Nicola Spokes has been named as the new Managing Director of Island Records in the UK.
Spokes’ appointment was announced by Island President Louis Bloom today (March 2).
The news follows the appointment of long-time Island exec Natasha Mann to a new role as Universal Music UK’s Director of Diversity & Inclusion, announced last month.
Spokes is moving to Island after four years at Universal Music’s label & artist services division, as UK Label Head of Caroline International, where she has overseen release campaigns for a diverse range of artists.
Reporting to Louis Bloom, Spokes will work closely with Island SVP Steve Pitron and the remainder of the label’s senior team who have overseen a run of Top 10 debut album successes with UK-signed artists including Sigrid, Dermot Kennedy, Easy Life, M Huncho and Sports Team, as well as the UK chart performance of Ariana Grande, Drake and The Weeknd.
Those artists include BRIT-nominated D-Block Europe, recent Top 5 breakthrough Digga D, Fiction’s Tame Impala and last year’s No.1 single for Internet Money.
Prior to joining Universal, Spokes spent 15 years at Ministry of Sound, ultimately becoming Marketing Director having run award-winning marketing campaigns for Example and London Grammar.
“Nicola is widely regarded as one of the brightest and most respected creative marketeers in the industry and we are absolutely delighted that she joins us as Managing Director, particularly at such an exciting time for the label.”
Louis Bloom, Island
Island President Louis Bloom said: “Nicola is widely regarded as one of the brightest and most respected creative marketeers in the industry and we are absolutely delighted that she joins us as Managing Director, particularly at such an exciting time for the label.
“Her passion, strategic flair and visionary thinking make her a fantastic addition to an already brilliant team and I know that she will play a huge part in the future success of this great label.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity, on behalf of everyone at Island, to thank Natasha for her immeasurable contribution to our success over the last 12 years and while we are very sad to see her go, I honestly can’t think of anyone better equipped to lead Universal Music UK’s Diversity & Inclusion team.”
“I am thrilled to be joining Louis and the team to continue the evolution of this amazing label and their incredible roster, and to play a part in writing the next chapter of the Island story.”
Nicola Spokes
Nicola Spokes added” “Island Records has always been the home of the most unique and culturally-impactful artists, and voices, in British music.
“Artists that have shaped and sound-tracked my childhood, youth and adulthood. I am thrilled to be joining Louis and the team to continue the evolution of this amazing label and their incredible roster, and to play a part in writing the next chapter of the Island story.”Music Business Worldwide
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