MUMBAI: In a move, which underscores their shared commitment to expanding the marketplace for new music, Universal Republic Records and music executive Jason Flom have entered into a new partnership that will have Universal Republic providing promotion, marketing, sales and distribution services for Lava Records. The announcement was made by Universal Republic president & CEO Monte Lipman and Flom.
This strategic partnership will further bolster Universal Republic’s strength in the marketplace and increase its investment in the artists and repertoire area.
"Our partnership with Lava is testament to the commitment we have for discovering and nurturing new artists and their music," stated Lipman. "And the chance to work with Jason is a wonderful opportunity because he shares our passion for this process. His fierce competitiveness and remarkable achievements in launching Lava, define creative leadership at its very best. Over the last decade, Jason has been responsible for successfully developing a diverse roster of artists, and I know he will continue the creative process that originally made Lava such a powerhouse. More importantly, I’m just glad I don’t have to compete against him anymore."
"I’m delighted to be moving into the next phase of my career and doing it alongside Doug Morris (Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group), Mel Lewinter (Chairman, Universal Motown Republic Group), Monte, Avery Lipman (Co-President, Universal Republic) and the entire Universal Republic team," added Flom. "What attracted me most to Universal Republic was Monte’s approach to the creative process, and the energy and passion of his team. Despite the challenges of the music business today, our partnership with Monte and his team will assure the strongest possible future for our artists."
With nearly three decades in the music industry, Flom most recently served as chairman & CEO of Capitol Music Group, where he worked with artists as Lenny Kravitz and the Rolling Stones, as well as being responsible for artists as Katy Perry, KT Tunstall, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Saving Abel.
Flom began his career in 1979 as a field merchandiser, hanging posters in record shops. He moved on to a post as an A&R representative, signing artists including Twisted Sister, White Lion, Skid Row and Tori Amos, among others.
Prior to joining Capitol Records, Flom served as Atlantic Records Group Chairman & CEO.
He later founded Lava Records; where he discovered, signed and developed artists who went on to sell in excess of 100 million records around the world during the eight years of the label’s existence. Lava artists included Kid Rock, The Corrs, Matchbox Twenty, Uncle Kracker, Simple Plan, Edwin McCain, Sugar Ray and Trans Siberian Orchestra.
Flom is equally known for contributing his time and energy to various charitable organizations. He serves as a board member for Drug Policy Alliance (a division of George Soros’ Open Society Institute), the Innocence Project, Families Against Mandatory Minimums (F.A.M.M.), and the Legal Action Center, whose work is to fight to end discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS and/or histories of addiction. He has also served on the board of Manhattan’s New School.
In addition, Flom has been active in raising awareness and funds for various medical research organizations including The T.J. Martell Foundation, which honored him with its Humanitarian Award in 2005, City of Hope, which presented Flom with the Ambassador Award in 2008. Flom was also named the UJA Federation’s first "Music Visionary of the Year" and was awarded the "Torch of Liberty" by the American Civil Liberties Union.
