We catch up on this week’s music publishing headlines, from key deals and signings to new hires, legislation and more.
Deals and Signings
Rihanna Signs With Sony/ATV Music Publishing (Variety)
Rihanna has signed with Sony/ATV Music Publishing, a rep for the company confirmed to Variety, a move that reunites the singer with her longtime publisher, Jon Platt, who took the reins at the Sony Music company as chairman and CEO earlier this year.
One Media makes biggest deal so far with Philip Wesley catalogue acquisition (Music Week)
The music rights owner has secured a deal for the entire music catalogue to date of American composer and solo piano artist Philip Wesley. The catalogue comprises 72 solo piano recordings, of which One Media has acquired both the publishing and master rights.
La Company Inks Deal With Warner Chappell Latin (Billboard)
La Company, formed by DJ Maff, Gotex and Migueman, are the masterminds behind Madonna’s song “Bitch I’m Loca” featuring Maluma, and Kevin Roldan’s “PPP.” They’ve also had a hand in Latin hits such as J Balvin’s “Tranquila,” Karol G’s “Amor de Dos” featuring Nicky Jam, and more.
Sony/ATV Signs Sam Hollander To Worldwide Publishing Deal (MBW)
The songwriter has had chart success with artists including the likes of Panic! At The Disco, Fitz and The Tantrums, One Direction, Katy Perry, Train, Blink-182, Weezer, Gym Class Heroes, Carole King, Daughtry and Metro Station.
Jake Owen Signs Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell Music Nashville (Billboard)
Jake Owen has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group. The country singer, signed to Big Loud, released his latest album Greetings from… Jake earlier this year.
Hirings and Promotions
Kobalt Hires Sebastien Cayla as Director Of Synch And Brand Partnerships, France & Belgium (MBW)
Based in Paris, Cayla will oversee sync and brand partnerships within the territory for Kobalt & AWAL.
BMG Production Music Appoints New MDs In UK, Benelux (MBW)
BMG Production Music has promoted senior management executives Scott Doran and Paul Gulmans. Doran succeeds John Clifford in running BMGPM’s UK business as he is appointed Managing Director BMGPM UK. Gulmans moves into a new combined role, Managing Director Benelux & VP Int’l Business Development.
Tim Wipperman Named President At Anthem Music Publishing, Nashville (Music Row)
Tim Wipperman has been appointed President of Anthem Music Publishing, Nashville and will report to CEO Helen Murphy. The move brings Wipperman’s Rezonant Music Publishing, which was founded in 2016, under the Anthem umbrella.
Launches
Michael Martin Announces New Publishing Company Endurance Music Group (Billboard)
Three months after Michael Martin revealed his departure as ASCAP Nashville VP, the music executive has announced his new publishing company. Endurance Music Group has officially launched today (Sept. 16), with songwriters Scooter Carusoe and Clint Lagerberg joining its roster.
Legal
Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway to Heaven’ Goes to Court (Again) on Monday (Rolling Stone)
Band reprises the copyright battle over its iconic song — this time with higher stakes and the Trump administration weighing in.
Mechanical Licensing Collective Requests Over $37 Million for 2021 Launch (Billboard)
The Mechanical Licensing Collective, which must be able to administer the new U.S. blanket licensing system for mechanical rights by its legislated start-up date of Jan. 1, 2021, estimates that it will need $37.25 million to build and then have a first year operating budget of $29 million.
The Next Copyright Fight: The Recording Academy Turns Its Focus to Radio Royalties (Billboard)
After the passage of the Music Modernization Act, the sixth annual District Advocacy Day on Oct. 2 will focus new issues.
Songwriters Guild of America, Artist Rights Alliance, SONA, 7 Other Creator Groups Demand the Right to Choose Their PROs — Here’s Their Statement (Digital Music News)
Should music publishers have the right to move their entire catalogs to the performance rights organization (PRO) of their choice — without the need to consult their songwriters or composers?
Interesting Reads
British Music Is Losing Its Market Power In The USA. Does BMG Have The Answer? (MBW)
BMG has appointed seasoned music biz exec Ian Ramage to head a new ‘strike force’ for UK repertoire in the US, in what the firm calls a “first for the UK music industry”.
Investors in Search of Yield Turn to Music-Royalty Funds (WSJ)
Betting your money on Keith Richards might sound risky. But at a time when some $15 trillion in government bonds around the world have negative yields, it might not be a bad wager.
Child’s Play: How Kids and Music Will be Seen and Heard (Synchblog)
The kids music market is booming. Eamonn Forde takes a look at how labels, publishers, DSPs and more are taking advantage of this increasingly powerful demographic.
Natti Natasha and Female Creators Join for ASCAP ‘She Is The Music’ Song Camp (Billboard)
The four-day event, funded by The ASCAP Foundation in partnership with W Hotels Worldwide, will be hosted in Miami Sept. 30-Oct. 3 by Magnus Media, Marc Anthony and Michel Vega’s entertainment company.
Reeperbahn Festival day one: Copyright, Brexit and more (Music Ally)
Authenticity, Copyright law, and – oh yes – Brexit were all on the agenda during the first day of conference sessions at the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg.
‘Taaaake onnn meee!’ The unkillable, oh-so-profitable afterlife of a-ha’s ’80s classic (LA Times)
In the 34 years since “Take on Me” became the Norwegian trio’s world-conquering hit, it has not only endured but also has been transformed into a meme that crosses generations and centuries.
How Kobalt is betting on music’s middle class and DIY stars (TechCrunch)
As the overall pie is growing, the non-superstar segment of the market is indeed growing faster than the superstar segment, taking over a larger portion of industry royalties.
Jobs
Music Licensing Executive – Universal Music Publishing (Dallas, Texas)
FirstCom Music, part of the Universal Music Publishing Group, is seeking a Music Licensing Executive to nurture and maintain relationships with key clients and develop new business.
Sync and Licensing Coordinator – Cooking Vinyl (London)
Leading independent record label and publishing company Cooking Vinyl is seeking a Sync and Licensing Coordinator to join their team in West London and play a key role in continued global growth.
Bookkeeper – Riptide Music Group (Los Angeles)
LA-based Riptide Music Group is seeking a full-time, full charge bookkeeper for long term employment.
For more music publishing positions check out our music industry jobs board. To post a listing for free get in touch at jobsboard@synchtank.com.
