Willy Rodriguez's Linkedin Analytics

Willy Rodriguez is a distinguished media and music professional with an extensive background in the entertainment industry. His journey began at the age of 15, and he has since forged a remarkable career path, highlighted by his role as the Musical Director of the Tito Puente Jr. Orchestra since the age of 19. This position has enabled him to showcase his talent on global stages, enthralling audiences worldwide. Rodriguez's expertise extends into television, radio, and film. During his academic tenure at Brooklyn College, he secured a pivotal role at ABC Radio Networks, marking the start of a significant six-year tenure with ABC/Disney. His transition to television was marked by a notable position at CNBC/Comcast as an On-Air Promotions Associate. In 2014, his career took an exciting turn when he was recruited by WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), where he and his team managed network programming, encompassing on-air promotions, scheduling, and other key aspects of the broadcasting domain. This experience further solidified his comprehensive understanding of the entertainment industry. A transformative salsa tour in Haiti in 2012 profoundly impacted Rodriguez, reinforcing his belief in music's power to heal and transcend circumstances. This experience inspired him to establish The Valens Agency, a boutique entertainment firm offering a spectrum of services, including booking, management, artist consultation, stage management, and music production. Under his leadership, the agency has forged strong partnerships with prestigious organizations like the New York Yankees, ESPN, Atlantic Records, Warner Music, 300 Entertainment, Brooklyn Nets, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. In a significant career milestone, Rodriguez became a voting member of the National Recording Academy and Co-Chairman of the Latin Music Task Force of the New York Chapter between 2020 and 2021. His journey reached a new pinnacle as he assumed the role of Executive Director of the International Salsa Museum, a testament to his enduring passion and commitment to the music and arts industry.