Canadian Music Week sold as founder Neill Dixon retires

Canadian Music Week (CMW), the long-standing music industry festival held in Toronto, is set to change hands with new ownership led by Randy Lennox, former head of Bell Media and record label executive. Lennox’s Loft Entertainment has partnered with Oak View Group, a live entertainment developer, to acquire the festival. The financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. The announcement was made on Monday by CMW president Neill Dixon as he inaugurated this year’s conference. Dixon, who has been at the helm for over 40 years, also revealed his plans to retire. Randy Lennox, who served as president and CEO of Universal Music Canada from 1998 to 2015, is renowned for shaping the careers of major artists like Shawn Mendes, the Weeknd, and Justin Bieber. He also played a pivotal role in the early programming of Bell’s Crave streaming platform. Oak View Group, based in Denver, is a key player in venue development and management within the live entertainment industry. The company’s Canadian projects include the renovation of Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre arena. Additionally, Oak View Group owns Pollstar, a prominent trade publication for the concert industry. Canadian Music Week is a four-day event that gathers emerging musicians and industry professionals from across the world for conferences, award shows, and live performances. Speaking at the event on Monday, Lennox expressed his vision for CMW, highlighting plans for expanded programming, enhanced venues, and "unique engagement opportunities for artists and fans."