Artists First Launches Music Division Led By Entertainment Exec Carmen Murray

Talent management and production firm Artists First has officially launched its Music Division, appointing veteran executive Carmen Murray as a founding advisor to lead the new sector. Murray will oversee the company’s music strategy while identifying growth opportunities across sports, branding, intellectual property, and strategic partnerships. This expansion marks a significant move for Artists First as it seeks to bridge the gap between its existing talent roster and the music industry through cross-industry initiatives.

Artists First, a prominent talent management and production company, announced the formal creation of its Music Division to be headed by industry veteran Carmen Murray. In her role as founding advisor, Murray is tasked with guiding the company’s overarching music strategy and developing new revenue streams involving intellectual property and strategic partnerships. She is joined by her partner, Michael Michel, and together they will collaborate with the firm's existing management teams to facilitate business development and brand collaborations for the company’s clients.

The initiative specifically aims to create meaningful pathways for athletes and actors to enter the music space, leveraging Artists First's diverse talent base. According to Chairman Peter Principato and CEO E. Brian Dobbins, Murray’s appointment is a strategic move to foster synergy across the organization’s various departments. The leadership team highlighted Murray’s reputation for delivering results and her collaborative approach as key factors in her selection to help expand the possibilities for their client roster.

Murray brings extensive experience to the role, having previously served as the founder and co-CEO of TITLE 9, a full-service management and IP company. Her professional history includes high-level dealings with major music entities such as Universal Music Publishing Group, Def Jam Recordings, Motown, Epic Records, Atlantic Records, Warner Chappell Music, and Roc Nation. Her background in bridging music with film, television, technology, and philanthropy is expected to be a primary driver for the new division’s market impact.

Expressing her vision for the role, Murray emphasized the importance of uniting creative communities to drive innovation and long-term career growth. She noted that the Music Division is intended to become a significant growth engine for Artists First by fostering relationships across the broader creative landscape. This expansion reflects a growing trend in the music industry where talent management firms are increasingly seeking to integrate music, sports, and entertainment brands into a single cohesive business model.