Distribution and services company CD Baby, run by CEO Tracy Maddux (pictured), has expanded its operation into the UK – with its first office east of the Atlantic.
The company’s new London HQ is being headed by Rich Orchard, who joins CD Baby as Director of Market Development, EU.
Orchard has more than 15 years experience working in music and tech, most recently at Absolute Label Services as Head of Digital, where he worked with a wide range of independent artists and labels.
Prior to that, Orchard spent six years at Activision, where he dealt extensively with publishers on games like Guitar Hero Live.
“I’m extremely pleased to welcome Rich Orchard to the team. Given his experience in independent music distribution, music licensing and technology development, Rich is one of the most well-rounded candidates we considered for the role,” said CD Baby CEO Tracy Maddux.
“He’s a great fit with the team and understands every perspective on how we make the CD Baby platform valuable to our users. I am sure he will prove a valuable resource to the 40,000+ artists we support in the UK and EU.”
Said Orchard: “In what is undoubtedly a golden age to be making music and self-releasing, I am thrilled to be joining a team that embodies the DIY ethos and everything it means to be independent.
“I am sure he will prove a valuable resource to the 40,000+ artists we support in the UK and EU.”
Tracy Maddux, CD BAby (pictureD)
“I am hugely looking forward to our deeper relationship hereon with the UK and European artist community, as we support and empower them through our platform and services to grow their audience, maximise revenue streams, and take their career to the next stage.”
Working with Orchard in the UK office will be newly-hired Artist Relations and Promotions Representative Steve Cusack.
Cusack has been running his own independent song pitching company, PluggerBeatz.com, where he has landed featured placements on New Music Friday and other notable outlets for bands such as Dusky Grey, Newton Faulkner, The Sherlock’s and Allman Brown, amongst others.
Cusack joins the newly formed Creator Services department, which brings together Artist Relations & Promotions, Publishing, Sync Licensing, and Music Service Relations.
The Creator Services department is an eight member team spread across the US, Argentina, Brazil and the UK.
Head of Creator Services Jon Bahr commented, “We are thrilled to bring Steve onboard the team at the inception of our new Creator Services department. The team serves our priority artists with marketing and label services to further propel their releases. Steve brings an expertise in music promotion and relationships at the streaming services to hit the ground running and be a big asset to our growing team.”Music Business Worldwide
