Scooter Braun Ends 23-Year Management Career

Scooter Braun will end his illustrious career as a music manager to focus on his role as CEO of Hybe America, he announced via social media June 17.

Braun, who has managed, among others, Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, became CEO of Hybe America in 2021 when Hybe acquired his company Ithaca Holdings in a deal estimated at $1.05 billion. Ithaca became widely known in 2019 when it acquired Big Machine Label Group, which included the masters to Taylor Swift’s first six albums. The dispute between Swift and Ithaca made Braun the subject of much vilification from Swifties. As a result, Swift re-recorded those albums, launching the “Taylor’s Version” series.

In his Instagram announcement, Braun recalled his earliest days as a manager, as a 19-year-old managing Cato, and the subsequent two decades-plus with success from Bieber, Grande, Carly Rae Jepsen, Dan + Shay and more. But, he said, it’s time for a new era.

“In this next chapter I have been honored to join as a board member of Hybe and serve as the CEO of Hybe America. My brilliant partner these past 3 years, Chairman Bang, has a vision I truly believe in. But even beyond that he has become a true friend who understands where I must be in my life these days. And that is a father first, a CEO second, and a manager no more,” he wrote.

Coincidentally, perhaps, Max announced a two-part docuseries “Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood” examining the masters dispute. It is set to premiere later this month.