We catch up on this week’s music publishing news, from key deals and signings to new hires, legislation and more.
Deals and Acquisitions
Merck Mercuriadis’ Hipgnosis Songs Fund buys catalog of Lady Gaga collaborator RedOne (MBW)
Hipgnosis has acquired 100% of RedOne’s Songs and Recorded Music interests including Copyright, Writer Royalties and Producer Royalties in his catalog comprising 337 songs.
Riptide acquires sync company Hidden Track Music (Music Week)
Operating since 2011, Hidden Track Music represents labels, publishers, songwriters and artists, servicing to film, television, film trailers, advertising, sports and video games.
The Ivors Academy announces alliance with IMPF (Music Week)
The Ivors Academy has announced it will be forming an alliance with The Independent Music Publishers International Forum (IMPF) in order to work more closely with its music creators across the UK, Ireland and worldwide publishers.
Primary Wave signs development deal with theatre producer Ken Davenport (Music Week)
CMO Adam Lowenberg added: “This is a natural move for Primary Wave Music Publishing as we continue to differentiate ourselves from every other independent publisher. We are so excited to see what Ken has up his sleeve for our iconic and legendary catalogues.”
Mojo Music & Media inks catalog deals with Terry McBride, Mark Miller, Matt McVaney, Jonathan Smith, more (Music Row)
Indie publishing and marketing company Mojo Music & Media has closed a series of publishing catalog acquisitions with artist/writers Terry McBride and Sawyer Brown’s Mark Miller, as well as writer/producers Jonathan Smith, Pat McManus and Matt McVaney, among others.
Signings
Sony/ATV sign Latin hitmaker and Luis Fonsi collaborator Claudia Brant (Music Week)
The singer-songwriter and producer has written songs for the likes of Luis Fonsi as she’s built up a catalogue in across Latin, regional Mexican and pop.
Sony/ATV signs worldwide deal with TikTok sensation Ir Sais (Music Week)
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Benelux has announced it has signed an exclusive, worldwide publishing deal with songwriter, producer and artist Ir Sais.
Grammy-winning songwriter & producer Fraser T. Smith signs with Warner Chappell Music (MBW)
Grammy and Ivor Novello award-winning songwriter, producer and musician, Fraser T. Smith, has signed a worldwide music publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.
Mike WiLL Made-It returns to Warner Chappell Music for worldwide publishing deal (Billboard)
The Atlanta native has brought his production chops to songs like Beyoncé’s “Formation,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble.” and Future’s “Turn on the Lights.”
Bronco Signs Worldwide Publishing Deal with Warner Chappell Music (Billboard)
Warner Chappell Music, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with Bronco.
Finance & Investment
Funds with portfolios of a diverse range of songs are seeing a boost during the pandemic lockdowns.
In the Pursuit of Yield, Music Royalties Are Primed for Mainstream Investment (Nasdaq)
The universal appeal of music, combined with its global reach, and a strong revenue outlook fits all the characteristics of a promising, and appealing alternative asset class that is ripe for adoption, writes Marzio Schena, CEO and Co-Founder of ANote Music.
Hirings & Promotions
Virginie Berger appointed VP Of Rights Management at Songtradr (MBW)
In her new role, Berger will lead Songtradr’s Rights Administration platform and manage relationships with PROs, CMOs, and other key industry leaders.
Royalties & PROs
Gresham Music Joins With SESAC, Harry Fox to Launch Licensing Service for Sub-Saharan Africa (Billboard)
Gresham Rights Management, the newest company from South Africa-based Gresham Music Group, has joined forces with SESAC, The Harry Fox Agency, SUISA Digital Licensing and Mint Digital Services to launch a new music rights service in Africa.
PRS for Music reports £3.8m year-on-year increase in July royalty distribution (PRS for Music)
With warnings of future revenue downturn in the wake of Covid-19, PRS for Music today reports a £3.8m increase in royalties paid out to members and sister societies in its July distribution, compared to the same period in 2019.
‘Unison was not created just to solve problems in Spain, but to compete in the global market.’ (MBW)
Unison’s Chief Executive Officer, Jordi Puy, tells MBW how his blockchain-ready firm has been able to rack up such a formidable list of clients in a short space of time – and why, in his view, major publishers, songwriters and CMOs around the world should think about joining them…
Audiam founder Jeff Price out in change made by Socan (Music Ally)
COO Jeff King will take on Price’s CEO duties, with Socan’s interim CEO Jennifer Brown promising “Audiam’s business will continue without change”.
Legal
Power of Law: Top Music Attorneys of 2020 (Variety)
These legal eagles made massive deals, litigated thorny disputes and helped their clients navigate fine deal points, all during a pandemic.
Interesting Reads
‘It’s so important to see music publishing as a global business now.’ (MBW)
Downtown’s new Global President of Music Publishing, Mike Smith, talks about the companies’ rapid expansion and his own ambitions in a pivotal global role…
‘Accessing publishing money in China is incredibly complex. This is the beginning of a marathon, not a gold rush.’ (MBW)
Outdustry CEO Ed Peto talks about the current state of play in the China music market, what stands in the way of generating publishing revenue, and his perspective on exclusive licensing deals.
Industry Execs Talk About Making Showbiz More Equitable at Variety’s Power of Law Virtual Event (Variety)
Variety‘s virtual Power of Law event presented by City National Bank brought in experts from across the industry on July 15 to discuss the importance of making entertainment more equitable for both those in the spotlight and behind-the-scenes.
Top 25 Most Searched For Lyrics Of 2020 (So Far) (Hypebot)
LyricFind has shared the Top 25 Lyrics 2020 so far in the US. The Top 5 is a who’s who of top artists and songs.
You May Not Know These 15 Songs. But You’ve Heard Them. (New York Times)
Artists like Edwin Birdsong and Ballin’ Jack aren’t household names, but their music is instantly recognizable as the samples behind hit pop songs.
The MP3 At 25: How A Digital File Dynamited The Music Industry (The Quietus)
A quarter of a century ago today, the MP3 was born. Eamonn Forde argues that this, not the invention of vinyl, was the most revolutionary format in musical history
In a World of Playlists Driven by Algorithms, What Role Do Humans Play? (Complex)
Curated YouTube channels laid the groundwork for the editorial playlists that dominate the digital streaming landscape today, but no matter how technology evolves a human connection will always be a vital part of how we share and consume music.
How the DNA of a hit has changed over 20 years (MIDiA)
Recorded music has always evolved to fit the dominant format of the era, from three-minute songs to fit on 7-inch vinyl, through eight-song albums to fit on LPs, through to 16+ song albums to fill CDs.
What’s Sony Planning in Music — and Will It Involve Tencent? (Rolling Stone)
With “One Sony” gaining momentum, there are indications that Sony Corp isn’t going to cash in on its music company, no matter what Tencent might offer.
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