Management
Page: 13
Management firm Wasserman has unveiled a deal to buy CSM Sport & Entertainment, the UK-based agency.
Terms of the purchase agreement were not disclosed, but Casey Wasserman’s lifestyle marketing and management business is looking to grow its presence in the pro sports business arena worldwide. The move comes as Hollywood talent agencies look to increase representation of marketable pro sport leagues and players as they seek entertainment and endorsement deals.
CSM, which arranges partnerships between marketing brands and rights holders, recently did event marketing and hospitality services for Major League Baseball games in London between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs, and handled event marketing for The All England Lawn Tennis Club, the organizers of the Wimbledon pro tennis competition.
The proposed transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023, Wasserman said. Founded in 2002, the firm represents sports and entertainment figures, musical artists, brands and properties worldwide.
Wasserman operates across six continents, 23 countries and more than 45 cities, including Los Angeles, New York and London and battles for market share in some areas against agencies like CAA and WME as they have also raised their presence in the global sports arena to represent media rights, athlete representation and sponsorship deals.
In 2020, Wasserman acquired the hockey-focused agency Acme World Sports as well as Lithuanian basketball agency BBaltics. And Casey Wasserman is part of LA28, which helped organize Los Angeles’ bid for the 2028 Olympics.
Since 2016, when the company rebranded from Wasserman Media Group to Wasserman, the firm has expanded further into culture, media and entertainment, adding creative and marketing agencies like Laundry Service and Boris Agency, and launched a social audience data platform called Unlock.
This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.
Myke Towers has signed a management deal with Brandon Silverstein’s S10 Entertainment, Billboard has learned. The signing — which is in partnership with Orlando “Jova” Cepeda (One World Music) and Jose “Tito” Reyes (Casablanca Records) — comes on the heels of Myke’s viral hit song “LALA,” which topped Spotify’s Top 50 Global chart and entered at […]
Dutch producer AFROJACK has signed with Moe Shalizi and The Shalizi Group for management. The Grammy-winning electronic artist joins a stacked dance roster that includes Alesso, Jauz and Marshmello, witih Shalizi guiding the career of the latter artist from unknown producer to global brand. “Moe Shalizi’s past work speaks for itself, excited to see where […]
Ozuna has signed with Scooter Braun‘s SB Projects, Billboard has learned. The management deal is a partnership with Edgar Andino, founder and CEO of Andino Marketing Group. The Puerto Rican star joins a SB Projects roster that includes Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato, among others. The company also previously managed Colombian powerhouse J Balvin, who parted ways with SB in June 2022 and is now signed to Roc Nation.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“We’ve been following Ozuna’s career for years and we’re excited to be bringing him into the family to work with him and Edgar,” Jennifer McDaniels, president of management at SB Projects, said in a statement. “Ozuna’s music is unmatched. His ability to work across genres including reggaeton, Latin pop, and more, is phenomenal. With unique songs offering fresh perspective and beautiful sounds, we’re thrilled to amplify his artistry with this partnership.”
“Working with Ozuna over these past years, one thing is for certain, we always go big,” added Andino. “For us, Scooter and SB Projects align with our vision. They are the perfect partners to help in our continued approach and take Ozuna to the next level of his career. We cannot be more thrilled and cannot wait for everyone to see what we have coming next.”
A key figure in Ozuna’s team, Andino has helped the singer-songwriter land global deals that range from NFT collaborations to releasing a song for the Call of Duty video game. Most recently, he led negotiations for Ozuna’s inclusion in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack, performing “Arhbo” with rapper GIMS. The uplifting song, which they performed at the World Cup’s closing ceremony, peaked at No. 1 Billboard‘s Latin Airplay chart.
In May, he released Afro, a seven-track EP where he experiments with Afrobeats. It followed his 2022 studio album, Ozutochi, which landed at No. 5 on the Top Latin Albums chart. Ozuna is set to embark on his Afro Tour across Europe this summer, which has 16 confirmed dates, including stops in France, Spain, Italy, Israel and Holland. The monthlong trek kicks off July 7 in France and wraps Aug. 6 in Spain.
Paladin Artists announced on Thursday that veteran agent Bruce Solar has joined the company, effective immediately. He’ll focus on expanding the company on a global scale. Solar will be based in Los Angeles and brings his roster of clients with him, including Blondie, Cake, Psychedelic Furs, The Zombies, Radical Face, Eels, Fantastic Negrito, The Monkees […]
Anitta has parted ways with her longtime manager Brandon Silverstein, according to a source familiar with the situation. The split was first reported by Variety. The change comes on the heels of Anitta’s April 4 departure from Warner Music Group after having long voiced irritation with the label on social media, including a tweet thread […]
Ten years into his career, Lil Durk keeps putting up numbers. The Chicago rapper first broke onto the scene in 2013 from the drill scene in his hometown, before cycling through the Def Jam system and re-igniting his career a number of years later, landing his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 as a solo artist last year with 7220. But this week, he one-upped himself again: Durk’s new album, Almost Healed (Alamo Records), debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 — behind heavyweights Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen — and became his fourth straight No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, moving 125,000 equivalent album units, his best mark of his career and the biggest debut week for a project on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart this year so far.
But that’s not all — Durk also landed his highest mark as a lead artist on the Hot 100, when his single “All My Life” feat. J. Cole debuted at No. 2 on the chart, matching the highest mark for each artist (Durk previously hit No. 2 as a featured artist on Drake’s “Laugh Now, Cry Later”) amid 15 songs he landed on the Hot 100 this week. It’s a high-water mark for Durk’s career in a number of ways — and the success helps his manager, Grade A Productions partner Peter Jideonwo, earn the title of Billboard’s Executive of the Week.
Here, Jideonwo, who started working with Durk ahead of this album, talks about the work that went into making this a success, helping push Durk’s career forward after a decade in the game and the state of hip-hop in a year dominated by country, R&B and Latin music on the charts.
“We are sometimes too focused on the music and not everything else around it,” he says, eyes to the future. “Durk can be bigger than what we have just accomplished.”
This Week, Lil Durk’s Almost Healed debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 with 125,000 equivalent album units, the biggest week of his career as a solo act. What key decisions did you make to help make that happen?
Picking the right single. Making sure all the creatives were on point, picking the right directors, photographers, interviews as well as directing videos. Making sure features were completed. Introducing Durk to Dr. Luke, who helped create “All My Life.” “All My Life” was the first record me and Durk did together and “Stand By Me” was the second. Visiting all the DSPs ahead of time before the album came out. Creating outside-the-box marketing strategies to push the narrative of a new and better Durk.
Lil Durk performs during Future and Friends “One Big Party Tour” at United Center on Jan. 20, 2023 in Chicago.
Prince Williams/Wireimage
The album was set up by “All My Life” feat. J. Cole, which matched Durk’s all-time high on the Hot 100 when it debuted at No. 2. What did you do to help that song cut through immediately and debut so high?
The song was created by Durk, Luke and J. Cole. The first session I ever did for Durk was putting that record together. Durk and Cole had a relationship, but I had to follow up for over five weeks to get the verse from J. Cole. The video was shot by my production company and produced by me. Setting up Durk’s scholarship fund with Howard [University], meeting the Mayor [of Chicago] and doing positive things in the community, was what we had to do to make sure the record connected properly.
Almost Healed’s first week is also the largest debut week for a project on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in 2023. In a year where the top of the charts have been dominated by country, R&B and Latin music, is it tougher to break through with a hip-hop album, or do you just see these things as going in cycles?
Yes I think so; hip-hop is dying, unfortunately. I say so because we have lost Juice [WRLD], X[XXTentacion], Mac Miller, [Young] Thug to jail, careers like Boston Richey and Gunna tainted by snitching accusations. Our industry in is a self-inflicted turmoil that I do not see reversing anytime soon. We don’t have a stronghold of artists anymore and there is no togetherness. We are also dealing with over-saturation and not enough love shown to our currently-established artists. The only way to fix it is to reduce the amount of people making this music and for our current artists to think outside the box to create new sounds. Everyone makes the same music and the same topics — cars, money, clothes, girls — and that’s not going to take us far anymore. Especially when streamers like Adin Ross and Kai Cenat are pulling hundreds of thousands of kids for hours. They don’t have time to listen to new music, so if you are going to release music it needs to be undeniable or it will not sell.
Durk is now 10 years into his career, and still setting high-water marks in terms of first-week numbers and chart positions. How do you continue pushing his career forward in an era when so much is focused on the next new thing?
We are going to focus on pushing his sound to the next level. I am also focused on making him a household brand, bigger than music. We are sometimes too focused on the music and not everything else around it. Durk can be bigger than what we have just accomplished. Putting out this classic album was very tedious but we are ready to get into tech, gaming, sports, movies: all around new challenges which he hasn’t done yet. We are almost healed.
You’ve been a manager and a label executive in your career. How do you balance the expectations and demands from both?
The easiest way to put it is that I dedicate my life to my clients. I only touch what I love. I am answering these questions on my birthday instead of chilling. We are still working on new things every day, which excites me. I have also been lucky to mostly only work with artists who are signed to me; that has also made my life easy. The music industry is very difficult and the most important thing is to stay ahead of the curve.
How else are you guys planning on continuing to push this Durk project forward?
We are going to keep releasing new music videos. We have an arena tour coming up where we will be performing new records from the album. We are going to put out some new versions of the records, maybe we will get to hear the Kanye West mixes that Durk spoke about in an interview.
Previous Executive of the Week: Austin Neal of The Neal Agency
Cory Litwin, founder/CEO of 2wenty2wenty Music Group, is joining Range Media Partners as the newest managing partner in the music division, the company tells Billboard.
Litwin brings with him his roster of more than 25 writers, producers and engineers encompassing multiple genres, including Murda Beatz, Jason “Cheese” Goldberg and Autumn Rowe. Litwin’s team, including managers Brennan Bryant and Ky Zaretsky as well as coordinator Edson Higareda, are also joining Range.
Since taking on management of Murda Beatz in 2014, Litwin has helped the producer rise to become one of the most in-demand hitmakers in hip-hop thanks to successful collaborations with Drake, Travis Scott and Migos. In 2022 alone, Litwin signed Murda Beatz to a global distribution deal with ADA Worldwide, negotiated a catalog sale with Canadian music rights manager Kilometre Music Group and scored him a Las Vegas residency at Hakkasan. Litwin and Murda Beatz also recently co-founded and launched Murda Beatz Psychedelic Water, a non-alcoholic herbal supplement.
Litwin began his career as a party and concert promoter in Toronto. Before joining Range, he served as executive vp at Neil Jacobson‘s Hallwood Media from 2020-23. He has twice been named to Billboard‘s R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list.
“Cory Litwin adds a much-needed dimension to our already dynamic business,” said Range Music co-founder/managing partner Matt Graham. “He and his team understand the producer and writer representation landscape at the highest level and provide access to tremendous hitmakers that enrich Range Music, feed our burgeoning label and publishing business. Additionally, I have found him to be a leader who acts; motivating those around him to move his client agendas forward at every turn.”
Range Music managing partner Tyler Henry added, “Cory is one of the best managers in the industry, and I couldn’t be more excited we get to partner again after all of these years. He goes above and beyond for his artist, partners, team and family. His abilities as an executive go far beyond music and I can’t wait to see what he accomplishes at Range.”
“I chose Range because I loved the company culture and the partners that had already been assembled,” said Litwin. “One of my favorite quotes is, ‘It’s not about the destination, but about the journey.’ Being able to join somewhere at this point in my journey with so many great partners having varying expertise and experience is exciting and inspiring to me. I’m looking to grow as much as I can and work alongside great people who can help with my growth and the growth of my clients. Here at Range there is an opportunity to expand into the arenas of some of my other passions, including film, television and sports.”
In addition to Litwin, Graham and Henry, the Range Media music division is headed up by Jack Minihan, Melissa Ruderman, Chris Thomas and Evan Winiker, as well as partners Michele Harrison, Greg Johnson, Rachel Douglas, Ace Christian and Joel Zimmerman.
Since launching just over two years ago, the Range music division has established its own label in partnership with Capitol Music Group and Virgin Music & Artist Label Services and brought on clients including Jack Harlow, Saweetie, Justin Tranter, Cordae, Midland, Nova Wav, Nicky Romero, D Smoke, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Hailey Whitters, Lauv, MAX, HARV, Sean Douglas, Wondagurl, Disco Biscuits, Rich the Kid, Yola, Eric Bellinger, Tkay Maidza and Pentatonix.
For 2023, Billboard has introduced the Country Power Players’ Choice Award, a peer-voted accolade chosen by Billboard Pro members to honor the executive they believe has made the most impact across the country music business over the past year. Across three rounds of voting, Billboard Pro members have chosen Seth England, partner and CEO of […]
James Vitalo‘s Gold Theory Artists has added managers Jack Babnew and Max Dubois, the company announced Tuesday (May 30).
Vitalo, who has helped steer the breakout success of Turnstile, founded the full-service boutique management company last year. Babnew, previously at TMWRK, will co-manage new client Beach Fossils alongside Vitalo, while Dubois, who launched his own management company in 2020, will bring Deafheaven and MSPAINT, co-managing both with Vitalo.
“When I set out to start Gold Theory, I knew I wanted to eventually expand beyond myself and my team to include other managers, but only those that felt aligned with the company’s ethos and possess the same all-or-nothing mentality,” says Vitalo in a statement. “I’ve seen both Max and Jack’s work over the years and deeply respect their knowledge of and passion for the industry, so it was a no-brainer to bring them into the fold when the stars aligned.”
The expansion comes at a great time for Vitalo, as Turnstile scored three Grammy nominations ahead of the 2023 ceremony. The punk band is currently on tour with Blink-182. Meanwhile, Gold Theory client Knocked Loose has taken on the festival circuit, with the hardcore band performing at Coachella and Bonnaroo this year. Gold Theory’s roster also includes Gatecreeper, Hana Vu, Harm’s Way, julie, Terror, SeeYouSpaceCowboy and Undeath.
Gold Theory’s growth signals a potential shift in the management space, with young managers opting to leave larger firms — or never sign with one to begin with — to either operate independently or work together at a company that operates independently.
“My whole life, I’ve been drawn to those who do things on their own terms — the risk-takers, the rule-breakers, the people who hear ‘you can’t do that’ and respond, ‘Watch me,’” says Babnew. “James and his roster at Gold Theory embody that spirit. As I grow my own career and define the terms for myself, I wouldn’t want to do it alongside anyone else.”
“Finding great people who happen to work with great artists is an incredibly difficult needle to thread,” adds Dubois. “I’ve always been excited about building something meaningful and impactful with people who push me to be the best version of myself. What James has done with the roster at Gold Theory has been undeniable and the people he’s brought in to drive the machine is exactly the combination I’m grateful to be a part of.”