Sony Music UK has launched a new children’s entertainment label called Magic Star. Led by former NBC Universal executive Will Speer, the company’s will be to sign and develop artists and branded projects to family entertainment audiences, in addition to working with other Sony companies and their artist rosters.
Speer, who at NBCUniversal, led marketing for DreamWorks TV and NBCU Kids & Family, has spearheaded successful global campaigns for projects including Trolls, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train your Dragon and Spirit Riding Free. He has also worked at Mattel and Disney.
Nicola Tuer, COO of Sony Music UK & Ireland, said: “We recognise family entertainment as an untapped market so launching Magic Star provides a wealth of opportunity for us and will strengthen our capacity for growth. Will is a highly respected executive with a track record of success and knowledge in the industry, which will serve us well as we advance in this market”.
Speer added: “Sony Music have identified a huge opportunity within the family entertainment market to create fresh new audio and audio-visual content and also have access to a wide repertoire of signed artists who already have huge family appeal. The scope is endless, and I am very much looking forward to bringing my experience in kids’ media to such an entertainment powerhouse like Sony Music”.