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Matthew Forster's avatarPerson

Matthew Forster

President & PartnerCMS Nashville

Nashville, TN

Skills

Creative Strategy
General Management
Marketing

About

My official titles are President and Partner at CMS Nashville, though I wear many hats. I truly believe fortune favors the bold, and if done well, branding can take a person farther than ever imagined in one’s career and in life. A big part of what I do is teaching others how to define and ultimately communicate their brand in memorable, inspiring, and engaging ways that will attract the right audience. With a BA in Marketing and Supply Chain Management in addition to my experience over the last 10 years, I have developed the skills and knowledge essential to delivering results. My passion for communication drew me to marketing, where I have worked with clients across a range of industries until finding my niche in sports and entertainment. Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of working with artists such as Carrie Underwood, P!nk, Kenny Chesney, Olivia Rodrigo, Eminem, Thomas Rhett, Saweetie, DJ Khaled, among many others. During my time at CMS I’ve had many opportunities to create integrated marketing campaigns across an array of platforms. Strategy & growth center my drive and they come to life as unconventional ideas with practical plans to get there. My passion for innovative marketing is accompanied by the thrill of success. Some of the more successful partnerships I have had the pleasure of working on include Luke Combs - Crocs, Marathon Petroleum - Kenny Chesney, Crumbl Cookies - Olivia Rodrigo, BetterHelp - Eminem, and Elf on the Shelf - The Backstreet Boys. It’s an exhilarating time to be alive where anyone with the drive can find a way to succeed and reach millions of people through various channels. When building a brand, one needs to identify the target audience and craft a story in such a way that it reaches and speaks to that audience as individuals. “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass,” is to me defining and articulating the story behind the brand and developing new ways to implement innovative marketing strategies that maximize reach. I believe analytical skills are not only a fundamental part of marketing excellence, but are also the building blocks of critical thinking throughout life.

Published content

Nine Ways to Embed Genuine Inclusivity Into Your Company Culture

expert panel

Culture doesn’t shift through good intentions alone. These leaders share what real inclusivity looks like behind the scenes. While inclusion is important in any business, it’s especially vital in the culture space, where the work plays a role in shaping trends, sparking conversations and generating overall visibility. When inclusivity is treated as an afterthought, companies not only jeopardize their brand’s place in culture, but they also risk falling out of step with the people they rely on the most: their employees and customers. Employees feel disconnected when their voices aren't reflected in decisions, while audiences tune out if a brand's messaging misses the mark. The most effective companies make inclusion a daily practice by asking the right questions, bringing more voices to the table and backing it up with action. Below, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share how (and why) to embed inclusivity into the fabric of your business.

10 Ways to Support Struggling Employees With Compassion and Clarity

expert panel

When a team member seems off their game, the most powerful response a leader can offer is not correction, but connection. Every leader eventually encounters a moment when a team member seems distracted, overwhelmed or simply not like themselves. Whether they’re noticing missed deadlines, low energy or a shift in demeanor, a leader’s instinct may be to push for answers or performance, but that’s rarely what’s most effective. The most impactful leaders approach these situations with curiosity, empathy and a willingness to listen. To that end, members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share how they support struggling employees in ways that are both human and productive. Here's how to help your employees get back on track without sacrificing trust or well-being.

9 Questions Leaders Should Ask Before Saying 'Yes' to an Opportunity

expert panel

Not every promising offer is the right one for your business. Ask yourself the following questions to help you decide whether it's truly worth your time. Opportunities in the culture space can appear out of nowhere — an event invite, a partnership pitch or a shiny new business venture that seems too good to pass up. However, saying "yes" to everything without pause can stretch your resources thin, distract from your core mission or dilute your brand. Asking yourself the right questions at the right time can help you figure out whether an opportunity truly fits your goals, values and capacity. Below, members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share the smart, honest lines of inquiry they explore before making a commitment.

14 Leader-Recommended Ways to Build Better Relationships in the Culture Space

expert panel

Strong cultural networks are built on trust, generosity and authentic connection, rather than transactions. In the culture space, who you know often matters just as much as what you do. But that doesn’t mean relationship-building should feel transactional or opportunistic. The most successful and fulfilling connections are grounded in sincerity, shared values, and mutual support. To that end, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share their best advice for growing positive connections in the culture space. Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, producer or creative executive, your career will benefit from cultivating genuine relationships that go beyond surface-level networking.

Trying to Keep Up With Industry News and Trends? 11 Smart Places to Look

expert panel

Without a focused approach, it can be all too easy to get lost in a sea of useless information. With new platforms, a multitude of media options and endless content being produced each day, those hoping to keep up with the latest trends or news may have a difficult time finding a single source they can rely on. This is especially true of business leaders in the culture space, who must not only keep up with the trends but stay ahead of them to better target and influence their customers. While simply hopping on social media or your chosen news outlet is one way to stay in the know, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council have a more focused approach. Here, they each offer up one specific resource they turn to to help them keep up with industry trends, news and updates and why it’s so useful to their business.

11 Lessons Any Leader Should Learn From a Failed Business

expert panel

No business is ever a total failure if you’ve learned something from it. It’s a sad reality that many businesses will fail — in fact, around 18 percent of businesses tend to fail within their first year of operation. However, a failing business doesn’t have to be a total loss for an entrepreneur. There are often many valuable lessons to be learned from a failed business — whether it’s your own or another brand’s. The key is figuring out what those lessons are and how you can apply them to your next business venture. As leaders in the culture space, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council have seen many businesses come and go. Below, they share the notable lessons they've learned from the failure of a business and how that has impacted how they lead now.

Company details

CMS Nashville

Company bio

CMS Nashville is a 26 year old sports and entertainment marketing firm. Our focus is to generate measurable results for our clients' specific goals. CMs specializes in helping brands generate a positive return on investment through creating meaningful connections with their target audience.

Industry

Entertainment

Area of focus

Marketing
Brand Marketing
Content

Company size

11 - 50