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  • Karta continues to expand its workforce significantly to deal with ever-increasing demand for metaverse experiences

  • The startup announces five new hires - eyeing up new sectors and bolstering its game design, programming and production output

 

Karta, an award-winning metaverse studio pioneering the world of in-game experiential marketing, announces new hires from Tommy Hilfiger, Epic Games and Emperia. 

The startup, which works across Fortnite, Roblox and Zepeto, has been growing its senior team significantly with prominent names from fashion, tech and gaming to meet the ever-increasing demand for virtual branded experiences - with the metaverse remaining popular among global brands and artists.

Karta welcomes Morgan Evans as its brand-new Fashion and Beauty Director, joining from Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, as it expands its services to fashion and cosmetic clients. Also joining is Sarah Richards, moving over from the virtual brand and shopping experience platform Emperia to take up the new position as Art Director at Karta - leading on art direction across its upcoming projects.

Karta’s game design, programming and production output has been bolstered with three new hires; Tork Shaw joins from Epic Games and Mediatonic as the new Game Design Director, Oscar Halland, a Roblox and brand experience veteran, is announced as Lead Programmer for Roblox, making the move from well-known Roblox studios SuperSocial and Melon, while Jonny Coelho becomes Lead Producer, joining from well-known Fortnite Studio Beyond Creative.

The metaverse continues to evolve and provide new UGC gaming and marketing opportunities for artists and brands. With a new on-platform ecommerce recently announced, Karta sees an increase in demand as the opportunity for brands is no longer just marketing, engagement and virtual merchandising, but also direct sales of real-world products

Erik Londré, CEO of Karta, says: “At Karta our goal is to deliver results to our clients and joy to the games. We believe a combination of marketers who understand the brands, games industry professionals with deep knowledge of production and game design and platform natives who get the audience is key. Our recent hires reflect that philosophy completely and the impact from Morgan, Sarah, Tork, Oscar and Jonny has been palpable from day one.”

Sarah Richards, Art Director at Karta, says: “I’m hugely excited to join Karta as Art Director and be part of its growing team. Karta’s campaigns have creativity and innovation at their core and it's an incredible opportunity to help develop new ideas as part of Karta’s unique vision for brands.”

The new hires mark the latest development for the fast-growing startup, which launched its own bespoke Fortnite and Zepeto studios in the last year to service the growing demand on these platforms. Also in the past year, Karta has worked with global musicians like Nicki Minaj, for her ‘Gag City’ experience in Roblox, K-Pop giants BLACKPINK with their hugely popular ‘BLACKPINK THE PALACE’ and TWICE, with their ‘TWICE Square’ - becoming the most visited music experience in Roblox history. 

Since launching in 2021, Karta has built a respected client roster of global brands including Amazon Music, McDonald’s, Spotify and most recently HUGO BOSS - which launched the latest update to its PLANET HUGO experience in Roblox with the HUGO GARAGE. Through these partnerships, Karta is reshaping entertainment experiences in the metaverse and creating meaningful connections between brands and their audiences. As well as working with musicians and global brands, Karta creates UGC gaming experiences with its own IP, including its popular BeatBuilder music rhythm game in Fortnite, which reached over 100k players in the first three weeks.

Tony Barnes, CGO of Karta, adds: “We welcome these five brilliant new hires at a really exciting time. There’s still a tremendous amount of potential for musicians and brands across the metaverse and UGC gaming, and with these talented industry professionals we’re looking forward to creating more experiences and reaching new audiences.”

With its new hires, the studio will expand its services with new hires working across upcoming projects, details of which will be announced soon. Karta is also going into a new funding round, where they aim to expand and introduce new opportunities. For more information, go to www.karta.game.

27 Jan 2026 | Press release

BBC Get Singing, the BBC’s biggest nationwide music education initiative in more than 10 years, launches today

  BBC Get Singing launches today on BBC Bitesize, providing teachers and vocal leaders with engaging resources to encourage collective singing among 11–14-year-olds in and out of schools across the UK. 7x Grammy Award-winning artist, composer and producer Jacob Collier is...more

27 Jan 2026 | Press release

BMG announces Celine Joshua as Executive Vice President, Global Marketing & Streaming

New Role Expands Joshua's Leadership across DSP Platforms and Growth Initiatives    BMG has announced the promotion of Celine Joshua to Executive Vice President, Global Marketing & Streaming, expanding her leadership across the company's worldwide marketing and DSP platforms  In her newly elevated role, Joshua oversees the strategic alignment of BMG's global marketing and streaming efforts across 18 international...more

27 Jan 2026 | Press release

Air-Edel Appoint Carter Armstrong to US Office

Air-Edel, the full-service music agency and services company founded in 1970 by George Martin and Herman Edel, have appointed veteran industry executive Carter Armstrong as the EVP/GM of their Los Angeles based office, Air-Edel LLC, working across the worldwide Air-Edel roster. Alongside...more

26 Jan 2026 | Press release

The Great British Night-Out Under Siege: 40% of Pubs Face 'Cliff-Edge' Tax Hike as Nightclubs & Bars are ‘Hollowed Out’ by VOA Raid

  Exclusive analysis of new Valuation Office Agency (VOA) data reveals a brutal transformation of the UK’s social landscape. While local pubs are being hit by record-high valuations, the nightclub sector is being systematically dismantled, with the Treasury extracting the same...more

26 Jan 2026 | Press release

YolanDa Brown to be awarded Freedom of the City for her commitment to Newcastle

Musician YolanDa Brown OBE DL has had her nomination for the Freedom of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne approved by City Council, recognising her commitment to Newcastle and the North East, her distinguished national leadership in music and her...more

26 Jan 2026 | Press release

DCMS announces £1.5bn to tackle underfunding across culture sector - reaction from the Musicians' Union

Musicians’ Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl said: “We’ve spent so much of the last two years speaking to MPs and Ministers about the desperate need to invest in music and the arts after so many years of standstill funding, so this announcement...more

26 Jan 2026 | Press release

Kevin Weaver elevated to President, Atlantic Music Group

Atlantic Music Group (AMG) today announced that longtime Atlantic leader Kevin Weaver has been named to the newly created role of President, Atlantic Music Group. Based in Los Angeles, Weaver will continue to report to AMG CEO Elliot Grainge and...more

26 Jan 2026 | Press release

West One Music Group Appoints George Hyde in Pivotal New Executive Role

  West One Music Group has appointed George Hyde as Global Head of Legal & Business Affairs, Royalties & Copyright, effective from 5th January 2026. Hyde will report to COO Maria Scott and join the company’s Executive Team. The newly created role...more

26 Jan 2026 | Press release

JAYLER sign publishing deal with Notting Hill Music

  Rising UK rock band JAYLER have signed a global publishing deal with Notting Hill Music, marking another major milestone in the band’s rapid ascent.   Hailing from the Midlands, JAYLER have quickly established themselves as one of the UK’s most exciting new...more

26 Jan 2026 | Press release

Second biggest ever Independent Venue Week kicks off today

  IVW report a 10% increase in venues taking part in 2026 In total, 236 independent venues across all corners of the UK will participate in the 7-day celebration of live music  Fans can choose from more than 700 live shows and events...more

23 Jan 2026 | Press release

Music Support appoints Sarah Williams as first Head of Marketing and Communications

Williams joins as charity faces unprecedented demand from those experiencing substance use, addiction or mental health challenges in the music industry.   Music Support has appointed Sarah Williams as its first Head of Marketing and Communications. Williams began her music career as part...more

23 Jan 2026 | Press release

KMJ Entertainment Ltd Announces Record Year and Senior Leadership Promotions

KMJ Entertainment, the UK based live entertainment group, subsidiary of DEAG, has announced some key senior leadership changes in 2026 as the Group business continues to grow and evolve. After a record-breaking year for KMJ group ticket sales in 2025, Kilimanjaro...more

23 Jan 2026 | Press release

Beatport Unveils the Beatport Next Class of 2026

ATRIP, BLUMITSU, Cole Knight, D Stone, DJ_Dave, Jennifer Loveless, Kikelomo, Maara, Omar+, Rosey Gold, Sam Alfred and WOST join coveted artist development program Beatport, the world's largest music store for DJs, is proud to introduce the Beatport Next Class of 2026....more

23 Jan 2026 | Press release

Behind the Counter Returns to UK Record Shops for a Seventh Season

Premiere of new 12-part video series celebrating the people behind the UK's thriving vinyl culture   Behind the Counter returns for a seventh season with a brand-new 12-part video series, presented by Record Store Day and Classic Album Sundays in collaboration with...more

23 Jan 2026 | Press release

Help Musicians and DJ Mag Announce Recipients of Electronic Music Award

Help Musicians, in partnership with DJ Mag, today announces the recipients of their Electronic Music Award - a career accelerator programme supporting emerging artists working across electronic music.  This year’s recipients are: BITEZ, Ronnie Loko, James Adrian Brown, DAVENPORT, Astrid Diaz...more

23 Jan 2026 | Press release

U.S. Creators Launch “Stealing Isn't Innovation” Campaign on Tech Companies' Massive Theft of Copyrighted Works

Effort Shines Spotlight on Harm to American Creators and U.S. Jobs, Economic Growth and International Standing The Human Artistry Campaign announced the launch of an advocacy campaign on behalf of a broad cross-section of the American creative community to protest Big Tech's illegal mass...more

23 Jan 2026 | Press release

Merlin and Pipeline Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver Advances for Merlin Members

“Merlin’s Partnership with Pipeline is a Gamechanger,” says Merlin CEO Charlie Lexton Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independent labels and distributors, today announced a groundbreaking partnership with Pipeline, a specialist provider of innovative financing solutions for...more

23 Jan 2026 | Press release

R&B hitmaker Andre “Dre” Harris signs global pact with Warner Chappell Music

GRAMMY-Nominated Talent Boasts Current No. 1 R&B Hit with Kehlani’s “Folded”Also Behind Chart-Topping Tracks for Chris Brown, Alicia Keys, Usher, Justin Bieber, & More Warner Chappell Music (WCM), the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG), has signed a worldwide publishing...more

23 Jan 2026 | Press release

Concord Music Publishing signs Grammy award nominated songwriter-producer Aksel Arvid

  Today, Concord Music Publishing announced the signing of artist, songwriter, and producer Aksel Arvid in his first publishing deal. This deal is a joint venture with Norwegian producer Peder Losnegård, better known as Lido.   Raised on a tiny island on the west coast...more

22 Jan 2026 | Press release

Reservoir Announces Publishing Deal with Cat Burns/Olivia Dean Collaborator Britten Newbill

Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR), an award-winning independent music company, today announced a new publishing deal with multi-genre songwriter-producer Britten Newbill for a portion of his catalog and his future works. Born in Nashville and now based in London, Newbill has...more

22 Jan 2026 | Press release

Atlantic Records Germany sign German rap artist Bobby Vandamme

Atlantic Records Germany today announced the signing of German rap artist Bobby Vandamme to a long-term partnership. The deal marks the first signing under the newly appointed leadership of Melanie Geiger and a significant milestone in the label’s next phase...more

22 Jan 2026 | Press release

Duetti secures $200 million to scale independent music catalog acquisitions and enhance platform capabilities

Funding Led by a $50 Million Series C Equity Investment from The Raine Group   Duetti Inc. (“Duetti” or the “Company”), the music-tech and financial services company that empowers independent music creators to unlock the value of their music catalogs, today announces it...more

22 Jan 2026 | Press release

BMG appoints Jasper Niebuhr to lead GSA operations

  BMG has announced the appointment of Jasper Niebuhr as its new Managing Director, GSA, effective February 1, 2026. Niebuhr will spearhead BMG's integrated recorded music and music publishing operations across Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, bringing his distinctive entrepreneurial expertise to...more

22 Jan 2026 | Press release

Nominations announced for The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard as it moves to Manchester in a historical first

NEXT GENERATION OF BRITISH ARTISTS OUT IN FRONT WITH FIVE NOMINATIONS FOR LOLA YOUNG AND OLIVIA DEAN SAM FENDER FOLLOWS MERCURY PRIZE WIN WITH FOUR NOMINATIONS LILY ALLEN, WOLF ALICE, DAVE, FRED AGAIN.., JIM LEGXACY ALL UP FOR THREE AWARDS GLOBAL CULTURE MOMENTS RECOGNISED...more

22 Jan 2026 | Press release

Audiomack Celebrates 50M MAU Worldwide

Audiomack has reached 50 million monthly active users globally, achieving 31% year-over-year growth in 2025. The platform's expansion reflects continued momentum among discovery-driven music fans and investment in human-powered curation, trendsetting and niche music communities, and interactive features for fans...more

22 Jan 2026 | Press release

War Child Records Announce ‘HELP(2)’

Brand New Collaborative Album Inspired By Landmark 1995 Release ‘HELP’ Out Friday 6th March via War Child Records First Single ‘Opening Night’ By Arctic Monkeys - Out Now   War Child Records today announce ‘HELP(2)’. You can listen to the first single from the album, ‘Opening...more

21 Jan 2026 | Press release

The FAC and University of Hertfordshire expand their Propeller Sessions project to London’s Jazz Cafe

  Recent Nettwerk signing Olive Jones, a former awardee from the FAC’s Step Up Fund,  is among the latest artists to benefit from free, high-quality video performance footage after recording a Propeller Session To date, more than 20 FAC PRO Members have...more

21 Jan 2026 | Press release

Generator launches landmark Japan partnership to put northern music on the global stage

  BACKED BY REGIONAL MAYORS, THE INITIATIVE MARKS A MAJOR STEP FOR THE NORTH’S INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AMBITIONS  FEBRUARY 2026 JAPAN EXCHANGE ANNOUNCED, CONNECTING NORTHERN TALENT WITH JAPAN’S MUSIC INDUSTRY AND THRIVING CREATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE  PARTNERSHIPS ANNOUNCED WITH CUEW, MUSIC CITY COUNCIL OF FUKUOKA AND KEF, WITH COLLABORATION FROM OTHER MAJOR INDUSTRY PARTNERS    North-headquartered music development agency Generator has today...more

21 Jan 2026 | Press release

Believe UK and Tileyard Music launch new frontline label Tenace Records

Label to be spearheaded by Co-Presidents Charlie Arme & Michael Harwood.  Former Universal Marketing Director Chris Dashwood appointed GM.Globally touring guitar-pop force Pale Waves revealed as debut signing. Believe UK and Tileyard Music have launched a new boutique, frontline label as part...more

21 Jan 2026 | Press release

Hannah Karp appointed EVP & Chief Communications Officer for Warner Music Group

Accomplished Journalist and former 'Billboard' Editor-in-Chief Joins WMG’s Executive Leadership Team Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG) today announced that highly regarded editor and journalist Hannah Karp has been named EVP & Chief Communications Officer, effective January 26. She joins the company’s executive...more

27 Jan 2026

  • New TikTok Music Terms Of Service may pose a threat to musicians and labels (see Digital)

  • "Managers could probably do everything… but funding is really difficult’ (see Features)

  • Indie labels trade quantity for quality (see Reports)

26 Jan 2026

  • Robert Kyncl "music is absolutely grossly undervalued” (see Features)

23 Jan 2026

  • Did things really get better in 2025 for the UK's music business? (see Comment)

22 Jan 2026

  • BRIT Awards 2026: Nominations and reactions (see News)

21 Jan 2026

  •  Music Venue Trust annual report highlights ongoing issues, and optimism (see News)

20 Jan 2026

  • Do Spotify’s AI Playlists change how algorithmic discovery actually works? (see Features)

19 Jan 2026

  • A&R 2026: We lost "R" (see Opinion)

16 Jan 2026

  • Do most artists peak with their first album? (see Analysis)

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)