Zealot Networks Bets On Nashville, Acquires Three Area Companies

LOS ANGELES and NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Zealot Networks, a digital-first media and entertainment company that empowers entrepreneurs and creators, announced today it's expanding into Nashville and is committed to supporting the flourishing local technology and creative communities.

"Beyond music, Nashville is a great creative and technology epicenter so we're excited to establish a presence in this burgeoning community and be a part of its expanding growth," said Danny Zappin, president and CEO of Zealot Networks. "We look forward to participating in the innovative ideas and creative projects that we know will come out of this vibrant city."

Leading Zealot's Nashville office is John Zappin, who will oversee creative strategies, content development and new business opportunities. John brings deep experience in all facets of production, promotion, A&R and creative industry roles, not to mention a successful Hip Hop career performing as John Reuben for the past 18 years. Most recently, John spearheaded and oversaw the music initiative for Maker Studios where he was responsible for core building blocks during its explosive growth as well as many of Maker's largest music programs from 2011-2014.

As Zealot Networks looks to diversify and expand into a variety of strong and engaged audiences, the company has acquired three profitable Nashville companies to support regional, national and global efforts. Acquisitions include:

• Southern Made, headquartered in Nashville's Salemtown neighborhood, uses their technology to drive deep fan engagement and to create actionable insights for their clients. Founded by tech entrepreneurs Chris McIntyre, Matt Mueller, Christopher Parks, Adam Small and Jack Whitis, the company has engagements with diverse national clientele spanning healthcare, faith, music, food & lifestyle, consumer goods and publishing. With their collective industry and technology backgrounds, creating compelling digital engagements on top of their proprietary platform or alongside other platforms is effortless. CEO and industry veteran Chris McIntyre boasts a long list of innovative products and startups, and plays an important mentorship role in the tech community currently sitting on the board of the Nashville Software School.
  
  "We believe our relationship with Zealot Networks opens the floodgates for worldwide reach and lets us prove we can engage people in a much larger and more significant way," said Chris McIntyre, CEO of Southern Made.
  
  
• KINGmgmt, whose clients include breakout Pop Folk duo JOHNNYSWIM and Grammy nominated southern rock country artist and songwriter Rhett Canipe, is a boutique artist management and development company headed by Jay King. In the industry, Jay is known for his strategic artist development and innovative marketing to which he brings to each of his clients.
  
  "Zealot Networks provides a home for ideas to come alive and gives people like myself the freedom to rethink the business I've been a part of for 20 years," said Jay King, founder of KINGmgmt.
  
  
• Gotee Records, Inc. is led by founders Joey Elwood and Grammy award-winning artist and producer Toby Mac. The label has over 75 years of collective management experience on its staff, while operating for 21 years and over three decades in the music industry. With a little more than 2500 copyrights in its catalog, 5 RIAA certified "Gold" albums, 3 RIAA certified "Gold" singles and over $80 million in worldwide sales, Gotee consistently looks to adapt to the changing technological and consumer landscape. Currently, the roster includes artists such as Relient K, Jamie Grace and Capital Kings. Poised for the future, the label is enthusiastic about the next evolution of its business, and the company's alignment with Zealot Networks.
  
  "It's important with this changing music business landscape to find strategic partnerships that allows us to better serve our artists and the consumer. We want to be ahead of the game and Zealot Networks is the right partner to take us there, " said Toby Mac, founder of Gotee Records.

"Some of the best creative thinkers and storytellers are coming out of Nashville and these acquisitions will complement our existing portfolio, providing unique and important perspectives that will benefit all of our companies," said John Zappin, vice president of creative development of Zealot Networks.

All three companies are 100% acquisitions and each will continue to operate under their own names.

In the coming weeks, Zealot Networks will secure office space in Nashville, round out its leadership team and continue to pursue opportunities to work with leading creators and innovators in the area.

About Zealot Networks, Inc.

Zealot Networks, Inc. is a digital-first media and entertainment company that empowers entrepreneurs by delivering multi-platform revenue, distribution and development opportunities. The company is poised to lead the next chapter in the ongoing evolution of digital media with its new holistic approach to connecting entrepreneurs with brands and like-minded communities based on transparency, ingenuity and experience. Zealot is a privately funded company led by a well-rounded, talented team who share the same values and vision: Co-founded by President and CEO Danny Zappin; CFO Bob Vanech; CSO Conn Fishburn and CMO Chad Seymour. For more information, please visit www.zealotnetworks.com.

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