Exec Moves

JOEL KLAIMAN AND BIG MACHINE LABEL GROUP "ASCEND" WITH NEW JV

July 7, 2025

Big Machine Label Group has launched a new imprint, Ascend Music, in partnership with ASCEND4M founder/CEO and former top Republic and Columbia exec Joel Klaiman.

BMLG Chairman/CEO Scott Borchetta and Klaiman collaborated in 2008 to promote Taylor Swift’s “Love Story,” which became the first song to top both the Country and Pop radio charts. They teamed thereafter on Swift’s Fearless, Speak Now and Red.

Said Borchetta, “Joel’s energy, vision and passion are contagious, and he leaves no stone unturned when he’s working with an artist. He’s bringing great artists to the partnership, and we will be wasting no time in getting out some game-changing music.”

“After witnessing first-hand Scott’s entrepreneurial vision and his deep commitment to fostering an artist-first, development-driven culture, it’s a dream come true to collaborate with him and the BMLG team again,” added Klaiman. “This new venture will fuel the growth of our artists and expand Ascend Music’s global repertoire—aligned with both our companies’ shared vision and a strategy that unlocks exciting opportunities for all involved.”

Klaiman also looks forward to furthering his three-decade commitment to ignoring our faxes, phone calls and texts.