We catch up on this week’s music publishing news, from key deals and signings to new hires, legislation and more.
Deals and Signings
UMPG signs DaBaby to exclusive global admin deal (MBW)
The songwriter/rapper/performer is signed to South Coast Music Group (SCMG) in partnership with Interscope, which along with UMPG is owned by Universal Music Group (UMG).
Spirit Music Group acquires publishing and master recordings for singer/songwriter Ingrid Michaelson’s catalogue (Music Week)
Speaking about the deal, Jon Singer, chairman, Spirit Music Group said: “Ingrid is an incredibly talented and versatile artist and songwriter. In talking with Ingrid and her manager, Lynn Grossman, we developed a strong relationship and knew that Spirit was the right home to protect and nurture Ingrid’s songs.”
‘The voice of her generation’: Kobalt inks global deal with Mxmtoon (Music Week)
Kobalt has signed a publishing deal with singer, songwriter, and producer Mxmtoon (aka Maia). The worldwide deal offers Mxmtoon administration, sync and creative support for current catalogue and future works.
Hirings and Promotions
David Weitzman joins Primary Wave – with access to a $180m acquisition fund (MBW)
David Weitzman is joining Primary Wave Music Publishing as partner, focusing on the acquisition of catalogs from “iconic and legendary songwriters”.
Awards and Accolades
Billboard’s 2019 Digital Power Players Revealed (Billboard)
With streaming driving an unprecedented 80% of U.S. music revenue, these executives from every sector of the music industry are tapping points of data to propel business upward.
SOCAN Honours Publishers Anthem, Sony/ATV, EEMI With No. 1 Song Awards (SOCAN Magazine)
SOCAN celebrated Canada’s music publishers for songs that had achieved No. 1 positions on various airplay charts this year, in a presentation held Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, at SOCAN’s Toronto, Vancouver, and Los Angeles offices, during our annual publishers’ meeting and reception.
Facts and Figures
Value of UK music industry tops £5.2 billion, says UK Music (CMU)
Launching the new report, UK Music boss Michael Dugher said: “Our report reveals firm evidence that the British music industry is in great shape and continuing to lead the world.
Legal
Music Artists Coalition & Songwriters of North America Urge Appeals Court to Uphold Copyright Royalty Rate Hike (Billboard)
The brief urges the court to uphold the 2018 decision by the copyright royalty judges (CRJs) to award publishers and songwriters a 44% rate increase by 2022.
Competing Publishing Industry Wishes, Concerns Give Dept. of Justice Plenty to Ponder In Consent Decree Review (Billboard)
Publishers, songwriters and performance rights organizations are at odds over other aspects of the DOJ’s consent decree review beyond the danger of potential unwanted legislation coming from the publishers’ request for the selective withdrawal of digital rights from ASCAP and BMI’s blanket licenses.
Interesting Reads
The Price is Rights: Catalogue Acquisition Heats Up (Synchblog)
Eamonn Forde takes a look at the booming catalogue acquisition landscape and the investors involved, both within the industry and outside of it.
“There are lots of great things happening”: Guy Moot on signing Lizzo, plus the future of Warner Chappell and A&R (Music Week)
Moot opens up about how he has been adjusting to life across the Pond, the changes he’s noticed in company culture between Sony/ATV and Warner Chappell and some of the big signings he and Marshall have overseen.
NMPA CEO David Israelite Discusses The Latest Developments For Songwriters & Music Publishers, Including MLC, Consent Decrees & Copyright Royalty Board Appeal (Songwriter Universe)
In this new interview, Israelite discusses the key issues listed above, plus other issues that affect songwriter & music publisher royalties.
ERA: Streaming market could double by 2023 (Music Week)
According to ERA-commissioned research by consultants OC&C, streaming could be worth £1.6 billion by 2023. Increasing streaming penetration from a range of services targeting differing customers would be key.
How to… navigate the sync market (M Magazine)
‘In an age of declining record sales, pitiful streaming income and loss-making tours, sync stands as one of the last ways to make good money in the music industry’: says Bucks Music Group’s Robyn Kennedy.
Max Martin: The secrets of the world’s best pop songwriter (BBC)
The Swede has created mega-hits for acts from Britney Spears to Ed Sheeran – and now a new musical is putting his genius in the spotlight. Nick Levine asks what makes his songs fly.
Hasbro’s $4bn buyout of eOne could be blocked as UK antitrust authority investigates deal (MBW)
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced today (November 21) that it is inviting comments from interested parties (including rival companies) to determine whether the deal warrants a full scale review.
Debunking Copyright Myths (Copyright Alliance)
Unfortunately, these myths and numerous others have caused misconceptions over the rights of the copyright holder and the obligations of the user.
PRS Foundation Launches the Hitmaker Fund (M Magazine)
This latest fund from the Foundation is dedicated to supporting behind the scenes creatives. Songwriters, producers and music creators that have had at least three commercially exploited works can now apply to receive grants of up to £10k.
Latest Jobs
Publishing Royalties Onboarding and Data Specialist – Synchtank (London)
The ideal candidate should have significant publishing and label royalties experience on a global basis. Good financial/accounting knowledge is also essential.
Creative Synch Director, Ads and Brands – Position Music (Los Angeles)
Independent music publisher Position Music is looking to hire a LA-based Creative/Synch director with a focus on Ads and Brands to join their seven-person Creative/Synch team.
Publishing Coordinator – Warp Publishing (London)
Warp Publishing, a leading independent music publishing company, is looking for a Publishing Coordinator to join its team in the North London office.
Case Study Spotlight
Synchtank Client Case Study: Memory Lane Music Group
How we provided Memory Lane Music Group with a publishing-focused system to manage and monetize their assets more efficiently, and the tools to oversee their entire sales and pitching pipeline.
Webinar
Best Practices for Managing Your Catalog and Assets (December 12, 2-3pm ET)
At Synchtank, we understand that effective catalog and asset management is now more important than ever. As part of the Music Business Association’s Common Ground Webinar series, we’ll be hosting a webinar to run through the best practices for rightsholders to manage their assets and data in order to maximize revenue and avoid legal complications. Register here.
