DMS Cover Story: Monte Lipman, Founder & CEO, Republic Records

Monte Lipman, Founder & CEO, Republic Records

February 19, 2021

by Fred Deane

Monte Lipman

The story of Monte’s Lipman’s professional career and the formation of Republic Records cannot be fully related without the inclusion of his personal and professional partner in life, brother Avery Lipman. Monte’s early career-starts include executive posts at each of SBK, EMI, and Atlantic Records, which all served to hone his promotion, marketing and A&R chops by apprenticing under strong leadership at those labels.

Meanwhile, Avery chose the business affairs side of the music industry where he was also sharpening his business skillset in much the same fashion.

Avery & Monte

The brothers Lipman made their lifelong dream a reality in 1995 by creating Republic Records, and proceeded to make it one of the most successful start-up labels of the past quarter-century, as well as one of the most distinguished music labels inside the prestigious Universal Music Group composite of labels as a global market share leader, cited as the industry’s #1 record label, according to Nielsen Soundscan’s overall market share. Monte and Avery have also both occupied top spots on the Billboard Power 100 since its inception, and remain very committed to numerous philanthropic causes.

Vision always played a key role in the development of Republic Records as the forward-thinking brothers formed several strategic alliances with ventures that include: American Recordings, Boominati Worldwide, Brushfire, Casablanca Records, Cash Money, Lava Records, XO, and Young Money, among others. Republic also maintains a long-standing strategic association with Universal Music Latin Entertainment. In addition, Republic has expanded to release high-profile soundtracks for Universal Pictures (Fifty Shades of Grey), Sony Pictures (Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse) and NBC TV (The Voice), as well as other notable film and television franchises.

Over the years Republic has transformed into an all-encompassing music entertainment complex with its tenacles in the digital, film and television fields, complementing its core business of further developing established and new recording artists.

Republic Records has also held the pole position as the top Mediabase Airplay market-share label for the past seven years thanks in part to the leadership of EVP Gary Spangler and his determined promotion staff. Monte has long been a big believer in, and advocate for, the power and influence of radio throughout his entire career.

What has been the most significant change you’ve witnessed in the current label/radio relationship versus former decades?
Though it has proven to be cost-effective, the consolidation of radio has compromised many of the nuances that went into breaking records and developing artists in individual markets.

You’ve long been an advocate for the value of radio in the artist developing and breaking cycle. Has radio sustained that role of significance?
I’ve been in the music business for over thirty years and critics have constantly predicted the demise of radio. The market has certainly changed, mostly with the sheer volume of new releases, but radio more than any other medium continues to be an important catalyst for navigating through the static and developing superstars in our business.
Radio’s passion and willingness to step out on new acts and records is stronger than any other time I can remember.

Artists involvement with their fanbases have grown exponentially given the use of social media platforms to message directly to the audience. Does the label have a role in this equation?
We support the artist community and take our cues from their vision. How we distribute, market, promote and share music will change with every generation, but the impact of music on our soul hasn’t changed since the beginning of time.

This direct-to-consumer process also can affect the demand for singles in the marketplace before the label calls the shot, as it was for a long period of time. How do you handle this situation with Republic artists?
Traditional rules no longer apply. Like the music itself, the promotion and marketing campaign of any project is an art form that allows for tremendous flexibility and experimentation. As a perpetual student of this business, I welcome new ideas and approaches to every new campaign.
The core value of social media in today’s market gives every artist the opportunity to speak directly to their fans without any filters of objections. It’s always ideal when the messaging is consistent with any campaign in real time, but we’ve learned over the years to remain flexible and be prepared to pivot at any time.

How do you balance the slower pace of radio callout research to determine hits, with the viral expediency of instant consumer reaction to artists and songs via social media platforms?
We recognize the value of the research for radio stations in their individual markets and it remains a valuable metric. With streaming and social media and the data those metrics provide being so readily available, smart programmers continue to incorporate this dynamic into their decisions.

Can you contrast today’s version of A&R and the key factors to artist discovery, with the more traditional forms of A&R of the past?
The next global superstar to break already lives among us and most likely has music already available via different platforms. Therefore, today’s A&R community doesn’t have a choice but to review indicators in the marketplace as part of the process. However, every decision we make is ultimately based on a creative leap of faith. The true impact of music and star quality will not show-up in a data report.
Not to sound cliché, but it always starts and ends with the music. This sentiment hasn’t changed in nearly 100 years, and continues to be part of the modern-day music business.

What reinforces your optimism regarding radio’s future?
Radio helps curate the soundtrack of our lives, it connects people and communities and remains an essential part of popular culture.

During your long and successful career, which individuals have influenced you the most along the way and what was the most significant takeaway from each person that still guides you today?
There are many people that have inspired and influenced me over the years.
            (Current UMG Chairman & CEO) Sir Lucian Grainge has a unique ability to challenge, inspire and push his executives to operate outside of their comfort zone. I’ve learned over the years this dynamic forces us to be innovative and resourceful, but it also incites fierce competitiveness.
            (Current Glassnote Records Founder & President) Daniel Glass was the first person to recognize my ambition and give me the confidence to pursue a career in the music industry. He’s always been brilliant at creating opportunities for young professionals to break into the music business. His commitment towards training, mentorship and patience taught me early in my career that identifying executive talent is just as important as the creative talent.
            (Music industry legend) Doug Morris instilled in me that, “It’s a simple business if you keep it simple.” Conventional wisdom in our business is more valuable than most people realize.