Hardware Podcasts

I.R.S. Records: Miles Copeland

How I Built This · 26 Dec 2022 · 1h 07m

What this episode covers

Miles Copeland, founder of IRS Records, recounts his journey from a bankrupt promoter to a music industry mogul who signed The Police, R.E.M., and The Go-Go's. He explains his strategy of making deals easy to say 'yes' to by eliminating risk for partners like A&M Records and using equity to attract early talent. Copeland details the financial disaster of a failed tour, his pivot to the punk scene, and the creative marketing stunt involving Jaguar that helped Sting's 'Desert Rose' become a hit.

Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies, companies scaling up and established companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
IRS Records, A&M Records, MCA Records, EMI
Products
The Police, R.E.M., The Go-Go's, Sting, Wishbone Ash, Sex Pistols, The B-52's, Fine Young Cannibals, Oingo Boingo, The Stranglers
Also
Jaguar

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