“In the most cluttered marketplace in history with audiences more segmented than ever and old strategies not working, there’s nothing better than helping artists become as profitable and popular as possible."

Erik is the Vice President of Marketing at Outback Presents, the leading independent, full-service promoter of live entertainment. Based in Nashville, Outback Presents produces thousands of music and comedy shows, tours, and festivals annually cross North America and connects its diverse roster of artists with their fans.

Erik began his career in Washington, D.C. politics after graduating from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, and earning a Master's Degree from American University. Between 1994-2006 he served as a congressional press secretary, U.S. Senate campaign communications director, political communications advisor at the National Association of Broadcasters, and political appointee as a speechwriter and head of communications for the National Endowment for the Humanities.

In 2006, the Anschutz Film Group (AFG), sister company to AEG, & Walden Media tapped Erik to serve as project manager for a political thriller movie chronicling the heroic story of 18th-century British abolitionist William Wilberforce.

Erik then served as the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Outreach for AFG/Walden Media in Los Angeles until 2008 when he co-founded Different Drummer, an unconventional marketing and publicity firm. Across more than 100 entertainment campaigns, Erik helped lead the vision and strategy of the fast-growing agency that included projects for major movie studios, television networks, publishers, labels, and causes.

Expanding into distribution and executive producing in 2014, Erik and four investors built Aspiration Entertainment Ventures. The “script to screen” unconventional distribution and marketing company executive produced the Sundance-premiered, NY Times Critics Pick film LAST DAYS IN THE DESERT, the Yarrow and Carrie Cheney (THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS, THE GRINCH) animated special THE THREE WISE MEN, distributed the award-winning Irish film NOBLE, and was instrumental in the success of dozens of films including WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?

He and his wife, Monica, have three children. His interests include fly fishing (not a very good one), his 1991 Jeep Grand Wagoneer (that keeps breaking down), snowboarding (trying to keep from killing himself), Tintin (because he looks like him), and supporting his wife’s business, Patina + Co (who has taught him everything about entrepreneurship and grit).