WARNER MUSIC NORDICS NAMES HENRI LANZ
AS SR. INTERNATIONAL A&R & CREATIVE ADVISOR
Warner Music Nordics has bolstered its leadership ranks by bringing on board producer and industry veteran Henri Lanz as Senior International A&R and Creative Advisor.
Renowned for his production work under the name MGI, Lanz has collaborated with artists like 50 Cent, French Montana, Justin Bieber, Kylie Minogue, Pitbull, and Sia. He’s also been instrumental in shaping the Finnish music scene by aiding in the rise of domestic stars like Cheek and Evelina. His work has earned him Producer of the Year honors at the Emma Gaala (Finnish Grammys) twice, in 2014 and 2016.
Beyond his creative achievements, Lanz founded M-Eazy Music in 2008 and later served as CEO of Sony Music Finland and Sony Music Baltics between 2019 and 2024. Most recently, he acted as Chief Creative Advisor at Sony Music Finland, guiding strategic artistic growth.
Henri Lanz tells A&R Worldwide, “I’m excited to join Warner Music’s international A&R community, and I’ve already received an incredibly warm welcome. I believe Warner Music’s culture and its approach to creative A&R – thinking beyond market borders and leveraging the full potential of its creative community and international network – aligns very closely with my own. I also feel that this is the right challenge for me at this stage of my career.”
Ramona Forsström, Managing Director, Warner Music Finland, added, “We’re thrilled to welcome Henri to our team. He brings an international insight, strong production expertise, and an exceptional ability to spot potential early on. Most importantly, he has a clear vision for how to develop talent and songs into international success stories. With access to our entire Nordic and global A&R network, Henri adds a fresh creative edge and further strengthens our position.”
Mark Fry, President, Warner Music Nordics, concluded, “The Finnish team has reached an all-time high in market share, and it’s been amazing to witness their focused and ambitious work. Henri’s arrival is a fantastic addition to our Nordic A&R strategy. He has a clear vision of how to build brands and artists that resonate globally. I’m excited to see what we will accomplish together.”
MARK AMBOR SIGNS TO CAPITOL RECORDS
American singer and songwriter Mark Ambor has officially joined the Capitol Records roster.
Ambor is best known for his breakout Platinum-certified hit “Belong Together“—which is on the verge of hitting one billion streams worldwide. In addition, his first Billboard Hot 100 entry, “Belong Together,” spent more than 20 weeks on the chart and climbed to No. 24 on Billboard‘s Global Excl. U.S. ranking, while also reaching No. 20 on the Pop Airplay chart. The single has gone Platinum in over 11 countries, including both the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
Ambor is currently in the middle of a sold-out European and U.K. headline tour, with recent stops in London, Dublin, and Paris. This week, the tour moves through Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria, before wrapping in Madrid on May 15. He’s also slated to perform at festivals this summer including Governors Ball, Lollapalooza (both Chicago and Berlin), and Outside Lands.
The multi-instrumentalist recently made his U.S. late-night debut with a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and appeared on NBC‘s TODAY.
Tom March, Chairman & CEO, Capitol Music Group, said, “We’re excited to welcome Mark to the label. He is an exceptionally talented singer and songwriter, as the astounding global success of ‘Belong Together’ has demonstrated – a song that he also wrote and co-produced. He’s a true music obsessive whose talent knows no bounds. Mark and his manager, Kyle Thomson, are a brilliant team. Together, we look forward to supporting Mark in the next phase of his artistry and taking his career to the next level.”
Mark Ambor’s debut album Rockwood, which is named after a park from his hometown of Pleasantville, New York, was written and recorded in his parents’ basement. The album offers a snapshot of youth, family, friendship, and emotional growth. Now, Ambor is set to release his first single under Capitol Records later this month.
JASON FEINBERG NAMED SR. VP & HEAD OF KOSIGN
Kobalt has appointed Jason Feinberg to lead its new platform, KOSIGN, as Sr. Vice President and Head of KOSIGN. The platform, launched earlier this year, aims to revolutionize publishing for songwriters, artists, and producers by providing a seamless and flexible way to manage and collect royalties.
KOSIGN has seen rapid global traction, attracting applications from creators in 88 countries with catalogs representing billions of streams. Built on Kobalt’s global technology infrastructure, KOSIGN is designed to deliver an intuitive, transparent, and creator-first approach to publishing.
Feinberg brings expertise in building artist-focused platforms. Before joining KOSIGN, he was Managing Partner at 138 Strategic, where he advised top-tier talent and executives on digital strategy and fan engagement. He’s also held senior roles at Universal Music Group, where he revitalized marketing operations at UMe, and at Pandora, where he served as Head of Artist Marketing for the AMP platform, a toolset developed to connect musicians directly with their audiences.
As Kobalt continues to scale KOSIGN, key team members involved in its launch have also stepped into expanded roles. David Waite, formerly Chief of Staff, has been named Operations Lead, while Jacob Paul, previously Director of Creative Strategy, now serves as Vice President of Platform Growth & Brand Strategy.
“Jason has built a successful career at the nexus of artist development, artist relations, and technology,” said Laurent Hubert, CEO of Kobalt. “His expertise, track record, and deep relationships in the business make him perfectly suited to run KOSIGN as we continue to grow our customer base around the world.”
“I’m passionate about everything that KOSIGN stands for,” said Feinberg. “The platform empowers artists to collect their publishing revenue around the world, providing them the freedom and support they deserve. I’m excited to work alongside David and Jacob to continue to fulfill KOSIGN’s promise to the independent artist and songwriter community. I also want to thank Laurent and [Kobalt President and CCO] Jeannette Perez for putting their faith in me to lead this important and innovative division.”
INFLUENCE MEDIA ACQUIRES DJ KHALED CATALOG
Influence Media Partners has unveiled an alliance with global hitmaker DJ Khaled, following the company’s recent $360 million debt financing round backed by music rights.
The collaboration includes the launch of two joint ventures with DJ Khaled’s We The Best Music Group, the multifaceted entity he founded that spans a record label, publishing, and production. These ventures are set to dive into the world of film, television, and high-impact brand collaborations aimed at building Khaled’s long-term legacy. As part of the deal, Influence Media has also secured ownership stakes in DJ Khaled’s recording and publishing catalog, developed in conjunction with We The Best. While exact financial terms remain confidential, Variety reports that the acquisition is valued in the low nine-figure range.
In an official statement, Influence Media revealed plans to amplify DJ Khaled’s brand through strategic use of his name, image, and likeness (NIL). The initiative includes a slate of upcoming film projects and commercial ventures designed to broaden his cultural reach and deepen fan engagement.
Over his two-decade career, Khaled Mohammed Khaled, known professionally as DJ Khaled, has sold over 20 million singles, moved six million albums, and generated more than four billion global streams. His track record includes over 50 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, among them hits like “I’m The One,” “Popstar,” and “No Brainer.”
DJ Khaled’s resume features collaborations with Jay-Z, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Drake, Quavo, and Lil Wayne. His 2017 album Grateful achieved double-Platinum status, while 2019’s Father of Asahd became his third straight top two Billboard 200 debut.
“Influence Media was founded on the principle that music can move culture, and few entertainers embody this more than DJ Khaled,” Influence Media Founder and Co-Managing Partner Lylette Pizarro said. “Our joint venture NIL deal and extended catalog partnership is an alliance that will create boundless opportunities for this creative genius and will also further establish that DJ Khaled is a rare talent whose abilities extend far beyond the traditional confines of music. His enormous creativity, heart, and drive are matched only by his savvy business instincts and that is why the possibilities of what we can build together in this collaboration are immeasurable.”
DJ Khaled added, “I’m proud that my legacy will continue to resonate and connect with audiences around the world with this partnership through Influence Media. These iconic recordings I’ve created will continue to be curated in the most optimum manner to impact culture with nearly two decades of music. Also, I’m excited for the world to see and experience the film and television projects Influence and We The Best is developing and producing together. This next phase of my career will be filled with ground-breaking cultural impact, and I look forward to being at the forefront in all categories.”
BIG LOUD SELLS STAKE OF MORGAN WALLEN CATALOG TO CHORD MUSIC PARTNERS
Big Loud has officially sold a portion of Morgan Wallen‘s recorded music catalog to Chord Music Partners in a deal valued at approximately $200 million (USD).
The transaction, first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, represents a significant bet on one of country music’s biggest commercial forces. Wallen’s catalog includes albums and singles that have dominated streaming platforms and radio alike, fueling his ascent to mainstream superstardom.
Chord Music Partners, a music rights investment firm initially launched in 2021 by private equity giants KKR and Dundee Partners, has been building a portfolio of high-performing music assets. In early 2024, Universal Music Group (UMG) acquired a 25.8% stake in Chord and assumed distribution and publishing administration duties through Virgin Music Group and Universal Music Publishing Group, respectively. As part of that deal, KKR exited Chord, and Dundee increased its ownership to 74.2%.
The Wallen deal deepens the existing relationship between Big Loud and UMG. In March 2023, Big Loud entered a multi-year distribution partnership with Mercury Records/Republic, both UMG entities.
Chord’s existing portfolio spans over 60,000 copyrights and includes tracks like Fleetwood Mac‘s “Dreams,” Childish Gambino‘s “Redbone,” Kid Cudi‘s “Pursuit of Happiness,” Beyoncé‘s “Halo,” and John Legend‘s “All of Me.” The addition of Morgan Wallen’s music includes hits like “Wasted on You,” “Last Night,” and “Sand in My Boots”.
“Big Loud has sold a minority stake in Morgan Wallen’s master recording catalog to Chord Music Partners, as part of a strategic investment to expand the label’s global footprint and fuel long-term artist development,” a Big Loud representative told Billboard. “The deal was executed with the support of the internal Big Loud team, alongside partners at Chord Music, Republic Records & UMG, PLUS Capital, Eisner, Loeb & Loeb, DLA Piper, Dickinson Wright and Armanino.”
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 continues to help various events around the globe organize, curate, or participate in and moderate key panels, keynotes, and forums centered around global artist development as part of its in-depth knowledge of A&R.
Over the years, A&R Worldwide has helped organize A&R-centric conversations, panels, and keynotes at events across the U.S, as well as in Dubai (UAE), Mumbai (India), Tokyo (Japan), London, Liverpool, and Brighton (England), Paris (France), Hamburg and Berlin (Germany), Groningen and Amsterdam (Holland), Stockholm (Sweden), Auckland (New Zealand), Brisbane and Perth (Australia), Toronto, Edmonton, and Manitoba (Canada), Lagos (Nigeria), Johannesburg (South Africa), Beijing (China), Inverness (Scotland), Helsinki (Finland), and many other global destinations for well over two decades.
A&R is the lifeblood of the music business and A&R Worldwide continues to focus on building long-term artist careers, as well as cultural musical movements, as opposed to just data-driven moments, and spreading that mantra globally.
SOMEBODY’S CHILD
Following their acclaimed debut, Somebody’s Child returns with their highly anticipated sophomore album When Youth Fades Away, which is a bold, emotionally charged evolution that cements the band’s place in modern rock. Produced by Grammy-winner Peter Katis (The National, Interpol), the record finds frontman Cian Godfrey delving into themes of aging, identity, and perspective, trading youthful urgency for thoughtful introspection. Anchored by the striking new single “Porcelain (Losing My Patience),” a shimmering exploration of vulnerability and fragility, the album weaves together synth-driven experimentation and poetic lyricism, drawing on influences from Joy Division to Leonard Cohen. When Youth Fades Away marks a sonic and thematic leap forward, with contributions from The Gloaming‘s Thomas Bartlett and a newfound depth that invites listeners to pause and reflect. It’s a defining chapter for the band, arriving on the heels of sold-out shows, major festival appearances, and support slots for icons like The War on Drugs, Bloc Party, and Kings of Leon. With a packed summer tour including headline sets at Golden Touch and 110 Above, and a 25-date U.K., Ireland, and European run this October and November—featuring landmark venues such as KOKO (London), Paradiso (Amsterdam), and 3Olympia Theatre (Dublin), Somebody’s Child is poised to make 2025 their most compelling year yet. Listen to “Porcelain (Losing All My Patience)” HERE, and contact Jeremy Lloyd at jeremy@laissezfaireclub.com for additional information and opportunities for Somebody’s Child.
ZIMMER90
German-based Zimmer90‘s visual universe expands with the video for “Yours & Mine,” a lush, emotionally charged extension of the band’s distinctive aesthetic. Directed with a minimalist yet cinematic eye, the video places Finn and Josch in a stylized space that feels both intimate and surreal—a direct nod to the band’s concept of Zimmer (“room”), where music, design, and art converge. Bathed in soft lighting and pastel tones, the visual mirrors the track’s gentle urgency: shimmering synths, disco-tinged basslines, and percussion-heavy beats cradle Josch’s unmistakably soft, expressive voice. Through carefully framed vignettes—moments of stillness, closeness, and isolation—the video captures the emotional push and pull of modern relationships. The visual reinforces the band’s position not just as rising stars in the alt-pop space, but as creative tastemakers with a clear, cohesive vision across sound and style. Zimmer 90 are rapidly becoming one of Germany’s most successful exports since Giant Rooks, Milky Chance, Roosevelt, among others, and are on the cusp of an international breakthrough. Watch the video for “Yours & Mine” HERE, and contact Miles Heekeren at miles@bambooartists.com for additional information and all available opportunities globally for Zimmer90.
“PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Sunday, May 4th, 2025: The weekly import show is heard on more than 40 radio stations on six continents weekly including: Flux FM Berlin (Germany); NINETYSIX Radio (Indonesia); Radio Doble Nueve, Lima (Peru); Radio C Luxembourg; 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; RTÉ 2XM Ireland (national radio); 96.2 ZFM The Netherlands; WAPS/WKTL “91.3 The Summit” Akron–Canton-Youngstown, OH; 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; WSHR Long Island, NY, WRUR 88.5FM Rochester, NY; WCRU–FM Hamilton, NY; KZND Anchorage, AK; KQCJ Quad Cities, IL; Allgauhit–FM Bavaria Germany; Indie X FM Los Angeles, QCIndie Saskatchewan, Canada; WJSE Cape May/Atlantic City, NJ 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:
CVC – “Bonnie & Clyde” (CVC Recordings, U.K.)
MONOTRONIC – “Everything Moves” (Unsigned, U.S.)
CALUM BOWIE – “Your Anthem” (Polydor Records, U.K.)
VELLA – “All My Love” (Universal Music, Sweden)
UNPEOPLE – “The Garden” (SharpTone Records, U.K.)
WAITING FOR SMITH – “I Like Life” (Four One Seven Records, U.K.)
THE MOLOTOVS – “More, More, More” (Marshall Records, U.K.)
DAMIANO DAVID – “Next Summer” (Sony Music, Italy)
SHOBSY – “Hold Me Up” (Pangea Int’l Music, Ireland)
CASSIA – “Miles Out” (Distiller, U.K.)
SPACEY JANE – “All The Noise” (AWAL, Australia)
THE LOTTERY WINNERS – “Turn Around” (Modern Sky, U.K.)
CARISSA SUMMER ROSE – “Scatterbrain” (Unsigned, U.S.)
FAT DOG – “Peace Song” (Domino Records, U.K.)
GIANT ROOKS – “Mind Control” (Universal Music, Germany)
NONĒ SUNSHINE – “Stay Gold” (Unsigned, U.S.)
RHETT REPKO – “Somewhat Famous” (Unsigned, U.S.)
GIZMO VARILLAS – “Still Holdin’ On” (Sonteca Records, Spain)
SOFY – “Front Seat Honey” (Chess Club, U.K.)
BRKN LOVE – “Diamonds” (Spinefarm, N. America)
KAI BOSCH – “Angel” (LAB Records, U.K.)
THE MOVING STILLS – “Running Out” (Unsigned, Australia)
THE TERRYS – “Stay Free” (Good Intent, Australia)
VERONICA FUSARO – “Jealousy” (Deep Dive, Switzerland)
PYNCHER – “Get Along” (Unsigned, U.K.)
ZIMMER90 – “Yours & Mine” (Humming Records, Germany)
THE PALE WHITE – “Lost In The Moment” (Propeller Recordings, U.K.)
MOOD BORED – “Out Loud” (Mattan Records, Holland)
SI EVOL – “By The Sea” (Sony Music, Sweden)
CIRCA WAVES – “Let’s Leave Together” (Lower Third / [PIAS], U.K.)
CAT SERRANO – “When You Love Me” (Unsigned, U.S.)
KINGFISHR – “Man On The Moon” (Doonane Records, Ireland)
MASI MASI – “She’s Trouble” (Pangea Int’l Music, U.K.)
ADAM REESE – “1996” (Unsigned, U.S.)
AVEX MUSIC GROUP APPOINTS JUSTIN HUNTER TO VICE PRESIDENT: Avex Music Group has named Justin Hunter as its new Vice President. In this elevated role, Hunter will oversee key operational functions and collaborate closely with CEO Brandon Silverstein and the broader executive team to support both Avex and its partner company, S10 Entertainment. His appointment reflects a deepening integration between the two music entities and a commitment to scaling their combined efforts across artist management, recorded music, and creative ventures. Hunter began his career in 2018 as an assistant to Patrick Whitesell, Co-CEO, Endeavor before transitioning to S10, where he quickly rose through the ranks. Over the last seven years, he has held a range of roles—from day-to-day artist manager to Chief of Staff and eventually Head of S10 Records—contributing to the company’s creative and commercial development. He will operate out of Avex Music Group’s Los Angeles office “Justin’s entrepreneurial drive, deep industry relationships, and experience in a number of different roles over his career make him the perfect candidate to help execute AMG’s strategy in the U.S. and beyond,” said Brandon Silverstein. “I’m thrilled to be able to offer him this important role at Avex Music Group.” “I’m so excited to be stepping into this role at such a pivotal time for Avex and am grateful for Brandon’s ongoing guidance and support,” said Hunter. “We’re building something that’s global, bold, and unique and I’m incredibly excited to help shape the future of Avex Music Group.”
KACEY MUSGRAVES SIGNS TO LOST HIGHWAY RECORDS: Kacey Musgraves has become the first artist signed to the newly revived Lost Highway Records, which is a fitting homecoming for the 8x Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, who was also the final artist signed to the label before it was folded into Mercury Nashville in 2012. Now operating once again as a standalone Nashville-based imprint, Lost Highway has made Musgraves its flagship signing as it reenters the music landscape. The moment is deeply symbolic for the artist, whose career first took off under the Lost Highway banner more than a decade ago with her breakout album Same Trailer, Different Park. To mark the occasion, Musgraves has released a rendition of “Lost Highway,” the country song written by Leon Payne and recorded by Hank Williams in 1949. Luke Lewis, who founded Lost Highway in 2000 and signed Musgraves in 2011, said, “For 20 years, my job was to run Mercury and MCA labels, which were primarily mainstream country endeavors. The last 10 years of my time there were passionately dedicated to starting and leading Lost Highway, which was the most rewarding time of my entire career. The label went on to cultivate some of the greatest singer/songwriters I have had the honor to work with, and I am extremely proud to have helped them further their amazing musical journeys. I am beyond grateful that this very special label is now in the hands of John Janick, Robert Knotts, Jake Gear, and the Interscope team, and I am certain Lost Highway will have an incredible second inning.”
APPLE MUSIC NAMES OLE OBERMANN AND RACHEL NEWMAN AS CO-HEADS: Apple Music has named Ole Obermann and Rachel Newman as the new Co-Heads of its global streaming platform, ushering in a dual leadership model aimed at driving the service’s next phase of growth. The leadership change was confirmed by Oliver Schusser, Apple‘s Vice President overseeing Apple Music, Apple TV+, Sports, and Beats, to whom both Obermann and Newman will report. Obermann, formerly Global Head of Music at TikTok, joins Apple Music after a five-year run where he played a central role in shaping the platform’s rise as a major force in music discovery. Among his most notable moves was helping broker a new deal with Universal Music Group in 2023 following a licensing standoff. Ole’s exit from TikTok earlier this year paved the way for Tracy Gardner to take on his role. Newman, who has been with Apple since 2009, brings deep institutional knowledge and a history of building Apple Music’s content strategy. Based in Los Angeles, she most recently served as Apple Music’s Global Head of Content and began her Apple career managing iTunes music operations in Australia and New Zealand. This shake-up follows the January departure of George Ergatoudis, the former Head of Apple Music U.K. & Ireland, who left after a seven-year tenure.
EPIDEMIC SOUND ACQUIRES SONG SLEUTH: Epidemic Sound has expanded its capabilities with the acquisition of music recognition startup Song Sleuth, a move aimed at transforming how music is tracked and monetized in the user-generated content (UGC) space. The acquisition lays the foundation for Aentidote, a new venture under the Epidemic Sound Group, created to ensure artists and rights-holders receive accurate and fair compensation for the use of their music across digital platforms. By combining Song Sleuth’s AI recognition technology with Epidemic Sound’s music licensing and industry infrastructure, Aentidote is positioned to detect music uses that typically evade traditional systems, including remixes, live versions, or altered recordings. This deal marks Epidemic Sound’s third strategic acquisition in three years, following the purchases of AP Records (rebranded as Overtone Studios) in 2022 and the sound effects platform Soundly in 2023. With UGC continuing to grow exponentially across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch, Aentidote arrives at a crucial time, offering improved detection tools that unlock new revenue for artists and boost the transparency of royalty distribution. Song Sleuth has already helped clients significantly improve content recognition rates, and now, with the backing of Epidemic Sound, the technology will scale to benefit more creators, platforms, and rights-holders worldwide.
MORGAN WALLEN’S WILDER MUSIC & WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC SIGN JARED MULLINS TO GLOBAL PUBLISHING DEAL: Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville and Morgan Wallen‘s publishing company, Wilder Music, have signed a global publishing deal with hit singer-songwriter Jared Mullins. Known for his dynamic songwriting, he has co-written several No. 1 hits, including “Thank God” by Kane Brown featuring Katelyn Brown, which topped Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart, as well as Jake Owen‘s “Homemade,” which topped both Billboard’s Country Airplay and Country Aircheck/Mediabase charts. Mullins’ growing list of collaborators includes Wallen, Little Big Town, and Mitchell Tenpenny, among others. Jared Mullins stated, “I’ve been lucky enough to know Morgan for over a decade. As an artist, he’s obviously one of the greatest of all time, but he’s also one of the best writers in the world. I’m extremely grateful and incredibly humbled that he believes in me enough to make me the first signing of Wilder Music.” Morgan Wallen added, “I’ve seen firsthand the amount of talent Jared has as a writer. He brings passion, authenticity, and fresh ideas into every piece he’s in. It’s undeniable. I’m humbled to be launching this new venture with Warner Chappell, and even more excited that Jared is the first signing at Wilder Music.” Jessi Vaughn Stevenson, VP, A&R and Digital, WCM Nashville, concluded “It is incredibly exciting to be working with Jared. His talent is vast and varied, and to be partnering with Morgan is the cherry on top.”
SONY CORP STRIKES PARTNERSHIP WITH BANDLAB TECHNOLOGIES: Sony Corporation is teaming up with BandLab Technologies in a move set to democratize spatial audio for the next generation of music creators. The partnership will bring Sony’s 360 Reality Audio technology directly into BandLab, the fast-growing social music creation platform with over 100 million users worldwide. This integration will empower aspiring artists and producers—many of whom don’t have access to traditional studio environments to create and experience spatial audio using just their smartphones and standard headphones. Beginning this summer, BandLab users will find spatial audio-ready beats in the platform’s Sounds marketplace. From there, they’ll be able to add vocals, layers, and effects, crafting 360-degree soundscapes without leaving the app. The collaboration boosts Sony’s push to expand the adoption of its 360 Reality Audio format, which competes with Apple‘s Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos. It also builds on a broader trend of industry support for immersive audio; Apple Music, for example, began offering higher royalty rates for spatial audio content in 2023. Looking ahead, Sony and BandLab have hinted at the development of a dedicated co-branded hub inside the BandLab ecosystem. This space will serve as a launchpad for future tools, technologies, and exclusive educational resources aimed at helping creators level up their production skills and harness next-gen audio capabilities.
MUSIC CREATION PLATFORM SPLICE ACQUIRES SPITFIRE AUDIO: Splice has officially expanded into the world of virtual instruments with the acquisition of Spitfire Audio. This move signals that Splice will broaden beyond its Splice Sounds subscription and rent-to-own offerings into the plugin market—currently valued at $640 million (USD), with the wider music software and services industry topping $7 billion. Since launching in 2015, Splice has cemented itself at the heart of modern music production, serving a community of over 10 million creators and facilitating one million daily downloads from its sample library. Spitfire Audio, founded in 2007, has built a reputation among composers and producers, offering meticulously recorded virtual instruments in collaboration with icons like Hans Zimmer, Olafur Arnalds, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and Abbey Road Studios. Their cinematic and orchestral libraries are staples in both film scoring and music production circles. The two companies plan to collaborate on new products that combine Spitfire’s cinematic textures with Splice’s sample ecosystem and AI capabilities. Together, they aim to tap into the growth projected for the music creation sector, which MIDiA Research estimates will nearly double to $14 billion by 2031. For now, both Splice and Spitfire Audio will continue to operate independently. Robert Murphy will stay on as CEO of Spitfire Audio, reporting to Splice CEO Kakul Srivastava, while Christian Henson and Paul Thomson will continue leading Spitfire’s creative direction.
JON BAILEY & MARC SHEINMAN JOIN RED LIGHT MANAGEMENT’S U.K. TEAM: Music managers Jon Bailey and Marc Sheinman have officially brought their venture, 7980 Music, into a new partnership with Red Light Management. Formerly operating under the Insanity Group umbrella, Bailey and Sheinman now join Red Light’s U.K. division, led by James Sandom, with a roster that includes names like Wilkinson, David Rodigan, Friction, and songwriter-producer Brad Ellis. Red Light’s global dance and electronic roster includes Bonobo, Pendulum, Subtronics, Odesza, Glass Beams, Duke Dumont, and Knife Party, as well as writers and producers like Punctual, Danny L Harle, Jon Shave, Lewis Thompson, and ShiftK3y. Their artist roster spans legends like Lionel Richie, Phish, Interpol, The Strokes, and Enrique Iglesias, while new successes include Sabrina Carpenter, Lainey Wilson, and Chris Stapleton. Recent business highlights also feature a resurgence for The Smashing Pumpkins and The Black Keys, alongside a U.K. No.1 album win this month with Mumford & Sons, achieved through Red Light’s collaboration with Split Second. On the songwriting and production side, Red Light represents an array of talent behind some of today’s biggest records, including contributions to “Brat” (Charli XCX), “Guts” (Olivia Rodrigo), “Radical Optimism” (Dua Lipa), “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” (Chappell Roan), and “Spill the Feels” (Seventeen), among others.
TRISHA YEARWOOD PARTNERS WITH VIRGIN MUSIC GROUP FOR NEW MUSIC: Virgin Music Group has joined forces with country music artist Trisha Yearwood and her label, Gwendolyn Records, to release new material and manage her recent catalog. This partnership also signals a homecoming for Yearwood, reuniting her with the Universal Music Group (UMG) family and MCA Nashville—the label that launched her career in 1990 and released many of her albums through 2006. MCA Nashville will continue to handle the catalog from that era, ensuring that the legacy of her formative years remains in trusted hands. Yearwood’s next chapter begins with THE MIRROR, a project that stands out as her first album entirely co-written and co-produced by the Grammy winner herself. In addition to new music, Yearwood is back on the road for the first time in six years. Her spring headlining tour launched on April 30 in Austin, TX, bringing her hits and newer tracks to audiences across the country. The announcement comes on the heels of new milestones: “She’s In Love With A Boy” has been certified Double Platinum by the RIAA, while “Walkaway Joe” and “XXX’s and OOO’s (An American Girl)” both earned Gold certification “Trisha Yearwood is one of the most talented and enduring artists in the world,” said Jacqueline Saturn, President, Virgin Music Group North America & Executive VP of Global Artist Relations. “We are so proud to have her and her Gwendolyn Records catalog on our roster and are looking forward to her legions of fans hearing this incredible new music.”
SYMPHONIC DISTRIBUTION EXPANDS A&R CLIENT DEVELOPMENT TEAM IN ASIA: Symphonic Distribution is expanding its reach across Asia with the appointment of a new team of A&R Client Development Leads. The company has named Christine Su (Greater China and Taiwan), Eleanor Phan (Vietnam), Twinky Lagdameo (Southeast Asia), and Jay Choe (South Korea and Japan) to lead client development in their respective regions. In addition, Fiona Comendador joins as Client Manager for the entire APAC region. Reporting to Territory Manager Guji Lorenzana, the newly assembled team will provide hands-on support and localized strategies to help artists thrive in their home markets while expanding their global footprint. Christine Su brings a background in project management, curation, and cross-border collaborations. Her roles with the Golden Melody Awards and Studio 8F-3 have positioned her at the center of Asia’s evolving music landscape. Eleanor Phan’s operational experience from The Orchard and MMUSIC, where she managed content delivery, artist relations, and label partnerships throughout Vietnam will be vital. In South Korea and Japan, Jay Choe leverages a history in K-Pop consulting, festival logistics, and songwriting, having worked with acts such as PIXY and HELLO GLOOM, and written for artists like Uki Satake and EVO. Twinky Lagdameo brings over two decades of experience across marketing, artist development, publishing, and education. Her résumé includes senior roles at EMI and MTV, and she’s Co-Founder of the Elements Music Camp, which has nurtured artists like Moira Dela Torre and Ben&Ben. Rounding out the team is Fiona Comendador, formerly with Virgin Music Group and live-streaming platform Kumu. As APAC Client Manager, she will coordinate with artists and labels across the region to drive growth through strategic release planning and day-to-day project management.
THE WEEKND RETURNS TO WME: The Weeknd, also known as Abel Tesfaye, has officially rejoined WME for full representation across all facets of his career. This move marks a return to the agency after a stint at CAA, which he joined in 2021. WME will now oversee not only Tesfaye’s music ventures but also represent his production company, Manic Phase, as he continues to expand his influence on film and television. The Grammy-winning artist kicked off 2025 with his sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, which debuted at No. 1 in the U.K. and claimed the title of the year’s biggest U.S. album launch. The project has already surpassed three billion streams worldwide. Tesfaye’s career milestones include over 75 million records sold and seven U.S. No. 1 singles that have achieved diamond certification. He was the most-streamed male artist on Spotify in 2024 and holds the platform’s record for the most tracks — 27 in total — in its Billions Club. His cinematic debut arrives May 16 with the release of Hurry Up Tomorrow, a film that complements his album of the same name. Written and directed by Trey Edward Shults, the movie stars Tesfaye alongside Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan and is produced by Manic Phase, Reza Fahim, the late Kevin Turen, and Harrison Kreiss. On the live circuit, The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn Tour was among the highest-grossing of 2023. His upcoming stadium run kicks off this May, including sold-out shows at MetLife Stadium and multiple nights at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
PAYDAY MUSIC PUBLISHING ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF LA OPERATIONS: Payday Music Publishing has announced two hires for its Los Angeles team, with the appointment of Jamey Sussman and Desiree Autobee to lead new strategic efforts in sync placements. Both Sussman and Autobee will be based out of Payday’s Santa Monica headquarters, reporting directly to Patrick Moxey, Founder & CEO. Sussman steps in as Sync Director, Trailers & Ads, while Autobee takes on the role of Sync Director, TV & Film. Together, they will focus on securing sync placements for Payday’s roster of artists and songwriters across film, TV, advertising, and trailers. Payday’s recent sync highlights include campaigns with Range Rover, Nissan, Martini, Fortnite, Venmo, and Chase, and placements in TV shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Abbott Elementary, Tell Me Lies, and Shrinking. Sussman joins the team after a tenure at Score A Score, where she helped forge impactful entertainment marketing partnerships. Her resume includes custom music projects for trailers like Babylon, Sing Sing, and The White Lotus. Autobee brings experience from her time at MNRK Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Universal Music Group. Her licensing portfolio includes syncs such as Fleishman Is In Trouble (with Naughty By Nature‘s “Hip Hop Hooray”) and FIFA (featuring Jelani Blackman & Manga Saint Hilare‘s “Maybe Not”). In parallel with these appointments, Payday has added new recording studios in Los Angeles, with four state-of-the-art studios in Santa Monica and two in Hollywood. Recent sessions have featured the likes of Tyler, The Creator, Thundercat, Lil Yachty, and Afrojack. The publisher also announced its 8th annual Coachella Camp, an event that has previously drawn contributions from Playboi Carti, Sofi Tukker, Bob Moses, YG, and Bob Sinclar.
UNIVERSAL ACQUIRES RECORDED MUSIC RIGHTS TO CATALOG OF SEZEN AKSU: Universal Music Türkiye, a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), has secured the recorded music rights to the catalog of Turkish music icon Sezen Aksu. Often hailed as the “Queen of Turkish Pop,” her work as a singer, songwriter, and producer has shaped the sound of modern Turkish pop for more than 50 years. With this acquisition, Universal Music Türkiye adds one of the country’s most celebrated and commercially successful catalogs to its roster. Sezen Aksu holds the distinction of being Turkey’s most-streamed female artist for seven consecutive years. On Spotify alone, she reaches over six million monthly listeners, with her breakout hit “Biliyorsun” surpassing 100 million streams. Across her career, she has released 21 singles and 30 albums, with global physical album sales exceeding 40 million. Among her most enduring songs are “Firuze,” “Gülümse,” and “Kutlama”—tracks that have become staples in Turkish pop culture. Nazan Haciguzeller, Managing Director, Universal Music Türkiye, said, “We are thrilled to become the custodian of this hugely successful catalog. We have long-admired Sezen Aksu’s career as one of Turkey’s most successful songwriters and producers. We believe this catalog has huge potential and will work hard to ensure Sezen Aksu’s music is enjoyed around the world for years to come. We look forward to partnering closely with Sezen and her team to continue to drive Universal Music Group’s presence in such a vibrant and fast-growing market.”
AUDIUS STRIKES GLOBAL DEAL WITH DOWNTOWN MUSIC: Audius joins forces with Downtown Music in a wide-reaching licensing agreement that will bring a catalog of music to the Audius ecosystem. The partnership includes both the publishing and recorded music divisions of Downtown and is set to deliver “millions” of licensed tracks to Audius’ community-driven discovery and marketplace platform. It marks an expansion for Audius, which now gives Downtown’s artists and labels new tools to connect directly with fans and monetize their music on their own terms. Based in San Francisco, Audius currently serves around six million users. Its decentralized model allows creators to bypass traditional streaming limitations by setting their own prices for music and merchandise, with fans making direct payments via USDC, a dollar-pegged stablecoin. Audius takes a 10% platform fee from transactions. The platform has steadily built momentum, securing licensing deals with artists like Skrillex, deadmau5, and Diplo, as well as partnerships with Kobalt, EMPIRE, and Ninja Tune. Audius also maintains agreements with performing rights organizations including ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.
BEATSTARS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH SUREEL: BeatStars has entered into a new partnership with AI rights protection startup Sureel, aiming to shield its catalog from unauthorized use in artificial intelligence training. Through the collaboration, Sureel will digitally register every track within BeatStars’ marketplace, creating a definitive no-train list for AI developers. This registry will serve as a reference point that AI companies can consult to determine which works are off-limits for model training. Furthermore, Sureel will equip BeatStars and its creator community with a real-time dashboard offering transparency into which AI systems have attempted to access or learn from protected content. The agreement also includes a private API and portal that grants approved AI developers, controlled access to metadata, enabling them to confirm the opt-out status of specific songs and beats in accordance with creator preferences. This move comes as the music industry ramps up efforts to assert control over how creative works are used in the AI space. Several lawsuits have recently been filed against AI startups like Suno and Udio by major labels, accusing them of using copyrighted recordings without authorization. These cases have spotlighted the growing tension between rights holders and generative AI companies, many of which claim that their training methods fall under “fair use.” BeatStars, which has paid over $325 million (USD) to producers and creators since launching in 2009, is taking a firm stance with this initiative, reinforcing its commitment to protecting the intellectual property of its user base. Known as the launchpad for viral hits like “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X, BeatStars’ latest move signals its proactive approach to artist rights in the age of AI.
CD BABY APPOINTS SEAN HALLARMAN AND CRAIG MAY TO KEY ROLES: CD Baby has announced two executive hires, with Sean Hallarman being named Sr. VP of Product and Craig May joining as Sr. VP of Artist & Fan Development. Both Hallarman and May will report directly to CD Baby President Molly Neuman. Hallarman brings a background in product leadership, having held roles at Sonos, Meta, and Amazon Music, where he assisted in shaping user-facing music experiences. At CD Baby, he’ll be responsible for steering product vision and execution, with a mission to elevate the platform’s tools and services for its global artist base. May comes aboard from sister company FUGA, where he served as Sr. VP of Global Marketing Services. In his new position, he’ll lead efforts around fan engagement and artist development, building on his experience in helping creators connect with audiences and grow sustainable careers. In tandem with these hires, CD Baby also announced expanded roles for existing executives. Jean Mischler will now oversee both marketing and revenue in her broadened role as Sr. VP of Marketing, and VP of Finance Whitney Thomas will take on additional responsibilities in business operations alongside her financial oversight. Pieter van Rijn, CEO of Downtown Music, said, “CD Baby has been the first mover in the direct artist distribution space. The addition of Sean and Craig, as well as the expanded duties of Jean and Whitney are key developments towards the exciting transformations the company will be rolling out over the course of 2025.”
UNIVERSAL MUSIC ADOPTS CONNEX PLATFORM FOR MUSIC CREDIT MANAGEMENT: Universal Music Group has signed on as the first official client of Connex—a newly launched A&R administration platform built to streamline how music credits and audio files are collected and managed across the creative ecosystem. Unveiled on May 1 after four years in development, Connex is the latest initiative from STAGE, the company behind music rights tools like Session Studio, Salt, and RDx. Developed in collaboration with industry professionals, Connex is designed to bridge the gap between creators and the industry’s backend by integrating directly with tools that musicians already use. Built around the DDEX RIN (Recording Information Notification) standard, Connex enables seamless transfer of metadata between creators, labels, publishers, and distributors—tackling long-standing issues with credit accuracy and collaboration in an increasingly complex music production landscape. The platform also offers sample detection features to flag potential clearance problems early on. Connex integrates with widely used tools such as VevaSound, MusicTeam, Session Studio, and Patchbay, potentially linking hundreds of thousands of creators directly to the music business infrastructure. Two platform tiers are available: a cloud-based SaaS model for indie labels and a private enterprise version tailored for large-scale operations like UMG.
ADRIAN SAROSI JOINS LUMINATE AS VP, GM OF INTERNATIONAL: Luminate has tapped Adrian Sarosi as its new Vice President & General Manager, International. Operating from Luminate’s London office, Sarosi will spearhead international growth efforts, identifying emerging markets and strategic opportunities for the company’s suite of data solutions across music, film, TV, and digital platforms. With a career spanning over two decades, Sarosi brings expertise in both the entertainment and tech sectors, having steered commercial operations at the intersection of content and analytics. He has previously managed portfolios surpassing $500 million (USD) in revenue and cultivated high-impact partnerships with Universal Music Group, Sony Music, Warner Music, and tech companies including Apple, Amazon, Spotify, and Meta. “It’s a privilege to have someone join the team with as much expertise and vision as Adrian,” said Scott Ryan, Luminate’s Executive VP, Commercial. “Luminate highlights entertainment trends and insights on a global level, and we are dedicated to ensuring that our products and services help businesses across all relevant markets and industries.” Commenting on his appointment, Sarosi added, “It’s an exciting moment to be joining this team, and I look forward to sharing Luminate’s unique technology and trusted data with new global partners.”
UDIO STRIKES PARTNERSHIP WITH AUDIBLE MAGIC: AI-driven music creation platform Udio has announced a partnership with Audible Magic, a provider of content identification technology. The collaboration will see Udio incorporate Audible Magic’s audio fingerprinting tools directly into its generative music engine, enabling real-time identification and tracking of AI-generated music from the moment it’s created. The two companies say this forms the foundation of a “content control pipeline” that allows digital platforms and distributors to recognize Udio-produced tracks and enforce proper licensing and rights management protocols. The partnership arrives amid the growing scrutiny of AI music tools. Udio, along with fellow startup Suno, is facing a lawsuit from Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Warner Records—over allegations of unauthorized use of copyrighted recordings to train their AI models. Udio maintains its practices fall within the boundaries of U.S. fair use law and argues the lawsuits are aimed at stifling innovation and competition in the music tech space. By integrating Audible Magic’s system at the point of creation, Udio says it’s introducing a proactive framework to improve transparency and accountability in the distribution of AI-generated content. Each new track generated will be instantly fingerprinted and entered Audible Magic’s registry, helping downstream platforms detect and manage rights compliance throughout the digital ecosystem. The rollout of the new identification infrastructure will begin in the coming months, with both companies framing the partnership as a step toward more responsible AI adoption in the music industry.
GREECE’S MUSOU MUSIC PUBLISHING JOINS IMPEL: Greece-based Musou Music Publishing has officially become a member of IMPEL, the international collective that licenses digital music rights on behalf of independent publishers worldwide. The company operates under the umbrella of Musou Music Group, a multi-faceted creative company established in 2006 that also includes Musou Music Production, Musou Studios, and Musou Records. Known for its catalog and original compositions, Musou Music Publishing has earned recognition in the advertising and media space and has garnered a total of 18 Ermis Awards, including top honors for Original Composition, Adapted Music, and Sound Design. By aligning with IMPEL, Musou aims to expand the reach of its repertoire and ensure its works are better represented across global digital platforms.
NEED TO MAKE CONTACT, SEND NEWS AND NEW MUSIC RELEASES?: If you have any A&R, publishing, technology, agent/promoter, international radio, management, new media or film/TV music supervisor news you’d like to share with A&R Worldwide, or need to respond to information published in the weekly newsletter please E–mail it to the attention of info@anrworldwide.com. Also, all demos and new music releases should be sent as STREAMING LINKS ONLY to info@anrworldwide.com.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Dennis Ladegaillerie, David Glick, Terri DiPaolo, Gavin Maude, Paul Tollett, Rachel Kurstin, Saurabh Abbi, Justin Kalifowitz, Cassandra Gracey, Jeff Levin, Michael Chugg, Sarah Lockhart, and Michael Guido.
