Caldecott Music Group introduced as new company brand of BandLab Technologies, NME Networks, and Vista Musical Instruments 30 Nov 2021
With a history of growing a broad range of music-focused businesses, BandLab Technologies announces an organisational transformation with the introduction of new company brand, Caldecott Music Group (CMG). CMG will oversee the long-term planning, investment, and development of three newly-formed divisions: BandLab Technologies, Vista Musical Instruments, and NME Networks.
Digital division BandLab Technologies will double down on designing and developing innovative tools and services for the next generation of music creators, with a vision for a future where there are no boundaries to making and sharing music. The group unites digital audio workstation Cakewalk, and flagship social music creation platform BandLab, which hosts a user base of 40 million creators globally and the recently announced acquisition of artist services platform ReverbNation.
Manufacturing and retail division Vista Musical Instruments groups musical instrument brands MONO, Harmony, Heritage Guitars, Teisco, and omni-channel, multi-brand retailer, Swee Lee. With a purpose to inspire and enable musical expression, the formation of Vista Musical Instruments will combine decades of global supply chain knowledge and experience in the music industry, from product design and marketing to e-commerce and distribution.
Media division NME Networks, announced earlier in the month, unites the group’s journalism titles to inform musically-curious audiences, from those researching their first guitar via Guitar.com and discovering new artists and pop culture news through NME, to those staying updated on creator tools and technologies with MusicTech and unpacking decades of rock history in Uncut. NME Networks also facilitates consumer events such as Guitar.com Live and the NME Awards shows, the latter of which will return to London on March 2, 2022 to celebrate music and entertainment from around the globe.
The formation of Caldecott Music Group and organisation of three distinct divisions enables the organisation to more effectively support growth and increase value for their people, partners, brands, and stakeholders. The group fosters competitive sector-specific strategies, systems, and policies whilst still connecting the dots between the divisions for artists and partners.
“From our unique vantage point here in Singapore, our brands have seen massive growth globally in terms of community, traffic, and sales across the board. I truly could not be prouder of our team,” says Meng Ru Kuok, Group CEO & Founder of Caldecott Music Group. “Now is the time to build on the foundation we have formed for over nearly a decade.” Appointments within the newly-formed Caldecott Music Group include: Ivan Chen as Group Chief Operating Officer, Grace Chong as Group Chief Financial Officer, Krystle Hall as Group Chief Brand Officer, and Laurent Le Graverend as Group Chief Technology Officer.
“I cannot wait to watch as our people and brands flourish within this new structure, supporting and fueling creativity to uphold our singular vision of connecting the world of music and providing more opportunities for creators, fans, and the music industry at large,” Kuok notes. “The best part is that we're still just getting started.”
The group operates throughout the USA, UK, and APAC and is hiring aggressively across the organisation to bolster resources in response to the transformation.
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THE HEADLINES
What are pop-up shows teaching us about building fandom in 2025? (see Analysis)
How much AI will audiences accept in music and movies? (see Analysis)
Stars urge Kier Starmer to tackle ‘pernicious’ ticket tout websites (see News)
Report reveals UK music industry contributes record £8bn to UK economy. (see Reports)
Deezer publishes survey on AI music (see Reports)
Songs are going viral faster than ever — but fewer are becoming streaming hits (see Analysis)
The music we should save is the music AI needs the most (see Comment)
The Council Of Music Makers: Put music-makers first in AI deals (see News)
The future of music marketing is no marketing at all (see Features)
AIM states that the independents’ voice is now louder, clearer and impossible to ignore (see News)
Secondary price caps and figuring out fact vs. fiction (see Comment)
Spotify responds to RBX lawsuit over ‘fake’ Drake streams (see Digital)
Spotify perfected the business of distraction — and now we’re paying the price (see Features)
Remasters, deluxe editions and greatest hits show back catalogues are a goldmine (see Features)
