L-R: Riley Graff (Partner Manager, Streaming, WMC), Karly Mohamid (Partner Manager, Streaming, WMC), Madelaine Napoleone (Co-GM, WMC), Jeff Ojeda (Founder, Phase Entertainment Group), Jordan Howard (Manager, ADA Canada), Chris Joynt (Manager, ADA Canada)
The Vancouver-based music company is expanding its operations into music distribution, starting with the release of Métis Canadian Americana singer Kyle McKearney's new single "Outcast" on Oct. 23.
Phase Entertainment Group is starting a new phase. The Vancouver-based music company has partnered with Warner Music Canada and its independent distribution arm ADA Canada for a new global distribution partnership, expanding on its existing operations in artist management, agency representation and sync licensing.
In Jan. 2025, the company underwent a major expansion, becoming Phase Entertainment Group after starting out in 2017 as a boutique management company, Phase Management. Phase is home to country acts Kyle McKearney and Alex Hughes and rock band Royal Tusk.
“I’m excited for this new chapter with the ADA Canada and Warner Music Canada teams and I look forward to expanding on our offerings under the Phase Entertainment Group umbrella," says founder Jeff Ojeda. "I’m a big fan of the folks at ADA Canada and Warner Music Canada and can’t wait to see what the future holds for our roster."
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The first release under this new partnership arrives on Oct. 23 in the form of "Outcast," a resilience-focused track and new single from McKearney, a longtime client at Phase Entertainment Group.
In 2024, he earned a sync placement in the Canadian family drama and television series Heartland, and he made his Billboard Canada chart debut this year with his single "Rearview," which debuted at No. 30 on the Billboard Canada Country Airplay chart in June. His new single is the first taste of a new album titled Wildflower, set for release in 2027.
Ojeda and McKearney are both nominated for creative team or designer of the year at the upcoming 2026 CCMA Awards in Saskatoon this Saturday (Sept. 19), a fifth consecutive nomination for the creative team in the category. McKearney is already decorated at the ceremony, having taken home the alternative country album of the year award in 2023 with A Traveler's Lament.
"Jeff and the Phase Entertainment team have built a strong home for their roster," says Madeleine Napoleone, co-general manager of Warner Music Canada. "We look forward to supporting Jeff’s team and putting the resources of ADA Canada behind their artists to amplify the great work Phase is already doing."
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Ojeda's track record includes being the sync agent for country singer Brett Kissel and working on strategic campaigns with Nickelback, Morgan Wallen and more. After previously serving as the vice president of Music BC, he currently sits as a member of its board of directors.
Phase Entertainment Group is hard at work preparing a busy release schedule amid the new deal, with Royal Tusk currently finishing recording for their new album after hitting the road with Billboard Canada Global No. 1 cover stars Three Days Grace and fellow Canadian rockers Finger Eleven.
It's the latest major partnership for both ADA Canada and Warner Music Canada, who have been growing their client portfolio with Canadian artists making music within different genres. Earlier this year, they inked global distribution deals with Indigenous country singer Shawnee Kish, the new Toronto-based independent R&B label Escape Records and country singer Zach McPhee.
