Better Noise Music (BNM) continues its exciting evolution

19 May 2023 - Press release

...as the leading global rock independent music label

Founded by music industry veteran and independent pioneer Allen Kovac

Allen Kovac is now Chairman, Dan Waite Becomes CEO and Steve Kline adds President to his COO title

 

BETTER NOISE MUSIC (BNM) — the leading global rock independent music label founded in 2006 by music industry veteran and independent pioneer Allen Kovac—continues its exciting evolution with three important changes that are effective immediately. Kovac (New York) is now Chairman of the label, Dan Waite (London) becomes CEO, and Steve Kline (New York) adds President to his COO title at BNM, home to many of mainstream rock’s top acts including FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, DIRTY HEADS, THE HU, ASKING ALEXANDRIA, BAD WOLVES, and NOTHING MORE.

Kovac—who’s also the founder and chief executive officer of 10th Street Entertainment, a world-class artist management company with Motley Crue, Blondie and other global names in their charge—is a renowned industry leader, continuously recognized by his peers. He was named in Billboard’s 2022 Indie Power Player list of executives credited for driving the success of the independent music industry. In 2019, Sir Richard Branson honored him with the Innovator Award at the AIM Association of Independent Music Awards with special recognition for his innovation in the music industry. Better Noise Music is one of the world’s most respected independent labels having launched multiple multiplatinum #1 albums and singles in the rock and alternative space and has been Billboard’s #1 Hard Rock Airplay Imprint for the last five years. Most recently, Kovac established a second division, Better Noise Films, a global independent entertainment company developing feature films and other content. BNM were named Billboard’s #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Label and #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Imprint of 2022. The label has made history by ranking as the #1 Mainstream Rock Airplay Imprint for five years in a row (2018-2022).

“Dan and Steve step up at a time where Better Noise Music have been #1 Mainstream rock label for 5 years in a row, is the #1 Billboard Hard Rock Imprint, and is continuing to grow our international cumulative sales through our global offices,” says Kovac.

Dan Waite (a Billboard 2022 International Power Player) has just marked his sixth year at Better Noise Music. Moving up from President to CEO, his new title as CEO represents his second promotion at the label. Waite is Chair of Impala’s Digital Committee and sits on the AIM Digital Committee and has a 360-background encompassing all the elements of the modern music industry. Prior to joining BNM, Waite was Head of Talent for Time Inc and NME; worked with screen talent at BBC Studios; and was Head of Programming for AEG at The O2 Arena. His background includes a role as manager/agent for Phil McIntyre in a joint venture with Simon Cowell, and at MTV, Waite’s responsibilities included looking after the major label relationships and working on the MTV Europe Awards, “Pimp My Ride,” “Diary of,” and “Making the Video” and overseeing talent for the MTV Networks Europe South Channels of France, Spain, Italy and Greece. His early major label career included Universal Music and Virgin Records.

“In this new role,” says Waite, “I’ll aim to maximize the careers and album consumption of our signed acts on our label as we grow the label, expanding through new signings, opening up new markets and working closely with the amazing specialists that we have in each department at BNM which has kept us #1 Rock Label for the last five years.”

Steve Kline is now the President of BNM in addition to retaining his title as COO, the position he has held since 2016. He has worked for 18 years under the Kovac Media umbrella, first at 10th Street Entertainment, and since its inception in 2006, Better Noise Music where he was SVP Marketing & Promotion. Kline’s experience encompasses label and artist management, marketing, promotion, and branding; he possesses an extensive network of relationships and experience across multiple media platforms within the entertainment space. Kline’s background includes serving as VP of Promotion of Clive Davis’ J Records as well as VP West Coast Promotion of Columbia Records/Sony Music.

“I want to thank Allen for putting his faith in me, as he has over the past 19 years, in this enhanced role at Better Noise,” says Kline.” I am incredibly excited to work with Allen and Dan in leading our amazing global team to future success.”

Other key executives at Better Noise Music that work closely with Waite and Kline to deliver for their artists, with support from their teams are Harris Masood (CFO); Paul Cormack (General Manager); Lexie Viklund (Director of A&R); Jackie Kajzer (SVP Promotion); Trish Stirling (VP Marketing);Paolo Bettaglio (Sr. Director of Digital Marketing & Audience Growth; Bryan Raisa (SVP Tour Marketing & Partnerships); Joe McFadden (Chief Commerce Officer); Henry Tongue (Sr. Director International Streaming Strategy); Tim Mclean Smith (Director of Catalog Marketing and Managing Director Australia/NZ); Victor Lang (General Manager, Germany); and Michael Lombardi (Head of Production and Development).