As a push to grow its music department, Feed Media Group has created a new team dedicated to music and appointed Bryn Boughton to take the helm. The department, called the “the heart and soul of the company” in a press release, will work to strengthen FMG’s relationships with labels, publishers and artists who are music rightsholders.
Boughton is credited with being the driving force behind FMG’s latest product Adaptr, an all-in-one music solution for startups. Over the course of her career, she’s run independent record labels, managed artist development programs at Valley Media, Inc. and founded a digital distributor that was acquired by The Orchard.
“Music has always been at the core of what everyone at Feed does, and the formation of a music affairs team was the next step in marshaling resources within the company,” she said. “We are not just a tech company but a company with music at its heart.”
Boughton and her team will strive to ensure rightsholders have information on what’s taking off in new spaces so they can make informed decisions. Through licensing and curating music, she hopes the new team will encourage innovation. “We want to align what we’re doing with our music partners’ plans for growth and empower more music discovery,” she said. “Fitness instructors are becoming influencers. Games are becoming music discovery channels. We’ve built an amazing, large distribution platform and that means we can service innovators and help keep rightsholders moving towards their goals.”
Vinyl Me, Please, the record of the month club connecting collectors with essential albums, has taken on Marcus J. Moore as the new director of Hip-Hop. An award-winning music journalist, senior editor, curator, pundit and author, Moore will work to elevate VMP’s Hip-Hop subscription curation.
“We are ecstatic to be welcoming Marcus J. Moore to the VMP team as the Director of Hip-Hop. said Alex Berenson, head of A&R at VMP. “Marcus’ presence at VMP is another step towards growth for the company at large, and we cannot wait to see how he shapes the future of Hip-Hop A&R for VMP.”
As the author of The Butterfly Effect: How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America and a writer of jazz, soul, hip-hop and rock pieces for The New York Times, The Nation, Pitchfork, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, NPR, Rolling Stone, The Atlantic and Bandcamp Daily, Moore is exceptionally well-informed in the world of Hip-Hop. In addition to writing, he’s a tastemaker within the genre, having created playlists for Google, interviewed cultural leaders for Sonos and compiled for local restaurants, bars, coworking spaces and cafes.
“Having worked with VMP on a few projects, I’ve long admired the company’s willingness to trumpet intriguing music of all eras and genres. Being their Director of Hip-Hop provides a great opportunity to do what I’ve always tried to do: tell the world about fascinating music,” said Marcus J. Moore, new Director of Hip-Hop at VMP. “It’s one thing to suggest which records to buy, it’s another to help usher these albums into the marketplace.”
Music agent Kevin Kastrup is the new vp of casinos at Wasserman Music, where he’ll oversee North American casino bookings for the agency’s clientele. Coming off a nine-year run as an agent at Paradigm Talent Agency, Kastrup will be based in New York.
While at Paradigm, the executive specialized in symphonies and performing arts centers and represented artists like A.R. Rahman, Lyle Lovett, Ry Cooder and Wayne Shorter. Before that, he spent time at IMG Artists and Ted Kurland Associates. “I’m very excited to rejoin so many longtime colleagues at Wasserman,” he said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to represent so many of the world’s best musical artists in the unique space of casino performances. I can’t wait to get to work!”
Kastrup’s new home wears many hats as a company. Wasserman serves as a partner to the athletes, artists, brands, properties, broadcasters, coaches, sport executives and influencers in their endeavors across sports, entertainment and culture. “Welcoming Kevin back and entrusting him with our casino business is easy because we’ve known and worked alongside him for years already,” said Jackie Nalpant, executive vp and managing executive at Wasserman Music. “He’s a well-liked, well-respected professional, and we know our artists are in good hands with him.”
Justin Warfield has been appointed as the vp of artist services at Downwrite, a custom song commissioning experience created by Chicago-based musicians Mark Rose and Bob Nanna. Recruited specifically to bring top-tier talent to the platform, his appointment is Downwrite’s first big hire since it relaunched earlier this year and “marks a significant moment in the company’s vision,” the press release reads.
In his new role, Warfield will work to bring high-quality songs to music lovers as well as deliver exclusive scores, signature music and theme tunes to filmmakers, podcasters, and other content creators. “We’re thrilled that someone of Justin’s caliber has recognized the potential of Downwrite and decided to become a part of our mission to reinvent how music is made,” Downwrite CEO Jake Morris said. “Adding Justin’s stellar reputation, depth of experience, wealth of knowledge, and inexhaustible passion to the team makes us even stronger—and sets the stage for future growth and innovation.”
Warfield brings 30 years of industry experience to the company, as an executive and a musician. He’s composed, performed, produced and remixed for artists like Timbaland and The Chemical Brothers, and brands like Adidas. He also has a multitude of executive experience, with credits on projects for Warner Bros, Geffen, Interscope, Virgin, Sony Music Publishing, EMI, Epic and Columbia Records.
“The opportunity to join Downwrite and provide my fellow artists and music community with a platform to engage and help grow existing relationships with their fans by making something of integrity and in line with their brand, while also being fairly compensated was a no-brainer,” he said. “The model we’re pioneering convinces me as executive and artist that there’s some much-needed light at the end of the tunnel we’re all emerging from. I’m thrilled to bring my 30 years of experience, taste, and vision to an already incredible team.”
Source
