Scott Borchetta, Joel Klaiman (Photo Credit: Nick Rau)

1 min read

Big Machine Launches Label with Ex-Republic Records Exec Joel Klaiman

The JV reunites the team that developed Taylor Swift’s early career

Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) has partnered with music industry veteran Joel Klaiman to launch a new imprint called Ascend Music.

History repeating:

  • As the former Executive Vice President of Promotion & Artist Development at Republic Records, Klaiman worked with Big Machine and its founder Scott Borchetta on Taylor Swift’s Fearless, Speak Now and Red albums.

Other roles:

  • Klaiman has also served as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Columbia Records, and EVP, Promotion and Artist Development at Epic Records.

  • In August 2023 he launched ASCEND4M, a music and entertainment marketing and consulting agency.

The new endeavor:

  • Ascend Music's mission is “breaking and amplifying cross-genre talent.”

  • It is expected to announce its first signing later this week.

What they said:

  • Joel Klaiman: “This new venture will fuel the growth of our artists and expand Ascend Music’s global repertoire – aligned with both our companies’ shared vision and a strategy that unlocks exciting opportunities for all involved.”

  • Scott Borchetta: “[Joel’s] bringing great artists to the partnership, and we will be wasting no time in getting out some game-changing music.”

Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) has partnered with music industry veteran Joel Klaiman to launch a new imprint called Ascend Music.

History repeating:

  • As the former Executive Vice President of Promotion & Artist Development at Republic Records, Klaiman worked with Big Machine and its founder Scott Borchetta on Taylor Swift’s Fearless, Speak Now and Red albums.

Other roles:

  • Klaiman has also served as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Columbia Records, and EVP, Promotion and Artist Development at Epic Records.

  • In August 2023 he launched ASCEND4M, a music and entertainment marketing and consulting agency.

The new endeavor:

  • Ascend Music's mission is “breaking and amplifying cross-genre talent.”

  • It is expected to announce its first signing later this week.

What they said:

  • Joel Klaiman: “This new venture will fuel the growth of our artists and expand Ascend Music’s global repertoire – aligned with both our companies’ shared vision and a strategy that unlocks exciting opportunities for all involved.”

  • Scott Borchetta: “[Joel’s] bringing great artists to the partnership, and we will be wasting no time in getting out some game-changing music.”

Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) has partnered with music industry veteran Joel Klaiman to launch a new imprint called Ascend Music.

History repeating:

  • As the former Executive Vice President of Promotion & Artist Development at Republic Records, Klaiman worked with Big Machine and its founder Scott Borchetta on Taylor Swift’s Fearless, Speak Now and Red albums.

Other roles:

  • Klaiman has also served as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Columbia Records, and EVP, Promotion and Artist Development at Epic Records.

  • In August 2023 he launched ASCEND4M, a music and entertainment marketing and consulting agency.

The new endeavor:

  • Ascend Music's mission is “breaking and amplifying cross-genre talent.”

  • It is expected to announce its first signing later this week.

What they said:

  • Joel Klaiman: “This new venture will fuel the growth of our artists and expand Ascend Music’s global repertoire – aligned with both our companies’ shared vision and a strategy that unlocks exciting opportunities for all involved.”

  • Scott Borchetta: “[Joel’s] bringing great artists to the partnership, and we will be wasting no time in getting out some game-changing music.”

👋 Disclosures & Transparency Block

- This story was written with information sourced from Music Business Worldwide.

- We covered it because of the profile of the parties involved in this new partnership.

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