Board of directors

In memoriam Jim Griffin died on October 19, 2026. Read our tribute.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ListenSmart.com has formed a strong Board of Directors that will provide our business the experience necessary for the company to prosper. At this time, we have established a Board of Directors from three of the most significant players in online/new-media space, Jim Griffin, Ted Cohen, and Paul Bandrowski. A brief bio of each is listed below.

Jim Griffin

Jim Griffin is the founder and CEO of Cherry Lane Digital LLC and OneHouse LLC. Cherry Lane Digital is dedicated to the digital delivery of art with an emphasis on the transition from the analog marketplace to the digital market space. OneHouse LLC provides such services as consulting, management and implementation of entertainment technology projects. Both companies serve entertainment companies who need help marketing products and services via digital delivery. Says Griffin, "entertainment is transitioning from a product to a service, and we help our clients to make that transition."

Called an "entertainment technology visionary" by the Los Angeles Times, Griffin got his start in the field as Director of Technology at Geffen Records, a post he held from 1993 to 1998. There he created and ran the label's technology department, rated by Network World as one of the top 7 technology departments in the United States, and one of the top 25 worldwide. Among Griffin's accomplishments at Geffen were digitizing the first full-length commercial entertainment product released online (Aerosmith's "Head First", 06/94), and developing Geffen World, one of the first corporate Intranet sites.

Griffin is quoted frequently regarding digital delivery of art, electronic commerce and Internet/Intranet issues in major publications. He is called upon regularly to speak at industry events, and at major universities. Recent engagements include Harvard Business School, GiGa Conference, Haas School of Business, UCLA, USC, Andersen Consulting, and Cambridge Technology Partners. Griffin sits on advisory boards for the USC Annenberg School of Communications and the American Film Institute.

In his spare time, Griffin created "Pho" which is a gathering point for entertainment industry and technology people which enables these two sectors to absorb uncertainties they have about one another and share information and perspectives. Started in Los Angeles, "Pho" members convene each Sunday afternoon for a two-hour brunch, where at least two-dozen participants are regulars. Additionally, Pho maintains a mailing list for the community to carry on their discourse daily. Presently there are over 500 subscribers to the mailing list. Pho brunches have spread from Seattle, New York, San Francisco, and Minneapolis.

Ted Cohen

Ted Cohen is the VP of New Media for EMI Recorded Music. Cohen is a 25-year veteran of the music industry and has served as a vice president for both Warner Bros. Records and Philips Media. Most recently, Cohen has run a highly successful, independent new media consulting operation, attracting clients like Amazon.com, Microsoft, Universal Studios New Media, DreamWorks Records, Liquid Audio, Wherehouse Entertainment and many other entertainment, computer and new media organizations. Cohen is considered a leader in the new media/music field. He has been a figurehead to a host of high-profile music conferences, including the first conference to ever deal exclusively with music and the Internet. He served as chairman of the highly successful Webnoize '98 & '99 Conferences, and is considered one of the most well connected players operating in the space.

Paul Bandrowski

Paul Bandrowski is the vice-chairman and former CEO of Reciprocal, one of the pioneering companies in the digital rights management market. Paul recognized early on the problem of intellectual property rights in the digital world, and combined his extensive knowledge of this subject, his technical know-how and his vision of the Internet's possibilities to co-found the Company. Reciprocal now deploys its digital rights management solution across vertical industries, enabling its clients, such as those in the music industry, to create new business models and revenue opportunities for their high-value content. Prior to founding Reciprocal, Paul was Chief Technology Officer for SOFTBANK Services Group, where he was responsible for the company's technology and service offerings. Before joining SOFTBANK, he was Director of Advanced Technology for worldwide operations of the Sara Lee Corporation. He has also founded and served as President and CEO of several other successful start-up companies. A sought-after speaker, Paul addresses groups frequently on issues relating to copyright protection, emerging technologies, and digital rights management.

Congratulations to Bobby Blues on winning the $100 Amazon.com Gift Certificate last month. **Click here to visit Bobby's member page.

For the current account of the company, see History and Team & Board.