We catch up on this week’s music publishing headlines, from key deals and signings to new hires, legislation and more.
Deals and Signings
Sony/ATV Snags Scott Weiland’s Publishing Rights — Just Moments After Warner/Chappell Signs Stone Temple Pilots (Digital Music News)
Sony/ATV Music Publishing just announced a deal that will allow them to represent the song catalog of Scott Weiland during his time as the frontman of the famed ’90s grunge band Stone Temple Pilots.
Happy Together: Warner Chappell & Round Hill Team Up for Global Partnership (Billboard)
The global deal, which excludes the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Ireland and the Nordics, will see WCM administer Round Hill’s vast collection of copyrights, and explore new opportunities for its songs and writers, overseas.
Major Lazer’s Walshy Fire signs with Concord Music Publishing (MBW)
The new deal, effective August 1 2019, covers all his existing work including collaborations with Koffee (Toast, Throne), Sean Paul, Chronixx, Rudimental, Anne Marie & Mr Eazi, Wizkid, Diplo, Popeye Caution, WurlD, Kranium, Konshens, Mr. Vegas alongside his work in Major Lazer.
Cinq Music Raises Another $40m to Buy Music Rights in Masters and Publishing (MBW)
Los Angeles-based Cinq Music has raised another $40m from parent company GoDigital Media Group in a Series C funding injection. Cinq says it’s going to use the money to purchase music rights, both masters and publishing, and to further expand internationally.
Universal Music Publishing Allies With Celeb-Backed Hillsong Church in Europe (Billboard)
Universal Music Publishing Group has entered into a new partnership with the publishing arm of Australia-based Hillsong, the music-focused Christian megachurch which has counted Justin Bieber and Lauren Daigle among supporters.
‘A gifted & prolific talent’: Andy Taylor signs with Round Hill for publishing (Music Week)
Taylor sold over 100 million albums with Duran Duran, was a founding member of Duran spin-off The Power Station and has worked as co-writer, producer and guitarist with the likes of Rod Stewart, Thunder, The Almighty and Robert Palmer, as well as enjoying solo hits.
Tommy Stinson Signs Worldwide Publishing Deal With Third Side Music (Broadway World)
“I still remember the day I bought The Replacements’ Pleased To Meet Me as a teenager,” says Third Side co-founder Patrick Curley. “In our books, Tommy is one of the most iconic musicians out there, and we are so honored to welcome him and his legacy to the TSM family”.
Hirings and Promotions
Sony/ATV Names Jorge Mejia President & CEO, Latin America and U.S. Latin (Variety)
Reporting to Jon Platt, Mejia oversees the company’s operations across the U.S. Latin market and the Latin American region. This includes its offices in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Miami, where he is based.
Warner Chappell exec Tim Hayes moves to Music Sales Group (Music Week)
In the new role he will target business opportunities with sync and digital licensing platforms. Hayes will also pitch catalogue direct to music supervisors, agencies and brands for sync, as well as DSPs for playlisting opportunities.
Legal
‘An Edifice Whose Foundation Has Eroded’: Inside ASCAP and BMI’s DOJ Comments on WW2-Era Consent Decrees (Billboard)
In their comments, both ASCAP and BMI asked that the “outdated” consent decrees be re-worked for a transition period that would eventually culminate with the decrees ending, leaving the two PROs to operate in a free market. That request is being met with considerable pushback from music licensees, i.e. music users.
Spotify, Amazon Make Case Against Royalty Board Rate Determination (Billboard)
Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Play and Pandora have filed their appeal of the Copyright Royalty Board’s mechanical rate determination, which will see music publishers and writers enjoy a 44% rate increase by 2023. The digital services filed their appeal late Wednesday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Launches
Former SESAC board member Hayden Bower launches new PRO, AllTrack (MBW)
AllTrack is described as “a modernized US-based performing rights organization built to serve independent music creators”. Starting today (August 14), creators and publishers can join AllTrack to represent them for the public performance of their songs in over 120 countries.
Interesting Reads
‘Everyone’s a Publisher Now’: Warner Chappell’s A&R Chief Ryan Press on Competition, Diversity and Signing Lizzo (Billboard)
The Philadelphia native launched his publishing career in 2006 as a consultant at Notting Hill, then spent the past decade at Warner Chappell Music in a succession of A&R roles, working with writers and producers like Rihanna, DJ Khaled, Meek Mill, Mike WiLL Made-It, Tay Keith, Ross Golan and PartyNextDoor.
‘US regulation for songwriters is archaic – and it results in less fair outcomes’ (MBW)
MBUSA catches up with SESAC CEO & Chairman John Josephson to ask all about the company’s recent growth, and its ambitious plans for the years ahead…
Cosynd CEO Jessica Sobhraj Talks Empowering and Protecting Creators (Synchblog)
Cosynd is a New York-based legal service automating copyright contracts and registrations. We recently sat down with CEO Jessica Sobhraj to discuss the company’s evolution, the game-changing services they offer to creators, recent copyright legislation and much more…
David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’ turns 50 this year – here’s the story behind the iconic track (MBW)
Bucks Music Group, through Onward Music Ltd, publishes ‘Space Oddity’ and more than 20 Bowie copyrights in total. Here, Bucks Managing Director Simon Platz tells the tale of the legendary artist’s 1969 single…
Royalty decrees: How to speed up royalty payments (Music Week)
Music Week asks some top names to give their expert tips on how to speed up all-important royalty payments. Read on and learn…
Jobs
Society Relations Assistant – Kobalt Music (London)
Kobalt Neighbouring Rights is seeking a hard-working and motivated people-person to support their successful team managing their performer client roster at neighbouring rights societies around the world.
A&R Admin – one77 Music (New York)
The ideal candidate has experience confirming song splits, tagging audio, and familiarity with publishing administration software.
Membership Manager – Ivors Academy (London)
Reporting directly to the Director of Membership & Awards and line managing the Membership Administrator the Membership Manager is responsible for the effective management of The Ivors Academy’s membership offering, membership administration and member relations.
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.
