(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
Octagon, the global sports and entertainment marketing firm, whose clients include John Elway, Michael Phelps, David Robinson, Davis Love III, Steve Yzerman, Mia Hamm, Bill Cowher, and the Duchess of York, is entering into the music management business with the creation of Octagon Music. Veteran manager/marketer Peter Rudge will head up the newly created venture. Rudge tapped business affairs expert Gary Casson and management/touring/television excutive Susan Bank to join Octagon Music's senior management team to represent their global musical brands via their headquarters in both New York and London. Octagon Music's initial roster of clients includes IL DIVO, Madness, Ray Davies and Jane Monheit.
"We created Octagon Music as a hybrid approach to worldwide management for recording artists," commented Phil de Picciotto, president of Octagon. "Octagon Music is committed to providing the world's top artists with a comprehensive and creative representation model. This business model leverages the superior skills and expertise of the leadership team with Octagon's access to corporate brands. Much as Octagon's experts do in the sports representation area, our music group will provide first class management, while creating unique business opportunities for our clients through relationships that will leverage and build upon Octagon's strong global assets."
Rudge's career in the entertainment industry spans over 35 years. He has managed The Rolling Stones, The Who, Duran Duran, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Roger Waters and Pulp. He was also involved in the marketing and promotion of Jimi Hendrix's "Electric Lady Land," The Who's "Tommy," and the Rolling Stones' "Exile on Main Street" and "Some Girls."
Casson is renowned for his business affairs experience over his 28 year music industry career. Following his stint at CBS UK, Casson was named director of Business Affairs for CBS U.S. He joined Elektra/Asylum Records in 1983 and became the executive VP at Elektra Entertainment Group in 1994. During his career, Casson has handled business and contract negotiations for Metallica, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Tracy Chapman, Natalie Merchant and AC/DC among others.
Bank has held the position of VP Touring and Live Events at Reigndeer Entertainment in New York and Artists Management Group in both New York and Los Angeles. She also has held various positions at Capitol Records, Silent Partner Management, Second Vision and Delsener/Slater Enterprises. She has worked with Britney Spears, Blues Traveler, The Toadies, Depeche Mode and Peter Gabriel and was also a producer for Britney Spears: Live in Miami on Showtime, and for Britney Spears: In the Zone on ABC. –Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
