Octagon Enters the Music Management Business

Press release
Source: Rogers & Cowan

Rudge, Casson and Bank to Head Up Octagon Music

New York, NY, June 13, 2005 - The premier global sports and entertainment marketing firm Octagon, whose clients include John Elway, Michael Phelps, David Robinson, Davis Love III, Steve Yzerman, Mia Hamm, Bill Cowher, and the Duchess of York, is entering into the music management business with the creation of Octagon Music, it was announced today by Phil de Picciotto, President of Octagon. Veteran manager/marketer Peter Rudge will head up the newly created venture. Rudge tapped business affairs expert Gary Casson and management/touring/television maven Susan Bank to join Octagon Music's senior management team to represent their global musical brands via their headquarters in both New York and London. Octagon Music's initial roster of clients includes IL DIVO, Madness, Ray Davies and Jane Monheit.

"We created Octagon Music as a hybrid approach to worldwide management for recording artists," commented de Picciotto. "Octagon Music is committed to providing the world's top artists with a comprehensive and creative representation model. This business model leverages the superior skills and expertise of the leadership team with Octagon's access to corporate brands. Much as Octagon's experts do in the sports representation area, our music group will provide first class management, while creating unique business opportunities for our clients through relationships that will leverage and build upon Octagon's strong global assets."

"As the music industry landscape changes, artists are looking for management representation that is able to operate effectively across multiple platforms," commented Rudge. "By combining our years of experience in artist management, business affairs, television and touring with Octagon's expertise in the many areas that are so important to today's successful artists, we are able to provide a comprehensive management solution on a global basis. We are looking to aggressively build a roster of artists able to take advantage of Octagon's assets. I am thrilled that Phil and Octagon have given us the opportunity to build such an exciting company."

IL DIVO's debut CD has already surpassed 3 million copies worldwide and is currently number one on the charts of 3 continents - an impressive achievement considering there has been virtually no radio play and no touring is planned until 2006. Octagon Music aligned with Syco Music, Columbia Records and sister IPG agency, Rogers & Cowan, for IL DIVO's U.S. launch to handle consumer and entertainment media relations and marketing. The success of IL DIVO's album in the U.S. was enhanced by appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show (twice,) The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Today Show, Live With Regis & Kelly, the Daytime Emmys, The View, Despierta America, Primer Impacto, Ellen, Extra, Access Hollywood and The Young And The Restless as well as stories in People and USA Today. David Miller (tenor-USA,) Sebastien Izambard (vox poluli-France,) Urs Buhler (tenor- Switzerland) and Carlos Marin (baritone-Spain) are the four members of the group. They were brought together by Simon Cowell's worldwide search to form a mold-breaking quartet of formally trained voices that could fuse the world of classical opera and popular song.

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Ray Davies, is one of the most successful and influential songwriters ever and is the co-founder and leader of The Kinks. He has just finished his first-ever solo album tentatively entitled, "The Tourist," which is scheduled for worldwide release on V2 Records later this year.

Jane Monheit is one of the hottest new singers in jazz. Jane's artistry and charisma catapulted her latest recording "Taking a Chance on Love" to the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Traditional Jazz chart as well as the Top 100 on Billboard's pop chart in its first week of release. Jane, whose first album was released on Sony Classics, has recently signed with Epic Records, who will release her new album in October.

"Madness" is a product of the schools, pubs and church halls of North London and became known for a brand of music dubbed "The Nutty Sound". They were the biggest-selling singles act of the eighties in the UK, and have become the best-loved British pop act since The Beatles. Their next CD, a combination of ska and reggae covers, will be released by V2 Records on August 1 and is entitled "The Dangermen Sessions Volume One." They plan to tour the US beginning in September.

Peter Rudge's career in the entertainment industry spans over 35 years. He has managed such acts as The Rolling Stones, The Who, Duran Duran, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters and Pulp. He was also involved in the marketing and promotion of some of the biggest albums of all time including: Jimi Hendrix's "Electric Lady Land," The Who's "Tommy," and the Rolling Stones' "Exile on Main Street" and "Some Girls."

Gary Casson is renowned for his business affairs experience over his 28 year music industry career. Following his stint at CBS UK, Casson was named Director of Business Affairs for CBS U.S. He joined Elektra/Asylum Records in 1983 and became the Executive VP at Elektra Entertainment Group in 1994. During his career, Casson has handled business and contract negotiations involving many superstar artists including Metallica, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Tracy Chapman, Natalie Merchant and AC/DC among others.

Susan Bank brings her experience in touring, television and management to the team. She has held the position of VP Touring and Live Events at Reigndeer Entertainment in New York and Artists Management Group in both New York and Los Angeles. She also has held various positions at Capitol Records, Silent Partner Management, Second Vision and Delsener/Slater Enterprises. Bank has worked with such artists as: Britney Spears, Blues Traveler, The Toadies, Depeche Mode and Peter Gabriel. Bank was also a producer for Britney Spears: Live in Miami on Showtime, and for Britney Spears: In the Zone on ABC.

About Octagon
Octagon is the world's leader in sports and entertainment marketing with global expertise in consulting, athletes & personalities, event management, property representation, marketing solutions, licensing and merchandising, talent procurement and television rights and production. As part of The Interpublic Group (NYSE:IPG), one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services, Octagon employs more than 1,000 people in 60 offices around the world. For further information please visit: www.octagon.com.

About Rogers & Cowan
Rogers & Cowan is the world's leading entertainment public relations and marketing agency with offices in Los Angeles, New York and London. The agency designs and implements campaigns for entertainment clients, such as film production and distribution companies, cable and network TV programming, record labels, recording artists, celebrities and athletes, videogame publishers and distributors and digital media companies. Rogers & Cowan also creates integrated marketing solutions for consumer and technology brands seeking to build a connection with consumers through entertainment and lifestyle influences. Find out more at www.rogersandcowan.com. Rogers & Cowan is also a member of the Interpublic Group of Companies.

Contacts: Maureen O'Connor
Rogers & Cowan
310-854-8116
moconnor@rogersandcowan.com