Universal Music Group-owned Republic Records is expanding into the world of family entertainment with the launch of a Kids & Family division.
The news was announced this week by Republic Co-Presidents Jim Roppo and Wendy Goldstein.
This new division will be led by Bree Bowles, who also serves as Republic Records’ Vice President for Marketing and Strategy.
Republic says that it will announce major releases and partnerships under the venture “very soon,” according to a statement issued Monday.
According to Republic Records, Bowles’ 15-year career includes entertainment executive posts within major family brands such as Disney and Nickelodeon.
Bowles most recently headed marketing and operations at Dayglo Presents under live music entrepreneur Peter Shapiro.
Bowles’ career also spans stints at Foxtel (News Corp) and The Brag Media, specializing in content, acquisitions, and strategy.
Elsewhere at Republic, Taylor Vaughn was recently promoted to Vice President, Media, at Republic Records.
In May, Chris Blackwell was promoted to EVP of A&R and Content Strategy.
“We’ve always wanted to do a children’s label. Family is everything to us. I am a dad before anything else.”
Jim Roppo, Republic
Regarding the Kids & Family Division, Roppo said: “We’ve always wanted to do a children’s label. Family is everything to us. I am a dad before anything else.
“We finally found the perfect partner and an incredible executive, Bree, to bring this venture to life with quality, family-friendly, and fun music.”
“We are first and foremost building a label that is trusted by parents, but we are focused on developing new IP, driving innovation, and exploring what is possible.”
Bree Bowles
Bree Bowles added: “Our mission is simple: produce world-class music that can be enjoyed by both kids and their parents, creating invaluable moments to connect in what is a distracted world.
“We are first and foremost building a label that is trusted by parents, but we are focused on developing new IP, driving innovation, and exploring what is possible.
“Our team is excited, our artists are excited, and we hope the little fans will love the new music as much as we do. Kids are the future, which means kids are also the future of music.”
Last year, Republic expanded internationally with the launch of Republic Records China.
Republic Records China is focused on signing and developing the next generation of Chinese music and C-pop talent from Mainland China, aiming to reach a global audience. Just a month after its launch, Republic Records China signed Chinese pop star Daisy Xue (also known by her Mandarin name Daifei Xue) as its first artist.Music Business Worldwide
