Mike Walsh Joins Townsend as D2C Sales and Product Consultant

UK-based direct-to-consumer (D2C) e-commerce music retailer and distributor Townsend has appointed veteran music business exec Mike Walsh as D2C Sales and Product Consultant.

The role:

• Walsh will focus on new business development, industry communications, and product strategy.

• He is based in the UK and will report to Townsend’s Sales Director, Bruce McKenzie.

• He is a 30-year veteran in music and media across consultancy, artist management, radio, D2C innovation and tech.

• As per Music Business Worldwide, this is Townsend’s first strategic hire since its acquisition by Dutch music group Artone in September 2024.

The company:

• Townsend operates 1,500 artist stores, with clients including Noel Gallagher, Lily Allen, Kylie Minogue, Blossoms, Jorja Smith and more.

• Through platforms such as the Townsend Music Store it “empowers artists to connect directly with their audiences through physical music purchases, digital downloads, and merchandise,” as per its media release.

• Townsend Music is chart-eligible in 18 countries, more than any other UK-based D2C provider.

What they said:

• Mike Walsh, D2C Sales and Product Consultant for Townsend Music: “Bruce and the team have built a business that has shaped the D2C sector – from early pioneers to today's market leader, with an increasingly sophisticated retail platform of their own. The business is full of technical innovation, expertise, and industry knowledge, and I'm excited to help build in the next stage of its evolution.”