Mike Rittberg Upped to COO, Clay Hunnicutt Moves to EVP, Label Operations

NASHVILLE, TN (January 30, 2024) – Big Machine Label Group, a subsidiary of HYBE America, today announces changes to its executive suite with the promotion of Mike Rittberg to COO and Clay Hunnicutt to EVP, Label Operations.

Mike most recently served as BMLG’s EVP, Label Operations, overseeing marketing, streaming and all release initiatives across the label group’s core imprints, Big Machine Records, BMLG Records, The Valory Music Co. and Big Machine John Varvatos Records.

Hunnicutt most recently served as General Manager for the Big Machine Records imprint, which boasts an impressive roster of artists including Tim McGraw, Carly Pearce, Midland and Jackson Dean, among others. In his new role, he will concentrate on business development, growing the entire label group’s ventures, foster partnerships and focusing on catalog initiatives, which are critical to company objectives.

“Mike is the consummate professional. He is a mega self-starter, always pushing the boundaries and always seeking solutions. He has become incredibly important to the operations of BMLG and is a great co-pilot for our continued growth,” shares BMLG Chairman and CEO, Scott Borchetta. “Clay has done an exceptional job at elevating the growth and artist development for the Big Machine Records imprint.  In his new role, he’s able to take his insights and energies to all of our imprints during this extremely exciting time in our industry.”

“Scott and I have all the confidence in Mike’s strengths to take on a broader role with the BMLG and HYBE America’s Label services initiatives,” adds BMLG’s President, Label Operations Andrew Kautz “We’ve seen Clay’s successes with Big Machine Records imprint and know he will flourish as he takes on a broader role and help us achieve our growth goals for 2024 and beyond.”

Rittberg and Hunnicutt are already on the job and report to Andrew Kautz.