Eleven Seven Music Group (ESMG) has upped SVP of Promotions and Marketing, Steve Kline, to the position of Chief Operating Officer at the label group – while announcing a raft of new hirings.
With over 25 years of experience, Kline has spent the last 13 years of his career under the Kovac Media Group umbrella, at 10th St. Entertainment Management and, since its inception in 2006, Eleven Seven Music Group.
Reporting to Kline will be ESMG’s Chief Commercial Officer Joe McFadden, and General Manager, Rose Slanic, as well as, Creative Services, Digital Marketing, Media Relations, Radio Promotions and Tour Marketing.
ESMG is home to sub-labels Eleven Seven Music, Better Noise Records, Five Seven Music, Mötley Records, and Nelstar Entertainment.
In 2016 ESMG has racked up three #1 album debuts on the Independent Albums Chart with Sixx:A.M (Vol. 1 Prayers For The Damned), HELLYEAH (Unden!able) and Dirty Heads (Dirty Heads).
“STEVE is extremely well-liked and respected throughout the industry.”
“With the music industry evolving so rapidly, it is an exciting time to be assuming this new role,” said Kline.
“I am grateful to Allen [Kovac] for giving me the incredible opportunity to lead our talented team and execute his forward-thinking vision for the Eleven Seven Music Group.”
Prior to his time at ESMG, Kline helped promote and develop artists such as Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Train, Counting Crows, and Matchbox 20, while climbing the radio promotion ladder at Atlantic Records, Lava Records, Geffen Records, Columbia Records and J Records.
“Steve has been a vital member of our company for thirteen years,” stated Founder/CEO of Kovac Media Group, Allen Kovac.
“When we set out to build a new label founded on moving from business to business, to business to consumer, Steve led the movement, working with all the new and old platforms.
“He is extremely well-liked and respected throughout the industry as a good partner, and has my full support and that of all his co-workers in our LA, NY, and U.K. offices. What a great formula for a Chief Operating Officer to take our artists and company to new heights.”
Meanwhile, alternative radio veteran John Di Maio joins the ESMG team as its new VP of Radio Promotion and Marketing.
With 25 years of experience, Di Maio arrives to ESMG with recent radio success stories that include Elle King, Bleachers, Walk the Moon, as well as previously breaking Florence + the Machine, Lorde, Of Monsters and Men, and Gotye.
Di Maio joins VP of Promotion, Jackie Kajzer, who is concurrently promoted to jointly oversee all ESMG radio initiatives.
They will work together on all campaigns – with Di Maio spearheading ESMG’s Five Seven Music label roster and Kajzer leading Eleven Seven Music and Better Noise Records.
ESMG has also added new blood across other departments including, A.J Kasen, Angela Burke, Omar Rana, John Rosenfelder and Perry Schwartz.
Previously from Lava Records, where he helped create breakout records for Lorde, Jessie J and Black Veil Brides, A.J Kasen has been appointed VP of A&R at ESMG.
Following a #1 record press campaign for Nick Jonas’ debut album, press campaign duties for Demi Lovato, Joe Jonas and acts across all music genres at Republic Records and Warner Bros. Records, Burke has joined as VP of media relations.
Heading up the digital marketing department is Rana as SVP.
“I am proud to work with such a smart and dedicated group of professionals.”
Steve Kline
Rana formerly served as the editor-in-chief and social media manager of AutoNation and chief of content for Fast Lane Daily, where he grew the brand to an exposure of a combined 6 million views a month from 1 million on YouTube.
Under Rana, Rosenfelder has been appointed VP of digital strategy and analytics, and comes to ESMG with 30 years of experience across the music and fashion industries (Geffen/DGC Records, Island Def Jam, Earbender Promotion, Tory Burch), as well as with a Master of Science, Technology Management from Columbia University.
Perry Schwartz rounds out the new additions as the manager of streaming and playlists, formerly of Music Choice.
“I am proud to work with such a smart and dedicated group of professionals,” says Kline. “Across new and traditional platforms, this team is uniquely capable of super serving our amazing artists.
“Together, we have created a label that has become one of the cornerstones of rock music and continue to broaden our rosters into new areas. With an upcoming and diverse slate of amazing music, we expect 2017 to be our biggest and best year yet”
ESMG will kick off 2017 with new album releases from the likes of Nelly Furtado, Papa Roach and British rock act As Lions.Music Business Worldwide
