Proper makes trio of hires, signs up NewState

16 May 2018 - Press release

- Hires former Union Square Music Erika Brennan in newly created Head of Business and Commercial Affairs role, and former Kobalt SVP Operations Pete Dodge
 - Signs NewState WMG divestment catalogue for global physical distribution

Proper, the UK’s largest independent physical distributor, is continuing its expansion into 2018, hiring three new team members across its London and Dartford offices and signing up new client NewState Entertainment.

Erika Brennan, former SVP of Legal and Business Affairs at BMG UK and previously at Union Square Music for over 10 years, joins Proper as Head of Business and Commercial Affairs in a newly created role. Meanwhile Sue Brown, who has been in the business since 1979 with roles at Plangent Visions, Zomba Music and Union Square Music, has been hired as Royalties Manager.

Proper has also enlisted industry heavyweight Pete Dodge, who has been brought in to provide project management overview across a series of planned developments to the company’s existing services and systems. Involved with the independent music sector since 1988, Pete has held roles at Kobalt, IODA, PIAS and Rough Trade, and brings a wealth of experience to the expanding Proper team.

The indie distributor has also inked a physical distribution deal for UK, Ireland, US and Canada with London-based dance music and entertainment group NewState Entertainment, known predominantly for its compilation releases, for catalogue acquired during the Warner divestment process. This consists of all WMG catalogue from Zero 7, Paul Oakenfold, D:Ream, The Beloved (including new reissues of hit albums Happiness and its remix companion Blissed Out) and Dirty Vegas (including a ‘best of’ album featuring new remixes planned for this summer).

Erika Brennan, Head of Business and Commercial Affairs at Proper Music Group, said: “I am delighted to be working with Drew and the Proper team at such an exciting time for the business. It is a privilege to be part of an ambitious and growing independent with a reputation not only for quality of service but also for its fair, open and straightforward approach. I very much look forward to being part of Proper’s future.”

Pete Dodge, Project Management Consultant, added: “It is great to be joining the Proper team in a period of such rapid growth for the company. With the new warehouse opening last year and a raft of new clients and staff, it’s set to be an exciting year as Proper continues to invest, and scale its infrastructure, technology and services.”

Tim Binns, A&R Director at NewState Entertainment commented:  "Having recently acquired catalogues from Zero 7, The Beloved, D:ream, Dirty Vegas and Paul Oakenfold via the recent Warner divestment, NewState Entertainment are starting a new chapter for these artists in revitalising their catalogues and are excited to be working with Proper Distribution putting physical product back into the market as part of this.”