A&R Worldwide Newsletter Vol. 854

ISLAND RECORDS PROMOTES JACKIE WINKLER
TO SR. VICE PRESIDENT, HEAD OF A&R

 

 

Island Records has elevated Jackie Winkler to Sr. Vice President and Head of A&R. Based in Los Angeles, Winkler will now report directly to co-CEOs Imran Majid and Justin Eshak.

In her new position, Winkler will oversee the A&R department, driving the signing and creative development strategies for the label. Her career began at Warner Records, where she progressed from intern to A&R manager by 2011, discovering and signing Andra Day.

Since joining Island Records as an A&R director in 2015 and advancing to Vice President of A&R in 2022, Winkler has played a vital role in signing Sabrina Carpenter in 2020. She has been instrumental in Carpenter’s success, including the recent chart-topping album “Short n’ Sweet,” which reached No.1 in 15 countries, including the U.S. and U.K. In addition to Carpenter, Winkler also manages collaborations with Grammy-nominated Demi Lovato, Keshi, and Lauren Spencer Smith.

Imran Majid and Justin Eshak said, “Jackie is an exceptional leader and A&R executive. Her collaborative spirit, creative instincts, and steadfast nature make her the ideal person to run our A&R Department. We are thrilled she will join us in developing the next generation of iconic artists for Island Records.”

Winkler added, “I am deeply grateful to Imran and Justin for their unwavering belief and trust as I step into this new role. Their guidance has not only fueled my personal career growth but has been the cornerstone of our department’s success. I am thrilled at the opportunity to lead such an exceptionally talented, dynamic, and fiercely competitive team as we push the boundaries of what we can achieve together.”

Jennifer Hudson the two-time Grammy award-winning recording artist, Academy Award-winning actor, and Tony and Emmy award-winning producer has signed to Interscope Records.

Hudson began singing in a small Chicago, IL church where, week after week, she brought the congregation to its feet. From there, she has gone on to become the youngest female EGOT winner in history. Hudson earned an Oscar for her role as “Effie” in the 2007 smash hit Dreamgirls, an adaptation of the Broadway musical. It was the first of many film roles, which have included the lead in the 2021 Aretha Franklin biopic Respect, which she executive produced.

Hudson won a Grammy for “Best R&B Album” for her 2008 self-titled debut. Her sophomore album, I Remember Me, followed in 2011 and debuted in the upper reaches of the Billboard 200 like its predecessor. 2014’s JHUD contained the Grammy-nominated “It’s Your World,” “Walk It Out” and “I Still Love You.”

She made her Broadway debut as Shug Avery in 2015 in the Tony Award-winning production of John Doyle‘s re-imagination of “The Color Purple.” Hudson earned her second Grammy award when the accompanying album took honors for “Best Musical Theater Album.” In 2022, she won a Tony Award as co-producer on “A Strange Loop,” which was named “Best Musical.”

Hudson has also had a prominent television career. She earned an Emmy award for her role as executive producer of the short VR film, “Baba Yaga.” In this modern adaptation of a classic fairytale, Hudson voiced the role of Forest, alongside Kate Winslet, Glenn Close, and Daisy Ridley. Her one-hour nationally syndicated talk show, “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” debuted in 2022 and has been honored with a total of ten Daytime Emmy award nominations. The show returns September 16th for its third season.

Steve Berman, Vice Chairman, Interscope Capitol Label Group said, “Jennifer has made so many important contributions to global musical culture onstage, onscreen, and through her incredible body of recordings. She is a tour de force and we are thrilled that she has chosen to spend the next phase of her career at Interscope.”

 

 

Tyler Bacon, President & CEO, Position Music, tells A&R Worldwide that Josh Deane, Shannon Corsi, and Josh Tangney have joined the company as members of its burgeoning A&R team. The three will play a key role in servicing the existing Position Music roster while continuing to expand the roster with new writers, producers, and artists.

Prior to joining Position Music, Deane spent the past eight years as a major and indie label A&R. Most of his time was spent at Interscope Records, where he signed and developed artists such as Louis The Child, ROLE MODEL, and Easy Life. In addition, he held A&R roles at Atlantic Records, Live Nation, and his own music-tech consulting company where he facilitated artist partnerships and helped develop music-based content creator tools at companies including Layers and Even. Having been a part of the album process for artists such as Death Cab for Cutie, Young the Giant, Charli xcx, Melanie Martinez, Santigold, DRAM, Fitz and the Tantrums, and Grouplove, Deane has seen firsthand what it takes to make meaningful projects that leave their cultural mark.

Corsi spent the past five years at songwriting legend Justin Tranter‘s publishing company, Facet/Warner Chappell. As an original team member, she played a key role in building the company from the ground up. Throughout her tenure, she harnessed her talent for strategic A&R while overseeing a roster including singer/songwriter Skyler Stonestreet (Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Dove Cameron) and producer Russ Chell (Lil Nas X, Future, Tate McRae), among others. Having worked directly with hitmaker Justin Tranter, she has been privy to the intricacies of songwriting at the highest level and knows what it takes to become an icon in the industry.

Tangney’s journey began on the management team for Andy Grammer, where he played a crucial role in the artist achieving over three billion global streams and several hits, including the quadruple-platinum single “Honey, I’m Good,” and the Platinum singles “Keep Your Head Up,” “Fine By Me,” “Don’t Give Up On Me,” “Fresh Eyes,” and “Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah).” He was also influential in growing Rachel Platten‘s career, achieving massive success with the 6x Platinum single “Fight Song” and the Platinum hit “Stand by You.” In addition to his management achievements, Tangney is a CMT and CCMA-nominated songwriter who has collaborated with Grammy award-winning artists and seen hundreds of his songs featured in major movies, advertisements, and TV shows. His portfolio includes work with multi-Platinum-selling artists such as Darius Rucker, Black Eyed Peas, Brett Young, and Lauren Alaina.

Mark Chipello, Partner, Head of A&R, Position Music, stated, “I am incredibly proud to announce that we have added Josh Deane, Shannon Corsi, and Josh Tangney to the A&R team. All three of them are talented and dynamic creative executives who will play significant roles in our next phase of growth at Position Music. Josh Deane is a record maker who refined his craft at Atlantic and Interscope and is committed to the success of our label. Shannon Corsi is a versatile publisher who cut her teeth under Justin Tranter at Facet House and is a fierce champion for songwriters. Josh Tangney has over a decade of artist management experience, helping guide the careers of Andy Grammer and Rachel Platten, and has now joined Position Music to focus on the continued success of TV/film synch licensing for our roster.”

Deane, Corsi, and Tangney will report to Position Music’s Partner and Head of A&R Mark Chipello.

 

Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham, co-CEOs of PULSE Music Group, and Ashley Calhoun, President, PULSE Music Group have announced the promotion of Tizita Makuria to Senior Vice President, A&R, PULSE Music Group. Makuria was previously Vice President, PULSE Music Group. Makuria is based at the company’s Los Angeles headquarters.

Her responsibilities include signing, developing, and setting up creative collaboration opportunities to benefit PULSE’s global roster of recording artists, songwriters, and producers across both PULSE Music Group’s music publishing division and PULSE Records.

Scott, Josh, and Ashley stated, “Tizita was the first hire to our PULSE Records division, working across both publishing and label divisions, and she has been an integral part of building out our record label team and developing the PULSE Records roster from the first day. She brings a positive energy to every meeting is passionate about her writers and recording artists and has a relentless drive to deliver good results for them. She’s learned how to A&R in an organic way, paying close attention to everything that happens in the recording studio, and now she is often pulled by our writers looking for her to give song feedback.”

Tizita added, “I have been so revitalized by being a part of the creative culture at PULSE and am so proud of our strong community of artists, writers, and producers, and all of the work we’ve done over the past two years in launching PULSE Records. I am excited to continue building and I thank Scott, Josh, and Ashley for this opportunity.”

Tizita was an integral part of the team involved in the very first signing to PULSE Records following its label launch, with the signing of Tommy Richman to a creative joint venture between PULSE Records and Brent Faiyaz‘s ISO Supremacy. The A&R team quickly hit the ground running and helped champion Tommy Richman’s single “Million Dollar Baby” to top global charts, now a massive single sitting at well over a billion streams. Richman’s latest single, “Devil Is a Lie,” was recently a Top 15 track on U.S. Rhythmic radio with over 140 million streams.

Makuria’s direct roster of artists and writers includes Fallen, producer of “Roses” by Saint Jhn. The song was later remixed by Future, and then remixed by Imanbek garnering 4.5 million streams in the month of release, landing a Grammy award, hitting No.4 on Billboard Hot 100. and topping charts in the U.K., Australia, and Canada. Fallen also co-produced Doja Cat‘s “Gun” (over 33 million streams on Spotify) and “Go Off” (over 27.4 million streams on Spotify). Makuria’s roster also includes DJ Hardwerk, who co-produced the hit single “Sensational” for Chris Brown ft. Davidoand Lojay (No.1 at Urban Radio, and won an NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration”); Verse Simmonds, who co-wrote “What It Is (Block Boy)” for Doechii ft. Kodak Black (No.1 on Billboard‘s U.S. Rhythmic charts); and Tiggi, co-producer of “Kryptonite” from Don Toliver‘s Hardstone Psycho (No.1 BillboardR&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts).

Makuria first joined PULSE Music Group in 2022 as Vice President, A&R. Prior to that Makuria worked as Senior Director of A&R for Artist Publishing Group (APG). She is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) and was named to Variety‘s “Hitmakers” list in 2018.

 

Three independent record labels in Norway have joined forces to form a new label group named Sounds Like Gold. This new entity is spearheaded by industry veteran Helge Westbye and is established in collaboration with Virgin Music Group. The merger unites Propeller Recordings, Indie Recordings, and 777 Music, bringing together a roster of artists including boy pablo, Highasakite, Gåte, and Jan Eggum.

Sounds Like Gold will not only offer distribution, marketing, administration, and creative services to Norwegian artists but will also oversee the operations of Grappa and its associated labels. Helge Westbye, Founder, Grappa, will serve as Chairman of Sounds Like Gold, while Erlend Gjerde, who has held leadership roles at Indie Distribution and Believe Digital Norway, has been appointed General Manager.

Based in Oslo, Sounds Like Gold also features an expanded management team, including Kristine Bjørnstad and Tim Dunham, the Founders of 777 Music and former heads of Virgin Music Group’s Nordic division. Bjørnstad and Dunham previously led INgrooves Music Group‘s Nordic operations before its integration into Virgin Music Group’s global platform and marketing technology.

Chris Haaland, Country Manager Norway, Virgin Music Group, said, “This is a tremendous partnership for us to be able to support real growth and innovation in the independent recording community in Norway. We at Virgin Music Group believe that Sounds Like Gold has the potential to be a real game changer in this market.”

Along with Grappa, Sounds Like Gold’s founders have a deep catalog that includes 40 years of Norwegian music history in genres spanning pop, alternative, rock, metal, jazz, folk, classical, children’s music, and much more. This foundation will provide artists the possibility for focused support and investment, something that Sounds Like Gold’s General Manager and Chairperson of independent label association FONO, Erlend Gjerde, feels is missing in a market dominated by majors focused on short-term Top 20 performance.

 

Rising dark-pop artist K RHEN showcases her immense potential with her latest single, “Shadow.” The song is co-written with emerging U.K. producer Jordan Round, and bravely delves into the complexities of trust and vulnerability in relationships, revealing her anxieties about her partner’s lingering past. With hauntingly relatable lyrics and captivating melodies, K RHEN captures the emotional turbulence of feeling overshadowed by someone who is not physically present but still impacts her connection. As a versatile artist from Southern London, K RHEN is quickly establishing herself as a powerful voice in the dark-pop scene, blending soulful melodies with her unique storytelling. Following the success of her previous release, “Now or Never,” K RHEN is poised to captivate audiences around the globe and solidify her place as one of London’s most promising new young talents. Listen to “Shadow” HERE and contact Ian Rowe at ian@hudsonroyalmanagement.com for available opportunities with K RHEN.

 

 

 

THE OTHER SONGS FORMS PUBLISHING PARTNERSHIP WITH UMPG: The Other Songs has teamed up with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) for a new global publishing venture. This development coincides with the independent entertainment company’s signing of singer-songwriter Bruno Major, marking the inaugural major signing under the new UMPG partnership. As part of this collaboration, Jacque O’Leary has been named as General Manager at The Other Songs. The Other Songs, an independent entertainment firm with offices in New York and London, was established in 2018 by Alastair and Billy Webber, who previously held positions at Island Records and Warner Records. With a roster that includes artists, songwriters, producers, and animators, The Other Songs has achieved over two billion streams. Their lineup features hits from Super-Hi, Endor, Raffa FL, and Starsmith, as well as the album Sick Boi by Ren. Pete Simmons, Head of A&R, UMPG U.K., said, “It is a real privilege to be able to team up with The Other Songs. After a decade of friendship, seeing what Billy, Al, Jacque, and their wonderful team have built is inspiring, and us getting to be a part of that moving forward is so exciting – especially with an incredible talent like Bruno.”

 

CAPITOL RECORDS SIGNS NEW K-POP GIRL GROUP MEOVV: Capitol Records, in collaboration with THEBLACKLABEL, has signed the new K-pop girl group MEOVV (pronounced “meow”). The ensemble of five is the brainchild of THEBLACKLABEL’s Founder and producer Teddy Park, widely known as TEDDY. His track record includes tracks from BIGBANG, G-Dragon, BLACKPINK, and 2NE1. The group’s name was announced on August 15th, sparking a whirlwind of speculation among K-pop enthusiasts and media alike. MEOVV marks THEBLACKLABEL’s debut girl group, breaking new ground in the K-pop landscape with their unique approach. MEOVV features five members including SOOIN, GAWON, ANNA, NARIN, and ELLA. Each member has quickly garnered attention for their talent and presence, blending sharp precision with smooth finesse. THEBLACKLABEL, established by TEDDY in 2016, is known for its roster including TAEYANG, JEON SOMI, ROSÉ, LØREN, and Vince. Capitol Records is already home to a diverse roster including Doechii, Ice Spice, J Balvin, Kali Uchis, Katy Perry, Maggie Rogers, Niall Horan, Sam Smith, The Beatles, Yeat, and Young Miko.

 

POSITION MUSIC SIGNS ABE PARKER TO A WORLDWIDE PUBLISHING DEAL: Tyler Bacon, President & CEO, Position Music tells A&R Worldwide that Abe Parker has officially signed a global publishing agreement with his company. Parker, who is an artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist has gained significant attention on social media with several viral tracks, including his breakout songs “Butterflies,” “Empty House,” and “Stupid Face,” which collectively have gained over 150 million streams within just over a year. Before his rise to fame in 2022, Parker honed his musical skills through years of busking on street corners, performing in cafes, and collaborating with hip-hop artists in Atlanta, where he resides. Following the success of his independent release “it is what it is,” which surpassed 15 million streams on Spotify in just a few months, he signed with 10K Projects. As both a writer and producer, Parker has recently worked with a variety of artists, including David Kushner, Paul Russell, Oak Felder, HAYD, Marc E. Bassy, Lecrae,Hulvey, Brent Morgan, Crowder, Social Club Misfits, and many others. Joe Brooks, A&R at Position Music, stated, “Through his writing, producing, mixing, and performing, Abe has a God-given gift to make you ‘feel.’ I have been a fan since before my time in A&R, so I jumped at the opportunity to work with him along with manager Jordan Tanner of Reynolds Management. Aside from his unquestionable talent, his gentle and kind personality paired with unparalleled work ethic and laser focus makes him a pleasure to work with.”

 

INDIA’S GURU RANDHAWA & JONITA TEAM-UP WITH THE CHAINSMOKERS: Guru Randhawa and JONITA recently teamed up with The Chainsmokers for their latest single, “Addicted.” The song marks a cultural crossover, bringing together Indian musical talent with an established global electronic music duo. Alongside The Chainsmokers, the single features Brazilian DJ Zerb and German producer Ink. “Addicted” showcases Guru Randhawa and JONITA’s distinctive Punjabi influences within an international pop framework. The track melds dance beats with Punjabi lyrics, creating a unique fusion. The single is also enhanced by the contributions of Zerb and Ink, who have collaborated with Coldplay, Diplo, and Beyoncé. The project has been orchestrated by The Hello Group and TH3RD BRAIN, with A&R direction from Taylor Jones (Founder & CEO, The Hello Group). Alawn and Taylor Jones, known for their work in K-Pop, co-wrote and produced the track, adding their signature touch to the remix. Taylor Jones tells A&R Worldwide, “Addicted was beginning to cross into India’s clubs and bars, meanwhile, I had just finished some meetings with Guru and Jonita. The idea came to me to bring these artists together for a unique collaboration, and it all happened very quickly. Alawn worked on adapting the original The Chainsmokers, Zerb, and INK production, and I flew to Delhi with Jonita to work at Guru’s studio to create the new sections. It is the first time in my career that the very first version, mix and master was approved by everyone, and the song released merely a week later!” Drew Taggart and Alex Pall of The Chainsmokers, added, “Our music has always been about connection, and we have so many incredible fans in India that we love. We cannot think of a better way to authentically connect with them than linking with artists like Jonita and Guru jumping on our song and bringing their culture and style to it.”

 

EDDIE SEARS APPOINTED EXECUTIVE VP, CREATIVE, REPUBLIC RECORDS: Republic Records has named Eddie Sears as its new Executive Vice President of Creative. Jim Roppo, President & Chief Operating Officer, Republic Records, shared the announcement. Sears, who will be based at the label’s New York headquarters, will lead the Creative team and work closely with both established stars and emerging artists. His role will involve shaping visual presentation, brand narratives, and creating immersive experiences for the label’s roster. The Creative department under Sears will manage various aspects including creative strategy, packaging design, visual content, photo shoots, logo development, and fan engagement initiatives. Sears, who was born in Italy, previously served as Creative Director at Ultra Records for almost ten years. His portfolio includes work with Grammy-winning artists like Black Coffee and Benny Benassi, Grammy-nominated Sofi Tukker, and Steve Aoki, among others. Before his tenure at Ultra Records, Sears ran his own creative agency in Milan, working across fields such as consumer goods, fashion, and sports. Alongside his agency work, he was active as a singer, songwriter, producer, and visual artist. Known by his stage name Rocket Pengwin, Sears amassed millions of streams, performed at major festivals like Governor’s Ball and Nameless, and played DJ sets at Inter Milan‘s Annual Holiday Event and Amsterdam Dance Event. Sears stated, “Nothing is as powerful as an idea. Daily, our team builds ideas for our artists, and we do so with an entrepreneurial mindset. Jim Roppo, Monte, and Avery Lipman know the importance of creativity, and they’ve placed it at the forefront of Republic Records. Moreover, they have given us the latitude and support to really make an impact. It is an honor to work with such an incredible team.”

 

PRESCRIPTION SONGS AND FRIDAYY EXTEND PUBLISHING DEAL: PRESCRIPTION SONGS has renewed its publishing agreement with artist, producer, and songwriter Fridayy. The announcement was made by Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald, Rhea Pasricha, and Eddie Fourcell. Fridayy, a Haitian/American singer from Philadelphia, initially joined Prescription Songs in the summer of 2022. This extension follows the success of his single “When It Comes to You,” which has been certified Platinum. In addition, Fridayy collaborated with DJ Khaled, leading to the standout chorus of the Grammy-nominated track “GOD DID,” which features Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and John Legend. This song earned three nominations at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards and marked Fridayy’s debut on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 17. This laid the groundwork for his solo career and led to various features in hip-hop and R&B. In January 2024, Fridayy made his solo debut on the Billboard Hot 100 with “When It Comes to You,” from his self-titled album released on Def Jam. The track has now achieved RIAA-certified Platinum status, alongside his previous collaborations with Khalid and Lil Baby. He’s also contributed to Drake‘s “Calling 4 You,” which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking his first Top 10 success as a producer and writer. Francis “Fridayy” LeBlanc grew up in Philadelphia, where he developed a passion for music. He began playing the trumpet at age 10 and later learned piano and bass. His early singing experiences in church deepened his interest in music. By his late teens, he shifted focus to producing and songwriting and has successfully turned his musical aspirations into a career.

 

KENJI KITATANI APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF WARNER MUSIC JAPAN: Warner Music Japan recently announced the appointment of Dr. Kenji Kitatani as its new Chairman. Dr. Kitatani is currently the Chairman of DAZN Japan, which is owned by Access Industries and holds a major stake in Warner Music Group, recently partnering with Deezer. Dr. Kitatani’s career spans over 40 years in media and entertainment, blending corporate and academic experience. He began his career in academia, serving as a faculty member at Washington State University and Indiana University. In the 1980s, he transitioned to broadcasting, taking on international executive roles at Nippon Television Network and Tokyo Broadcasting System. In 1989, Dr. Kitatani became a Board Director at Tokyo Dome Corporation and President of its American operations in New York. The late 1990s saw him joining Sony Corporation, where he held key positions, including Executive Officer and Executive Vice President of Sony Corporation of America. Dr. Kitatani’s influence extended into the music industry when he led Avex International Holdings as President from 2011 to 2017. During this period, he oversaw Avex’s operations across major Asian markets and Hawaii. After his tenure at Avex, he served as Executive Vice President, Asia, and Executive Director for Japan at AEG and advised companies like Broadmedia, Mitsubishi, and NTT Docomo. Most recently, Dr. Kitatani was named Chairman of DAZN Japan and continues to contribute academically as a Professor and Director at the Kanazawa Institute of Technology‘s Institute for Content and Technology Integration. He has also held the role of Distinguished Professor at Washington State University and writes regularly for Forbes Japan.

 

NOTTING HILL MUSIC SIGN THE K’S TO PUBLISHING DEAL: Notting Hill Music has officially signed The K’s to a long-term exclusive publishing agreement. In April, the band entered the U.K. Top 5 with their debut single, “I Wonder If the World Knows?” which debuted at No. 3 and has sold 21,875 copies, as reported by the U.K. Official Charts Company. Following this success, The K’s made appearances at several festivals, including Isle of Wight, Camp Bestival, and Kendal Calling during the summer. Their signing with Notting Hill Music was finalized after their performance on the main stage at the Reading and Leeds Festivals. John Saunderson, Head of Creative, Notting Hill Music tells A&R Worldwide, “From the first moment we heard The K’s we knew we had to sign this band. They are a generational talent, and we are so excited to see how far and how fast they go on from here.” Dave Loader, Managing Director, Notting Hill Music added, “A few times in our history we have signed game-changing artists including Paul Weller at the beginning of our journey, then Dizzee Rascal and Robbie Williams come to mind, and the feeling we have for The K’s is on that level.”

 

KOBALT SIGNS PUBLISHING DEAL WITH PRODUCER ATMYAMIL: Kobalt has announced a global publishing agreement with Atmyamil, the creative force behind the viral track “Gata Only.” This song, featuring Chilean artists FloyyMenor and Cris MJ, has surpassed one billion streams on Spotify. Atmyamil’s expertise also shines through in “Si No Es Contigo,” another collaboration with Cris MJ that soared to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. “Gata Only” dominated the Hot Latin Songs and Latin Streaming Songs charts and reached No. 2 on Spotify’s Top 50 Global Songs chart. Currently, Atmyamil is working on a new EP alongside his longtime collaborators and is also crafting an upcoming album with Cris MJ and FloyyMenor. Leslie Ahrens, Sr. Vice President, Creative, Kobalt Latin, stated, “We are thrilled to welcome rising superstar producer, Atmyamil, to our Kobalt family. It is incredible how at his young age he was able to contribute to such a massive global hit with ‘Gata Only. We look forward to supporting Atmyamil on his journey and are excited to be part of what is next!”

 

MAGIC AFFAIR’S FRANCA MORGANO SIGNS WITH TELAMO: Franca Morgano, a celebrated figure in the Eurodance scene, has inked a new deal with BMG‘s Telamo label to release her highly anticipated solo album, Wir sind noch da, set to drop on October 30th. This album, crafted by Hens Hensen (known for his work with Eloy de Jong, Vincent Gross, Beatrice Egli, and Andrea Berg), fuses the rhythms of 90’s Eurodance with modern pop and schlager influences. Morgano first gained prominence as a member of the Eurodance group Magic Affair, where she played a key role in the success of their hit single “Omen III.” Ken Otremba, CEO, Telamo, said, “We are excited to welcome Franca Morgano. Her stunning voice and musical vision complement our team perfectly. Together we look forward to an exciting future.”

 

ISHAN SIGNS WITH UNIFIED ARTIST MANAGEMENT: UNIFIED Music Group‘s artist management division, UNIFIED Artist Management (UAM), has recently welcomed its newest signing, ISHAN. The Melbourne-based singer-songwriter is now part of a roster that features acts like Dan Sultan, Jack River, Vance Joy, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Boy & Bear, and Ocean Alley. ISHAN will be co-managed by Jaddan Comerford, Founder & CEO, UNIFIED Music Group, along with the new addition to the team, Nick Lynagh. At just 21 years old, ISHAN began his musical journey performing on the streets before transitioning to a wider audience through his social media presence. His recent achievements include a sold-out debut headline show at The Workers Club in Melbourne and a performance at the All About Music Conference in India. This track follows his viral single, “My Mouth (la la la),” which has garnered over 15 million views across Instagram and TikTok and more than six million global streams.

 

COOKING VINYL SIGNS TANITA TIKARAM TO GLOBAL SERVICES DEAL: Cooking Vinyl has announced a global services agreement with Tanita Tikaram. As part of this deal, the indie label will be handling the release of Tikaram’s upcoming 10th studio album, scheduled for the spring of 2025. Tanita Tikaram first captured attention with her 1988 debut, Ancient Heart, produced by Rod Argent of The Zombies and drummer Peter Van Hooke. The album was a major success, selling over five million copies worldwide. After a hiatus in the mid-2000s, Tikaram made a comeback with the 2012 album Can’t Go Back under Ear Music, followed by Closer to The People in 2016. In 2019, Pete Paphides, a broadcaster and author, released a comprehensive anthology of Tikaram’s work titled To Drink the Rainbowthrough his label Needle Mythology. Recently, Cherry Red/Warner Music U.K. offered a definitive release of Tikaram’s early catalog with a five CD box set, The WEA/EastWest Albums 1988-1995. This release was highlighted by Tikaram’s performance at the Acoustic Stage of Glastonbury Festival. Martin Goldschmidt, Chairman, Cooking Vinyl, stated, “Her many fans at Cooking Vinyl are very excited to welcome Tanita to the label,” said. We love radical music icons and cannot wait to start working with her.”

 

RESERVOIR ACQUIRES BILLY STRANGE CATALOG INCLUDING ELVIS PRESLEY HITS: Reservoir Media has secured the publishing rights to the catalog of songwriter and guitarist Billy Strange. Although the financial details of the deal remain under wraps, Reservoir Media revealed that the acquisition encompasses some of Strange’s most iconic works. These include notable Elvis Presley hits like “A Little Less Conversation,” “Memories,” and “Clean Up Your Own Back Yard.” Born in Long Beach, California in 1930, Strange passed away in February 2012 at the age of 81. Strange’s career took off in the 1950s as a session guitarist, where he quickly earned a reputation as a talented guitarist, songwriter, and arranger. His collaboration with Elvis Presley led to him contributing to hits such as “A Little Less Conversation,” which originally featured in the 1968 film Live a Little, Love a Little. The song saw a resurgence in 2001 when it was included in Ocean’s Eleven. In addition to his work with Presley, Strange’s catalog features other classic tracks, including “Limbo Rock” by The Champs and Chubby Checker, and contributions to soundtracks for films like The Trouble with Girls, as well as television shows such as The Munsters, Batman, and Have Gun – Will Travel. As a guitarist Strange collaborated with an array of artists, including The Beach Boys, Nancy Sinatra, Willie Nelson, Randy Newman, and Nat King Cole.

 

BUCKS MUSIC SIGNS NADINE SHAH TO GLOBAL PUBLISHING DEAL: Bucks Music Group has announced an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement with Nadine Shah. Shah, a Mercury Prize-nominated artist, released her fifth album, Filthy Underneath, earlier this year. This follows her debut album Love Your Dum and Mad in 2013, and her subsequent releases: Fast Food in 2015, Holiday Destination in 2018 (which earned her a Mercury Prize nomination), and Kitchen Sink, which reached the U.K. Top 30 in 2020. Filthy Underneath marks Shah’s debut with EMI North and explores her personal struggles with mental health and ongoing recovery. The album, which peaked at No. 25, has received praise from The Guardian, Evening Standard, NME, The Quietus, Rolling Stone, and The Observer, with many critics hailing it as her finest work yet. Shah has collaborated with a plethora of artists including Depeche Mode, Portishead, Suede, Patti Smith, Elbow, Mogwai, ParaOrchestra, Vivienne Westwood, John Cale, Young Fathers, among others. In addition to her musical career, she has made a name for herself as a presenter at events such as The Q Awards and the AIM Awards and has appeared on BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Sounds, and Radio 4. Shah is also working on a memoir, set for release in April 2025. The signing was supported by Sarah Liversedge Platz, Director A&R, Bucks Music Group.

 

BMG NAMES CELINE JOSHUA AS EXECUTIVE VP OF GLOBAL MARKETING: BMG has announced Celine Joshua as its new Executive Vice President of Global Marketing. Based in Los Angeles and reporting directly to Thomas Coesfeld, CEO, BMG, Joshua will lead the company’s marketing strategy and operations across its twenty global offices. Her role will encompass overseeing the Digital Marketing, Content, Consumer Insights & Analytics, and Marketing Operations teams. Joshua’s position aligns with BMG’s “Local Where Necessary, Global Where Possible” philosophy within its BMG Next Strategy and is part of the recent restructuring of the U.S. Frontline Recorded Music and Global Catalog divisions. Prior to joining BMG, Joshua was with Universal Music Group as Executive Vice President of Commercial Innovation & Artist Strategy, where she played a key role in enhancing commercial opportunities and driving innovation for Universal’s global recordings. She worked with high-profile artists such as Taylor Swift, Queen, Sam Smith, Elton John, Snoop Dogg, Shawn Mendes, ABBA, The Weeknd and more. Joshua’s career began at Warner Music Group in IT before she moved to a global e-commerce role at Rhino Entertainment, the catalog division of Warner. She then joined Disney Music as Head of Digital, where she spearheaded campaigns for artists like Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, as well as for Marvel‘s Avengers film franchise. Her journey continued at Sony Music Entertainment as Sr. Vice President, overseeing digital sales, and later at Epic Records, where she managed commerce and strategy for artists including 21 Savage, Future, DJ Khaled, Camila Cabello, Travis Scott, and more.

 

BLUE RAINCOAT ARTISTS ANNOUNCE GLOBAL MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH WEYES BLOOD: Blue Raincoat Artists has announced that singer-songwriter Weyes Blood has joined its global roster. Weyes Blood, the stage name of Natalie Mering, is based in Los Angeles and has been in the music industry since the mid-2000s. Her 2016 album, Front Row Seat to Earth, was a success and marked her emergence as a notable artist. In 2017, she signed with Sub Pop, where she released Titanic Rising in 2019, earning two Libera Awards including “Best Indie Rock Album” and “Best Singer-Songwriter Album” for her latest release, And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow (2023). To date, Weyes Blood has released five albums. And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow has garnered widespread acclaim, including “Album of the Year” honors from SPIN and Sunday Times Culture, and has appeared on over 50 “Best of 2022” year-end lists. In addition, Weyes Blood was ranked fifth on Sunday Times Culture’s “20 Best Singers of This Century.” She has recently sold-out tours across North America and Europe, with performances at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and The Hammersmith Eventim in London. Weyes Blood will be managed globally by Ed Harris, who works with artists like Cigarettes After Sex, Miss Grit, and Katrina Ford.

 

SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING SCANDINAVIA REVEALS KEY PROMOTIONS: Sony Music Publishing Scandinavia has announced two promotions within its Stockholm office. Christoffer Lindh has been elevated to Head of A&R, while Atena Banisaid has been appointed as General Manager. Both will continue to report to Johnny Tennander, Managing Director, and Sr. Vice President, A&R International, Sony Music Publishing Scandinavia. In his new role, Lindh will oversee the A&R activities for Sony Music Publishing in Scandinavia. With a 15-year tenure at the company, Lindh has a proven track record of nurturing successful talent, including artists and producers like Yung Lean & Sad Boys, Cashmere Cat, Scarlet Pleasure, Ronni Vindahl, AronChupa, and Augustine. Banisaid, stepping into her role as General Manager, will focus on driving initiatives to enhance the company’s culture and team while expanding the business. She will also continue to represent Sony Music Publishing Scandinavia on the board of the Swedish Music Publishers Association. Her previous successes include work with Benjamin Ingrosso, Giift, and LukasBL. Both Lindh and Banisaid will remain integral members of the A&R team, working closely with Tennander to further the company’s growth and success in the Scandinavian music scene.

 

THIRD SIDE MUSIC EXPANDS GLOBAL CREATIVE TEAM: Third Side Music (TSM) announces an expansion of its global creative team into the U.K. and Europe. Industry veteran Stephen Christian has been appointed as the new Executive Vice President, Creative/A&R, International, and will be based in London. Christian will report to Jeff Waye, COO & Co-Founder of TSM, and will collaborate with the company’s established Los Angeles-based Creative/A&R leaders, Brontë Jane, and Alex Kelman. Together, they will work to sign new talent and explore creative opportunities for TSM’s roster, which includes acts like SOFI TUKKER, BadBadNotGood, Sky Ferreira, and Surf Curse. With over two decades in the music industry, Christian brings extensive experience to his new role. He has held positions in A&R and has also worked as a musical director, magazine editor, and consultant. Christian is best known for his tenure as Creative Director and Head of A&R at Warp Records, where he played a key role in signing and nurturing artists such as Danny Brown, Mount Kimbie, Kelela, Yves Tumor, and Oneohtrix Point Never. His career also includes collaborations with influential artists like Wu-Tang Clan, Thom Yorke, Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, and Zero 7.

 

MYST MUSIC SIGNS GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH THE ORCHARD: Amrita Sen, CEO of Myst Music, has announced a global distribution and label services partnership with The Orchard. This new deal will grant Myst Music’s roster access to The Orchard’s comprehensive suite of services, which includes advanced technology, marketing, promotion, rights management, sync licensing, and advertising. Located in Los Angeles, Myst Music focuses on blending South Asian pop with dance and EDM influences. The first artist to benefit from this new agreement is Sri Lankan musician, actor, and model Jacqueline Fernandez, who will release new music this month. Myst Music was established in 2023 by Amrita Sen and Jay Kovitz, with a mission to present South Asian music to a worldwide audience. Key members of the creative team include German mixer, writer, and producer Alex Winter, and Korean electronic/pop producer Jake Jeong (Frison). Myst Music is dedicated to creating unique musical experiences by blending South Asian pop with global dance and EDM sounds that will engage fans and enhance industry recognition.

 

IDOL INKS GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP WITH INDIE CITY SLANG: IDOL has announced a strategic global alliance with the independent label City Slang. Under this new partnership, IDOL will oversee all aspects of digital distribution, marketing, and audience engagement for City Slang’s releases, both new and from its catalog, across the globe. The goal is to expand the digital presence of City Slang’s artist roster. The Berlin-based City Slang will leverage IDOL’s digital marketing strategies and global network, which includes specialized teams for audience growth and advanced analytical tools for tracking playlist placements and catalog engagement. IDOL will support the release of Caribou‘s forthcoming album, Honey, scheduled for release on October 4th, alongside music from a lineup including Efterklang, Faux Real, Jessica Pratt, Lambrini Girls, Los Bitchos, SPRINTS, Calexico, Tindersticks, and Lambchop. This collaboration aligns with the shared vision of both companies to foster long-term growth and creative success for their selected roster of artists. The agreement with City Slang marks a continuation of IDOL’s expansion efforts, which have recently included partnerships with Japanese label Schole Records and U.S.-based labels such as TOKiMONSTA’s Young Art Records, Le Plan Recordings, and Old Soul Music. Furthermore, IDOL has recently enhanced its operations by incorporating royalty accounting software from Details and Eddy to streamline the royalty reporting process through Labelcamp.

 

PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC PARTNERS WITH THE ESTATE OF RIC OCASEK: The Estate of Ric Ocasek has announced a partnership with Primary Wave Music. The agreement will see Primary Wave take over the management and promotion of Ocasek’s publishing catalog, which encompasses his influential work with The Cars as well as his solo projects. Under the terms of the agreement, Primary Wave will collaborate closely with Ocasek’s estate on all aspects of the catalog, including leveraging their marketing knowledge and publishing infrastructure. This partnership will focus on fresh marketing strategies, brand development, digital promotions, sync placements with film and television opportunities, sharing rights related to Ocasek’s name, image, and likeness. Ric Ocasek’s career spanned over five decades and saw him sell more than 20 million records with The Cars. The band scored numerous hits, including over ten Top 40 singles, and was nominated for six Grammy Awards, with their 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction marking a peak in their legacy. As the lead vocalist and principal songwriter for The Cars, Ocasek penned several of their biggest tracks, including “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Let the Good Times Roll,” and “Let’s Go.” The deal also includes “Drive,” the band’s highest-charting single from 1984, which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped the Adult Contemporary chart, and earned a Grammy nomination for “Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.” In addition, the deal encompasses other standout tracks from The Cars’ catalog, such as the No. 1 radio hit “You Might Think” and the classic “Just What I Needed.” “You Might Think,” the lead single from the album Heartbeat City, not only climbed to the Top 10 on the Billboard 100 but also broke new ground with its innovative use of computer graphics in its music video, which won the first-ever MTV Video Music Award for “Video of the Year.”

 

COMPLIMENTARY AMEC 20TH ANNIVERSARY WEBINAR: The entertainment industry is facing an increasing number of intellectual property disputes, contract disagreements, and talent management issues. As traditional litigation proves to be both costly and time-consuming, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is becoming the preferred method for resolving these conflicts efficiently and discreetly. The ADR market is booming, projected to grow at an annual rate of 9.6%, with more than 97% of civil cases now settled through ADR before trial. This shift presents an opportunity for corporate attorneys to pivot into roles as mediators, arbitrators, and special referees. To address this growing trend, AMEC (Association of Media Entertainment Counsel) has announced a comprehensive webinar designed specifically for in-house attorneys in the entertainment sector who want to explore ADR career paths or are just starting to consider these opportunities. The webinar will take place on September 12th from 8:30AM to 10AM (PST) and is free to register. Some of the key executives scheduled to attend will include Lee Jay Berman (educator for future ADR professionals in the entertainment sector), Kimberly Deck (executive handling sensitive and high-profile harassment and discrimination cases in entertainment), Joel Grossman (former Senior VP at Sony Pictures Entertainment), Hon. Louis Meisinger (Ex-General Counsel at The Walt Disney Company and Superior Court Judge, and founder of Signature Resolution), and Arnold Peter (former Director of Labor Relations at Universal Studios and Co-Founder of AMEC). By attending this webinar, you will learn the skills and qualifications required to become an effective mediator, arbitrator, or special referee in entertainment. For more information For complimentary participation, please click HERE.

 

RESERVOIR ANNOUNCES PUBLISHING DEAL WITH TRAVIS HEIDLEMAN: Reservoir Media has announced a new publishing agreement with Travis Heidelman, a Top 10 Billboard country writer and producer. This deal encompasses Heidelman’s entire catalog, including his future works, and marks his first venture into publishing. Heidelman, a Los Angeles-based talent, began crafting his songwriting and production skills early in life. His breakthrough came with his collaboration with country artist Dasha on the track “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’).” This single soared to No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and clinched the No. 3 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart. It has also made strides internationally, including reaching No. 5 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart and No. 2 on the German Airplay Chart. In the Netherlands, the track enjoyed a three-week run at No. 1 on the National Airplay Top 50. The song’s success was bolstered by a TikTok line-dancing trend initiated by Dasha, which led to over a million video creations and more than ten billion views. On Spotify alone, the song has racked up 490 million streams. In addition to “Austin,” Heidelman co-wrote and produced “Even Cowboys Cry” and “Share This City,” both featured on Dasha’s 2024 album What Happens Now? This album not only reached No. 26 on the Top Country Albums chart but also appeared on the Billboard 200. Heidelman’s talents extend beyond his work with Dasha. He has collaborated with a range of artists including Annie Schindel, Arden Jones, Claire Rosinkranz, Taylor Bickett, Whitney Phillips, Noah Floersch, Rollo, Greyson Chance, and Jimmy Robbins. His eclectic style, which blends nostalgic pop, folk, and rock elements, has also earned him placements on television networks such as TLC and Bravo, including the series The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

 

ACTRA RACS PARTNERS WITH NOCTIL: Canada’s ACTRA Recording Artists‘ Collecting Society (ACTRA RACS) has partnered with Noctil, a platform specializing in no-code metadata management, to enhance the way it handles artist and sound recording information. This collaboration marks a leap forward in operational efficiency and accuracy, leading to reduced costs and better compensation for rights holders. The new system automates the intake of metadata from various channels, including VRDB (SCAPR), other Music Licensing Societies, and IPD (SCAPR), accommodating diverse formats like DDEX, CSV, and XML. Noctil’s advanced platform leverages AI and machine learning to optimize data matching and identification. This technological boost ensures high-quality, error-free data, which has streamlined the royalty claims process and accelerated the distribution of payments to artists and performers. This initiative highlights ACTRA RACS’ focus on adopting innovative technologies to refine its services. Noctil’s tailored solution includes features such as bulk updates aligned with business rules and real-time synchronization with the organization’s internal systems. Looking to the future, ACTRA RACS intends to further utilize Noctil’s technology by incorporating more external data sources and automating additional processes. This ongoing commitment to technological advancement aims to enhance operational efficiency and continually improve artist compensation.

 

LITMUS MUSIC ACQUIRES OPUS MUSIC GROUP: Litmus Music has acquired Opus Music Group, known for its music catalogs including those of Juice WRLD, Ozuna, Maluma, and Rauw Alejandro. Billboard had previously reported that Opus was on the market with a valuation exceeding $200 million (USD), with the Raine Group assisting in the search for potential buyers. Litmus Music, a company founded in 2022 by industry executives Hank Forsyth and Dan McCarroll in partnership with Carlyle Global Credit, has emerged as a successful purchaser. This acquisition was confirmed by Charles Johnson, Managing Director at Truist Securities, in a recent update. Johnson revealed that Litmus financed the acquisition through a $400 million revolving credit facility, which had been increased from $250 million. Truist had acted as the ‘Left Lead Arranger’ and ‘Lead Bookrunner’ for this facility. Opus Music Group, established in 2021 with funding from Elliott Management, had made significant moves including acquiring a major portion of Juice WRLD’s catalog in early 2023 through a multi-million-dollar deal.

 

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