The Circuit Group and Defected have formed a strategic partnership, Music Week can reveal.
Music Week reported on the launch of The Circuit Group – a collective of artist managers building opportunities around artists’ intellectual property – earlier this month.
Under terms of the agreement, The Circuit Group will provide Defected Records with expertise across their suite of services to help the label build their presence in North America, while Defected will support The Circuit Group as they expand their presence in the UK, Europe, and other territories around the world. Together, the companies will build new business around artists’ IP.
“Defected Records is without a doubt one of the most respected label brands in the world,” said The Circuit Group co-founder and CEO Dean Wilson. “Working closely with the label head Wez Saunders and his team will be invaluable to us as we continue to establish our new vision across the music landscape.
“Circuit and Defected are creating a partnership that helps artists build longer lasting, higher impact, more profitable careers across their labels, publishing, events and brand ventures. We’re looking forward to supporting Defected’s further expansion into the North American market.”
“My strategy for Defected is to build a model for the future of the music business, and we see that in what Dean and his team are doing too,” said Wez Saunders, CEO and Owner of Defected Records. "In combining our teams of world-class specialists, I hope to demonstrate how alliance at this level can ultimately mean longer, more profitable careers for our artists across the board."
I hope to demonstrate how alliance at this level can ultimately mean longer, more profitable careers for our artists across the board
Wez Saunders
The Circuit Group was launched earlier this month when two artist management companies – Seven20 and AYITA – merged to form a new music enterprise. Circuit’s vision is to create a business model centred around artists’ intellectual property, partnering with artists and strategic partners to create business verticals around recorded music, publishing, merchandise, brand partnerships, gaming, events, Web3 technologies, and music innovations. Circuit principals include industry veterans Dean and Jessica Wilson (Seven20), along with Brett Fischer, David Gray and Harvey Tadman (AYITA).
Founded in 1999 by Simon Dunmore, and acquired in 2022 by Wez Saunders (CEO), dance label Defected Records has released music by Jamie Jones, John Summit, Hannah Wants, Masters at Work, CamelPhat, MK, Purple Disco Machine, Riva Starr, and more.
Under the new agreement, Defected will provide Circuit with services to help them expand their record labels, publishing business, branded events and agency.
In turn, Circuit will assist Defected with a variety of services in North America, including event and technology expertise, IP monetisation, brand building and consultation on artist development across Defected’s roster and labels, including D4 D4nce, DFTD, Glitterbox, Big Love, Soulfuric, Nu Groove, Classic, 4 To The Floor, Dvine Sounds, Stay True Sounds and The Remedy Project.
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