Zimmerman launches new chapter in artist management following his agency tenure that helped turn the electronic music scene into a billion dollar industry.
Joel Zimmerman, a transformative music agent and cultural architect, has joined Range Media Partners as a partner in the company’s music division.
At Range, Zimmerman will further his longtime role as an innovator in talent representation and mentorship to help advance the company’s global music strategy. Additionally, Zimmerman will represent clients at Range with an emphasis on long-term career strategy, creative development, cross-over positioning, branding, IP and global touring.
Zimmerman has been responsible for breaking some of the most acclaimed and commercially successful artists in modern music, and more specifically, helped architect the worldwide explosion of electronic music thanks to his pioneering use of social platforms to reach new global fanbases.
During his 13-year run at WME, Zimmerman was the primary agent and force behind more than 100 superstars and crossover acts, and his aspirations for the genre evolved the global electronic and DJ scene into a billion-dollar industry. With an unrivaled ability to identify superstars in their infancy, Zimmerman signed the Weeknd in the early 2010s and was an integral part of his meteoric rise.
Additionally, he represented and developed clients such as Calvin Harris, Pharrell Williams, 88rising, Steve Lacy, Avicii, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, Psy, Kygo, Swedish House Mafia, and Deadmau5 among others. He introduced the concept of agencies dedicating divisions to elevating electronic music when he founded Division One Talent in 2006, and later partnered with William Morris Endeavor where he brought the company in-house, making it the first major agency division of its kind.
Zimmerman was also the catalyst for driving significant change in the Las Vegas live music landscape by introducing long-term DJ residencies to casinos and therefore cementing electronic music artists as the most prominent talent on the Vegas Strip.
“I’m most passionate when I have a vision for an artist’s career path or see where a new market can be created, while having the right set of resources to not only ideate but bring it all to fruition,” says Zimmerman. “I believe the best and most forward-thinking cultural platform for music talent is at Range. The team’s ability to mobilize with very high-level resources, combined with a truly amazing company culture, makes for the best breeding ground to turn the biggest dreams into reality. I am so excited to be building at Range and to make a positive impact on the continuously evolving industry.”
“Joel has consistently managed to cut through the noise – and competition – by landing clients lucrative touring, club and festival deals, as well as, crossing them into other entertainment arenas. The result of his groundbreaking work has created new pathways and platforms that break future stars and legitimize new music genres,” says Range Media Partners CEO, Peter Micelli. “We could not be more excited to welcome Joel to Range. He is the preeminent thought leader in the music industry and a true force of nature, with an inherent ability to identify talent and looming trends. We’re thrilled to add an executive and partner of his caliber to the company.”
Zimmerman has earned numerous accolades during his career, including being named No. 4 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 50 most important people in EDM, a two-time inclusion on Billboard’s 40 Under 40 list of top music executives and earning inclusion as one of The Hollywood Reporter’s top 20 music business innovators.
Range Media Partners music division is helmed by Managing Partners Matt Graham, Jack Minihan, Tyler Henry, Melissa Ruderman, Chris Thomas and Evan Winiker, as well as Partners Michele Harrison, Greg Johnson, Rachel Douglas, Ace Christian and now Joel Zimmerman.
Since its inception a little over two years ago, the division has launched its own label in partnership with Capitol Music Group (CMG) and Virgin Music & Artist Label Services (Virgin), and represents a wide range of talent including Jack Harlow, Justin Tranter, Cordae, Midland, Nova Wav, Tyga, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Hailey Whitters, Lauv, MAX, HARV, Sean Douglas, Wondagurl, and more. The music division earned 7 GRAMMY nominations this year, with Nova Wav earning 2 awards for their work on Beyonce’s Renaissance, and nine #1 hits.
The company also showcased its ability to create and foster opportunities for its clients across industries, as highlighted by Jack Harlow starring in “White Men Can’t Jump,” Cordae being the face and sound of “Madden 23,” Midland’s Mark Wystrach’s acting debut “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” actor Luke Grimes launching a music career while starring in Yellowstone, Mariah Carey playing a monumental series of performances on Roblox this past holiday season, and more.
In the past two years, Range Media Partners has shown through its strategic hires and innovative partnerships a steadfast commitment to a bespoke hands-on, diversified and 360 approach in serving the wide range of talent they represent, which, in addition to the aforementioned music talent, also includes actors such as Halle Berry, Emilia Clarke, Bradley Cooper, Gabrielle Union, Simon Rex, Michael Fassbender, Tom Hardy, Ramy Youssef, Taron Edgerton, and Keira Knightley, directors including Michael Bay, M. Night Shyamalan, Alma Har’el and more.
