Rene Merideth is the co-founder and COO of Exploration, a digital rights management company for songwriters, music publishers, artists, and small labels. She is also a consultant for several other small songwriters, publishers and new media companies around the globe. Prior, she was the VP of Operations at AdShare.tv, Director of Licensing/Head of West Coast Licensing for BMG Chrysalis and Bug Music, and Manager, Mechanical Licensing for Windswept Holdings.Rene started her career in the country churches of Southern Missouri as a roadie for her Grandfather's gospel music band. She worked with various acts of all genres in the St. Louis area until she headed off to college receiving a BA in Music Business from Belmont University in Nashville. While working across many aspects of the industry, she found her niche in artist management and music publishing.Moving to Los Angeles, she started with Windswept Publishing and survived two high profile mergers to become Head of West Coast licensing for BMG. Over the years, she has worked on music by artists including Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Kings Of Leon, KISS, Bruno Mars, Beyonce, Eminem, Pink, and Pete Townshend among others. In 2012, she founded her consulting firm, Red Dragon Management, with the goal of educating artists/songwriters and helping the little guys have a voice in the industry. She has also recently started a podcast to share her life and career experiences with others called Red Dragon Sessions.Rene received Certified status from YouTube in 2013. Additionally, she is a member of NARAS, ASCAP, AIMP, Women's International Music Network, Women In Music, the Grammy Foundation, Songwriter's Hall of Fame, currently President of California Copyright Conference, and a supporter of Janie's Fund/Youth Villages.Specialties: Sample clearances/negotiations, dispute resolutions, rate calculations, copyright law, YouTube monetization.Personal Quote: "At six, I found my music hero, and he didn't save me or change the course of my life. He just lit the fire. Surrounded by a family which fanned the flames, I saved myself and charted my own path."