Shore Fire Media Transitions Leadership: Angela Barkan Named CEO, Marilyn Laverty Becomes Chairman

Shore Fire Media, a prominent independent public relations and communications firm in the music industry, has announced a significant leadership transition. Angela Barkan has been appointed as the new CEO, succeeding founder Marilyn Laverty, who will assume the role of chairman and senior advisor to Dolphin, the parent company of Shore Fire. This change marks a new chapter for the firm, which has seen substantial growth since its acquisition by Dolphin in 2019.

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Marilyn Laverty founded Shore Fire Media in 1990 after serving as the national vice president of publicity for Columbia Records. Under her leadership, the firm has established itself as a leader in entertainment communications, representing high-profile clients such as Bruce Springsteen and Cyndi Lauper. Laverty's accolades include being named one of Billboard’s Power Publicists in 2023.

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Angela Barkan, previously a senior vice president at BMG, brings extensive experience in marketing, brand partnerships, and public relations from her roles at various Sony Music labels. She has been recognized in Billboard’s Women in Music list in 2022 and is expected to leverage her expertise to enhance Shore Fire's operations and revenue strategies.

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In her new role, Barkan will oversee the day-to-day operations of Shore Fire and implement new revenue strategies from the firm's headquarters in New York City. Dolphin CEO Bill O’Dowd expressed confidence in Barkan's capabilities, stating, “Angela is a truly impressive executive... she has the character, the creative and strategic intellect, and the experience to bring tremendous value to the company.”

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Laverty emphasized the importance of adaptability and community in her new position, aiming to foster an environment conducive to innovation and collaboration among Dolphin's portfolio of businesses. She noted, “We have generated several million dollars of additional revenue within Dolphin by teaming up companies for projects.”

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Since joining Dolphin, Shore Fire Media has expanded its service offerings beyond traditional public relations, including content strategy, management, and strategic partnerships. The firm has also grown its staff and clientele significantly, with Laverty reporting that both fees and personnel have more than doubled since the acquisition.

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Barkan expressed her commitment to building upon the foundation laid by Laverty, stating, “It is an honor to build upon the remarkable foundation Marilyn created.” She aims to drive new opportunities for collaboration and growth within the Dolphin ecosystem.

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While the leadership transition has been largely well-received, some industry observers may question the effectiveness of such changes in maintaining the firm's established reputation. Concerns about the potential for shifts in company culture and client relationships may arise as Barkan implements her vision.

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• “Growing Shore Fire into a renowned industry leader with expertise across many facets of art and culture, and nurturing an executive team that is unsurpassed in talent, what Marilyn has been able to accomplish with the company over the past few decades is nothing short of remarkable,” — Bill O’Dowd, CEO of Dolphin

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• “Shore Fire has long set the standard for excellence in entertainment communications,” — Angela Barkan, CEO of Shore Fire Media

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• “ She continued, “We are thrilled to welcome Angela as our new CEO.” — Marilyn Laverty, Chairman of Shore Fire Media

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This leadership transition at Shore Fire Media represents a strategic move aimed at sustaining growth and enhancing collaboration within the broader Dolphin network, positioning the firm for continued success in the evolving landscape of entertainment communications.

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