Global law firm Nixon Peabody has added Matt Finkelstein as a partner and head of its music practice. Joining from ArentFox Schiff, Finkelstein handles transactions and copyright matters on behalf of record labels, music publishers, artists, songwriters, catalog investors and concert venues.
Finkelstein recently advised BMG in its blockbuster merger with Concord, and he’s worked on major catalog and royalty stream deals for the music of the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Simon & Garfunkel, the Pointer Sisters and John Legend. Finkelstein 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, said in a statement, “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 brought on Los Angeles associate Taylor J. Coley, who joins the firm as a member of the music practice and corporate group.
Finkelstein and Mayne’s hires continue 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 info 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. Coming aboard the agency are David Valdez and Danielle Diab, who have been hired 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)
Indie publisher Tape Room Music promoted Caroline Hodson to vp of A&R. She was previously 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 in Nashville.
“’Hef’ is less worried about the genre label than how people are responding to the 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, in addition to identifying the audience and growing the passion factor from the earliest moments.”
Ames has held roles at Alama Records, 10K Projects and Elektra Music Group. Ramsey previously served as a 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 the best ways 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 in a way that sustains forward movement.” — Ariel King
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Name PR Promotes Three
Name PR announced the promotion of William McCrossan as junior account manager, Joshua Hart as publicist and Ruby Harpin as press assistant.
“These promotions reflect the swift progress Will and Josh have made in the last year, and my expectation is that they are set to grow a lot further,” Sam Shemtob, founder of NamePR, said in a statement. “Any company is only as good as its staff, and Josh, Ruby and Will are an exceptionally switched-on, passionate and attentive trio, working with a spring in their step!”
McCrossan was previously a senior account executive working on clients IDOL and the Association of Independent Music. “It is fantastic to be stepping up at an agency that is so embedded in the music ecosystem,” McCrossan said in a statement. “Coming from an arts PR background and having spent years making music myself, being able to bring those two sides of my experience together at Name PR has been incredibly rewarding. I’m looking forward to taking on more responsibility across our corporate work and continuing to build on the relationships I’ve developed with clients and journalists across the business.”
Hart previously served as a senior account executive, and will now lead the company’s consumer practice and work with clients such as Proper and Exceleration Music, Redeye and Cooking Vinyl. “To lead and grow the consumer division at one of the U.K.’s finest and most fast-paced music PR agencies is an incredible opportunity,” Hart said in a statement. “With years of publicity campaigns under my belt, I can’t wait to develop the department while honing my corporate skills with some of the industry’s most exciting companies. It’s a pleasure to be working with Sam, Will and Ruby, and I can’t wait to see where the next year will take us.” — Ariel King
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Kelly Campbell and Becca D’Hilly (Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum promoted two staff members. Kelly Campbell was upped to associate director of brand marketing and Becca D’Hilly was elevated to associate director of revenue marketing. Campbell oversees marketing strategy, paid media and brand-focused marketing campaigns including exhibitions, digital content, public programs and educational initiatives. D’Hilly oversees revenue-generating marketing initiatives that support the museum’s nonprofit mission, including admissions, dining and events, and membership and retail. — Chris Eggertsen
