Jake Basden To Exit Big Machine Label Group

Jake Basden, the Senior Vice President of Communications at Big Machine Label Group, will exit the company after a nearly 12-year tenure. The only music business executive named to PR Week’s coveted 40 Under 40 list will be seeking new opportunities.

The University of Oklahoma graduate joined BMLG from the New York offices of Edelman, the world’s largest public relations firm, where he served as a Director in their Sports and Entertainment division.

A CMA Publicist of the Year, he had a hand in a variety of media campaigns, including the Grammy-nominated trio Midland re-opening the legendary Palomino, the Academy Award-nominated Glen Campbell… I’ll Be Me documentary, Jennifer Nettles’ “I Can Do Hard Things” video, Carly Pearce’s CMA and ACM Female Artist of the Year campaigns, and more.

“Jake came to us right when I needed him most-right as Big Machine was exploding. He has been my communications foil and strategist and we’ve had an incredible run together”, says BMLG Chairman Scott Borchetta. “Jake always presented me and the label group in very creative ways that caught the attention and landed very important pieces in Fortune, Fast Company, Rolling Stone, the Wall Street Journal and so many more. I’m very proud of all that he’s accomplished here and I’m sure he will continue to reach new heights in his next adventure. He will always be part of the fabric of Big Machine.”

“The trouble with working with Scott Borchetta and a company as dynamic as the Big Machine Label Group is, honestly, there is no reason to leave,” Basden shares. “There comes a moment when you realize you must seek new horizons. You can get very comfortable working with incredible acts, these teams, and Scott’s many endeavors. Something I learned during my years in New York is don’t ever stop growing and reaching for new challenges. The culture at Big Machine always encouraged me to aggressively go in new directions.”

He continues, “With over 30 artists and multiple label imprints spanning country, Americana, hip-hop, rock and pop, every day was a fresh set of prospects to explore. I’ve gone places I once only dreamed of and worked with some of the best media, marketing, and brand people in not just America, but the world. I’m forever grateful for Scott, the BMLG family, artists, managers, agents, and media people who’ve made this decade one that flew by. It inspires me, knowing wherever I’m going, it’s going to be a foundation unlike any other to build from.”