Nettwerk Music Group Announces Management Buyout in Partnership with Create Music Group
Partnership leverages Nettwerk’s leading artist development capabilities and Create’s world-class infrastructure and label services platform
Nettwerk Music Group just announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to complete a management buyout from its existing investors, supported by Create Music Group. This transaction marks a significant milestone for Nettwerk, accelerating its mission to support artists globally while continuing to operate as an independent and distinctly Canadian music company.
As part of the proposed agreement, Create Capital will invest over $300 million into Nettwerk on closing and will provide access to substantial follow-on capital and support services thereafter. This investment will allow the Nettwerk management team to increase its ownership stake while enabling Nettwerk to retain its identity and independence in the market. Nettwerk will continue to serve its current roster of talented artists, remain committed to signing and nurturing new talent and uphold the artist-first values that have defined its reputation for over four decades.
Nettwerk was co-founded over 40 years ago by Terry McBride and his longtime business partner Mark Jowett. McBride, whose early career in artist management for global acts including Coldplay and Avril Lavigne established the principles for Nettwerk, has led the company as its CEO, shepherding its growth into an artist-first record label and publisher. Today, Nettwerk works with a world-class roster of artists including Paris Paloma, Passenger, Leisure, SYML, Mon Rovîa and many more.
The partnership with Create Music Group — one of the fastest-growing and most innovative companies in the music industry — provides Nettwerk with access to world-class infrastructure, global distribution networks and label services. In addition, Create Capital will offer Nettwerk access to efficient follow-on financing to support the company’s continued growth and investment in its frontline operations.
The Nettwerk leadership team will continue to manage day-to-day operations, signings and artist development efforts, with support from Create’s platform. The partners have highly complementary strengths. The partnership is built on shared values and collaborative spirit that will empower both Nettwerk and Create to expand their global presence while maintaining their core missions.
“We’re excited about this next chapter in Nettwerk’s journey,” said Terry McBride, co-founder and CEO of Nettwerk. “Partnering with Create allows us to continue to build on our foundation, grow our capabilities, and provide even more value to the artists we represent — while staying true to our roots as an artist-focused, independent Canadian label.”
“Terry and his team at Nettwerk have built one of the most enduring and influential independent music companies in the modern era,” said Create Music Group CEO and co-founder Jonathan Strauss. “We are excited to put all of the resources at our disposal behind Terry and his management team to fuel Nettwerk’s continued global growth.”
The transaction is expected to close this month.
About Nettwerk Music Group
Founded and headquartered in Vancouver, Nettwerk Music Group is one of Canada’s premier independent music companies, known for discovering, developing and promoting a diverse array of artists across genres and borders. We maintain offices and a strong market presence in Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York, London, Amsterdam, Hamburg and Sydney. To learn more about Nettwerk, please visit our website: www.nettwerk.com.
About Create Music Group
Create is a platform for some of the world's best independent record labels and entrepreneurs. We operate a portfolio of specialist and market-leading label brands, encompassing 17K+ clients, centralized onto a single platform comprising technology, data, marketing and capital. Our mission is to help independent labels grow. To learn more about Create Music Group, please visit our website: www.createmusicgroup.com.