- Carmen Murray, co-CEO of Title 9, joins Artists First as Founding Advisor to launch and lead its new Music Division.
- She'll work alongside her Title 9 partner Michael Michel to connect athletes and actors with music-industry opportunities.
- Murray reports directly to Artists First Chairman Peter Principato and CEO E. Brian Dobbins.
Artists First, the management and production company founded by Peter Principato, has launched a new Music Division and tapped industry veteran Carmen Murray as Founding Advisor to lead it.
In her new role, Murray will help establish and guide the company’s music strategy while developing new opportunities across music, sports, branding, intellectual property, and strategic partnerships.
Working alongside her partner Michael Michel, Murray will collaborate with Artists First’s management teams to build pathways for athletes and actors to engage with the music industry through business development and brand collaborations. Murray brings more than 20 years of entertainment experience to the role.
Murray is founder and co-CEO of Title 9, a management, production, and intellectual property company representing artists, producers, songwriters, and other creatives, which she built alongside Michel into a platform for talent development and IP growth.
Through that work, she has partnered with major players including Universal Music Publishing Group, Def Jam Recordings, Motown, Epic Records, Atlantic Records, Warner Chappell Music, and Roc Nation.
The hire fits a broader industry pattern of rep moves like Trip Brown joining Universal Attractions Agency, Ashley Ventura joining Paquin Artists, and Kevin Spellman joining Borchetta Entertainment Group.
Together, these signings point to agencies and management firms doubling down on cross-sector talent development heading into the second half of 2026.
Takeaways
This isn’t just a hire, it’s Artists First staking a claim in music at a moment when the lines between sports, film, and music management are dissolving fast.
Murray isn’t starting from zero; she’s bringing two decades of major-label relationships (Def Jam, Motown, Atlantic, Roc Nation) straight into a company best known for actors and athletes. That’s a strong signal that Artists First wants crossover deals, not just a standalone roster.
Will Artists First start signing recording artists directly, or stay focused on brand/IP crossovers for its existing actor and athlete clients? Does Murray’s arrival mean Title 9 talent could funnel into Artists First’s orbit?
