LISA ELLIS

Lisa Ellis is an established music and entertainment executive, business woman, and writer.

Lisa joined Fireman Capital Partners in December 2008. At Fireman Capital Partners, Ms. Ellis is part of an investment firm that focuses on high growth consumer products and service companies, real estate investments, film, entertainment and other related investments. At FCP, Lisa has rejoined her former colleague, Paul Fireman, Reebok’s founder and former Chairman and CEO. In addition to working closely on evaluating and managing FCP’s investments, Lisa plays a leadership role in shaping the strategic vision of the firm and building out its platforms.

Lisa’s business acumen, her credibility in the marketplace – with social and business leaders alike – gives Fireman Capital and our various investments a unique access to a world of opportunity. Lisa is altruistic in every sense of the word and we are proud to have her as our partner”, says Paul Fireman. Lisa works closely with Paul and Phyllis Fireman Family Foundation, and a many of its grantees.

Previously, Ms. Ellis held the position as Executive Vice President, Sony Music Label Group from June 2006 until January 2009, and prior to that was President and General Manager of Sony Urban Music in March 2004. Lisa joined Sony Music Entertainment in 1995 and worked closely in all aspects of the Sony Music Label Group’s day-to-day management of strategic planning, marketing, promotion, A&R, and media with a particular emphasis on broadening the growth of the company in the digital business in the later part of her tenure. The Sony Music Label Group consists of both Columbia Records and Epic Records.

Lisa has been an instrumental part of the hands on development, planning and branding of many artists throughout her career, such as: Prince, Maxwell, Destiny’s Child, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Will Smith, The Fugees, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, John Legend, Nas, Cypress Hill, Bebe and Cece Winans, DMX, and Terrence Howard to name only a few.

In 2003, Ms Ellis was appointed Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Music Licensing, Sony Music, where she worked with Columbia Records Group, Epic Records, Sony Music Nashville and Legacy Recordings to create licensing campaigns for a wide array of artists and projects.

From 2002 to 2003, Ms. Ellis served as Senior Vice President, R&B/Rhythm-Crossover Promotion, Columbia Records where she led the R&B/Rhythm-Crossover team in securing airplay at multiple radio formats for a range of Columbia artists. She also oversaw the development and execution of national promotion and implemented creative methods of exposure for the label's roster at R&B/Rhythm-Crossover radio. In addition, Ms. Ellis oversaw the label's street marketing team and Rap Mix Show Department.

From 2000 to 2002 Ms. Ellis served as Vice President, National Promotion (West Coast) and Vice President, Crossover Promotion, Columbia Records. She joined Columbia Records in 1995 as a Local Promotion Manager and was named National Director, Crossover Promotion in 1998. From 1990-1992, Ms. Ellis worked at the Pepsi-Cola Company as Marketing Manager. In 1991, she worked at CBS Radio / Infinity Broadcasting (WPGC in Washington, DC) as Promotions and Marketing Director, a position she held until becoming Sports Marketing Manager for Reebok International in 1993.

The recipient of numerous industry awards, Ms. Ellis was named the Street Information Network's (S.I.N.) Local Promotion Manager of the Year (1997) and Crossover Executive of the Year (1998, 1999); R&R's Crossover Executive of the Year (1998) and Rhythm-Crossover Executive of the Year (1999); Gavin's Crossover Executive of the Year (1998, 1999); and FMQB's Crossover Executive of the Year (1999). In 2000, Ms. Ellis was given the Radio Music Award for Crossover Executive of the Year. Sony Urban Music is nominated for Urban Label of the Year for the 2005 Billboard Music Awards.

Lisa Ellis was ranked #8 in Billboard magazine’s “ 2008 Most Influential Women In Music” (She was ranked #3 in both 2006 and 2007 also by the magazine). She was among the Power 40 Under 40 in Black Enterprise Magazine for the years 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, in which she graced the magazine’s cover in 2007. In 2008, she was listed in the EBONY Power 150, and in 2009 Lisa was ranked #50 in Fast Company Magazine’s “100 Most Creative People In Business”.

Lisa had many highlights in her professional accomplishments as a music executive including: Grammy for Best New Artist in 2006 for John Legend, whom Lisa signed to Columbia Records in 2005. That same year John was nominated for 8 Grammy Awards and also won for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Album. Also that same year, Lisa’s roster garnered 26 nominations, and won also with artists such as Prince, Beyonce, and Gospel artist, Mary Mary. In 2007, the Motion Picture Academy awarded Three 6 Mafia for Best Original Song For A Motion Picture, which was considered a groundbreaking accomplishment in the Academy’s history. Later that year, she assisted in the sale and co-produced the Mtv reality show “Adventures In Hollyhood” about the group’s rise to stardom and struggles in adapting to the Hollywood star lifestyle after moving from Memphis, Tennessee. She did two additional television shows in her executive role at Sony Urban Music, “Fatty Koo” (2005) and “DMX: Soul of Man” (2006, which was Produced by Tracey Edmonds) on BET. Over her career she marketed and promoted multiple soundtracks for motion picture including: “Men In Black”, “Love Jones”, “Charlie’s Angels”, which produced the #1 Billboard hit, “Independent Woman”, “Cadillac Records” and “Dreamgirls” starring Beyonce Knowles, working closely with Dreamworks and Music World Music. The “Dreamgirls” soundtrack was distributed by Lisa’s division Sony Urban Music, and sold over 2 million copies and received and unprecedented 4 Academy Award Nominations in the category for Original Song Recorded for a Motion Picture.

Ms. Ellis has a strong personal interest in government, philanthropy and leadership. She is a member of the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Ms. Ellis has been a Term Member at the Council on Foreign Relations since 2006. She is also a Honorary Board Member of the Howard Theatre Restoration in Washington, D.C. In 2008 she was an Honoree by the Girl Scouts of America. Additionally, she is an Equestrian and active member of the United States Equestrian Federation and the United States Hunter Jumper Association. Lisa is also an active member of the University of Maryland Alumni Association and holds Fellowships at Hedgebrook, a writing facility for women on Whidbey Island, Washington, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the Studio Museum of Harlem.

Lisa has a particular interest in art, travel and culture; visiting over 60 countries on 6 continents around the world since the age of 16.

Ms. Ellis received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, College Park.

She is a native of Washington, D.C. and currently lives in East Hampton, New York and New York City.