As the Guitar & Accessories Marketing Association (GAMA) looks forward to celebrating Teaching Guitar Workshop’s (TGW) 30th anniversary in 2025, it welcomes two new board members!
Heather Mansell is Manager of Segment Marketing/Education at Yamaha Corporation of America. With a career spanning over 25 years, Heather has built a strong record across multiple facets of the music industry, including product management, strategic partnerships, and marketing leadership. She began her career in retail at Shar Music, after which she became Strings Product Specialist for Yamaha Canada before joining Yamaha Corporation of America as Product Manager. Recognized for her leadership, she was awarded one of the inaugural ‘Women of NAMM’ professional development scholarships in 2020.
Chris DeMaria is a seasoned marketing professional with 30 years of experience in branding, artist & entertainment relations, promotions, strategic advertising, and media partnerships. He has spent the past 20 years as the head of marketing for Fishman Transducers. In addition to growing the brand through effective marketing strategies, he has built an artist roster that reflects a range of genres and performers, helping to bolster the company with a mix of influencers and world-class talent. Chris continues to serve Fishman as Vice President of Marketing & Artist Relations, supported by a marketing team based in Andover, MA and Nashville.
Looking Back on 2025: A Year of Controlled Chaos (Emphasis on “Controlled”)