MAMA Co-Founder Launches New International Music Company, Sixth Plc
- Will operate across the Artist-Live value chain- Dean James named CEO, ex-Shazam Exec Matt McCann COO- Partners With Indian Conglomerate Apeejay Surrendra- Nettwerk Music Group Co-Founder Dan Fraser non-exec Director16th October, London:- Co-founder and former CEO of MAMA Group Dean James has launched a new music company Sixth Plc, that will use data analytics to fuel activities across an integrated artist-to-live operation.James will act as CEO of Sixth, with former head of business affairs for Shazam Matt McCann as COO. Sixth was founded in partnership with one of India’s largest ‘family’ conglomerates Apeejay Surrendra, owners of Typhoo Tea in the UK. Sethu Vaidynathan, a senior director and family member of Apeejay, joins James and McCann on the board as Chairman and co-founder.Co-founder of Nettwerk Music Group Dan Fraser (credentials include Stereophonics and Passenger and previously Avril Lavigne, Barenaked Ladies and Coldplay) will become a non-executive director.Coming in the middle of a shift in the balance of power between recorded music sales and live revenues, Sixth will adopt an artist-centric approach to operating across all points of the artist to live value chain, using data analytics to choose the artists it works with and assets it develops.The management team boasts a wealth of experience in building successful businesses across music and technology sectors. James was previously CEO of Mean Fiddler Group and as co-CEO and co-founder of Mama Group he acquired well-known music operations such as Hammersmith Apollo, G-A-Y, Lovebox Festival, Great Escape and Supervision Management before MAMA’s eventual sale to HMV in 2010.With newly opened Hoxton, London offices Sixth Plc will initially run operations in the UK, India and Asia Pacific via key acquisitions that focus on the growth areas of live, data analytics and artist partnerships.Said Sixth Chairman and senior director Apeejay Surrendra, Sethu Vaidynathan: “Matt and Dean’s combined track record of founding and growing successful companies is undeniable. Under their stewardship, Sixth will grow into a global music powerhouse, I’ve no doubt.”Commented CEO Dean James: “I’m tremendously excited to finally be able to announce Sixth; we’re building a smart new global business and are delighted to have found a partner in Apeejay Surrendra that understands our vision – it will be interesting to watch the impact a company of its type will have as a new entrant to the music business. It’s also great to welcome back Matt McCann to the music industry – the industry will be stronger with him in it.”COO Matt McCann added: “We’re embarking on a new journey with Sixth, with an ambitious roadmap in hand. Our approach will be heavily data centric and we aim to operate across several markets in order to build a successful 21st Century music company.”London Office: 71 Fanshaw Street, London E1 7LAAbout Dean JamesDean James is a serial entrepreneur with substantial experience as an operating executive.In 2000 he floated Mean Fiddler’s dotcom business before its eventual sale to Live Nation and Denis Desmond in 2005, serving as COO and CEO during the period.In 2005, James co-founded and served as co-CEO of MAMA Group, a business that became one of the largest live music and artist management groups in the world, acquiring the Hammersmith Apollo and Mean Fiddler in the process. As the sole CEO, James ran MAMA following its acquisition in 2010 by HMV, before leading a management buyout in 2012.About Matt McCannMatt McCann is a seasoned CEO in high-growth technology, data and media businesses.He was CEO of Australia’s most developed data-driven online business, iSelect, which he listed on the ASX for $450m in 2013 – raising $215m. Over his 6 years at iSelect, Matt raised over $350m in debt and equity for primary and secondary offerings from investors around the world, launched five new business units, executed a public market takeover and grew the business to 500 people.He has deep experience in the music industry and its relationship to technology through four years as Head of Business Affairs for Shazam and two years with BT’s Innovation Division. He led Shazam’s $US22.5m partial exit in 2005 through a technology sale and license-back to BMI, Inc.About Sethu VaidynathanA senior director of Apeejay Surrendra, Sethu Vaidynathan is also co-founder and Director of Global Dairy Health and Fresco Bio Farms. Previously he was a senior director and promoter of businesses in the leather, textiles, mosquito coils, hotels and residential and commercial businesses in a career spanning 25 years.About Apeejay SurrendraApeejay Surrendra is one of India's oldest and largest business conglomerates. The group's businesses are spread across tea (Apeejay Tea and Typhoo), shipping, hospitality (The Park Hotels), real estate, retail brands (Oxford Bookstores), a marine cluster (Bengal Shipyard) and logistics parks. Established in 1910, Apeejay Surrendra Group employs over 43,000 people.