Michael Chugg Moves Into A&R With New Business Partnership

Is there something in the water? Fresh from the announcements that Splendour In The Grass promoters Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco had bought into Falls Festival, and promoter Paul Dainty had partnered with ex-Big Day Out boss Vivian Lees, fellow promoter Michael Chugg is keen to get in on the action.

But a man that has defined his career by being different isn’t following his rivals by partnering up with another promoter. Instead, the much loved giant of Australia’s live music landscape is parternering with an international music A&R company adding Australia to its worldwide reach.

A&R Worldwide who have today announced a new Australasian division in partnership with Chugg Entertainment, have a strong presence in North America and Europe and specialises in discovering, developing and selling artists.

The company which describes itself as a “one-stop solution for talent discovery, consulting and marketing services,”and  is part of an emerging business model within the music industry and has fostered the careers of Adele, Katy Perry, Muse, and homegrown artists including Missy Higgins, Wolfmother and The Temper Trap.

The company aims to build an artist’s career, offering services from song development, to the packaging and distribution of an album.

The deal between the two companies will see A&R utilising Chugg’s dominance of the Australian, New Zealand and Singapore music markets to add to their global strategy of developing and producing artists.

Founder and President of A&R Worldwide, Sat Bisla said he was ”extremely excited about the launch of A&R Worldwide Australasia, which furthers A&R Worldwide’s impact internationally and helps us expand our efforts to the needs of those we work with, as well as our overall discovery, development and consulting efforts to and from Australasia.”

Bisla also spoke of his respect for CEO and Founder of Chugg Entertainment Michael Chugg, a friend of 17 years.

“Michael and his team are on the forefront of some of the most exciting new music and creative and business inspirations that are emanating out of Australaisia. Australasia is a burgeoning economic market with incredible talent and opportunities and, I could not be prouder of teaming up with a partner such as Michael and Chugg Entertainment.”

Chugg due-fully returned the sentiments. “Sat and his hardworking team are genuinely wonderful people and I can’t wait for my team and I to work with them under the A&R Worldwide Australasia business.”

“We have been working towards getting more involved in local artist development for years and the relationship with Sat and his team will expand our efforts and give us a global base to help develop Australian Artists and bring international talent into our home markets. It’s a very exciting time for all of us.”