We catch up on this week’s music publishing news, from key deals and signings to new hires, legislation and more.
Signings and Acqusitions
Primary Wave grabs majority stake in Ray Charles’ pre-1964 catalog in multi-million dollar deal (Billboard)
Terms of the agreement with Charles’ heirs include a majority of the publishing and writer’s share, as well as all administration rights, for some of the iconic singer, songwriter and musician’s biggest hits, including “What’d I Say,” “Ain’t That Love,” and “I Got A Woman.”
Downtown expands into Africa; buys indie music publisher Sheer (MBW)
Sheer will continue to function as a standalone business within Downtown’s portfolio of music publishing, distribution, monetization, artist and label services businesses. Sheer and Downtown plan to develop new services specifically designed for the needs of African creators.
Reservoir signs writer & producer Khris Riddick-Tynes to global publishing deal (MBW)
The deal includes global rights to compositions in Riddick-Tynes’ catalog of works including Best Rap Song nominee Gold Roses by Rick Ross featuring Drake and Kehlani’s Grieving featuring James Blake, off her No.2 Billboard 200 album It Was Good Until It Wasn’t, plus future works.
Duran Duran signs global deal with Warner Chappell (Music Week)
Warner Chappell will administer the majority of the group’s catalogue from 1986 to date, as well as all current and future compositions.
Universal Music Publishing Group signs Kenny Chesney to global publishing deal (Billboard)
Country music superstar Kenny Chesney has signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the publishing giant announced today (May 19).
Sony/ATV signs TikTok sensation Tiagz to global deal (Music Week)
Tiagz, aka Tiago Garcia-Arenas, is best known for his viral success on TikTok with singles including My Heart Went Oops and They Call Me Tiago.
Sony/ATV signs Rod Wave to worldwide deal (MBW)
Today, Sony/ATV Music Publishing has signed singer, songwriter, and rapper Rod Wave to a worldwide publishing agreement. Rod Wave quickly rose to prominence with his breakout single Heart on Ice and is also known for songs including Popular Loner and Cuban Links ft. Kevin Gates.
Facts & Figures
Publishers Quarterly: UMPG Tops Hot 100 While Sony/ATV Rules Radio (Billboard)
Since the advent of the Hot 100 publisher rankings in the first quarter of 2019, Sony/ATV and Universal Music Publishing Group have been fighting fiercely for market share
Goldman Sachs just cut its 2020 paid music streaming revenue forecast by $2.2bn… but the future still looks bright (MBW)
In a new update to Music In The Air published Friday (May 14), Goldman has, in the light of the COVID pandemic – but also in light of recently published stats from IFPI – made some adjustments to its predictions, with a mix of good and not-so-good news for artists, labels, songwriters and publishers.
Interesting Reads
“The Situation is Existential”: How the Covid-19 Pandemic is Affecting Music Royalties (Synchblog)
Eamonn Forde examines how the pandemic is affecting music royalties and speaks to experts to learn what this means for the future of the industry.
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.
Mechanical Licensing Collective CEO Kris Ahrend Talks Serving Songwriters, Preparing The Industry’s Next Generation (Music Row)
Ahrend spoke with MusicRow about the work the MLC is doing and what basing the organization in Nashville means for Music City.
Client Spotlight: AVL Digital’s Jon Bahr on CD Baby’s Booming Sync Business & Creating an Equitable Future for Rightsholders (Synchblog)
Jon Bahr on the secret to CD Baby’s booming sync operation, creating a fair business for rightsholders, & what the future holds for the post-pandemic music industry.
Copyright Office Says Landmark Piracy Law Needs Fine-Tuning (THR)
A multiyear study concludes that Section 512 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act no longer strikes a proper balance between rights owners and rights users.
The Music Industry’s Next Five Growth Drivers (MIDiA)
Here are the five emerging revenue sectors that we think could collectively be the music industry’s next growth driver.
Pex study suggests 17% of podcast episodes include music (Music Ally)
Licensing music for podcasts is a bit of a tangle. We know that. But how many podcasts are using music, be it licensed or unlicensed? That’s data that analytics firm Pex has been ferreting out for its latest study.
Spotify’s $100m+ Joe Rogan deal redefines its podcast strategy. Songwriters and record labels should be watching closely (MBW)
Both record labels (and artists) and music publishers (and songwriters) should be watching the Joe Rogan deal – and Spotify’s current predilection for spending big on exclusive podcasts – very closely.
Music Publishing Jobs
Music Publishing Copyright Administrator – Mojo Music and Media (Nashville)
Mojo Music and Media is hiring a Music Publishing Copyright Administrator based in Nashville with 3-5 years of experience.
Raleigh Music Publishing, a growing global music publishing company headquartered in Times Square, NYC is seeking an A&R/Creative Consultant based in LA.
Senior Manager, AV Income Tracking – BMG (London)
You will be responsible for the detection and recovery of missing AV income streams, ensuring that income due to BMG’s AV clients for use of their songs in film or TV gets paid timely and accurately.
