About the firm
Gannett.Partners provides independent diligence on the founders and CEOs a business depends on, for boards, investors, sponsors and family offices. This page covers the team, the founder’s record and the companies we build, which we name so you know in advance what we will never be hired to evaluate.
In business since 1995. Over twenty years operating and investing.
CMO of CORE Media Group, a $300 million revenue public company built entirely on famous names — Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Simon Fuller’s 19 Entertainment — through its sale to Apollo.
Brand management on Dr Pepper and Oreo. Four years at Citi. A $130 million strategic marketing P&L at Sony Music. A $40 million P&L as a general manager at MediaMath. The drive-in concert business that put 350,000 fans in 300 venues with Garth Brooks on one night in 2020.
Direct investor in over 20 active portfolio companies and limited partner in two venture funds. No management or investment authority attaches to the fund positions. Realized exits include Classy, Jackpocket, Geologie and SpaceX (secondary and IPO). We do not evaluate companies we hold a position in.
Long enough to know who carries the seat, and who only looks like they can.
“From corporate development, to product development, to commercial development, Chris navigates all altitudes to drive the strategy. He is a consummate professional, a strategic thinker, gregarious, inquisitive, and someone I’d like to work with again.”
“Chris is a gifted operator with a rare combination of creativity, a forte for management, and an exceptional vision for the future. In a very short time, he guided our department through a highly successful restructuring while providing stellar stakeholder management and a calming authority.”
“Working with Chris is an absolute privilege. His deep insight, expertise, and judgement around the challenges of entrepreneurial and executive activities make for an incredible combination.”
A second practice, and part of why the first one holds. We co-found companies with founders, hold equity, and carry operating responsibility rather than an advisory retainer. It is the same judgment applied from the other side of the table.
These are named here on purpose. A firm that evaluates leaders should be able to show where its own capital and time are committed, and to say in advance which companies it will never be hired to evaluate.
Co-founded · Education
Built with Tracy “The D.O.C.” Curry. Media business and entertainment production as the classroom, for students who learn by making the thing rather than reading about it.
Co-founded · Music & Brand Partnerships
Name, image and likeness infrastructure for music, built on the model college athletics already proved. Artists as the rights holders, not the inventory.
We do not evaluate a company we hold a position in. That is a standing rule rather than a case-by-case judgment, which is why the positions are published here instead of disclosed on request.
We take a limited number of engagements each quarter. Your counsel is welcome on the first call.
