The Journal of Legal Technology Risk Management For twenty years, Nicholas Longano has been a leading senior executive overseeing the creation of exciting new business models, the development of strategic corporate infrastructures, and the design of unique product launches, particularly in the video game and cosmetic industries.
Currently, Longano is the Chairman, CEO and founder of Music Mogul, Inc. Partnering with Grammy-winning super-producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, he has created the world’s first online music-themed virtual world. Music Mogul offers a place for music fans to discover new music, watch live performances, and even create their own virtual Hollywood apartment. For musicians, Music Mogul is a new platform for exhibiting and promoting music, as well as the chance to compete for a demo deal with Darkchild Productions, awarded every three months. With a unique multi-revenue stream business model and an exciting user experience, Music Mogul has been well received by partners and consumers alike.
Prior to creating Music Mogul, Longano served as president and COO of Brash Entertainment, LLC, a video game publisher specializing in film-based licensed games. Longano was responsible for all video game operations for the development and production of titles for release on PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and DS. He negotiated and identified all film titles and set up the infrastructure and operations for the games publishing and production groups. Longano played an important role in the company’s initial venture capital raise of $150MM.
In 2004, Longano led the strategic and business development initiatives for Massive Incorporated in his role as President. He created Massive’s core strategy and oversaw execution of the world’s first in-video game advertising network, gaining widespread industry support from video game publishers, advertisers, and agencies.
Longano oversaw all Business Development, Content Integration, Creative Services, Marketing and PR teams, as well as securing top video game content across all worldwide publishers and oversaw tech integration. He created and led all greenlight and title proforma/assessments.
Massive was sold to Microsoft 18 months later for several hundred million dollars – realizing a 10X return for investors.
Longano served in several executive roles at Vivendi Universal Games (VUG), beginning as Senior Vice President, Marketing where he managed all of Sierra’s core and casual title, and worked on the centralization of many of VUG’s essential functions, such as creative services, market research, and online services. As Senior Vice President of the Partner Publishing Group, he led the growth of the Partner Publishing Group to over $150MM in 2002, and worked with core partners such as Interplay, Fox Interactive, Disney, Empire, and Conspiracy, to identify potential new publishing opportunities for VUG. Upon promotion to General Manager/ Senior Vice President of Universal Interactive, Longano was responsible for all Universal Interactive franchises, including character platformers: Spyro, Crash, and theatrical based games: The Hulk, Fast &Furious, Scorpion King, Jurassic Park, Bruce Lee, Battlestar Galactica, Van Helsing, and Cat in the Hat. He grew the U.I. business at a CAGR of 39% to $240MM in 2003. Promoted again to Group Vice President, VUG Action Titles, Longano was responsible for all marketing/greenlighting/and viability of all theatrical-tied titles (Universal and Fox), and action/adventure/fighting and shooting genre games, for all of VUG studios’ $300 Million per year portfolio.
Prior to entering the video game industry, Longano held key positions in the cosmetics industry, including General Manager of Calvin Klein Cosmetics where he oversaw all divisional operations pertaining to the launch of a cosmetic line, including Marketing, Product Development, R&D, Finance, Packaging, Logistics, Distribution, Retail Development, PR, Sales, and Training. Prior to his promotion to GM, held the position of Vice President, Global Marketing and Strategic Development. In this role he developed and launched the Calvin Klein line of color cosmetics and skincare products, which launched in Spring 2000, in 100 stores, across 21countries. In addition, he created an innovative approach to cosmetics shopping incorporating the concept of “See, Try, Buy,” combining the luxury of full-service, and convenience of open sell.
As Director of Marketing at Revlon, he managed all marketing and led development of Revlon’s Foundation business, which included ColorStay, Age Defying, and New Complexion brands, with retail sales in excess of $180 Million a year. Longano also launched several innovative new foundations onto the global market, and drove the business to market leader in the US foundation category, holding the number 1, 2 and 3 share positions in the market. Additionally, he launched the “Fire and Ice” fragrance for men and women in 1995.
In 1990, Longano served as Product Manager at L’Oreal Cosmetics, where he managed L’Oreal’s line of retail hair color products, including Performing Preference, and Excellence Crème, which are the number 1 and 2 brands in the market today. He also managed the Studio Line hair styling business in Australia, growing retail sales +46% in the first year.
He began his career at Cadbury Schweppes in Australia, where he launched Evian Spring Water and Sunkist onto the Australian market in 1987 and 1988, respectively, strategically positioning the brand to capitalize on the very unique Australian market.
Longano holds a B.B. in Marketing (Harvard Business School Curriculum) and B.A. in Psychology and Statistics from the prestigious Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.
