Music Supervisor George Drakoulias Joins Premier Music Group As Partner And Creative Director

Drakoulias Brings His Exclusive Music Supervision Business & Services To The Firm, Including His Latest, Barbie

July 28th, 2023: Award-winning music strategy and supervision company Premier Music Group has acquired  the music supervision services of leading industry talent George Drakoulias, who joins the firm’s leadership team as a partner and creative director.  Drakoulias will open Premier’s new LA offices this summer.

Drakoulias brings his deep experience as a music supervisor and producer as well as unparalleled relationships to Premier’s stellar roster of creative executives, including Randall Poster, Meghan Currier, Winslow Bright and Aaron Mercer.

His storied music career---starting as one of Rick Rubin’s first hires at Def Jam Records---has included film supervision for dozens of films and TV series including Joker, White Noise, Super 8, The Batman, Marriage Story, Severance, Never Let Me Go, School of Rock, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Zoolander, Little Fockers, The Hangover series, and current blockbuster, Barbie---featuring work with Mark Ronson, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Ice Spice, and Nicki Minaj on the film’s score and original soundtrack.

George has held executive A&R roles at Def Jam---working with LL Cool J and The Beastie Boys—and (Def) American Recordings, where he signed and produced albums for The Black Crowes, The Jayhawks, and The Freewheelers. He has produced albums for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Maria McKee, Primal Scream, Susan Tedeschi, and tracks for Wu-Tang Clan. His film productions include documentary Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin’ Down a Dream and feature She’s Funny That Way.

In his new role, Drakoulias will expand Premier’s growing music supervision team and the company’s West Coast footprint, forging new creative opportunities and partnerships—further establishing Premier as the leading music supervision firm across all market segments. 

Premier Music Group CEO Josh Deutsch said, “George is a legend in our business, and I’ve admired his impeccable creative and commercial instincts for years. His body of production and supervision work, exceptional artistry and deep relationships in music and entertainment make him the ideal partner at this key point in Premier’s growth."  

Premier Music Group Creative Director Randall Poster said: “George and I have been working together for years. He loves movies and music as much as anyone I know, and brings that passion into every operation and project he takes on. George has produced some of my favorite records, the first two Black Crowes albums, the Jayhawks, many more. He’s been anchoring our West Coast operation for years and I couldn’t be more excited to have him join us in a more substantial way. He knows the whole team here since they started as interns and has been a constant resource and champion.” 

George Drakoulias said, “I couldn’t be happier to be joining the Premier Music team. Randy and I have been running around together, working on movies and record projects for forever. He has been the most exquisite guide into the world of music supervision. I’ve come to rely on the support of the Premier team, Meghan Currier, Winslow Bright, Milena Erke, and Ian Herbert for years, since they were interns actually, and love and respect them all. Josh and I grew up together in the record business. Now finally a full-fledged member of the organization, I look forward to expanding Premier’s West Coast presence and working with my friends.”

More via Billboard:

https://www.billboard.com/pro/barbie-music-supervisor-premier-music-industry-hires/

After the Listen acquisition, Drakoulias’ deal marks Premier’s second use of its acquisition funding led by media investment firm MEP Capital. 

About George Drakoulias

Born and raised in Syosset, NY, George Drakoulias attended NYU as a music and business major, where he befriended Rick Rubin and helped Rubin and partner Russell Simmons forge the pioneering Def Jam Records with discoveries including the Beastie Boys and LL Cool J. He later joined Rubin’s (Def) American Recordings as a staff producer and A&R executive, signing and producing bands including the Jayhawks (Hollywood Town Hall), The Freewheelers (Waitin’ for George) and Black Crowes (Southern Harmony) and producing the Crowes’ 1990 smash Shake Your Money Maker. He was also the president of Wu-Tang Records. Drakoulias produced Maria McKee’s You Gotta Sin to Get Saved, Wu-Tang Clan’s “The Heart Gently Weeps'' and “Weak Spot,” British alternative bands Primal Scream (Give Out But Don’t Give Up) and Ride (Carnival of Light), Tom Petty (Wildflowers), Memphis legend Dan Penn (Do Right Man), Screaming Trees (Dust), and Reef (Glow). 

Drakoulias began his work in music supervision in 2001 with Zoolander starring Ben Stiller. He has contributed to more than 50 films and tv series including Zodiac, Lost, Margot at the Wedding, Starsky & Hutch, Greenberg, Crazy Stupid Love, Frances Ha, Star Trek Into Darkness, The Intern, The Hangover, The Hangover 2 & 3, Joker, Marriage Story, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Ad Astra, The Batman, Super 8, White Noise, Ghost, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Never Let Me Go, Mistress America, Severance, and most recently, Barbie—both score and original soundtrack. He has also produced films including She’s Funny That Way (2014), starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston; and Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers: Runnin’ Down a Dream (2007), a 2009 Grammy Award winner for Best Long Form Video. 

George’s professional impact has inspired cultural references in film and music: “Big George Drakoulias,” a character in the film Dead Man, is played by Billy Bob Thornton; a Star Trek alien predator is called the ‘drakoulias’; a character in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Oseary Drakoulias, is jointly named for George and leading talent manager Guy Oseary; and The Beastie Boys name-check Drakoulias on their track “B-Boy Boulliabaisse” (on Paul’s Boutique).

About Premier Music Group

Founded in 2017 by music industry entrepreneur Josh Deutsch, Premier Music Group is the world’s leading music intelligence and supervision agency. An award-winning leader in premium music, Premier creates breakthrough music solutions for advertising, film, television, and podcasts. Premier offers complete music services to all segments, including music strategy, licensing, original composition, and music production. The company’s integrated strategy and supervision approach provides clients with expert music curation supported by deep consumer data and cultural insights. Serving clients across all media, Premier works with leading global brands, agencies, and creators. 

Recent film, TV and podcast work includes KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON directed by Martin Scorsese (Apple), Wes Anderson's THE FRENCH DISPATCH and ASTEROID CITY, Olivia Wilde's DON'T WORRY DARLING, SUPERPUMPED (Showtime), THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT (Netflix), 80 FOR BRADY (Paramount), the Obamas' Higher Ground Productions (multiple audio projects), and the podcast and audiobook slate from Malcolm Gladwell's Pushkin Industries. Recent advertising clients include Tiffany & Co., Samsung, HOKA, Nissan, Adidas, Target, Yeti, Google, Instagram, ESPN, Mercedes, and the NBA. In 2019, Premier acquired music supervision firm Wool & Tusk, bringing in a team of veteran music supervisors with extensive licensing experience in music and advertising. In 2020, Premier acquired Search Party, the celebrated music supervision company founded by Randall Poster in 2004, expanding its supervision team and original composition capabilities and its footprint in film, TV, and audio.In 2022, Premier acquired leading sound design firm Listen, deepening its service offerings in sonic identity, mnemonic and experiential work.

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