Jason Ellis joins Armada Music as Global Senior A&R Director
15 June 2023 - Press release
The hire comes as the label and its newly-founded dance music investment fund enters the next stage of growth
Armada Music, the biggest independent dance music label in the world, today announced the hire of Jason Ellis (formerly Positiva) as Global Senior A&R Director. Ellis will also serve as an Acquisition Consultant for BEAT Music Fund, Armada Music’s recently-launched dance music investment arm.
As Global Senior A&R Director, Ellis will be responsible for sourcing and developing up-and-coming talent, and will consult on future acquisitions as BEAT continues to scale. He will be based in Armada Music’s London office.
“Joining Maykel and the team at Armada and the recently launched BEAT Music Fund feels like the natural next step in my career, given the exciting opportunity to utilise my considerable network and experience built up over many years,” said Ellis. “It’s a very exciting time for both companies on many levels, but fundamentally it’s all about building and nurturing the best music and artists. I can’t wait to get started!”
For over 20 years, Ellis was at the helm of Universal Music Group-owned UK dance label Positiva Records, which during his tenure generated over 80 million single sales, 3.5 million album sales and 4 billion streams in the UK alone. He most recently served as Managing Director, combining the role with senior A&R duties at Virgin, Virgin EMI and most recently EMI Records, where he signed Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Jonas Blue, whilst overseeing campaigns for the likes of Avicii, Gorgon City, Sub Focus, David Guetta and deadmau5.
“Having Jason on board to steer the A&R direction for both BEAT and Armada will be invaluable as we strive to build the greatest legacy of dance music,” said Maykel Piron, CEO of Armada Music & CEO of BEAT Music Fund.
BEAT Music Fund was created by Armada Music in 2023 to reinvigorate dance music catalogs and build the greatest legacy in dance music under one roof. Owing to its rapid expansion, new leadership team appointments were announced in early June including: Madeleine van Schendel’s appointment to Chief Growth Officer, the promotion of Jop Bonnike, formerly General Manager, to Chief Operating Officer, and Michel Peek’s promotion from General Manager Publishing to Head of Publishing.
