Armada Music, the global powerhouse in dance music, has made a major announcement that is sending waves through the industry. Jason Ellis, the former head of UK dance label Positiva Records, has joined Armada Music as their Global Senior A&R Director. This strategic move comes as Armada Music, along with its dance music investment arm BEAT Music Fund, enters a new phase of growth and expansion.
With over 20 years of experience at the helm of Positiva Records, Ellis brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. Under his leadership, Positiva Records achieved remarkable success, generating over 80 million single sales, 3.5 million album sales, and a staggering 4 billion streams in the UK alone. Ellis also served as the label's Managing Director, combining his responsibilities with senior A&R duties at Virgin, Virgin EMI, and EMI Records. During this time, he signed some of the biggest names in the industry, including Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz, and Jonas Blue, while overseeing successful campaigns for the likes of Avicii, Gorgon City, Sub Focus, David Guetta, and deadmau5.
Now, Ellis embarks on a new chapter in his career, joining forces with Maykel Piron, CEO of Armada Music and CEO of BEAT Music Fund. As Global Senior A&R Director, Ellis will be responsible for sourcing and nurturing up-and-coming talent while also providing his expertise in future acquisitions as BEAT continues to expand. The music industry is abuzz with anticipation, as Ellis's extensive network and vast experience are expected to propel Armada Music and BEAT Music Fund to even greater heights.
Speaking about his new position, Ellis expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunities that lie ahead. "Joining Maykel and the team at Armada and the recently launched BEAT Music Fund feels like the natural next step in my career, given the exciting opportunity to utilize my considerable network and experience built up over many years," said Ellis. "It's a very exciting time for both companies on many levels, but fundamentally it's all about building and nurturing the best music and artists. I can't wait to get started!"
Maykel Piron, CEO of Armada Music & CEO of BEAT Music Fund, highlighted the significance of having Ellis on board. "Having Jason on board to steer the A&R direction for both BEAT and Armada will be invaluable as we strive to build the greatest legacy of dance music," Piron stated. The addition of Ellis to the team further solidifies Armada Music's commitment to fostering talent and shaping the future of dance music.
The creation of BEAT Music Fund by Armada Music in 2023 marked a pivotal moment for the dance music industry. Designed to revitalize dance music catalogs and establish an unrivaled legacy, BEAT Music Fund has rapidly expanded its reach. To support this growth, new leadership team appointments were recently announced. Madeleine van Schendel takes on the role of Chief Growth Officer, Jop Bonnike, formerly General Manager, is now Chief Operating Officer and Michel Peek has been promoted to Head of Publishing from his previous position as General Manager Publishing.
As Armada Music and BEAT Music Fund continue their journey toward reshaping the dance music landscape, the addition of Jason Ellis to the team signifies a significant milestone. With his proven track record and unrivaled industry expertise, Ellis is poised to make a lasting impact, ensuring that Armada Music and BEAT Music Fund remain at the forefront of the global dance music scene.
