Personal Profile


Ragna Stamm'ler, founder of her own publicity and marketing firm, STAMM'LER INTERNATIONAL, has accumulated a litany of life experiences that reads more like an exotic travelogue than an average music industry biography.

Born in the Netherlands, Stamm'ler and her family moved to Tanzania when she was just a year old. After that came stays in Kenya, Swaziland, Indonesia, the Netherlands (again), and Nigeria, before finally settling in Canada when Stamm'ler was in her mid-teens.

Photo by Brandon Klayman

Her many travels early in life afforded Stamm'ler a unique perspective on life, and strengthened her own character and resolve.

"It was difficult for me to adjust to everything being new every few years, especially as I got older. New country, new language, new school, new friends and home. (But) it made me stronger, and led me to be very open-minded and understanding of different people and cultures. I can understand just about anyone."


This sympathetic part of her character is an invaluable asset when working closely with clients.


Stamm'ler graduated with a degree in artist management from Toronto's Harris Institute for the Arts, in 1994. And there was never any doubt in her mind that she was heading for a career in the music industry.


"I was used to an exciting, different kind of life, and was looking for that in a career. I loved music, people and business, so it seemed a natural fit."


Stamm'ler began her music industry career at Canadian punk label Raw Energy Records, which was followed by a tenure with publicity/promotion firm B.G. Enterprises. She went on to becoming the publicist at both Velvel Records and DMD Entertainment, before taking on the position of international label manager with KOCH Entertainment. After several years with KOCH, Stamm'ler formed her own publicity and marketing company in March of 2000.


Striking out on one's own is always a tricky business proposition, particularly in the often unstable music industry. But Stamm'ler has always been determined to carve out her own path.


"I've always been more of a leader than a follower. Having my own business had been a goal of mine, and when I felt that the time was right, I just did it. I like having full responsibility for the work that I do."


This strength of independence instills confidence with all those who work with her, knowing that the job will be done - and done right. Additionally, her years of experience enable her to know the best approach for any given project, without wasting any time guessing.


And what type of music does Stamm'ler herself listen to in her rare spare time?


"A very cliché answer, I know, but I appreciate good music. I also understand that taste in music (like all art) is subjective. Genres of music these days are becoming more blurred, and listening to only one style would limit one's musical palette. Something I would never want to do. And so I am equally willing and open to hear something that is on the cutting edge as I would something that is purely traditional. They both have merit in today's eclectic musical landscape."