Karla Ortiz CEO and Founder of Monark Entertainment - sourced from Monarkentertainment.co

Published on January 28th, 2025 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

NAMM 2025: Karla Ortiz on Empowering Artists and Building Music Careers

Karla Ortiz, founder of Monark Entertainment, shares insights at NAMM 2025 on building a sustainable music career, digital marketing, and education for aspiring music leaders.

Karla Ortiz Highlights Music Career Strategies at NAMM 2025

In this #LiveSession from NAMM 2025, Karla Ortiz (IG: @misskortiz) shared her expertise on building sustainable music careers, emphasizing digital marketing, education, and artist empowerment. As the founder of Monark Entertainment and a former VP of Marketing and Label Services for Vydia, Ortiz brings decades of industry experience to the forefront. From her work at Universal Music Group to mentoring the next generation at the Los Angeles College of Music (LACM), Ortiz continues to shape the future of the music business.

Cutting Through the Noise: Insights from NAMM

At NAMM 2025, Ortiz participated in the LACM (IG: @lacmofficial) panel, “Cutting Through the Noise: Creating a Career in the Music Industry,” presented by the NAMM Foundation. Joined by other industry experts, Ortiz shared strategies for boosting visibility through social media, digital marketing, and personal branding. Attendees walked away with actionable tips on leveraging tools, resources, and networking opportunities to create sustainable careers in the ever-evolving music industry.

The Journey of Karla Ortiz: From Executive to Educator

Ortiz’s career spans a variety of high-profile roles, including VP of Marketing at Vydia and Digital Marketing executive at Universal Music Group. In 2020, during the pandemic, she launched Monark Entertainment, providing strategic support to independent and major-label artists. Ortiz spearheaded the early Vydia one-stop video distribution, which soon set a standard for digital video syndication across social video platforms.

In 2022, Ortiz was appointed professor and counselor at LACM, where she now oversees digital distribution and mentors aspiring music leaders in the Music Business Department. Her dedication to educating the next generation is grounded in a passion for equipping artists with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in a competitive landscape.

Empowering Artists Through Strategy and Innovation

Ortiz’s approach to artist empowerment centers on digital marketing expertise and a deep understanding of online streaming. She emphasized the importance of maintaining control over one’s narrative in the digital age, saying, “Artists today have more tools than ever to share their stories authentically and connect directly with their fans.”

Her strategies include:

Consistent Content Creation: Releasing key content regularly to stay relevant and engage audiences.
Data-Driven Marketing: Using analytics to tailor campaigns and identify target audiences.
Strategic Promotion: Timing pre-release efforts to avoid audience fatigue and maintain excitement.

Recognition and Breaking Barriers

Ortiz’s achievements include winning the 2022 Stevie Awards – Women of the Year in Marketing and being an LA Times B2B Publishing Inspirational Women Leader nominee. Recognized by Forbes, the Latin GRAMMY Museum, Create and Cultivate’s Top 100 List (Category: Music & Entertainment), and more, Ortiz is celebrated for breaking barriers and driving success for her clients.

“The music industry is complex, but with the right knowledge and strategy, artists can achieve longevity and make meaningful connections,” Ortiz explained.

You can watch the full interview below. Comments and questions are welcome!

Education as the Foundation for Success on Display at NAMM

Ortiz’s work with LACM underscores her belief in the power of education. She plays an integral role in preparing future music professionals by teaching them the nuances of digital distribution and marketing. This mentorship aligns with her mission to inspire the next wave of music industry leaders.

A Legacy of Excellence

Karla Ortiz’s impact extends beyond her accolades. By combining her expertise in marketing with her dedication to education, she empowers artists at all career stages to navigate the complexities of the music industry. From her work with Monark Entertainment to her role at Los Angeles College of Music, Ortiz continues to innovate and inspire.

For more updates from Karla Ortiz and NAMM 2025, follow her journey at @misskortiz or via our custom feed below!

Featured Image: Karla Ortiz, CEO and Founder of Monark Entertainment – Sourced from Monarkentertainment.co

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.