A native of Tennessee, Hal Hassall studied engineering at Vanderbilt University before transferring to the University of Tennessee, where he completed both his B.S in business administration and his M.B.A. In 1983 he joined Endata, a provider of software and information processing services, where he held a number of positions, including manager of corporate communications, manager of strategic planning, manager of human resources and national account sales executive. During the late 1980s, Hassall moved into the television industry with New York-based Direct Media Inc.
 
In 1993, as vice president and general manager, Hassall helped launch MOR Music Television, the first 24-hour music video-based home shopping channel, reaching 20 million U.S. television households. After working in the information technology and television industries, he made the jump to the Internet in 1994 with the launch of MORMusic.com, one of the first e-commerce sites for recorded music on the Web. In 1999, he joined Country.com (now CMT.com) as manager of e-commerce to create an Internet e-commerce business unit within CBS Cable and later MTV Networks.
 
While at MTV networks, he was involved in music programming and talent relations for digital platforms, in addition to overseeing e-commerce, search engine optimization, and promotion to expand CMT’s brand presence on digital platforms. Later his involvement expanded to include CMT/MTV Networks music download service, URGE; CMT’s Mobile video; and CMT.com’s broadband channel, CMT LOADED.
During 2007, Hal joined Nashville-based echo, a division of Ticketmaster Entertainment, as Vice President of Marketing Services. His team is composed of four interrelated disciplines which enable entertainment brands to attract and monetize their digital audiences: Ecommerce, Advertising & Promotion, Street & Viral Marketing and Community Development (site publishing and fan club management services). echo provides digital strategies and services for entertainment brands including: Keith Urban, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Rascal Flatts, Jonas Brothers, Faith Hill, Stars on Ice, Sesame Street Live, Yanni, Brooks & Dunn, Beyonce’, Timbaland, and hundreds more.
Hal can be reached at http://www.linkedin.com/in/halhassall or hal@helloecho.com