MAMA Co-Founder Launches New International Music Company, Sixth Plc

16 October 2014 - Press release

- Will operate across the Artist-Live value chain

- Dean James named CEO, ex-Shazam Exec Matt McCann COO

- Partners With Indian Conglomerate Apeejay Surrendra

- Nettwerk Music Group Co-Founder Dan Fraser non-exec Director

 

Co-founder and former CEO of MAMA Group Dean James has launched a new music company Sixth Plc, that will use data analytics to fuel activities across an integrated artist-to-live operation.

James will act as CEO of Sixth, with former head of business affairs for Shazam Matt McCann as COO. Sixth was founded in partnership with one of India’s largest ‘family’ conglomerates Apeejay Surrendra, owners of Typhoo Tea in the UK. Sethu Vaidynathan, a senior director and family member of Apeejay, joins James and McCann on the board as Chairman and co-founder.

Co-founder of Nettwerk Music Group Dan Fraser (credentials include Stereophonics and Passenger and previously Avril Lavigne, Barenaked Ladies and Coldplay) will become a non-executive director.

Coming in the middle of a shift in the balance of power between recorded music sales and live revenues, Sixth will adopt an artist-centric approach to operating across all points of the artist to live value chain, using data analytics to choose the artists it works with and assets it develops.

The management team boasts a wealth of experience in building successful businesses across music and technology sectors. James was previously CEO of Mean Fiddler Group and as co-CEO and co-founder of Mama Group he acquired well-known music operations such as Hammersmith Apollo, G-A-Y, Lovebox Festival, Great Escape and Supervision Management before MAMA’s eventual sale to HMV in 2010.

With newly opened Hoxton, London offices Sixth Plc will initially run operations in the UK, India and Asia Pacific via key acquisitions that focus on the growth areas of live, data analytics and artist partnerships.

Said Sixth Chairman and senior director Apeejay Surrendra, Sethu Vaidynathan: “Matt and Dean’s combined track record of founding and growing successful companies is undeniable. Under their stewardship, Sixth will grow into a global music powerhouse, I’ve no doubt.”

Commented CEO Dean James: “I’m tremendously excited to finally be able to announce Sixth; we’re building a smart new global business and are delighted to have found a partner in Apeejay Surrendra that understands our vision – it will be interesting to watch the impact a company of its type will have as a new entrant to the music business. It’s also great to welcome back Matt McCann to the music industry – the industry will be stronger with him in it.”

COO Matt McCann added: “We’re embarking on a new journey with Sixth, with an ambitious roadmap in hand. Our approach will be heavily data centric and we aim to operate across several markets in order to build a successful 21st Century music company.”