Jarred Arfa Named EVP/Head of Global Music at Newly-Launched Independent Artist Group

Jarred Arfa has been named executive vp/head of global music for the newly-rebranded agency Independent Artist Group (IAG), the company’s newly installed CEO Jim Osborne announced on Tuesday (June 27).

The launch of IAG was formally announced last week with Osborne at the helm. The company was formed via a merger of two agencies: Agency For the Performing Arts (APA) and Artist Group International (AGI), where Arfa served as COO.

At IAG, Arfa will oversee the day-to-day operations of the combined AGI and APA music departments, reporting to Osborne. As announced last week, Arfa’s father, AGI founder/CEO Dennis Arfa, will serve as chairman of IAG’s music division while Marsha Vlasic will serve as vice-chair.

The deal was made possible thanks to a 2020 investment in APA by billionaire Ron Burkle, whose Yaicapa Companies has long been an investor in AGI.

“Jarred has been instrumental in getting this partnership to the finish line,” says Osborne. “We have tremendous confidence in him to not only lead the day-to-day operations of our music department but to help us grow it from here,”

At AGI, Jarred’s responsibilities included business development, legal, financial and corporate reporting; overseeing artists’ tour contracts; VIP ticketing; and sponsorship and brand partnerships. He will continue to do the same at IAG, with the added help of the infrastructure inherited from the full-service APA, which in addition to music and comedy touring also includes legal, tour marketing, branding and sponsorships departments.

“We have relied on Jarred on so many levels over the years to not only oversee the operations of AGI but to also assist us in furthering our investments in the music business,” said Burkle in a statement.

Jarred will continue to work closely with Billy Joel’s team, assisting on the singer-songwriter’s record-breaking residency at Madison Square Garden along with his other tour dates.

“Jarred has been an invaluable asset to us on so many levels,” added Vlasic. “We have tremendous confidence in him to lead our efforts to integrate and grow our combined music assets enabling our artists and agents to thrive.”

While at AGI, Jarred was an instrumental advisor in the company’s sale to The Yucaipa Companies in 2012 and later served as a conduit for Yucaipa’s investments in K2 and Danny Wimmer Presents.

“I am excited to work with the outstanding young team of APA agents who have been thriving, particularly in urban, as we combine into one cohesive unit,” Jarred said. “I look forward to further offering crossover opportunities for our artists that Jim Osborne and his team have done such an amazing job at. Our plan is to grow the department with a quality over quantity ethos.” 

Jarred began his career at Robert Silverman’s CKX Inc., where he acted as director of Muhammad Ali Enterprises and director of operations for Elvis Presley Enterprises.