Nashville based Christian music artist management company Proper Management has expanded its services to include a marketing division to be lead by Bryan Ward.
Before joining Proper Management, Ward served as VP of Marketing at Provident/Sony overseeing Marketing, Radio, Digital Marketing, and Publicity. Prior to Provident, Ward served 16 years at Capitol Christian Music Group (formerly EMI CMG) in artist development, marketing, product marketing, sales and distribution. Over his 20-plus years in the industry, Ward has built branding and marketing strategies for Hillsong United, Hillsong Live, Mandisa, Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day, RED, WOW Hits, The Story, Rhett Walker Band, and others.
“Launching this marketing division is in direct response to the needs of the marketplace. As our industry is quickly changing, we wanted to adapt our structure,” said Proper Management’s Mike Jay. “However, Proper Management will always be firmly grounded and committed to our rich history, experience, and passion for artist management and producing quality tours.”
“Over the past few years, Proper Management has been approached by multiple clients looking for marketing services outside the scope of traditional artist management responsibilities. At the time we simply didn’t have the capacity or internal structure to adequately serve these needs,” said Proper Management’s Nick Barre. “However, when Bryan Ward was available to work with us, it was quickly apparent that he would be the perfect person to drive this area of growth for our company.”
Proper Management’s artist roster includes Casting Crowns, The Afters, Anthem Lights, City Harbor, and Selah, among other artists.

Representatives of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM), the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and the American Association of Advertising Agencies’ (4A’s) Joint Policy Committee on Broadcast Talent Union Relations (JPC) announced today that a successor agreement has been reached covering the services of professional musicians who record music tracks in the production of television, radio and internet commercial announcements. The parties began negotiating in February of this year to modify the contract previously agreed to in 2009.
The new “Jingles and Spot Announcements” agreement will run three years and provides for an upfront six percent increase in wages applicable for recording sessions and reuse payments. The contract also provides needed improvements to health and welfare payments, cartage payments, sideline services, Internet wages, and pension contributions.
Added provisions include a waiver for certain types of internet productions, and a new structural feature which permits advertisers to pay an upfront fee for 52-week initial soundtrack use and reuse cycles covering all media.
“We have concluded an exceptional and progressive agreement with the Advertising Industry that we believe achieves our goals, both economically and structurally,” AFM International President Ray Hair said.
“These negotiations have been a positive and productive step towards a partnership with commercial musicians and the AFM. I am pleased to have achieved these important industry goals in key areas and I want to thank the members of our negotiating team: my partners, Douglas Wood and David Weissman, and Kathleen Quinn of the 4A’s. I look forward to the ratification by their membership,” Joint Policy Committee Lead Negotiator Stacy K. Marcus said.
The agreement will be submitted to rank and file musicians for ratification, a process that is expected to conclude in 60 days. While all terms and conditions of the new contract are effective immediately, the industry will have 60 days following ratification to implement the new terms.