Exclusive: UNIFIED to open LA office
Locally based, global independent music company UNIFIED is expanding its US footprint and is looking for a new executive.
Speaking exclusively to TMN, UNIFIEDCEO and Founder Jaddan Comerford said the company will open an office in Los Angeles in 2017.
“North America to me is what I really believe in,” he said. “I’ve seen first hand the success that our clients can have over there and then how it influences the rest of the world.”
Comerford has been based in New York for the past two years but was in Australia attending Splendour in the Grass when he spoke to TMN. He said UNIFIED is hiring a Head of International who will base themselves in LA.
Currently, UNIFIEDhas offices in Melbourne, Sydney, London and New York. Comerford told TMN he’s also considering other markets to expand Unified’s reach. “It looks like there’s something really special happening [in China] culturally,” he said.
UNIFIED’s Melbourne office
Speaking to Music Week, Comerford said he plans to grow UNIFIEDin Europe and the UK too, where ex-Rock Sound editor Ben Patashnik heads up operations.
“Under the direction of Ben we are continuing to grow our presence and footprint in the UK and across Europe,” he said. “Most excitingly we continue to sign and develop our acts globally and present amazing new releases.”
UNIFIED’s flagship label brand is their record label, UNFD. UNFD is a global player leading the charge for heavy music in Australia, having achieved multiple Top 5 chart placings for local hardcore acts; but it’s both competing and partnering with some of music’s juggernaut companies and making waves for local indie, rock and hip hop artists.
UNIFIED comprises multiple labels (UNFD, ONETWO, NLV), a management firm, a merchandise company and store, a touring arm and a festival. Through partnerships with music giants like Warner, Mushroom, and Live Nation, Unified has presented multiple sold out festivals and tours (Unify Gathering, the Big Ass Tour), achieved multi-Platinum certification overseas (Vance Joy’s Riptide) and received multiple ARIA nominations for its heavy acts (House Vs Hurricane, Northlane, Thy Art Is Murder).
Image: WAU Management-signed artist Vance Joy and UNFD-signed Marcus Bridge (Northlane)