Bradfield

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Chris Bradfield

Born: May 13, 1971 (27)

Director of Technology

OneHouse LLC

Chris Bradfield has a string of Internet firsts.

In 1994, he put the first record-industry site on the Web for Geffen Records. Then he was instrumental in creating the first downloadable, full-length entertainment product an Aerosmith song. The achievement was noted as part of an Internet exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution.

Now, as a founder and vice president of OneHouse, an L.A. firm that advises record companies on Internet technology and access issues, he is turning his eye to the future. Bradfield believes all music someday will be available through a process known as “streaming” in which high-speed, hand-held computing devices now being developed can access music and other data available via the Internet.

It’s a worrisome prospect for many record companies, which are fighting to keep music off the Web. But Bradfield believes a subscription system can be created to let record companies profit from making music available.

“Under this system, art need never die,” Bradford says. “Music would never be out of print or unavailable.”

Bradfield says he logs at least 60 hours a week advising companies like DreamWorks about ways to use the Internet to market music, and organizations like the Recording Industry Association of America about technological and other access issues related to the Web.

Yet, the long hours don’t bother him because he has such an interest in music technology. “Sometimes I don’t know if I’m working or playing,” he says “I enjoy this and think it’s cool because I see the application and implications for the industry.”

Bradfield didn’t start out in the music industry. He actually studied aerospace engineering at USC after graduating from high school in San Antonio, Texas. But by the time he earned his engineering degree in 1993, aerospace was a shrinking industry.

As a college junior, he took a job installing a computer network at the student loan department on campus. He continued that work after graduation and did consulting for companies like Universal, Cathay Pacific, Warner Bros. and Geffen while exploring the Internet and its potential.

Michael Fisher

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