Award-winning media founder and strategist who builds independent media brands that scale, attract investment, and sell.I founded Ludwig Van, Canada's leading classical music publication, and transformed it into one of North America's most influential cultural outlets before its acquisition by ZoomerMedia in 2023.As a former music critic for the Toronto Star, I've spent over a decade at the intersection of culture and commerce—helping arts organizations thrive in the digital economy.Today, I advise founders, publishers, and cultural institutions on growth strategy, revenue diversification, and building organizations with real strategic value. I specialize in turning editorial missions into scalable businesses that attract partnerships, investment, or acquisition.I serve as Treasurer and Board Member of the Polaris Music Prize and as a juror for the JUNO Awards. My approach is practical and operator-driven—grounded in actual deals and exits, not theory.If you're building something ambitious in media, culture, or the arts, let's talk.
My StoryEarly LifeBorn in Victoria, British Columbia, I grew up surrounded by music and west-coast weather — equal parts rain and inspiration. I studied classical guitar and composition, moving across the country in search of better teachers and bigger challenges: Montreal for my undergrad, Vancouver (SFU) for my Master’s, and Toronto for my Doctorate in Music. Somewhere between practice rooms and student debt, I realized I was less interested in performing someone else’s score than in composing my own.From Music to MediaWhile finishing grad school, I started editing a small classical-music magazine. It was meant to be a side gig; instead, it became the beginning of a career. I was among the first in Canada to move a traditional arts publication fully online and built one of the country’s earliest arts-news aggregators. To keep it running, I coded my own publishing system — Fidelio.That hands-on tinkering with words and code became my bridge from music to media.Building Something That LastsIn 2013, I founded Ludwig Van, an online home for classical-music lovers. What began as a scrappy experiment grew into one of North America’s most-read cultural outlets — proof that niche media can scale with the right systems and soul.
A decade later, I sold Ludwig Van to ZoomerMedia, one of Canada’s largest media companies.The Creative ThreadBefore all that, I wrote music for dance, collaborated on an opera with Douglas Coupland, and earned recognition as an award-winning composer. The creative impulse never disappeared — it just evolved into building platforms instead of sonatas.Journalism & CriticismAlongside publishing, I spent years as a music critic for the Toronto Star, writing about orchestras, opera, and the shifting landscape of Canadian culture. That work deepened my respect for artists and audiences alike — and taught me how storytelling drives everything, whether it’s a symphony or a startup.From Founder to AdvisorAfter selling Ludwig Van, I began helping other founders and arts organizations do what I’d learned through trial, error, and far too many late nights: grow smarter, diversify revenue, and build businesses that last. That became Michael Vincent Media Consulting, where I work with publishers, cultural brands, and creative entrepreneurs across Canada and beyond.NowI split my time between Moncton and Toronto, serve as Treasurer of the Polaris Music Prize, and sit as a JUNO Awards juror. I advise founders on scaling, systemizing, and preparing for exit — all while championing the idea that creative work can be both meaningful and profitable.Personal StuffI’m a dad of two, a believer in long drives, strong espresso, and ideas that outlive trends. I still compose occasionally, still write when I can, and still think of media as a kind of music — rhythm, tension, and release, played for an audience that’s always listening.
Over the past decade, I’ve built, scaled, and sold independent media brands — including Ludwig Van, which became one of North America’s most influential classical-music publications before its acquisition by ZoomerMedia in 2023.Today, I work with publishers, editors, and creative entrepreneurs to turn editorial missions into scalable, valuable businesses. My clients range from arts platforms preparing for exit to independent founders looking to systemize and grow their operations.My circle of competence lies in helping content-driven businesses engineer and implement:Sustainable revenue models that move beyond ads and grantsSystems for audience growth and retentionStrategic plans that increase enterprise value and attract partners or buyersI take on a limited number of clients each quarter for tailored advisory or project-based consulting.If you’re serious about growing your media business — or preparing it for sale — get in touch below and let’s see if there’s a fit.
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