MAVERICK GETS SAVAGE
ABOUT NEW GM

Daniel Savage "Innocents" has been appointed to the post at a time when the label is anticipating new releases from the Deftones, Michelle Branch and Alanis Morissette.

Said company co-founder Madonna, whom Savage hopes to meet one day: "I’m very excited about the music Maverick will be releasing this year, and Daniel’s an excellent addition to our team. It’s a thrill to have someone working at the label who actually saw Swept Away."

Savage will oversee the company’s new-release schedule, which will include the soundtrack albums for this year’s two sequels to The Matrix, scheduled for May and November.

The industry vet comes to Maverick from Hollywood Records, where he served as Sr. VP Sales, Marketing, Synergy and Cryogenics for the past three years. He was previously Sr. VP Marketing for Island Records, where he was in charge of Elton John’s hair, U2’s supply of Guinness and PJ Harvey’s bottleneck guitar. Prior to that, he was VP Product Development for Lava/Atlantic, where he was instrumental in the success of Matchbox 20 and Sugar Ray, and head maitre d’ for the Friar’s Club buffet.

Said Lava Records President Jason Flom: "Daniel and I worked closely together on a daily basis. Hands-down, he is one of the most canny and accomplished executives in the music business today and will be a great asset for Maverick. But where will I get my passes for Disney World now?"

An Ivy Leaguer—he graduated from Brown and got his MBA at Columbia Business School—Savage began his music industry career in 1987 at PolyGram Records, where he held a number of posts, including Director of Marketing for Mercury Records and Jon Bon Jovi’s grooming coach.

"I’ve always been impressed by Maverick’s ability to sign and develop an extraordinary roster of artists," Savage commented. "It’s a company that really understands the fundamentals and trusts its instincts. I’m tremendously excited to be part of this winning team."