Real Talk with BELLA: Laughter + Biz Do Mix with Chris Elles

Chris Elles shares his insights on the healing
power of laughter, plus the future of the comedy + entertainment
industries.


Chris Elles, Jr. is a Partner at The Syndicate
(www.thesyn.com), an entertainment marketing agency
based headquartered in Weehawken, NJ. Founded in 1998,
The Syndicate builds full-scale integrated marketing
programs from ideation to execution and connects brands to pop
culture. His company's expertise in music, comedy, and engaging
the millennial market has led to the creation of original
programs for brands like Taco Bell, TBS, truTV, and Comedy
Central in addition to artists such as Guns N' Roses, The
Killers, Spoon, and Maroon 5.


His experience helped land The Syndicate as Comedy Central
Records' primary marketing firm in the early 2000's which
kick-started the careers of comedians including Amy Schumer,
Lewis Black, Jim Gaffigan, John Mulaney, Hannibal Buress, Maria
Bamford, Dane Cook, and Aziz Ansari.


Chris presently leads The Syndicate's comedy business and
proprietary website The Laugh Button
(www.thelaughbutton.com) which is dedicated to the business of
stand-up comedy.  Since 2006, The Laugh Button has grown
from a reputable news and editorial site to producing podcasts,
album recordings, live events, and strategic media partnerships.


The Laugh Button's record label, TLB Records, recently
released albums by New York comedians Mike Feeney, Chuck Nice,
and Sarah Tollemache. TLB Podcasts is the home for weekly shows
hosted by comics such as Robert Kelly, Jim Norton, Bonnie
McFarlane, Rich Vos, and comedy legend Lewis Black. Before
joining The Syndicate, Chris managed the national
college marketing and radio promotion divisions at Elektra and
Arista Records.


Chris is a dedicated family man, a father of two and proudly
married for 20 years to his college sweetheart, Kristi. When
he's not developing business strategies, he's likely training
under Master Instructor Jerry Fatjo at Fatjos MMA
(www.fatjosmma.com). In 2018, Chris earned his Muay Thai
kickboxing black armband and now volunteers his time by
instructing a weekly adult class to support fitness, martial
arts, and mental balance in his community. He carries a positive,
humorous, and energetic vibe, plus he's one heck of a
leader and creative thinker.