UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP
ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF CORE RECORDS
Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced the launch of The Core Records, a new global label venture led by Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Simon Tikhman, co-founders of The Core Entertainment (TCE), a leading entertainment and talent management company. This collaboration will focus on signing and developing new artists, leveraging UMG’s extensive network of industry-leading labels.
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of UMG, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Chief and Simon, who have a proven track record of identifying some of the industry’s most promising artists. We are excited to support them in growing their roster and achieving global success for their artists.”
Simon Tikhman commented, “Our goal has always been to support artists on a global scale by creating new creative and commercial paths. We are grateful to Sir Lucian for believing in our vision and for his commitment to developing and supporting artists and entrepreneurs.”
Kevin “Chief” Zaruk added, “We’re thrilled about this next phase of The Core and honored to collaborate with Sir Lucian and the UMG team. Together, we will guide artists in developing their careers and brands. Building The Core has been an incredible journey, and we are excited to provide a home for new artists with the incredible resources and support from UMG.”
Founded in 2019 as an independent entertainment collective in partnership with Live Nation, TCE operates out of Nashville and Los Angeles, focusing on talent management, strategic partnerships, and advancements in music, technology, and lifestyle industries. Alongside their premier music talent roster, TCE also engages in film and television projects and collaborates with professional athletes.
With a dynamic talent roster that includes breakthrough streaming sensation Bailey Zimmerman, globally celebrated rock band Nickelback, emerging country powerhouse Nate Smith, and others, TCE aims to continue investing and creating career-defining moments, paving the way for a new generation of cultural trailblazers.
SONY MUSIC MIDDLE EAST NAMES
RAMI MOHSEN AS MANAGING DIRECTOR
According to the IFPI 2023 Global Music Report, the MENA region achieved the world’s third-highest growth rate in 2022, with recorded music revenues soaring by 23.8% to reach an impressive $94 million (USD). The dominant force driving this growth is streaming, which accounted for a staggering 95.5% of total revenues.
Shridhar Subramaniam, President, Corporate Strategy & Market Development Asia & Middle East, expressed his delight in welcoming Rami to the Sony Music Middle East team. He praised Rami’s forward-thinking approach to industry trends, his passion for artistry, and his decisive leadership style. Subramaniam believes Rami’s expertise in business and market strategy will be crucial in meeting the evolving demands of the industry and highlighting the region’s diverse musical landscape.
Rami Mohsen himself expressed his honor and excitement in joining Sony Music Middle East. With a deep appreciation for the region’s music culture, Rami aims to not only preserve its unique musical heritage but also propel it to global recognition. He plans to collaborate with the talented team at Sony Music Middle East to create musical experiences that resonate both locally and on a global scale.
Rami’s extensive experience includes holding the position of Network Director of Nogoum FM & Nogoum FMTV, where he successfully managed radio programming and music production. He played a pivotal role in establishing Nogoum Records, one of the leading music labels in the MENA region. Additionally, Rami served as the Head of Music – Middle East, North Africa & South Asia Subset at Spotify, where he significantly contributed to the company’s music and content strategies in the MENA region.
BRANDON SILVERSTEIN’S S10 PUBLISHING
PASSES 12 BILLION STREAMING MILESTONE
The company’s success can be attributed to signings that have already resulted in three No.1 hits on U.S. Top 40 radio, which includes Justin Bieber’s “Peaches,” Jack Harlow’s “First Class,” and Post Malone & Doja Cat’s track “I Like You.” In addition, the company has secured nine global No.1 streaming hits, facilitated numerous RIAA-certified albums and singles, organized sold-out tours in the US and internationally, and brokered multimillion-dollar brand deals for highly acclaimed artists, songwriters, and producers.
Based in Los Angeles and New York, S10 boasts valuable partnerships with esteemed entertainment executives and their companies, including JAY-Z, Ryan Tedder, Simon Fuller, and others.
Brandon Silverstein stated, “S10 has enjoyed incredible success over the past few years and as proud as I am about that, I’m more excited about what we’re working on next. With notable work in the pipeline for management and publishing, and new projects coming from records and film, I feel like we’re entering a creative renaissance.”
Brandon Silverstein has received accolades such as inclusion on Billboard magazine’s influential “Power 100 List,” “40 Under 40,” and “Latin Power,” Forbes’ “30 Under 30,” and Variety’s “New Leaders.”
UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING GROUP
SIGNS CHINESE SUPERSTAR TIA RAY
Ray’s songwriting project, TIVA000, also earned recognition, receiving the 2021 “Original Song Award” at the CCTV Global Chinese Music Top 10. Furthermore, her self-produced album, Once Upon A Moon, garnered nominations for “Best Female Mandarin Singer” and “Best Vocal Recording Album” at the esteemed Golden Melody Awards.
With an extensive discography encompassing four studio albums and nearly 40 singles, including notable tracks like “Emo Whiskey,” “Love Can Fly,” and “Lucky Rain,” Tia Ray has established herself as a prominent figure in the Chinese music industry. Her talents were first recognized in 2012 when she participated in “The Voice of China.” Moreover, Ray has been honored as Berklee College of Music’s Honorary Ambassador to China. Her consistent success has also earned her multiple appearances on Billboard’s “International Power Players” list.
The global publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing China marks a significant milestone in Tia Ray’s career, providing her with enhanced opportunities for her songwriting and future projects. As her influence continues to grow, Ray solidifies her position as a formidable force in the global music landscape.
Joe Fang, Managing Director, Universal Music Publishing China, emphasized their commitment to prioritizing songwriters and fostering an environment that celebrates originality and transcends boundaries.
ALLACCESS.COM ANNOUNCES CLOSURE
The company stated, “It’s with much sadness that we announce that in our 28th year of operation, ALLACCESS will cease publishing at the close of business at 6:00PM(PST), Tuesday, August 15th, 2023, due to a marked decrease in revenues that makes moving forward impossible. This was not a decision that was reached lightly nor without earnest tries to find a path forward. It comes on the heels of major changes in the music industry announced in January of this year. These strong financial headwinds also extend to our non-music partners as well. Both downturns have greatly affected how ALL ACCESS operates. The dollars are just not there to support our operation and staff any longer.”
Joel Denver, Founder, President/Publisher added, “ALLACCESS began nearly 28 years ago and with the help of an amazing staff of professionals, the best in the business. We’ve weathered many changes and obstacles in the industry over these years. We’ve carved an incredible path and have taken each part of our operation to amazing levels of success through honesty, hard work, and passion for the radio industry, the music, the artists and our many readers, marketing partners, clients and our many contributing editors. Thank you all so much, we could not have done any of this without you.”
A&R Worldwide and ALL ACCESS had partnered together for nine years with the Worldwide Radio Summit, which brought together the global audio and music industry to discuss the evolution of broadcasting, digital, streaming, podcasting and more. Also, Joel Denver was the recipient of the inaugural “Lifetime Achievement Award” at this year’s MUSEXPO, setting the foundation for future honorees who have made a substantial positive impact on music and global pop culture through the course of their illustrious careers.
ALL ACCESS will continue online for an undetermined amount of time.
A&R WORLDWIDE — “EXPOSED”
JOHNOSSI
LIME CORDIALE
Sydney, Australia’s renowned Lime Cordiale exemplifies an exceptional blend of talent, firmly establishing themselves as the epitome of cultural cool in 2023. Whether they’re rubbing elbows with Post Malone during his Australian tour or collaborating on musical endeavors with versatile actor-musician Idris Elba (known for his roles in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Thor, and Extraction 2), the presence of brothers Oli and Louis Leimbach guarantees an elevated experience. Their artistic prowess is underscored by the release of two critically acclaimed studio albums: Permanent Vacation in 2017 and 14 Steps to a Better You in 2020, the latter reaching No.1 on the ARIA charts. Additionally, Lime Cordiale has curated an impressive discography comprising two box sets and four EPs, encompassing a myriad of ARIA Platinum and Gold-certified singles. Their musical journey has traversed continents, gracing renowned festivals such as MUSEXPO, BIGSOUND, SXSW, Latitude, Live At Leeds In The Park, and more. Each tour stop serves as a stepping-stone in their quest to captivate an ever-expanding fanbase, which is evident from their staggering achievement of amassing over 450 million streams on Spotify, coupled with almost 30 million streams on Apple Music, and their YouTube viewership surpassing 20 million. Lime Cordiale’s hallmark lies in their infectious melodies, irresistible hooks, and insightful lyrical compositions, and their latest offering, “Imposter Syndrome” (Chugg Music), seamlessly blends thought-provoking and relatable messaging with an exuberant and energetic musical finesse. This song solidifies their reputation as consummate artists who never fail to impress. Currently embarking on a tour across the UK and Ireland, supported by their labelmates Teenage Dads, Lime Cordiale is poised to embark on a 17-date tour of the US and Canada, further cementing their global reach. Immerse yourself in the visual for “Imposter Syndrome” HERE, and for additional information or any potential collaborations with Lime Cordiale, contact Andrew Stone at andrew@chuggmusic.com.
PASSPORT APPROVED™ PLAYLIST
7/16/2023
“PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Sunday, July 16th, 2023: The weekly import show. Heard on more than 50 radio stations on six continents weekly including: Flux FM Berlin, Germany; NINETYSIX Radio (Indonesia); JioSaavn (India); Radio Doble Nueve, Lima, Peru; WZRH–FM New Orleans, LA; KWSS “93.9FM”; Phoenix, AZ; KRML “102.1FM”; Carmel, CA; KFRR “New Rock 104.1FM”; Fresno, CA; Radio 1, Mumbai, India; WCNR Charlottesville, VA; KIWR “The River”; Council Bluffs, IA; 2XM Ireland (national radio); 96.2 ZFM The Netherlands; WAPS–FM “The Summit.FM”; Akron–Canton, OH; WKTL–FM Youngstown, OH; 105.5FM XFM Nairobi, Kenya; PUK–FM Johannesburg, South Africa; Rock 96.5FM Zambia; 897 FM Bratislava, Slovakia; WITH “90.1FM”; Ithaca, NY; UCFM 87.8FM Australian Capital Territory, Australia; WRUR 88.5FM Rochester, NY; WCRU–FM Hamilton, NY; KZND Anchorage, AK; KQCJ Quad Cities, IL; Allgauhit–FM Bavaria Germany; Indie Xfm Los Angeles and on The Independent FM (iHeartRadio) in the United States, as well as many others internationally.
Listen to this two hour show by clicking HERE:
GIANT ROOKS – “Bedroom Exile” (UMG, Germany)
THE ROYSTON CLUB – “The Deep End” (Run On Records, UK)
JAMIE HANNAH – “Surrender To You” (Unsigned, UK)
NOTHING BUT THIEVES – “Welcome To DCC” (AWAL, UK)
RUEN BROTHERS – “Don’t Know What’s Come Over You” (Yep Roc, N. America)
MASI MASI – “We Don’t Care” (Unsigned, UK)
ONLY THE POETS – “Jump!” (EMI, UK)
AZIYA – “Atomic” (WMG/Lab Records, UK)
ALEX SPENCER – “A Night To Waste” (Modern Sky, UK)
RUM JUNGLE – “All The Way Round & Back” (Sureshaker, Australia)
ALEX LAHEY – “On The Way Down” (Liberation Music, Australia)
THE GOA EXPRESS – “Portrait” (Communion Records, UK)
REMME – “Boy From The Pictures” (UMG, Germany)
BOY DESTROY – “No Sleep” (Warner Music, Sweden)
THE LATHUMS – “Lucky Bean” (Island Records, UK)
BELOT – “Cool Whip” (Submarine Cat Records, UK)
TOM A. SMITH – “Weirdo” (Unsigned, UK)
NEW BEAT FUND – “What It’s All For?” (Unsigned, N. America)
TMRV – “Gone” (Unsigned, Belgium)
HONEYMOAN – “Sorry Like You Mean It” (Believe, South Africa)
THE DREAM MACHINE – “Lola, In the Morning” (Unsigned, UK)
DAGNY – “Heartbreak In The Making” (UMG, Germany)
CRYSTAL TIDES – “Animated” (Run On Records/Modern Sky, UK)
TEENAGE DADS – “3AM” (City Pop, Australia)
THE VICES – “At Least That’s What They’re Saying” (Mattan, Holland)
MERCI, MERCY – “Shovel” (Liberation Music, Australia)
TRIBE FRIDAY – “Swimsuit” (ICEA, Sweden)
IAMJJ – “King Size” (Unsigned, Denmark)
PARLIAMO – “You’re An Animal” (Alt Waves Records, Scotland)
49TH & MAIN – “Crash & Burn” (Unsigned, Ireland)
KARIM – “Don’t Tell Your Friends” (Unsigned, Germany)
RHETT REPKO – “Don’t Throw Our Love Away” (Unsigned, N. America)
INHALER – “Just To Keep You Satisfied” (Polydor, UK)
BARBERA MARI – “Hunter” (Unsigned, Czech Republic)
MODEST! NAMES NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR: Sarah Gallagher, who joined Modest! in 2009, has been promoted to Managing Director, reporting directly to co-founders Richard Griffiths and Harry Magee. The announcement comes as the management company look to their future whilst celebrating their 20th year. In her 14 years at Modest!, Sarah has been central to their success and has overseen many successful campaigns, including the continued growth of Olly Murs’ stellar career, as well as two sold out JLS arena tours. Her music management career began when she was 21, working at Z Management and Xenomania before joining Modest!. In addition to Sarah’s promotion, Natalie Vassileiou has been promoted to Operations Director. In her new role Natalie will work alongside Sarah to manage the day to day running of Modest!. Founded in 2003, Modest! has grown to a company of over 30 staff across the world. Over the years they have successfully expanded beyond music into new areas including TV, Publishing, golf management and sports marketing. Modest! artists have had 46 No.1 singles and 31 No.1 albums globally. Their artists have sold over 220 million records and 21 million concert tickets – with streaming numbers of over 20 billion.
UMG NAMES MD FOR SOUTHERN & EAST AFRICA: Universal Music Group (UMG) has appointed Manusha Sarawan as the new Managing Director for Southern & East Africa. Working closely with Adam Granite, UMG’s Executive VP, Market Development, Sarawan aims to expand UMG’s artist roster. With a wealth of experience in business and creativity, Sarawan brings a strong background, including years at Sony Music in South Africa. Previously serving as Chief Operating Officer at UMG Sub-Saharan Africa, she successfully implemented a digital-first approach that contributed to the label’s regional success amid the rise of streaming. Sarawan has also played a vital role in negotiating contracts with highly successful African artists. UMG has been actively present in Africa, being the first major label to establish offices in various countries including Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Cameroon, and Morocco, alongside their existing operations in Nigeria and South Africa. Additionally, in June 2022, UMG introduced Virgin Music Label & Artist Services in Africa.
BRANDON CREED LAUNCHES NEW WORLD MANAGEMENT: Brandon Creed is set to depart from Full Stop Management and launch his new company, Good World Management (GWN) effective from August 1st. Creed will be accompanied by a roster of esteemed artists, including Troye Sivan, Charli XCX, Mark Ronson, Orville Peck, Charlotte Lawrence, Emile Haynie, Jake Wesley Rogers, Brett McLaughlin, and Tame Impala (partnered with Jodie Regan). Longtime trusted collaborator Dani Russin will join Creed in a leadership position at GWM, alongside team members Anika Capozza, Tyler Reymore, and Emma Anderson. Reflecting on his time at Full Stop, Creed expresses gratitude for his six-year journey with Jeffrey and Irving Azoff, highlighting it as a career highlight. Jeffrey Azoff responded with enthusiasm to Creed’s new venture, emphasizing the positive impact Creed has on the world. Azoff expressed excitement for Creed’s future and pledged unwavering support, stating that they will always stand in Creed’s corner.
BUCKS SIGNS JAMIE MCCOOL & SIMON POGSON: Bucks Music Group recently secured exclusive, worldwide songwriting agreements with Jamie McCool and Simon Pogson, a song-writing duo based out of Manchester, England. Pogson has gained recognition as a songwriter, while McCool has made a name for himself as both a songwriter and recording artist. McCool’s debut solo release, “You My Friend,” a collaboration with BtheLick, achieved over 4 million Spotify streams and reached No.1 on the Spotify Viral Charts in Germany. McCool’s latest single, “Rivers,” created in collaboration with UK icons DJ Fresh, Think Tonk, and Liam Bailey, has been captivating listeners with its unique fusion of musical styles. The stripped-back version of the song has garnered significant traction on TikTok, amassing 118,000 views since its release. Bucks’ catalog includes works written by David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Beyoncé, and more.
RESERVOIR ACQUIRES CATALOG OF GREG KIHN: Reservoir Media has announced the acquisition of rights to the catalog of rock artist and songwriter Greg Kihn. The agreement was signed by David Hoffman, Vice President of A&R, Reservoir. The deal includes publishing, recording, and distribution rights to Kihn’s Beserkley Records era catalog, and features some of his most famous songs, such as “Jeopardy” and “The Breakup Song.” Kihn has had an extensive career as a solo artist, as well as the lead for the Greg Kihn Band. Throughout the late 1970s and into the 1980s, he had 13 songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Kihn’s hit “The Breakup Song” went to No.15 on the Hot 100 in 1981 and remains a classic rock track today. “The Breakup Song” was also regularly synched across all mediums, with notable featured placements including HBO’s The Sopranos, Miramax’s Beautiful Girls, and Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto V, among others. Kihn’s other massive hit “Jeopardy” reached No.2 on the Hot 100 and No.1 on the US Dance Charts upon release in 1983. The track famously inspired Weird Al Yankovic’s parody track “I Lost on Jeopardy” a year later, and both the video for Kihn’s original track and Yankovic’s parody were staples in the early days of MTV in the 1980s. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Kihn began his musical career there before moving to San Francisco, California, where he pursued a stronger rock sound in his music. To date, he has released a total of 23 albums, including live albums, with the most recent being 2017’s ReKihndled.
HIPGNOSIS SONG MANAGEMENT MAKES THREE KEY APPOINTMENTS:
Hipgnosis Song Management has made significant appointments, adding three key executives to their team. Danny Bennett joins as Executive VP, based in New York, with a focus on leading global marketing and audience development. With a career spanning over three decades, Bennett is renowned for his innovative artist management and label executive skills, leveraging technology to support his strategies. He played a pivotal role in the transformation of his father, the iconic Tony Bennett, and has worked alongside artists such as Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, Jamiroquai, Elvis Costello, Ozzy Osbourne, and Pearl Jam. Previously, Bennett served as CEO & President at Verve Label Group, where he revitalized the classic jazz and classical catalog and signed Grammy-winning artists. Sara Lord has joined as Executive VP, Content Creation, spearheading collaborative efforts with creative and production companies to expand opportunities for the Hipgnosis catalogs in the audio-visual realm. With over 25 years of experience in music, film, advertising, and digital experiences, Lord brings a wealth of expertise. Prior to joining Hipgnosis, she built an international team and launched initiatives like the Concord Art Prize during her time at Concord Music. She has also managed artists, contributed to multi-Platinum-selling records, and earned accolades such as the Music Business Woman of the Year Award. Patrick Joest, Head of Synchronization, will oversee Hipgnosis Song Management’s global sync marketing and licensing initiatives. With over 20 years in media and music, Joest has an extensive background working with companies like Sony, BMG, Warner, and MTV. His expertise in film and TV sync licensing has led him to develop a global sync business, driving significant revenue growth during his tenure at BMG.
FABER ALT SIGNS ARTIST AND PRODUCER ALFA MIST: Faber Alt has signed UK artist Alfa Mist to a music publishing deal. Born in Newham, East London, Alfa Mist began his career as a grime and hip-hop producer, in addition to being a self-taught pianist. Additionally, Alfa Mist has worked with artists such as Jordan Rakei and Tom Misch. His collaboration with artists ranges from beat-making for acts such as Loyle Carner to composing neo-classical works for the London Contemporary Orchestra. Mist has also reworked tracks from composer Ólafur Arnalds and jazz label Blue Note. Earlier this year, Alfa Mist released his fifth album, Variables, his second for the Anti-label. “We are excited by the collaboration between a genre-confounding artist like Alfa Mist and a publishing institution like Faber Music,” said Manager Ian Merchant at Black Acre Records. “Our partnership will provide an exciting opportunity to explore new avenues in composition and soundtracking.”
AMY FRENCHUM JOINS BLUE RAINCOAT ARTISTS: Blue Raincoat Artists has expanded its team with the addition of Amy Frenchum. Frenchum, who currently manages Ezra Collective and Yazmin Lacey, will join the company’s London offices immediately. Amy’s journey in the music industry began when she responded to an ad on Gumtree, leading her to work as an intern at Z Management before securing a full-time position. She later held the role of Events & Special Projects Manager at Gilles Peterson’s Brownwood Recordings, where she oversaw the Future Bubblers program. In 2017, Amy transitioned into artist management, playing a pivotal role in guiding the careers of Ezra Collective, the acclaimed British jazz quintet, for the past six years. She also manages Yazmin Lacey, a highly regarded artist from London who recently released her debut album, Voice Notes, in March.
RBC RECORDS/BMG SIGN CHICAGO’S MICK JENKINS: Chicago rapper Mick Jenkins recently inked a new-recording deal with RBC Records.Jenkins has officially announced the release date of his forthcoming studio album, titled The Patience, set to drop on August 18th under the RBC Records/BMG label.To coincide with the album announcement, Jenkins has released a new single called “Smoke Break-Dance,” featuring JID. Accompanied by a music video directed by Andre Muir, the song showcases Jenkins’ lyrical prowess over Stoic’s production. This single serves as a preview to his upcoming album, which will be his first full-length release since 2021’s “Elephant in the Room.” During the past decade, Jenkins has established himself as a rising star, hailing from Alabama but finding his artistic home in Chicago. Known for his thought-provoking and introspective lyricism, Jenkins has captivated audiences with his poetic approach.
UNIVERSAL MUSIC GERMANY INKS DOLBY ATMOS DEAL WITH THREEDEE MUSIC: ThreeDee Music and Universal Music Germany have signed a deal for Dolby Atmos mixes with the agreement applying to the Germany, Switzerland, and Austria territories. The deal was announced by Tom Bohne, President Domestic, Universal Music Germany. This includes chosen frontline releases, as well as parts of the more recent back catalogs. ThreeDee Music has stated that it’s the first production company to deliver larger order volumes of Dolby Atmos productions and mixes within a compact processing period. ThreeDee Music was founded in 2021 by Matthias Stalter and has studios and offices in London and Munich. Stalter previously worked at Abbey Road Studios in London as one of two in-house producers with their own production suite.
UTA NAMES SR. VP OF GLOBAL MUSIC OPERATIONS: United Talent Agency has announced the promotion of Brandi Brammer to the role of Sr. Vice President of Global Music Operations. In her new position, Brammer will take charge of overseeing the day-to-day operational activities of UTA Music on a global scale. Having previously served as UTA’s Vice President of People & Business Partnerships, Brammer will continue to be based at the company’s headquarters in Nashville. Brammer’s responsibilities will encompass aspects of UTA Music’s operations, including human resources, legal and business affairs, finance, facilities, and technology initiatives. Before joining UTA in 2021, Brammer held the position of VP of Human Resources at WME, where she was responsible for overseeing HR operations within the music division. She also has previous experience working at Creative Artists Agency. Brammer’s earlier career includes her role as the Director of Events at the Academy of Country Music. Throughout her 20-year career, Brammer has been recognized for her efforts in promoting and increasing the representation of women in the music industry.
PEERMUSIC NASHVILLE SIGNS COOPER BASCOM: Peermusic Nashville has signed songwriter and producer Cooper Bascom to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal. Originally from Rochester, New York, and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Bascom’s musical journey began with jazz trumpet and leading bands as a singer and guitarist. After studying music at the University of Mobile and competing on NBC’s The Voice, he worked as a session singer and performer for The Walt Disney Company. In 2018, Bascom relocated to Nashville to focus on his songwriting career. Bascom’s talent extends beyond songwriting, as he has served as a background vocalist on tracks such as Chris Janson’s “All I Need Is You,” Shane Profitt’s “How It Oughta Be,” and Riley Green’s “Different ‘Round Here” featuring Luke Combs. Additionally, he has produced projects for various artists, including Craig Campbell, Trea Landon, Kaylin Roberson, and Nate Kenyon. Bascom’s music has been featured in popular TV shows like Selling Sunset, Selling The OC, Bring It On, Teen Mom, and Siesta Key.
PRIMARY WAVE NAMES ITS NEW GLOBAL SYNC: Primary Wave Music has announced the promotion of Marty Silverstone to the role of President, Global Sync. Silverstone will continue to lead the sync licensing department from the company’s new Los Angeles location. In his new position, he will drive sync strategy and opportunities for Primary Wave’s catalogs, as well as its contemporary songwriters and artists on a global scale. Having been with Primary Wave for 13 years, Silverstone initially joined as Sr. Creative Director and was later promoted to VP/Head of Film & TV before becoming Sr. VP/Head of Sync in 2014. Under his leadership, Primary Wave’s sync department has excelled in creatively re-imagining and placing copyrights across the music catalog. Notable placements include songs by Burt Bacharach, James Brown, Whitney Houston, Culture Club, and more in commercials for brands like Amazon, Pepsi, and Virgin Voyages. Silverstone and his team have also secured numerous song placements in prominent film and television projects, including Spiderman: Across the Spider-Verse, Elvis, The Fabelmans, Stranger Things, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Ted Lasso. Primary Wave has scored nine Super Bowl commercial placements in the past three years alone, featuring artists like Tina Turner, Kenny Loggins, and Missy Elliott. Additionally, Silverstone has worked with renowned artists such as Nirvana, Rod Stewart, Aerosmith, and Hall & Oates.
CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING SIGNS TYLER HALVERSON: Concord Music Publishing has made a new addition to their roster by signing country artist Tyler Halverson to his first-ever publishing deal. The worldwide agreement, effective immediately, encompasses all of Halverson’s future works. Hailing from Canton, South Dakota, Halverson’s passion for music blossomed by listening to his father’s CD collection, spanning influences from Garth Brooks to Hayes Carll to Boyz II Men. In early 2020, Halverson’s talent caught the attention of Gary Stanton from Muscadine Bloodline, leading to a collaboration and the recording of several songs. Throughout 2021, Halverson gained momentum with independent releases like “Beer Garden Baby,” “Mac Miller,” and “Your Bar Now” featuring Kylie Frey, accumulating millions of streams across various platforms. In 2023, Halverson signed with Atlantic Records, and his label debut single, “Her,” was released on May 5th. Known for his comforting and confessional brand of country music, Halverson draws inspiration from classic country and western sounds while paving his own path with a unique style he describes as “Western Amerijuana.”
KOBALT HIRES SR. CREATIVE DIRECTOR FOR LATIN AMERICA: Kobalt has announced the appointment of Teresa Romo as Sr. Director of Creative, Latin America. In her new role, Romo will spearhead Kobalt’s creative expansion in Mexico, playing a crucial role in driving the company’s growth in the region. Reporting to Nestor Casonu, President of Latin America, Romo will be based in Los Angeles. Romo brings over 10 years of experience and a wealth of expertise in the Latin music industry to her new position. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a talent for developing and implementing effective global media strategies, having worked with renowned companies such as Live Nation, ClearChannel Radio, Universal Music Latin Entertainment, Warner Music Group, EMI/Capitol Latin, NBCUniversal/Telemundo, and The Latin Recording Academy. In her most recent role as BMI’s Latin Director of Creative, Romo successfully managed the membership and retention of BMI’s Latin songwriters, forging strong relationships with the company’s affiliates. Romo’s skills in signing and retaining top songwriters has been instrumental in the success of artists like Edgar Barrera, Ana Barbara, Geovani Cabrera, Kuinvi, Alemán, among others.
SONY MUSIC NASHVILLE NAMES VP DIGITAL MARKETING: Sony Music Nashville has announced Fred Rubenstein as VP of Digital Marketing. In his new role, Rubenstein will oversee the digital marketing team and spearhead the development and execution of innovative social media and digital marketing campaigns for the Sony Music Nashville roster. His focus will also include exploring new partner and platform opportunities to enhance artists’ brands, drive consumption, and facilitate digital discovery. Rubenstein brings valuable experience to the position, having previously served as the Senior Manager of Creator Acquisitions & Development for Amazon’s live streaming service, Twitch. In that role, he managed deals and accounts with billion-dollar companies and successfully onboarded talent from various sectors, including music, gaming, and sports. Some notable projects he worked on include WWE, The Needle Drop, and Mike Shinoda. Prior to his tenure at Twitch, Rubenstein played an instrumental role in digital marketing teams at Elektra Music Group and Roadrunner Records. During this time, he led digital campaigns for esteemed artists such as Slipknot, Sturgill Simpson, Turnstile, Trivium, and more. Rubenstein will report to Jennifer Way, Sr. Vice VP Marketing, and will relocate to Nashville to fulfill his new role.
UMG ASKS U.S. CONGRESS TO PASS NEW RULES REGULATING AI: Universal Music Group has urged the US Congress to implement legislation safeguarding creators and rights holders against copyright infringement by AI developers and users. Jeffrey Harleston, General Counsel & Executive VP, Business & Legal Affairs, UMG, presented three specific laws during a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on intellectual property. These laws include a nationwide right of publicity, the ability for copyright owners to access information about the training of AI models, and the labeling of AI-generated content. UMG’s call for a “right of publicity” law aims to protect against unauthorized use of a person’s likeness, voice, or other aspects of their identity. With the rise of AI applications capable of convincingly imitating artists’ music or vocals, such as the viral “fake Drake” track, the issue has gained significant attention. UMG, along with other industry organizations, supports the Human Artistry Campaign, which advocates for creators’ rights in AI technology development. UMG aligns with the campaign’s principles, emphasizing that human-created works remain integral to our lives and that the use of copyrighted works and performers’ voices and likenesses requires proper authorization and compliance with relevant laws. The campaign also highlights the importance of protecting the unique value of human intellectual creativity, promoting trustworthiness and transparency in AI, and ensuring that creators’ interests are represented in policymaking. UMG’s testimony to Congress underscores the need for legislative measures to address copyright infringement in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technology and its impact on creators’ rights.
CAA TO SELL MAJORITY STAKE IN MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR DEAL?: It’s been reported that Creative Artists Agency is in discussions for the sale of a majority stake in its business. French billionaire François-Henri Pinault is rumored to be the potential buyer, according to Bloomberg. Sources familiar with the matter suggest that the deal could value CAA at a minimum of $7 billion (USD). However, it is noted that talks between Pinault and CAA, which is backed by TPG Capital, may not necessarily lead to an agreement. François-Henri Pinault’s family is associated with the Kering group, renowned for its luxury brands and fashion houses such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, and Balenciaga, among others. The Pinault family’s investment vehicle, the Artemis Group, was established in 1992 and also holds interests in companies like Christie’s auction house, Puma, Deezer, and ByteDance. As negotiations unfold, the potential acquisition of a majority stake in CAA by Pinault could significantly impact the landscape of the entertainment industry.
MUSIC PLATFORM MUBERT CREATES 100M AI-GENERATED TRACKS: AI music creation platform, Mubert, claims it has reached a remarkable milestone by generating 100 million tracks using its artificial intelligence technology. This figure is roughly equivalent to the entire catalog available on Spotify. Mubert’s core product, Mubert Render, boasts 100,000 monthly active users. The platform also offers Mubert Play, a subscription-based streaming service, and Mubert API, a music generator for business-to-business customers. Interestingly, users themselves have contributed to the vast library, generating 56 million tracks. The most popular genres produced on the platform include lo-fi, ambient, and chill music, which aligns with the platform’s purpose of creating accompanying soundscapes for online streams, shows, interviews, shorts, and podcasts. However, Mubert’s generative AI is not limited to background music for online shows. The company has partnered with Middle East and North Africa-focused music streaming service, Anghami, resulting in a library of 200,000 songs thus far. Mubert’s achievements showcase the immense potential of AI technology in the music creation landscape, but also the increasing competition for human creators.
AUDIUS LAUNCHES IN-APP DIRECT MESSAGING: Audius has introduced a new direct messaging feature that enables users to connect with each other and their favorite artists via text and emoji reactions. This addition enhances the platform’s ability to facilitate deeper relationships between artists and their fans, fostering a more engaging experience for all users. For artists, Audius offers the option to gate direct messaging access, allowing them to connect exclusively with their most dedicated supporters who have tipped them. This feature empowers artists to cultivate a closer connection with their fanbase. The introduction of direct messaging is just one of several recent innovations from Audius. The platform has also enabled interactions with AI-generated tracks, allowing artists and labels to opt-in for collaborations. Additionally, Audius has incorporated NFT-gating, enabling artists and podcasters to provide exclusive content to fans who hold specific NFTs. As Audius continues to evolve, users can anticipate the unveiling of additional features in the coming months, further enhancing the platform’s capabilities and elevating the music discovery and community experience.
HOLLYSHORTS ADDS TO OSCAR-QUALIFYING AWARDS: Celebrating its 19th year, the Hollyshorts Film Festival has become a significant platform for films aiming to qualify for and win OSCARS. In recognition of its impact, the Academy has granted the festival its fourth OSCAR-qualifying award, this time in the Documentary short film category. This accolade will join the festival’s existing top awards, including Best Short Film Grand Prize, Best Short Animation, and Best Short Live Action. The festival has become a launching pad for filmmakers, as evidenced by Riz Ahmed’s success. Ahmed won his first Academy Award after his short film The Long Goodbye received an OSCAR-qualifying award at Hollyshorts. The festival focuses on films with a duration of 40 minutes or less, and will take place in Hollywood, CA from August 10th through 20th with A&R Worldwide in participation and attendance.
NEED TO MAKE CONTACT, SEND NEWS AND NEW MUSIC RELEASES?: If you have any A&R, publishing, technology, agent/promoter, international radio, management, new media or film/TV music supervisor news you’d like to share with A&R Worldwide, or need to respond to information published in the weekly newsletter please E–mail it to the attention of Sat Bisla at sat@anrworldwide.com. Also, all demos and new music releases should be sent as STREAMING LINKS ONLY to info@anrworldwide.com.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT:Rak Sanghvi, Ben Coates, Jaddan Comerford, Arina Logacheva, Caroline Elleray, Dan Chertoff, Saurabh Abbi, Wendy Goldstein, Rob Cowling, Karl Anderson, Jen Malone and Robin Jenssen.
