Lauren Louise Powell Appointed Managing Director of iluvlive
iluvlive, the esteemed live music and artist development platform, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Lauren Louise Powell as its Managing Director. This strategic move marks a pivotal moment for iluvlive as Powell takes the reins from Rachael Bee Samuel, who will continue to serve as CEO and retain her position on the board of directors. In addition, Victor Redwood-Sawyer and Yvette Griffith will serve as strategic business consultants. With their combined expertise and passion for emerging artists, iluvlive is poised to embark on an exciting future and is at the forefront of shaping the Black British music landscape. Rachael Bee Samuel is stepping down to dedicate more time to Elevate Music LTD, her record label with esteemed artist manager Kim Revie.
With Lauren Louise Powell at the helm, iluvlive is poised for an exciting future. Her comprehensive industry knowledge, proven track record, and passion for artist development and live music align seamlessly with iluvlive's mission to support emerging talent and contribute to the evolution of British Black music. iluvlive is poised for continued success and innovation in the ever-evolving music landscape.
“I am thrilled to take on the role of Managing Director at iluvlive and build on the incredible legacy created by Rachael Bee Samuel. iluvlive has played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of British Black music, and I am committed to continuing and expanding its impact. I look forward to working closely with Rachael, the board, and the iluvlive team to elevate emerging artists further and contribute to the music industry’s growth.”
“Lauren has been an invaluable asset to iluvlive. I am confident that she will bring fresh perspectives, energy, and dedication to the role of Managing Director. I am excited about the future of iluvlive under her leadership.”
Lauren Louise Powell's biography
Lauren's journey into the music industry commenced in 2012, she started her journey into the music industry as an intern for the Sunday Show, a website known for helping new talents such as Mo Gilligan and Ed Sheeran rise to fame. Since then, Lauren has held various positions in the industry, such as being the PR and Social Media Manager for Clubnight Faded, the Digital Marketing Manager for Marathon Artists, and the Product Manager for Sony's Dream Life Records; she has also managed artists, including the rapper Jordy, and runs her own marketing consultancy business, Hidden Courage.
Her dedication to continuous learning led Lauren to pursue an MA in Music Business Management at the University of Westminster. While concurrently working as an artist management assistant and in social media management for renowned artists. Despite her flourishing career, she always remembered her roots, returning to Iluvlive in 2021 as Programme Director and in various previous roles at iluvlive.
During a brief hiatus, Lauren worked with creative agency paq as an Account and Partnerships manager for projects with Nike, Offspring & Spotify, and their in-house freestyle platform 'rap in paper.' Now, with an enriched perspective, she returns to iluvlive as Managing Director, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the industry.
Lauren will continue collaborating with paq as a consultant for their music business projects, showcasing her commitment to bridging the worlds of creativity, business, and innovation.
Rachael Bee Samuel’s biography
iluvlive CEO and Owner iluvlive's CEO and owner, Rachael Bee Samuel, has been influential in the music industry. She ran some seminal black music nights in the early '90s and became a renowned radio and TV journalist/presenter, working for the BBC, Kiss FM, Live TV, and ITV.
In 1999, Rachael launched Impact Ventures, the company behind iconic events such as the MTV Lick Parties, MTV’s Base on the Beach, Base Lounge, Flava Tour for Channel 4, the MOBO Unsigned Tour, and MTV's DFC Parties. Her extensive portfolio includes countless live shows, launch parties, and marketing campaigns for artists like Ms Dynamite, Big Brovaz, Lemar, Beverly Knight, and many more.
Rachael joined Def Jam Records as Consultant General Manager for its UK launch and later managed Ladies First and Aaron Soul. She went on to focus on artist management, representing talents such as Izzy Bizu and Mika Barroux while serving as the MD of iluvlive.
About iluvlive
Founded in 2004, iluvlive is a not-for-profit company supported by Arts Council England. The platform serves as a vital link between the subsidized and commercial music sectors, fostering the development of emerging artists in Black music genres. iluvlive, originally a London-based showcase, has evolved into a multi-platform artist development company offering a funded artist development program in partnership with Stellar Songs alongside its live events.
iluvlive's impact on the British music scene is profound, having played a crucial role in the emergence of artists like Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sande, Wretch 32, Jessie J, Ghetts, and many others.
For inquiries, please contact: info@iluvlive.co.uk