In February last year, Global Entertainment launched with much fanfare as a combined management, publishing and label operation out of Los Angeles and London.
The company appointed ex-AEG boss Randy Phillips as CEO, as it brought together Global’s established publishing division – including clients such as Ellie Goulding, Corinne Bailey Rae, LMFAO, The Script, The Vamps and The Vaccines – with label, artist management, promotion, live concerts, events, touring, branding, sponsorship and marketing teams.
A month later, it announced a string of high profile appointments: ex-Universal publishing exec Monti Olson and ex-Capitol exec Bob Semanovich joined the Los Angeles HQ alongside ex-Modest! manager Nicola Carson. Meanwhile, former James Grant management exec Ben Karter was drafted into Global Entertainment in London as GM of Recorded Music.
Alarm bells struck just six months later, when Randy Phillips left the business. We were told he would be appointed to a “specific project to be announced in due course” – but it never publicly materialized.
Now MBW understands that Global Entertainment on both sides of the Atlantic has been cut back to skeletal staff, incurring heavy job losses.
Following a redundancy process at the end of last month, we’ve been told that just two or three individuals are left at Global Entertainment in Los Angeles to manage records, publishing and management – with a small amount more remaining in London.
“WE have made some changes to the structure of global entertainment as we evolve our business.”
Global spokesperson
Global Entertainment is still operational with some senior staff, however: MBW understands that Paul Adam, longtime Global publishing boss, remains in the UK, and Richard Palmese, promo expert and US music biz veteran, is still working campaigns in LA.
A Global spokesperson confirmed to MBW: “We have made some changes to the structure of Global Entertainment as we evolve our business.”
The cutbacks follow a 15-month period in which Global has struggled to break new artists on a blockbuster level. It’s understood to be pointing the finger at the rise in streaming, making it hard to do battle in a marketplace where large catalogue owners are king.
Acts which Global Entertainment has focused on include 19-year-old Atlanta artist Anthony Lewis (pictured) and ex-Wanted member Nathan Sykes.
However, Global Live – a specific live promotion arm – is believed to have been protected from the cuts, and is said to bulk up Global’s Los Angeles office to around five people in total.
The UK Global Live division, run by ex-AEG exec Sam Bush, is deemed to be a particular rising star of Global’s business by founder Ashley Tabor.
Global Entertainment’s LA office occupies the 21st floor of 1100 Glendon Avenue, Westwood, CaliforniaMusic Business Worldwide
