MUSEXPO 2025 ANNOUNCES ITS EVENT PROGRAM
& UNVEILS MORE SPEAKERS FOR ITS 25TH EDITION
MUSEXPO “The United Nations of Music” (www.musexpo.net), the pioneering global music business conference renowned for its transformative impact on the music industry, will take place March 16 – 19, 2025, in Burbank, California. Marking a quarter-century of influence, MUSEXPO 2025 will celebrate its storied history, spanning three continents, and highlighting the future evolution of the music business landscape.
MUSEXPO will also return with its esteemed “International Music Industry Awards” (which originally launched back in 2012) in association with A&R Worldwide and will recognize the contributions of some of the most influential executives and creatives across key sectors of the global music business in association with Visit Burbank and City of Burbank “The Media Capital of The World” during the private VIP Gala Dinner presentations. There are a limited number of tickets available – further details are available upon registering HERE.
In addition, the annual Seymour Stein “Global A&R Award,” will be bestowed upon legendary artist and repertoire executive Michael Goldstone, Founder & Co-Owner, Mom+Pop Music, and the “Lifetime Achievement Award” will be presented to one of the world’s most influential manager of producers and songwriters Mark Beaven, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Advanced Alternative Media, Inc. (AAM, Inc.) as announced in Billboard recently. The “International Music Person of the Year” recipient is Mandar Thakur, CEO, Times Music Group (India), the first person from South Asia to receive this prestigious accolade. MUSEXPO will also feature its popular Global Sync Summit, and A&R Summit, as a part of its overall 2025 event program.
The full event program for the various panels, keynotes, awards luncheons, showcases, networking receptions, and more for MUSEXPO 2025 can be found HERE.
MUSEXPO 2025 has unveiled that more influential executives, creatives, and companies that will participate at the special 25th edition of what is one of the world’s most inspiring, influential, and impactful global music business and showcase events, which still to this day has remained independently organized by A&R Worldwide.
Already confirmed to participate are Adam Brodsky – Founder & Music Supervisor, Woolly Music; Adam Taylor – President & CEO, APM Music; Adrian Sosa – Head of Music, Latin America/Brazil/Australia/Canada/New Zealand, Amazon MGM Studios; Amy Dunning, Vice President Music, Netflix; Anton Monsted – Head of Music, Original Movies (U.S.), Amazon MGM Studios; Aton Ben-Horin – Executive Vice President, A&R, Warner Music Group; Ben Dorenfeld – Director of Music, Anomaly; Benjamin Budde – CEO, Budde Music Group; Bob Bowen – Worldwide Head of Music, Amazon MGM Studios; Bobby Gumm – Vice President, Music, Trailer Park; Chris Foitle – Sr. VP A&R, AWAL; Dorian Perron – Co-Founder, Chief Business & Music Officer, Groover; Emma Banks – Music Agent & Co-Head, Global Touring, CAA; George Garner, Head of Content, Music Week U.K.; Janine Kerr – Vice President, Music, FanDuel Sports Network; Jason Bentley – President, Bentley Media Ventures; Jen Malone – Music Supervisor / Head of Black & White Music; Jeremy Yohai – Sr. Vice President, A&R, Concord Music Publishing; Jesse Peters – President, 724 Management / Live Nation; Joe Belliotti – Founder & CEO, Music Grows Brands; Josh Mateer – Head of A&R, Sound On / Tik Tok; Julia Michels – Grammy-Winning Music Supervisor, Format Entertainment; Josh Abraham – Co-Founder & Co-CEO, PULSE Music Group; Kabiru Bello – Vice President, Global A&R, Warner Recorded Music; Katie Romanovich – Associate Music Supervisor, Format Entertainment; Kim Frankiewicz – Executive VP, Worldwide A&R, Concord Music Publishing; Korda Marshall – Managing Director, Worldwide (ex-ANZ), Mushroom Music; Larry Rudolph – Founder & CEO, 724 Management / Live Nation; Liza Richardson – Head of Music, Original Series (U.S.), Amazon MGM Studios; Louisa Rainbird – Head of Music, European Union, Amazon MGM Studios; Luke Mitzman – Founder. 100 Management Inc.; Mandar Thakur – CEO, Times Music Group (India); Marc Mondello – Music Supervisor & Founder, Makana Music; Mark Beaven – Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Advanced Alternative Media (AAM), Inc.; Mark Sutherland – Contributing Editor, Variety & MBW; Mason Cooper – Music Supervisor & Founder, Songrunner Entertainment; Melinda Newman – Executive Editor, West Coast and Nashville, Billboard; Michael Goldstone, Founder & Co-Owner, Mom+Pop Music; Mike Knobloch – President of Music & Publishing, NBCUniversal; Panos A. Panay – President, The Recording Academy (The Grammys); Paul Resnikoff – Publisher, Digital Music News; Raphaella Lima – Global Music Supervision, Marketing & Partnerships, Electronic Arts; Ritch Esra – Publisher, The Music Registry & Co-Founder, MUBUTV; Sat Bisla – President & Founder, A&R Worldwide / MUSEXPO; Savan Kotecha – Oscar, Golden Globe & Grammy Nominated Songwriter / Producer; Scott Cutler – Co-Founder & Co-CEO, PULSE Music Group; Shivam Malhotra – Founder & CEO, Malsons Media (India); Steve Sessa – Co-Chair, Entertainment & Media Industry Group, Reed Smith; Tim Ingham, Founder & Publisher, Music Business Worldwide; Tom Windish – Executive VP, A&R / Business Development, Wasserman Music; Tyler Henry – Founder & CEO, STURDY & Partner, Range Media Partners, and many others to be announced in the coming weeks.
Registration is now open to attend MUSEXPO 2025 at www.musexpo.net.
For information on artist submissions, event partnerships, and sponsorship opportunities contact info@anrworldwide.com.
LEKEISHA IRION NAMED AS HEAD OF A&R
AT WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC BENELUX
Lekeisha Irion has been promoted to Head of A&R at Warner Chappell Music Benelux (WCMB), overseeing the music publishing division for Warner Music Group (WMG) in the region. Operating out of WCM’s Amsterdam office, Irion will report directly to Niels Walboomers, President of Records & Publishing for WMG Benelux.
Since joining WCM as an A&R Manager at the beginning of 2023, Irion has made a name for herself, particularly in the Dutch pop and hip-hop scenes. She has aided in developing the careers of Antoon, Bankzitters, Brahim Fouradi, Julian Vahle, Paul Sinha, Renske te Buck, Reverse, Roxy Dekker, and Trobi.
A key highlight of her early tenure was signing Roxy Dekker, whose breakthrough success under Irion’s guidance saw her achieve four No.1 hits in the Netherlands in 2024, along with an Edison Award for “Best Newcomer.” The single “Sugardaddy,” which topped the charts, was written entirely by artists under WCM’s roster, including Beer Petrie, Julian Vahle, and Renske te Buck, all of whom Irion signed.
Shani Gonzales, Head of International A&R and Managing Director, WCM U.K., said, “Lekeisha is an amazing asset to our global network of A&Rs. She understands how genres and scenes are evolving in different markets and knows how to spot the opportunities for her writers to jump into collaborations. I am so pleased her hard work is being recognized, and as a young female executive, she is one to watch for the future.”
Irion has built a reputation for her collaborative approach, working closely with Warner Music Benelux’s recorded music team to create synergies that benefit both artists and songwriters. This teamwork has led to several signings, such as those of Antoon and Roxy Dekker, who have secured both publishing and recording deals with Warner Music Group because of this unified support.
MARCO PAGLIA AND RIO CARAEFF
APPOINTED CO-PRESIDENTS OF MUSIXMATCH
Sony Music Publishing has entered into an agreement with producer Mike Dean and members of his producer collective, M.W.A., which includes Sean Solymar, Tommy Rush, and Sage Skolfield. In addition to this signing, Sony Music Publishing has formed an alliance with M.W.A. aimed at nurturing emerging talent. Mike Dean, a Grammy Award-winning producer, engineer, mixer, and multi-instrumentalist, has made an impact across genres such as hip-hop, pop, experimental rock, and soul.
Dean’s career began in the early 1990s when he collaborated with southern rap artists like Scarface, UGK, and Devin The Dude. He has since become a sought-after collaborator for artists including Travis Scott (ASTROWORLD, “Sicko Mode”), Beyoncé (Lemonade), Frank Ocean (Blonde), Ye (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, “Mercy”), and The Weeknd (Beauty Behind the Madness).
As a performing artist, Dean has headlined shows at venues like the Wiltern in Los Angeles and served as the opening act for The Weeknd’s sold-out After Hours Till Dawn stadium tour. He also co-scored HBO‘s series The Idol alongside The Weeknd and Sam Levinson, appearing as himself in the show.
Jon Platt, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Publishing, said, “I am a longtime fan of Mike and his music. Not only has he consistently transformed Hip-Hop, but his creative influence extends across modern music, inspiring new talent through his work with M.W.A. We are pleased to partner with Mike and M.W.A.’s Sean Solymar, Tommy Rush, and Sage Skolfield as they continue to shape music’s future.”
M.W.A., founded by Dean in 2017, has collaborated with countless big-name artists in the music industry. Sean Solymar has production credits for the Grammy-winning song “Jail,” having worked with Nas, Latto, Teyana Taylor, Madonna, Ye, and Travis Scott. Tommy Rush has collaborated with Beyoncé, Travis Scott, and Ye, contributing to projects such as Christine And The Queen‘s Paranoia and Mike Dean’s own 4:23, as well as The Weeknd and Madonna’s Platinum-certified track “Popular” featuring Playboi Carti. Sage Skolfield has recently made strides with collaborations on tracks like “Dancing in The Flames” and “We Still Don’t Trust You” with Metro Boomin and Future, as well as contributions to HBO’s The Idol with songs like “World Class Sinner / I’m A Freak” and “One of The Girls.”
CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING SIGNS KARA JACKSON
Concord Music Publishing has solidified a major addition to its roster, announcing a worldwide publishing deal with acclaimed poet, singer-songwriter, and producer Kara Jackson. The agreement, finalized in partnership with Ark Publishing, a joint venture helmed by Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Noah Goldstein, encompasses Jackson’s entire catalog and her future projects. This partnership, effective immediately, marks an exciting new phase in Jackson’s career, bolstered by the creative direction of Ark Publishing’s collaborative team.
Kara Jackson made a striking entrance into the music scene with her debut album, Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love?, released in April 2023. Her unique voice and evocative storytelling quickly garnered critical acclaim, with enthusiastic praise from major music outlets, including Pitchfork, NPR, CRACK Magazine, Rolling Stone, The Needle Drop, and Pigeons & Planes. The album’s success positioned Jackson as one of the most compelling new voices in contemporary music. She continued her artistic ascent with her latest single, “Right, Wrong or Ready”, released in April 2024. This track highlights production from Jackson herself, Goldstein, and Ark collaborator Daniel Aged, known for his work with Frank Ocean, Rosalía, and FKA Twigs.
Jeremy Yohai, Sr. VP of A&R, Concord Music Publishing, tells A&R Worldwide, “Kara is an extraordinary artist with a unique skill set and an amazing ability for storytelling. We are excited to work together, alongside Noah, as she forages her own path.”
Beyond her achievements in music, Jackson is an accomplished poet with a reputation for poignant, resonant prose. Raised in Oak Park, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, her work draws deeply from her Southern roots and experiences in Chicago. In 2019, she was named the Youth Poet Laureate of Chicago and went on to be named the National Youth Poet Laureate that same year, solidifying her as an influential voice in modern poetry. She is also the author of the poetry collection, Bloodstone Cowboy, a work that explores themes of identity, resilience, and community.
Each week, A&R Worldwide shares a snapshot of creatives and executives that we have collaborated or worked with in various music markets around the world, albeit in recent or previous times!
A&R Worldwide has had a longstanding relationship with the Irish music community and has helped numerous Irish acts secure worldwide label and publishing deals including Shobsy (global publishing deal to Pangea Music Publishing who have a worldwide admin deal with Sony Music Publishing), Picture This (their first deal to Republic Records), Gavin James (label and publishing deal with Good Soldier Songs), Laura Izibor (label signing to Atlantic Records), Tara Lee (publishing deal with BMG), and helping make a substantial impact with the early support and global development for many of Ireland’s burgeoning talent, including being very early supporters of artists like Hozier, Mono Band (founded by Cranberries guitarist Noel Hogan), Duke Special, Cathy Davey, Kingfishr, and many others.
HIPPO CAMPUS
Hippo Campus‘s new album Flood, released via Psychic Hotline, is a powerful exploration of growth, friendship, and raw emotion. Captured in just 10 days on the Texas border, Flood, their fourth studio album, is hailed as the band’s best work to date, channeling the highs and lows of adulthood through dynamic hooks and intricate arrangements. The title track, “Flood,” embodies the album’s essence, reflecting Hippo Campus’s decision to abandon preconceived ideas and embrace a fresh, unguarded sound. After discarding five years of work and over one hundred songs, the band, guided by producers Caleb Wright and Brad Cook, focused on creating music that felt authentic and immediate. With influences from artists like Phoenix, Big Thief, and Tom Petty, Flood delivers standout tracks like “Forget It,” “Paranoid,” and “Tooth Fairy,” each a testament to themes of self-reflection, forgiveness, and resilience. To celebrate, Hippo Campus will embark on a North American tour from January through May 2025, including iconic venues like Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and The Wiltern in Los Angeles. Listen to “Flood” HERE, and contact Kevin Duneman at kevin@psychic-hotline.net for additional information and available opportunities with Hippo Campus worldwide.
SHOBSY
Irish singer-songwriter Shobsy recently signed a global publishing deal with Pangea International Music Publishing, in an administration partnership with Sony Music Publishing, following a successful trip to Los Angeles where he performed at MUSEXPO. Ahead of his upcoming headline show at Dublin’s Academy on November 15th, he unleashes his brand new single “Champagne.” Shobsy’s previous solo releases, including “Vanity,” “Driven,” and “The Way We Are,” have received positive support from major platforms like EARMILK, Hot Press, and Today FM, while his recent single “Entertainment” was named 2fm‘s “Track of the Week.” Notable performances over the past year include appearances at sold-out Irish venues, a showcase at the President of Ireland‘s residence, and a viral performance of “Smalltown Boy” on The Late Late Show, which garnered over 100,000 views in 12 hours. Known for his charisma and genre-crossing style inspired by George Michael, David Bowie, and The Weeknd, Shobsy continues to captivate audiences with his versatile vocals and engaging live performances, promising a fresh, genre-blending sound in his upcoming Berlin-recorded music. Enjoy the visual for “Champagne” HERE, and reach out to David Reid for label signing, licensing, or live opportunities at dave@choicemusicprize.ie.
“PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Sunday, November 10th, 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)
LOLA YOUNG – “Flicker Of Light” (Island Records, U.K.)
ELECTRIC ENEMY – “Stop Falling In Love” (AWAL, U.K.)
DAILY J – “Sunday Stitches” (Unsigned, New Zealand)
LEONIDEN – “Motion Blur” (Universal Music, Germany)
KAI BOSCH – “Everything Is Beautiful” (LAB Records, U.K.)
LIME CORDIALE – “Strangers” (Chugg Music, Australia)
ACROBVT – “Last Goodbye” (Unsigned, U.K.)
CRYSTAL TIDES – “The Middle” (Run On Records/Modern Sky, U.K.)
ZIMMER90 – “Feel Like We Used To” (Unsigned, Germany)
ARXX – “Trouble” (Republic Of Music, U.K.)
SEB LOWE – “Mr & Mrs Human Race” (LAB Records, U.K.)
TALISCO – “We Are” (Roy Music, France)
BEARTOOTH – “ATTN.” (Red Bull Records, N. America)
DIYA – “Blow The Blue Away” (Unsigned, U.K.)
IAMJJ – “Moonshine” (Mermaid, Denmark)
CAMERON SAGE FROM – “You Won” (Unsigned, Canada)
DOLORES FOREVER – “Concrete” (Sweat Entertainment, U.K.)
ONLY THE POETS – “Already There” (EMI, U.K.)
MIDDLE KIDS – “Highlands” (EMI, Australia)
CASSIA – “Heat” (Pont Danic Music, U.K.)
FIL BO RIVA – “I Like You” (Vertigo/Universal Music, Germany)
FIONA-LEE – “Nothing Compares To Nineteen” (Gravity/EMI Records, U.K.)
DOTAN – “Drown Me In Your River” (7 Layers, Holland)
STONE – “Queen” (Polydor, U.K.)
RHETT REPKO – “How Cold” (Unsigned, N. America)
HINDS – “The Bed, The Room, The Rain & You” (Lucky Number, Spain)
KINGFISHR – “I Cried, I Wept” (Doonane Records, Ireland)
BUDJERAH – “Is It Ever Gonna Make Sense” (Warner Music, Australia)
MASI MASI – “Lesser Men” (Unsigned, U.K.)
SHOBSY – “Champagne” (Unsigned, Ireland)
ADELINE V. LOPEZ – “Drink Up” (Unsigned, N. America)
MONOTRONIC – “Looking Away” (Unsigned, N. America)
CAT SERRANO – “You, Me And The Night” (Unsigned, N. America)
SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING INDONESIA SIGNS SINGER & ACTOR SAL PRIADI: Sony Music Publishing Indonesia (SMPI) has entered into an exclusive global publishing agreement with Indonesian artist Sal Priadi. Under the terms of the deal, all of Priadi’s music catalog will now be managed by SMPI. Sal Priadi has built a strong following both in Indonesia and internationally. His latest album, Markers And Such Pens Flashdisks, released in April 2024, has already accumulated over 176 million streams on Spotify. One of the standout tracks from the album, “Gala Bunga Matahari,” also made its mark on Spotify’s Viral 50 Global chart. Capitalizing on the momentum from the album’s success, Priadi embarked on a successful five-city tour across Indonesia in the late summer 2024, cementing his position as one of the country’s most in-demand musical talents. “We are thrilled to welcome Sal Priadi to the SMP family,” stated Carol Ng, President, Asia, Sony Music Publishing. “His music transcends cultural boundaries, touching the hearts of listeners through relatable narratives and soulful melodies.” Anti Ariandini, General Manager, Sony Music Publishing Indonesia, added, “We are very glad to be Sal Priadi’s very first publishing company. His unique talent, captivating storytelling, and undeniable charisma have resonated with audiences worldwide and we are committed to supporting his artistic vision and expanding his reach to new heights!”
FREDDIE GIBBS SIGNS WITH AWAL: Freddie Gibbs has signed with AWAL, adding to the company’s growing roster of hip-hop and R&B talent. The announcement comes alongside the drop of his latest album, You Only Die 1nce, which was released on November 1. This project follows Gibbs’ recent contribution to Kanye West‘s Vultures project and serves as his first full-length album since 2022’s $oul $old $eperately. Gibbs took the reins as executive producer on You Only Die 1nce, collaborating with Ben “Lambo” Lambert, Norva Denton, and Pops. Since his debut in 2009 with Midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuzik, Gibbs has accumulated over one billion streams across various platforms. His past works include Piñata (2014) and Bandana (2019) with Madlib, while Bandana reached No.21 on the Billboard Top 200 and earned spots on year-end lists from publications like Vulture, Vibe, and SPIN. In addition to his music career, Gibbs has ventured into acting, making his debut in 2021’s Down With The King. His performance earned him recognition from The New York Times, which included him in its list of “The 10 Best Actors of the Year.” By partnering with AWAL, Gibbs gains the freedom to retain ownership of his music while benefiting from the company’s comprehensive label services, including global marketing, A&R, playlist promotion, and data analytics. AWAL’s artist roster also includes Little Simz, Lauv, JPEGMAFIA, and deadmau5, among others.
WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC & TWELVE6 ENTERTAINMENT SIGN GLOBAL PUBLISHING DEAL WITH BEN WAGNER: Warner Chappell Music (WCM) and Twelve6 Entertainment have signed singer-songwriter Ben Wagner. Known for his heartfelt lyrics, Wagner is a frequent collaborator of rising country music star Wyatt Flores and has amassed twenty million streams with songs such as “Runnin’ Out of Time,” “Life Lessons,” and “Ain’t Proud.” His music has connected with audiences nationwide, featured in the acclaimed Netflix drama series, Virgin River, and the drama film, Ordinary Angels, with the tracks “Way You Move” and “Turn.” This year, Wagner was honored with the 2024 Pamela Phillips Oland Excellence in the Art of Writing Lyrics Award, celebrating his exceptional lyricism. He is also a three-time first-place winner of the Great American Song Contest and partners with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Creativets, a nonprofit that provides support to veterans interested in songwriting. Benji Amaefule, Manager, A&R, WCM Nashville, said, “I am excited to have Ben join the Warner Chappell family in partnership with Twelve6. His versatile skill set and connection with artists and writers in this community are key to success in this current musical climate. I am looking forward to highlighting his songs to fans that will resonate with his unique storytelling that is already connecting around the country!”
PEERMUSIC MAKES SERIES OF LATIN TALENT SIGNINGS IN MEXICO: Peermusic has entered into global publishing agreements with Aquihayaquihay, Un León Marinero, and Foudeqush, marking an expansion of its roster in Latin music. The deals, brokered by Peermusic Mexico, cover both their existing catalogs and upcoming releases. Aquihayaquihay, the collective behind the M-Pop genre (a fusion of Mexican pop, hip-hop, R&B, and Latin rhythms), has been generating attention. The group comprised of Jay-lee, Neqer, Phynx, Zizzy, and Nehly released their third album in May. Un León Marinero is a Mexican singer-songwriter part of a burgeoning movement of Latin folk artists gaining traction. His track “Por Ti Me Quedo En San Luis,” a collaboration with Kevin Kaarl, has earned over 15 million streams, propelling him into the spotlight in the Latin music scene. Foudeqush, a Mexican artist, songwriter, and producer, made a major commercial impact in 2022 with “Con La Brisa.” Co-written and recorded with Ludwig Göransson, the track was featured on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack and has garnered 100 million streams on Spotify alone. In addition, Foudeqush is signed through Peermusic’s joint venture with Fonetica. This announcement follows the recent appointment of Elizabeth Rodda as President of Peermusic Latin America and Global Society Relations. Rodda is tasked with overseeing Peermusic’s operations and expanding its Latin initiatives across Mexico, Central and South America. Additionally, Peermusic has continued to strengthen its Latin American presence. Earlier in 2023, the company signed Chilean producer and songwriter Vladi Cachai to a worldwide publishing agreement, adding to its growing roster of influential talent in the region.
REDEYE SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH LASGO WORLDWIDE MEDIA FOR U.K. & IRELAND: Redeye Worldwide has entered into a strategic partnership with Lasgo Worldwide Media to handle physical distribution and fulfillment across the U.K. and Ireland. This collaboration will enhance Redeye’s ability to service these markets more effectively and efficiently. In a complementary move, Redeye, which is part of the Exceleration Music Group, has also strengthened its European operations through an expanded agreement with Bertus, a Netherlands-based pan-European distributor. This new one-stop arrangement will streamline Redeye’s EU physical distribution, enabling the company to offer its clients increased visibility and marketing opportunities across the continent. It will also provide greater operational transparency, with Redeye’s in-house, Europe-wide salesforce and established accounts network improving efficiency. While these updates enhance Redeye’s European reach, its Swedish subsidiary, Border Music, will continue to manage distribution and services in the Nordic markets. Representing a roster of labels such as New West, Yep Roc, Alligator, Kill Rock Stars, Barsuk, Mom+Pop, Fire Talk, and many more, Redeye is also focused on expanding its sales and marketing efforts in the United Kingdom. To support this, the company plans to hire additional sales and label support personnel based in the U.K., who will work alongside the Lasgo team to further drive growth in the region.
ALANA DOLGIN NAMED PRESIDENT DIGITAL MARKETING AT ATLANTIC MUSIC GROUP: Atlantic Music Group (AMG) has appointed Alana Dolgin as its first-ever President of Digital Marketing, a newly created role within the company. Dolgin will be responsible for leading digital marketing efforts across several key labels, including Atlantic Records, 300 Entertainment, and 10K Projects. Alongside this position, she will continue to serve as President of Homemade Projects, the talent management and digital marketing firm she has helped grow since 2021. Homemade Projects has gained a reputation for its influencer marketing expertise, working with clients like Jake Shane, Anna Shumate, Emma Brooks McAllister, and others. During her time at Atlantic, Dolgin has already achieved success, driving impactful social campaigns such as the viral push for ROSÉ and Bruno Mars‘ collaboration “APT.” and Don Toliver‘s “New Drop.” Dolgin’s career began at Columbia Records before joining HITCO in 2018, where she played a role in launching viral TikTok campaigns for Cardi B‘s “Up” and Saint JHN‘s “Roses.” The latter, under her guidance, reached over 4.5 billion plays on TikTok in just one month. This success propelled her into Flighthouse, where she honed her skills in influencer marketing before founding her own viral marketing agency, which eventually led to her partnership with Homemade Projects. Dolgin will be based in Atlantic’s Los Angeles office, reporting directly to Zach Friedman, COO, Atlantic Music Group, and Tony Talamo, General Manager, AMG.
AUDIOMACK STRIKES PARTNERSHIP WITH INDIA’S OLDEST LABEL, SAREGAMA: Audiomack has teamed up with Saregama, one of India’s most iconic and longstanding labels, to expand its offering of Bollywood hits and regional music. This collaboration will introduce a catalog of classic and contemporary Indian tracks to Audiomack’s audience. The announcement comes as Audiomack celebrates a milestone, with the platform reaching over ten million active users worldwide, according to Audiomack Founder Dave Macli. This growth comes on the heels of the platform’s strong foothold in the South Asian market, particularly within the Punjabi music genre, which rakes in more than 160 million streams per month globally. Canada stands out as a key market for Audiomack, contributing a substantial 77.5 million of those streams. The platform has already made inroads in India with over 200,000 active users, alongside user bases in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other neighboring countries. In addition to its success in South Asia, Audiomack has also cultivated a dedicated audience for Desi content in the U.K., especially in cities with large South Asian communities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham. The platform’s commitment to the Punjabi music scene is underscored by its partnership with 5X Fest, North America’s largest Punjabi music festival. The 2024 edition of the festival in Surrey, Canada, attracted 3,000 attendees and generated 50 million digital impressions, with Audiomack playing a central role by curating the official festival playlist.
LEVELLR RAISES $1.75M IN FUNDING AND NAMES CHAIRMAN: Levellr, a platform designed to enhance community management and provide insights for Discord-based communities, has secured $1.75 (USD) million in funding. The investment round was backed by a group of executives from the music, gaming, and media industries. Notable investors include Mitch Lasky, former Nexon CEO Owen Mahoney, Fuel Ventures, Colopl Next, and LFG Holdings led by Dylan Collins. The round also saw participation from senior executives at companies such as Krafton, Riot Games, Amazon, EA, and SuperAwesome. In addition to the funding, Levellr has appointed Dylan Collins, a well-known entrepreneur, having founded SuperAwesome, Jolt, and Demonware, as Chairman. Levellr’s tools are designed to help manage and grow Discord communities, a platform that now has over 200 million monthly active users, making it a crucial space for digital engagement, particularly among Gen Z and Gen Alpha. With the growing recognition of Discord’s value across industries such as gaming, music, and media, Levellr’s services are increasingly in demand. The platform offers a range of solutions, from community management to customer support, partnerships, and engineering, catering to clients including Fred Again.., Maisie Peters, Ólafur Arnalds, and Fall Out Boy.
GIGANTIC TICKETS MAKES SERIES OF PROMOTIONS IN SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM: Gigantic Tickets has announced several key promotions within its senior leadership team as part of its ongoing expansion. Simon Carpenter, who has played an important role in the company’s commercial strategy for the past nine years, has been appointed co-CEO alongside founder Mark Gasson. Carpenter has 15 years of experience in the ticketing industry and will continue to oversee the company’s commercial operations. Meanwhile, Joe Lilley, a core member of Gigantic’s technical team for over 13 years, has been promoted to co-CTO, joining current CTO James Woodward in leading the company’s technology goals. Lilley will focus on advancing and enhancing Gigantic’s ticketing solutions. Also, Kelly McKinney, who has been with Gigantic for eight years managing event planning and client services, has been elevated to the role of head of operations. With more than 20 years in the ticketing industry, McKinney’s leadership will help aid the company’s operational capabilities. As Gigantic Tickets nears its 18th anniversary, the company, part of the KMJ Entertainment Group, continues to grow its footprint in the ticketing sector, providing comprehensive services to promoters, venues, and festivals across the industry.
SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING ELEVATES RACHEAL CONTE TO VP OF SAMPLE CLEARANCE, LEGAL & BUSINESS AFFAIRS: Sony Music Publishing (SMP) has named Racheal Conte to the role of Vice President of Sample Clearance, Legal & Business Affairs. In this expanded position, Conte will oversee the U.S. sample clearance team, spearheading efforts to modernize processes within the department. She will also work on developing innovative strategies to expand sampling opportunities for SMP’s songwriters and catalog while collaborating with global offices to ensure smooth clearance of U.S.-originated works internationally. Conte, based in New York, will report directly to Peter Brodsky, Executive Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs and General Counsel at Sony Music Publishing. She began her career at EMI Music Publishing in 2006 within the A&R division, eventually transitioning to the business affairs team. In 2012, she joined the sample clearance unit, where she most recently held the position of Assistant Director of Sampling Clearance. Peter Brodsky said, “I am delighted to recognize Racheal with this promotion. Racheal’s contributions have been key to the success of SMP’s songwriters and catalogues, and it has been rewarding to see her growth as a leader throughout her time at the company. I look forward to seeing what Racheal will accomplish next in this new role.”
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: James Cheney, Linnea Alouani, Frank Liwall, James Petronio, Lucas Jacobsson, Tim Riley, Ashish Jose, Fred Davis, Jennifer Fierman, Adam Clough, Andre De Raaff, Gina Tucci, Tina Davis, Ron Perry, and Justin Shukat.
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