Industry Ink: 27digital, CRS, IBMA, Maximum Artist Management

Lauren Summerford Launches 27digital

Lauren Summerford

Lauren Summerford has launched 27digital, which will specialize in online marketing, advertising, social media management, brand management, content development and data acquisition. She is a former Warner Music Nashville staffer.

27digital’s roster includes Lauren Daigle, Blanca, Blink (publishing imprint for young adult books), Matt Maher, Meredith Andrews, John Tibbs, and Sadie Robertson‘s Live Original Tour.

“During my seven years at Warner Music Nashville, I developed a passion for creating innovative interactive marketing solutions for artists,” says Summerford. “Today, I find myself answering the call of my entrepreneurial spirit and applying my skills to a broader range of clients. Becoming a small business owner by starting 27digital has been a thrilling and welcome challenge. I’m thankful to have already been embraced by so many members of the Nashville music community in addition to partnering with brands outside the entertainment space. I look forward to growing the 27digital brand and partnering with new clients to execute more innovative campaigns!”

Core Moderators Announced For CRS 2017

Five core panel moderators have been announced for Country Radio Seminar 2017: RJ Curtis (All Access), Gregg Lindahl (40-year radio veteran), Bob Richards (Emmis Radio Indianapolis and WLHK/Indianapolis), Tom Baldrica (Midwest Communications), and Becky Brenner (Consulting Partner, Albright & O’Malley & Brenner Consulting).

Collectively, the core moderators will oversee and direct the bulk of the seminar’s educational panels, which will be held Feb. 22-24 inside the Omni Nashville Hotel.

CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne stated, “One of the best lessons we’ve learned was how crucial having moderators with a very special skill set can ‘make or destroy’ the best panel and audience interaction. Our Core Moderator program has eliminated 90% of the issues we endured for over 40 years! We are blessed by the efforts of these talented professionals and their major contributions!”

IBMA Adds Kelly Kessler

Kelly Kessler

Kelly Kessler has joined the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) as Professional Development and Communications Director.

Kessler comes from a career in music on both the creative side as a songwriter and musician, and i the business side as an artist manager (Missy Raines & the New Hip) and label chief running Melungeon Records, an indie record label.

Maximum Artist Management Expands Staff

Sam Fisher

Sam Fisher, co-founder and principal of Paravel Management, LLC, has joined Maximum Artist Management as Artist Manager. Fisher brings with him a roster of fast-rising artists, including award-winning hip-hop artist KB, urban/pop artist Hank Murphy (Provident/Sony), duo Seth & Nirva (Integrity Music), plus author-speaker D.A. Horton (NavPress).

“We had been talking internally for a while about how Maximum wants to be investing not only in artist development, but also executive talent development,” says Maximum Artist founder and president Mitchell Solarek. “Sam is remarkably skilled and positioned to help grow Maximum into a strong leader in musical areas we are not currently involved. We are thrilled and extremely fortunate to have him on our team.”

Fisher’s executive experience includes multi-year stints with global distributor Redeye Worldwide, indie label Yep Roc Music Group, and the launch of his own event management and promotion company, Lucas Gambit. In 2014, Fisher co-founded Paravel Management, LLC, a music management company based in Nashville with satellite offices in Los Angeles and North Carolina.