JACQUELINE SATURN, PRESIDENT, VIRGIN MUSIC
TO BE HONORED AT MUSEXPO 2024
AS “INTERNATIONAL MUSIC PERSON OF THE YEAR”
MUSEXPO 2024 (www.musexpo.net) “United Nations of Music,” which returns next year to the “Media Capital of The World,” Burbank, California from March 17th – 20th for its annual global music business and showcase event will present its coveted “International Music Person of the Year” award to one of the most influential and respected music executives, Jacqueline Saturn, President, Virgin Music.
MUSEXPO joins a week-long series of events that includes the Global Synch & Brands Summit, A&R Summit, and more, as it brings together the international music community for key insights and discussions on the evolution of the worldwide music business.
The event will bring together music executives from around the world, as well as Jacqueline’s colleagues and friends from across the industry, to recognize her significant achievements and contributions to the U.S. and global music industry during a special VIP Awards Gala Luncheon on Tuesday, March 19th. The luncheon will feature a special awards honorarium and presentations from the City of Burbank; County of Los Angeles and representatives from the State of California to pay tribute to Jacqueline’s remarkable and indelible career in the music business.
The awards luncheon will also be preceded by an exclusive keynote interview with Jacqueline Saturn at MUSEXPO, which will highlight her personal and professional journey from the beginning to being one of the world’s most respected and capable executives today.
Jacqueline Saturn is the President of Virgin Music, the industry-leading artist-development focused, full label services company, which is part of Virgin Music Group, the newly formed global independent music division of Universal Music Group. Saturn’s influence is well-acknowledged, garnering recognition on Billboard’s “Power 100,” “Women in Music,” and numerous “Power Players” lists, as well as Variety’s Women’s Impact Report. Her extensive career in the music domain has been spotlighted in Rolling Stone, Music Business Worldwide, Variety, and more. She is also on the Los Angeles Chapter Board of the Recording Academy® and holds the position of Chapter Governor.
Saturn embarked on her trajectory as a graduate of Syracuse University. She went on to thrive for 19 years at Epic Records, where she ascended to Sr. Vice President of Radio Promotion and helmed campaigns for many iconic artists. She later joined Capitol Music Group where she served as General Manager of Harvest Records and later became President of Caroline, now Virgin Music.
Under her leadership at Virgin, the team has reached incredible milestones with artists across genres, including massive success with Rema’s “Calm Down (with Selena Gomez),” which became the No.1 most-streamed Afrobeat song of all time on Spotify, notched No.1 singles in multiple countries, hit No.1 at four formats of radio (Pop, Urban, Rhythmic and Hot AC), and made history as the No.1 most viewed African artist video of all time on YouTube. David Kushner’s global hit “Daylight” is now at 18 straight weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, with Platinum or Gold certification in 17 countries and approaching 1 billion global streams. As a pioneer in the K-Pop business as early as 2018, NCT 127 was the second K-Pop artist ever to land three albums in the Top 5 of the Billboard 200 under the helm of Virgin Music. Rapper NF recently soared to the top of the charts with his third top-three album on the Billboard 200, with Hope at No.2. XXXTENTACION’s “SAD!” has made the landmark achievement of reaching RIAA Diamond certification.
Amidst her professional eminence, Saturn remains deeply committed to philanthropy, supporting various charitable causes, including Gilda’s Club, The Friendship Circle, and Creative Community for Peace. Her role extends to being a sought-after speaker at esteemed industry events and universities, including USC and her alma mater Syracuse. Residing in Los Angeles with her family, Saturn’s dynamic presence continues to elevate the music industry, fostering success and positive change.
Sat Bisla, President & Founder, A&R Worldwide and MUSEXPO stated, “Jacqueline’s remarkable contributions to the music and related industries have earned her the well-deserved recognition as the esteemed “International Music Person of the Year” honoree at next year’s MUSEXPO. Over the course of Jacqueline’s illustrious three-decade career, her unwavering dedication and visionary leadership have left an indelible mark on the music industry’s landscape. In addition, Jacqueline’s efforts to inspire the next generation of young executives, her selfless guidance and support to those around her, and her unparalleled passion for breaking artists from around the world make her the ideal recipient for this very special award and honorarium.”
Previous “International Music Person of the Year” awards honorees have included Monte Lipman, Co-Founder & Chief Executive, Republic Records & Avery Lipman, Co-Founder & Chief Executive, Republic Records; Pete Ganbarg, President A&R Atlantic Records & President, Grammy & Emmy Award Winning & Oscar-nominated global hit songwriter Diane Warren; Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive & President Music, EA Games; Daniel Glass, President & Founder, Glassnote Entertainment Group; Alexandra Patsavas, Music Creative + Production / Original Series Netflix; George Ergatoudis, Head of Music, UK & Ireland, Apple; Harvey Goldsmith, Founder, Harvey Goldsmith Presents (Live Aid, Live Earth, Prince’s Trust); Lisa Worden, Vice President, Rock & Alternative, iHeartMedia, and Program Director of ALT 98.7 and numerous other global music and media influencers!
JACOB FAIN NAMED EVP / HEAD OF A&R
AT ELEKTRA ENTERTAINMENT
Elektra Entertainment recently announced the elevation of Jacob Fain to Executive Vice President / Head of A&R. Fain joined Elektra two and a half years ago, where he signed rising country star Bailey Zimmerman and shepherded Australian artist Masked Wolf’s breakout single “Astronaut In The Ocean” into a global smash. He will remain based in Los Angeles reporting to Gregg Nadel, President, Elektra.
Gregg Nadel stated, “Jake is a standout A&R with incredible, creative instincts shaped by years of experience. He has an innate ability to form genuine, meaningful relationships and has helped our artists at every stage of their careers articulate their vision and surpass their potential. I’m thrilled for him to take on this much-deserved new post.”
Fain commented, “Elektra is building a cutting-edge, forward-thinking record company focused on music that moves culture and developing best-in-class talent. I’m so proud of the work we have done to serve our artists in an evolving landscape, and to be part of such an incredible team. I’m grateful to Gregg and my Elektra family for this opportunity.”
Jacob Fain brings nearly two decades of A&R experience to his new role. Previously, Fain was based in New York City working in A&R at Sony Music Publishing, where he signed Grammy-winning artists such as The Chainsmokers and Leon Bridges, as well as artists like Of Monsters and Men, Russ, and Chase Rice, among others. Prior to Sony Music Publishing, Fain worked in A&R at Republic Records, and before that held a marketing role at RCA Records.
BMG SIGNS DEAL TO REPRESENT
THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS PUBLISHING CATALOG
BMG recently unveiled that the pioneering UK electronic music duo The Chemical Brothers have decided to consolidate their entire publishing catalog at BMG. The news comes just weeks after The Chemical Brothers announced that their tenth studio album, For That Beautiful Feeling, will be released on September 8th.
The deal means the duo’s first seven albums beginning with 1995’s Exit Planet Dust now move to BMG, including the No.1 singles “Block Rockin’ Beats” and “Setting Sun,” as well as major hits “Galvanize” and “Hey Boy Hey Girl,” which is their most-streamed track.
The switch of the catalog builds on BMG’s successful work with the duo since it signed a futures deal with them back in 2015, beginning with their album Born In The Echoes, which charted in 15 countries, reaching No.1 in the UK and including their hit “Go,” currently their third most-streamed track. They followed that with 2019’s No Geography
Hugo Turquet, Sr. VP Publishing, BMG UK said, “The Chemical Brothers are among the most successful, influential, and best-loved electronic dance music artists the UK has ever produced. To progress from a future deal to winning the opportunity to represent their entire body of work is a significant vote of confidence and we look forward to justifying their faith in us.”
Robert Linney, the long-time Chemical Brothers manager added, “This is a significant year for The Chemical Brothers with a new album coming and substantial live activity both at festivals and with a UK arena tour. BMG are very proactive, and we get the attention we need. We are delighted to further extend our relationship with BMG.”
The Chemical Brothers are pioneers of electronic dance music with career sales of over 15 million albums worldwide. They also have six Grammy awards to their name, which means they have won more than Elton John, The Police and David Bowie (five each), Ed Sheeran (four), and George Michael (two).
PULSE RECORDS FORMS JV WITH BRENT FAIYAZ
AND ANNOUNCE NEW SIGNING
PULSE Records has formed an artist development joint venture with ISO Supremacy, the new record label founded by multi-Platinum recording artist and PULSE Music Group publishing client, Brent Faiyaz, as announced today by PULSE Music Group co-CEOs Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham, and PULSE Music Group President/Head of Creative, Ashley Calhoun. Through the deal PULSE and Brent Faiyaz have signed Tommy Richman to PULSE Records. Tommy is opening for Brent Faiyaz on Faiyaz’s sold-out F*ck the World It’s A Wasteland Tour.
Since 2016, when Faiyaz originally signed a music publishing deal to PULSE Music Group, he’s collaborated with an all-star list of artists, songwriters, and producers. In tandem with his publishing deal renewal with PULSE Music Group in 2022, Brent’s debut full-length album WASTELAND, released independently by Lost Kids via Venice and Stem, entered the charts at No.1 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Albums, No.1 on R&B albums, No.2 on Billboard 200 and was the No.1 Spotify Top Albums Debut Global. The weekend the album was released, songs from WASTELAND simultaneously held the No.1, No.2, No.4, No.5, No.6, No.7, No.8, and No.9 slots on Spotify Top Songs Debut U.S. charts.
Josh Abraham, Scott Cutler, and Ashley Calhoun said, “Brent does things his own way, working toward the highest artistic bar, and we relate to that. Our partnership with Brent Faiyaz and his team dates back to the beginning of his career and is filled with incredible songs, milestones, and success. Offering Brent a JV to sign and develop new artists alongside PULSE Records is the natural next step for everyone.”
Brent Faiyaz commented, “My partnership with PULSE Music Group since Day 1 has been transformative. In launching my new label ISO Supremacy and partnering with PULSE Records, we’ve created this platform to give artists like Tommy Richman a creative home with the ability to scale global impact and a team that is accessible who keeps creativity at the forefront. We’re going to continue to make history.”
Tommy Richman added, “I’m grateful and amazed at the support from Brent, ISO Supremacy, and the team at PULSE Records, which motivates me. To have the opportunity to open for Brent on his sold-out tour is an absolute honor and to sign to PULSE Records, a creative community that really understands music and supports artists, I couldn’t ask for more.”
Tommy Richman’s EP, titled THE RUSH, is set for release mid-September via PULSE Records which will be preceded by a new single “LAST NITE” that will be released August 25th. THE RUSH was recorded in Los Angeles over the past year and will include a guest feature from Zachary Moon.
In June of this year, PULSE Music Group and Concord launched PULSE Records. The label is the latest vertical for PULSE Music Group, which already boasts a music publishing and artist management arm.
Each week, A&R Worldwide shares a snapshot of creatives and executives that we have collaborated or worked with in various music markets around the world, albeit in recent or previous times!
A&R Worldwide has spent many years supporting the Australian music industry, as well as its artist community with securing label and publishing deals, sync and media support, and much more – this includes acts such as The Temper Trap, VASSY, Missy Higgins, Sia, Rob Dougan, Sheppard, Lime Cordiale, Gotye, Wolfmother, Mia Rodriguez, All Mankind, Dead Letter Circus, and countless others. A&R Worldwide was also a partner of One Movement for Music (a 30,000+ fan festival) and MUSEXPO Asia Pacific – the first-of-its-kind event held in Western Australia that brought together the Asia, SE Asia, and Australian music markets together to showcase their musical talents to the world. A few years back, A&R Worldwide stopped off in Sydney, Australia to host one of its renowned networking dinners and also popped by to meet some friends and colleagues. Pictured (L-R) are Ollie Wards (Director of Music, TikTok, Australia & New Zealand), Chris Scaddan (Head of Audio Strategy Project, Australian Broadcasting Corporation), and Sat Bisla (President & Founder, A&R Worldwide / MUSEXPO).
PAUL PARTOHAP
Hailing from Hamburg, Germany, Paul Partohap, an accomplished Indonesian singer-songwriter, embarked on his musical journey with the creation of “Seandainya” in 2017, where he collaborated alongside his then-girlfriend, now his beloved spouse, Gita Savitri Devi. This enchanting song found its place within the Renting Kisah movie score. Drawing profound inspiration from R&B, Gospel, and Korean Ballad, Paul’s creative tapestry remains steadfast as he maintains a steady stream of musical releases. With an impressive catalog that includes numerous singles, an EP, and a full-length album, Paul has managed to cultivate a devoted and extensive following, including a listenership of over three million on Spotify. Presently, the artist is on the brink of unveiling his much-anticipated second EP, titled LOVERs ATLAS, an assortment of compositions delving into the multifaceted realms of love and interpersonal connections. Among its tracks is the poignant “HOME IS WHO YOU ARE,” accompanied by his latest single, “BESTFRiEND.” Discover “BESTFRiEND,” a soul-stirring composition that captures his artistic essence HERE, and for all inquiries on behalf of Paul Partohap, contact Barry Maheswara at Barry.Maheswara@warnermusic.com.
GIANT ROOKS
Direct from Germany, Giant Rooks are making a significant impact in the indie music scene. Founded in 2015, the band consists of Frederik Rabe (vocals), Finn Schwieters (guitar), Luca Göttner (bass), Jonathan Wischniowski (keys), and Finn Thomas (drums). Since their inception, the five-piece has amassed millions of views with breakout hits such as “Wild Stare” and their cover of the 1990 DNA & Suzanne Vega hit “Tom’s Diner.” They have also sold-out shows across Germany, North America, and Europe. Their 2020 debut album, Rookery, has accumulated over 200 million total streams to date and peaked at No.3 on the German Albums Chart. Last year, they achieved a significant milestone with their collaboration on “Tom’s Diner” with AnnenMayKantereit. The song garnered over 250 million streams and reached the Spotify Top 200 in 30 markets. It peaked at No. 37 on the Spotify Global Chart and No. 83 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. This summer, Giant Rooks made their debut at Lollapalooza in Chicago, impressing audiences. They also supported Louis Tomlinson on his North American Summer tour. Their busy schedule continues as they are set to perform at the Leeds and Reading Festivals, Open Air in Germany, Corona Capital Festival in Mexico City, and more. Continuing to please their global fanbase, the band released the uplifting single “Somebody Like You” (Republic Records). You can experience the new visual for the single HERE. For additional information and all inquiries regarding Giant Rooks, please contact Alex Ruhl at a.ruhl@arentertainment.de.
“PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Sunday, August 20th, 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)
BELLZZZ – “No Shoes Girl (Succession)” (Unsigned, UK)
ONLY THE POETS – “Crash” (EMI, UK)
ST. LUNDI – “Fall” (Propeller Recordings, UK)
THE MOVING STILLS – “Westside” (Sureshaker, Australia)
RUEN BROTHERS – “Don’t Know What’s Come Over You” (Yep Roc, N. America)
PICTURE THIS – “Red Lights” (RCA Records, Ireland)
NOTHING BUT THIEVES – “Keeping You Around” (AWAL, UK)
TALISCO – “The California Shine” (Talisco Music, France)
THE VALMONTS – “Love Overdose” (Unsigned, Ireland)
JOHNOSSI – “Adore” (AngelFarm, Sweden)
BLONDES – “Love In The Afternoon” (Lab, UK)
LAUREN WALLER – “Green Eyed Jealousy” (Unsigned, N. America)
GENGAHR – “Red Sun Titans” (Virgin Music, UK)
VELLA – “Happiness” (L3V3L Music, N. America)
NEW BEAT FUND – “What It’s All For?” (Unsigned, N. America)
BLAIRE DAVIE – “Lovely” (Watercolour Heart, UK)
BAKER GRACE – “American Dream Girl” (Riveting Music, N. America)
THE ROYSTON CLUB – “The Deep End” (Run On Records, UK)
LIME CORDIALE – “Imposter Syndrome” (Chugg Music, Australia)
RHETT REPKO – “Don’t Throw Our Love Way” (Unsigned, N. America)
JAMIE WEBSTER – “Voice of The Voiceless” (Virgin/UMG, UK)
REMME – “Boy From The Pictures” (UMG, Germany)
ALEX SPENCER – “One Way Ticket” (Modern Sky, UK)
CRAWLERS – “Messiah” (Polydor, UK)
CAESARIA – “Smalltown Boy” (Universal Music, France)
CASSIA – “High Tones” (Republic of Music, Australia)
DEMOB HAPPY – “Token Appreciation Society” (Liberation/UMG, UK)
JAMIE HANNAH – “Surrender To You” (Unsigned, UK)
ALEX LAHEY – “On The Way Down” (Liberation Music, Australia)
PAUL PARTOHAP – “BESTFRiEND” (Warner Music, Indonesia)
GIRL SCOUT – “Boy In Blue” (MADE Records, UK)
KARIM – “Don’t Tell Your Friends” (Unsigned, Germany)
CONCORD ACQUIRES PART OF PLAIN WHITE T’S: Concord has announced that it has acquired a portion of the music publishing catalog of Tom Higgenson, songwriter and frontman of the Plain White T’s. The agreement includes the global pop hit with more than a billion streams “Hey There Delilah” and other notable tracks including “A Lonely September,” “Take Me Away,” and “Radios in Heaven.” “Hey There Delilah’ is literally sung, hummed, or lip-synced in every corner of the world,” said Concord Chief Business Development Officer Steve Salm. “We are excited to have made this acquisition which now gives Concord ownership in both the recording and underlying composition of this evergreen song.” “Hey There Delilah” was written by Higgenson after meeting Delilah DiCrescenzo, a nationally ranked American steeplechase and cross-country runner, through a mutual friend around 2002. “I thought she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen,” Higgenson said. “I told her, ‘I have a song about you already.’ Obviously, there was no song. But I thought it was smooth.” The two were never a couple, but in late 2004, Higgenson brought DiCrescenzo a disc with the finished song. Released as a single on their RIAA Gold-certified album, Every Second Counts in 2007, “Hey There Delilah” went on to earn Plain White T’s two Grammy nominations and spent 35 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at No.1 for two weeks in a row. The song rose to No.1 in eight countries in 2007-2008. Tom and Plain White T’s came to Concord’s Fearless Records when their self-produced album Stop attracted the attention of the label. The band returned to Fearless for their 2018 album Parallel Universe and has released two singles this year, “Spaghetti Tattoo” and “Happy.” Tom Higgenson was represented for the deal by his longtime attorney Scott Bradford of Selverne Bradford, PLLC.
GERMAN INDIE LABEL INKS DOLBY ATMOS DEAL: Hamburg, Germany-based dance label People Want To Dance (PWTD) is joining forces with European production powerhouse ThreeDee Music to delve into the realm of immersive audio mixing through cutting-edge Dolby Atmos technology. Led by former Warner Music MD Andreas Weitkämper and Ekki Klages, PWTD, established in 2022, aims to solidify its status as the go-to hub for electronic music in Europe. Leveraging bespoke software and algorithms, PWTD uncovers emerging talents, orchestrates campaigns, and tracks artist developments. The label boasts global distribution through The Orchard, under Sony Music’s ownership. The synergy with ThreeDee Music, founded by Matthias Stalter in 2021, is poised to be a game-changer. ThreeDee Music has carved its niche as the world’s pioneer in delivering substantial Dolby Atmos productions and mixes within a remarkably efficient timeframe. With studios and offices in London and Munich, the company’s reach is transcontinental. Matthias Stalter’s background includes a stint as an in-house producer at London’s iconic Abbey Road Studios, lending his expertise and sonic finesse to this ambitious venture. The timing of this partnership aligns with ThreeDee Music’s recent collaboration with Universal Music Germany for mixes utilizing the latter’s extensive catalog. Dolby Atmos, increasingly favored by music companies, immerses audiences in an audio panorama, redefining the listening experience by enveloping sound within a dynamic three-dimensional space.
JHART ENTERS PARTNERSHIP WITH UNITED MASTERS: Artist, songwriter, and producer JHart unveils a new alliance with United Masters for the distribution of his upcoming EP, The Wishing, The Wanting, The Longing, helmed by producer D’Mile. The EP’s inaugural single, “If There Really Is A God,” is currently available on all digital platforms, with the full EP slated for October 27th. Recognized for crafting hits for music icons such as Justin Bieber, Camila Cabello, and more, JHart now steps into the spotlight on his own terms. Expressing enthusiasm for the collaboration with United Masters, JHart praised the company’s approach to empowering artists. Alyssa Castiglia, Director of A&R/A&R Research at United Masters, noted Jhart’s impactful project, praising his vocal prowess, songwriting brilliance, and striking visuals. Hailing from the U.K. and later settling in the U.S., JHart found solace in music during his formative years, forging a path from Atlanta’s cultural shocks. Early collaborations with R&B legend T-Boz from TLC paved the way for his journey. His time with producer Polow da Don and D’Mile nurtured his transformation into becoming a solo artist.
AUSTRALIA’S DEW PROCESS SIGN YNG MARTYR: Dew Process Publishing, which is administered by Kobalt Music, tells A&R Worldwide that they have signed the Naarm-based Wiradjuri artist YNG Martyr (real name Seaton Rogers) to an exclusive global publishing agreement. The internet-viral rapper has had an exciting start to 2023 following a run of festival dates that saw him play Spilt Milk, Falls Festival, and Lost Paradise. Last month he also supported American breakout artist Iann Dior in Sydney and Melbourne. With viral online success driving over 200 million streams on his concise catalog – he combines his musicality with social media finesse and his own unique twist on popular culture. The signing was spearheaded by Harry Young, A&R Manager, Dew Process, who tells us, “Seaton is an exceptionally talented artist and songwriter. With boundless creativity and a unique perspective on both artistry and marketing, he’s poised to achieve monumental success and we’re thrilled to join him on this journey.” YNG Martyr has unveiled his melodic and explorative debut album Lovesick (Warner Music Australia / Black17 rest of world), which is crafted with acclaimed producer Tasker (Alison Wonderland, Nooky, Maribelle), and close collaborator Logan M. Dew Process Publishing is the independent publishing arm of renowned Australian record label, Dew Process, and part of the Secret Sounds Group. YNG Martyr joins the publishing roster alongside Mallrat, Spacey Jane, Evan Klar, Nuxe, Lola Scott, JXN, and more.
STYX FOUNDING MEMBER SIGNS DEAL WITH PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC: Primary Wave Music has announced a new partnership with Dennis DeYoung, the legendary founding member of the iconic rock band Styx. In this significant deal, Primary Wave will acquire DeYoung’s music publishing catalog rights for a majority of his compositions, along with master recording rights for numerous performances. As a pivotal songwriter for Styx, DeYoung crafted seven of the band’s Top 10 Billboard singles, including classics like “Babe,” “Lady,” “The Best of Times,” and “Come Sail Away.” Notably, “Babe” marked Styx’s inaugural No.1 single in 1979, retaining its supremacy on the Billboard chart for two weeks and garnering international recognition. This collaboration positions DeYoung’s storied catalog under Primary Wave’s guidance. Dennis DeYoung’s musical journey commenced with Styx in 1961 alongside neighbors John and Chuck Panozzo, flourishing with hits such as “Lady,” “Come Sail Away,” and “Mr. Roboto.” His solo ventures were equally successful, yielding hits like “Desert Moon.” In unveiling the announcement, Larry Mestel, CEO & Founder of Primary Wave Music, expressed enthusiasm for welcoming the legendary artist to their family, acknowledging DeYoung’s profound impact on music history. The partnership opens doors to Primary Wave’s marketing and publishing infrastructure, encompassing digital strategy, licensing, synchronization opportunities, and film & TV production.
BMG INCREASES PUBLISHING STAKE IN SNAP!: BMG has increased its stake in Eurodance Legends SNAP! with the acquisition of Michael Münzing’s writer’s share of royalties. This deal solidifies BMG’s connection to SNAP!’s iconic ‘90s anthems like “The Power” and “Rhythm Is A Dancer.” After securing the SNAP! recorded music catalog in 2018, it emerged as a significant sync earner. German project Snap!, founded in 1989 by Michael Münzing and Luca Anzilotti, made waves with their fusion of hip-hop and dance in the international hit “The Power,” followed by hits like “Ooops Up” and “Rhythm Is a Dancer,” amassing over 1.4 billion streams. Maximilian Kolb, Executive VP, Repertoire & Marketing, BMG highlighted the cultural impact and contemporary resonance of SNAP!’s 1990s legacy. The writer’s share acquisition, a rarity in Germany, was facilitated by Michael Münzing’s legal advisors. BMG’s growing Eurodance foothold expands further, following the acquisition of Haddaway’s music interests in 2022.
HANS ZIMMER ACQUIRES MAIDA VALE STUDIOS: A plethora of buyers including Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, Working Title’s co-Chairmen, along with composer Hans Zimmer and Steve Kofsky, have acquired the iconic and historic BBC studios Maida Vale in London, England. The new ownership plans to retain the building’s original façade and uphold its legacy while undergoing a multi-million-pound refurbishment to modernize the existing studios. Notably, the facility will also house a not-for-profit educational center, fostering local jobs and innovation. Maida Vale Studios boasts a storied history, with luminaries like David Bowie, The Beatles, and Dusty Springfield having recorded within its walls. The sale aligns with the BBC’s larger plan to relocate its music studios and performing groups to a purpose-built space in Stratford’s East Bank. The forthcoming BBC Music Studios in East Bank, set to open in 2025, will become a hub for classical, pop, and choral music, nurturing new talents and celebrating the UK’s rich musical heritage.
TAPE ROOM MUSIC TO SELL CATALOG TO RED LIGHT VENTURES & FIREBIRD MUSIC: Nashville-based Tape Room Music is embarking on a partnership with Red Light Ventures and Firebird Music, involving the sale of over 350 exploited songs from Tape Room’s catalog. Hits like Sam Hunt’s “Body Like A Backroad,” Luke Bryan’s “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset,” and more are included in the deal. The collaboration aims to combine Tape Room’s songwriting expertise with Red Light and Firebird’s artist development initiatives. Established by songwriter Ashley Gorley, Tape Room Music has achieved nearly 40 No.1 hits since its inception. The company’s achievements include multiple GRAMMY and CMA “Song of the Year” nominations, as well as ASCAP and BMI awards. This partnership follows Firebird’s earlier acquisition of a stake in Tape Room, marking a continued expansion of Firebird’s presence in the music and entertainment industry.
YOUTUBE LAUNCHES MUSIC AI INCUBATOR WITH UMG: Neal Mohan, CEO, YouTube has outlined the platform’s AI music principles, aiming to balance creative expression with artist protection. The principles include embracing AI responsibly with music partners, fostering new forms of creative expression with appropriate safeguards, and scaling trust and safety measures to address challenges posed by AI-generated content. YouTube states that Mohan’s vision aligns with Universal Music Group Chairman & CEO, Sir Lucian Grainge, who sees AI amplifying human imagination while requiring a balanced approach to protect artists’ integrity and compensation. Grainge emphasizes that AI lacks the essential spark that drives the artists best work, making human intention irreplaceable. YouTube also announced the AI Music Incubator, bringing innovative artists, songwriters, and producers together to shape the platform’s approach to generative AI. The program’s inaugural cohort from Universal Music Group includes Anitta, Björn Ulvaeus, Don Was, Juanes, Rodney Jerkins, Rosanne Cash, Ryan Tedder, and others.
VARIOUS ARTISTS MANAGEMENT NAME HEAD OF BRANDS & CORPORATE: Various Artists Management, home to artists such as Ashnikko, Tom Grennan, and Melanie C, have announced the appointment of Emily Thorpe-Jones as their new Head of Brands & Corporate. Having journeyed from Radio PR to partnerships at the likes of Evening Standard and ES Magazine, Emily’s journey culminated in agency directorship at Hearst, steering print and digital unions for iconic titles like Elle and Esquire. Beyond her media sales prowess, Emily’s devotion to music has fueled her role as a radio show curator and indie club night DJ. In this new chapter, Emily assumes responsibility for shaping brand affiliations, commercial avenues, and corporate live engagements across Various Artists and 23 Recordings.
STEM INTRODUCES ‘TONE’ FINANCIAL SERVICES PLATFORM: Los Angeles-based Stem has unveiled its new financial services platform, Tone, aimed at addressing financial inefficiencies in the music industry. Building on its reputation as a music distribution and payments platform, Stem’s Tone aims to streamline financial processes for artists and labels. Backed by Stem Disintermedia, which is helmed by the company’s Founder & CEO Milana Lewis, Tone’s team, led by Tracey Melnick, is comprised of royalty experts. The launch follows Stem’s recent $250 million (USD) credit facility from Victory Park Capital and a $20 million funding round led by QED Investors. Tone says its mission is to provide financial clarity to the entire music industry, offering tailored solutions to distributors, labels, and artists. Early adopters include artist-run labels Fool’s Gold Records and Blume Records.
AN INTERVIEW WITH RED BULL RECORDS SR. VP A&R: A&R Worldwide will be featuring interviews in our forthcoming newsletters with various A&R, publishing, management, booking agent, and sync executives via our partnership with MUBUTV, who throughout the past few years have joined A&R Worldwide at our events including MUSEXPO, Global Rock Summit, A&R Summit, and Global Sync Summit to meet with and interview many of our executive relationships to delve into some thoughtful and insightful dialogue and perspectives on their day-to-day roles, as well as interviewing others in the music industry. MUBUTV provides some informative insights and an understanding of key sectors of the U.S. and global music business. Click HERE to watch an interview with Kenny “Tick” Salcido, Sr. VP A&R, Red Bull Records filmed at A&R Worldwide’s Global Rock Summit in Burbank, CA.
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: Sarah Lockhart, Dave Pichilingi, Josh Sarubin, Katsumi Kuroiwa, Michelle Jubelirer, Thomas Haimovici, Shane Tobin, Chris Price, Kyle Hopkins, Ben Weeden, Kirk Sommer, Bushan Kumar, Samantha Berger, and Lisa Worden.
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