(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
The Sony BMG Strategic Marketing Group (SMG) is launching a new record label, Burgundy Records with signings of Chaka Khan and Aaron Neville. The new Sony BMG SMG imprint label, which is spearheaded by Executive Vice President Joe DiMuro, is set to sign legendary multi-platinum artists and release new titles in conjunction with an innovative marketing campaign that will promote the artists through traditional and non-traditional channels.
"I am looking forward to working with many of the artists that I grew up with and making their music available to everyone, including new and old fans alike," said DiMuro. "I am confident that Burgundy Records will be a fantastic addition to the Sony BMG myriad of labels."
"I am excited to be a part of Burgundy Records and look forward to giving my existing fans and hopefully new fans some brand new music," said Neville. "New Orleans' first son" and four-time Grammy award-winning artist, Neville has a trademark angelic voice and an impressive body of work to go along with it."
"I am very much looking forward to my partnership with Burgundy Records. I think that Burgundy was made for me, and I know that we'll do great things together," said Khan. As one of the most important female artists of the 21st century, Chaka Khan has continued to influence and inspire the music industry as well as her fans through her dynamic voice and stage presence.
Burgundy Records is set to sign additional artists who have retained strong consumer affinity and produced a catalog of music that is still relevant and appreciated today. The label's primary target audience will be the often under-served adult consumers who may consider themselves fans of the artists' earlier work and are eager to hear new material. In tandem with this outreach to a loyal consumer base, the label will also bring widespread exposure for these iconic artists and their new music to a contemporary audience.
"The exciting thing about Burgundy Records is that it will expose legendary artists to consumers who don't even know they are fans," said Matt Stringer, senior vice president of Marketing & New Product Development. "Most people do not realize that today's chart-topping artists are influenced by artists that their parents grew up with."
With the launch of Burgundy Records, The Sony BMG Strategic Marketing Group will extend its unique approach to music marketing, operating under the conviction that an artist's success is not defined exclusively by radio spins. Central to every project executed by SMG is the concept of a "360-Degree Approach." By operating much like an agency, the Group analyzes artists from every angle and promotes them through a variety of channels, including licensing, strategic partnerships, mobile applications, DRTV, tour marketing and publicity.
"Artists and their labels can no longer rely on exposure through radio and video to get their new music into the hands of existing or potentially new fans," said DiMuro. "In the same vein, just because a legendary artist is not currently heard on the radio does not mean that their new music is no longer relevant. Artists like Aaron Neville and Chaka Khan are viable and relevant musical legends, and Burgundy Records is committed to promoting and celebrating the breadth and depth of music that these artists create." –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
Tyler Named EVP Sony Music Group
(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
Bruce Tyler has been named executive vice president, Promotion/Market Strategy, Sony Music Label Group, U.S. Tyler, who is based in New York, will report to Michele Anthony, president and chief operating officer, Sony Music Label Group U.Sand. He will partner with the heads of Epic Records, Columbia Records and Sony Urban Music in overseeing promotion strategies and initiatives.
Working in tandem with the management of the labels, Tyler will manage the Group's promotion departments. The promotion departments of Columbia, Epic and Sony Urban will report to their respective label heads, as well as to Tyler. Tyler will be responsible for developing innovative marketing and promotion strategies to maximize the impact of the Sony Music Label Group's releases.
"Bruce is one of the most respected and forward thinking executives in his field," commented Anthony. "He will provide guidance to all of our labels and divisions and put us in a position to roll out cohesive, long term strategies. Bruce has the right blend of skills and talents to fully integrate the Group's efforts and implement a marketing and promotion model that will quickly become an industry standard."
Most recently, Tyler was chief executive officer of Active Industry Research (AIR), one of the most respected research firms in the industry. He oversaw all aspects of the company's operations. He was one of the original members of AIR at its founding in 1983, joining as office manager and subsequently holding positions of increasing responsibility including vice president and general manager and president.
–Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
