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Universal Music Canada Names Amanda Kingsland and Shawn Marino Co-Heads of A&R

The two executives will lead a talent development team that has helped break major Canadian acts like Josh Ross, Owen Riegling and Preston Pablo.

Universal Music Canada’s A&R team (L – R): Phil Hotz, Lisa Lorenz, Ivan Evidente, Don Kitchen, Morgan “MJ” James, Shawn Marino, Amanda Kingsland, Widney Bonfils, Shirley Ichkhanian, Kwaku Agyemang, Natassha Cuachon-Cruz; seated: UMC President & CEO, Julie Adam, Shannen Serrano

Universal Music Canada’s A&R team (L – R): Phil Hotz, Lisa Lorenz, Ivan Evidente, Don Kitchen, Morgan “MJ” James, Shawn Marino, Amanda Kingsland, Widney Bonfils, Shirley Ichkhanian, Kwaku Agyemang, Natassha Cuachon-Cruz; seated: UMC President & CEO, Julie Adam, Shannen Serrano

Courtesy Photo

Universal Music Canada (UMC) is bolstering its talent development team, announcing Amanda Kingsland and Shawn Marino as co-heads of A&R.

Kingsland moves up within the company to a new role as VP, A&R, and will work alongside Marino — VP, A&R Operations — to lead the team.


The announcement follows Julie Adam's recent ascent to President & CEO of UMC, succeeding Jeffrey Remedios.

Kingsland and Marino will have a renewed mandate for signing and developing talent, UMC says. Kingsland has already led the rebuilding of UMC's country roster — which includes major breakouts Josh Ross (who co-leads nominations for this weekend's Juno Awards) and Owen Riegling — and now she'll focus on big picture strategy for UMC's full roster.

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Marino will continue to oversee UMC's recording facility 80A Studios as well as performance space The Academy and working with artists like The Tragically Hip and Anne Murray who are seeking to revitalize their catalogues.

They will report directly to Adam and are actively seeking new signings.

Shawn Marino and Amanda KingslandKatherine Holland

"At the centre of our mission to sign, develop, and break artists is our industry-leading A&R team," says Adam. "They are tastemakers and genre experts who scout, sign, and cultivate talent, bringing deep international connections, musicality, skills, and insights to a range of musical projects. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Amanda and Shawn lead A&R efforts out of Canada as we continue to support, elevate, and invest in artistic voices."

In addition to Ross and Riegling, UMC breakouts include pop singer Preston Pablo, rock band Valley, and comedian-turned-singer-songwriter Mae Martin, all of whom are currently charting on Canadian radio. UMC also recently signed prominent Punjabi Wave artist AP Dhillon in partnership with Republic Records.

The UMC A&R team is rounded out by Kwaku Agyemang, Widney Bonfils, Natassha Cuachon-Cruz, Ivan Evidente, Morgan “MJ” James, Shirley Ichkhanian, and Shannen Serrano, and supported by UMC’s venue and studio team Don Kitchen, Lisa Lorenz, and sound engineer Phil Hotz.

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Cowboys Fringants
Cowboys Fringants
Cowboys Fringants
Chart Beat

Les Cowboys Fringants Debut ‘Merci ben!’ on the Billboard Canada AC Airplay Chart

The track from the Quebec band enters at No. 30 over a year after its release, picking up steam on the radio airwaves. Ariane Moffatt's “Jouer” also reaches a new peak, marking the second consecutive week with two charting French songs.

French-language music makes its mark on the Canadian charts this week.

Les Cowboys Fringants have made their latest Billboard debut with their song “Merci ben!” which arrives at No. 30 on the Canada AC chart for May 10. The country-folk track finds the band thanking its fans while reminiscing on its beginnings and milestones, from playing small bars to sold-out arenas. The track’s title is Quebec jargon for “Thank you very much!”

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