Gallo began his career more than 30 years ago with the Recording Institute of America. In 1978 he co-founded and was the first publisher of Pro Sound News. In 1986, Pro Sound News was acquired by United News & Media (now United Business Media Plc). With Pro Sound News as its cornerstone publication, Gallo grew the newly-formed PSN Publications Inc by overseeing both the acquisition of such titles as Videography and Television Braodcast and the launch of new magazines including EQ, Systems Contractor News and Replication News (now Medialine).
In 2000, Gallo assumed management responsibilities for the West Coast-based Music Player Group (publisher of Guitar Player and Keyboard. Music Player Group purchased the Music Yellow Pages before it was re-branded as United Entertainment Media in 2001. Gallo continued to guide the US operations as president and CEO until he was promoted last year to executive director and handed global responsibilities for the Entertainment Media Group, a division of CMP Information. Gallo’s increased responsibilities included directing the London-based Music Group headed by Music Week and the Entertainment Technology Group, publisher of TVB Europe, Pro Sound News Europe and One-to-One.
Ken Williams and his wife founded Sierra On-Line Inc in 1979, and he was chairman/CEO until its acquisition in 1996, including eight years as a publicly traded company. Sierra grew under Williams’ leadership to become the worldwide leader in consumer software for personal computers, and produced successful products such as Half-Life, Kings Quest, Leisure-Suit Larry, Hoyle, Print Artist and Nascar. Siera led the charge during the 1980s to bring professional composers into computer entertainment and to expand the audio capabilities of the personal computer. Williams is currently Managing partner of Cielo Azul Ventures LC, which oversees his portfolio of venture and real estate investments.
Mackie’s Jamie Engen, who made the announcement at PLASA, was also keen to quash rumours that Greg Mackie had left the company following his recent step down from the position of chairman of the board. He added that Greg was still very much part of the company and is now concentrating on product development.
