Nettwerk Music Group

About Nettwerk Music Group

In 1984, from a one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver, Terry McBride and Mark Jowett started Nettwerk with a simple mission: to release music they loved. The initial plan was to put out records for Jowett's own electronic band, Moev. What began as a necessity soon grew into one of the world's most influential independent music companies. Joined by Ric Arboit and Dan Fraser, they built a multifaceted business encompassing a record label, artist management, and publishing. Their early roster was eclectic, gaining a reputation for industrial acts like Skinny Puppy before expanding into pop and rock. A pivotal moment was signing a young Sarah McLachlan, whose immense success helped establish the label. This knack for spotting talent early became a hallmark, as Nettwerk was the first to release Coldplay's debut album in North America when their UK label hesitated. Always ahead of the curve, McBride championed digital formats and artist-friendly models long before they became industry standards. Instead of a high-profile IPO, Nettwerk's journey has been one of strategic partnerships and calculated growth. In 2013, the company took on a $10.25 million equity investment to acquire catalogs and invest in artists poised for the streaming era. A significant portion of their publishing catalog was sold to a fund managed by Kobalt in 2016, freeing up capital for further investment in their label and management clients. Most recently, a 2023 strategic partnership with Flexpoint Asset Opportunity Fund was secured to further accelerate investment in new artists and catalog acquisitions, cementing Nettwerk's legacy as a durable, artist-first force in music.