MAX PAPROTH NAMED MANAGING DIRECTOR
& GLOBAL PRESIDENT A&R AT BUDDE MUSIC
A&R Worldwide can reveal that starting in January 2025, Maximilian Paproth (also known as Max Paproth) will step into the role of Managing Director at the esteemed independent and multinational German music publishing powerhouse, Budde Music. In this capacity, he will also assume the title of Global President A&R, overseeing the A&R strategies for the publisher’s international operations. Paproth will report directly to Benjamin Budde, Owner & CEO, Budde Music.
Paproth’s return to Budde Music comes after a successful tenure at both Universal Music and Sony Music Publishing in Germany, where he held various leadership positions. His connection to Budde Music, however, runs deep. From 2003 to 2013, Paproth played a pivotal role at the company, holding several positions, including the establishment and leadership of Budde Music U.K. in London.
In a statement to A&R Worldwide, Benjamin Budde stated, “It is a homecoming for a valued colleague who knows the company and its roots well and has already made a significant contribution in an earlier phase, in collaboration with my late father Rolf. Our aim to be the best partner for authors and artists correlates perfectly with us bringing back Max to our team. I am very proud to take this next step with him.”
Maximilian Paproth added “At Budde Music, I have been given the opportunity to lead a very modern and dynamic music publishing company. Being able to leverage the synergies within the in-house network of the Budde Group for our partners is a unique setup in the German publishing landscape. I am very much looking forward to working with the entire team and all the songwriters and partners of the Budde Music Publishing house in the future.”
He also added, “During my earlier time at Budde, I was supported and mentored by Rolf Budde. The fact that Benjamin has now trusted me with this leadership role shows me once again the great trust they place in me – and I truly appreciate that.”
Currently, Paproth holds the position of Vice President A&R Central Europe & International Marketing Germany at Universal Music. He will exit the company at the end of October 2024.
SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING NAMES ANTOINE DATHANAT
AS MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FRANCE
Sony Music Publishing (SMP) has announced the promotion of Antoine Dathanat to Managing Director of France, effective October 1st. Dathanat will succeed Nicolas Galibert, the longtime SMP France Managing Director who will remain with the company until his planned retirement at the end of September
As Managing Director, Dathanat will be responsible for overseeing creative and business operations across France, strengthening key relationships with clients and industry partners, and expanding global support for SMP songwriters. He will continue to be based out of Paris and will report directly to Guy Henderson, President, International, Sony Music Publishing.
Antoine Dathanat said, “Nicolas has cultivated a strong, rich legacy at the company, fostering a team that defends the interests of our songwriters, past, present, and future. We intend to be a driving force in sharing the music of our songwriters everywhere. I look forward to beginning this new chapter with the team as we nurture and grow the talent of SMP France both onstage and backstage and ensure that the creative impulse is at the heart of the process.”
Guy Henderson added, “I am so pleased that Antoine will take over the reigns as Managing Director for SMP France, which has emerged as one of our most important international territories. Antoine has spearheaded the most successful A&R team in France, and I know that he will bring those leadership qualities to his new role.”
Dathanat first joined the company in 2018 as Head of A&R and since then has signed and worked closely with successful talent including Clara Luciani, Yseult, Hamza, BoumidjalX, London, Ozedikus, La Femme, Keblack, Naza, Booba, and more. With over twenty years of creative experience, Antoine first began his career in the music business in 2002 as a Junior A&R at BMG Publishing and later moved to Barclay/Universal in 2007.
Sony Music Publishing France is home to iconic songwriters and composers including Clara Luciani, Gazo, Grand Corps Malade, Gims, Ninho, Slimane, Yseult, Hamza, Niska, Kyo, Morad, London, Laurent Voulzy, Julien Clerc, Lous & The Yakuzas, Ibrahim Maalouf, Zola, Vitaa, Gesaffelstein, and others.
KEVIN LILES TO STEP DOWN AS CEO 300 ENTERTAINMENT
AMIDST LARGE LAY-OFFS AT ATLANTIC MUSIC GROUP
Last week, it was announced that veteran U.S. music business executive Kevin Liles will conclude his tenure as Chairman & CEO of 300 Entertainment at the end of September. In a memo shared with staff and revealed in various media sources, Liles announced that he will step down as CEO of the Warner Music Group-owned label but will continue to serve as a consultant until the end of the year.
Robert Kyncl, CEO, Warner Music Group praised Liles as an “extraordinary brand-builder, artist advocate, and champion of creative expression” and noted that the company does not plan to appoint a replacement for his role. 300 will continue to be led by co-Presidents Rayna Bass and Selim Bouab, along with Elektra President Gregg Nadel.
Liles, along with Lyor Cohen, Todd Moscowitz, and Roger Gold, founded 300 Entertainment in late 2014. The label quickly became known for its roster of future hip-hop stars, including Megan Thee Stallion, Gunna, Migos, Fetty Wap, and Young Thug. In 2021, Warner Music Group acquired 300, and it was subsequently integrated into the Atlantic Music Group as the 300 Elektra Entertainment Group in 2022.
This leadership shift comes amid broader changes at Warner Music Group, including the recent departures of Max Lousada, CEO of Recorded Music, and longtime Atlantic leader Julie Greenwald, as well as the upcoming appointment of Elliot Grainge, Founder of 10K Projects, as CEO of the newly restructured Atlantic Music Group (AMG), which he officially takes the helm of on October 1st. Kyncl has led Warner Music Group since January 1, 2023.
AMG announced significant layoffs a few days ago affecting around 150 employees, many of whom played pivotal roles during Julie Greenwald’s leadership. The scale of these layoffs is likely to spark conversations throughout the industry in the coming days, which will acknowledge the challenges faced by those affected. Taking a step back, a transformative phase is underway at Atlantic. This shift mirrors what happened at Warner Records when Aaron Bay-Schuck took over in 2018, where he reduced the roster by more than half and introduced numerous new acts, contributing to a successful 2024 for the label.
Various sources suggest that further executive changes may occur during this transition period as the current changes and recent layoffs of well over a hundred staff at Atlantic Records alone will save the company around $250 million (USD) per year. It seems the “cut” to grow approach is now impacting Warner Music Group, as it has with numerous companies in the past year.
SONY MUSIC AFRICA TEAMS WITH CRUX GLOBAL
TO SUPPORT TALENT IN GHANA
Sony Music Entertainment has partnered with Crux Global to enhance the music industry in Ghana. Crux Global, a Ghanaian-owned company, specializes in digital distribution services. This collaboration features three levels of support aimed at nurturing talent, from emerging artists to established names.
The offerings include distribution through The Orchard, full-service support encompassing production and marketing, and catalog management to introduce music to new audiences via digital service providers. With its new headquarters in Accra, the partnership will be managed by Sean Watson, the Managing Director of Sony Music Africa, alongside oversight from Christel Kayibi, Sony Music’s Director of Repertoire Strategy for Africa, and Jean-Sebastien Permal, Vice President, A&R, Continental Europe & Africa. Accra will act as the central hub for all partnership-related activities, focusing on artist development, distribution, and catalog management.
“We are excited to partner with Crux to tap into the incredible pool of talent in Ghana,” stated Sean Watson. “This represents a significant step forward in our mission to support artists at every stage of their career and to bring the Ghanaian sound to a global audience.”
“This partnership with Sony Music marks a pivotal moment for the music industry in Ghana,” commented Ike Otoo Arhin, Co-Founder of Crux Global. “By combining our local expertise with Sony Music’s global reach, we are confident that we can provide unparalleled opportunities for both emerging and established artists in Ghana,” added Kofi Kyei, Co-Founder, Crux Global.
Crux Global recently achieved success with the track “Sugarcane (Remix),” featuring Camidoh, King Promise, Darkoo, and Mayorkun. Released in collaboration with Moves Recordings, the track resonated across Ghana, Nigeria, and the diaspora, garnering over 100 million views on YouTube and 150 million streams on various digital platforms. In addition to its distribution efforts, Crux Global hosts annual writing camps and educational summits aimed at advancing the Ghanaian music scene.
REEPERBAHN FESTIVAL IN HAMBURG, GERMANY
This year’s Reeperbahn Festival served as a captivating microcosm of the ever-evolving music industry, particularly within the independent sector. Amidst the historic backdrop of Hamburg, industry leaders converged to discuss the multifaceted nature of today’s music ecosystem, transcending traditional sectors, and embracing a diverse range of platforms and technologies. As per usual, Reeperbahn showcased a plethora of emerging and burgeoning musical talent from across Europe and other key international markets.
The Reeperbahn Festival highlighted how the music business continues to evolve, intertwining with AI, streaming, live events, and branding. It highlighted the dedication of industry stalwarts and visionaries in steering the ship through this ever-changing sea of opportunities and challenges, redefining what it means to create, nurture, and appreciate music in the 21st century.
There were many insightful panels and keynote events at this year’s Reeperbahn Festival including two high-level sessions moderated by Sat Bisla, President & Founder of A&R Worldwide, and one by Tim Ingham, Publisher & Founder, Music Business Worldwide. Bisla did a one-on-one interview with Kim Frankiewicz, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Creative, Concord Music Publishing, and with Thomas Scherer, President Global Catalog Recordings & Music Publishing North America, BMG. Ingham interviewed Guy Moot, Co-Chair & CEO, Warner Chappell Music.
Here is a small pictorial snapshot of some of A&R Worldwide’s conversations and interactions at this year’s Reeperbahn Festival.
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!
The renowned A&R Worldwide dinners have taken place all over the world. However, some of the most infamous were the ones that were held on a private yacht in Cannes, France in partnership with French music companies Rive Droite and Right Bank Music. The popular dinners brought together influential creatives and executives from all over the world.
The late David Goldberg who attended a number of A&R Worldwide dinners and spoke regularly at MUSEXPO events was the founder of LAUNCH Media (which was acquired by Yahoo!) and was also the CEO of SurveyMonkey. He was also the husband of Sheryl Sandberg who was the former COO, Facebook.
French singer and songwriter Soshy was signed to legendary A&R and label executive David Massey thanks to the help of A&R Worldwide Founder Sat Bisla, and her legendary showcase at the very first MUSEXPO event in West Hollywood, CA.
SEB LOWE
Seb Lowe is back with his new single “Mr & Mrs Human Race,” an electro-indie dance anthem with acoustic folk roots. The song explores the differing experiences of men and women, finding unity in shared struggles. At 21, Seb is a rising British indie star, leading a band featuring Kate Couriel (violin), Ben Etches (guitar), and Joel Goodwin (drums). Drawing inspiration from a range of artists like Sinead O’Connor and Arctic Monkeys, his music blends social commentary with infectious melodies. Seb gained popularity during the pandemic on TikTok, where he amassed over 400k followers and ten million views. His band recently completed a sold-out U.K. headline tour and performed at major festivals, including Reading, Leeds, and Glastonbury. They are also supporting Blossoms at a 30,000-capacity show in Manchester. With his witty, socially conscious lyrics and genre-defying sound, Seb Lowe is poised to become a voice of his generation. Listen to “Mr & Mrs Human Race” HERE and contact Liv Carson at liv@they-do.com for additional information and available opportunities with Seb Lowe.
PALE WAVES
Pale Waves are set to release their highly anticipated new album Smitten on the 27th via Dirty Hit, featuring the emotional single “Glasgow.” Vocalist Heather Baron-Gracie describes it as her favorite track, blending heartbreak and euphoria as it explores leaving a relationship that no longer works. Written over two years between the U.S. and the U.K., Smitten marks a shift from the rebellious pop-punk vibes of their previous album Unwanted, embracing a jangly, alt-pop sound that reflects their Northern roots. The lyrics are personal, reflecting Heather’s journey of revisiting old memories and past relationships, with many filled with the excitement and complexity of early queer love. Fans are enjoying this evolution live as Pale Waves finished their U.S. tour with PVRIS in July and are embarking on a U.K. headline tour next month, which promises to showcase their best performances yet. Watch the video for “Glasgow” HERE, and contact rae@dirtyhit.co.ukand mark@allonred.org for additional information and available opportunities worldwide with Pale Waves.
“PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Sunday, September 22nd, 2024: 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:
GLASS CITIES – “Rescue” (Unsigned, N. America)
ELECTRIC ENEMY – “The Dark” (AWAL, U.K.)
NOTHING BUT THIEVES – “Oh No :: He Said What” (RCA Records, U.K.)
CHAPEL OF ROSES – “It’s Not Nothing” (Unsigned, N. America)
GOOD NEIGHBOURS – “Daisies” (Some Action/Virgin, U.K.)
STONE – “Queen” (Polydor, U.K.)
MONOTRONIC – “Kids of Summer” (Unsigned, N. America)
JACK CRITCHLOW – “Bleeding” (Unsigned, U.K.)
ACROBVT – “Can’t Put You Down” (Unsigned, U.K.)
LIME CORDIALE – “Cold Treatment” (Chugg Music, Australia)
MIDDLE KIDS – “Highlands” (EMI, Australia)
SEA GIRLS – “Does Only God Know That We’re Lonely” (Alt Records/Believe, U.K.)
LEONIDEN – “A Million Heartbreak Songs” (Universal Music, Germany)
CAMERON SAGE FROM – “You Won” (Unsigned, Canada)
RHETT REPKO – “How Cold” (Unsigned, N. America)
CARISSA SUMMER ROSE – “Sun Kids” (Unsigned, N. America)
MATTHEW MOLE – “Okay” (Universal Music, South Africa)
ARXX – “Good Boy” (Submarine Cat Records, U.K.)
PICTURE THIS – “Satellites” (RCA Records, Ireland)
THE VICES – “Strange Again” (Mattan Records, Holland)
HINDS – “Superstar” (Lucky Number, Spain)
YNYS – “Shindig” (Libertino, Wales)
DOTAN – “Louder” (7 Layers Music, Holland)
DELIGHTS – “Two Times Over” (Modern Sky, U.K.)
PALE WAVES – “Glasgow” (Dirty Hit, U.K.)
IAMJJ – “Extra Spicy Noodles” (Mermaid, Denmark)
NOTHINGSPECIAL – “Catacombs” (Don’t Be Greedy, Germany)
THE RUBENS – “Black Balloon” (Ivy League Records, Australia)
BRIMHEIM – “Dancing In The Rubble” (Tambourhinoceros, Germany)
MASI MASI – “She’s Coming Through My Window” (P.I.M.P, U.K.)
WEDA MAUVE – “(Still On) Repeat” (Unsigned, Indonesia)
DIYA – “Blow The Blue Away” (Unsigned, U.K.)
GIANT ROOKS – “Under Your Wings” (Universal Music, Germany)
HENRI JAMET NAMED MANAGING DIRECTOR OF BELIEVE FRANCE: Believe has appointed Henri Jamet as its new Managing Director of Believe France. Recognized as a “veteran of the local industry,” Jamet has previously held leadership roles at AllPoints, Morning Glory, naïve, and Animal 63. In his new position, he will oversee Believe’s operations in France and drive the company’s growth strategy in the market. He succeeds Romain Vivien, who has been elevated to President of Europe & Global Head of Music, and will report directly to him. According to Believe’s mid-year results, the company saw a revenue increase of 17.9% year-over-year, reaching €78.4 million (Euros) in the first half of 2024. This revenue accounted for 16.5% of the company’s total earnings. With over 20 years of experience in the music sector, including the last decade at Believe, Jamet began his career at Universal Music, followed by a stint at NRJ, and joined Wagram in 2004 as a Marketing Manager. Since joining Believe in 2013, Jamet has been instrumental in developing the label division, first as Marketing Director and then managing AllPoints and naïve, as well as launching Animal63 with the Savoir Faire team, which includes acts like The Blaze. Under his leadership, AllPoints has become a prominent name in French rap, producing hits from artists like Djadja & Dinaz, Heuss L’enfoiré, and Werenoi. He also transformed naïve into a significant pop label with talents such as Jeanne Added, Gael Faye, and Yseult. In 2023, AllPoints achieved remarkable success with 47 entries in the Top 200 albums of the year, selling 2.5 million albums and featuring the best-selling album, Carré by Werenoi. For the past decade, Believe has also partnered with JuL, recognized as the most streamed artist in the history of French rap.
SECRETLY DISTRIBUTION, BEGGARS GROUP & CARGO U.K. FORM NEW INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR: Cargo Records U.K., Beggars Group, and Secretly Distribution have formed a strategic alliance to enhance independent distribution in the U..K, rebranding under the new name Cargo Independent Distribution (CID). This collaboration will see Secretly Distribution and Beggars Group contributing to CID’s growth through investments in technology and personnel, while also guiding the strategic direction of the entity. Despite these changes, Phil Hill, Founder & CEO, Cargo Records, will retain a controlling stake in CID. Cargo Independent Distribution will continue its partnership with Proper/Utopia for U.K./Ireland fulfillment and will uphold its global services, including physical, digital, and marketing support, for an array of clients such as Fire Records, Hyperdub, Planet Mu, and Sub Pop, which recently transitioned its U.K. distribution to CID. Also, CID will manage physical distribution and sales support for Secretly Group and its affiliates and offer sales representation for Beggars Group’s partner labels. The Secretly Group’s roster, which includes Dead Oceans, Jagjaguwar, Saddest Factory, and Secretly Canadian, features artists like Mitski, Phoebe Bridgers, Khruangbin, and Bon Iver. The affiliates All Flowers Group (including Ghostly and drink sum wtr), and The Numero Group are also part of this collaboration. Beggars Group’s portfolio includes labels like XL Recordings, Young Recordings, Rough Trade, Matador, and 4AD, and is home to artists such as Fontaines D.C., Jamie XX, Sleaford Mods, and Adele, among others.
WARNER CHAPPELL SIGNS WILL MANNING: Warner Chappell Music U.K. (WCM U.K.) has entered into a global publishing agreement with broadcaster, producer, and songwriter Will Manning. Manning’s career began as a teenager DJing and hosting club nights throughout London and the South-East. His broadcasting journey started with a work placement at KISS FM, followed by a notable stint at BBC 1Xtra after a producer discovered his mixing videos online. Manning later contributed to The Hits and KISS FM before joining Capital FM in 2016, where he became known for hosting the Drivetime Show and the U.K.’s leading chart show. Alongside his broadcasting career, Manning has pursued songwriting and production. He recently signed with RCA and released his debut commercial track, “Don’t,” a breakup anthem designed for the club scene, last year. Manning has also co-written the hit dance track “Kisses” by Bl3ss, Camrinwatsin, and bbyclose. The song has been a major success in the U.K. charts, remaining in the Top 10 for five weeks, reaching as high as No. 5, and surpassing 100 million global streams. Emily Green, Senior International A&R and Catalog Manager, Warner Chappell Music U.K. stated, “I am so pleased that Will has agreed to sign with us! He is an amazing talent and such a great person to work with. He has some brilliant new music of his own to follow up on the success of co-writing ‘Kisses,’ and we are looking forward to opening doors for him to work with more top-level producers and writers from around the world.”
FRONTIERS LABEL GROUP SIGNS SKUNK ANANSIE TO NEW IMPRINT FLG: Frontiers Label Group has officially welcomed British rock band Skunk Anansie to its new imprint, FLG, as part of an initiative to broaden its focus on rock and alternative music. Skunk Anansie has sold over five million albums worldwide. Their debut, Paranoid & Sunburnt (1995), and its successor, Stoosh (1996), both reached the Top 10 in the U.K. charts, featuring songs like “Weak” and “Hedonism” which helped them gain international recognition. In 1999, the band released their third album, Post Orgasmic Chill, and made waves by headlining Glastonbury Festival. After a hiatus in 2001, they reunited in 2008 and delivered three critically acclaimed albums: Wonderlustre (2010), Black Traffic (2012), and Anarchytecture (2015). To celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2019, Skunk Anansie released 25LIVE@25, a live album highlighting their greatest hits from six studio albums. Leo Nicholas, Head of A&R, FLG, stated, “The signing of Skunk Anansie is not just a milestone as the first artist to join our new FLG imprint; it is a bold declaration of the label’s vision. We are committed to collaborating with top-tier artists, fostering the creation of powerful art, and establishing ourselves as a trusted partner capable of elevating artists on a global stage.”
BELIEVE SIGNS CRAIG DAVID TO ARTIST SERVICES DEAL: Believe‘s U.K. division has officially partnered with multi-Platinum selling British artist Craig David in a global artist services agreement. This collaboration will support the release of a new album by Craig David, scheduled for 2025, with singles set to drop this autumn. Believe U.K. will spearhead a comprehensive artist services campaign that includes global digital and physical distribution, marketing, promotions, and DSP collaborations, all backed by an audience development team that operates across more than fifty countries. Throughout his 25-year career, Craig David has garnered 14 BRIT nominations, two Grammy nominations, and three Ivor Novello awards. He has sold over fifteen million albums globally and remains highly active on streaming platforms, with 4.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify. His track “7 Days” alone has amassed over 339 million streams. With eight albums under his belt, David has collaborated with a plethora of artists, including Sting and Kano, and has created the live performance and DJ brand TS5, which features residences in Ibiza. Alex Kennedy, Managing Director, Believe U.K. said, “Craig is undoubtedly a national treasure, a generational talent who has soundtracked our lives for the last 25 years. He continues to innovate, delight, and excite, building a bigger and broader audience as he goes. We are honored to be able to work with Craig David and his team and cannot wait for the world to hear his new music.”
DIRTY HIT RENEWS U.K. PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSAL MUSIC: Dirty Hit has extended its physical distribution deal with Universal Music U.K. for another three years, continuing a successful partnership that began in 2010. This collaboration has played a crucial role in the rise of artists like The 1975, Bleachers, Beabadoobee, Japanese House, Wolf Alice, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Rina Sawayama, Pale Waves, and Lava La Rue. The latest achievement under this partnership was Beabadoobee’s debut No.1 album, This Is How Tomorrow Moves. The agreement has also helped propel The 1975 to the top of the charts with all five of their studio albums and contributed to Wolf Alice’s Blue Weekend reaching No.1. Additional successes include Top 5 albums by Rina Sawayama and Pale Waves. Dirty Hit, with offices in London, Los Angeles, Sydney, and Tokyo, has recently introduced a new electronic music label, DH2, led by George Daniel of The 1975. Jamie Oborne, Founder & Owner, Dirty Hit stated, “Universal Music has played a significant role in the continued success of our artists at Dirty Hit. As an independent label, we are always cautious of compromising our artist integrity. However, collaborating with Warren and his incredible team has proven to be a fantastic partnership that has helped deliver impressive results repeatedly. We look forward to many more years working together and the valuable impact this will have for all our artists.”
MERLIN NAMES KAORUKO HILL AS GENERAL MANAGER FOR ASIA-PACIFIC: Merlin has appointed Kaoruko Hill as the new General Manager for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Hill brings over a decade of experience in digital music to this role. Most recently, she was part of ByteDance‘s music data and rights management team, where she managed global music rights for the platform. Before joining ByteDance, Hill was the Head of Member Relations and Operations at Merlin’s Japan office from 2016 to 2020. Her leadership was pivotal in Merlin’s successful market entry into Japan, driving membership growth and establishing key partnerships. Furthermore, Hill has experience with the Japanese music copyright organization, NexTone Inc (formerly JRC), where she specialized in new media licensing and global partner relations. She is also a member of the Copyright Law Association of Japan and has served as a consultant in music rights and licensing.
ROYALTY NETWORK HIRES NEW PRESIDENT: The Royalty Network has announced that Daniel Abowd has been named its new President & General Counsel. Established in 1994, the Royalty Network has evolved into a key player in the music publishing realm, managing a catalog of over 700,000 compositions. Its repertoire includes works by some of the most renowned songwriters and producers, with tracks featured on albums by Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake. Also, their music was featured in high-profile films like Black Panther, Creed 2, and Bad Boys For Life, as well as in major advertising campaigns for brands such as Target, Walmart, BMW, Levi’s, and Chevrolet. Abowd will collaborate closely with Frank Liwall, Founder & CEO, The Royalty Network, continuing the company’s commitment to its independent, client-focused ethos. He will also provide crucial in-house legal guidance to navigate the ever-evolving music publishing landscape.
SARA LORD APPOINTED CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER OF HIPGNOSIS: Hipgnosis has announced the promotion of Sara Lord to Chief Creative Officer. In this role, Sara will spearhead the company’s efforts to foster deeper connections within the creative industries and enhance collaborations involving its catalog of classic tracks. Having joined Hipgnosis in the spring of 2023 as Executive VP Content, Sara will now oversee the Sync and Audience Development teams and, in partnership with Ben Katovsky, CEO, Hipgnosis, to drive engagement with songwriters and artists. With over 25 years in the music industry, Sara’s background includes a notable tenure at Concord Music, where she developed an international team and introduced the Concord Art Prize. She also founded and led Lord Music Management for 15 years, managing various artists and contributing to several multi-Platinum records. Recognized for her accomplishments, Sara is Co-Chair of The Cat’s Mother Network, the youngest recipient of The Music Businesswoman of the Year Award. Ben Katovsky said, “Sara has an outstanding track record and incredible knowledge of the creative industries. Hipgnosis owns many of the world’s most iconic songs and, as we seek to bring them to even wider audiences, building partnerships across these creative industries is a key part of our strategy. Sara is uniquely qualified to build these partnerships while working closely with our songwriters and artists.”
PEERMUSIC NAMES SAMANTHA SCHILLING ROBINSON VP OF NEIGHBOURING RIGHTS DIVISION: Peermusic has named Samantha Schilling Robinson as Vice President of Peermusic Neighbouring Rights. Schilling Robinson joins Peermusic from Songtradr, where she served as Vice President of Neighbouring Rights. With over 17 years in the field of creative and rights management, she brings valuable experience to her new position. Based in Los Angeles, Schilling Robinson will report to Erik Veerman and Paul Smelt, the Managing Directors of Peermusic Neighbouring Rights. Peermusic Neighbouring Rights represents a portfolio that includes over 300 recording rights owners and more than 3,000 performers. Their roster features global artists such as Billie Eilish, Imagine Dragons,Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Metallica, Megan Thee Stallion, HER, and Stromae. In addition, they manage rights for over 300 record labels, including Armada Music, Codiscos, Spinnin’ Records, Empire, Ninja Tune, and Big Machine. The division also works with several collective management organizations (CMOs) to handle international royalties for their recording rights owner members, such as IFPI Sweden and SwissPerform. New additions to their roster include Teddy Swims, members of Simple Plan, and Juno award winner Talk.
ATC GROUP LAUNCHES MUSIC PROMOTIONS COMPANY CIRCA: ATC Group has introduced Circa, a new transatlantic music promotions firm spearheaded by Matt Black, who previously managed Your Army‘s U.S. operations. Circa will operate from offices in Los Angeles, New York, and London, taking over the functions and services of Your Army America, where ATC has held a majority stake since 2021. The newly established company will leverage a larger team and a global reach to enhance its marketing and promotional efforts. The London branch of Circa is led by Charlie Reid, who comes on board as General Manager. Reid brings extensive experience from his previous roles at Your Army, Decca, EMI, and Columbia, where he managed U.K. national radio campaigns for artists such as London Grammar, CamelPhat, and Jon Batiste. In the U.S., Matt Black will guide a team known for executing radio, DJ promotions, and digital campaigns for major label clients, including Atlantic, Warner, RCA, and Capitol. The company’s radio division has achieved prominent chart success across genres for artists like Nia Archives, Rüfüs Du Sol, and The Hives. Circa will continue to drive active campaigns for a roster of artists, including Justice, Kelly Lee Owens, Disclosure, and Deadmau5, among others. The new venture will be part of ATC Group’s Services division, joining other entities such as Familiar Music Group, companyX, Simpatico, Name The Machine, and Sandbag. ATC Group also includes artist management (with clients like Faithless and Nick Cave through Raw Power Management), live booking (ATC Live), music promotion (Joy Entertainment Group), live streaming (Driift), and event experiences (ATC Experience).
WARNER MUSIC LATINA JOINS FORCES WITH STREET MOB RECORDS: Warner Music Latina has secured an exclusive partnership with Street Mob Records, the indie label established by Jesús Ortiz Paz, also known as JOP, the frontman of Fuerza Regida. Founded in 2018, Street Mob Records, based on the West Coast, has been a launchpad for emerging regional Mexican music talent. The deal will bring three of its key acts under the Warner Music Latina banner. Diego Millán leads Calle 24 from Chihuahua, Mexico. The group has garnered attention with tracks such as “Qué Onda” featuring Fuerza Regida and Chino Pacas, as well as “Apaga El Cel” and “Juré Venganza.” Clave Especial, based in Salinas, California, is known for its distinctive fusion of traditional and contemporary sounds, with tracks like “Rápido Soy” and “No Son Doritos.” Armenta, a producer and songwriter from Sinaloa, Mexico, is acclaimed for his work on hits by Fuerza Regida including “Bebe Dame,” “Ch y la Pizza,” and “Harley Quinn.”
THE CIRCUIT GROUP EXPANDS INTO U.K. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CTRLFRK: The Circuit Group is making its U.K. debut by launching a joint venture with music management firm CtrlFrk. Circuit Group U.K. will be helmed by James Sutcliffe, President & CEO. This expansion is part of The Circuit Group’s ongoing efforts, initiated in 2023 by a consortium of artist managers aiming to create business opportunities centered on artists’ intellectual property. The Circuit Group includes management companies Ayita and Seven20, representing a roster that features names like Fisher, Chris Lake, Deadmau5, Cloonee, Aluna, Nero, and Ninajirachi. CtrlFrk’s roster includes artists such as Sammy Virji, Silk, K Motionz, Oppidan, Raphi, and Camoufly. Through this joint venture, Circuit Management will also represent talent like rising electronic artist Volaris, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Camden Cox, DJ and producer Florian Picasso, and veteran house music artist Fat Tony. James Sutcliffe and Michael Boyce will co-lead the management team, alongside co-Founder and VP, Artist Management Jasmine Watts. James Sutcliffe previously held leadership roles at Ministry of Sound, LIVENow, Pixelynx, and Monster Energy, where he developed partnerships with major artists like Dua Lipa, Stormzy, SZA, and Post Malone. He will report to global CEO Dean Wilson while maintaining his position as Chief Strategy Officer for The Circuit Group internationally.
SONY MUSIC NASHVILLE’S RANDY GOODMAN STEPS DOWN: Randy Goodman, the Chairman & CEO of Sony Music Nashville, is set to retire at the close of 2024, concluding a remarkable 35-year career in the music industry. Goodman has held his current position since 2015, during which he also managed Sony Music’s Christian division, Provident Entertainment. His impending retirement comes amidst a wave of leadership changes among major Nashville record labels. Last April, John “Espo” Esposito departed Warner Music Nashville after 14 years, with Ben Kline and Cris Lacy stepping in as co-chairs. Around the same time, Cindy Mabe took the helm as Chair & CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville, succeeding Mike Dungan. Under Goodman’s leadership at Sony, the label has propelled the careers of major artists like Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Maren Morris, and Megan Moroney, while also helping to launch the careers of new talents such as Mitchell Tenpenny and Morgan Wade. Goodman has also been actively involved in the music community, having served as President and Chairman of the CMA Board and co-chairing the Music City Music Council with former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. He is currently a board member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, as well as the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, and is part of the Tennessee Business Leadership Council. In 2019, he received the Presidential Award from Music Biz for outstanding executive achievement. Rob Stringer, Chairman, Sony Music Group, said, “Thank you to Randy for leading our Nashville company through the last nine years and providing some of the biggest new superstars in the genre of country music. These artists are part of his legacy, and he should be proud of that. We look forward to building on the strong base he and his team have set up for the future.”
ARTONE ACQUIRES D2C RETAILER TOWNSEND MUSIC: Townsend Music has been acquired by the Dutch company Artone. This acquisition aligns well with Artone’s strategy, as it brings a comprehensive range of physical product services within the music industry. Townsend Music will join a group that includes Bertus Distribution, the pressing facility Record Industry, and labels such as V2, Music On Vinyl, and Music On CD. As part of Artone’s integrated solutions, Townsend Music is set for continued growth and expansion. While the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, Townsend’s business model of supporting white-label artist-led online shops and independent music retailers has consistently resulted in Top 10 placements. Their in-house marketing, which leverages an active online community and affiliate campaigns, enhances sales by broadening fan engagement and attracting new audiences. Townsend Music has built a client roster of over 1,000 artists, including names like Kylie Minogue, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Van Morrison, Simply Red, Placebo, and others.
KAZ KOBAYASHI TO STEP DOWN AS PRESIDENT & CEO OF WARNER MUSIC JAPAN: Kaz Kobayashi is set to resign from his position as President & CEO of Warner Music Japan later this year, wrapping up a decade of leadership. He is collaborating with Dr. Kenji Kitatani, the newly appointed Chairman, to ensure a smooth transition, with details about his successor to be revealed soon. Kobayashi has led Warner Music Japan since 2014, significantly influencing the trajectories of artists like Aimyon, THE YELLOW MONKEY, Kobukuro, TWICE, MISAMO, and ONE OK ROCK. He has been pivotal in transforming the company into a digital-first label in Japan. A former musician himself, Kobayashi’s journey began at Epic/Sony (now Epic Records Japan) in an A&R role. He advanced to director and producer before becoming President in 2002. In 2008, he took on a corporate executive role at Sony Music Entertainment, while simultaneously leading Epic Records Japan, DefSTAR Records, and Ariola Japan. His extensive responsibilities included overseeing Sony Music’s television, live venue, ticketing, and publishing divisions. Kaz Kobayashi stated, “I want to thank Simon Robson and the entire team at Warner Music Japan, past and present, who have been with me on what has been an incredible journey. I am grateful and feel honored to have been involved in the lives of many talented artists, including Tatsuro Yamashita and Mariya Takeuchi. But all good things end, and I have decided it is the right moment for me to move on.”
MUSIC MANAGERS FORUM UNVEILS FOUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS: The Music Managers Forum (MMF) has revealed the results of its recent board elections during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in London, England. Newly elected members from Leicester, London, and Dundee include Tania Lee of UMC Management, Marit Berning of Globe Town, Shaurav D’Silva from 2-Tone Entertainment Limited, and Paul Smernicki of Big Music MGMT. Tania Lee, a key player in the U.K. drum & bass scene for over 30 years, has managed artists like Shy FX. At UMC, she currently represents a roster of DJs and performers, including Jumpin Jack Frost, Kenny Ken, Nicky Blackmarket, and Ragga Twins. Shaurav D’Silva, a long-time MMF member and board member of the Black Music Coalition, has over 20 years of experience in management, recording, and publishing. His company, 2-Tone Entertainment, is in a joint venture with Stellar Songs and represents artists such as Diztortion, Eyelar, and Aystar. Marit Berning launched Globe Town in 2020, merging management with a record label and creative studio. Her roster now features talents like Tom Rasmussen, Tycho Jones, and FaceSoul. Paul Smernicki, originally from Scotland, served as Universal Music U.K.‘s Director of Digital from 2011 to 2016. He transitioned to management in 2018 and currently represents Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler, Swim School, Fiona-Lee, and Ferester. Sandy Dworniak of This Much Talent was re-elected to the board. Karl Nielson, Nike Durosaro from Big Drum Entertainment, Ross Patel of RossPatel.co, and Clare Wright of Blackstar Management have completed their three-year terms. After six years of service, MMF chair Paul Craig and vice-chair Kwame Kwaten stepped down but will join the MMF’s Custodian Council. Their successors will be revealed at the upcoming MMF board meeting at the end of September.
AMPOLLO AIMS TO OPEN UP NEW REVENUE STREAMS FOR MUSIC INDUSTRY: Ampollo is set to launch as a platform designed for artists, songwriters, and producers to collaborate and connect. Co-founded by CEO Yoram Ben-Israel, CMO Mark Alexiou, and artist Rebekah Pennington (known as Ekkah), who will lead partnerships and growth, Ampollo aims to offer an array of intuitive tools and engagement options for music creators. The startup has secured £2.3 million (GBP) in initial funding from a group of investors in the tech sector, including experts in music, gaming, community-building, content creation, and virtual reality. They are also in talks with several major music companies regarding additional funding and licensing agreements. Ampollo’s platform includes proprietary studio tools that enable musicians to remix tracks, collaborate with others, and access rewards for both creators and audiences. It also allows artists, labels, and rights-holders to promote and distribute music in an engaging, gamified manner, potentially opening new revenue streams within the music industry. Key features of the platform include stem separation for easy track remixing, audio and video recording capabilities, customizable mixing desks, and tools for audience engagement through social media. In addition, Ampollo supports producers by providing toplines, beats, and collaboration opportunities, while also helping songwriters and performers connect with session players. A&R executives can also benefit from enhanced discovery tools. The platform has formed partnerships with various music industry organizations, including BIMM, The Royal Academy, Studiospares, and Pirate Studios, allowing members of these organizations to access its services.
SOUNDEXCHANGE DEVELOPING GLOBAL AI SOUND RECORDING REGISTRY: Michael Huppe, President & CEO of SoundExchange, has announced plans for a global artificial intelligence (AI) registry aimed at protecting the rights of sound recording creators and rights owners. He made this revelation during a panel with Timbaland at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in Manhattan. The forthcoming registry will serve as a resource for creators to safeguard their rights concerning the use of their work in AI models. It will allow them to “reserve” rights against the use of their content for AI training, even though current U.S. law does not mandate such reservations. This initiative will help AI companies manage their training data more effectively and promote similar protections internationally, particularly in Europe. Set to launch in early 2025, the registry builds upon SoundExchange’s existing systems for collecting and distributing recording royalties. It will leverage SoundExchange’s comprehensive international standard recording code (ISRC) database. AI model developers will be able to access this database to confirm permissions before using recordings, ensuring that creators’ intellectual property is respected. Rights holders will still have the option to negotiate rights reservations with individual AI companies, but the new registry will streamline the notification process and enhance efficiency. Listing in the registry will be voluntary, and rights owners will retain full legal control over their recordings regardless of registry participation. As the official entity responsible for managing the U.S. non-interactive streaming license, SoundExchange oversees the world’s largest music rights catalog, with over 126 million sound recordings. It is also recognized by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for maintaining U.S. ISRCs and operates the industry’s most extensive sanctioned ISRC database. Also, SoundExchange is a founding member of the Human Artistry Campaign, a global coalition of more than 170 organizations from 34 countries advocating for the importance of human creativity in the age of AI. While the campaign acknowledges AI as a valuable tool for artists, it emphasizes that it can never replace human expression and artistry.
ROEX PARTNERS WITH UNITEDMASTERS: RoEx has teamed up with UnitedMasters to introduce state-of-the-art AI-driven mastering to independent artists, enhancing their tracks with top-tier sound quality. Artists on the UnitedMasters platform can now use RoEx’s audio engine, Tonn, to master their music via the UnitedMasters’ web platform and iOS app. Tonn adjusts dynamics, EQ, and compression, ensuring each track achieves a polished and harmonious sound. Looking ahead, RoEx and UnitedMasters aim to deepen their partnership by developing extensive audio quality solutions for UnitedMasters’ users and create educational content for the Blueprint artist development tool. Recent UnitedMasters data reveals that tracks with professional mastering are streamed 34% more in their first three months compared to non-mastered tracks. In celebration of their new alliance, RoEx and UnitedMasters are launching ‘The Exclusive,’ an in-app contest offering fifty artists free mastering credits valued at up to $150 each. To enter, artists must submit their original music by November 1st. In addition, to bolster RoEx’s network, Tom Nield has been named as Head of Partnerships. With over 15 years in the music-tech sector, including roles at [PIAS] Entertainment Group, soundhalo, LANDR, and co-founding Landmrk, Tom brings extensive experience in forging global industry relationships. Based in London, he will report directly to RoEx CEO David Ronan. Furthermore, RoEx has expanded its B2B network through a recent agreement with Music.AI, providing multi-track audio mixing services to 16,000 partner organizations, including labels and tech developers. In May, RoEx also received a £250,000 grant from Innovate UK to advance AI innovations in the UK music industry.
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Terry McBride, David Pichilingi, Jen Masset, Marian Wolf, Keith Naftaly, Allan Klepfisz, Brandon Silverstein, Ed Howard, Katja Lucker, Vinay Guwalani, Jay Cooper, Laurent Hubert, and Evan Lipschutz.
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