In his current role as Producer at The Orchard, Sony Music’s independent distribution wing, Mike Cimicata is leading initiatives that are exceeding streaming and sales goals by 40 percent by creating compelling new digital and physical releases, compilations and playlists. Creative strategies to monetize company-owned assets such as the catalogs of TVT, Blind Pig, Truth & Soul, along with high-profile distributed label clients such as Wicked Cool and Fat Possum, are key to his strategic are key to his execution.

 As General Manager of The Orchard's high-margin joint venture with Little Steven Van Zandt's label Wicked Cool Records, Mike is overseeing release marketing strategy and artist relations for a dynamic roster of rock bands like Prima Donna, Wyldlife, and Kurt Baker Combo. He’s enhancing the value of the company’s expanding film distribution business as the founding manager of The Orchard’s soundtracks imprint, producing original soundtrack albums for cinematic features such as American Animals, The Hero and Hunt For The Wilderpeople.

Mike also spearheads playlist curation and strategy to build brand awareness for the 16,000+ tracks controlled by The Orchard’s Owned and Operated Content team across all genres, analyzing streaming data to inform methodology and measure success. In addition, he supervises all editorial and creative elements of packaging and advertising, from copy, liner notes and credits to artist photos and imaging as well as corporate branding, collaborating with digital marketing to develop advertising content and strategy that identifies key opportunities to expand listenership and social media impact.

 Prior to joining The Orchard staff, Mike mined Sony’s vast catalog to develop content for product lines under the Legacy Recordings umbrella which contributed a combined average of over $8 million in billing to the label per fiscal year. Conceptualized branding, artwork, cover design and marketing copy for several hundred physical and digital compilation and reissue releases, including 65+ new titles in The Essential series – the best-selling catalog product line in music, with 20 million units sold – along with The Box Set Series (50+ titles) and The Classic Christmas Album (25+ titles), he established strong ties with artists and management as liaison between them and the label, achieving artist satisfaction with products while upholding company standards.

Providing thoughtful A&R research, curation and sequencing of repertoire for multi- and single-artist compilations while also writing liner notes essays for select projects, he sourced and negotiated rights to license thousands of archival images from photographers, agencies and collectors while guiding releases for many of the biggest-selling artists in music, including Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Santana, Miles Davis, Billy Joel, Barbra Streisand, Wu-Tang Clan, Heart, Judas Priest, Luther Vandross, Sarah McLachlan, Dolly Parton, Neil Diamond and more. He also commissioned and edited more than 100 liner notes essays, developing trusted creative relationships with respected writers and personalities such as Grammy® winners Peter Guralnick, Anthony DeCurtis, Lynell George and Robert Gordon, as well as Touré, Sylvie Simmons, Alan Light, Holly George-Warren, Bob Mehr, Billy Altman and Lenny Kaye.

Mike previously was Editor at the RCA Music Group, where he oversaw all RCA Records editorial materials, including packaging for platinum albums by Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters and Avril Lavigne, expanding the scope of the position and making his first deep dives into catalog A&R by developing repertoire for dozens of digital compilations of frontline, on-roster artist material.

Music curation and selection is the core of Mike's expertise. Mike C. Music LLC is a boutique business providing customized music solutions for companies, venues, and events of all sizes. Applying entrepreneurship and industry expertise, Mike has secured major clients and repeat business by offering unique music supervision, playlist, and DJ services for high-profile music, media, fashion, and publishing entities, plus private parties and nightclubs.

Highlights include programming the in-store play music for all Tory Burch retail stores, as well as live DJing for shopping events at the New York City flagship location, along with the wedding of Lisa Loeb (singer/songwriter) and Roey Hershkovitz (Conan music supervisor), Rock Of Ages (Broadway) opening night and Tony Awards parties, and major live events for Wenner Media/Rolling Stone, The Nanny Diaries (film), Lucky magazine, New York Aquarium, Jameson, and scores of private clients.

Mike C. also hosted, developed, and obtained clearances for use of all music on 10 episodes of Hoboken Rock City podcast at the dawn of the podcasting era.

Substantial DJ residencies in New York City have included Lady Stardust above 2A (current, since August 2016), Fontana's, Manitoba's, and Motor City Bar.

Lengthy DJ residencies in Hoboken, NJ have included DC's Tavern (current, since November 2015), Northern Soul, Pilsener Haus & Biergarten, The Goldhawk, and Maxwell's.

Other prominent NYC venues include Irving Plaza, Soho House, Edison Ballroom, and Metropolitan Pavilion.

Commissioner and editor of more than 100 liner notes essays for Legacy Recordings releases, developing trusted creative relationships with respected writers and personalities such as Grammy® winners Peter Guralnick, Anthony DeCurtis, Lynell George and Robert Gordon, as well as Touré, Sylvie Simmons, Alan Light, Holly George-Warren, Bob Mehr, Billy Altman and Lenny Kaye. Additionally edited liner notes essays written by David Bowie, Bono, Quentin Tarantino, and Nancy Sinatra.

Also administered all RCA Records editorial materials from 2001-2008, including platinum album packages by Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters and Avril Lavigne managing advertising for the label’s full roster of artists during that time.