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Gwen Bethel Riley of Peloton Interactive on the Evolution of New Tech Platforms and Services
Now is the time to get creative
Gwen is senior vice president of music and the head of content partnerships/original content for Peloton Interactive. She has created partnerships with Beyoncé, the Beatles, Verzuz, Usher, Eminem, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and more.
For 20 years, she has sourced, produced, licensed and developed integrations for artists and studios, creating placement, distribution and promotional opportunities across technology platforms, digital content, games, consumer products and films.
Her career has spanned start-up music operations and production for emerging and industry-leading companies such as Disney, Tapulous and Artisan Entertainment. She has led music direction for Grammy-nominated soundtracks and BAFTA-nominated video games. She also oversees remixes for the Peloton audience and has led music and apparel collabs for the Grateful Dead, Ivy Park/Adidas, A Tribe Called Quest and Queen.
We spent two minutes with Gwen to learn more about her background, her creative inspirations and recent work she’s admired.
Gwen, tell us …
Where you grew up, and where you live now.
I grew up in Exeter, N.H., went to college and law school in New England. Upon graduation, I ran immediately to Manhattan and ended up building a record label inside an independent film production company (The Shooting Gallery). Never thought I’d leave New York, but I moved to Los Angeles to start up the music department for Artisan (now Lionsgate) and have been doing the same job with various titles ever since. Sort of assumed I’d always move back to Manhattan but SoCal life is just easier.
Your earliest musical memory.
My dad was a professional musician, he played woodwinds. My mother was a vocalist and pianist. So, the house was always a cacophony of sound: someone running scales, John Coltrane on the turntable, my mother playing piano or prepping for a community show, maybe some music students in the house.
Your favorite bands/musicians today.
This year, some new releases in heavy rotation: St. Vincent just keeps getting better and the live shows are pure theater—she’s a monster. WILLOW dropped a crazily mature and fresh project this year. I keep returning to it—lots of complexity there. One to watch: Grace Bowers & the Hodge Podge puts on a hell of a live show and she’s only 18. She absolutely shreds.
One of your favorite projects you’ve ever worked on.
Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved for XBox 360
A recent project you’re proud of.
One thing about how the music world is evolving that you’re excited about.
The evolution of technology platforms and services provide so many unexpected opportunities for new distribution channels and partnerships. Now is a great time to get creative.
Someone else’s work, in music or beyond, that you admired lately.
All things Donald Glover.
A book, movie, TV show or podcast you recently found inspiring.
I love podcasts (especially investigative journalism) and I am a serial consumer of Dan Runcie’s Trapital. One of the key episodes is from April 2022: The Future of Music Business with Economist Will Page. It’s a “glocalization” blueprint for content and music. Required listening for everyone in the biz.
An artist you admire outside the world of music.
Your favorite fictional character.
How musicians should approach working with brands.
Carefully and authentically.
How brands should approach working with musicians.
Carefully and authentically.
What you’d be doing if you weren’t in the music business.
Teaching pilates in Anguilla or living my best life as a rock photographer.
2 Minutes With is our regular interview series where we chat with creatives about their backgrounds, creative inspirations, work they admire and more. For more about 2 Minutes With, or to be considered for the series, please get in touch.
