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11/06/06 - Sanctuary President Comments on Managerial Split with Iron Maiden
As recently reported Iron Maiden has decided not to renew their management contract with Sanctuary Group PLC.
Rod Smallwood, who had co-founded Sanctuary in the 70's, discovered the band in '79 and has been their manager ever
since. Smallwood is also leaving Sanctuary and will continue to manage the band through his new company,
Phantom Music Management. Sanctuary will continue to work with the band through touring, retail and merchandising, as well
as acting as their US record company.
Frank Presland (Sanctuary Group CEO) commented: "Although we are obviously sad to see the band and Rod depart from a management and company standpoint we are delighted to be able to continue with the band long term as their worldwide merchandiser and U.S. label. MAIDEN are renowned as one of the biggest-grossing bands in the world in all aspects of merchandising with their distinctive Eddie T-shirts worn by multitudes of fans everywhere and for record-breaking merchandising grosses at major venues all over the world. Our label is also delighted to show what it can do by putting the band's new album in the Billboard Top 10 for the first time, at a time when the band are rapidly increasing their U.S. record-selling and
touring base. The MAIDEN catalog has always been our biggest seller in America and we look forward to a fruitful ongoing relationship on this and new product based on the catalog.
"The parting with Rod and MAIDEN is entirely amicable and we are delighted that Rod has made himself available to Sanctuary as a consultant and look forward to a long and valuable relationship with him and the band. All at Sanctuary wish them both the very best for the future."
Rod Smallwood commented: "It's obviously a bit of a wrench leaving Sanctuary after all these years
but at this time in my career and with the band's ever-increasing international stature it makes
total sense for me to concentrate on developing the band's huge potential in the many areas of what is now a
very complex and time-consuming business. The band and I leave many friends at Sanctuary and we wish them and
the company every success in the future and look forward the continuing successful relationships in merchandising and U.S. records."
