This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Business News Deals Labels & Publishers
The Core Entertainment and Universal Music partner on new label venture
By Chris Cooke | Published on Tuesday 11 July 2023
Management firm The Core Entertainment has announced a partnership with Universal Music which will see the launch of new label venture The Core Records. The two companies say that that new venture will “sign and develop new artists, working with Universal Music’s global network of industry-leading labels”.
The Core Entertainment was set up in 2019 by Kevin ‘Chief’ Zaruk and Simon Tikhman in partnership with another big old music company, that being Live Nation. Its management roster includes Nickelback, Bailey Zimmerman, Valley, Nate Smith, Austin Shawn, Dillion James and Josh Ross.
There are existing connections between the management firm and Universal Music. Some of the artists it manages are signed to the major, and back in 2021 it announced an alliance with Universal Music Canada via which the Core team would basically talent scout on behalf of the major’s Canadian division.
Confirming the new label partnership, Universal Music boss man Lucian Grainge says: “We love building upon our entrepreneurial culture and are so pleased to welcome Chief and Simon who have a reputation for identifying some of the industry’s most promising artists. We look forward to helping them grow their roster and drive global success for their artists”.
Zaruk adds: “We’re excited for this next evolution in The Core and honoured to work with Sir Lucian and the team at UMG to help us continue to guide artists to develop their careers and brands. We’ve had a great time building The Core over the past few years and are excited to create a home for new artists with the incredible resources and support from UMG”.
