Music Industry Moves: Josh Groban Inks With CAA; Celia Cruz Estate Partners With Xavie Agency
CAA has signed Tony, Emmy and Grammy-nominated singer and actor Josh Groban in all areas.
Groban made his Broadway debut in 2016 with a starring role in “Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812.” He has also made television appearances on “Glee,” “The Simpsons,” “The Office,” “CSI: NY,” “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia,” and “The Crazy Ones,” as well as feature films “Coffee Town,” “Muppets Most Wanted,” and “Crazy, Stupid, Love.”
In the spring of 2023, Groban took to Broadway once again, performing the titular role in the revival of “Sweeney Todd,” which earned him Tony and Grammy award nominations, as well as widespread acclaim.
In May 2025, Groban is set to launch a five-night run at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with his own production, “Gems.” He also remains an active arts education philanthropist with His Find Your Light Foundation that helps young people connect through arts, education, and cultural awareness.
+ Xavie Agency has closed negotiations to become the exclusive licensing representative for Celia Cruz Entertainment. Through this partnership, Xavie Agency will “protect and promote the legacy of the Queen of Salsa” by developing strategic brand partnerships and licensing opportunities that celebrate the late entertainer.
Cruz, the Cuban-American singer who became a global icon, captivated audiences with her powerful voice, flamboyant style, and infectious energy. Her music transcended generations and cultural boundaries, solidifying her as a trailblazer for Latinos and women in the music industry.
In addition to licensing, Celia Cruz Entertainment has several projects in development, including a Broadway musical and a documentary. Xavie also represents Ric Flair, Jerry Garcia and more.
“As we commemorate the centennial of Celia Cruz, this partnership with Xavie Agency represents a pivotal step in preserving and expanding her incredible legacy,” said Omer Pardillo, executor of the Celia Cruz Estate. “Celia was not only a global icon but also a cultural ambassador who broke barriers and inspired generations. With Xavie Agency’s expertise in building impactful, enduring partnerships, we are thrilled to explore new and innovative ways to share Celia’s story with fans worldwide.”
+ Ticketmaster, Universe, and SoundCloud have joined forces to streamline and connect their Ticketmaster and Universe events via SoundCloud.
Available to all SoundCloud Artist Pro users, the new partnership with Ticketmaster and Universe will allow artists to manage live events directly on SoundCloud and create events on SoundCloud with Universe.
“At Ticketmaster, we’re passionate about helping artists reach more fans by meeting them where they are. It’s why we’re thrilled to partner with SoundCloud to provide event management, discovery, and promotional support on SoundCloud, powered by Ticketmaster and Universe,” said Michael Chua, vice president global business development and strategic partnerships at Ticketmaster. “Soundcloud is a leader in lowering barriers to entry for music creators – now, Ticketmaster and Universe will enhance that mission by giving artists more control over their live events across more fan touchpoints.”
+ The Music Fights Fraud Alliance (MFFA) has hired Michael Lewan as its first executive director. Lewan will oversee the Alliance’s strategic initiatives and operations from Washington, D.C.
With a robust background in government relations and advocacy, Lewan most recently served as managing director of State and Federal Advocacy at the Recording Academy.
“We are thrilled to have Michael Lewan join Music Fights Fraud as our first Executive Director,” said Andreea Gleeson, CEO of TuneCore. “When TuneCore and Believe co-founded the Music Fights Fraud Alliance together with Downtown, our goal was to unite the music industry, foster collaboration, and take smarter, more impactful action to tackle fraud in all its forms. Michael’s extensive experience in government relations, policy advocacy, and building stakeholder partnerships makes him the ideal leader to guide MFFA’s mission forward. His leadership and vision will be crucial as we continue working toward a more equitable and transparent music industry.”
Lewan commented, “As streaming fraud increasingly threatens the livelihoods of artists and right holders and undermines the integrity of the music economy, the Alliance’s work has never been more critical. I am excited to lead this dedicated group of industry leaders in our mission to create a fairer, more secure, and more transparent music ecosystem. Together, we will continue to build on the progress we’ve made, strengthen our collaboration, and drive impactful solutions that protect artists and ensure they are fairly compensated for their work.”
ADA, Warner Music Group’s global independent music distribution and artist services arm, has announced their partnership with Three Six Zero Recordings, which will see the company cover global distribution for all new releases from the label’s roster. Three Six Zero Recordings is home to artists including Willow and Jaden Smith, while the first releases under the new deal have come from Four Tet, Max Styler and horsegiirL.
“We’re thrilled to join forces with Mark [Gillespie], Pete [Tong], and the entire Three Six Zero team,” said Cat Kreidich (pictured above), president of ADA. “Their commitment to the music, and to the boundary-pushing artists carving their own paths, is matched by our own ambition and creativity at ADA.”
Mark Gillespie, founder and CEO, Three Six Zero Recordings, added, “Working with ADA allows us to further our mission of supporting the next wave of talent with the right infrastructure and global reach.”
+ The Republic Collective (Island Records, Def Jam Recordings, Mercury Records and Republic Records) has announced a new round of executive promotions and hires across various departments. Jeffrey Remedios has been named president of strategic development; on the media team, Joe Carozza has been promoted to executive vice president, global media officer; on the sync team, Brittney Ramsdell rises to executive VP, creative sync, while the creative team see’s Julie Vastola elevated to senior VP, creative. Additionally, on the global marketing team, Zoë Briggs has been promoted to VP, global marketing.
Gary Spangler has also expanded the audience team with the following advancements:
Natina Nimene to executive VP, urban audience and artist relationsLucas Romeo to executive VP, pop audienceBrett Dumler to senior VP, pop audienceJames Brown to senior VP, urban audienceRoya Raji to VP, touring
Similarly, Kevin Lipson has grown his team with two key new hires: Jeff Temske as executive VP, global research and analytics and Colin Yost as VP, innovation and gaming partnerships. He has also announced the following:
Brian Sutnick to executive VP, global replay strategyRyan Stevens to senior VP, commerceCharlene Thomas to senior VP, global replay strategyBlair O’Brien to VP, commerce
Monte Lipman, founder and chairman of Republic, commented, “This is an exciting chapter for the Republic Collective. These key announcements were hard-earned and well-deserved. Along with our Founder and Vice-Chairman Avery Lipman and President and COO Jim Roppo, this elite team of executives will undoubtedly usher in a new era of artist development, innovation, and generational talent.”
+ Gravel Road Records, the independent record label co-founded by Anthony Martini and Rich Barner, has signed Travis Bolt.
“Travis Bolt’s voice stopped me dead in my tracks the second I heard it,” said Martini. “He’s a rare talent and I couldn’t be more excited to help push his music out to the world.” Added Barner, “Travis is an amazing human being and family man that has busted his ass to get here. He has a voice like I’ve never heard before. It’s going to be our absolute pleasure at gravel Road to watch him take off like a rocket ship.”
+ Sheppard, Mullin, Richter and Hampton LLP have promoted Aaron J. Campbell and Nicolas Urdinola to partners within its entertainment, advertising and technology practice.
With offices in the bustling entertainment hubs of Century City and New York City, Sheppard Mullin offers legal help with acquisitions, financings, production and distribution of content for major studios, streaming services, and other platforms throughout the world, including Amazon MGM Studios, Spotify, Netflix, Peacock, Twitch and TelevisaUnivision, among others.
“Aaron and Nico are excellent lawyers and critical advisors to our entertainment industry clients,” said Alexis Robinson, entertainment, technology and advertising practice group leader. “Their cutting-edge knowledge and work will help our clients continue to grow profitably as the industry continues to evolve. I am incredibly proud of the hard work they have put in to help both our practice and clients continue to prosper.”
Groban made his Broadway debut in 2016 with a starring role in “Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812.” He has also made television appearances on “Glee,” “The Simpsons,” “The Office,” “CSI: NY,” “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia,” and “The Crazy Ones,” as well as feature films “Coffee Town,” “Muppets Most Wanted,” and “Crazy, Stupid, Love.”
In the spring of 2023, Groban took to Broadway once again, performing the titular role in the revival of “Sweeney Todd,” which earned him Tony and Grammy award nominations, as well as widespread acclaim.
In May 2025, Groban is set to launch a five-night run at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with his own production, “Gems.” He also remains an active arts education philanthropist with His Find Your Light Foundation that helps young people connect through arts, education, and cultural awareness.
+ Xavie Agency has closed negotiations to become the exclusive licensing representative for Celia Cruz Entertainment. Through this partnership, Xavie Agency will “protect and promote the legacy of the Queen of Salsa” by developing strategic brand partnerships and licensing opportunities that celebrate the late entertainer.
Cruz, the Cuban-American singer who became a global icon, captivated audiences with her powerful voice, flamboyant style, and infectious energy. Her music transcended generations and cultural boundaries, solidifying her as a trailblazer for Latinos and women in the music industry.
In addition to licensing, Celia Cruz Entertainment has several projects in development, including a Broadway musical and a documentary. Xavie also represents Ric Flair, Jerry Garcia and more.
“As we commemorate the centennial of Celia Cruz, this partnership with Xavie Agency represents a pivotal step in preserving and expanding her incredible legacy,” said Omer Pardillo, executor of the Celia Cruz Estate. “Celia was not only a global icon but also a cultural ambassador who broke barriers and inspired generations. With Xavie Agency’s expertise in building impactful, enduring partnerships, we are thrilled to explore new and innovative ways to share Celia’s story with fans worldwide.”
+ Ticketmaster, Universe, and SoundCloud have joined forces to streamline and connect their Ticketmaster and Universe events via SoundCloud.
Available to all SoundCloud Artist Pro users, the new partnership with Ticketmaster and Universe will allow artists to manage live events directly on SoundCloud and create events on SoundCloud with Universe.
“At Ticketmaster, we’re passionate about helping artists reach more fans by meeting them where they are. It’s why we’re thrilled to partner with SoundCloud to provide event management, discovery, and promotional support on SoundCloud, powered by Ticketmaster and Universe,” said Michael Chua, vice president global business development and strategic partnerships at Ticketmaster. “Soundcloud is a leader in lowering barriers to entry for music creators – now, Ticketmaster and Universe will enhance that mission by giving artists more control over their live events across more fan touchpoints.”
+ The Music Fights Fraud Alliance (MFFA) has hired Michael Lewan as its first executive director. Lewan will oversee the Alliance’s strategic initiatives and operations from Washington, D.C.
With a robust background in government relations and advocacy, Lewan most recently served as managing director of State and Federal Advocacy at the Recording Academy.
“We are thrilled to have Michael Lewan join Music Fights Fraud as our first Executive Director,” said Andreea Gleeson, CEO of TuneCore. “When TuneCore and Believe co-founded the Music Fights Fraud Alliance together with Downtown, our goal was to unite the music industry, foster collaboration, and take smarter, more impactful action to tackle fraud in all its forms. Michael’s extensive experience in government relations, policy advocacy, and building stakeholder partnerships makes him the ideal leader to guide MFFA’s mission forward. His leadership and vision will be crucial as we continue working toward a more equitable and transparent music industry.”
Lewan commented, “As streaming fraud increasingly threatens the livelihoods of artists and right holders and undermines the integrity of the music economy, the Alliance’s work has never been more critical. I am excited to lead this dedicated group of industry leaders in our mission to create a fairer, more secure, and more transparent music ecosystem. Together, we will continue to build on the progress we’ve made, strengthen our collaboration, and drive impactful solutions that protect artists and ensure they are fairly compensated for their work.”
ADA, Warner Music Group’s global independent music distribution and artist services arm, has announced their partnership with Three Six Zero Recordings, which will see the company cover global distribution for all new releases from the label’s roster. Three Six Zero Recordings is home to artists including Willow and Jaden Smith, while the first releases under the new deal have come from Four Tet, Max Styler and horsegiirL.
“We’re thrilled to join forces with Mark [Gillespie], Pete [Tong], and the entire Three Six Zero team,” said Cat Kreidich (pictured above), president of ADA. “Their commitment to the music, and to the boundary-pushing artists carving their own paths, is matched by our own ambition and creativity at ADA.”
Mark Gillespie, founder and CEO, Three Six Zero Recordings, added, “Working with ADA allows us to further our mission of supporting the next wave of talent with the right infrastructure and global reach.”
+ The Republic Collective (Island Records, Def Jam Recordings, Mercury Records and Republic Records) has announced a new round of executive promotions and hires across various departments. Jeffrey Remedios has been named president of strategic development; on the media team, Joe Carozza has been promoted to executive vice president, global media officer; on the sync team, Brittney Ramsdell rises to executive VP, creative sync, while the creative team see’s Julie Vastola elevated to senior VP, creative. Additionally, on the global marketing team, Zoë Briggs has been promoted to VP, global marketing.
Gary Spangler has also expanded the audience team with the following advancements:
Natina Nimene to executive VP, urban audience and artist relationsLucas Romeo to executive VP, pop audienceBrett Dumler to senior VP, pop audienceJames Brown to senior VP, urban audienceRoya Raji to VP, touring
Similarly, Kevin Lipson has grown his team with two key new hires: Jeff Temske as executive VP, global research and analytics and Colin Yost as VP, innovation and gaming partnerships. He has also announced the following:
Brian Sutnick to executive VP, global replay strategyRyan Stevens to senior VP, commerceCharlene Thomas to senior VP, global replay strategyBlair O’Brien to VP, commerce
Monte Lipman, founder and chairman of Republic, commented, “This is an exciting chapter for the Republic Collective. These key announcements were hard-earned and well-deserved. Along with our Founder and Vice-Chairman Avery Lipman and President and COO Jim Roppo, this elite team of executives will undoubtedly usher in a new era of artist development, innovation, and generational talent.”
+ Gravel Road Records, the independent record label co-founded by Anthony Martini and Rich Barner, has signed Travis Bolt.
“Travis Bolt’s voice stopped me dead in my tracks the second I heard it,” said Martini. “He’s a rare talent and I couldn’t be more excited to help push his music out to the world.” Added Barner, “Travis is an amazing human being and family man that has busted his ass to get here. He has a voice like I’ve never heard before. It’s going to be our absolute pleasure at gravel Road to watch him take off like a rocket ship.”
+ Sheppard, Mullin, Richter and Hampton LLP have promoted Aaron J. Campbell and Nicolas Urdinola to partners within its entertainment, advertising and technology practice.
With offices in the bustling entertainment hubs of Century City and New York City, Sheppard Mullin offers legal help with acquisitions, financings, production and distribution of content for major studios, streaming services, and other platforms throughout the world, including Amazon MGM Studios, Spotify, Netflix, Peacock, Twitch and TelevisaUnivision, among others.
“Aaron and Nico are excellent lawyers and critical advisors to our entertainment industry clients,” said Alexis Robinson, entertainment, technology and advertising practice group leader. “Their cutting-edge knowledge and work will help our clients continue to grow profitably as the industry continues to evolve. I am incredibly proud of the hard work they have put in to help both our practice and clients continue to prosper.”