Shock Entertainment’s new Executive General Manager and all around awesome dude, Scot Crawford answered five questions about himself and where Shock is going in the future.

Can you tell us a little bit about your past?
I have worked in the entertainment industry now for around 20 years. Most of the time in Marketing positions, but have also done my time in A&R and product management. Was at Shock early on as a Product manager. I’ve done time at BMG, FMR and MDS, as well as a stint in on-line sports media. I hold degrees in Business Marketing, Media and Cinema.

What challenges do you see ahead for Shock Records?
I think Shock Records has confronted a heap of challenges over the past years. Challenges not just for the staff, but for our partners. In some regards the potential of what Shock can now become very much comes from that ‘what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger’ mentality.
I do want us to get back to being trailblazers and a creative company again. We may have lost our direction in that regard for a while there. I want to promote a more R&D approach in regards to how we present opportunities for the assets we represent.

Why is Shock well positioned for the future?
Diversification. We already play in both the audio and the visual fields. We have learned allot about the digital landscape through music that we have been able to apply to our visual assets. That has been amazingly valuable I.P for us. Essentially we don’t believe there isn’t anything we can’t do. We give what we can a shot, as long as there are synergies…… actually, sometimes even if there aint. We don’t give up easy. Touring is an example of that. We toy with ideas for a while and jump in when we see the best opportunity. We’re working on creating our own channels, both in a traditional and new business sense. We just purchased a couple of feature films.

What are you most proud of so far this year?
Our direct to consumer on-line growth and the way we have overcome the challenges that we originally faced. The outcome is that we created a great service that is positioned to become a massively important segment of our business across the next 12 months.

What are your 5 favourite albums of the year?
Gillian Welch – The Harrow and The Harvest
Dylan LeBlanc – Paupers Field
Bass Drum Of Death – GB City
Ryan Adams – Ashes and File
Iggy Pop – Roadkill Rising