Sony Music Australia Announces New Label With Andrew Jackson; Announces First Signing

Sony Music Australia has announced a new joint venture today, partnering with industry exec Andrew Jackson for a new label, dubbed Avoca Drive. 

Jackson has previously had roles with V2 Records and Petrol Records, as well as holding the role of A&R and General Manager with Ministry Of Sound Australia. Jackson also co-founded etcetc Music and Milton Archer. 

Avoca Drive has also announced its first signing today, Galdive, who Jackson describes as “this beautiful young male/female duo who just make pure ear candy – playful, sweet and universally appealing”.

“Australia will always be my home so it was natural to find a partnership here, but I needed one with a global outlook," said Jackson of the partnership. 

"To partner with a titan like Denis [Handlin] is a true honour. He shares my ambitions for finding the big victory for the artist above all. 

"Having done a round of calls to various label heads here and around the world in the past couple weeks, I’m genuinely impressed at the level of competence, enthusiasm and willingness at Sony Music Australia to collaborate from top to bottom. Everyone just wants to find that win together."

"I have been wanting to work with Andrew for a long time as I have a tremendous amount of respect for his talent and ability," added Denis Handlin AO, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand.

"I am thrilled that we now have that opportunity as he has decided to partner with Sony Music for his Avoca Drive label. 

"We are looking forward to working with Andrew and his team to help take the artists’ creative vision and music to fans around the world and we are excited to do that first with Galdive later this month."

Handlin was recently named in The Music's Power 50 list. Head here to read his profile. Find out more about Galdive here.