Live Nation Backs New Full-Service Joint Venture ‘The Core Ent’ Started By Big Loud’s Chief Zaruk


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Veteran artist manager and Big Loud founder Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and investor Simon Tikhman have announced the formation of The Core Entertainment, with Live Nation as an investor and strategic partner. 

The new firm aims to identify and support select talent managers by giving them the resources and infrastructure needed to grow and become more competitive. 

Simon Tikhman
 – Simon Tikhman
“We are always looking to partner with entrepreneurs who have vision,” Live Nation President and CEO Michael Rapino said in a statement. “Chief and Simon have it in spades and we are excited to work with them to innovate in this quickly changing business.”
In addition to music management, The Core Ent. will form joint ventures with athletes, invest in technology, and develop TV and Film projects, according to the announcement.
Kevin
– Kevin ‘Chief’ Zaruk

“There are so many artists and entrepreneurs with the talent and determination to disrupt their industries,” Zaruk adds. “The Core offers our clientele the resources, exposure and capitol needed to scale and evolve. We look forward to leveraging our support from Michael Rapino and the vast resources from Live Nation to further expand our reach and influence.”

Zaruk is founding partner of Nashville-based indie conglomerate Big Loud, instrumental in “the creation of its booming hybrid business model” as a major player in country music publishing, artist management, label services, and capital investment. Clients include Morgan Wallen, Chris Lane, Dallas Smith and HARDY. Big Loud partnered with Maverick in 2017. 
Tikhman’s experience includes the founding of sports content and merchandise company Interactive Athlete while still a student at the University of South California, founding spirits company Simont Enterprises, and investments in companies including software development company Monclarity, TikGames,  Robinhood, Glympse, Espresa, Philz Coffee, Exadel, and the e-Sports focused private equity firm, Vision Venture Partners. He operates an investment vehicle called RPST Ventures in partnership with noted sports agent Rich Paul.