The global law firm Nixon Peabody has welcomed Matt Finkelstein as a partner and head of its music practice. Previously with ArentFox Schiff, Finkelstein specializes in transactions and copyright issues for record labels, music publishers, artists, songwriters, catalog investors, and concert venues.
Finkelstein recently advised BMG in its blockbuster merger with Concord, and has been involved in significant catalog and royalty stream agreements for the music of the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Simon & Garfunkel, the Pointer Sisters, and John Legend. He also represented Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones in advocating for artist royalty rights before the U.S. Copyright Office in 2023.
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Nic Mayne, co-leader of Nixon Peabody’s entertainment and sports team, stated, “Matt is one of the most recognized transactional lawyers in the music industry, with a client roster and track record that speak for themselves. His arrival deepens our firm’s longstanding music capabilities and enhances our service to clients across the music ecosystem. As clients navigate new technologies and revenue streams, Matt brings the industry fluency and transactional sophistication needed to help them move forward.”
Nixon Peabody also hired Los Angeles associate Taylor J. Coley, who joins the firm as part of the music practice and corporate group.
The hiring of Finkelstein and Mayne continues the recent growth trajectory of the firm’s entertainment & sports team, which added Boston counsel Rick Goulding and Los Angeles associates Loren Shokes and Samantha Wainaina earlier this year. — Rachel Scharf
Read on for information about more recent hires, promotions, and executive moves across the music business.
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David Valdez, Danielle Diab, Sophie Maltby (THE·TEAM)
THE·TEAM (formerly Wasserman) announced two new hires and a promotion. Joining the agency are David Valdez and Danielle Diab, who have been appointed as directors of tour marketing out of Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Sophie Maltby was promoted to associate director of integrated music & sports partnership within the artist services group.
Valdez has over 16 years of experience leading marketing campaigns for major concert tours, venues, and festivals. He was most recently director of tour marketing at Live Nation. He has also held marketing roles at Intuit Dome, AEG Presents, and Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena).
Diab has more than 14 years of experience in the industry. She previously served in marketing roles at Live Nation and AEG Presents.
Maltby previously led social and digital strategy for the company’s music and action sports verticals. In her new role, she will focus on developing opportunities at the intersection of sports and music. — Chris Eggertsen
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Ben Farber (Version III)
Version III co-founder Ben Farber has left his role as VP of streaming strategy and revenue at Warner Records to focus on his record label and management company with Josh Epple. Farber and Epple founded the company in 2021 alongside Andrew Cramb.
“We started Version III because we wanted to build the kind of company we would have wanted to work with if we were artists,” Farber said in a statement. “The goal has always been to create a transparent partnership where we’re willing to take risks, think differently, and develop artists for the long term. After building this company while working full-time at Warner Records, I’m incredibly excited to give Version III my full attention We’ve accomplished a lot so far between the two of us, and we’re just getting started. I’m so grateful for my experience at Warner Records. The leaders, colleagues, and artists all contributed to preparing me for this chapter.”
“Everything we’ve done has been about building something that lasts,” Epple said in a statement. “We’re not interested in being the biggest company in the room. We’re interested in being the right company for the right artists — and helping them build careers that are bigger than any one song.” — Ariel King
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Caroline Hodson (Tape Room Music)
The indie publisher Tape Room Music promoted Caroline Hodson to VP of A&R from her previous role as director of A&R.
Hodson joined Tape Room as an intern in 2020. During her time there, she has worked closely with the company’s songwriter roster and supported Tape Room founder Ashley Gorley in his songwriting and other creative pursuits. She also manages the creative and marketing efforts for the company’s label arm, Tape Room Records. — Chris Eggertsen
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Dilan ‘Hef’ Ames & Alyssa Ramsey (Hey Now Records)
Hey Now Records has hired Dilan “Hef” Ames as VP of A&R and Alyssa Ramsey as director of artist development. Ames will be based in Los Angeles while Ramsey will be located in Nashville.
“’Hef’ is less worried about genre labels than how people are responding to songs,” Kris Lamb, president and co-founder of Hey Now, said in a statement. “Based in Los Angeles, he’s relentless in searching the internet, talking to tastemakers and music lovers to find artists long before they break out. He is a big believer that getting involved early can accelerate the creative process while identifying audiences and growing passion from the earliest moments.”
Ames has held roles at Alama Records, 10K Projects, and Elektra Music Group. Ramsey previously served as day-to-day manager/manager of label services at Play It Again Music Group.
“In today’s fast-response world, Alyssa’s diverse experience allows her to consider how best to develop talent from many perspectives,” Lamb said in a statement. “She is a ninja who understands release strategies, artist branding, and how to track growth sustainably.” — Ariel King
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Name PR Promotes Three
Name PR announced promotions for William McCrossan, who becomes junior account manager; Joshua Hart, now publicist; and Ruby Harpin, who is now press assistant.
“These promotions reflect Will’s and Josh’s rapid progress over the last year, with expectations they will continue to grow,” said Sam Shemtob, founder of NamePR. “Any company is only as good as its staff; Josh, Ruby, and Will are an exceptionally switched-on trio working passionately!”
McCrossan was previously a senior account executive working on clients IDOL and the Association of Independent Music. “It is fantastic to step up at an agency deeply embedded in the music ecosystem,” McCrossan stated. “Coming from an arts PR background while making music myself has been incredibly rewarding.”
Hart previously served as a senior account executive but will now lead consumer practice with clients such as Proper Music Group among others.
Here you can find the original article; photos used come from this source with proper attribution.
Here you can find the original article; photos used come from this source with proper attribution.
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