Do You Have The Courage 🦁 To Be Successful? Ashley Winton does.

It Takes Courage To Be Successful. Meet Ashley Winton

Ashley Winton has spent the last four years building Warner Chappell Music‘s global creative services arm from the ground up and is now Warner Chappell Music’s co-chair and COO.

As part of that role, Winton has been focusing on finding non-traditional opportunities for songwriters at a time when making a living as a creator is arguably harder than ever.

Winton and her team help writers experiment with writing for film and TV, secure brand partnerships, engage with short-form content, and more.

The department isn’t the only new venture Winton has been tasked with in her career: she’s got a history of starting something from nothing.

Do you have the courage to be successful? Many of us desire the recognition, money, power and all the perks that go along with being super successful but do we really have what it takes to attain such an elevated status? There are many ways to consider being successful: a homeowner who has staked out a piece of the earth to claim as their own; a scholar who has earned the credentials that accompany an ivy league education; a homeowner who has staked out their piece of the planet earth to claim as their own; or a proud mother or father whose children turn out to be good citizens and parents themselves.

First and foremost, each of us has to determine what success means to us individually. Someone who has money and public prestige may not feel as though they are successful if their personal life is lacking. Perhaps they missed out on seeing their children take their first steps or say first words because they were consumed with chasing financial success and in their older age, they regret not being there for their children’s important milestones.

Some people feel success is when you have all of your needs met: home, car, food on the table, bills paid and also have some of things in life we may want such as taking a yearly vacation, dining out occasionally, attending a concert or the theater, etc. Many would consider this as being succesful.

And yet, there are still those who want more. These people want public recognition on a large scale. Not necessarily because they have out-of-control egos but because they feel as though they have something to contribute to the world. Perhaps they are writers with words they feel would impart knowledge to enlighten searching minds and soothe some heavy hearts.  Or maybe a musician has written musical works that would inspire and nourish the souls of the masses or maybe an inventor has invented a device that would ease the pain and suffering of humankind.

Do such people with such special talents owe it to themselves and to the world to do everything in their power to bring forth such gifts to the world? Is it their duty to sacrifice normalcy for celebrity? For most, the journey to celebrity is laden with so many pitfalls, rejections, disappointments, and possibly years before receiving any recognition.

If you have the passion, perseverance and tenacity to bring your special gifts to the world, then go for it but just know, it takes a little luck, although some would argue we make our own luck, but for sure it will  a lot guts, sweat, focus and almighty courage.

By Felecia Harte for HartecastMusic.com/Oct, 2023

SHE’S TAKING OFF!🚀 Olukorede “Kay” Ikazoboh

SHE’S TAKING OFF! Virgin Music Group establishes Nigeria office headed by Olukorede Kay Ikazaboh

Virgin Music Group, one of the world’s leading independent artist and label services companies, has expanded its operations, opening an office in Lagos, Nigeria.

Highly respected music executive, Olukorede “Kay” Ikazoboh has been named Head of Virgin Music Nigeria and will oversee the company’s operations in the area.

Among the first deals announced in the region by Virgin include partnerships with Dvpper, one of Nigeria’s hottest Afrobeats labels, solo artist Reekado Banks, as well as a single with Darkoo featuring Ayra Starr.

Nat Pastor, co-CEO of Virgin Music commented: “The global appetite for the incredible musical creativity springing from Africa has never been stronger.

Establishing a presence in Nigeria is another important step in our commitment to serving independent African artists and entrepreneurs throughout the region.”

“Kay is known throughout Nigeria as a champion of independent labels and artist development, said Michael Roe, Managing Director of Virgin Music International. “Her relationships, expertise and insight into the local market make her the perfect executive to lead our operations in this very important music market.”

A highly respected music manager via her own Kimani Moore Entertainment, Kay has helped to guide the careers of such artists as Odunsi the EngineMowalola, and Taylwar. She also served in a variety of positions in Emerging Markets for Warner Music Group.

“Nigeria has become a hugely important creative hub, producing some of the most exciting music anywhere in the world,” said Kay. “I’m looking forward to working with independent labels and artists to help them build their fan bases both here and around the world. I am truly honoured to lead this mission with my team and look forward to the incredible journey ahead.”

Virgin Music Group has had a presence on the continent since 2021, when the company acquired South Africa’s Electromode, one of the region’s leading independent music distributors.

Last year, the company launched a dedicated label services division in Côte d’Ivoire with more than 15000 titles, 50 label partners, and 100 + artists from more than 25 African countries.

Virgin Music has played a major role in many of the world’s emerging popular music genres, including Afrobeats, música Mexicana, K-pop and others.

Article by by NM Partners for Nairametrics, September, 2023

ALEXANDRA MOORE 🚀 SHE’S TAKIN’ OFF!

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ALEXANDRA MOORE NAMED CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER AT EMPIRE

In her new role, Moore will lead EMPIRE’s efforts to amplify its business footprint on a global scale. Her responsibilities cover areas such as content distribution, international market expansion, e-commerce, business development, and mergers and acquisitions.

Moore, an accomplished industry professional with over 15 years of experience, brings a wealth of expertise to the position. Previously, Moore was Founding Managing Director of a $100 million growth equity fund called Night Capital, formed by YouTube star Mr Beast’s manager, Reed Duchscher. It’s dedicated to acquiring ownership stakes in creator-led companies.

Before that, she led Amazon Music’s Global Strategic Initiatives & Strategy team, driving several products and business launches including concert livestreaming and live radio (Amp) as well as bolstering the team’s revenue-generating efforts in merchandise and international expansion.

Moore also spearheaded transactions including A-list artist and talent deals and was responsible for landing Nicki Minaj’s Queen Radio show.

Moore, a Bay Area native, also held corporate development roles at game developer Electronic Arts, insurance firm Marsh & McLennan Corp., and was an investment banker at Citigroup.

Prior to joining the Amazon Music team, Moore was an executive on Amazon’s Central Corporate Development team where she led global investments and acquisitions for digital content and media, consumer internet, and consumer product businesses.

EMPIRE Founder and CEO, Ghazi Shami, said, “Alex is a proven leader with strong business and operational acumen. She has a wealth of relationships in the music, talent, and consumer internet industries and beyond and I am confident she will be a key player to amplify our global presence.”

Alexandra Moore: “AS A BAY AREA NATIVE, IT’S ALWAYS BEEN AN ASPIRATION TO WORK FOR A LOCAL POWERHOUSE.”

ARTICLE BY MANDY DALUGDUG  FOR MUSIC BUSINESS WORLDWIDE, 2023

SHAWNA SPEARS: 😎 SHE’S TAKING OFF! 🚀

 

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SHAWNA SPEARS…SKYROCKETING!

 

Venice Music has appointed Shawna Spears, who has over 10 years of music industry and artist relations experience, as Vice President of Brand Marketing.

Spears joins the music distribution platform from TikTok, where she spent over a year leading the short-form video platform’s artist and manager partnerships (HipHop and R&B).

At TikTok, Spears identified and activated collaboration opportunities, provided resources for the unmanaged emerging artist community and executed global marketing campaigns.

She oversaw a roster of Hip Hop and R&B artists at TikTok and served as a relationship manage for artists and managers, according to her LinkedIn page.

Prior to TikTok, Spears held marketing and artist-facing roles at Epic Records and Interscope.

Spears also has her own creative agency, Leo Arrow Agency.

At Venice, she will report to Fadia Kader, the company’s newly appointed Executive Vice President and General Manager.

Kader, who was appointed about two weeks ago, previously served as the Global Head of Strategic Partnerships at Clubhouse.

“SHAWNA IS A ROCK STAR WITH AN UNMATCHED TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESSFULLY BUILDING THE BRANDS OF SOME OF MUSIC’S MOST NOTABLE NAMES. WE MET AT THE BEGINNING OF HER CAREER AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IMPRESSED WITH HER UNIQUE ABILITY TO MERGE HER CREATIVITY WITH A STRONG BUSINESS SENSE.”

FADIA KADER, VENICE MUSIC

Commenting on Spears’ appointment, Kader said: “Shawna is a rock star with an unmatched track record of successfully building the brands of some of music’s most notable names. We met at the beginning of her career and I have always been impressed with her unique ability to merge her creativity with a strong business sense.”

 

 “I’m thrilled to have such a well-rounded strategist and marketer who can take things from ideation to execution at Venice as we continue to expand our position as the leading home for independent artists.”

In her new role, Spears will build and lead Venice Music’s brand marketing team, develop and implement the marketing roadmap for execution across distribution channels and ensure a consistent and holistic brand experience for independent artists, partners and more.

“I AM THRILLED TO JOIN VENICE MUSIC IN A ROLE THAT MERGES MY EXPERIENCE AND PASSION FOR ARTIST ADVOCACY IN THE INDEPENDENT SPACE.”

SHAWNA SPEARS, VENICE MUSIC

“I am thrilled to join Venice Music in a role that merges my experience and passion for artist advocacy in the independent space,” said Spears. 

“A critical piece to an artist building and growing their career is their brand authenticity and the ability to connect with their audience in fresh ways. As a storyteller, this opportunity feels like a true full-circle moment.

The appointments of Kader and Spears follow a string of recent hires at Venice Music.

In December, the company appointed Dani Oliva — who received a platinum record (triple platinum in Canada) for his legal work on Ariana Grande’s 2x Grammy nominated album Positions — as Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs.

Venice Music was founded in early 2021 by Q&A co-founders Troy Carter and Suzy Ryoo. Its community members include Aminé, Verité, Moses Sumney, Riot Games, KOTA the Friend, and thuy.

 

Article by, MANDY DA.UGDUG, March, 2023/Music Business WORLDWIDE

😎 SHE’S TAKING OFF! 🚀

OSAGIEO SARENZ Promoted To Director Of African Operations

Osagie Osarenz has been promoted to Director of African Operations at artist and label services company ONErpm.

Osarenz joined ONErpm in 2020, when the company opened an office in Lagos, Nigeria, under the direction of Martin Price, Head of Global Expansion for ONErpm.

Now, as Director of African Operations, Osarenz will lead the opening of five new ONErpm offices, in Accra, Ghana; Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Nairobi, Kenya; Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, and Johannesburg, South Africa.

Since ONErpm opened its Lagos office, the company says it has seen success with local artists such as 1da Banton, Bella Shmurda, Zlatan, and Reminisce.

Executives joining the newly-expanded ONErpm team in Africa include Almah Salum as Country Lead for Tanzania, based in Dar es Salaam, and George Avakian as Country Lead for South Africa, in Johannesburg.

Based in Nairobi, Bilha Ngaruiya has been named Country Lead for Kenya, alongside Mutuma Vincent as Marketing Lead.

Meanwhile, Florence Delali Kpeglo also takes on the role of Country Lead for Ghana in Accra, while in Abidjan, Afi Cakpo is the Lead for Francophone Africa.

ONErpm says that collectively, the Africa-based team has been busy “signing incredible new talent”, including Ghanaian duo DopeNation and Shado Chris in Cote D’Ivoire.

Artists Ish Kevin and Kenny Sol have also signed to the company in Rwanda, while in Tanzania, Gospel singer Rose Muhando, Goodluck Gozbert, G Nako and the duo Mabantu have all joined ONErpm.

Osagie Osarenz: “Our value add in each market is eminent.

Article: Music Business Worldwide: JUNE 14, 2022 By Jack Needham

”Money Moves” Who’$ Making The Moves? Rihanna: The Forbes’ Billionaire’s Club Member!

Rihanna Files Trademark For Fenty Hair

                             Rihanna is estimated to have a fortune of $1.7 billion

Rihanna told us all along she was calling the shots. Out there, collecting money from all manner of … people.

Now it turns out the singer, actress and cosmetics and lingerie mogul is a billionaire.

Not only that, she’s become “the wealthiest female musician in the world and second to Oprah as the richest female entertainer,” according to Forbes.

The publication, which has been crunching the numbers behind the Barbadian star’s empire, estimates her net worth at a whopping $1.7 billion.

Watch how singer Rihanna responds to her look-alike | Music – Gulf News

Rihanna is The 21st Century’s Most Influential Musician

Surprisingly, the vast majority of it has nothing to do with her record-breaking hits. In fact, most of it — approximately $1.4 billion — has been accumulated one lipstick, mascara tube and blush brush at a time. She’s raked in oodles of cash from her Fenty Beauty makeup line launched in 2017 in a 50-50 partnership with luxury brand LVMH.

The brand bucked traditional cosmetic industry standards when it was first unveiled and drew praise for the daring step of including 40 shades of foundation that would provide coverage from deep skin tones to albino skin, and anyone in between. The strategy sparked a movement to be more inclusive within the industry.

Forbes says the rest of Rihanna’s fortune stems from her stake in Savage x Fenty, her lingerie company. That is estimated at $270 million. There’s also Fenty Skin, which debuted last year, and, of course, the revenue that comes from her steady stream of global hits as well as her acting career.

Bad Girl Riri fans have been delighting in the news of her mega-wealth, including some of her musical peers.

Nikki Minaj congratulated her with what could be a rap lyric: “a BILLI-ON here, a BILLI-ON there- Little Bajan bih w/ green [eyes] – dat bag is a different size,” Minaj wrote in an Instagram post.

It’s been more than five years since Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, released an album. And it seems no one, not even her record label, knows when R9, her rumored and long-awaited reggae album will drop.

For now, fans will have to make due with a new line of products. Last week, Rihanna told her Twitter followers to prepare for Fenty Parfum.

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Article written by Vanessa Romo for NPR; August, 2021: https://n.pr/3Cobkxw