The Core Entertainment Launches Producer Management Division

The Core Entertainment has announced the launch of its new Producer Management division, aiming to celebrate and elevate game-changing producers in the evolving music industry.

Founded by Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Simon Tikhman, the new Producer Management division presents a fresh perspective on songwriting and production, placing song creation ahead of established conventions. Tim Crane has been tapped to spearhead the division.

Built to both manage the careers of emerging writer/producers, and give them same services and respect traditionally given to artists, the company seeks to push music’s new generation of writer/producers into the spotlight.

The team’s objective is to foster the creation of cutting-edge, culturally-significant hit songs – no matter who needs to be in the room to make them happen. The division’s current roster includes Austin Shawn, Marty James and Matt Geroux, with more additions to be announced soon.

“The idea behind creating this division is to work with the most talented writers and producers that are not afraid to push the boundaries of music,” say Tikhman and Zaruk in a joint statement. “With Austin, Marty and Matt, they have all shown exactly that. They challenge artists to be the best they can be, while maintaining their visions and the integrity of the songs. The goal here is to work with producers around the globe that touch every genre of music and continue to disrupt the industry with their unique artistry.”

Best known for his work with emerging superstar Bailey Zimmerman on Religiously. The Album, Shawn is a writer/producer/mixer/engineer who has spent 11 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Producers chart. He is also credited for producing/mixing/mastering rising star Chase Matthew’s breakout hit “County Line,” and boasts three No. 1 singles at country radio–Zimmerman’s “Fall In Love,” “Rock and A Hard Place” and “Religiously.”

James is credited as a co-writer of Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s 13-time Platinum No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 smash “Despacito (feat. Justin Bieber)” who also co-wrote Zimmerman’s recent No. 1 single, “Religiously.” He has earned further credits across the pop and hip-hop spectrum, from Enrique Iglesias to Wiz Khalifa, Christina Aguilera and more.

Finally, Geroux is a Nashville-based writer/producer/engineer with over 130 million streams to his credit, currently earning attention for his work with rising artist Josh Ross. Produced by Geroux, Ross’s breakout single “Trouble” has racked up more than 70 million global streams, reigned No. 1 on the Canadian Country Radio Chart, earned Platinum certification in Canada, plus debuted at No. 43 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart this year. Adding to the nods with Ross, the Geroux-produced track “On A Different Night” was nominated for Single of the Year at the 2023 Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA). He also has a whole new wave of cuts set to be revealed soon.

Initially launched in 2019 as an artist management company in partnership with Live Nation, The Core Entertainment spotlights an artist roster led by Zimmerman and Nickelback, and features Ross, Nate Smith, Dillon James, Valley and more. In July of 2023, The Core Records was founded through a separate partnership with Universal Music Group (UMG), and now, The Core’s Producer Management division will operate as a third standalone team.