JFH News: Integrity Music Announces Distribution Changes

Integrity Music Announces Distribution Changes;
Welcomes New Staff Members In Marketing,
Publishing and Sales Departments

NEWS SOURCE: Integrity Music
May 14, 2015

Colorado Springs, Colo. (May 14, 2015) - - Integrity Music, the music publishing and recording arm of non-profit global resource provider David C Cook, recently announced changes to its U.S. distribution operations. Effective June 1, Integrity will distribute its own products through David C Cook's current distribution platform, utilizing the 140-year old organization's Elgin, Illinois-based warehouse and the Integrity sales team reporting to Vice President of Sales, Steve Nicolle.

Integrity already provides its own distribution within the United Kingdom through its Eastbourne (East Sussex) office and warehousing system, while also acting as the regional distributor for other non-Integrity artists including Amy Grant, Hillsong Music, Michael W. Smith and Chris Tomlin among others. The label's Canadian distribution is provided by the Paris, Ontario-based David C Cook Distribution Canada, that nation's only Christian music distributor. All other distribution is coordinated through regional distributors and church/ministry partners around the globe, making Integrity's music available in 160 nations.

Previously, Integrity's products were distributed to U.S. Christian retail outlets through Provident Distribution and to U.S. mainstream outlets through Sony Music Distribution. "We have enjoyed a strong relationship with Provident and Sony for many years and are very thankful for their commitment. They have a great team of people," said C. Ryan Dunham, President of Integrity Music. "Looking at the landscape of music channels of consumption, coupled with the fact that we already had distribution channels set up with Integrity Music accounts through our parent organization David C Cook, it only made sense to bring distribution operations in-house, using our own infrastructure… we believe this will help strengthen relationships with resellers and build additional services for our songwriters and artists within the U.S. and around the world."

Additionally, Integrity announces new staff appointments to its marketing, publishing and sales divisions, including the addition of Vice President of Marketing Greg Stielstra, a SESAC represented songwriter and marketing professional with over 25 years of experience in the field of behavioral economics. Stielstra formerly served as a marketing executive with brand communications agency The Buntin Group and Christian publishers, Zondervan and Thomas Nelson. The author of the books PyroMarketing (HarperCollins) and Faith-Based Marketing (Wiley), Stielstra taught principles of marketing for Vanderbilt University and has addressed topics related to marketing and human behavior for SXSW, AdTech, TEDx, MIT and the Forbes CMO Summit.

Senior Manager of National (Radio) Promotions Dave Taylor and Song Marketing Manager Wisdom Moon also join the marketing department. Taylor, who has been with Integrity for almost four years, moves from the role of Production/Operations Manager to Radio Promotions, serving U.S. Christian radio stations and networks through promotion of Integrity's singles and artists. Moon, who is a worship leader, songwriter and founder of the resource site AllAboutWorship.com, has been working with various Christian organizations and artists for the past seven years. As Song Marketing Manager, he will promote Integrity's song catalog to churches, worship leaders and ministries, working closely with Integrity's resource partners including CCLI, PraiseCharts, MultiTracks, WorshipArtistry and more. Morgan Shirey, a recent graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, joins Integrity's publishing department as Song Publishing Coordinator. In this new role, Shirey will support publishing operations by liaising with Integrity's songwriters and production team and by assisting with the creation of song related assets.

Stielstra, Taylor, Moon and Shirey will be based at Integrity's Franklin, Tennessee office.

Rick Thompson, former senior marketing manager for Integrity, transitions to his new role as Senior Sales Manager and is joined by newly hired Tele-Sales/Customer Service Representative Cody Wagner. Both Thompson and Wagner will be based at Integrity's headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, reporting to Steve Nicolle.

About Integrity Music:
Integrity Music is the worship music recording and publishing home to a variety of artists and ministries around the globe including: All Sons & Daughters, Paul Baloche, Lincoln Brewster, New Life Worship, Planetshakers, Worship Central, The City Harmonic, Covenant Worship, Life Worship, Dustin Smith, Desperation Band, Bluetree, Christine D'Clario, Stu G, Beth Croft, Sheldon Bangera, Danilo Montero, Jacobo Ramos, and Dove Award winning and nominated songwriters Israel Houghton, Jared Anderson, Michael Farren and Michael Neale.

Integrity is part of the David C Cook family, a nonprofit global resource provider serving the Church with life-transforming materials. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and with offices in Tennessee and the United Kingdom, Integrity is committed to taking songs of substance to the local church and its leaders around the world. Integrity publishes many of the top songs in the Church, including the No. 1 radio hit "We Believe" (Newsboys) as well as church standards "Revelation Song," "Open The Eyes Of My Heart," "Your Great Name" and "I Am Free." Additional information can be found at www.integritymusic.com.

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