BMG EXTENDS DEAL WITH JELLY ROLL
& PARTNERS WITH REPUBLIC RECORDS
Award-winning, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Jelly Roll has extended his current label partnership with BBR Music Group (BBRMG), BBRMG imprint Stoney Creek Records, and BMG music publishing. In addition, BMG has entered into a worldwide deal with Republic Records for Jelly Roll.
The partnership was announced by Jon Loba, President, Frontline Recordings BMG, The Americas, and Monte Lipman, Founder & Chairman, Republic Records. With an alliance focused on maximizing Jelly Roll’s impact across multiple genres with an expansion of marketing into new territories, BMG and Republic Records are set to release Jelly Roll’s forthcoming album later this year. The first single off the new project, “I Am Not Okay,” was released on June 12th.
First signed to BBR Music Group imprint Stoney Creek Records in 2021, Jelly Roll has won the CMA “New Artist of the Year” category as the most nominated male artist of the night, iHeart “New Artist of the Year” (Country) and “New Artist of the Year” (Pop) as well as numerous People’s Choice and People’s Choice Awards wins.
He swept the night with the most CMT Awards of the evening (3) in both 2023 and 2024 and earned two Grammy nominations in 2024 – one for “Best New Artist” and “Country Duo/Group Performance,” following the release of his Country debut project, Whitsitt Chapel.
Most recently, he earned four ACM nominations including the top award of the night for “Entertainer of the Year,” which marked the first time since 1992 that an artist has been nominated for “Entertainer of the Year” as a first-time nominee and won his first ACM award for “Musical Event of the Year” for his breakthrough anthem, “Save Me.”
His unconventional industry rise and unique fan connection continue to resonate with fans around the world, and were captured with the release of his Hulu documentary by ABC News, Jelly Roll: Save Me. Read more HERE.
CONCORD MUSIC SIGNS MOUNT KIMBIE
AND JOHN BUTLER TO GLOBAL DEALS
Concord Music Publishing tells A&R Worldwide that they have signed a worldwide publishing agreement with the electronic music duo Mount Kimbie and renowned Australian-based singer/songwriter John Butler.
A former A&R Worldwide supported artist at the start of his career, John Butler has been a household name in Australia for over two decades. The worldwide deal (excluding Japan), covers Butler’s full catalog including hits “Better Than,” “Zebra,” and “Ocean.”
Earlier this month, Butler announced his new phase of music – The Four Seasons. These ‘seasons,’ each earmarked by an album, represent four different but connected musical journeys. The first is Running River, a meditative album that highlights a new side of Butler, offering listeners a journey of healing. Running River was released last month via Jarrah Records and MGM Distribution.
With an impressive discography that includes seven studio albums and four No.1 ARIA albums, Butler continues to captivate audiences across the globe. Butler has developed a reputation as one of the best live blues and roots acts, gracing stages at countless festivals and selling out shows throughout Australia, Europe, and North America.
The agreement with Mount Kimbie (Dom Maker and Kai Campos) covers all future projects, including their new studio album, The Sunset Violent, which is their first release in seven years. In addition, Maker and Campos have also signed agreements to develop their individual projects.
The deal was brokered by Concord Music Publishing’s global A&R teams in London, represented by Tom Coulson-Smith (Senior Director) and Mary McGovern (Manager), and in Los Angeles, represented by Bradly Palmer (Director). Released via Warp Records, The Sunset Violent features contributions from long-term collaborator King Krule.
Mount Kimbie, formed in 2008, gained acclaim with their debut album, Crooks & Lovers, in 2010. Beyond Mount Kimbie, Kai Campos has led a BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix, performed at sold-out headline shows at venues like Printworks, Fabric, and Blitz, and released the City Planning LP, accompanied by an installation by Tom Shannon and frequent collaborator Frank Lebon. Dom Maker, based in Los Angeles, has focused on production work, earning a Grammy nomination for his contributions to releases by Travis Scott, SZA, Metro Boomin,’ Dave, and James Blake, among others. He also released the Die Cuts LP, accompanied by a film by Tyrone Lebon.
Mount Kimbie is currently on a world tour, performing live in major cities including Berlin, Paris, London, and Los Angeles.
UNIVERSAL MUSIC INDIA PROMOTES SANUJEET BHUJABAL
TO THE ROLE OF MANAGING DIRECTOR
Universal Music India has announced the appointment of Sanujeet Bhujabal as Managing Director of Universal Music India & South Asia. Previously, Bhujabal held the role of Executive Vice President of Content.
In his new position, Bhujabal will report to Devraj Sanyal, Chairman & CEO of India & South Asia & Senior Vice President of Strategy, Africa, Middle East & Asia (AMEA) at Universal Music Group. Sanyal’s promotion from MD and CEO to Chairman & CEO last year created the vacancy that Bhujabal will now fill.
Bhujabal joined Universal Music in April 2023 after a 24-year tenure at Sony Music India, where he last served as Executive Director at Sony Music Entertainment. In addition, Viral Jani has been named Chief Revenue Officer, Universal Music India & South Asia. Jani, who previously led Digital, Strategy & Transformation for India, and South Asia, joined UMG in 2023. His prior roles include senior positions at Times Network, Times Bridge, NDTV, GroupM, and Twitter, where he was Head of Entertainment & TV Partnerships for India.
Devraj Sanyal stated, “At Universal Music India & South Asia, we have been growing rapidly, through our groundbreaking, artist-first non-film music strategy, making us the undisputed leader in this growing category and through our acquisitions and market-leading label partnerships. It is now time for our next phase of growth, and I could not be happier handing over the reins of managing director to one of our industry’s most respected leaders in Sanujeet Bhujabal, as well as chief revenue officer in the capable hands of Viral Jani. I will now work with our central leadership team to further deliver on our mission of being the region’s most dynamic and innovative music company.”
Adam Granite, CEO, Universal Music Group AMEA, added, “I am pleased to announce the promotions of Sanujeet Bhujabal to managing director, as well as Viral Jani to chief revenue officer of Universal Music India & South Asia. It reflects the company’s commitment to the growth and development of one of Universal Music Group’s most important emerging markets. Together they will work closely, alongside Chairman & CEO Devraj Sanyal and myself, to deliver our mission of creating the best music-based entertainment company in the region.”
PONGO SIGNS GLOBAL LABEL & PUBLISHING DEAL
WITH POSITION MUSIC & HIVE MUSIC
Position Music President & CEO Tyler Bacon, along with Hive Music Co-Founder Robin Housman, have announced that Pongo has signed exclusive global record and publishing deals with Position Music, as part of its joint venture with Hive Music.
Pongo is set to release her first single in two years, “Katana,” on June 19, after the success of her album Sakidila and sold-out tours worldwide. The Angolan-born, Lisbon-based singer and songwriter has amassed over 50 million streams globally, establishing herself as a leading figure in Kuduro and Afrobeats. Her blend of traditional Angolan sounds with electronic production has earned her a nomination for African Artist of the Year at the 2024 KORA Awards and a spot on the FIFA 2023 soundtrack.
Following performances for Boiler Room and COLORSxSTUDIOS, Pongo recently completed a residency in Mexico with Damon Albarn‘s (lead singer of the U.K. band Blur) Africa Express. She is currently working on new music across Lisbon, Paris, Los Angeles, and London.
Robin Housman stated, “Pongo is an incredible artist, a unique songwriter, and a powerful performer whose fusion of styles is unlike anyone else. I have been a genuine fan of hers for a long time. She is a magnetic artist respected around the world, and I could not be happier to be taking this journey with her. We are going to build something special.”
Pongo joins a growing Position Music label roster, already home to NoMBe, Elohim, Kyle Dion, Kid Bloom, Ryan Oakes, Layto, Welshly Arms, Blackway, Hunter Metts, Jordan Suaste, and Dead Posey.
Each week, A&R Worldwide shares a snapshot of creatives and executives that we have collaborated or worked with in various music markets around the world, albeit in recent or previous times!
Barry Dickins is one of the U.K.’s most respected and influential booking agents, as well as being the Co-Founder of ITB (International Talent Booking) who represent artists like Pearl Jam, Neil Young, Def Leppard, Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews Band, Dan Wilson, and countless others. He has also been a longtime friend and mentor to Sat Bisla, President & Founder, A&R Worldwide and MUSEXPO.
Barry is also the father to two of the global music industry’s most respected executives – Jonathan Dickins (Founder, September Management – Adele, Rick Rubin, Glass Animals, Paul Epworth, and others), as well as Lucy Dickins (Global Head of Contemporary Music, WME).
It was over two decades ago that Sat introduced Barry to the U.S. artist Gary Jules and his cover version of the Tears For Fears song “Mad World,” which Barry in turn introduced to his son Jonathan. This led to Jonathan helping secure Gary’s label signing in the U.K. It became Jonathan Dickins first U.K. No.1 charting single (back in 2003), before his incredible success with Adele and many other artists he represents today.
BRICE KENDALL
Brice Kendall, an alternative singer-songwriter from Miami, Florida, crafts his unique sounds with inspiration from artists like Keane, Coldplay, Muse, My Chemical Romance, and Forest Blakk. Embracing the sunny climate and serene waters of Florida, Kendall finds solace and creativity amidst the state’s beautiful beaches. Kendall’s latest single, “Finest Garments,” marks a triumphant return, produced by the illustrious James Sanger, a multi-BRIT and Grammy winner renowned for his work with U2, Madonna, Keane, Dido, and Brian Eno. Mastered at London’s prestigious Metropolis Studios, the track exemplifies high-caliber production quality. “Finest Garments” has already captured international attention, receiving airplay across the globe, including the U.S., U.K., Australia, Germany, Indonesia, India, China, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the Netherlands. In Kendall’s own words, “Music serves as a therapeutic remedy capable of healing profound emotional wounds when applied thoughtfully.” His latest single is a testament to this philosophy, offering listeners a powerful and emotive experience. Listen to “Finest Garments” HERE, and immerse yourself in Brice Kendall’s heartfelt, authentic, and meticulously crafted soundscape, promising a blend of lyrical depth and captivating melodies that resonate long after the final note. Brice Kendall is currently available for worldwide signing, publishing sync, and licensing opportunities. Contact info@anrworldwide.com for more information.
LEONIDEN
One of Germany’s most successful indie-rock band’s Leoniden are back with a bang, unveiling their electrifying new single “Never Never” as the lead track from their upcoming album Sophisticated Sad Songs. This single bursts with energy, embodying the band’s signature sound with an orchestral blaze and dance-inducing fervor. Jakob Amr‘s dynamic vocals elevate the track, ensuring its status as a festival anthem, destined to energize crowds from Rock am Ring to Hurricane Festival. Following a summer of festival performances, Leoniden will release Sophisticated Sad Songs in August, marking their fourth studio album. The album promises to continue the band’s nearly ten-year tradition of pushing musical boundaries. The excitement does not end there; Leoniden will embark on the “Sophisticated Sad Songs Tour 2024” in October, bringing their exhilarating live performances to fans for an unforgettable musical journey. Watch the music video for “Never Never” HERE, and contact Marcus Buente of Wintrup Musik at marcusbuente@wintrup.de for additional information and inquiries.
“PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Sunday, June 16th, 2024: The weekly import show. Heard on more than 50 radio stations on six continents weekly including: Flux FM Berlin, Germany; NINETYSIX Radio (Indonesia); JioSaavn (India); Radio Doble Nueve, Lima, Peru; WZRH–FM New Orleans, LA; KWSS “93.9FM”; Phoenix, AZ; KRML “102.1FM”; Carmel, CA; KFRR “New Rock 104.1FM”; Fresno, CA; Radio 1, Mumbai, India; WCNR Charlottesville, VA; KIWR “The River”; Council Bluffs, IA; 2XM Ireland (national radio); 96.2 ZFM The Netherlands; WAPS–FM “The Summit.FM”; Akron–Canton, OH; WKTL–FM Youngstown, OH; 105.5FM XFM Nairobi, Kenya; PUK–FM Johannesburg, South Africa; Rock 96.5FM Zambia; 897 FM Bratislava, Slovakia; WITH “90.1FM”; Ithaca, NY; UCFM 87.8FM Australian Capital Territory, Australia; WRUR 88.5FM Rochester, NY; WCRU–FM Hamilton, NY; KZND Anchorage, AK; KQCJ Quad Cities, IL; Allgauhit–FM Bavaria Germany; Indie Xfm Los Angeles and on The Independent FM (iHeartRadio) in the United States, as well as many others internationally.
Listen to this two hour show by clicking HERE:
GOOD NEIGHBOURS – “Keep It Up” (Some Action/Neon Gold/Avenue A, U.K.)
GIRL IN RED – “New Love” (Columbia, Norway)
NEON DREAMS & MATTHEW MOLE – “The Art of Letting Go” (UMG, S. Africa)
SEA GIRLS – “Midnight Butterflies” (Alt. Records/Believe, U.K.)
KINGFISHR – “Shadow” (Doonane Records, Ireland)
ROYAL REPUBLIC – “Ain’t Got Time” (Universal Music, Sweden)
ACROBVT – “Neon” (Unsigned, U.K.)
SOHODOLLS – “What Kinda Love” (Filthy Pretty/A&G, U.K.)
GIANT ROOKS – “Under Your Wings” (Universal Music, Germany)
BRICE KENDALL – “Finest Garments” (Unsigned, N. America)
DOTAN – “Louder” (7 Layers Music, Holland)
MIDDLE KIDS – “The Blessings” (EMI, Australia)
FIL BO RIVA – “Lost In Life” (Vertigo/Universal Music, Germany)
RHETT REPKO – “My Love Will Stay” (Unsigned, N. America)
GLASS CITIES – “Kennedy” (Unsigned, N. America)
CHAPEL OF ROSES – “Cast Out To Sea” (Unsigned, N. America)
GRIPPA – “Hell” (Unsigned, N. America)
ALFIE TEMPLEMAN – “Hello Lonely” (Chess Club/AWAL, U.K.)
RED RUM CLUB – “Afternoon” (Modern Sky Records, U.K.)
THE SILVER SPOONS – “It’s Alright” (Unsigned, Czech Republic)
CARAVAN PALACE – “Fool” (Wagram, France)
LIME CORDIALE – “The Big Reveal Ou L’Hypocrite” (Chugg Music, Australia)
THE DREAM MACHINE – “Frankenstein” (Unsigned, U.K.)
HOCKEY DAD – “Base Camp” (Farmer & The Owl/BMG, Australia)
DYLAN KEARNS – “All I Ever Wanted Was Your Love” (Unsigned, Ireland)
KEYSIDE – “Nikita” (Modern Sky, U.K.)
LAVA LA RUE – “Humanity” (Dirty Hit Records, U.K.)
CORELLA – “Lady Messiah” (Corella Music, U.K.)
JERUB – “Gonna Be Okay” (Elevate Music, U.K.)
BABY SAID – “Mouth Shut” (PAL Records, Italy)
HOLYOAK – “The Home I Wanted” (Unsigned, Australia)
MONOTRONIC – “Sun Song” (Unsigned, N. America)
MASI MASI – “Cigarette Smile” (Unsigned, U.K.)
ROGER GOMEZ – “Playing For Keeps” (Unsigned, Australia)
THEMBA MOLONGOANA JOINS DAVID GRESHAM RECORDS AS NEW HEAD OF A&R: David Gresham Records (DGR) – one of South Africa’s longest-serving and successful independent record labels and music publishers, tells A&R Worldwide that they have appointed Themba Bernard Molongoana as their new Head of A&R. Molongoana has a background in talent acquisition, artist development, and strategic leadership and he previously served as the Senior Artist and Repertoire Associate at Sheer Publishing, a subsidiary of Downtown Music Services Group. In that role, Themba assisted in creating research-driven strategies, managing A&R workflows, and building relationships with digital service providers and broadcasters. As Head of A&R, Themba will lead the department, aligning its strategic objectives with the company’s overarching vision. He will be responsible for scouting and signing new talent, developing artists’ careers, and working closely with internal teams to ensure successful artist launches and promotional campaigns. David Greshman, Founder, DGR, tells A&R Worldwide, “We are delighted to welcome Themba to our team. His expertise in artist relations, strategic planning, and industry networking makes him the perfect fit for our company. We look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have on our artists and the broader music community.”
MOLLY NEUMAN APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF CD BABY: Downtown Music has appointed Molly Neuman as the President of its “Direct-to-Creator” division, CD Baby. Neuman takes over from Scott Williams, who, according to Downtown, “drove tremendous stability and organizational improvement at CD Baby” during his two-year tenure. Williams will continue to serve as a consultant for both Downtown and CD Baby. In addition, CD Baby’s Chief Operating Officer, Christine Barnum, credited with milestones including efforts on Trust & Safety, will be departing. Neuman transitioned to CD Baby from Downtown Music Holdings, the parent company, where she was the Chief Marketing Officer. She brings almost three decades of experience in leadership roles, including her previous position as president of Songtrust, Downtown’s publishing administration company, which saw a revenue increase of over 2,500% in six years under her leadership. Before her tenure at Songtrust and Downtown, Neuman held roles such as Head of Music at Kickstarter and interim President at the American Association of Independent Music. She is also a founding member of the influential band Bratmobile. In her new role, Neuman will oversee Downtown’s Direct-to-Creator brands, CD Baby and Soundrop. This leadership change comes after Downtown consolidated its operating businesses as part of a strategic move to focus solely on the services sector. In April, Downtown completed its integration strategy, merging its business-to-business and creator-focused operations into a single entity. As part of this restructuring, CD Baby’s operations were integrated into Downtown Music. Whereas, Pieter van Rijn was appointed CEO, Downtown Music, reporting to Andrew Bergman, CEO, Downtown Music Holdings.
PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC PARTNERS WITH SPIN DOCTORS: Primary Wave Music has announced a collaboration with the 90s U.S. alternative rock band Spin Doctors. This partnership will involve Primary Wave handling the band’s music publishing and artist royalties, in addition to administering their forthcoming album set for release later this year. As part of the agreement, the band will also benefit from Primary Wave’s marketing team and publishing resources, which encompass digital strategy, licensing, sync opportunities, and film & TV production. Over their career spanning more than three decades, the Grammy-nominated band has sold over 12 million albums globally and performed at over 2,000 live shows. The band formed in 1988 in New York City and signed to Epic Records/Sony Music by A&R executive Frankie LaRocka in 1990. They have shared the stage with artists like The Rolling Stones, Blues Traveler, and Phish, and have played at major events such as Woodstock and Glastonbury. Their appearances have made the cover of Rolling Stone, the stage of SNL, and even Sesame Street. The deal includes some of the Spin Doctors’ most well-known tracks from their six studio albums, including hits like “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong,” “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues,” “What Time Is It?,” “Cleopatra’s Cat,” and “You Let Your Heart Go Too Fast.” “Two Princes,” became the band’s most famous song, reaching the Billboard Top 10 in 1992, earning a Grammy nomination for “Best Rock Performance” by a duo or group, and propelled their album Pocket Full of Kryptonite to sell five million copies in the U.S. alone. The album peaked at No.3 on the Billboard Top 200 and garnered an American Music Award nomination for “Favorite Pop/Rock Album.”
PHANTOM POWER EXPANDS COMPANY: Phantom Power is marking its 15th anniversary with an expansion that marks new artist signings and an executive promotion. The company was founded in 2009 by Doug Brandt, a film marketing creative director and editor known for his work on the film Ambulance and trailer campaigns for Transformers, Star Trek, and Spider-Man. Brandt has announced that Craig Sternberg will take on the role of Head of Client Relations & Strategic Advisor. In addition, the company has secured exclusive agreements with composers Michael Maas and Jordi Rica. Sternberg, with over 17 years in the music industry, has experience in sales, business development, and client relations. In his new role, Sternberg will enhance the customer experience for existing clients and expand Phantom Power’s reach into industries beyond feature films, such as video games, commercials, and television. Michael Maas, originally from Germany, has helped impact the trailer music and sound design landscape with his compositions. He has had his work featured in trailers for films such as Guardians of the Galaxy 3, Jurassic World Dominion, and Dune. Meanwhile, Jordi Rica has covered tracks such as “California Dreaming” for the Ambulance trailer and his version of “California Love” for the Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers TV series.
PPL SIGNS KENYA GRACE FOR GLOBAL NEIGHBOURING RIGHTS ROYALTIES: PPL has signed burgeoning British artist Kenya Grace to handle the collection of her international neighboring rights royalties. Grace joins a roster of artists who have recently partnered with PPL for international collections, including Central Cee, Lewis Capaldi, FLO, and Ice Spice. Her self-produced single, “Strangers” reached the No.1 spot on the U.K. charts and was nominated for “Song of The Year” at the BRITs this year. Also, Kenya Grace is the second British woman to achieve a No.1 with a song she performed, wrote, and produced entirely on her own, following Kate Bush‘s “Running Up That Hill.” PPL licenses the use of recorded music in the U.K. and collects neighboring rights royalties for performers and recording rights-holders worldwide. They will collect royalties for Grace’s music when it is used on radio, TV, and in public spaces globally. Furthermore, PPL utilizes advanced data processing technology and has a network of over 110 agreements with collective management organizations (CMOs) internationally to manage these collections. Kenya Grace is managed by London-based Nick Shymansky who was the original manager for Amy Winehouse.
TUNECORE’S ARTISTS SURPASS $4 BILLION IN EARNINGS: TuneCore has announced that self-releasing artists on its platform have collectively earned over $4 billion (USD). This milestone marks the total artist income generated through TuneCore since its establishment in 2006. It has been just 18 months since TuneCore revealed that self-releasing artists had surpassed the $3 billion earnings mark, and the $4 billion figure reflects the cumulative revenue earned by independent artists at various stages of their careers. The payouts to self-releasing artists are facilitated by TuneCore’s parent company, Believe, through direct deals with digital service providers and streaming platforms. Also, the growth is supported by TuneCore’s expanded TuneCore Publishing product and the TuneCore Accelerator program, which offers a suite of tools designed to help artists advance their careers, expand their reach, and build a dedicated fan base. TuneCore also showcased success stories of self-releasing artists, such as Snow Tha Product, who has received nominations for the Latin Grammys and MTV VMAs and has sold out multiple headlining U.S. tours.
BOB ROBACK NAMED COO AT UTA: UTA, a leading global talent, sports, entertainment, and advisory company, has named Bob Roback as their new Chief Operating Officer. Roback brings an extensive record as an entrepreneur and operating executive across the media and entertainment landscape. Roback will also be a partner and join UTA’s board of directors. With experience building, scaling, and leading innovative businesses that leverage technology, Roback will report to Jeremy Zimmer, CEO, UTA, and David Kramer, President, UTA. As COO, Bob’s responsibilities include overall business operations and overseeing areas such as growth, strategy, and technology, with a focus on efficiency and innovation across the enterprise. Bob’s career spans content, digital consumer services, and consumer products, as well as business-to-business platforms and marketplaces. Most recently, he spent seven years as CEO of Ingrooves Music Group, a technology-led music and marketing business that is now part of Universal Music Group. Prior to that, Roback served as president and a member of the board of directors of Fender Musical Instruments Corp. He also co-founded several companies, including Dashbox, The Media Farm, and LAUNCH Media, which became Yahoo Music. As part of its multiyear expansion strategy, UTA has diversified through internal investments, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships that have included KLUTCH Sports Group, MediaLink, and U.K.-based Curtis Brown Group. Last week, Thau and UTA Sports Co-Head and KLUTCH founder Rich Paul announced the acquisition of ROOF, one of the world’s premier football agencies, representing top players in Europe and beyond.
MUSIC.AI ANNOUNCES ROEX AS THIRD PARTNER: Music.AI has announced a partnership with RoEx, an AI multitrack mixing service tailored for musicians, producers, and content creators. This partnership cements Music.AI’s mission to offer a comprehensive platform that delivers an entire ecosystem of scalable audio services. RoEx joins Music.AI’s roster of partners, providing customers with access to advanced AI-powered audio mixing capabilities. This efficient solution for high-quality multitrack mixing complements earlier integrations announced this year, including Masterchannel‘s spatial audio upmixing and Cyanite‘s AI-based music tagging and search solutions. The AI-powered services from all four companies are now available as drag-and-drop modules, combined to allow content owners and services to process enormous quantities of media swiftly. Music.AI customers benefit from a wide array of audio services all in one place, streamlining their processes and cutting costs while enabling scalable operations. Reflecting the growing range of services offered, Music.AI is processing an unprecedented volume of audio across its platform. With more than 16,000 organizations using its services, Music.AI handles over 2 million minutes of audio per day.
THE CIRCUIT GROUP UNVEILS LABEL SERVICES DIVISION WITH NEW HIRES: The Circuit Group, a music company founded by industry veterans from artist management firms Seven20 and AYITA, has announced significant expansions and key personnel appointments, including the establishment of a new label services division. Founded last October by Dean and Jessica Wilson (Seven20), Brett Fischer, David Gray, and Harvey Tadman (AYITA), The Circuit Group aims to acquire music catalogs and enhance its industry presence. Among the hires to its executive team is James Sutcliffe, who joins as Chief Strategy Officer. Sutcliffe brings a wealth of experience from leadership roles at Ministry of Sound, LIVENow, and Monster Energy, where he collaborated with major artists like Dua Lipa, Stormzy, SZA, and Post Malone, as well as spearheaded partnerships with UFC, Lewis Hamilton, and various festivals. In addition, Simon Birkumshaw has been appointed Director of Operations, Label Services, following his tenure as Head of Label Acquisitions & A&R at LabelWorx. His background includes significant contributions to Defected Records and Champion Records, where he built strong relationships within the music industry. Ian Massoth joins as Director of A&R for the new Label Services division, bringing experience from his work with AYITA and collaborations with artists like Chris Lake and Fisher. Shivani Phull, appointed as Chief Financial Officer Advisor, brings her financial leadership experience from Pixelynx/Animoca Brands, Reckitt Benckiser, and the United Nations, focusing on innovative business models and intellectual property within the music industry. Bianca Price assumes the role of Social Media Manager, leveraging her extensive project portfolio including Electric Daisy Carnival and others. Nick Sung joins as Director of Marketing, with a background in leading publicity campaigns at Get In! PR and Astralwerks for artists such as Tchami, ILLENIUM, and ZHU. Charlie Tadman, appointed Director of A&R, brings insights from his tenure at Spotify and Calvin Harris’s Fly Eye Publishing, where he cultivated talents like SG Lewis and Louis the Child.
NEED TO MAKE CONTACT, SEND NEWS AND NEW MUSIC RELEASES?: If you have any A&R, publishing, technology, agent/promoter, international radio, management, new media or film/TV music supervisor news you’d like to share with A&R Worldwide, or need to respond to information published in the weekly newsletter please E–mail it to the attention of info@anrworldwide.com. Also, all demos and new music releases should be sent as STREAMING LINKS ONLY to info@anrworldwide.com.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Robert Meijerink, James Petronio, Maura Duval, Alexis Tyndall, Chris Meehan, Mara Schwartz, Shane Tobin, Adam Grossman, Annie Carpenter, David Wolter, Rich Christina, Jae Brown, David Gray, and Amy Dunning.
Share this:
