Biography
A native of France, Professor Ravanas is an Arts Management expert with two decades of experience in developing global strategies, directing multi-national teams and creating a network in the international arts and entertainment industries. He has a successful track record in building bridges between business and academia, both in Europe North America, China and Russia.
He is an international expert in pricing, revenue management, cultural policy, sponsorship and entertainment marketing. He is a Visiting Professor at the University of Montreal (HEC) and at the Central Academy of Drama (CAD) of Beijing, China. He is also a Research Fellow at the Beijing International Studies University.
He previously served as Corporate Communications VP at Disneyland Paris. He participated in its launch and developed pan-European marketing strategies with its sponsors, including Coca-Cola, Mc Donald's, Mattel and Nestlé. He contributed to the redefinition of its pricing strategy and served as its official spokesperson, reporting directly to the CEO and successfully turning around adverse press opinion. He then joined Christie's Auction House in London and New York, where he took charge of its worldwide client relationship management strategies, processes & database.
He is an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Arts Management, and a contributor to the Journal of Cultural Economics and to the Curator Journal. He is the co-author of Marketing Planning for the arts and of Marketing Culture and the Arts (a book translated in thirteen languages and used by arts management professionals, academics and students around the globe)
He has lectured in the US, Austria, Canada, China, France Russia, Spain and The Czech Republic. He has coached many cultural institutions in drafting a marketing plan. He has provided consulting services to the United Nations Conference on Trade & Development, the World Trade Organization, the European Parliament, the National Geographic Society, The Wallace Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, Amazon, RCA, Technicolor, Second City, Columbia Sportswear, AC Nielsen, General Electric, Daimler-Benz, Kimberly Clark, etc…
He is a musician, playing drums in several bands, and an avid traveler. He studied Art History and Philosophy in Aix en Provence, France. He holds a graduate degree from the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce of Marseilles, France, and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Degrees
Diploma, Business Administration Ecole Superiure de Commerce 1989
M.B.A., Business Marketing University of Wisconsin-Madison 1990