Agent Nikita Lavrinenko joins Pitch and Smith
International booking agency Pitch and Smith has welcomed Nikita Lavrinenko as a new agent, as the agency he co-founded, Paper and Iron Booking, becomes part of the Pitch and Smith family.
Lavrinenko joins Pitch and Smith from the agency he co-founded in 2005. His roster includes artists Angel Olsen, Weyes Blood, Jenny Hval, Rodrigo Amarante, Matmos, Ryley Walker and Torres. The Paper and Iron brand will be retired with Lavrinenko’s transition.
Founded in Stockholm in 2007 by Kalle Lundgren Smith and Stefan Juhlin, Pitch and Smith later opened a London office, which serves as its headquarters. One of the agency partners of the 2019 International Festival Forum (IFF), Pitch and Smith has a roster that includes Caribou, José Gonzalez, Viagra Boys and Toro Y Moi.
“I’m excited about teaming up with Pitch and Smith and this new chapter,” comments Lavrinenko, who will continue to be based in Berlin.
“All of us here at Pitch and Smith are great admirers of Nikita’s work as an agent, as well as being big fans of his roster”
“In addition to being a natural fit in terms of my artist roster, I think we share a lot of similarities in our creative and strategic approach, plus the desire for building meaningful lasting relationships with artists and partners. I’m confident that our combined experience, resources and entrepreneurial spirit will be valuable for all parties.”
“All of us here at Pitch and Smith are great admirers of Nikita’s work as an agent, as well as being big fans of his roster,” says co-founder Lundgren Smith.
“Over the last couple of years we’ve got to know each other better and have discovered we have a lot of things in common, not only in terms of our core values but also why we got into this business in the first place. Needless to say, we are very excited to have such an experienced agent joining our team.”
IFF, the International Live Music Conference’s (ILMC) invitation-only event for festivals and bookers, took place from 24 to 26 September 2019.
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Introducing… the New Bosses 2018
IQ’s New Bosses 2018 goes live today, with agents dominating the winners shortlist – no fewer than six bookers make our annual top ten.
The New Bosses scheme is now in its 11th year and relies on IQ readers and ILMC’s members to nominate those individuals, aged 30 and under, whom they believe are helping to shape the future of the live music industry. And it would seem you are good judges of character, as looking back across the New Bosses over the previous ten years, many of our named winners have indeed gone on to become leaders in their chosen fields.
So, congratulations go to this year’s cream of the crop: Bradlee Banbury (Creative Artists Agency), Kelly Bennaton (DHP Family), Leo Benton (K2 Agency), Tom Bownes (Live Nation), Erin Coleman (Paper and Iron Booking), Kevin Jergenson (ICM Partners), Michael Jones (The MJR Group), Maxim Karlik (United Talent Agency), Meryl Luzzi (Paradigm Talent Agency) and Aino-Maria Paasivirta (Fullsteam Agency).
“I remember pitching for an act and the agent subtly mentioned I had won the award, to the artist and manager; they were so impressed, I am now their national promoter.”
IQ’s New Bosses will be automatically shortlisted for the Tomorrow’s New Boss Award at the Arthur Awards in March 2019 – voting for which will open in mid-November. Last year’s winner, Anna-Sophie Mertens from Live Nation UK, comments, “Nothing beats being able to call yourself Tomorrow’s New Boss! The best part is your colleagues and business partners never fail to highlight the title, whether to celebrate or to mock you.
“I remember pitching for an act and the agent subtly mentioned I had won the award, to the artist and manager; they were so impressed, I am now their national promoter. Congratulations to this year’s New Bosses.”
To find out more about this year’s winners, click here to read our New Bosses 2018 feature.
Our winners also gave IQ lengthier insights into their careers and working methods, the full versions of which will be posted here on the IQ website over the coming weeks, so be sure to check the website regularly to find out more about Aino-Maria, Bradlee, Erin, Kelly, Kevin, Leo, Maxim, Meryl, Michael and Tom.
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