Hopeless Records—the home to bands such as All Time Low, Sum 41, Taking Back Sunday, the Used, Neck Deep and many more—is leading Pop-Punk and Emo's mainstream resurgence and celebrating a majorly successful year. Founded in 1993, Hopeless Records has been transformed from its small beginnings as the punk-centric hobby of founder Louis Posen into one of the largest independent record labels according to market share.
The record label released nearly 20 albums in 2016 from artists such as Sum 41 (debuting No. 4 in Canada, Top 10 in U.S. & Germany and Top 20 in Australia, U.K., Japan and Italy), Yellowcard (the band's 10th and final record), Taking Back Sunday and Bayside, as well as breakout releases by Moose Blood (debuting at No. 10 in the U.K.), Emarosa, With Confidence, Trophy Eyes (debuting No. 8 in Australia) and Sylar.
"Remarkably, we were able to match our 2015 results, which was our largest ever and included a No. 1 album by All Time Low (in the U.S. and U.K.) and Top 10 albums by Neck Deep and The Wonder Years," reflects founder and President Posen. "It's incredible to think that while the music industry has remained basically flat from 2013 to 2016, we have grown 100% over the same period. This growth is clearly the result of our awesome roster and great partners, but is equally effected by our amazing 30 person team around the world."
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In recognition of the label's recent success, Posen announced the promotion of two of his senior team members. Ian Harrison, formerly VP of Marketing and Creative, is elevated to General Manager, and Eric Tobin is named Executive Vice President of Business Development and A&R.
"One of the biggest rewards in running this company has been mentoring talent behind the scenes. That is why it is such a privilege and honor to elevate Ian Harrison to General Manager and Eric Tobin to EVP of Business Development and A&R just over a decade after they both started their first music industry jobs at Hopeless. Ian and Eric now join 18-year veteran CFO Al Person in leading our team and roster into the next volume of Hopeless history."
GM Harrison looks into 2017 saying, "Our team has worked incredibly hard to build Hopeless Records into a cornerstone of the alternative rock community. I am grateful for Louis' mentorship and to have trust of him and our whole team in taking on this new broader role leading the incredible growth we have planned for our artists and label. 2017 will be our biggest years ever with major releases from New Found Glory, Neck Deep and several big surprises!"
EVP of Business Development and A&R Tobin adds, "I am excited to take the next step in my journey with Hopeless Records. A&R and artist development is at the core of our company and I feel privileged to get to lead this effort for our team. We have several artists poised to breakthrough in 2017 including Moose Blood, With Confidence and Sylar and a few new signings to announce soon that we are very excited about!"
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Additional milestones achieved in 2016 include All Time Low's So Wrong, It's Right, Nothing Personal, single "A Love Like War (featuring Vic Fuentes)" and Straight To DVD all being certified Gold in the U.S. and Don't Panic and Future Hearts receiving Silver certification in the U.K. The label also earned its first VMA nomination for All Time Low's "Missing You" (Best Rock Video). Sum 41's comeback album 13 Voices charted worldwide and saw the band's first performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, along with noteworthy features in publications such as People Magazine, Rolling Stone, Billboard and more.
For more information, visit hopelessrecords.com.
