Ben Velez has turned a lifetime steeped in Downtown culture into a craft for launching and growing brands. A young period of culturally-connected self employment (which ranged from deejaying, music journalism and radio music direction to fashion styling and public relations), combined with an anal-retentive professionalism and a lifelong set of strong relationships with peer creatives and businesspeople alike, have led Ben through a successful and renowned career that has traversed the high-end sportswear, streetwear and action sports industries. Known for rebranding and growing the international streetwear brand Triple Five Soul (at which he served first as Global Brand Director before becoming Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations), his career travels have also included playing an integral role at both Burton Snowboards’ highest echelon outerwear/streetwear line, Analog and UK luxury streetwear brand, Maharishi. Vélez’ launch skills are all encompassing – overall brand strategy, creative direction, production management, online/print media purchasing, public relations and event production. He has proliferated brand awareness with resources as paltry as a few thousand dollars to multi-million dollar budgets.

Ben has spent the better part of his life compiling and curating music for fellow artists, producers and companies. He has amassed a veritable army of music industry allies by way of a top-rated college radio show at his alma mater (Vassar College), and via his own independent record label. Vélez has also contributed on the soundtracks for several award winning independent short films, including Azazel Jacobs’ On Wee! He remains the secret go-to source for many of today’s internationally respected deejays and producers. Currently the owner of his own full-service marketing consultancy, Vélez is also working on launching his own pirate-radio station/blog/podcast.