For weeks, Music Week has been besieged by nominations from bright young things. Whittling them down to this year’s 30 Under 30 was an almost impossible task. But whittle we did, so here they are: the people who will run the music biz sooner rather than later…
LUCY BALL
Senior Manager Analytics, Sony Music
Age: 29
Lucy Ball joined Sony Music six years ago as part of the sales team, working as an analyst in market research. She joined the insight team four years ago and over the past 12 months has focused on developing Sony Music’s data and analytics capabilities, working closely with label, sales and Filtr playlist teams. She’s proven instrumental in helping the business learn the language of data and how best to adopt it into daily practices, against the shift to a streaming dominated, on-air/on-sale world. One backer said: “She is an integral and influential member of the company and playing a key part in the transformation of our business.”
LISA BIRCH
Senior PR Manager, DawBell
Age: 28
Lisa Birch is one of DawBell’s longest standing members of staff, having been with the PR agency for five of the six years it’s been running. Over the past 18 months, Birch has dramatically widened her remit from traditional print press, directing successful music campaigns for artists such as Christopher Owens, Mary Lambert and Charlie Simpson, to moving into personal celebrity PR management. Throughout 2015, Birch was the European media coordinator for Lionel Richie, helping him achieve his first No.1 in 23 years and managing the PR strategy around his massive comeback on the Glastonbury stage last summer.
TOM CLOUGH
Creative Sync Coordinator, Sony Music UK
Age: 27
Tom Clough has been with the Sony Music Sync department for more than three years. Before joining Sony Music, he held positions at Warner/Chappell Publishing, Chuff Media and Full Time Hobby Records. Recent successes include Raleigh Ritchie’s Stronger Than Ever as the backdrop for the launch of ITV’s newest channel, ITV Encore, as well as Don Broco and Kodaline taking the stage during a Made In Chelsea festival. A two-time Music Week Sync Awards winner, Clough also supports his department by looking after advertising clients, including Virgin Media’s TV spot featuring a Fleur East cover of Alicia Keys’ Girl On Fire.
RACHEL COOMBER
Head Of BBC Introducing, BBC
Age: 25
After graduating from ACM, Coomber worked her way through management roles with Air Management and Quest, before joining the BBC as live events coordinator in 2014. In 2015, she got the job of producer at BBC Introducing. She now leads 36 BBC Introducing local radio shows, is the broadcast lead for BBC Introducing coverage across Radio 1, 2, 3, 1Xtra, 6 Music and the Asian Network and curates the BBC Introducing stages at festivals. She’s clearly already made her mark on the industry. One exec wrote: “If she is not controller of Radio 1 in 10 years, that will be because she’s running a major record label.”
JENNIFER CULLEN
Artist Services Manager, Ticketmaster International
Age: 27
Jennifer Cullen has played an essential role in the development of the artist services division across the Ticketmaster International business. Over the past three years, she has worked to build strong working relationships with artist managers, record labels, agents and promoters, and has coordinated the international roll out of ticketing strategies for the likes of Beyoncé, Madonna, Justin Bieber, and Bring Me The Horizon. Career highlights include Kasabian’s 48:13 album launch, where Ticketmaster and Live Nation partnered with Sony Music and Amazon UK to deliver a three month pre-order and ticket tie-in initiative.
NICK DEARMUN
Product Manager, Columbia Records
Age: 27
Having previously worked at Decca Records, Nick Dearmun joined Columbia in 2014 and has cemented himself as a core part of the marketing department. Dearmun has been instrumental in the development of some key projects at the label, most notably Calvin Harris, Raleigh Ritchie and Shift K3y, where his knack for innovation and creative thinking has helped shape these successful campaigns. As one co-worker put it: “He excels in developing relationships, and his knowledge of the current trends across digital platforms sets him apart from others.” His current roster also includes MK, A$AP Rocky and Madeon.
MARK DENNIS
Head Of Marketing, DHP Family
Age: 27
Mark Dennis leads the marketing team for DHP’s national promotion and concerts business. In the last year, Mark oversaw marketing campaigns for DHP’s 1,500+ concerts and tours. Last year, DHP put on more tours (from The War On Drugs to Happy Mondays) and even bigger special shows (including Ed Sheeran at Wembley Stadium). Dennis also led the marketing across DHP’s Festival portfolio including Dot To Dot Festival, No Tomorrow, Splendour, Hit The Deck and the launch of Mirrors Festival around Hackney; marketing artists as varied as John Newman, The Specials, Skindred and Fat White Family.
HANNAH DONOVAN
Head Of Social, Warner Bros/Parlophone UK
Age: 24
Social media whizz Hannah Donovan joined Warner Music in 2014 as digital marketing manager, working on dance specialist FFRR as well as Parlophone and Warner Bros releases. She was promoted to head of social for the latter two labels last year, where she now manages a team of four and runs social marketing campaigns for artists on both labels. Pre-Warner, she ran digital marketing and international social media for digital distribution company Believe Digital, putting together innovative campaigns for Breton and James Vincent McMorrow. Add her to your social media ‘ones to watch’ list now.
JASON EDWARDS
Booking Agent, Coda Agency
Age: 28
After experimenting with roles as a manager, club promoter, DJ and press agent, Jason Edwards found his calling as a booking agent back in 2009, starting an agency from his bedroom in Glasgow. After three years with Brighton-based 13 Artists, Edwards joined CODA in 2013. He is the lead agent for Years & Years and has built a large and eclectic roster including Grimes, Temples, The Wytches, Spector, Alessia Cara, Blood Orange and Spring King. Edwards is also programme director for Festival No.6 in Portmeirion and previously coordinated club programmes at the legendary but now defunct Glasgow club The Arches.
JEN EWBANK
International Product & Promotions Manager, Kobalt Label Services
Age: 29
KLS’ Jen Ewbank played an “instrumental” role in the European success of Lenny Kravitz’s Strut campaign, which went platinum in France and gold in Switzerland and Poland. Ewbank secured high profile opportunities such as the NRJ Awards, Circus HalliGalli and many more, helping to deliver a hugely successful global campaign. She has since been running further successful international campaigns including ones for the Pet Shop Boys, The Waterboys, Steel Panther and The Darkness. With her successes to date, it is no wonder Ewbank is described as “passionate”, “dedicated” and “a pleasure to work with”.
SAM FAULKNER
Head Of A&R, First Access Entertainment
Age: 27
As head of A&R at First Access Entertainment, Sam Faulkner is the manager behind Jack Garratt. As one co-worker put it: “The success of the business side to the project is purely down to the talent, dedication and hard work of Sam.” Faulkner’s support and vision has cemented Garratt as a live artist - including a sold-out Shepherds Bush Empire show four months upfront and a sold-out O2 Academy Brixton before a debut album – as well as a credible act amongst the industry, earning the singer and multi-instrumentalist the BBC Introducing, Brits Critics’ Choice and BBC Sound Poll 2016 awards.
OLIVIA HOBBS
Senior Marketing Manager, Fiction
Age: 27
Having worked on successful campaigns with the likes of Death From Above 1979, Health, and Mini Mansions as well as new bands like The Amazons and Palace, Olivia Hobbs has made a name for herself not just at Fiction Records but also across the industry. As one former co-worker put it: “I have never worked with anyone who has offered so many ideas and suggestions, every single one of them unique and different. She is amazing at her job.” Before joining the label, Hobbs spent over four years at Polydor. As digital marketing manager there, she worked on online marketing campaigns for numerous US and UK artists across Polydor & Interscope, including Haim and Years & Years.
BENJAMIN HUSTED
Manager, Raw Power Management
Age: 27
Benjamin Husted started out as an intern with Raw Power in 2009. Over the last six years, he’s grown to be a seriously accomplished young manager, taking on day to day responsibilities for Don Broco and Young Guns, as well as heading up the campaign to release the debut Greywind album this year. Don Broco’s second album, Automatic, went Top 10 upon release in August last year, landing at No.6, while the band sold out O2 Academy Brixton. They’ve also made multiple TV appearances including Sky Arts Sessions and 4 Music. Hudson is known not just for his colourful hair, but also for his character, which can be seen regularly at gigs.
MARTHA KINN
Partner & Manager, Machine Management
Age: 27
As manager of Years & Years, Martha Kinn turned the electro-pop trio into one of 2015’s biggest breakthroughs, signing them to global publishing and record deals with Universal Music Publishing and Polydor Records. Her strategy saw them top the BBC Sound Of poll last year, followed by the No.1 debut album Communion, and multiple BRIT nominations. Before joining Machine in 2013, Kinn discovered Rizzle Kicks while 21 years old and working at ATC management. It’s also worth noting, as one nomination for Kinn pointed out, that she is “a true inspiration for all young women starting out in a very male dominated music industry”.
CHARLIE KNOX
Senior A&R Coordinator, Capitol Records
Age: 23
Everyone knows the duo at the heart of Capitol UK, but Charlie Knox is what label president Nick Raphael describes as “the secret third member of our A&R team”. He’s been working with Raphael and executive vice president of A&R, Jo Charrington, for years now – teaming up with them first at Epic, then becoming Raphael’s assistant at London Records. It’s at Capitol that he’s really come into his own, however. Having played his part in blockbusting Sam Smith and 5 Seconds Of Summer campaigns, and working on hotly-tipped new signing Frances, the secret’s finally out: expect Knox to be a big A&R noise for years to come.
JESSICA LORD
Artist Manager, Red Light Management
Age: 29
Jessica Lord is said to have “the balance of intelligence and experience beyond her years”. Having joined Red Light Management from Warner Music in January 2014, she has played a significant role in a number of artist campaigns including a run of UK and international Top 10s with Interpol’s El Pintor, Belle & Sebastian’s Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance and The Cribs’ For All My Sisters, as well as Kaiser Chiefs’ No.1 album Education, Education, Education & War. Lord has also worked alongside Red Light’s UK MD James Sandom to help steer the broadcasting and television career of Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson.
ISLA MISKELLY
Promoter, Live Nation Entertainment
Age: 29
Isla Miskelly built her reputation at Nottingham and London-based DHP Family, working with acts such as Daughter, London Grammar and Tom Odell, as well as booking Gathering Festival. Joining Live Nation two years ago, she has promoted artists including Ellie Goulding, Imagine Dragons, Bastille, Meghan Trainor and Jess Glynne, and was one of the main bookers for the first Community Festival last year. The showcase event was designed to provide an opportunity for emerging acts to be scouted by festival bookers from across the globe and featured the likes of Lianne La Havas, Nothing But Thieves, Young Guns and Rat Boy.
JAMES MOODIE
Senior Manager, Talent & Music, Vevo
Age: 28
Since joining Vevo in 2013, James Moodie has played an integral role in the label relations team in the UK, working across a diverse label roster from Virgin EMI and Island, through to independent labels. Moodie previously worked at Big Life Management, as digital and social media manager. But his passion for music transcends his career. He started his own Flatpack label for a three-month university project; five years and 20 releases later, the label was still securing slots at major festivals, only ceasing to operate in 2015. After playing a role in the success of the band’s last album, he even got ‘The Cribs’ tattooed on his leg.
SUREETA NAYYAR
Head Of Artist Development, Crown Talent & Media Group
Age: 28
Sureeta Nayyar made a flying start when she joined Crown Talent & Media Group in 2010 as a talent scout, with three acts she discovered going on to score major label deals. She worked on Jessie J and Conor Maynard’s debut projects and was involved with the early development of Ella Henderson. She has since beefed up Crown’s international network, scored big sync deals for clients and recently signed new artist Amber-Simone to a major publishing deal. Colleagues describe her as a “passionate renegade who stands for integrity and credibility” and praise her ability to build all-encompassing campaigns.
LAILAH O’DONNELL
Head Of Promotions, Spinefarm Records
Age: 29
Having been recently promoted, Lailah O’Donnell oversees the press and often radio/TV campaigns for a broad and high-profile roster of rock and metal artists on Spinefarm, including Ghost, Electric Wizard, Seether and more. She started out managing an independent rock club in Leeds. From there, O’Donnell made the move to London, obtaining a year-long dual internship, working with the BPI and with Niamh Byrne (manager of Blur and head of creative content for Universal). She also worked as campaign coordinator for the industry campaign Music Matters.
RACHAEL PATTERSON
Label Manager, [PIAS]
Age: 24
Starting out as an intern in 2012 at Sunday Music Management/Domino Recording Co, philosophy graduate Rachael Patterson went on to join [PIAS] in 2014 as their youngest label manager and was heavily involved in Björk’s recent Vulnicura album campaign, while looking after label One Little Indian as well as Fat Possum, Partisan, Chemikal Underground and more. Label executives Patterson has worked with speak incredibly highly of her enthusiasm, knowledge of the music industry, her ability to “manage her time flawlessly” and her “intuitive understanding of what a label wants and needs from its label manager”.
PREETI RAJAN
Social Media & Content Manager, AEG Live UK
Age: 27
Preeti Rajan first started out at EMI and also worked at Influence Digital and the Outside Organisation. Rajan was approached by AEG last year to join the team, following her work on British Summer Time Hyde Park, growing its social audience by 379%. She is now their in-house social media manager across events such as Justin Bieber’s Purpose Tour and Rod Stewart’s Winter Tour. “She is the most creative social media and digital content person I have ever worked with,” said Goldenvoice VP, live music, Simon Jones. “Clever, innovative ideas, broadening projects with her input, she has a big future in the business ahead of her.”
CLAIRE REILLY
Booking Assistant, United Talent Agency
Age: 29
Having been at the company for four and a half years, Claire Reilly is an integral pivot in UTA’s London office. Reilly assists agent Greg Lowe in the day-to-day running of a roster that encompasses everything from Underworld to Glass Animals and has enjoyed success at developing her own A&R into genuine triumphs such as Palace, Alex Vargas and Rosie Lowe. Loved and respected by clients and colleagues alike, Reilly is said to have a fierce independent streak wrapped up in a genuine love of people and places that is motivated by her desire to be better, fight for the acts and carve out her own identity in a very competitive world.
OLLIE ROSENBLATT
Managing Director, Senbla
Age: 28
Hailed as “the best young promoter in the UK” by one advocate, Ollie Rosenblatt attracted a host of nominations from across the industry. A distant relative of legendary Beatles manager Brian Epstein, the sharp-suited 28-year-old launched his Senbla company in 2011 and has promoted artists such as Burt Bacharach, along with the A Life In Song Series at Royal Festival Hall. Bacharach’s tour manager Sue Main said: “He is mature beyond his years. Both Burt and I feel he has earned a place on the list.” Pete Waterman added: “He is a visionary young promoter who ends up creating the best case scenario for everyone.”
CARLO SCARAMPI
Promoter, Kilimanjaro Live
Age: 29
Starting off in-house at The Enterprise and The Barfly, Carlo Scarampi briefly worked for AEG Live’s Goldenvoice brand before moving across to join Stuart Galbraith’s Kilimanjaro Live, just as it was breaking away from AEG’s ownership. Bastille and The Lumineers were the first two names to break for Scarampi and he further cemented himself by becoming involved in the touring businesses of acts such as Coasts, Ella Eyre, Jess Glynne, Daughter, Petite Meller and many more. “Like everyone at Kilimanjaro, he believes new talent has to be at the heart of what we do,“ said Kilimanjaro director and promoter Steve Tilley.
PETE SIMMONS
Junior A&R, Universal Music Publishing
Age: 23
At only 23 years old, Pete Simmons started out in music before he had even graduated from university, working at BBC Radio 1 and then joining Universal Music Publishing as a scout. He’s had a great past 12 months of signings, including Matt Maltese, Clean Cut Kid and DJ/producer Sigala, who had a No.1 single with Easy Love and entered the UK Top 10 with second single Sweet Lovin’. As a well-connected guy who lives and breathes his A&R role, and drawing nominations from across the industry, Simmons is described by his peers as “a striking example of all the best qualities of what it is to work in A&R”.
CHRISTOPHER TARBET
Technical Operations Manager, Merlin
Age: 28
With multiple nominations from across the independent music community, Chris Tarbet has been described as exceptionally friendly, always helpful and an asset to the music business. Music Week is told that he has an outstanding knowledge of digital music rights and in his role as technical account manager, he is responsible for helping Merlin’s members maximise the value of their participation in the digital market. Tarbet has contributed significantly to helping many UK and international labels grow their revenues on multiple digital platforms such as YouTube, Spotify and SoundCloud.
NICK TEARLE
Strategic Digital Campaign Manager, Atlantic Records UK
Age: 28
Nick Searle only joined Atlantic in 2013 – after stints at Fabric and doing freelance marketing and design for a number of music festivals – but in those three years he has already worked on over a dozen No.1 albums, as well as a host of hit singles. He was part of the team behind Ed Sheeran’s X campaign – which won a Music Week Award for Artist Marketing Campaign – and this year’s MWA-nominated Jess Glynne operation. He also continues to work on festivals, as marketing director and partner at 57 Festivals. Those who’ve worked with him praise him unreservedly as “innovative, highly professional and an inspiration”.
STUART WHEELEY
Senior Marketing Manager, Rhino UK
Age: 29
Stuart Wheeley first joined Rhino as an intern in 2012, rising swiftly through the ranks to become senior marketing manager last year. Along the way, he has consistently built innovative campaigns. Within his first year as catalogue manager, his strategy delivered more than doubled Warner’s share of the low-price market and he also delivered striking plans for the likes of Hard-Fi and The Pogues, as well as helping to set up Warner’s Vinyl Collector brand. Wheeley has helped deliver hits for Eric Clapton and Cliff Richard, while Cilla Black’s The Very Best Of is a finalist for the Music Week Awards’ Catalogue Marketing Campaign.
BILLY WOOD
Talent Agent, William Morris Endeavor
Age: 29
Despite still being the right side of 30, Billy Wood has already been in the music industry for almost 10 years. He’s been part of discovering and building the careers of acts including N-Dubz, Tinchy Stryder, Wiley and Tinie Tempah, and also represents Run-DMC. “Billy not only books shows, he works closer to his clients, building their live career and more importantly building around their brand,” said Anthony Layiwola of Base N Rebulz Entertainment. “Billy has a good ear for finding new talent and continues to sign acts on the cusp of success including Nadia Rose, Fekky and, most notably, Section Boyz.”
The best of the rest
Competition for a place in our 30 Under 30 list was stronger than ever this year – and sadly, not everyone can make the list. But there’s a huge range of talent across the industry beyond the chosen few so here, Music Week highlights those up-and-comers who just missed out on this year’s 30…
SAM AJILORE, THAT GRAPE JUICE
ISSY BINGHAM, BASCA
DAISY BLACKFORD, IGNITION MANAGEMENT
TIM BOARDMAN, OLD LION TOURING COMPANY
LIZZY BOWMAN, RED LIGHT MANAGEMENT
HARRIET BRAMPTON, ATLANTIC RECORDS
DAN BROWN, RAW POWER MANAGEMENT
LOUIS BROWN, METROPOLIS
ADAM BULLEID, UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP
ALEX BURFORD, WARNER BROS RECORDS
JAMIE CARTER, WARNER BROS/PARLOPHONE RECORDS
ARUN CHAMBA, SHAZAM
ASHLEY CHARLES, BBC RADIO 1XTRA/PARLOPHONE RECORDS
FUZZ CHAUDHREY, CAROLINE INTERNATIONAL
AMAR CHAUHAN, UNA TICKETS
PEU CHEUNG, ADA/WARNER MUSIC UK
CHARLIE CHRISTIE, SEPTEMBER MANAGEMENT
ROB CHUTE, TOAST PRESS
OPHELIA CONHEADY, COLUMBIA RECORDS
JASON COKER, LIVEWIRE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
TOM COTTON, ATLANTIC RECORDS
MURRAY CURNOW, WILDLIFE ENTERTAINMENT
MARTIN DANIELS, RECORDSTORE.CO.UK
LULU DAVIS, INCENDIA
CATIE DEAR, THE7STARS
JACK DERBYSHIRE, DE WOLFE MUSIC
KATY DICKSON, SEPTEMBER MANAGEMENT
LARA DOWD, WELLER MEDIA AGENCY
LAUREN DOWN, END OF THE ROAD
JON EADES, ABBEY ROAD
FLOSSIE EASTHOPE, VIRGIN EMI
CONNIE EDWARDS, MAJOR TOM
JOE EDWARDS, [PIAS]
LEAH ELLIS, WARP RECORDS
ROBYN ELTON, WORK IT MEDIA
JAMES EMBIRICOS, PARLOPHONE RECORDS
MARTIN EVANS, RAW KINGDOM
JACQUELINE EYEWE, ATLANTIC RECORDS
FRANK FIEBER, ATLANTIC RECORDS
MARC FINEMAN, FINE MANAGEMENT
CHARLES GADSDON, MASSIVEMUSIC
MAX GERRANS, METHOD MUSIC
JOE GILL, BAND ON THE WALL
CRAIG GRIEVE, SONY MUSIC UK
JOFF HALL, VMS LIVE
KATIE HALLIDAY, INSANITY GROUP
ELLIE HEWITT, GLASSNOTE
HARRIET HINES, ABSOLUTE RADIO
ALICE HOGG, UTA
TOM HOLLINGS, ARTISTS & COMPANY
PATRICK HOUGH, WARNER BROS RECORDS
FRANCESCA HUGHES, UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP
LEVI JACKSON, VISION NINE GROUP
AMY JAYNE, HOSPITAL RECORDS
LIVY JENKINS, DAWBELL
JOSH JENNINGS, WARNER MUSIC UK
RASHID KASIRYE, LINK UP TV
ALEX KEAGUE-DAVIES, [PIAS]
SOPHIA KEARNEY, THE WEIRD & THE WONDERFUL
JED KELLETT, SARM
ROBYN KENNEDY, MUSIC SALES
TERIY KEYS, ROAD
JESS KINN, CODA
ANDREW LAW, WARNER BROS/PARLOPHONE RECORDS
LUCY LEVITT, KILIMANJARO LIVE
ED LEWIS, MOTHER CITY MUSIC
MAX LUTKIN, ATLANTIC RECORDS
ORNA LYONS, JAMES BARNES MUSIC
SANDY MARRIS, CODA
ANGELA MASTRONARDI, SONY/ATV
RACHEL MCWHINNEY, MOSHI MOSHI
CHIMENE MOHAMMED, IMAGEM
CARLY MORRIS, FIRST ACCESS ENTERTAINMENT
GEORGE O’BRIEN, UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING
AMELIA O’SHEA, DAWBELL
TOM OVERBURY, WARNER/CHAPPELL
VINESH PATEL, COALITION TALENT
JOSEPH PATTERSON, COMPLEX MAGAZINE
CHRIS PAYNE, INTERNATIONAL TALENT BOOKING
TOM PEACOCK, BEAUTIFUL DIGITAL
MICHAEL PICKARD, YOUR ARMY
TIM PRESTON, MASSIVEMUSIC
DOMINIC PRICE, DAWBELL
MOHAMMAD QAZALBASH, LD COMMUNICATIONS
STEPHEN ROSSITER, SHAZAM
CHARLIE ROUT, WARNER MUSIC UK
CASSIE ROWAN, SHAZAM
MEL RUBEN, OUTPOST MEDIA
SHEEMA SIDDIQI, MODEST! MANAGEMENT
JAMES SIMMONS, INTERNATIONAL TALENT BOOKING
SEBASTIAN SIMONE, WARNER BROS RECORDS
GEORGE SIMPSON, PARLOPHONE RECORDS
MADDY SMITH, POLYDOR RECORDS
SHADEH SMITH, ATLANTIC RECORDS
JAMES SMYLLIE, DAWBELL
WILL SPENCER, MUSIC GLUE
JAMIE SPINKS, POLYDOR RECORDS
LARISSA STEWARD, IGNITION MANAGEMENT
WILL STREET, CHESS CLUB RECORDS
ASHLEY SYKES, STELLAR SONGS
ALEX LEE THOMSON, GREEN HOUSE
HANNAH TURNBULL-WALTER, SOMESUCH
CLAIRE WALLEY, DAWBELL
ANDY WELLS, ROCKET MUSIC
MICHAEL WHITHAM, WARNER BROS/PARLOPHONE RECORDS
LIBERTY WILSON, ATLANTIC RECORDS
TRISTAN WILSON, WARNER MUSIC UK
RORY WOODBRIDGE, GOOGLE PLAY MUSIC