CEO & Co-Founder, The CORE Entertainment

Kevin “Chief” Zaruk is a paradigm-shifting artist manager and entertainment executive with a proven track record of building career-defining platforms across music and culture. As co-founder and CEO of The CORE Entertainment alongside his business partner Simon Tikhman, Zaruk is building one of the industry’s fastest-growing independent entertainment companies, reshaping what it means to champion artists in today’s landscape through a hands-on, artist-first approach. With offices in Nashville, and Los Angeles, The CORE blends deep industry experience with forward-thinking strategy across talent management, recorded music, brand partnerships, and media ventures. Zaruk’s leadership has earned industry-wide recognition, including his placement on Billboard’s Country Power Players list in 2023 and 2025. 

The CORE’s current roster includes streaming sensation Bailey Zimmerman, global rock icons Nickelback, rising country stars Nate Smith, Josh Ross, Cameron Whitcomb, 12x Billboard-charting producer Austin Shawn, and many more. 

Prior to The CORE, Zaruk played a foundational role in the creation and success of Big Loud, where he was instrumental in developing the label’s hybrid business model and guiding the rise of artists like Florida Georgia Line, Morgan Wallen, and Hardy. His approach to building artists from the ground up helped set a new standard for modern management in Nashville and beyond. A native of Vancouver, BC, Zaruk got his start as FOH and tour manager for diamond-certified rock band Nickelback—whom he now manages.

With a deep understanding of both the creative and business sides of the industry, Zaruk remains focused on developing globally impactful careers.