MV2 Expands Creative Team With Mike Whelan And Ben Strain

Pictured (L-R): Nicole Sherrill – Creative Director, Tony Harrell – General Manager, Mike Whelan – Senior Creative Director, Ben Strain – Creative Director, Lauren Davis – Artist Management & Contract Administration, Lindsey Parrish – Digital Marketing Manager Photo by Acacia Evans

MV2 Entertainment has added industry vets Mike Whelan as Senior Creative Director and Ben Strain as Creative Director.

Whelan has 33 years of experience in music publishing, including stints with Polygram Music, Acuff-Rose Publishing, Sony/ATV Publishing and ole Music. He has worked with writers Bob McDill, Dean Dillon, Tony Martin, Skip Ewing, Casey Beathard, and more and as a plugger has had over 85 BMI and ASCAP Award-winning songs – 40 of which have topped the music charts. Whelan was also instrumental in helping secure record deals for up-and-comers Jordan Davis and Adam Hambrick with Universal Records.

Strain’s previous stops include Sony Records, Monument Publishing, Sony/ATV Publishing and ole Music. He’s worked with writers including Josh Thompson, Jeremy Stover, Tony Martin, Preston Brust, Chris Lucas, Dave Turnbull, Chris Janson and more, and placed over 100 cuts with artists including Tim McGraw, Little Big Town, Kelsea Ballerini, Dan & Shay, Justin Moore, Cole Swindell, Rascal Flatts, Jake Owen and more. Strain was key in six No. 1 songs, including Kelsea Ballerini’s “Peter Pan,” Jordan Davis’ “Singles You Up,” and LOCASH’s “I Know Somebody.”

“We have so many exciting things happening here at MV2 and our new additions are undoubtedly high up on that list. We are incredibly excited to have both Mike and Ben join our team. They bring drive, experience, a love for music and values that truly fit our culture,” said MV2 General Manager Tony Harrell.

MV2’s roster includes Thomas Archer, Nick Donley, Jimmie Deeghan, Eric Dodd, Clay Mills, Robert Arthur and Nora Collins.

Whelan and Strain can be reached at mike_whelan@mv2entertainment.com and ben_strain@mv2entertainment.com.

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

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