New York-based label group Defend Distribution has partnered with former Caroline Distribution GM Rick Williams, who will join Defend in what is described as an “exclusive consultant capacity.” Williams and his Perseverance Music will be looking for labels to distribute and market via Defend.
The Ryko-distributed Defend is turning to Williams to help expand the company’s offerings to its artist-run and budding labels. Defend, owned by Michael Prommer, is looking to offer marketing, management and publishing solutions to its roster of imprints, which includes Prefuse 73’s Eastern Developments and Buzzin’ Fly, which is overseen by Everything But the Girl’s Ben Watt.
Says Williams, “The primary focus of Perseverance is to work with Defend and provide the distribution avenue and infrastructure offered by Defend so that labels can focus on what is after all a labels primary job, finding artists and helping them make music.”
Williams spent 18 years with Caroline, and the last six as GM. He parted ways with the company in May of last year.
