Christopher Gonda // Co-Founder & CEO
Chris is a recent Vancouver transplant and a seasoned Publisher/Editor with 20+ years of experience in the technology and entertainment industries.
In the past, he represented BlackBerry globally as their Music Manager and successfully launched, ran and grew BlackBerry’s white labelled, digital music store in 17 countries. After a stint in the world of Corporate Event Planning, he continued to expand his business acumen, working at Tucows Inc. as their North American Account Manager, ensuring top partners (Shopify, Squarespace, Etsy) were afforded the best possible service, support, and contracts.
He accomplished all this while overseeing V13.net (formerly PureGrainAudio.com), one of Canada’s top Entertainment, Culture & Lifestyle sites. Chris has run websites for 2 decades, edited and publishing over 80k+ articles, and managed teams of up to 100 writers & photographers.
Lance Marwood // Co-Founder & President
Lance's passion for music started as a young boy, and it eventually led him to launch his online radio show at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU, formerly Ryerson), "The Hard Stuff," which was later adapted into an online series. The show spotlighted Toronto's vibrant DIY and hardcore punk communities. This, along with playing in bands in the early 2010s, earned Lance a reputation as a dynamic performer and writer in the music industry.
In 2015, Lance and his wife moved to the UK, where he worked for Mercedes-Benz Financial Services while continuing to create and coordinate content for V13. Returning to Canada in 2020, he was promoted to Director of Communications for V13 Media in 2022. Lance's work as a music and entertainment writer has been featured in various digital and print publications, including hundreds of articles for V13, where he has interviewed some of the biggest names in the industry. He has also contributed as an editor and writer for the TMU publication, "The Continuist," and written a foreword for the book "Toronto DIY: (2008-2013)."
Lance's experience in the music industry, combined with his impeccable writing skills, has made him an indispensable asset to V13. His passion for discovering new music and connecting with artists is evident in his writing and has helped V13 establish itself as a reputable source for music news, reviews, and now a promotional service.
Douglas Chong // Director Of Sales
Doug Chong is V13 Promotions’ Director of Sales. With over a decade of experience in various roles within the music and tech industries, Doug is a skilled professional with a passion for driving revenue and building client relationships.
In his current role as Director of Sales at V13 Promotions, Doug is focused on establishing new opportunities for growth and helping individuals from all professional backgrounds connect the dots. Prior to joining V13 Promotions, Doug worked at Tucows as the Manager of Inbound Sales, where he led a team of representatives and achieved high-level objectives in partnership with the company's overall goals. He also worked as an Inside Sales Representative at Ting Mobile, where he led the team in the highest monthly sales for a year straight.
Doug's expertise extends beyond sales and includes marketing, digital strategy, and customer support. He served as Marketing Manager at MRG Live, where he executed marketing strategies utilizing digital platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google to promote concerts across Canada for a wide range of artists. Prior to that, Doug worked as Manager of Distributed Label Services at Warner Music Canada, where he created and executed marketing plans and sales initiatives for various domestic and international artists.
Doug's organizational leadership, client relations, communication, and sales skills have been honed through his extensive experience in the industry. He is a strategic thinker with a proven track record of success in building and managing relationships with clients, partners, and team members. With his deep understanding of the music and tech industries, Doug is well-equipped to drive growth and build long-term partnerships in his current and future roles.
Erin Browne // Publicity & Marketing Manager
Erin Browne is a graduate of Sheridan College‘s Business program, where she honed her skills in marketing, accounting, human resources, and sales. Building on this strong foundation, Erin furthered her education at Humber College, earning a certificate in Music Business. Her studies covered various aspects of the industry, including marketing, PR, artist management, promotions, touring, streaming, and distribution.
Continuing her commitment to professional development, Erin recently obtained a certificate in Digital Marketing Management from the University of Toronto. Through this program, she gained hands-on experience in social media strategy and search engine marketing (SEM), equipping her with the latest tools and techniques to drive successful digital marketing campaigns.
With a versatile background, Erin has cultivated valuable experience with social media coordination, copywriting, content creation, and media outreach. Her well-rounded skill set and passion for the entertainment industry make her an ideal addition to the V13 Promotions team.
For You... to Be Heard.
Vox Promotionum.