Lipman

MONTE'S FLYING CIRCUS: In case you haven't had a gander at our comic-inspired 28th Anniversary Issue, here's HITS artist Van Arno's super-heroic portrayal of Republic leader Monte Lipman (click on the graphic for a fittingly larger-than-life view). Not long ago we spotlighted the super achievements of Team Republic (marshaled by Lipman and underboss Charlie Walk) at radio. This week we find the label with three in the Top 5 at Pop (Big Machine's Taylor Swift, Lava/Republic's Jessie J/Ariana/"Bang Bang" trio and Ariana f/Zedd); meanwhile Island's Tove Lo (#7) and Nick Jonas (#17) make big strides at the format. Ariana f/ The Weeknd just charted at Pop and bowed at #33 at Rhythm. Republic also has the #1 at Hot AC with Swift's "Shake It Off" and the #1 Alternative record in Milky Chance's "Stolen Dance." Meanwhile, the Republic Nashville JV yields a Country #1 for Florida Georgia Line's "Dirt." More powerful than a locomotive indeed. Just one question: Is that a Varvatos cape? (10/14a)