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Waite Set to Oversee All Music and Film Releases Across the Company’s Global Offices, Including Upcoming Projects from Papa Roach, Escape The Fate, Mötley Crüe, All Good Things, and the Highly-Anticipated Feature Horror Film ‘The Retaliators’


Today, Better Noise Music CEO Allen Kovac announced the promotion of Dan Waite to President of Better Noise Music. Upped from Managing Director, UK & Europe, Waite, based in the UK, will oversee all artist relations, and music and film content releases across the company’s global offices in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, Toronto, London, Berlin, Sydney, and newly opened offices in South America and South East Asia. He will report directly to Kovac.

A music industry veteran, Waite has a broad entertainment perspective and years of experience in all facets of the music industry from recorded music through to touring, TV and Radio broadcast, documentaries, print media, social media, streaming and physical distribution. Prior to joining Better Noise in 2017,he held positions at MTV Viacom International, Universal Records, Virgin Records, NME, O2 Arena, and BBC Studios and is an active member of AIM (Association of Independent Music), FAC (The Featured Artists Coalition), MMF (Music Managers Forum). He also sits as a current IMPALA Board Member where he’s recently been heavily involved in the organization’s diversity efforts to level the playing field across all hirings and freelancers.

“Dan Waite is a forward-thinking creative, and we are lucky to have him helping to steer the Better Noise ship with this new title of President,” said Kovac. “I’m elated that he’s quickly taken such a leadership role with all our staff, partners, artists and filmmakers. His diverse background in content development has been vital to our multimedia efforts. Dan is a consummate professional, and we look forward to him expanding our global footprint.”
 
“This promotion comes at an exciting time for Better Noise,” Waite added. “Mötley Crüe have some surprises in store for their fans in this their 40th anniversary year. Five Finger Death Punch already have 3 number 1’s from their current album F8, giving them a career total of 11 number 1’s. We have signed Tempt managed by Steve Strange and Andy Gould, and Eva Under Fire managed by Tony Couch & Mike Newman and Hyro the Hero managed by Scott Sheldon, Berko Pearce and Peyton Marek.”

Of the company’s global expansion, Waite continued, “Our expansion on the ground in Australia has paid dividends and our revenues have grown so we are looking to replicate that and expand into South America and then South East Asia, looking to either start local offices or purchase existing labels.”
 
Waite has also started to grow the Better Noise staff ahead of the company’s busy 2021, recruiting talent in key leadership roles. He said, “I was happy to be able to recruit Jimmy Harney as my first hire, who has joined as Head of Publicity from Sunshine Sachs to oversee the press from the label and also Better Noise Films. Jimmy will be running the press on our next film The Retaliators which features cameos many of our labels artists in the film and on the soundtrack and stars Marc Menchaca (Black Mirror / Ozark) and Joseph Gatt (Game of Thrones).”

Upcoming music releases from Better Noise’s label side include Papa Roach’s Greatest Hits Vol. 2 - The Better Noise Years due March 19, and Escape The Fate’s highly-anticipated new album Chemical Warfare, arriving April 16. Other upcoming releases include new projects from rock-focused bands like Nothing More, The Hu, Bad Wolves, country/rock artist Cory Marks, and alternative groups AWOLNATION, Dirty Heads, and Atlas Genius.
In addition to The Retaliators arriving later this year, Better Noise already has established itself as a film force with the release of 2020’s indie feature Sno Babies, which earned rave reviews for lead actress Katie Kelly, and 2019’s The Dirt, the Mötley Crüe biopic which premiered to millions of viewers on Netflix and saw Kovac in a producer role. Better Noise is also currently developing a scripted series.

15 Jan 2026 | Press release

Modern Women have signed to One Little Independent Records

Modern Woman, the London art-rock outfit fronted by primary songwriter Sophie Harris, are set to release their anticipated debut album ‘Johnny’s Dreamworld’ on May 1st 2026 via their new label One Little Independent Records. ‘Johnny’s Dreamworld’ represents the culmination of...more

15 Jan 2026 | Press release

TMRW Music Group Joins LabelWorx for Global Distribution and Label Services

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15 Jan 2026 | Press release

Atlantic Screen Group Secures $30m from Corrum Capital to Accelerate Film, TV Score and Music Catalogue Acquisitions

  Atlantic Screen Group (ASG) is pleased to announce that it has secured up to $30m in funding from Corrum Capital. The investment will enable ASG to continue its strategic acquisition of film and television scores, while also providing additional capital...more

15 Jan 2026 | Press release

Amazon Music Unveils Global 2026 Artists to Watch Campaign

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15 Jan 2026 | Press release

First details revealed for BRITs Fringe with Brighter Sound

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15 Jan 2026 | Press release

Mercury Prize shines global spotlight on Newcastle and the North East

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15 Jan 2026 | Press release

Winners of the 2025 European Festival Awards

  Congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 European Festival Awards. For this year, festivals from over 30 countries participated and 300,000 single votes have been cast by the public. This resulted in 104 shortlisted nominees in 13 distinct categories,...more

15 Jan 2026 | Press release

PRS Foundation and Amazon MGM Studios reveal 4 talented composers receiving targeted Prelude support in 2026

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14 Jan 2026 | Press release

Cutting Edge Group acquires music catalog of award-winning composer John Paesano

Deal includes scores from billion-dollar franchises including Maze Runner trilogy,Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Invincible, and Marvel’s Daredevil, adding over 80 premium film, TV and video game scores to Cutting Edge’s portfolio.   Cutting Edge Group (“CEG”), the leading specialist investor in and manager...more

14 Jan 2026 | Press release

10 UK music creators receive support to attend Eurosonic Noorderslag 2026 through PRS Foundation’s International Showcase Fund

  Supported artists across the UK include EV, Mount Palomar, Plantoid and SOAPBOX 2026 marks the 20th year of International Showcase Fund enabling UK artists to break into new overseas territories   PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development,...more

14 Jan 2026 | Press release

A Greener Future Honours the Greenest Global Events & Festivals

Although last year was characterised by instability and geopolitical tensions, 25 festivals and events spanning 12 countries and 4 continents demonstrated their commitment to a better, greener future, successfully achieving AGF Certification in 2025. A Greener Future (AGF)’s mission is to...more

14 Jan 2026 | Press release

Merlin Announces its Board for 2026-27, Welcoming Five New Board Members

Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world's leading independent labels and distributors, kicks off 2026 by announcing its new Board, bringing together leaders from the independent music industry in 12 different countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America,...more

14 Jan 2026 | Press release

Musical AI Raises $4.5M US to Expand its Proprietary AI Attribution Technology

Already in use, Musical AI’s attribution tech can immediately ensure a fully licensed future for AI companies. Musical AI, the pioneering attribution and rights management platform for generative AI, has closed a $4.5M US round led by Heavybit and supported by BDC and Build...more

14 Jan 2026 | Press release

BBC Radio 2 presents a stellar line-up for Piano Room month

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14 Jan 2026 | Press release

Fender unveils connected music ecosystem with Fender Studio Pro, audio interfaces and controllers

A New Era Of Music Creation Begins With The Next Generation Of Studio One Pro As Fender Studio Pro, Quantum LT, Quantum HD, AudioBox Go™ and Motion™ Production Controllers   Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today announced a significant milestone in its evolution...more

14 Jan 2026 | Press release

Zo Lief announced as Record Store Day Unsigned winner

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14 Jan 2026 | Press release

Merlin: Dan Waite, Better Noise Music CEO – Joins as Board Observer

Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world's leading independent labels and distributors, kicks off 2026 by announcing its new Board, bringing together leaders from the independent music industry in 12 different countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America,...more

14 Jan 2026 | Press release

Frontiers Label Group launches Blkiiblk Records and appoints Mike Gitter Global Head Of A&R

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14 Jan 2026 | Press release

Watch A$AP Rocky Perform New Music from Don't Be Dumb in Upcoming Episode of Amazon Music’s “Songline” Series

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14 Jan 2026 | Press release

Eternal Research Opens New Hollywood Studio, the Demon Lair

2026 will mark a series of firsts for Eternal Research, the creative studio building a new multimodal, synesthetic orchestra. One of the biggest developments is that the company will open its first physical location: a studio dubbed the Demon Lair, after...more

14 Jan 2026 | Press release

Globally renowned independent music retailer Rough Trade announces 50th anniversary plans for 2026

INCLUDING: LIMITED EDITION VINYL RELEASESROUGH TRADE CLUB: ESSENTIAL, A NEW YEAR-LONG VINYL SUBSCRIPTIONEXCLUSIVE LIVE EVENTS+ MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED   Throughout 2026, Rough Trade marks its 50th anniversary with a year-long programme of releases and events, reflecting both its history and its...more

14 Jan 2026 | Press release

Sony Music Publishing Acquires Renowned Nashville Publisher Big Yellow Dog Music

Sony Music Publishing Nashville today announced the acquisition of legendary independent publishing and artist development company Big Yellow Dog Music (BYD), effective immediately. With the agreement, the company now owns and administers Big Yellow Dog’s renowned catalog of songs and serves...more

14 Jan 2026 | Press release

Peermusic signs producer/songwriter/recording artist Dan Lancaster

Peermusic, the global independent music publishing company with 39 offices in 33 countries, has signed songwriter/producer and recording artist Dan Lancaster to a go-forward worldwide publishing deal as announced today by Ralph W. Peer, Managing Director, U.K., Australasia and Vice President of peermusic's...more

14 Jan 2026 | Press release

Universal Music Group appoints Hannah Poferl as Chief Data Officer

  Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, announced today the appointment of Hannah Poferl as its Chief Data Officer, effective immediately. She will be based in Santa Monica and report to UMG's Chief Operating Officer, Boyd Muir. A...more

14 Jan 2026 | Press release

Time to stand up for culture - ahead of keynote at Eurosonic, Impala sets out crucial questions on UMG/Downtown, AI, sovereignty and more for EU & music sector

  Are diversity, identity, independence and sovereignty important in music? If yes, we as Europeans should strengthen the independent sector today, and not weaken it. This is one of the questions IMPALA's Executive Chair Helen Smith will be pitching at her keynote interview with Ben Homewood,...more

13 Jan 2026 | Press release

Steve Lamacq and Huw Stephens celebrate Independent Venue Week 2026 on BBC Radio 6 Music

  From Monday 26th – Thursday 29th January (4-7pm), BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds will broadcast programmes to mark Independent Venue Week – the UK’s annual, seven-day celebration of independent music and arts venues and the people that own, run and...more

13 Jan 2026 | Press release

Chandler Limited and Abbey Road announce ‘The Redd Mixing System’

The first EMI recording console in 50 years Today (13 Jan), Abbey Road Studios and Chandler Limited proudly unveil the REDD Mixing System, a groundbreaking, fully modular console that brings together every era of EMI’s legendary recording equipment in one elegant,...more

13 Jan 2026 | Press release

Sony Music Publishing and Daniel Nigro Sign Global Deal with Jon Buscema

  Sony Music Publishing, in partnership with renowned producer and songwriter Daniel Nigro and his publishing venture, Amusement, have signed hitmaker Jon Buscema to a global deal.Jon Buscema has quickly made a name for himself as a trusted collaborator across genres,...more

13 Jan 2026 | Press release

“Mental Torture for Thousands”: NTIA Seeks Legal Advice on Businesses Marginalised from Rates Support

  The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has confirmed it is seeking legal advice following continued government signalling, through media briefings rather than formal policy announcements, that upcoming business rates relief may be limited to pubs, while excluding large parts of the...more

13 Jan 2026 | Press release

Shazam Fast Forward 2026 Revealed

It’s the start of a new year, which means Shazam Fast Forward is back with its 2026 class. Fast Forward takes a look ahead at some of the most exciting talent being discovered on Shazam. Spanning 20 genres and 22...more

15 Jan 2026

  • Court battle over unpaid royalties could have implications for the industry in the streaming era (see News)

  • Luminate released its 2025 year-end music report (see Reports)

14 Jan 2026

  • Impala sets out crucial questions on UMG/Downtown, AI, sovereignty and more for EU & music sector (see Comment)

13 Jan 2026

  • Spotify’s new co-CEOs highlight what’s ahead for the company (see Digital)

12 Jan 2026

  • Music publishers sued by X in growing licensing battle (see News)

  • Call on EU to clamp down on unauthorised ticket reselling (see News)

09 Jan 2026

  • Lucian Grainge outlines UMG's 2026 plans in staff memo (see News)

  • Skye Newman wins Radio 1's Sound of 2026 (see News)

08 Jan 2026

  • Spotify now lets you share what you’re streaming in real time with friends (see Digital)

07 Jan 2026

  • Streamed and retail entertainment sales grew four times faster than UK economy in 2025 (see News)

  • UMG announces collaboration with NVIDIA to pioneer responsible AI for music discovery, creation, and engagement (see News)

06 Jan 2026

  • 2026 music industry predictions (see Features)

05 Jan 2026

  • New wave of global British breakthrough talent helps UK recorded music grow for 11th consecutive year (see News)

19 Dec 2025

  • What’s going to give you the marketing edge in 2026? (see Features)