Music

Arts & Crafts co-founder Jeffrey Remedios named Universal Music Canada CEO

by Jesse Locke

In the hazy days of 2003, Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew met with his former roommate Jeffrey Remedios (an employee of Virgin and EMI) about the prospect of starting a record label. That became Arts & Crafts, with BSS’s breakthrough album You Forgot it in People opening the floodgates for acts like Feist, Stars, and numerous side-projects.

Fast-forward 12 years and A&C has become an industry heavyweight described as “a music-focused media and artist services company that offers information as an independent record label, management firm, merchandiser, and publisher worldwide.” Remedios is also a founder of the Field Trip festival, serves as the chairman of FACTOR (the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings), a board member of CARAS (the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) and TMAC (the City of Toronto Music Advisory Council). Now, he’s made his biggest move to date with a high-profile promotion to President and CEO of Universal Music Canada.

“Randy will be a tough act to follow, having created one of the best companies in the music industry,” Remedios was quoted by Music Week on the topic of outgoing Universal President Randy Lennox, who has been appointed President of Entertainment Production and Broadcasting at Bell Media. “I’m looking forward to working with Universal Music Canada’s extraordinary roster of artists and executives to continue their stellar record of artistic and commercial excellence.”

That Universal roster includes superstars such as Justin Bieber, Shania Twain, Drake, Carly Rae Jepsen, Nickelback, The Tragically Hip, and The Weeknd. Arts & Crafts co-owner Kieren Roy will step into the role of President at the label, with staff members Heidi Krohnert and Matt Brown promoted to VP positions. Needless to say, it should be interesting to see how these moves affect Arts & Crafts and its related entities.