Brian Nolan

Longtime record label marketing and branding executive Brian Nolan is joining Artist Partner Group as president of global marketing and synchronization, the company announced Tuesday (Jan. 10). Nolan, who begins his new role this month, will oversee all domestic and international marketing, artist development, sales and streaming and synchronization initiatives at the Mike Caren-helmed company, including international expansion, artist development and brand partnerships, in addition to serving on the APG executive committee.

Nolan has spent the past six years at Universal Music Group, most recently as executive vp at Motown, where he oversaw the label’s marketing efforts. Prior to that, he was senior vp of brand partnerships at Capitol Music Group, where he ran the Seventeenfifty division. At UMG, Nolan brokered deals for artists like Lil Baby, Halsey and Migos; for the latter group, Nolan created a partnership with Mountain Dew for a year-long TV campaign with their song “Position To Win” and landed their song “Stir Fry” in the NBA All-Star Weekend promo slots on TNT. Upon joining CMG in 2017, Nolan created a program called Bonus Tracks alongside the Compton Unified School District, aimed at helping students learn about the music industry through seminars, internships and scholarships. The program has since expanded to Detroit and Atlanta.

“I am so fired up to join APG and grateful to Mike Caren for this opportunity,” Nolan said in a statement. “APG’s model and vision redefine what it means to be a partner with the artist. Coming on board with this team, I will be relentless in our pursuit of this goal so that our artists can achieve their dreams.”

Prior to UMG, Nolan spent a dozen years at Sony Music and Columbia Records, where he worked at Sony’s creative agency and served as vp of international marketing for Columbia, working on projects for artists such as David Bowie, Rachel Platten and Leon Bridges.