Canadian Music Week Founder Neill Dixon Sues Oak View Group Over $435K in Unpaid Fees
Canadian Music Week's founder Neill Dixon is suing Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group Canada for $485,428 in damages over alleged breach of contract and unpaid sale fees.
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Dixon claims the new owners failed to pay the full $2 million purchase price agreed upon in June 2024, with $378,928 still outstanding. Additionally, he seeks $56,000 for unpaid consulting services and $50,000 in punitive damages.
After 42 years of running the festival, Dixon sold Canadian Music Week to Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group in 2024. The new owners rebranded the festival as "Departure" in November 2024, planning to expand beyond music to include comedy, tech, and food programming, similar to SXSW.
The new Departure leadership team includes:
- Randy Lennox (Loft Co-Founder)
- Jackie Dean (CEO)
- Kevin Barton (Executive Producer)
- Tom Pistore (OVG Canada President)
Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group responded to Billboard Canada, stating they are in ongoing negotiations with Dixon and his counsel to finalize terms, with plans to explore alternative options if an agreement cannot be reached.
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