A&R Worldwide Newsletter Vol. 875

MUSEXPO REVEALS MORE TOP-TIER PANELS & KEYNOTES AND A FOCUS ON THE FUTURE OF THE GLOBAL MUSIC BUSINESS

 

MUSEXPO “The United Nations of Music” (www.musexpo.net), the pioneering global music business conference and showcase event is just over three weeks away, and takes 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 highlight the future evolution of the music business landscape.

As the music industry continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, MUSEXPO remains an essential gathering for global industry leaders, creatives, innovators, and tastemakers. Celebrating its 25th global edition, MUSEXPO is also bringing together some of the sharpest minds in music, media, technology, and live entertainment for an unparalleled experience. In addition, MUSEXPO will feature music and media journalists from Billboard, Digital Music News, Hollywood Reporter, Music Business Worldwide, Music Week, Variety, Music Business Television, and others to moderate many of its key panels and keynote interviews.

MUSEXPO has unveiled more exciting panels including its global keynote panel, a market focus on Germany (one of the most important music markets in the world), and a focus on music in radio, streaming, playlisting, and video.

GLOBAL KEYNOTE: The Future of The Worldwide Music Business – This in-depth discussion will explore the evolving music ecosystem, from artist development (A&R and publishing) to live experiences, digital and AI innovation, sync licensing, legal, management, and much more. Organized and curated by A&R Worldwide, this must-attend panel features one of the most influential global executives in music synchronization in film/TV, Alexandra Patsavas – Music Creative + Production/Original Series, Netflix; technology and mobile app entrepreneur Allan Klepfisz – Chairman & CEO, FENIX360; one of the world’s leading booking agents, Emma Banks – Co-Head, Global Touring, CAA; one of the most visionary leaders in music rights, and publishing, Laurent Hubert – President & Chief Executive Officer, Kobalt; a key figurehead in the U.S. and global music business Panos A. Panay – President, The Recording Academy (The Grammys); and the very capable, and impactful dealmaker, and visionary music and entertainment business attorney Steve Sessa – Co-Chair, Entertainment & Media Industry Group, Reed Smith. The panel will be moderated by Mark Sutherland – Presenter, The Money Trench: The Music Industry Podcast with Mark Sutherland & Contributing Writer, Music Business Worldwide & Variety.

AMAZON MGM STUDIOS: Meet The Global Sync Team For A First of Its Kind Keynote Panel – The MUSEXPO 2025 edition will host a unique keynote panel featuring Bob Bowen, Worldwide Head of Music at Amazon MGM Studios, and his accomplished team of global music executives. For the first time in MUSEXPO’s history, attendees will have the chance to engage with the leaders behind Amazon MGM Studios’ music operations for both Film and TV, including projects on Prime Video. Bowen’s team, with members spanning across the U.S., U.K., EU, Latin America, India/APAC, Brazil, and Japan, will provide valuable insights into the transformative role of music in some of the world’s most influential visual media.

Bob Bowen, who oversees the comprehensive global music strategies for Amazon MGM Studios, brings to MUSEXPO a wealth of experience and a distinguished career that includes leadership roles at Relativity Media and New Line Cinema. Known for his expertise in developing strategic music initiatives and managing music production for major film and TV shows, along with Platinum-selling soundtracks, Bowen has left an indelible mark on the music industry.

Under his leadership at Amazon MGM Studios, the music team has released numerous soundtracks that have driven awareness and accolades for Prime Video / Amazon MGM Studios with five Grammy nominations to date – including last year’s soundtrack album for the TV series Daisy Jones & The Six, which debuted No.1 and charted 5 weeks at No.1 on the Billboard soundtrack chart. It was the first time a fictional band debuted No.1 as an emerging artist on the Billboard chart.

Joining Bob on stage is his impressive global music team who will be traveling from around the world to MUSEXPO for this first of its kind, and exclusive, Amazon MGM Studios global sync conversation, which includes Adrian Sosa – Head of Music, Latin America/Brazil/Australia/Canada/New Zealand, Amazon MGM Studios; Anton Monsted – Head of Music, Original Movies (U.S.), Amazon MGM Studios; Liza Richardson – Head of Music, Original Series (U.S.), Amazon MGM Studios; Louisa Rainbird – Head of Music, Europe, Amazon MGM Studios, and Ramprasad “Ram” Sundar – Head of Music, India & APAC, Amazon MGM Studios.

SPOTLIGHT ON GERMANY: A Powerhouse in The Worldwide Music Business – Germany continues to solidify its position as one of the world’s most influential music markets, serving as a crucial gateway to the broader European industry. As highlighted by the latest IFPI report, Germany ranks among the top five music markets globally, driving growth in A&R, publishing, live touring, digital, sync, and more. This market has played a pivotal role in the international success of artists like The Beatles, Britney Spears, Lewis Capaldi, Rag’n’Bone Man, and many others. A&R Worldwide brings together some of its longtime relationships from Germany for an insightful discussion into the future of the German music business, and features moderator George Garner – Editor-In-Chief, Music Week; Benjamin Budde – CEO, Budde Music Group (one of Germany’s leading indie A&R, publishing, management, and sync firms); Björn Deparade – Founder, Wasted Talent (a leading German manager and publisher who is behind the No.1 chart-topping act Milky Chance); Jobst Neerman – Managing Director, RBK Fusion GmbH (which is one of Europe’s leading booking agencies, and festival promoters, and ticketing firms); and visionary radio, streaming, digital, and experiential tastemaker and German influencer Markus Kühn – Managing Partner, FluxFM.

 

MUSEXPO also returns 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 VIP Gala Dinner presentations. There are a limited number of tickets available – further details are available once you sign up HERE.

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.

For two and a half decades, MUSEXPO has been the definitive platform where music decision-makers come together to network, discover talent, and anticipate the future of the business. This year, the event promises more groundbreaking insights, exclusive networking opportunities, and innovative discussions than ever before.

A&R Worldwide newsletter readers can receive a 10% discount by entering the discount code MUSE10 before March 1st, 2025. To register to attend MUSEXPO, sign up HERE.

 

Universal Music Group‘s REPUBLIC Collective has unveiled a series of executive promotions and new hires across several departments. The REPUBLIC Collective encompasses Island Records, Def Jam Recordings, Mercury Records, and Republic Records.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Jeffrey Remedios would step into the role of President, Strategic Development for The REPUBLIC Collective. In the Media Team, Joe Carozza has been elevated to Executive VP, Global Media Officer.

The Sync Team sees Brittney Ramsdell promoted to Executive VP, Creative Sync, while Julie Vastola ascends to Sr. Vice President, Creative on the Creative Team.

On the Global Marketing front, Zoë Briggs has been tapped as VP, Global Marketing. Gary Spangler, meanwhile, is reshaping his newly branded Audience team, with the following key promotions: Natina Nimene to Executive VP, Urban Audience & Artist Relations, Lucas Romeo to Executive VP, Pop Audience, Brett Dumler to Sr. Vice President, Pop Audience, James Brown to Sr. Vice President, Urban Audience and Roya Raji to Vice President, Touring

Also, Kevin Lipson is expanding his team with two important new hires: Jeff Temske as Executive VP, Global Research and Analytics, and Colin Yost as Vice President, Innovation & Gaming Partnerships.

Lipson has also announced several promotions within his team: Brian Sutnick to Executive VP, Global Replay Strategy, Ryan Stevens to Sr. Vice President, Commerce, Charlene Thomas to Sr. Vice President, Global Replay Strategy, and Blair O’Brien to Vice President, Commerce.

Regarding these moves, Monte Lipman, Founder & Chairman, said, “This is an exciting chapter for the REPUBLIC Collective. These key announcements were hard-earned and well-deserved. Along with our Founder & Vice-Chairman Avery Lipman, and President & COO Jim Roppo, this elite team of executives will undoubtedly usher in a new era of artist development, innovation, and generational talent.”

 

 

The A&R Worldwide Podcast is a weekly series spotlighting pivotal figures shaping the international music business. Recorded during MUSEXPO in Burbank, CA, the premier conference is renowned for its influence on the global music industry – the podcast delivers insightful discussions with executives driving creative and business innovation. This week’s episode features a conversation between Tarsame Mittal, Founder & Host, The Music Podcast (India), but also a veteran manager and executive who has shaped India’s modern music business, and Taylor Jones, Founder & CEO, The Hello Group (THG).

Tarsame Mittal is a regular attendee at the annual MUSEXPO global music business conference, and showcase event, where he’ll be attending once again this year, along with many other leading executives and creatives from India’s burgeoning music business.

Tarsame Mittal is an Indian entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the Music and Entertainment Industry. He founded various businesses including the most successful music management company in India, TM Talent Management (Arijit Singh, Badshah, King), and the country’s most popular and influential music conference, All About Music (which A&R Worldwide Founder Sat Bisla has been an advisory board member to since its inception). Tarsame is also one of India’s most renowned, and influential music and entertainment business entrepreneurs.

In 2022, he collaborated with Universal Music Group in his artiste management, booking agency and IP business. His other businesses include labels, influencer marketing, and content.

Taylor Jones brings his dynamic expertise as a globally recognized entertainment executive, celebrated for his contributions to the rise of K-Pop and his pivotal role in placing over 50 Billboard No.1 hits. As CEO of THG, Jones manages a diverse roster of influencers, artists, and producers, while driving strategic marketing, A&R, and branding initiatives across the entertainment spectrum. A Grammy executive member and an influential voice in music and tech, Jones has earned accolades such as “CEO of the Year” at the Global CEO of Excellence Awards and has been instrumental in placing hit songs for Disney stars Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, and is currently expanding his creative and business impact across India and South Asia.

Together, Tarsame and Taylor discuss the evolution of the Indian music business and Tarsame’s role in shaping the future of India’s robust music entertainment ecosystem.

Click HERE to listen to the conversation.

 

Adeline V. Lopez builds on the success of her 2024 EP I Heard She’s Crazy with “Blood and Lilac,” a mesmerizing and sultry new single that explores the contradictions within relationships and human emotions. The song reflects on the coexistence of beauty and pain—represented by lilac and blood—emphasizing the importance of embracing emotional complexity rather than reducing experiences to black-and-white thinking. Lopez’s ethereal harmonies evoke a sonic tapestry reminiscent of Portishead, Mazzy Star, melded with Lana Del Rey, paired with the track’s subtly eerie atmosphere, drawing listeners into its introspective world. Produced by Ryan Benyo, with Jason Recht on acoustic guitar, “Blood and Lilac” is a striking blend of soft yet dark pop that further highlights Lopez’s depth as a songwriter and performer. Listen to the track HERE, as it invites listeners to fully immerse themselves in its haunting, thought-provoking narrative. Contact dskolniklopez@gmail.com for additional information and available signing, licensing, publishing, sync, and live opportunities with Adeline V. Lopez.

 

 

CLAES UGGLA NAMED GENERAL MANAGER AT KOBALT SCANDINAVIA: Kobalt, one of the world’s largest independent music publishers, announced that it has named industry veteran Claes Uggla General Manager of Kobalt Scandinavia. Based in Stockholm, Uggla will lead the company’s operations throughout the region. “Claes brings with him a hugely successful history as a creative executive,” said Jeannette Perez, Kobalt’s President & Chief Commercial Officer. “His approach to A&R, his deep connections to the creative community, and his leadership skills will be an important asset to us as we continue to build upon our success in the region.” With over 25 years of experience as an A&R executive, Uggla has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of many Scandinavian artists. Uggla comes to Kobalt from the independent label RMV, where he collaborated with such artists as Gustaf & Viktor Norén, Maja Francis, Hällas, STO CULTR, King Tee, and Frida Hyvönen. Prior to that, he held key A&R roles at Universal Music Sweden where he was instrumental in licensing hits like “Ordinary Things” and “Drunk in the Morning” by Lukas Graham for the Swedish market. While at Sony Music Sweden, his work with Alan Walker on “Faded” earned him the Sony Music International “Special A&R Award” in 2016. Today, the song has surpassed two billion streams.

 

APG & IN THE CUT PUBLISHING SIGN WILL CARLSON: APG and WZRD BLD‘s In The Cut Publishing have announced the signing of producer and writer Will Carlson. Carlson is the driving force behind the artist Bilmuri, with whom he has collaborated on over 35 tracks under Columbia Records. He also co-wrote and produced four songs for the upcoming debut album from Nashville, TN-based alternative rock act Knox, signed to Atlantic Records. On the heavier side of rock, Carlson is currently co-producing the latest album from We Came As Romans alongside WZRD BLD. Furthermore, he has upcoming singles in the works with bands such as Pop Evil and Bad Wolves, continuing to expand his influence across various rock subgenres. Olly Sheppard, Sr. VP, A&R APG, tells A&R Worldwide, “We are so thrilled to be partnering with In The Cut. Will is an extremely talented creator and is going to be at the forefront of pushing the boundaries with new and exciting sounds. As we continue to expand our JV signings and develop our relationship with WZRD BLD we are putting our creatives in charge of leading forward their visions.” Will Carlson is managed by A&R veteran Johnny Minardi from Self-Titled Management.

 

HYBE REBRANDS JAPAN-HEADQUARTERED DIVISION AS YX LABELS: HYBE has officially rebranded its Japan subsidiary, renaming it YX LABELS. This change comes after a reorganization of HYBE’s global operations under the “HYBE 2.0” strategy, which was introduced last year. The newly renamed YX LABELS, located in Tokyo and led by Han Hyun-rock, CEO, represents a step forward for the company in Japan. As part of the broader HYBE 2.0 framework, the company launched the HYBE MUSIC GROUP APAC division to oversee its music label operations across Korea and Japan. Young Jae Shin has been appointed as the President of this division. Youngmin Kim, formerly General Manager at SM Entertainment, has taken on the role of Chairman of HYBE JAPAN. HYBE has also focused on expanding its global footprint, particularly in the U.S., where it formed HYBE America following the acquisition of Scooter Braun‘s Ithaca Holdings in 2021. In 2023, the company strengthened its presence in Latin America with the launch of HYBE Latin America, following the acquisition of Exile Music, a subsidiary of Exile Content. With YX LABELS, HYBE aims to create a distinct multi-label system tailored to the cultural nuances of Japan. The name change reflects the label’s ambition to establish a new “axis” in Japan’s music industry, emphasizing innovation and excellence for youth audiences and fans alike. In a bid to further engage with local talent, YX LABELS has also launched an audition show to find seven members for a new K-pop boy band based in Japan.

 

WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC BENELUX SIGNS MAU P: Warner Chappell Music Benelux has entered into a global publishing agreement with DJ and producer Mau P. Born in Amsterdam, Mau P initially gained recognition in the dance music scene under his “Maurice West” alias, producing a string of underground club hits. However, seeking artistic growth and a fresh sonic direction, he rebranded himself and embraced a new sound. This move quickly paid off, as his debut single “Drugs from Amsterdam” soared to over 200 million streams and remained in the Top 10 on Beatport for over a month in 2022. Following up with “Gimme That Bounce” in early 2023, Mau P simultaneously embarked on his first North American tour. He continued to release tracks like “Your Mind is Dirty” and “Dress Code,” along with remixes for acts like Swedish House Mafia, Calvin Harris, and Armand van Helden. He also performed at festivals such as Tomorrowland, EDC Las Vegas, Hi Ibiza, and Amsterdam Dance Event. Notably, his collaboration with Kevin de Vries, “Metro,” became the most played track at Tomorrowland 2023. Mau P’s recent releases include “beats for the underground,” the launch of his SiriusXM radio show XXX radio, and joining the Wynn Las Vegas roster of resident DJs. Also, his collaborations with artists like Mike Dean on “On Again,” and with Diplo and Gunna on “Receipts” have garnered attention, including a memorable Coachella B2B set with Diplo. In 2024, Mau P debuted his show concept, BADDEST BEHAVIOUR, which kicked off with a sold-out performance at New York’s Knockdown Centre. The concept continued to take off with shows at Floyd during Miami Music Week, Denver’s Mission Ballroom, and a series of sell-out events at New York’s Under The K Bridge and LA’s Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall. 

 

RAW POWER MANAGEMENT NAMES DAN BROWN AS HEAD OF A&R: Raw Power Management has promoted Dan Brown to the newly created role of Head of A&R. Brown, who has been an integral part of Raw Power’s senior management team for over a decade, is currently managing You Me At Six‘s Final Night of Six tour, which will see the band wrap up 38 U.K. dates, with their final performances in April at London’s OVO Arena Wembley. In his new position, Brown will focus on talent acquisition, helping to expand and diversify Raw Power’s roster by signing new artists. The company already has a lineup of rock acts, including 2024 BRIT Award winners Bring Me The Horizon, Bullet For My Valentine, The Mars Volta, The Damned, Refused, and Don Broco. In recent years, Raw Power has broadened its roster beyond rock, with signings like Northern Irish rapper Jordan Adetunji, who hit the U.K. Top 10 in 2024 with Kehlani, and indie act Heartworms, whose debut album Glutton For Punishment was released through Speedy Wunderground/PIAS.

 

REACH MUSIC SIGNS FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS FRONTMAN: Reach Music Publishing has secured a publishing agreement with Fitz, the songwriter and lead vocalist of Fitz and The Tantrums. As part of the deal, Reach Music has acquired the copyright interest in Fitz’s entire catalog, which includes approximately 100 songs released by the band, such as the hits “Handclap,” “Out of My League,” “The Walker,” and “Moneygrabber.” Fitz and The Tantrums has 7.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Reach Music now controls the global administration rights for the shares it has acquired. The agreement also includes an administration deal covering Fitz’s shares in his current solo album Summer of Us, as well as his forthcoming album with Fitz and The Tantrums, set for release later in 2025. Before this new publishing partnership, Reach Music had already been overseeing a sizable portion of Fitz’s catalog through an existing relationship with Dangerbird Records. Fitz was represented in the deal by attorney Elizabeth V. Gregory and managed by Adam Harrison of Full Stop Management. Michael Closter, President/Founder & Owner, Reach Music, tells A&R Worldwide, “It’s extremely exciting to be able to enter this publishing deal with Fitz, and to represent copyright interests in songs that we had already been administering for many years and know so well. We are also looking forward to building on this relationship with Fitz for his new releases, and future venture possibilities.” 

 

ARMADA MUSIC SIGNS D.O.D TO LONG-TERM RECORDINGS DEAL: Armada Music has signed Manchester-born DJ and producer D.O.D (Dan O’Donnell) to a long-term recordings deal. D.O.D’s breakthrough success with Armada includes his first U.K. Top 20 hit “So Much in Love,” along with previous hits like “Set Me Free,” and “Every Step,” both of which helped amass over 500 million streams in his catalog with the label. This signing comes on the heels of D.O.D’s most successful year to date, which saw him perform to sold-out crowds in the U.K., North America, and Australia. He also scored hits like the BRIT-nominated “Somedays,” a collaboration with Sonny Fodera and Jazzy. In conjunction with this news, D.O.D releases his new single “Wrap Yourself Around Me,” featuring North. Alongside the exclusive recording agreement, Armada Music will continue to manage D.O.D’s publishing through its established partnership with Armada Music Publishing.

 

ANDREW KLEIN NAMED PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS AT AEG PRESENTS: AEG Presents has promoted Andrew Klein to the position of President of Global Partnerships. Klein, who previously served as Sr. VP of Global Partnerships, will continue to operate from New York and report to Shawn Trell, Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, Klein will be responsible for overseeing the sales and activation business for AEG Presents’ Global Partnerships division. With two decades of experience at AEG Presents, Klein has led sponsorship sales across the company’s tours, festivals, and venues, including events like Stagecoach Festival, Camp Flog Gnaw, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and the company’s 55+ owned venues. AEG Presents has recognized him as a trailblazer in the field of “merging brands with bands,” having pioneered sponsorships such as H&M‘s global licensing deal with Coachella, as well as partnerships for Justin Bieber‘s tours with Xbox, Ubisoft, and Motorola. He also secured Katy Perry‘s sponsorship deal with Staples. Klein was recognized in Variety‘s Dealmakers Impact Report in 2016 and Billboard‘s Branding Power Players list in 2018. A key player in the evolution of live music streaming, he contributed to landmark broadcasts for the AT&T Blue Room, Coachella, New Orleans Jazz Fest, and the Mile High Music Festival. More recently, he assisted in securing live-streaming deals with YouTube for Coachella and Amazon for Stagecoach. Before joining AEG, Klein was President of Entertainment Marketing Communications International (EMCI), where he managed sponsorship programs for events like the original Lilith Fair, securing deals with brands such as Volkswagen, Levi’s, and Chevrolet, among others. Klein also orchestrated partnerships with Tommy Hilfiger and Sheryl Crow, Shania Twain and Gitano Jeans, and the Rolling Stones and Sprint.

 

UNIVERSAL, WARNER, AND SONY INK LICENSING DEALS WITH MASHAPP: A new music app called MashApp has officially launched in the U.S. on Tuesday, February 18, allowing users to create real-time mashups of popular music tracks. Initially available on iOS devices, the app has secured licensing agreements with music labels including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, Kobalt Music, and Universal Music Publishing Group, providing users with access to a vast catalog of songs to mix and match. MashApp was founded by Ian Henderson, a former Spotify executive and music industry veteran, with the goal of making music mixing accessible to everyone. The app enables music fans to effortlessly blend vocals, instruments, tempo, and duration of their favorite songs, creating unique mashups without the need for professional production skills. MashApp offers both free and premium options: free users can create basic mashups and share them through web links, while premium subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free listening along with advanced creative tools. The app also includes social features, allowing users to follow fellow creators and discover new mashups within the growing community.

 

TRACY GARDNER MOVES INTO NEW ROLE AT BYTEDANCE AS OLE OBERMANN EXITS: After five and a half years as Global Head of Music Business Development at ByteDance, Ole Obermann will be leaving the company at the end of March to pursue a new opportunity with Apple. Obermann’s departure will be followed by Tracy Gardner stepping into the role of Global Head of Music Business Development at ByteDance. Gardner, who joined the company in November 2019 as Head of Label Licensing & Partnerships, previously served as Sr. Vice President of Global Business Development and Strategy at Warner Music Group. Obermann is said to be headed for a significant role at Apple Music, potentially focused on business development. Obermann’s tenure at TikTok and ByteDance saw a number of achievements, including the resolution of a licensing dispute with Universal Music Group (UMG). The new agreement, finalized in May 2024, resulted in the return of UMG’s recorded music and publishing catalogs to the platform, along with “improved remuneration” for UMG artists and songwriters, and commitments to develop AI tools responsibly. He is also credited with securing a deal to feature Taylor Swift‘s catalog on TikTok in support of her record-breaking Eras Tour and the release of The Tortured Poets Department album. During his time at TikTok, Obermann helped the platform partner with a range of superstars, including Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, Jimin of BTS, and Post Malone. Also, TikTok supported the rise of emerging talents like Tate McRae, Tyla, and Benson Boone. Under Obermann’s leadership, TikTok also launched the Add To Music App feature, which has generated over a billion track saves and streams on major DSPs like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and Melon.

 

PAGE 1 MANAGEMENT SIGNS COREY SANDERS: Page 1 Management has added Corey Sanders to its roster of artists, writers, and producers. A London, England-based songwriter, Sanders is best known for penning the international hit “You Are the Reason” for Calum Scott, which has amassed over one billion streams. With more than seven billion streams to his name, he has established himself as one of the U.K.’s most respected and in-demand songwriters. Sanders has collaborated with an array of artists, including Monsters & Strangers, Sasha Sloan, Ian Fitchuk, Katy Perry, Bring Me The Horizon, Kodaline, and Machine Gun Kelly. He also has upcoming singles with Calum Scott, Khalid, Sam Tompkins, French Montana, Blair Davie, and Nia Smith. Rob Turnham, Managing Director & Head of A&R, Page 1 London, tells A&R Worldwide, “We are absolutely delighted to have signed Corey, who is one of the most talented songwriters around. We look forward to further building his career, alongside him and his great publishing team at Manifest, on what has already been a hugely successful and exciting journey.”

 

KARAN AUJLA AND ONEREPUBLIC ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE “TELL ME”: Punjabi artist Karan Aujla will be collaborating with OneRepublic on a new single “Tell Me.” Produced by South Asian producer Ikky, the track is set for release on February 27th. The announcement of the collaboration comes alongside news that Aujla has extended his global recording deal with Warner Music Canada and Warner Music India. Aujla was the most streamed Punjabi artist on Spotify globally in 2024, with his recent album Making Memories surpassing two billion streams. His single “Tauba Tauba” marked a breakthrough into Bollywood, where he worked with actor Vicky Kaushal for the film Bad Newz. Karan’s success in both music and film were highlighted further when he took home the “International Trendsetter Award” at the International India Film Academy Awards. Last year, also saw Karan make history as the first South Asian artist to win the TikTok “JUNO Fan Choice Award” at the JUNO Awards, where he delivered his debut televised performance. His achievements continue into 2025 with three JUNO Award nominations, including “Single of the Year” for his track “Winning Speech.” Jay Mehta, Managing Director, Warner Music India & SAARC said, “Karan is an artist who constantly evolves, pushing the limits of what Punjabi and global music can achieve. “Tell Me” is a brilliant example of his ambition – teaming up with OneRepublic and Ikky to craft something truly special. With Karan’s renewed partnership with Warner Music, we are dedicated to amplifying his voice on the world stage. There’s so much more to come, and we can’t wait for the world to hear what’s next.”

 

POSITION MUSIC SIGNS A LAU TO WORLDWIDE PUBLISHING DEAL: Tyler Bacon, President & CEO, Position Music, tells A&R Worldwide that the company has signed a global publishing deal with producer Adrian “A” Lau. Lau’s list of collaborators includes names such as Ice Spice, Fivio Foreign, Ski Mask The Slump God, Lil Tjay, Lil Tecca, and French Montana, among others. A Lau’s productions include Ice Spice’s “Butterfly Ku,” Lil Tjay’s “June 22nd” and “Bla Bla” featuring Fivio Foreign, and DD Osama‘s “Let’s Do It” featuring NLE Choppa and Dee Play4Keeps. Beyond his production skills, Lau is also the owner of Off Record Studio, one of Manhattan’s premier hip-hop studios and creative spaces. As the head of the Off Record producer collective, he has positioned the group at the forefront of the global rap scene while maintaining a strong commitment to artist development and staying connected to the New York City music scene. This year, A Lau is focusing on executive producing records for Ice Spice, Megan Thee Stallion, Nino Paid, Babytron, OT7 Quanny, and NLE Choppa. “A Lau is a special talent with an incredibly robust set of skills,” stated Mark Chipello, Partner, and Head of A&R, Position Music. “He is a true creative and producer, first and foremost, but he is also a connector who innately creates opportunities – as seen in the dynamic community that he has built via his Off Record Studio collective. A Lau is determined to win, constantly, and we are excited and honored that he has entrusted us to partner with him in this next chapter of his career.”

 

SMP NASHVILLE & RED CREATIVE GROUP SIGN KELLY ARCHER: Sony Music Publishing Nashville (SMP Nashville) has teamed up with RED Creative Group to sign songwriter Kelly Archer to a global publishing deal. This partnership strengthens SMP Nashville’s ongoing collaboration with Red Creative Group, a relationship that has already brought on artists like Jeremy Stover, Cole Taylor, and Matt Mulhare. Archer, a Canadian native, has crafted hits for artists such as Brett Young, Justin Moore, Corey Kent, and Travis Denning. Currently, she’s gaining recognition on the U.S. country charts with her work on Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood‘s “I’m Gonna Love You.” Rusty Gaston, CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Kelly to the SMP Nashville family in partnership with our friends at Red Creative. Kelly is a seasoned craftsman who always brings her best into every writing situation. Her record speaks for itself, and we believe her brightest and most impactful songs are still ahead.”

 

WARNER RECORDS FORMS PARTNERSHIP WITH TIM HINSHAW: Warner Records has entered into a partnership with hip-hop and R&B executive Tim Hinshaw. This collaboration will help expand Hinshaw’s Free Lunch Agency, a creative and touring company, into the record label arena with the debut of Free Lunch Records. As part of this development, A&R executive Ericka Coulter will take on the role of General Manager for Free Lunch Records, while continuing her position as Sr. VP, A&R at Warner Records. Free Lunch Records has kicked off with its first two signings: Syd and Alex Isley. Aaron Bay-Schuck, Co-Chairman & CEO, Warner Records, said, “Tom [Corson] and I are thrilled to welcome Tim and his Free Lunch team to the label. His expertise stretches far beyond finding and nurturing talent – he knows how to make sure his artists are making an impact. Early on in our conversations, it was clear bringing Tim and Free Lunch into the Warner fold would be a perfect synergy. Tim is immersed in the vast culture of hip-hop and R&B, across music, sports, fashion, and live entertainment, and together we’ll work towards our shared goal of uplifting the best and brightest in the genre.”

 

RESERVOIR ACQUIRES U.K. ELECTRONIC MUSIC LABEL NEW STATE: Reservoir Media has acquired the U.K.-based dance and electronic label New State. The acquisition includes New State’s catalog of over 13,000 tracks from artists like Zero 7, The Beloved, Paul Oakenfold, Dirty Vegas, D:Ream, Double Trouble, Rebel MC, and Congo Natty. Reservoir will continue to market and release new music from New State’s roster under its Chrysalis Records imprint. Co-founded in London by CEO Tom Parkinson, New State has been a leader in the dance and electronic music scene since the mid-1990s. The label has released an array of music spanning genres such as house, drum & bass, U.K. garage, techno, trance, and progressive house, featuring both established and emerging talents like Ryan Blyth, Freejak, Guru Josh Project, Paul Van Dyk, and more. In addition to its artist catalog, New State holds numerous deals with other imprints, including Degrees of Motion, The Original, and Arthur Baker‘s Criminal/Minimal labels. This acquisition strengthens Reservoir’s independent label network, joining the ranks of Chrysalis Records, Tommy Boy Music, Philly Groove Records, and Easy Street Records. Under this new arrangement, legacy artists from New State will be promoted by Chrysalis Records, while the New State brand will remain active, continuing to sign, and release electronic, and dance music.

 

ATC LIVE MAKES KEY APPOINTMENTS: ATC Live has made two additions to its team. Lucy Atkinson, formerly of Earth Agency, has joined as a new agent. She began her career at Earth Agency in 2015 and now brings her roster, which includes artists like Sega Bodega, Erika de Casier, Alice Glass, Debby Friday, Soo Joo, and Ecco2k, to ATC Live. The appointment strengthens the company’s presence in the electronic music space. Atkinson has also facilitated brand collaborations, including Ecco2k’s Marc Jacobs eyewear campaign with Bella Hadid, Deijuvhs for Versace Jeans Couture, and a partnership between sim0ne, ASOS, and Mixmag at East London‘s Colour Factory. Also, Alice Hogg has been promoted to Head of Tour Marketing, a new role at ATC Live. Hogg, who has 15 years of experience in event production and talent booking, will oversee the coordination of tour campaigns, focusing on long-term artist growth. Since joining ATC Live in 2020, she has built a varied roster that includes Aaron Frazer, Black Pumas, Cassandra Jenkins, Durand Jones & The Indications, Joshua Idehen, and Yuuf. Prior to her time at ATC Live, Hogg held roles at Live Nation Entertainment and UTA. She will continue to represent her roster through the company. 

 

SIMON CARPENTER BECOMES CEO OF GIGANTIC TICKETS: Simon Carpenter and Joe Lilley will now oversee the daily operations of Gigantic Tickets, with Carpenter stepping into the role of CEO and Lilley becoming the new CTO. This leadership shift follows a board restructuring at Gigantic, which is part of KMJ Entertainment Group. As part of the changes, founder Mark Gasson and CTO James Woodward will transition into joint chairmen positions, effective immediately. Carpenter, who has been with Gigantic’s commercial team for over nine years and has 15 years of broader ticketing industry experience, previously joined the board as a Director and Co-CEO in November. He is now appointed as the sole CEO. Lilley, who has been with Gigantic for over 13 years and co-held the CTO role since last autumn, will now focus on overseeing the company’s technical advancements and innovation, continuing to drive new developments at the ticketing platform. Mark Gasson, said, “I’m proud of the evolution and growth of Gigantic Tickets since I first founded the company in 2007. Under the expert guidance of Simon and Joe, I feel confident that Gigantic will continue to spearhead the future of ticketing in the industry.”

 

T-PAIN SELLS PUBLISHING CATALOG TO HARBOURVIEW EQUITY PARTNERS: HarbourView Equity Partners has reached an agreement to acquire the publishing catalog and select master recordings of artist, producer, and songwriter T-Pain. A six-time Grammy Award winner, T-Pain has sold over 50 million singles, amassed billions of streams, and notched 10 No.1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. His catalog includes hits like “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’),” “Bartender” (feat. Akon), “I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper)” (feat. Mike Jones), Flo Rida‘s “Low,” and “I’m Sprung.” Throughout his career, T-Pain has collaborated with artists including Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, E-40, Ne-Yo, Pitbull, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Kehlani, and more. His accolades include Grammy Awards for Best Rap Song (“Good Life” with Kanye West), contributions to Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III and Tha Carter IV, and a win for “Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals” for Jamie Foxx‘s “Blame It.” T-Pain also contributed to Chance The Rapper‘s Coloring Book and co-wrote Bruno Mars‘ 24K Magic. Recently, he’s appeared on projects like GloRilla‘s I LUV HER, Meghan Trainor‘s Been Like This, and Love You More with EARTHGANG and Spillage Village. Fox Rothschild served as legal counsel to HarbourView in the transaction, while T-Pain was represented by Joey Halbardier of Halbardier A.P.C. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

 

FRAME ARTISTS NAMES NEW DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE & PARTNERSHIPS: Frame Artists has elevated Myradh Cormican to the position of Director of Audience & Partnerships. Previously serving as Head of Digital & Strategic Partnerships at the artist management agency, which focuses on electronic music and represents artists like Chase & Status, Arielle Free, Eats Everything, and Patrick Topping, Cormican has assisted in the company’s digital initiatives. In her new role, Cormican will continue to lead the audience department, focusing on fanbase development and tailored digital strategies to support the growth of Frame’s clients. She will oversee a team dedicated to blending digital initiatives with live experiences. Before joining Frame in 2021, Cormican ran Handmade Media, a digital agency that collaborated with clients like Chase & Status, Blond:ish, and Groove Armada. Since her arrival at Frame, she has shaped the company’s digital operations and driven audience engagement.

 

BELIEVE LAUNCHES NEW SERVICES UNIT IN THAILAND: Believe Thailand has launched an artist services division aimed at supporting and promoting emerging indie-pop artists and music creators. Called BEEEF—an acronym for “Bringing Every Emerging Echo Forward”—the new unit will leverage technology and data-driven strategies to help artists thrive in Thailand’s digital music scene. The company revealed on February 20 that BEEEF’s goal is to propel as many of its artists as possible into the Top 20 of the Thai music charts by 2025. The official launch of BEEEF was marked by an event where Believe executives introduced the initiative and spotlighted artists collaborating with the company, such as TIMETHAI, Fellow Fellow, Reinizra, and SARAN. SARAN became the most-streamed artist on Spotify Thailand in 2024 after collaborating with Believe. The event also featured a panel discussion titled “The Current and Future Trends of Thai Indie Pop“ with industry figures like Time Narubet from Blackbeans, Meen Parin from Moving and Cut, OOH from The Yers, and Jen from ELECTRIC NEON LAMP, who is also an executive at Believe. In addition, the event highlighted a roster of Thai indie-pop talent, including Reinizra, Blackbeans, Lower Mansion, and Hunter.

 

PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC STRIKES PUBLISHING DEAL WITH JIMMY WEBB: Primary Wave Music has entered into a marketing and publishing administration agreement with Grammy-winning songwriter and performer Jimmy Webb. Through the deal, Primary Wave will manage Webb’s music publishing catalog, while also working closely with him on branding, marketing, and sync opportunities. The agreement covers some of Webb’s most iconic songs, including “Wichita Lineman,” “MacArthur Park,” and “Up, Up and Away.” His music has been performed by artists such as Glen Campbell, Art Garfunkel, Frank Sinatra, Guns N’ Roses, Joe Cocker, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Linda Ronstadt. Other notable hits include “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Didn’t We,” and “All I Know.” Webb’s catalog spans multiple genres, from country and pop to jazz and classical. A pioneer in the industry, Webb is the only artist to have won Grammy Awards for music, lyrics, and orchestration. He became the youngest inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986 and has since been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Great American Songbook Hall of Fame. In 2016, the Academy of Country Music honored him with the “Poet’s Award.” Beyond his songwriting career, Webb is also an author. His memoir, The Cake and the Rain, and his songwriting guide, Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting, are widely regarded as essential for aspiring musicians. Webb continues to tour internationally and record new music.

 

FRASER T SMITH LAUNCHES FUTURE PRODUCER ACADEMY: Award-winning British producer/songwriter Fraser T Smith has unveiled The Future Producer Academy, a new initiative aimed at fostering equality within the music industry, with a particular emphasis on music production. The Academy’s mission is to provide aspiring young producers with vital educational resources and career pathways to help them thrive in the music world. Fraser T Smith, who has worked with global stars like Adele, Stormzy, Dave, Celine Dion, Snow Patrol, and many others has expressed his commitment to creating opportunities for underrepresented talent in the United Kingdom. Each year, 16 promising young producers will be selected from across the country to take part in this transformative program. The Academy will offer mentorship and firsthand music production education, with partnerships from key industry players such as Music Guardians, the Music Producers Guild (MPG), PPL, and Virtuoso, an online learning platform. The program will also feature collaborations with influential figures from the U.K. music scene.

 

KNUT FRÄNGSMYR NAMED CHIEF OF MUSIC AT EPIDEMIC SOUND: Epidemic Sound has appointed Knut Frängsmyr as its new Chief of Music, effective March 11, 2025. Frängsmyr who previously held leadership roles at Klarna and Modern Times Group MTG AB, specializes in intellectual property and copyright law. He joins the company from Real Alliance, with 20 years of expertise in technology, media, and various board positions, including Budbee, Cellcolabs, and CDLP. Frängsmyr’s career at Klarna spanned from 2012 to 2023, where he contributed significantly to the company’s international expansion and revenue growth, helping Klarna scale from SEK 750 million (Swedish Kronor) to nearly SEK 19 billion. Alongside this appointment, Epidemic Sound has also updated its Board of Directors. Birgit Haderer will step in as the new Audit Chair and Member of the Board, while Nicolas Dupuis will join as a Board Member. Haderer brings experience in financial leadership, currently serving as the CFO at Personio and previously holding roles at Goldman Sachs and Zalando. Dupuis, one of the Managing Director’s at Blackstone Growth‘s London office, joins with a background from Apax Partners and Goldman Sachs. Epidemic Sound was valued at $1.4 billion in its last funding round in 2021, which saw Blackstone Growth (BXG) and EQT Growth acquire stakes in the company. Prior investors include Creandum, EQT Mid-Market, and Atwater Capital.

 

SARAH PEDERSON JOINS SOUND TALENT GROUP’S MANAGEMENT TEAM: Sound Talent Group (STG) partners Matt Andersen, Tim Borror, and Dave Shapiro have announced that Sarah Pederson is joining the company’s senior management team as the new Director of Finance. Pederson will continue her work at STG, building on her role from 2020 as Controller, where she managed all accounting and finance operations. Before joining Sound Talent Group, Sarah began her career in entertainment as the Founder & President of Family Tree Presents in Anchorage, AL, where she also managed promotions for the band 36 Crazyfists. During her time at Family Tree, she collaborated with several of STG’s agents to bring live shows to Alaska. This partnership eventually led to her connection with STG co-founder Dave Shapiro, who later brought her from Anchorage to San Diego to join the STG team.

 

RICHARD N. BAER NAMED EXECUTIVE VP, GENERAL COUNSEL & SECRETARY AT SIRIUSXM: SiriusXM Holdings has announced the appointment of Richard N. Baer as Executive VP, General Counsel, & Secretary, effective March 3. He will succeed Patrick Donnelly, who is retiring, as previously announced. Baer brings over 40 years of experience in law and business advisory. Most recently, he served as Chief Legal Officer at Airbnb, where he led the company’s legal, community policy, and ethics and compliance departments. Before his time at Airbnb, Baer held executive roles at Liberty Media as Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Legal Officer, UnitedHealth Group as Executive VP & Chief Legal Officer, and Qwest Communications International as Executive VP, General Counsel, & Chief Administrative Officer. Earlier in his career, Baer was the chairman of the litigation department at Sherman & Howard LLC, a Denver-based law firm, and started out as a homicide prosecutor in Brooklyn, New York.

 

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