WMG ROLLS UP THE ARTS UNDER GORE

Former Rhino Entertainment chief Kevin Gore is returning to Warner Music Group to oversee a new Arts Music division that encompasses classical, musical theater, jazz, children’s music, film scores, and other fields generally outside the pop mainstream. Basically, if it’s something you’d hear at Lincoln Center, it’s in his ballpark.

Simultaneously, WMG has entered into a joint venture with Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight Records, the theatrical music company founded by recent Warner/Chappell Music hire Kurt Deutsch. Deutsch, who will continue to serve as President of Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight, will report to Gore; both are based in New York. ADA will distribute Sh-K-Boom and Ghostlight releases beginning 8/1.

Gore, who is charged with signing, developing, and marketing artists and releases, will report to Eliah Seton, President of ADA Worldwide.

Warner Classics and the Erato label will be folded into the new unit with Warner Classics & Erato President Alain Lanceron reporting to Gore and continuing to be based in Paris.

“By bringing together these diverse genres and labels under unified leadership, the Arts Music division will provide a dynamic, focused infrastructure devoted to nurturing outstanding artists and projects, encouraging creative cross-pollination, and strengthening our capacity for growth,” Seton said, noting the moves are part of an expansion into the musical theater world.

Gore, whose run at Rhino went from 2000 to 2014, has been President/COO of DMI Music & Media, a boutique agency focused on marketing services, partnership marketing, digital music activations, live event production, music & celebrity talent integrations, retail/background music curation and delivery, and custom music production. Two years ago, he launched the DMI Soundtracks label, which has released a number of Broadway cast albums and artist projects.

“The genres encompassed in our Arts Music division all share passionate and devoted fan bases that have been largely underserved in the current marketplace,” Gore said. “What’s particularly exciting is that since these fans have favored physical and download formats, there is an enormous promise for growth as they migrate to streaming services and curated experiences.

“The timeless appeal of so much of this music, combined with rapidly evolving opportunities in the live music and partnership marketing arenas, opens up a wealth of possibilities for both established and emerging artists across a vast creative spectrum.”

After making the announcement, they all went on StubHub and got 10th row center seats for Hamilton.