Team | 3.08.2022
Credit: Photos by Jacinta Keefe
UNIFIED Music Group is gearing up for a second decade of exponential growth across its recorded music, artist management, events, merchandise and investments divisions, today announcing a series of internal promotions across the business.
UNIFIED’s Commercial Marketing Manager, Michelle Rose, who joined the business last year from Live Nation, has been promoted to the newly-created Chief of Staff position. Reporting to founder Jaddan Comerford and COO Matthew Rogers, Michelle joins the Leadership Team to assist in driving the overall business goals, as well as leading the People of UNIFIED strategy.
“It’s an honour to be working with the team in this new role as we plan out the next five years of UNIFIED growth, success and impact, with a simple goal; to create an ecosystem for creative talent to thrive,” Michelle Rose said of her promotion to Chief of Staff. “UNIFIED is home to some of the best creative talent, and I look forward to building on that in the years ahead.”
UNIFIED’s General Manager, Finance, Andrew Irwin, has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer. Andrew joined the business three years ago from Roseby Rosner & Young. He has previously held roles at Secret Sounds, PLW Entertainment, and Mushroom Group. In the CFO role, Andrew will lead the finance team and oversee the group’s long-term financial strategy that supports more than ten companies within the UNIFIED ecosystem.
Kate Lawrence has also been promoted from Product Manager to Australian Label Manager within UNIFIED’s recorded music division, which includes independent powerhouse label UNFD, Domestic La La and artist services business Community Music. In her new role, Kate will oversee operations and domestic releases, while leading the Australian-based team.
Kate has also begun representing UNIFIED Recorded Music labels on the AIR Board (as proxy to Matthew Rogers) with a view to continuing the decade-long association with the peak body.
UNIFIED continues to grow its global community of artist managers and international roster within the UNIFIED Artist Management division. To lead the charge in the ANZ region, Ash Hills has been promoted to General Manager. She has been an influential leader within the management team over her five years with the group. And Julian Marshall, who has been in the business for more than eight years contributing to the success of artists such as Illy and Violent Soho, has also been promoted to Operations Manager, Global.
The team have already had a huge 12 months, releasing Vance Joy’s latest album In Our Own Sweet Time, and welcoming new artists Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, The Rions and chart-toppers Boy & Bear to its burgeoning artist management roster which now includes more than 40 artists from Australia, the United States and Canada.
All promotions across the business are effective immediately.
“Congratulations to all of our UNIFIED team members for their well-deserved new roles,” CEO Jaddan Comerford said. “We couldn’t do what we do without the good people at UNIFIED, and can’t wait to build on this over another decade at UNIFIED Music Group.”
It’s been a big year at UNIFIED since the company celebrated its ten-year milestone in 2021. As well as launching distribution service Community Music, the team announced thought leading investment syndicate Side Stage Ventures, added two sold-out Country Music Festivals to the Red Hill Entertainment portfolio, and bought The UNIFIED Grant back to support creative projects making a difference in the Australian music industry.