adler, Roxy/Sunset Strip; Roy Elkins, Broadjam; and Peter Saltzman, musiconlinealive.com.
On December 14th, Kelli will be interviewed for the “Marketing Thought Leadership” Podcast Series, by Linda Popky, the president of Leverage2Market Associates, a marketing strategy firm. Marketing Thought Leadership: Insightful discussions on thought-provoking marketing topics.
On December 8, Kelli moderated a panel session at Digital Living Room called “Music’s New Lease on Life.” The living room is a key testing ground for new business models centered around free or rented content. How is the experiment proceeding? (Featuring Ian Geller, VP, Business Development of Pandora; Ted Mico, Executive VP, Digital at Universal Music; Ty Roberts, Co-Founder, Senior VP and CTO at Gracenote; and Jordan Berliant, Manager of Linkin Park and Principal Partner The Collective.
On November 29, Kelli is thrilled to be Speaking at UC Santa Cruzfor 300+ students who are taking Professor Fredric Lieberman’s Class on the Music Industry. Professor Liebermann is a Distinguished Professor of Music, and in recent years has focused on the music industry and copyright law.
On November 30th, Kelli will be interviewed on Fanatic.FM Radio. Tune in to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/juneauxena/2011/12/01/juneau-xenas-salon to listen! To celebrate Fanatic.FM and their great contribution to DIY brand building for artists, Fanatic.FM is offering a special bonus for Kelli’s tribe. Click here for a free subscription to The Fanatic and enter to win a 1-hour session with the Fanatic.FM social media tune-up experts.
Kelli Richards Hosts a VIP Breakfast at Digital Music Forum West 10/7On on Friday, October 7th, from 8:00-9:00am industry thought-leaders, Kelli Richards, CEO of the All Access Group, will host an intimate breakfast and discussion to kick off day two of Digital Music Forum West. The focus of this “breakfast club” will be Kelli Richards’ newest eBook “Taking the Crowd to the Cloud – Social Media for the Music Industry.” VIP Breakfast and a printed copy of the eBook (valued at $37) will be available to the first 20 people who respond. Please RVSP to reserve your VIP seat at the event. sandy@allaccessgroup.com
Kelli Richards – Speaking at West Coast Songwriters Conference on 9/10Kelli Richards is thrilled to be Speaking at West Coast Songwriters Conference on Saturday, September 10th as part of “Where is the Music Industry Headed.”
Few music conferences provide the intimate setting for networking with prominent industry guests as this event does. Saturday and Sunday attendees are provided the rare opportunity to participate in one-on-one consultations with industry leaders at the top of their game, and develop networking opportunities, attend songwriting seminars, showcase bands, and learn about the latest industry standards. Saturday evening provides a dinner and beautiful sunset concert with the three grand finalists from the yearlong songwriters’ competitions, which were held in over 10 locations. This is a weekend to prepare for leading industry mentors and to meet new friends and forge new relationships in the music industry.
****
Kelli is pleased to share that she’s been invited to be one of the first contributing editors to Techpinions.com by founders Ben and Tim Bajarin of Creative Strategies, a top technology advisory based in Silicon Valley. Techpinions brings together the insights and expertise of industry insides and thought leaders in the field of technology and will cover everything from smart phones and digital distribution to insights on the leading executives, companies and deals going on in the tech world. Kelli looks forward to sharing her cutting-edge insights on digital media and entertainment in a vertical that literally reinvents itself every single day. Stay tuned for more info!
The Futures Agency!
Kelli is thrilled to share that she was recently invited to be part of The Futures Agency by Founder, Gerd Leonhard. The Futures Agency is an online industry think-tank of elite leaders in the digital industry. We invite everyone to *like* The Futures Agency’s Facebook Page and to become part of the growing conversation around creating meaningful change in how data is shared, sold and created.
On February 5th Kelli will produce the annual Pollstar Pro Awards Show (annual gathering of the concert industry) at LA Live. To find out more, go to: http://www.pollstarpro.com/live2011/Awards/pollstarawards-index.html |
||
 On Feb 14-16 Kelli will participate at the bi-annual New Music Seminar in Los Angeles. Kelli has been invited to be on the New Music Seminar Advisory Board, and to participate in the “Meet the Authors” segment of the program on Feb 16. For more information on this event go to http://www.newmusicseminar.com |
||
 On Feb 24th Kelli will moderate a panel on the future of the concert and live music industry at the Digital Music Forum East in New York City. To learn more about this event, go to: http://www.digitalmusicforum.com/east |
On May 4th (2:15 PM – 3:30 PM) Kelli will be moderating a panel session at 
