We catch up on this week’s music publishing news, from key deals and signings to new hires, legislation and more.
Black Out Tuesday
Music business set for ‘Black Out Tuesday’ to ‘provoke accountability’ in wake of George Floyd death (MBW)
Many of the global music industry’s leading companies are taking part in ‘Black Out Tuesday’ this week on June 2. The move is being made as a statement of solidarity in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Deals and Signings
Depedro signs global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music (Music Week)
In his career, DePedro – real name Jairo Zavala – formed two of Spain’s biggest rock bands, Vacazul and 3000 Hombres, and has since embarked on a successful solo and songwriting career. In 2013, he released his first album on Warner Music Spain’s DRO label, La Increible Historia de un Hombre Bueno.
Belgian rapper Zwangere Guy signs worldwide publishing deal with Strictly Confidential (MBW)
Celebrated independent Belgium-born music publisher Strictly Confidential has signed popular Belgian rapper Zwangere Guy to a worldwide agreement.
Sony/ATV SA partners with Content Connect Africa to provide publishing services to songwriters (MBW)
The partnership will see Sony/ATV provide music publishing services to CCA’s roster of artists and composers from across the continent, as well as expand further publishing opportunities for these creatives.
Royalties & PROs
Meet CISAC’s new president: hit songwriter Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA (Rolling Stone)
The renowned songwriter talks royalty transparency, creator empowerment, and the next crucial innovation after streaming.
German collection society GEMA paid over $1bn to publishers and songwriters in 2019 (MBW)
Of this amount, €905.6m ($1.02bn) was distributed to members and rights-holders worldwide, according to GEMA, which published its financial results today (May 27).
GEMA says strong 2019 created ‘crisis airbag’ for members sidelined by pandemic (Billboard)
For many GEMA members, the royalty distribution on April 1 and the upcoming one on June 1 provide much-needed financial support.
ASCAP announces four virtual award shows for 2020 (American Songwriter)
ASCAP have announced it will honor the songwriters and publishers behind its most performed songs of the past year with four virtual celebrations for ASCAP Pop, Screen, Latin and Rhythm & Soul Music Award winners.
In Canada, artists are earning performance royalties for livestreams (Billboard)
Here’s what SOCAN and other PROs are doing — or not doing yet — to boost royalties for at-home pandemic shows.
Hirings and Promotions
Sony/ATV promotes Peter Brodsky to general counsel and EVP, business affairs (Music Week)
An official press release stated that, in his new role leading the company’s legal and business affair department worldwide, Brodsky will be “responsible for building and implementing its global business strategy as well as providing guidance and counsel on all Sony/ATV legal matters.”
Legal
Spotify claims Kobalt is at fault in Eminem songs copyright dispute (Billboard)
Spotify has filed a third party claim in a federal court in Tennessee against Kobalt Music Publishing, alleging that the company is at fault in a copyright dispute over 243 Eminem songs, including the Grammy- and Oscar-winning “Lose Yourself.”
Interesting Reads
When Wall Street entered music publishing (Penny Fractions)
Publishing, like many industries, laid out a welcome mat for finance through the 80s, and that’s where we’re starting this week’s abridged historical lookback at music publishing.
How We Work Now: NMPA President/CEO David Israelite (Billboard)
In a series amid the coronavirus pandemic, Billboard is asking individuals from all sectors of the music business to share stories of how they work now. This installment is with David Israelite, the president/CEO of music publishing trade association NMPA.
Joel Speaks to His Neighbors: James Friedman, Passé Publishing (Synchblog)
Introducing our new series where Synchtank founder Joel T. Jordan gets to know the creative people in his neighborhood. First up is James Friedman, co-owner of boutique publishing & sync business Passé Publishing.
With IPO, Warner Music aims for value seen rarely in the music biz (Billboard)
Until UMG follows suit, WMG will be investors’ only one-stop shop to invest in the streaming-boosted recorded music and publishing sectors.
Post-pandemic music industry predictions: the consolidation of power (Forbes)
The music industry has already begun a shift towards consolidation, and COVID-19 will likely accelerate this trend.
PROFILE Warner Chappell Music’s VP of Digital Licensing Natalie Madaj is at the forefront (CMRRA)
“Generally in digital, we’re focused on keeping an eye on new features and technology,” she explains. “We’re working to build partnerships and ensure that digital service providers are getting the appropriate rights up front so [a lot of my time is spent] making sure that we’re reaching out to them and helping guide how they’re thinking about licensing music.”
Panel Spotlight
ICMP: 30 Years of Music Publishing, What Now? (Friday June 5th, Midem Digital Edition)
Catch Synchtank Marketing Manager and Synchblog editor Emma Griffiths moderating this panel that marks 30 years of ICMP, the world trade association representing music publishers and creator internationally. Panelists Ralph Peer II, Chair and CEO of peermusic, John Phelan, Director General ICMP, and songwriter and novelist Brendan Graham will discuss how publishing has evolved in the past and what’s in store for the future.
