Mike Caren is the Founder and CEO of Artist Partner Group (APG), a recorded music company, as well as the Founder of Artist Publishing Group, a music publishing company. He has established himself as one of the music industry’s most successful A&R executives and entrepreneurs.
Throughout his career, Caren has worked with chart-topping artists including Charlie Puth, Kevin Gates, Kehlani, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Jason Derulo, Ava Max, and many others.
MIKE CAREN: EARLY CAREER AND ATLANTIC RECORDS
Mike Caren began his music industry career as a teenager, founding the independent record label Unrestricted Records while still in high school. His early entrepreneurial spirit caught the attention of Atlantic Records, which hired him at the age of 17.
At Atlantic, Caren quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Executive Vice President of A&R. During his tenure at the label, he worked closely with artists including Bruno Mars, Trey Songz, T.I., Flo Rida, and Wiz Khalifa.
Caren also worked alongside fellow Atlantic executives Aaron Bay-Schuck and Craig Kallman, helping to build Atlantic into one of the industry’s most successful record companies.
MIKE CAREN: WARNER MUSIC GROUP ROLES
In 2012, Caren was appointed President of Worldwide A&R for Warner Music Group (WMG), a position that expanded his influence across the company’s family of labels.
While at WMG, Caren founded Artist Publishing Group (APG) in 2012, which became one of the fastest-growing music publishing companies in the industry. APG’s roster has included songwriters and producers who have contributed to hits for artists such as Justin Bieber, Marshmello, Florida Georgia Line, and G-Eazy.
MIKE CAREN: FOUNDING ARTIST PARTNER GROUP
In 2014, Caren expanded his entrepreneurial ventures by launching Artist Partner Group, a recorded music venture with Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group. APG functions as a boutique label providing artists with a platform for development and distribution while allowing them to maintain ownership of their masters.
Under Caren’s leadership, APG has launched and developed the careers of artists including Charlie Puth, Kehlani, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Ava Max, and Don Toliver.
In 2020, Caren announced that Artist Partner Group would transition from its joint venture with Atlantic Records to become a fully independent company, while maintaining its distribution relationship with Atlantic and WMG.
MIKE CAREN: PRODUCTION AND SONGWRITING
Beyond his executive roles, Caren has established himself as a successful songwriter and producer. He has written and produced songs for various artists and has been credited on numerous chart hits throughout his career.
His production company, Mike Caren Music, has served as an incubator for developing producer and songwriter talent in the industry.
MIKE CAREN: PROFESSIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Known for his ability to identify and develop talent early, Caren has built a reputation for his entrepreneurial approach to A&R and artist development. He has advocated for artist-friendly deals that prioritize creative control and ownership.
In interviews, Caren has emphasized the importance of identifying authentic talent and helping artists build sustainable careers rather than chasing short-term trends.
As the music industry continues to evolve, Mike Caren remains at the forefront of innovation in artist development, combining traditional A&R expertise with modern entrepreneurial strategies.
Music Business Worldwide
