Ep163 – Jaddan Comerford (CEO – Unified Music Group) on investing in creativity
May 19, 2022
auto_awesome
Jaddan Comerford, CEO of Unified Music Group, shares his journey in the music industry, from starting a punk record label at 17 to building a multifaceted music company. He discusses the importance of collaboration, hiring for culture fit, and overcoming challenges. Comerford also shares insights on community-based investing and launching Side Stage platform for early-stage companies.
Unified Music Group focuses on nurturing creative talent across various music-related services.
Side Stage Ventures emphasizes community-based investing in creative and tech intersections.
Investing in talent development and workplace culture fosters staff retention and career growth at Unified Music Group.
Deep dives
Creating a Music Ecosystem
Jadon Cumberford shares his journey of starting a record label at 17 to launching Unified Music Group, a leading independent music company providing various services. The focus was on creating an ecosystem to nurture creative talent. The expansion from a record label to managing talent, merchandise, festivals, events, and investments was an organic evolution to support local punk bands.
Investing in Early-Stage Startups
Jadon discusses his investment experience with Side Stage Ventures, emphasizing community-based investing at the intersection of creativity and technology. Success stories like investing in Heaps Normal showcase the importance of founders who envision the future and execute ideas effectively. Openness to early vision and innovation drives the investments.
Retention through Investment in People
Unified Music Group's success in staff retention, with team members celebrating long tenures, is attributed to investing in talent development and building careers. Creating a workplace culture focusing on diversity initiatives, regular check-ins, and supporting personal growth helps retain top performers. A climate of helping employees see themselves growing within the company enhances retention.
Strategic Expansion and Delegation
While initially attracted to various opportunities, Unified Music Group now adopts a focused approach by building the ecosystem for creative talent. Strategic expansion into areas like web 3, gaming, and marketing innovation involves intentional business planning and resource allocation. Understanding the value of delegation and strategic positioning aids in long-term growth while avoiding distractions from unrelated opportunities.
Attracting and Supporting Creative Talent
Unified Music Group's success in building a strong team culture revolves around attracting and nurturing creative talent. Prioritizing diversity and creating an inclusive work environment drives the company's ethos. The focus on investing in employees' career growth, bolstered by ongoing initiatives, enhances the company's appeal as a place where talent thrives and sustains long-term loyalty.
My guest for Ep163 of The Startup Playbook Podcast was Jaddan Comerford, the Founder & CEO of Unified Music Group and Partner at Side Stage Ventures. Jaddan started Boomtown Records as a 17 year old to help launch the record for his own band. Fast forward 20 years later and he is now the Founder […]