CAPITOL MUSIC GROUP LAUNCHES NEW NASHVILLE DIVISION
Capitol Music Group is unifying its country and Christian divisions under Capitol Music Group Nashville.
The newly launched division will bring together Capitol Records Nashville and Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) under one roof at a brand-new, 40,000-square-foot complex in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood. The facility will house recording studios, a live performance venue, and content creation spaces, designed to foster collaboration and accelerate artist development. Backing it all is the full support infrastructure of Capitol’s Tower in Los Angeles.
As part of the announcement, Capitol has named Candice Watkins as President of Capitol Records Nashville. In addition to this role, she will also serve as Executive Vice President of CCMG, bringing her vision and artist-first approach across both genres. Watkins is widely regarded for her leadership at Big Loud Records, where she oversaw marketing and development for stars like Morgan Wallen, HARDY, and Hailey Whitters. Her prior experience includes roles at UMG Nashville, Red Light Management, and Borman Entertainment. She currently serves on both the CMA and ACM boards.
Tom March stated, “This reorganization reflects our commitment to growing our Nashville operations as a core creative hub in Christian, gospel, and country music. We’re looking forward to signing and developing the next generation of country artists on Capitol Records Nashville and are thrilled to have an executive of the caliber of Candice Watkins to lead our ambitious plans in country music while also bringing her expertise to our gospel and Christian music operations.”
“This new structure will empower our Nashville executives to better serve the incredible artists on our roster. Candice is a brilliant music marketing executive who has an amazing record in developing career artists,” said John Janick, Chairman of Interscope Capitol. “Having her lead our country music business in Nashville and also add her extensive artist development expertise to our CCMG team is going to be great for our artists and for the entire executive team.”
Candice Watkins commented, “It’s a true honor to step into the role of President of Capitol Records Nashville and EVP of Capitol Christian. These labels have a rich legacy in partnering with some of the most brilliant artists of our industry, and I look forward to contributing to its continued success and cultural impact. Excited to collaborate with John, Tom, Lillia [Parsa], and Brad in boldly championing creatives and visionaries.”
CCMG, the world’s top faith-based music company and home to artists like Chris Tomlin, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Anne Wilson, and Josiah Queen, will continue to be led by Brad O’Donnell, who remains President of the division and will report to Capitol Music Group Chair and CEO Tom March. The Christian division also includes Motown Gospel and Tamla, as well as publishing rights for gospel artist Kirk Franklin.
ROB STEVENSON AND MATT SIGNORE LAUNCH NEW LABEL ALTER BACKED BY FIREBIRD
Rob Stevenson and Matt Signore have teamed up to unveil ALTER MUSIC, a new independent record label. The launch is backed by a strategic joint venture with Firebird Music Holdings.
This partnership brings together ALTER’s A&R pedigree and Firebird’s infrastructure, combining creative insight with financial muscle, data-driven strategy, and industry expertise. Firebird, founded by former Ticketmaster CEO Nathan Hubbard and ex-KKR executive Nat Zilkha, will provide ALTER with the tools to scale quickly while retaining its indie spirit.
Stevenson and Signore—both formerly of 300 Entertainment—are aiming to build a modern label environment that values artistic freedom, collaboration, and long-term vision. The label has already begun shaping a roster, with the first signees being Naomi Scott, Chalk, and LIA LIA.
Since its launch in 2022, Firebird has acquired or partnered with Red Light Management, Transgressive Records, Defected, and Mick Management, among others. The company now supports more than 1,000 artists worldwide and has raised over $400 million (USD) from Goldman Sachs, KKR, and the Pritzker Organization.
“We’re creating ALTER Music to simultaneously support an artist’s ongoing creative vision and build their business on a solid foundation, so music can be fun again,” said Rob Stevenson, Founder of ALTER Music. “Our goal is to provide artists with maximum optionality as they grow as people and creators. We believe A&R is more than watching stream counts, talented artists are more than content, and fans are more than consumers. Analyzing data is critical to point you in the right general direction, but it will never get you to the destination by itself. For long-term success, our instincts, creative thinking, and clear communication all play key roles.”
With ALTER, Stevenson brings decades of A&R experience. At Republic Records, he was instrumental in the rise of Post Malone, James Bay, Of Monsters and Men, and Gotye. Before that, he signed acts like The Killers and Fall Out Boy at Island Def Jam and oversaw major releases from Katy Perry, LCD Soundsystem, and The Decemberists during his tenure at Virgin.
UMG LAUNCHES DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON &
BLUE NOTE RECORDS IN CHINA
Universal Music Greater China (UMGC) has announced the official launch of two new frontline labels: Deutsche Grammophon China and Blue Note Records China. These imprints mark an expansion of UMGC’s footprint into China’s music sectors, with a mission to spotlight and amplify the next generation of Chinese classical and jazz talent on a global stage.
The launch, held in Shanghai, gathered some of China’s most respected musical figures and revealed that Lang Lang, Yuja Wang, and Long Yu—already established Deutsche Grammophon (DG) artists—will serve as artistic advisors for the newly established DG China label.
The label’s first release is set for May 23, 2025: an interpretation of Bach: The Cello Suites by cellist Jian Wang. DG China also announced a collaboration with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra to record and release the complete Shostakovich Symphonies by 2029, celebrating the orchestra’s 150th anniversary with global distribution.
Alongside this expansion, Blue Note Records China is planting its flag in the country’s jazz scene. Its inaugural signing is INNOUT, a jazz duo composed of guitarist Xiao Jun and drummer An Yu.
Also, Blue Note Records China will partner with JZ Music, one of China’s most influential jazz organizations. The collaboration will prioritize live performance opportunities, aiming to elevate the visibility of Chinese jazz across international circuits and festivals. The launch event also welcomed composers Zhao Lin and Yu-Peng Chen, and Fedina Zhou, President of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.
Timothy Xu, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Greater China, said, “For decades, Deutsche Grammophon and Blue Note have held a special place in the hearts of Chinese classical and jazz musicians. These labels have deeply influenced the way local artists understand, study, and create within these genres. Today marks a new beginning – for the first time, these two iconic brands are establishing dedicated labels in China to engage directly with local artists and communities. DG China and Blue Note Records China will be fully committed to discovering and supporting the next generation of talent emerging from China. Through these efforts, we hope to contribute to the growth and appreciation of classical and jazz music in China, and to help bring the richness of Chinese musical expression into deeper dialogue with the world.”
Adam Granite, Executive VP, Market Development, Universal Music Group, added, “At UMG, we are committed to supporting the development of diverse music cultures around the world. The launch of Deutsche Grammophon China and Blue Note Records China reflects this vision in action and marks a meaningful step forward in the evolution of our multi-label operations in the market. By combining the global heritage and artistic leadership of these two iconic labels with the market knowledge and cultural insight of our local team, we are creating a stronger platform to connect Chinese talent with global opportunities.”
POSITION MUSIC INKS DAVE COHEN TO GLOBAL PUBLISHING DEAL
Position Music has inked a global publishing agreement with Nashville-based producer, songwriter, and musician Dave Cohen, as announced by the company’s President and CEO Tyler Bacon.
Cohen brings a list of credits that includes work with Elle King, Shaboozey (feat. BigXThaPlug), Chris Lane, Morgan Wallen, and Alli Walker.
Originally from Canada, Cohen has earned industry-wide respect as a four-time Academy of Country Music Award winner for Keyboard Player of the Year. Beyond his songwriting and production chops, he’s one of Nashville’s top session musicians, having contributed to releases by Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Old Dominion, HARDY, Ella Langley, and many others.
“You’d be hard-pressed to find a person in Nashville who doesn’t already love and respect Dave Cohen,” said Chandler Thurston, A&R, Position Music. “I am excited to have him as our first signing out of our Nashville office. Dave is a diverse writer and producer whose talent allows him to work across many genres. I can’t wait for the future as we’ve already hit the ground running.”
Dave Cohen added, “I’m grateful to be surrounded by a team of people who believe in the work I pursue. Chandler Thurston (Position) in partnership with Hannah Babitt (BABZ Management), is the obvious fit—the right creative family to work alongside in this new season and next chapter, within Nashville, Los Angeles, and beyond.”
Established in 1999, Position is home to artists, songwriters, and producers such as Cannons, Tinashe, Erik Ron, Joe Kearns, eaJ, Austin Powerz, Khalid Yassein, Jordan Suaste, NoMBe, Elohim, Kyle Dion, Ryan Oakes, Layto, Hunter Metts, Welshly Arms, ¿Téo?, Judah & the Lion, Jack LaFrantz, Fantastic Negrito, Yonatan Watts, Dru “Falconry” DeCaro, and more.
Position Music was ranked the No.7 publisher in Billboard‘s Hot 100 for Q3 2024.
Each week, A&R Worldwide shares a snapshot of creatives and executives that we have collaborated or worked with in various music markets around the world, albeit in recent or previous times!
A&R Worldwide has been curating and hosting some of the most memorable global music gatherings since the inception of these masterfully crafted and authentic networking events first launched by our Founder Sat Bisla, and his friend Dave Holmes (former worldwide manager of Coldplay) back in 1998.
Back in 2003, A&R Worldwide partnered with French independent music publishing firm Rive Droite Music with its Founder Laurent Dreux Leblanc, and senior A&R executive Stephane Bombet to bring together leading executives and creatives from across music, media, and technology sectors for a one-of-a-kind dining, and networking experience, on an awe-inspiring yacht stationed in Cannes, France. The event brought together some of the most influential creatives and executives from around the world.
These infamous yacht dinner events and decadent receptions took place over the course of five years, and created some priceless memories, long-lasting friendships, and impactful business deals.
The late and great David Goldberg was a regular guest of A&R Worldwide at the annual yacht event and was the Founder of LAUNCH Media (which was acquired by Yahoo!) – he was also the CEO of SurveyMonkey.
CALUM BOWIE
Fresh off a breakthrough year that included a Glastonbury debut, sold-out U.K. and European shows, and a Breakthrough Artist win at the Scottish Music Awards, rising Scottish singer-songwriter Calum Bowie returns with his most personal release yet: “Your Anthem.” Stripped-back and emotionally raw, the track highlights Bowie’s gift for honest storytelling and rousing melodies, offering a glimpse into the heartfelt songwriting that defines his upcoming debut EP, Through The Window. “It’s probably the most vulnerable I’ve ever been on a record,” Calum says. “It’s about chasing a dream and reflecting on everything that’s shaped me.” From viral bedroom window covers to millions of TikTok views and headline tours, Bowie’s rise has been driven by a rare mix of authenticity, charm, and crowd-connecting live energy. With Through The Window, he invites listeners even closer, turning personal reflections into universal anthems. Listen to “Your Anthem” HERE, and contact Michael Pickard at michael@soundthat.com for additional information and all inquiries pertaining to Calum Bowie.
PYNCHER
Manchester, England’s chaos-conjuring quartet Pyncher come out swinging with “Get Along,” a snarling, motorik-driven anthem that reasserts their place in the U.K. indie underground. The single marks a triumphant comeback after a forced hiatus, saw the band pull earlier releases due to a distribution dispute. But rather than stall, Pyncher doubled down—channeling frustration into ferocity. Built from an acoustic skeleton and fleshed out with fuzzy guitar walls and carnival freakout percussion, “Get Along” captures lead singer Sam Blakeley at his most visceral. Part personal reckoning, part generational outcry, the track crackles with restlessness, connection, and a thirst to be heard. Known for incendiary live sets and unpredictable sonic turns, Pyncher has already sparked mosh pits and sold out shows in London and Manchester. Now armed with momentum—and a bizarrely brilliant follow-up in “Space Rocket Simulator”—they’re not just getting along; they’re blasting off! Experience the video for “Get Along” by Pyncher HERE, and contact amy@runwayartists.com for booking opportunities, and george@echochambermgmt.com for all other inquiries relating to Pyncher worldwide.
“PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Sunday, May 18th, 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 – “Looking Away” (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.)
HYBE SETS SIGHTS ON LATIN MUSIC WITH NEW REALITY SERIES: HYBE is launching a high-stakes reality competition through HYBE Latin America, aiming to assemble a new all-male pop group with international appeal. Set to begin production this week in Mexico City, the untitled series brings together 16 handpicked contestants from across Latin America and beyond—including Mexico, Brazil, the U.S., Peru, and Spain. Over the course of the season, these aspiring artists will undergo intensive training, with just five finalists emerging to debut as a new global act by the show’s end this fall. But HYBE isn’t sticking to traditional TV formulas and will instead roll out as a multi-platform experience, blending long-form storytelling, live performances, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content across streaming, social, and music platforms. The mentorship lineup includes Kenny Ortega (High School Musical and The Descendants), Charm La’Donna, who choreographed Kendrick Lamar‘s 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, and vocal coach Robert “RAab” Stevenson, known for his work with SZA and Rihanna. “This project is about much more than music. It’s about reimagining how Latin talent can be discovered, developed, and presented to the world. We are building the foundation for the next generation of global Latin artists with the highest creative and production standards,” said J.H. Kah, CEO of HYBE Latin America, who is leading efforts on the venture, in a statement.
LIZ PICHON SIGNS WITH WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FOR THE MUBBLES: Warner Chappell Music U.K. has inked an exclusive publishing deal with award-winning author Liz Pichon for her new children’s venture, The Mubbles — a music-driven, multi-platform world designed to spark imagination and joy in young audiences. Best known for Tom Gates—a BAFTA-winning TV series and book brand that has sold over 16.5 million copies in 43 territories and 47 languages—Pichon is now channeling her mix of humor and art into The Mubbles, an all-new universe where music takes center stage. The Mubbles introduces a cast of characters who live in harmony with singing earworms, one-eyed Drib Drabs, and other fantastical creatures. The world comes alive through full-color graphic novels, an animated YouTube channel with weekly videos, and a collection of catchy songs. Tracks like “Colourful,” “The La La La Song,” “Welcome to the Isle of Smile,” and “The Slug of Knowledge” have already gained popularity amongst children, with Warner Chappell Music now overseeing the global rights to all Mubbles songs. Published by Macmillan Children’s Books, The Mubbles debuted with its first book, Meet the Mubbles, landing straight in the UK children’s top ten after its March 13, 2025, release. Additionally, the project is slated for three additional titles. Paul Smith, VP, A&R and Global Creative, Warner Chappell Music, tells A&R Worldwide, “We are delighted to be working with Liz on such an exciting project. There is a strong music component to The Mubbles that captures the imagination of kids and introduces them to the world of music. We’re proud that Liz has chosen to partner with us at WCM, and we’re looking forward to developing the musical aspect together.”
APPLE MUSIC TEAMS WITH UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP ON SOUND THERAPY: Apple Music and Universal Music Group (UMG) have teamed up to launch Sound Therapy, a new curated audio wellness series designed to elevate mental clarity, relaxation, and sleep—now streaming exclusively on Apple Music. Developed through a collaboration between artists, audio engineers, and scientists at Sollos—a UMG-incubated music wellness initiative—Sound Therapy offers a fusion of familiar music and neuroscience. The series reimagines popular tracks using therapeutic audio enhancements rooted in cognitive research, all while staying true to the artists’ original creative intent. Listeners will find extended, instrumental, and reinterpreted versions of songs by artists like Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry, Kacey Musgraves, Aurora, Jhené Aiko, Chelsea Cutler, Jeremy Zucker, and Ludovico Einaudi. Each track is designed to support a specific mental state, organized across three distinct categories: Focus, Relax, and Sleep. The sonic transformations employ techniques such as binaural beats, gamma waves, and colored noise, including white noise for concentration, theta waves for unwinding, and delta waves or pink noise to aid restful sleep. Michael Nash, Executive VP & Chief Digital Officer, UMG stated, “For years, elevating music’s role in health and wellbeing has been a strategic priority for UMG, linked to a potentially significant commercial opportunity, as well as something that our chairman and CEO, Sir Lucian, and the entire management team, are passionate about.”
ARMADA MUSIC GROUP NAMES MAARTEN STEINKAMP AS INTERIM PRESIDENT: Armada Music Group has named Maarten Steinkamp as its interim President, stepping into the newly created role to help guide the company’s next chapter of expansion and innovation. Having already served as a strategic advisor to the group over recent months, Steinkamp now moves into a hands-on leadership role where he will oversee Armada’s overarching operations, including its flagship label Armada Music, investment arm BEAT Music Fund, and Armada Music Publishing. His appointment is effective immediately. Steinkamp has a global track record, bringing decades of senior leadership experience from some of the biggest music companies. His résumé includes positions such as Managing Director of BMG Benelux, Executive VP at BMG ASEAN in Singapore, CEO of BMG Germany, and President of BMG International in New York, where he also sat on the global executive board. He later served as Chairman & CEO of Sony BMG Europe. Based in the Netherlands, Steinkamp will report directly to Armada Co-Founder and CEO Maykel Piron. His mandate includes optimizing the company’s internal structures and back-end operations to support long-term scalability and sustained growth. “Maarten’s leadership, strategic insight, and deep understanding of our industry is second to none,” said Maykel Piron, CEO of Armada Music Group. “With Maarten’s continued support, I’m confident we will unlock new opportunities together and take Armada Music Group to even greater heights.”
SYMPHONIC INTEGRATES SONGTOOLS INTO THEIR MARKETING DASHBOARD: SongTools has joined forces with Symphonic Distribution in a global partnership designed to streamline and strengthen the release process for independent creators worldwide. As part of the partnership, SongTools’ marketing and advertising suite is now fully integrated into the Symphonic dashboard. This integration gives artists and labels instant access to campaign tools—including playlist pitching, social media ad automation, and real-time performance insights—all from a specific location. Symphonic users can now launch smart, data-driven marketing strategies to amplify their releases. The SongTools integration will roll out to all Symphonic Distribution clients on May 14, giving them a head start on more effective release strategies. “This integration marks a significant step forward in our mission to simplify the artist journey and provide actionable tools where creators already work,” said Danny Garcia, CEO at SongTools. “Symphonic has built a reputation for championing independent artists, and we’re excited to expand on this reputation and help these artists grow their careers in an automated, affordable, and effective way.”
FULL TIME HOBBY SIGNS DEAD PIONEERS TO PUBLISHING DEAL: Dead Pioneers has officially joined the Full Time Hobby under its ongoing partnership with Bucks Music Group. The signing comes as the band continues to gain momentum across streaming platforms, live venues, and the studio. The alliance between Full Time Hobby and Bucks Music Group sees Bucks providing not only financial investment and administrative support, but also exclusive sync services and guidance for Full Time Hobby’s publishing ventures. Dead Pioneers will benefit directly from this infrastructure as their profile continues to grow worldwide. The band previously inked a record deal with Hassle Records—Full Time Hobby’s alternative rock sister label—in April 2024. Their self-titled debut album, reissued by Hassle, sold out instantly and is now in its sixth pressing. Streaming numbers have surged in the past year, multiplying fivefold as the band rides the wave of their critically praised sophomore album, Po$t American, released earlier this year. Recently, Dead Pioneers shared the stage with Pearl Jam in the U.S. and are now gearing up for their first European trek, the Reconstruction Tour, which will see them support in venues ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 capacity. Plans are already underway for a global tour in 2026, along with a third studio album.
POPINDIA ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF MUSICRAFT ENTERTAINMENT CATALOG: PopIndia, the newly launched Mumbai, India-based arm of Reservoir Media, has made its debut in the Indian music space by acquiring the full publishing and master rights to the catalog of Musicraft Entertainment. This marks Reservoir’s first catalog acquisition in India. Founded in 1980, Musicraft carved out a distinctive identity within India’s sonic tapestry. Often dubbed “Indie Bollywood,” its catalog blends the grand, melodic stylings of Bollywood with the spirit of independent production, free from the constraints of film scores but rich in cinematic flair. The catalog spans a broad musical spectrum, from classic pop stylings to Qawwali, a centuries-old devotional music tradition that originated in 13th-century Delhi and remains widely loved across South Asia. Musicraft’s crown jewel is the work of Ashok Zakhmi, a revered Qawwali singer whose career stretches over 40 years. His fan-favorite track “Mast Jawani Teri Mujhko Pagal Kar Gayi Re” featuring Tina Parveen has amassed over 305 million views on YouTube. As part of the deal, PopIndia will now manage the Musicraft YouTube channel, home to more than three million subscribers and a deep archive of culturally rich recordings. The acquisition also brings in music from regional artists like Gyasuddin Warsi, Majid Shola, M. Aaga Fankar, Usman Taj, Kausar Sabri, Anwar Jani, Afsar Azad, and Yusuf Azad—artists who’ve helped shape the sounds of devotional and independent music in the region.
UMG APPOINTS MATT ELLIS AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER: Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced the appointment of Matt Ellis as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective June 9. Ellis will be headquartered at UMG’s global offices in Santa Monica, CA, where he will oversee the company’s worldwide financial strategy and operations. He will report directly to Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO, UMG. A veteran of global finance operations, Ellis brings experience from the telecom sector. He most recently served as Executive VP and CFO at Verizon Communications, where he led the company’s full spectrum of finance functions—from financial planning and analysis to corporate development and investor relations. Ellis has held senior-level financial and operational roles across two Fortune 100 companies. Born in the U.S. and raised in the U.K., Ellis is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. He steps into the CFO role following the promotion of Boyd Muir to Chief Operating Officer in October 2024. Muir, who had served as UMG’s CFO and EVP of Operations since 2010, continued as acting CFO during the company’s search for his successor.
SONY MUSIC RENEWS LICENSING DEAL WITH TENCENT MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT: Sony Music Entertainment has renewed its licensing agreement with Tencent Music Entertainment (TME), the company behind China’s leading streaming services—including QQ Music, Kugou, Kuwo, and WeSing. Though the label rarely makes noise about these renewals, the multi-year deal surfaced on May 13 in TME‘s Q1 2025 financial report, confirming the continuation of their partnership first struck in 2021. This new agreement brings an upgrade to the table: 360 Reality Audio, Sony’s audio technology powered by object-based 360 Spatial Sound. It marks a push into high-end audio experiences for China’s streaming audience, specifically targeting SVIP subscribers—TME’s premium tier users who now gain access to this spatial listening feature. The format, launched by Sony Corp in 2019, is engineered to deliver a surround-sound-like experience, enveloping listeners in audio that feels multidimensional—ideal for an audience increasingly craving premium, personalized soundscapes. With monthly SVIP subscriptions priced around RMB 40 (approximately five times more than a basic plan), the tier has become central to TME’s growth strategy. The company’s Q1 report notes an 8.3% YoY jump in paying subscribers, totaling 122.9 million, and an ARPPU (Average Revenue Per Paying User) climb of 7.5%, driven by SVIP conversions. TME highlighted that 50% of SVIP members actively engage with premium audio content, while added benefits like early merchandise access, album discounts, and exclusive event invites are helping boost adoption.
POO BEAR LAUNCHES TTIKR CONTENT MONETIZATION PLATFORM APP: Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd has entered the tech space with the launch of TTIKR, a new mobile platform designed to help creators monetize their work on their own terms—no ads, no subscriptions, and no need for massive follower counts. Developed in collaboration with entrepreneur Stephen Hughes and inventor Christian Hessler, TTIKR gives musicians, filmmakers, and other content creators a direct line to their audiences. The app allows users to upload original content, set their own pay-per-view prices, and distribute it securely to fans with encryption, access authentication, and anti-piracy tools such as screenshot and download blocking. TTIKR’s model flips the traditional content economy on its head. Rather than relying on algorithm-driven ad revenue or competing for creator fund scraps, TTIKR enables fans to pay with a single tap, with creators receiving a guaranteed 50% of revenue from each transaction. Poo Bear, best known for penning hits for Justin Bieber, Usher, Chris Brown, and Mariah Carey, says the inspiration for TTIKR came from watching independent artists struggle to earn real income despite strong engagement and creativity. While TTIKR is geared toward emerging talent, the team sees future adoption by labels, studios, and established artists as a natural evolution. To guide that growth, Hughes has assembled a seasoned leadership team, including Michael Garbutt, a long-time music executive, and Peter Mott, formerly Director of Brand Partnerships at iHeart Media. Mott, whose Mott Music Group has worked closely with Poo Bear on multiple projects, was instrumental in bringing the producer onboard.
WME PROMOTES ADAM BULLEID TO PARTNER: WME has promoted Adam Bulleid to partner, recognizing his role in expanding the agency’s brand partnerships business across music, fashion, and culture. Since joining WME in 2022 from Universal Music U.K., where he was VP of Business Development at the Globe division, Bulleid has grown the agency’s London-based brand partnerships arm, doubling its size in less than three years. Now a key figure within the agency, he continues to bridge talent with global brands in bold, culture-forward campaigns. Bulleid works across a client roster including Stormzy, Raye, Dave, Little Simz, Lewis Capaldi, Sam Fender, Labrinth, PinkPantheress, and Ashnikko, brokering collaborations with brands like Cartier, Burberry, Hilton, Adidas, Bose, Miu Miu, New Balance, and Vans. In addition to his work with music talent, he also develops creative brand alignments for style and culture innovators such as KidSuper, Rhude, Amina Muaddi, and Actually Creative.
UNCHAINED MUSIC SIGNS DEAL WITH SONIC WAX: Unchained Music has struck a new partnership with boutique vinyl pressing company Sonic Wax to bring select Web3-native artists into physical retail for the first time. Through this deal, chosen artists from Unchained’s platform will see their music pressed to vinyl and distributed globally, landing in record stores such as HMV, Rough Trade, Phonica Records, and Juno. It’s a move that merges the digital-first ethos of Unchained with the timeless appeal of physical formats, offering a new path for digitally native creators to reach collectors and traditional music fans alike. Founded in 2022, Sonic Wax has made a name for itself with high-quality, small-batch vinyl production and a client list that includes names like Swedish House Mafia, Raye, Boy George, Chase & Status, and Masters At Work. Their reputation for craftsmanship and international retail distribution makes them a strong partner for Unchained’s artist-first mission. Unchained Music—already working with over 70,000 artists—offers a broad suite of services, including digital distribution, playlist pitching, royalty advances, catalog monetization, and now, through this partnership, a premium vinyl offering that opens new creative and commercial possibilities. The Sonic Wax deal comes on the heels of Unchained’s recent Web3-focused infrastructure upgrades, including integrations with blockchain network Sei and identity tech provider Dynamic, which powers its wallet-based royalty admin and payout systems.
JEREMY SIROTA TO EXIT AS MERLIN CEO AT THE END OF 2025: Jeremy Sirota will step down as CEO of Merlin at the end of 2025. A formal transition plan is now underway, with Merlin’s board actively initiating the process to appoint his successor. Sirota’s exit marks the end of a five-year tenure, during which Merlin solidified its role as a central player in digital licensing for indie labels and distributors. Under his leadership, the agency’s annual revenue collections reached approx. $1.48 billion (USD) in 2023, according to newly surfaced industry documents. Merlin, known for charging low administrative fees (between 1.5% and 3%) on royalty collections, has brokered a number of partnerships recently—including Merlin Connect, an initiative enabling emerging tech platforms to license independent music efficiently, as well as renewed deals with Meta and an agreement with Twitch aimed at supporting DJ music live streams. Yet the past year has brought challenges, most visibly a licensing breakdown with TikTok in late 2024. TikTok opted to negotiate deals directly with individual Merlin members rather than the collective, a move Merlin criticized as a deliberate attempt to divide the independent music community. TikTok, in turn, cited copyright complexity as the reason for the shift. Sirota will remain in his role through December 31 to ensure a smooth leadership transition. Key executives—including COO Charlie Lexton, CFO Adam Wright, General Counsel Neil Miller, and SVP Jim Mahoney—will continue steering the organization during the interim. The board has established a dedicated recruitment subcommittee to identify the next leader to guide Merlin into its next chapter. Merlin’s global network spans over 70 countries and represents an estimated 15% share of the global recorded music market. Despite the turbulence, the organization has welcomed several members under Sirota’s leadership, including Artist Partner Group, Avex, Global Sound, and Nettwerk.
DOWNTOWN’S CURVE ROYALTY SYSTEMS LAUNCHES NEW PAYMENTS FEATURE: Downtown’s Royalties & Financial Services division has rolled out a powerful new payments functionality from Curve Royalty Systems, setting a new benchmark for how labels, publishers, and distributors manage royalty disbursements on a global scale. The feature, launched with a group of early adopters including Involved (Anjunabeats), Cloudkid, Priam Media, Young Poets, and Run With Us, offers a fully integrated solution for managing royalty payments end-to-end. From currency conversion and tax handling to collecting payee information and executing payments in more than 35 currencies across 180+ countries, Curve’s latest upgrade is designed to eliminate friction and complexity from music finance workflows. Tightly woven into Curve’s royalty accounting platform, the new tool streamlines every part of the payment journey. Tasks that once required hours of manual coordination—such as invoice generation, onboarding, and compliance checks—are now fully automated. The result is faster payments, lower fees, competitive FX rates, and full tax and regulatory compliance, all in one dashboard. Capabilities like automatic bank detail validation, live tracking of payment statuses, and local transaction processing give music businesses the agility to scale globally without sacrificing control or transparency. The new payments tool furthers Curve’s mission to consolidate fragmented financial operations into a single, seamless ecosystem. Downtown is beginning to roll out the payment technology across its other businesses, including FUGA, its B2B distribution arm.
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Max Paproth, Clotaire Buche, Jeff Bhasker, Matt D’Arduini, Dipesh Parmar, Benjamin Weeden, Sulinna Ong, Ben Cooper, Triari “Ari” Senawirawan, Sophia Wehner, Thomas Vidovic, Timothy Youngson, and Harvey Goldsmith.
