BMG Production Music (BMGPM) is expanding its operations into Canada with Anna Andrych and Matt Cansick at the helm, the company announced Thursday (March 19). BMGPM launched a new branch office in Toronto and another in Montreal earlier this year.
In their new roles, Andrych and Cansick will lead the company’s strategic business development, coordinate marketing and sales efforts and handle all licensing for its Canadian clientele.
Andrych joins the company from the Paris-based publisher Musique & Music and will be based in Montreal. Cansick joined BMGPM’s U.K. office in 2017 before transferring to Los Angeles last year. Both will report to BMGPM’s senior vp, U.S. Dennis Dunn, who is based in Los Angeles and oversees the North American region.
“BMG Production Music going direct in Canada is a natural move for the company,” said BMGPM executive vp & global MD John Clifford in a statement. “This follows both, the end of BMGPM’s previous sub-publishing relationship (Dec 2019) and the launch of the new BMG office in Canada earlier this year. We see Canada as a great potential growth market for BMGPM where, to date, our repertoire has been largely under-exploited. Anna and Matt are two seasoned Production Music pro’s, and with both of them hailing from Europe I think they will offer a fresh approach to our media partners in Canada!”
Marathon Artists director of A&R Jaimie Hodgson has left to form a new artist management company, Found Management, it was announced Friday (March 13). Hodgson will additionally explore new ventures in both publishing and recording.
Since joining Marathon, Hodgson’s signings have included Courtney Barnett, POND, Afro B, CocoRosie and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. As director of A&R — a position he took over from Marathon partner and co-founder Philippe Ascoli in 2016 — he also initiated and managed the creation of Marathon’s rap imprint MOVES Recordings alongside Ian McQuaid.
“It has been such a privilege to share in this journey, witnessing a burgeoning label evolve into the amazing label group it is today,” said Hodgson in a statement. “There are not many other homes in music that would enable me to have had such hands-on creative work with such a diverse array of artists from so many different cultures, as well as working alongside some of the best talents in the industry. I could not have asked for a more enriching experience in the worlds of records and publishing.”
In addition to his new ventures, Hodgson will continue working on the House Anxiety record label he founded in 2008, which released the debut recordings of artists including King Krule, Vagabon and Keyah/Blu.
“Since he started to work for Philippe in 2013 Jaimie has been a great addition to the team of Marathon Artists,” added Marathon Music Group CEO Paul-Rene Albertini. “We thank him for his great contribution to our company and will have the privilege to keep interacting with him on a regular basis but more importantly wishing him the very best for his new endeavours.”
Concord has brought on Jeff Van Driel to serve as the company’s general manager, global administration, a newly-created position, the company announced Tuesday (March 17).
In his new role, Van Driel will provide strategic and technical guidance on all royalty, copyright and licensing administration for Concord’s recorded music, music publishing and theatrical businesses across the globe. He will be based out of the company’s Nashville headquarters and report to COO Jim Selby.
“Jeff’s background in IT systems, best practices, finance, royalty and payment operations make him the ideal candidate for this much-needed new position at Concord,” said Selby in a statement. “He has a deep knowledge of how to integrate practical solutions and implement effective administrative technologies which will help to lead Concord’s team towards continued success and strategic growth.”
Van Driel previously worked for 11 years at the classical label and distributor Naxos. Later, he led the music tech startup Vibe while also consulting for companies on advisory, operational, legal, business affairs and administrative duties.