Independent music rights company Downtown has made two major hirings in the UK market.
Respected A&R Daniel Lloyd Jones has been named Senior Vice President, Global Creative Services & Head of UK A&R. He will be based out of Downtown’s London office.
Prior to joining Downtown, Jones served as Vice President of A&R/ New Music at Sony ATV, having joined the company as part of the acquisition of EMI in 2012.
During his tenure with Sony and EMI he was responsible for signing and developing a roster of songwriters and projects including Taio Cruz, The Mercury Music Prize winning album ‘Let England Shake’ by PJ Harvey, Plan B and Joy Williams from the Civil Wars.
His other signings include Pendulum, Knife Party, Nero, Youmeatsix, Gorgon City and more recently Bugzy Malone, Tom Grennan, Stefflon-Don and Norwegian pop act Sigrid.
Additionally, Downtown has named Jacque O’Leary Senior A&R Manager. Reporting to Jones, O’Leary will be responsible for managing artistic development of Downtown’s roster of songwriters, artists, and producers in the UK, creating new opportunities for both established and emergent song copyrights, as well as scouting and signing new songwriting talent.
Before joining Downtown, O’Leary was the Creative Director for Roc Nation’s joint venture with Warner/Chappell in London. She began her career at EMI Music Publishing where she rose to Senior A&R Manager.
“As Downtown welcomes Daniel and Jacque to our growing global creative services team, we have no doubt that they will add tremendous value to our extraordinary roster of songwriters, artists and producers,” said Andrew Bergman, Downtown Chief Operating Officer.
“The UK continues to be one of the most vibrant music markets in the world, and Justin and I are especially thrilled to have them join Roberto Neri (Downtown Music UK MD) in our London office where our mission has been to develop a world-class client services offering.”
“Downtown is the perfect mix: major mentality and indie sensibility.”
Daniel Lloyd Jones
Jones said, “Downtown is the perfect mix: major mentality and indie sensibility. I’m really looking forward to fighting the good fight with them. The Downtown team are so passionate and enthusiastic about growing their international base and creating a winning global publishing house that it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.
“What Justin, Andrew and the team have done in the States is phenomenal and the foundation they have started to build has to be applauded. To be asked to be part of the second wave of that global expansion is very humbling.”
[Pictured: Daniel Lloyd Jones, Jacque O’Leary, Roberto Neri]Music Business Worldwide
