About M23

Major-Market Leverage. Uncompromised Voices.

We’re here to kill the narrative that 'independent' means 'amateur.' The industry wants you to believe that you need their permission to succeed, but we’re proving them wrong every day. Independence isn't about being alone; it’s about autonomy. It’s the refusal to let a boardroom dictate your brand, and the common sense to keep your masters—and your money—in your own pocket. It is the radical idea that you should own your future, not lease it to the highest bidder for a temporary advance.

Our ethos is a middle finger to the old-school gatekeepers who thrive on artist ignorance. We provide the heavyweight infrastructure of a global powerhouse—the distribution, the legal armor, the data, and the muscle—but we do it with the unapologetic freedom of an independent. We aren't here to manage you; we’re here to arm you. You keep the control. We provide the ammunition.

Keep Your Masters: The "industry standard" is a heist. We don't touch your copyrights. You created it; you own it. Period.
Zero Creative Compromise: No A&R committees, no "radio-friendly" filters, and no watering down your vision to fit a corporate spreadsheet.
Direct-to-Artist Capital: We’ve killed the "hidden fees" model. Our financial structure is built for your profit, not your debt.
Global Strike Power: Use the same distribution pipelines as the majors without the gatekeepers holding the keys.
Algorithmic Warfare: We don't just "pitch" to playlists; we use data-driven marketing to force the industry to pay attention.
Elite Support Staff: Access a heavy-hitting team of strategists and creatives who work for your brand, not the other way around.
Career Sustainability: Forget the 15 minutes of fame. We build cult followings and durable IP that outlasts the trends.
Own the Audience: We help you build a direct line to your fans so you're never at the mercy of a platform's changing algorithm.
Wealth, Not Just Income: We treat your music as a generational asset. We’re here to build your empire, not just your next single.

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Leadership

The Intersection of Order & Chaos

M23 Media was founded on a unique convergence of disciplines. We don't just understand the creative side of music; we understand the rigorous frameworks that support it. Our leadership combines the precision of corporate marketing, the agility of entertainment, the passion of music, and the structural discipline of local government.

We believe that true artist development requires more than just a sound—it requires a system.

Josh Finch

Co-Founder & Strategic Business Advisor

Josh brings a rare operational pedigree to the entertainment and music industry. With a background rooted in the high-stakes environments of local government and leadership, he specializes in the infrastructure of success. He understands that for a performances and activations to go on, the permits must be cleared, the safety protocols must be iron-clad, and the brand message must be consistent.Description text goes here
Local Government
Community Event Organizer
Structure doesn't kill the vibe; it protects it.
"Creativity needs a container. If you can navigate city ordinances, you can navigate a global tour."

Cody Lieberman

Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Integrated Management

Cody provides the strategic architecture behind M23 Media. Sitting at the intersection of A&R, digital marketing, and artist management, he specializes in taking raw potential and professionalizing it into a sustainable business.
Cody’s approach is comprehensive: he has the ear to identify market-ready talent, the digital expertise to find their audience, and the management experience to guide their long-term growth. While many in the industry rely on gut feeling, Cody relies on strategy and execution, ensuring that creative vision is always backed by a solid business plan.
Digital Marketing / Artist Management / A&R
A great song starts the conversation, but great management keeps people talking.
"Viral moments are luck; sustainable careers are engineering. We use data to build the foundation."

Bryan Dafoe

Co-Founder & Managing Director

Dani Bailing

Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Europe

Business Units

Business & Legal Affairs

Digital Marketing

Emerging Markets

Public Relations

Human Resources

Dani bridges the gap between grassroots discovery and global amplification. Her career spans the music and media landscape of Europe, moving from the trenches of various small labels—where she honed her eye for raw talent and A&R—to leading publicity and social campaigns for major advertising agencies.
This dual perspective allows her to operate fluently in two worlds. She understands the scrappy, resource-constrained reality of breaking new artists, but she executes with the polished, data-driven discipline of a top-tier firm. Dani oversees operations across the UK and Europe, ensuring that M23’s campaigns are culturally translated and commercially viable on both sides of the Atlantic.
Background: A&R / Social Media / Publicity
Hype is fleeting, but a brand is forever. We apply major agency discipline to independent art.
"You don't just 'find' an audience anymore; you have to build a world they want to live in. That requires the soul of an indie label and the strategy of a global agency."