After working at Scream Promotions for 10 and 12 years respectively, head of radio promotions Claire Paxton-Rider and head of press and publicity Scott Steele have launched their own agencies.
Claire Paxton-Rider, who joined Scream in 2016, has spent over 16 years working in radio promotions. In that time, she has led l radio campaigns for the likes of LeAnn Rimes, Luke Combs, Deacon Blue, Sinead O’Connor, Goo Goo Dolls, David Gilmour and many more.
She has also helped further the careers of British artists including Remember Monday and Ward Thomas.
Claire Paxton-Rider said: “Following a decade working alongside the wonderful bunch at Scream, I am buzzing to be launching Rider. Whilst we’d always worked independently, Rider offers a new opportunity to really define my roster and brand as my own. In a competitive indie plugging market, I’m incredibly proud of launching a female-led brand that doesn’t shy away from the challenges of juggling work and a family.
“Even in the new age of socials and DSPs, my artists seem to still be enchanted by the magic of hearing their music on the radio and, as their plugger, the feeling is so mutual!”
Scott Steele, who joined Scream in 2013, has more than 25 years’ experience working in music publicity. Prior to joining Scream, he worked for EMI Records’ award-winning press team, Virgin Records and LD Communications.
During his time at Scream, he has run press campaigns for Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music), Richard Hawley, Matt Berry and Simple Minds, and catalogue campaigns for the likes of Morrissey, The Waterboys, The Specials, PP Arnold and Holland-Dozier-Holland, as well as promoting specialist catalogue and brand identities for labels including 2-Tone, Ace Records and Acid Jazz.
Even in the new age of socials and DSPs, my artists seem to still be enchanted by the magic of hearing their music on the radio and, as their plugger, the feeling is so mutual
Claire Paxton-Rider
Scott Steele said: “As a lifelong music obsessive, throughout my time at Scream I have strived to build a roster of artists and to work with specialist music labels whose work I am truly passionate about, committed to delivering clear, creative and dynamic strategies, bringing knowledge, passion and conviction to all campaigns, whilst building productive, long-term working relationships with labels, artists, and managers.
“After spending many years working at labels and independent agencies, I am excited to launch my own innovative PR agency, providing national, specialist music press and online PR, and media consultancy. I will continue to represent Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, Phil Manzanera, Richard Hawley, Matt Berry and Simple Minds, labels 2-Tone, Ace Records and Acid Jazz, as well as continuing to help advance the careers of artists including His Lordship, The Milk, Tom Hickox and documentary-filmmaker Oliver Murray [The Beatles Anthology].”
Scream Promotions was set up in October 2003 by Tony Cooke and Claire Collins. The company went on to become one of the UK’s leading radio, TV and events promotions specialists, representing clients including The 1975, Sam Fender, Ben Howard, Bring Me The Horizon, Iron Maiden and Nina Nesbitt, and some of the UK's biggest music festivals and events, including The BRIT Awards, Reading and Leeds, Mercury Prize and The i-Tunes Festival.
Scream Promotions is no longer providing plugging or publicity services.
FOLLOW 
