Paul Hitchman Promoted to COO at AWAL

Paul Hitchman has been promoted to COO at AWAL, the company announced Tuesday (Dec. 5).

Hitchman is based in AWAL’s London office, where he oversees the independent distribution and label division’s U.K. team and international offices along with its global operations. He will continue reporting to CEO Lonny Olinick, with whom he works closely, along with the rest of AWAL’s senior management team, on global strategy, development of the company’s artist roster and growth of the business globally. He also manages relationships with key partners at The Orchard and Sony, which acquired AWAL last year.

First joining AWAL as MD in February 2012 following the company’s acquisition by Kobalt, Hitchman has been responsible for signing artists including Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Little Simz and Jungle.

“I’m very proud of what we have achieved, but even more excited about what’s still to come and the opportunity to continue to grow AWAL globally,” said Hitchman in a statement. “It’s a privilege to work with Lonny and the incredibly talented AWAL teams around the world as we follow our mission to empower independent artists at every stage of their career. I firmly believe that AWAL’s team is a match for any other in the business and that our roster of artists is the best of any music company in the world.”

Olinick added, “Since the day I started at AWAL, Paul has been the ultimate partner. He is an executive who balances strategic and visionary thinking with a unique ability to drive execution. His passion for AWAL, our teams, and our artists is a driving force throughout our company. He has been essential to AWAL’s every success, and I could not be more thrilled to continue our partnership as he steps into this new COO role.”