XL Recordings have announced that they will be housing and working with a brand new PR company being launched by Jon Wilkinson, formerly Head Of Press for the Darling Department. The new agency, to be called Technique Publicity, is a joint venture between Wilkinson and XL, and will handle the PR for a number of recent XL signings including Cajun Dance Party and Vampire Weekend, as well as working for other none XL/Beggars labels.
Confirming the new company and XL's involvment, Jon Wilkinson told CMU: "This is a fantastic opportunity to launch a PR agency with the most exciting and forward thinking record label around. XL's track record speaks for itself and I'm looking forward to working even more closely with them within this new setup while continuing to work with an independent roster of genuinely great acts".
Elsewhere in XL news, there have been some moving arounds going on in the label's A&R department, with Matt Thornhill moving on up from Senior A&R Manager to A&R Director, while Hannah Overton, currently Creative Manager for XL's publishing division Hero Music, is moving on over to take over the XL Senior A&R Manager role, though she'll still have responsibility for Hero. Caius Pawson, who currently oversees the company's Young Turks imprint, is being promoted to the role of XL A&R Manager, though he too will retain his existing responsibilities. Finally, and I hope you're keeping up here, current staff members Seb Webber and Tic will also take on new A&R roles, with Tic also taking on responsibility for the launch of a new imprint called Salvia.
Phew, lots of changes. Here's what XL top man Richard Russell has to say: "We have a fantastic team of people at XL, and these promotions recognise their contributions. We have never had a stronger artist roster, with current albums from The White Stripes, Dizzee Rascal and MIA and imminent releases from Jack Penate and Devendra Banhart. 2008 looks exciting, with debut albums from artists including Adele, Vampire Weekend and Cajun Dance Party. We are specialising in what we do best - working closely with the very best talent".