Michael Pazzani

AntiFragile’s name is inspired by the brilliant book by Nassem Nicholas Taleb “Antifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder”. AntiFragile offers a definitive solution: how to gain from disorder and chaos while being protected from fragilities and adverse events. The “antifragile” is actually beyond strong, because it actually benefits from shocks, uncertainty, and stressors, just as human bones get stronger when subjected to stress and tension. The antifragile needs disorder in order to survive and flourish. (buy the book – Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder (Incerto)) We at AntiFragile Music aim to help artists benefit from the disorder and chaos they face in the music marketplace today. To that end, AntiFragile Music has only three goals. Work tirelessly to nurture, expose and grow the music of exceptional and transcendent artists (mostly musical). Educate the musical community and the public on the shameful lack of transparency and the imbalance (in various ways) in payments to artists on both the sides of the equation–the major labels and the DSP’s, with the hope of impacting a positive change in policy on both sides, a change which is fair and which is long overdue for artists who work with these entities. Enlighten musicians on how their business works, how their money is earned through intellectual property rights, at least in the most rudimentary way, so as to help them survive and thrive. Musical artists are not stupid, in fact quite the opposite, and while many artists have team members who are able to help them through understand the complicated world of music money flow (publishing, recording, merch, sponsorships), there are many artists who don’t have the wherewithal and thus even the basic knowledge of what money they are earning. Can you imagine even someone working at a fast food joint not knowing what their pay rate is? If we can help musicians on this, it will have all been worthwhile. inquiries: tommy@antifragilemusic.com

Unison Investments is a family office that makes equity investments of $1-10 million in lower middle market companies. While we consider minority investments and other special opportunistic situations, we generally partner with owners of privately held companies to generate liquidity, facilitate generational change, accelerate growth, and improve the companies market position. Headquartered in Bend, OR, we differentiate ourselves amongst other investment groups because we are ultimately entrepreneurs ourselves. We have experienced the operational challenges and risks that come from launching and scaling businesses. We leverage this experience along with our investment and finance backgrounds to provide us with a balanced combination of skill and insight in the investments we make.

AntiFragile’s name is inspired by the brilliant book by Nassem Nicholas Taleb “Antifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder”. AntiFragile offers a definitive solution: how to gain from disorder and chaos while being protected from fragilities and adverse events. The “antifragile” is actually beyond strong, because it actually benefits from shocks, uncertainty, and stressors, just as human bones get stronger when subjected to stress and tension. The antifragile needs disorder in order to survive and flourish. (buy the book – Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder (Incerto)) We at AntiFragile Music aim to help artists benefit from the disorder and chaos they face in the music marketplace today. To that end, AntiFragile Music has only three goals. Work tirelessly to nurture, expose and grow the music of exceptional and transcendent artists (mostly musical). Educate the musical community and the public on the shameful lack of transparency and the imbalance (in various ways) in payments to artists on both the sides of the equation–the major labels and the DSP’s, with the hope of impacting a positive change in policy on both sides, a change which is fair and which is long overdue for artists who work with these entities. Enlighten musicians on how their business works, how their money is earned through intellectual property rights, at least in the most rudimentary way, so as to help them survive and thrive. Musical artists are not stupid, in fact quite the opposite, and while many artists have team members who are able to help them through understand the complicated world of music money flow (publishing, recording, merch, sponsorships), there are many artists who don’t have the wherewithal and thus even the basic knowledge of what money they are earning. Can you imagine even someone working at a fast food joint not knowing what their pay rate is? If we can help musicians on this, it will have all been worthwhile. inquiries: tommy@antifragilemusic.com

Education is a powerful thing, yet many children lack access to it. The Marketing Research Education Foundation (MREF) was established in 2015 to bridge the education gap for children globally, harnessing the passion of marketing research and insights professionals looking to make a lasting impact. MREF is an international foundation dedicated to enhancing the educational opportunities for children and youth worldwide. As an industry-wide initiative, the MREF involves researchers from every level of the marketing research industry across the globe. The foundation is a 501©(3) nonprofit that uses financial and human resources to provide the tools necessary to give children access to a quality education. Now in its 10th year, MREF funds projects that promise to improve education, and the nonprofit seeks to unite researchers from around the world to help, whether through financial support during the annual Race Around the World for Education, building a school while on a Vision Trip, or simply reading to children during the annual Month of Service. Through these efforts and more, MREF will continue to transform the lives of children through education.

Unison Investments is a family office that makes equity investments of $1-10 million in lower middle market companies. While we consider minority investments and other special opportunistic situations, we generally partner with owners of privately held companies to generate liquidity, facilitate generational change, accelerate growth, and improve the companies market position. Headquartered in Bend, OR, we differentiate ourselves amongst other investment groups because we are ultimately entrepreneurs ourselves. We have experienced the operational challenges and risks that come from launching and scaling businesses. We leverage this experience along with our investment and finance backgrounds to provide us with a balanced combination of skill and insight in the investments we make.

Capital Research Partners & Co. (“CRP”) is a corporate finance boutique that advises lower middle market companies on the development and implementation of financial strategies. Since 1989, CRP has been creating value for clients by leveraging our in-depth market knowledge, extensive network, and substantial transaction experience. CRP provides clients with an exceptional level of expertise and focus not typically offered to lower middle market companies by major investment banks. CRP clients benefit from direct active involvement of one or more seasoned professionals, each with in excess of 30 years’ experience. Collectively, CRPs partners have successfully completed over 200 financing, M&A and restructuring transactions. CRP’s financial sophistication, operating/corporate governance expertise, and broad-based contacts guide clients through the transaction process to achieve exceptional results. CRP has a wide range of expertise and experience as senior investment bankers at Merrill Lynch, Loeb Partners, Chemical Bank, Bankers Trust, Kidder Peabody & Co., and Compagnie Bruxelles Lambert. Many CRP principals have considerable senior operating and corporate governance experience providing a firsthand understanding of the issues and challenges facing CRP clients. CRP’s network of industry specific advisors provides further perspective and judgment in support of client engagements.