MUSEXPO 2026 PARTNERS WITH FENIX360 TO REDEFINE ARTIST EMPOWERMENT & DISCOVERY
MUSEXPO, the globally recognized music business conference and artist discovery event which celebrates its 26th international edition next year, has announced a strategic partnership with FENIX360, an emerging artist-centric platform designed to streamline fan engagement and career monetization.
As part of the new alliance, FENIX360 will serve as the Official Partner and Exclusive Artist Showcase Presenting Partner for MUSEXPO 2026, which will take place March 22–25, 2026, at the Castaway venue in Burbank, California, with artist showcases held at SIR Studios in Hollywood.
For the first time in its history, MUSEXPO will exclusively utilize the FENIX360 platform as the submission gateway for all showcasing artists. Artists applying to perform at the 2026 edition will create a profile on the FENIX360 app as part of their formal submission process. FENIX360 provides independent artists with tools for fan engagement, monetization, and brand development — offering an integrated ecosystem for artist growth.
“This partnership with FENIX360 reflects MUSEXPO’s continued focus on discovery, development, and equipping emerging talent with resources that support independent artist careers,” said Sat Bisla, President & Founder, A&R Worldwide / MUSEXPO. “The platform gives artists a dynamic way to present their identity while building meaningful connections with fans and the industry.”
Allan Klepfisz, Chairman & CEO of FENIX360, added, “We’re proud to collaborate with MUSEXPO, a summit that has long stood at the intersection of global music creativity and commerce. Our shared vision is to build stronger pathways for emerging artists to be seen, heard, and supported.”
In addition to powering submissions, FENIX360 and MUSEXPO will co-present a series of on-site activations during the conference, including networking events, spotlight discussions, and artist-focused programming.
One artist selected through the FENIX360 submission process will also receive complimentary development and marketing support from A&R Worldwide, whose team has played a key part in supporting Adele, Muse, Keane, Coldplay, Dido, Sheppard, Frank Turner, Gavin James, LMFAO, The Temper Trap, Picture This, Forest Blakk, Sia, Lime Cordiale, and many others in the early part of their careers.
The partnership signals a step forward in how artists access global industry opportunities, bridging technology, discovery, and real-world career advancement in a cohesive experience.
For more information about MUSEXPO 2026, including registration to attend the event, and artist showcase opportunities, visit www.musexpo.net.
For details on sponsorships, partnerships, or additional information, contact info@anrworldwide.com.
TIKTOK PARTNERS WITH iHEARTRADIO ON LIVE MUSIC COMPETITION
TikTok and iHeartRadio have joined forces to launch a new live-streamed singing competition called Next Up: Live Music, which kicked off on Monday, July 28, and will run through September.
Designed to spotlight emerging talent, the competition is open to unsigned U.S.-based artists over the age of 18 who have at least 50,000 followers and strong engagement on TikTok. Contestants must own the rights to at least one original song and not be signed to a major label (or have label approval to participate).
Using TikTok’s live-streaming platform, participants will be judged through a mix of audience interaction, likes, views, comments, and evaluations from a panel of judges. The contest will follow an elimination-style format, with auditions running through August 11. From there, 50 artists will move on to the semi-finals taking place August 25–29, competing for a spot in the final 12.
The Top 12 will perform live at the iHeartRadio Theater in Burbank, CA, during the grand finale on September 26. TikTok described the initiative as a way to provide emerging artists with access to new tools, audiences, and industry opportunities.
Shen Gao, Head of LIVE Operations, Americas at TikTok, said, “TikTok LIVE gives fans the power to engage directly, support their favorite performers, and truly shape their journey to success. TikTok has long been a launchpad for musical talent, helping undiscovered artists break through and reach global audiences. Together with iHeart, Next Up: LIVE Music is building on that legacy by turning discovery into a shared, real-time experience.”
Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer, iHeartMedia, added, “TikTok and iHeartRadio are powerful engines for artist discovery and displaying new talent. Together, we’re creating a pipeline that turns emerging voices into tomorrow’s headliners and with iHeartRadio we have the reach and influence to bring those artists to the masses.”
POSITION MUSIC SIGNS BRITTON TO WORLDWIDE RECORD DEAL
Position Music President & CEO Tyler Bacon tells A&R Worldwide that his company has signed emerging alt-pop artist Britton to a record deal, coinciding with the release of her debut single “clawmarks,” which was released on Friday, July 25.
Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Britton relocated to Los Angeles five years ago to fully dedicate herself to her music career. Known for her creative control and hands-on approach, she writes, records, and produces her own material, crafting tracks that balance dark pop intensity with cinematic depth.
Britton’s music has already caught the attention of streaming platforms, landing on key playlists such as New Music Friday, All New Pop, sad hour, and New Music Daily. She brings with her a substantial and engaged fanbase, with over 1.4 million followers on TikTok, 316K+ on Instagram, 220K+ YouTube subscribers, and 200K+ monthly Spotify listeners.
“Britton has a rare gift for writing lyrics that stand out. In a world of transient trends, her music is timeless and always hits on a raw emotional level. She’s the kind of artist and person worth going the extra mile for, and we’re thrilled to be part of that journey,” said Garrett Ream, VP Artist Strategy & Promotion, Position Music.
Britton added, “For years, I’ve poured myself into making and releasing music independently with the goal of someday finding a team who would embrace my artistry and help take it to new heights. Meeting Garrett Ream was a breath of fresh air at a time when I really needed it — our connection was instant, genuine, and effortless. That same authenticity and spirit extends throughout the entire team at Position; I am truly so excited to see what the future holds.”
Established in 1999, Position boasts a multinational presence, expanding Los Angeles headquarters, and a continually growing staff. Position is home to artists, songwriters, and producers such as Jutes, Cannons, Tinashe, Erik Ron, Joe Kearns, eaJ, Austin Powerz, Khalid Yassein, NoMBe, Kyle Dion, Layto, Hunter Metts, Welshly Arms, ¿Téo?, Judah & the Lion, Jack LaFrantz, Polyphia, Dru “Falconry” DeCaro, and more. Position Music was ranked the No. 7 publisher in Billboard‘s Hot 100 for Q3 2024.
A&R WORLDWIDE RETURNS TO MUMBAI, INDIA FOR THE 9TH EDITION ALL ABOUT MUSIC
A&R Worldwide, one of the music industry’s most globally connected and respected talent development and music business platforms, will participate in the 9th edition of the All About Music conference taking place this month in Mumbai from August 20 – 22. The annual gathering, which has grown into South Asia’s leading B2B music forum, brings together thought leaders, artists, executives, and entrepreneurs to explore the evolving landscape of music, technology, and culture in India and beyond.
A&R Worldwide’s President & Founder, Sat Bisla, who has deep family roots in Punjab, Northern India, has been a long-time member of the official advisory board of All About Music. For years, Bisla has played a key role in supporting the conference’s organizers with international programming by introducing high-level speakers and global companies to the event, while also contributing to meaningful cross-cultural collaborations and discussions.
This year’s All About Music agenda includes a dynamic mix of panels and activities, including focused sessions on AI in music, artist branding, regional music growth, international market expansion, sync and licensing opportunities, A&R, music-tech convergence, and more. The event will also spotlight emerging and established Indian talent, offering new opportunities for creative exchange and international partnerships. This is a must-attend event for anyone looking to learn and engage with those shaping the future of the India and South Asia music ecosystem and its ongoing impact worldwide.
For over 25 years, A&R Worldwide and its team have actively championed artists, executives, and companies from India’s vibrant music and entertainment ecosystem. Their global efforts have included collaborative work and support with a wide spectrum of Indian talent and organizations such as Madhuri Dixit, Sonu Nigam, Badshah, Ananya Birla, Farhan Akhtar, Satinder Sartaaj, Satya Hinduja, Mukul Deora (producer of The White Tiger), Ragu Dixit, MC MAAR-T, Rave Magazine, NH7 Weekender Festival, Times Music, Saregama, Turnkey Music, Malsons Media, JioSaavn, Radio 1, Phase 1 Events, Bangalore Open Air Festival, MTV/VH1 India, TM Ventures (Arijit Singh), Chain Reactor, OML, 9122 Records, India Music Talks, Rainshine, Netflix India, Amazon MGM Studios India, Tinnuts, Book My Show, Sony Music India, Warner Music India, Universal Music India, and countless others.
In addition, A&R Worldwide has assisted with songwriting camps and creative sessions in India since 2010, further strengthening bridges between Indian and international music creators before many international companies saw the future potential of India’s music ecosystem.
A&R Worldwide will also be coordinating a number of private executive networking dinners, uniting key partners, clients, and colleagues in curated settings designed to foster authentic dialogue, new opportunities, and lasting collaborations.
As the Indian music market continues its exponential growth and global recognition, A&R Worldwide remains committed to nurturing its long-standing relationships across the region and advancing its mission to amplify voices, stories, and ideas across borders, as it has for almost a quarter of a century.
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!
MUSEXPO has been a global leader in providing labels, publishers, managers, composers, songwriters, creatives, and many others, insights into the evolving world of sync within film, TV, video games, trailers, promos, brands, advertising, and more.
The world’s first-ever global sync forum was launched at MUSEXPO 2005, and has featured well over one thousand sync executives since, including individual music supervisors, and companies like Netflix, Universal Pictures, Amazon MGM Studios, EA Games, Warner Bros. Pictures, Black & White PR, Format, NBC Universal, Pepsico, Apple, Nike, Red Bull, Coca-Cola, Activision, FOX Television, Universal Pictures, MTV, Lifetime, Vice, Disney, 20th Century Fox, ABC, CBS, Paramount, Viacom, Microsoft, X-Box, Sony PlayStation, Best Buy, WWE, Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and countless others.
In addition, MUSEXPO has brought its global sync and brands summit concept which it created and launched back in 2010 to conferences and events in Canada, the U.K., France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, Australia, the Netherlands, and numerous other countries around the world.
MUSEXPO 2026 will bring together some unique sync types of engagement/s, panels, and opportunities that are exclusive to next year’s event. Access is limited, so sign up early at www.musexpo.net to guarantee your spot.
KAI BOSCH
Fast-rising U.K. pop provocateur Kai Bosch returns with his most sun-soaked, cinematic single to date, aptly titled, “Summer of Love.” Fresh off the back of his acclaimed EP Popstar of Your Dreams, a bold and introspective dive into heartbreak, self-discovery, and queer identity, Kai is stepping into a new chapter with a glint in his eye and glitter in his sound. “Summer of Love” bursts with euphoric synths, shimmering guitar lines, and Kai’s unmistakable croon, perfectly capturing the dizzying rush of new romance. When even a bottle of wine on a rooftop feels like a movie scene. Written during last year’s heatwave and inspired by a real-life love story that took Kai from the Lake District to Amsterdam, the track radiates joy, presence, and purpose. “I wanted to make a song that would encapsulate that summer forever,” Kai shares. “It truly felt like I was back in my body.” With a premiere on Elton John’s Rocket Hour and glowing endorsements from BBC Radio 1, it’s clear Kai Bosch isn’t just dreaming big, he’s living it. And as the Popstar of Your Dreams era continues to bloom, “Summer of Love” is a shimmering new jewel in the crown of a star determined to become “the biggest gay popstar in the universe.” Whether he’s stealing hearts on stage at The Great Escape or racking up playlist love across Spotify, Apple Music, and beyond, one thing’s clear: Kai Bosch is having his moment, and we’re all invited to the summer of our dreams. Listen to “Summer of Love” HERE, and contact Gareth White for additional information and all inquiries on behalf of Kai Bosch.
BLACK HONEY
British alt-rock heavyweights Black Honey return with a bang on their new single “Shallow,” a swaggering, razor-edged anthem that’s built for festival stages but refuses to play nice. Packed with frontwoman Izzy B. Phillips‘ trademark lyrical bite, the track takes aim at a culture obsessed with surface-level perfection. “It’s about brain rot,” Phillips explains. “Being a hypocrite and still participating in social discourse despite feeling shy and uncomfortable.” Accompanied by a surreal, retro-futuristic video that nods to Kubrick and sci-fi dystopia, “Shallow” deepens the visual and emotional world of the band’s upcoming album Soak, out August 15th via Foxfive Records. This new chapter sees Phillips ditching polish in favor of instinct, writing with raw, stream-of-consciousness honesty and diving headfirst into vulnerability and contradiction. Following the blistering singles “Psycho,” “Dead,” and “Insulin,” “Shallow” offers yet another glimpse into the album’s vivid universe, a place where bold hooks and emotional truths collide. With two U.K. Top 10 albums and a reputation for thrilling live shows, Black Honey are once again pushing boundaries and breaking free. Catch them on their U.K. album release tour starting August 14th and watch the visual for “Shallow” HERE. Contact Dan Potts for additional information and all inquiries pertaining to Black Honey.
“PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Sunday, August 3rd, 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:
DEAF HAVANA – “Lawn Tennis” (SO Recordings, U.K.)
SEAFRET – “Five More Seconds ft. KT Tunstall” (Nettwerk, U.K.)
CULT OF VENUS – “Sinner” (Avenue A Records, U.K.)
VLADS – “Waste It On Me” (Unsigned, Australia)
BLOW – “Her World” (DDM, France)
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CULT OF THE SUN – “Crystal Kites” (10K Projects, U.S.)
THE VANNS – “Up All Night” (123 Music/Sony Music, Australia)
WAITING FOR SMITH – “I Got That Smiling” (Four One Seven Records, U.K.)
THE ROYSTON CLUB – “Glued To The Bed” (Modern Sky, U.K.)
RIIKI REID – “Indulgent (Fruit)” (Warner Music, New Zealand)
UNPEOPLE – “The Garden” (SharpTone Records, U.K.)
GORDON’S GRANDSON – “Angel” (Anti-Dismal, Australia)
MASI MASI – “The Rain” (Pangea Int’l Music, U.K.)
CAT SERRANO – “Fantasy” (Unsigned, U.S.)
NONĒ SUNSHINE – “Stay Gold” (Unsigned, U.S.)
BLACK HONEY – “Psycho” (Foxfive Records, U.K.)
RHETT REPKO – “Don’t Delay” (Unsigned, U.S.)
THE AMAZONS – “Night After Night” (Fiction Records, U.K.)
VELLA – “Freedom” (Universal Music, Sweden)
DAVE LOFTS – “Just A Man” (Unsigned, Ireland)
KIDS RETURN – “My Hero” (Hamburger Records, France)
ADMT – “Come Along” (BMG, U.K.)
INHALER – “X-Ray” (Polydor, U.K.)
LIME CORDIALE & RUEL – “Melodramatic Fanatic” (Chugg Music, Australia)
HUMOUR – “Memorial” (So Young Records, U.K.)
ADAM REESE – “Days Like This” (Unsigned, U.S.)
VERONICA FUSARO – “No Rain, No Tears” (Unsigned, Switzerland)
COYLE GIRELLI – “Pretty” (Sun Label Group, U.K.)
LUVCAT – “Lipstick” (AWAL, U.K.)
SUNDAY (1994) – “Still Blue” (RCA Records, U.K.)
THE MOLOTOVS – “More, More, More” (Marshall Records, U.K.)
CARISSA SUMMER ROSE – “Teleport” (Unsigned, U.S.)
KINGFISHR – “Gloria” (B-Unique, Ireland)
SHOBSY – “Dance Or Cry” (Pangea Int’l Music, Ireland)
TAMER HOSNY SIGNS WITH WARNER MUSIC: Tamer Hosny, one of the Arab world’s most iconic entertainers, has officially inked a deal with Warner Music Group, joining the ranks of its elite global artist lineup. The Egyptian singer, songwriter, actor, and director marked the beginning of this partnership with the release of his latest studio album, Lena Moad, on July 15. Renowned for his cultural influence and contributions to both music and film, Hosny’s collaboration with Warner Music represents a shared vision to elevate regional artistry onto the world stage. Lena Moad highlights Hosny’s distinctive musical style, infused with international sounds. In just one week, tracks from the album have racked up over 82 million YouTube views, more than ten million audio streams, and 95 million TikTok views. Backed by a fanbase of more than 70 million followers across social platforms, Hosny’s creative reach continues to transcend borders. Now available on all major streaming platforms, Lena Moad is already striking a chord with listeners worldwide “Tamer Hosny is a generational talent whose creativity and passion resonate deeply with millions,” said Simon Robson, President, EMEA, Recorded Music, Warner Music Group. “We’re delighted to welcome him to the Warner Music family and look forward to amplifying his voice across the globe.”
J HUS SIGNS TO CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING: Concord Music Publishing has entered into a worldwide publishing agreement with U.K. rapper J Hus. The global deal covers all of J Hus’ upcoming releases and future copyrights, marking a major addition to Concord’s roster. Kim Frankiewicz, Executive Vice President of Worldwide A&R at Concord, praised J Hus as a “once-in-a-generation talent” known for shaping the sound of modern British rap. J Hus has built an impressive chart legacy, with his breakthrough single “Did You See” achieving over 2.2 million U.K. sales and “Bouff Daddy” surpassing 1.1 million, according to the U.K. Official Charts Company. His past two albums, Big Conspiracy and Beautiful And Brutal Yard, both reached No.1 on the U.K. Albums Chart, while his debut Common Sense peaked at No.6. The new publishing deal arrives as J Hus launches a fresh chapter in his recording career, releasing his latest single “Gold” featuring Asake under a new label partnership with Empire. “His sound continues to redefine British music, and his storytelling resonates far beyond the U.K.,” Frankiewicz said. “We are honored to be part of this next phase in his journey.” Michael Adane, General Manager at 2K Management, whose Founders Moe Bah and Kilo Jalloh discovered J Hus, said, “Concord are an amazing team who have really made their mark globally, our visions perfectly aligned, so we’re really excited to partner up and get to work!”
ONERPM SIGNS G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE: ONErpm has signed artist Garret Dutton, widely known as the “G” in G. Love & Special Sauce, to its global roster. Renowned for his unique blend of blues, hip-hop, R&B, and alternative rock, G. Love built a career with authenticity and genre-defying sound. The partnership with ONErpm represents a shared commitment to both honoring the band’s influential legacy and supporting their evolving creative vision. With an international team and artist-centric approach, ONErpm will support G. Love & Special Sauce through customized marketing strategies and global distribution efforts. As part of the collaboration, much of the band’s catalog will be made available across all digital platforms. Also, five albums that were previously released only in physical format will now be digitally released for the first time this summer including, Back In The Day (1997), In The King’s Court (1998), Has Gone Country (1998), Front Porch Loungin’ (2000), and Moonshine Lemonade (2011). Alongside these reissues, ONErpm will release two new projects later this year which include, Ode to R.L. and a live album capturing the band’s 30th anniversary tour, recorded during their performance of their debut album at Ram’s Head Live in Annapolis, MD. G. Love & Special Sauce also plan to begin work on an all-new studio album, which will be released through ONErpm.
AMELIA SONGS FORMS GLOBAL PUBLISHING PARTNERSHIP WITH KOBALT: Amelia Songs, the independent music publishing company founded by Nigerian music lawyer Akinyemi Ayinoluwa, has entered into a global partnership with Kobalt. This collaboration marks a milestone for the Pan-African creative powerhouse, offering its roster of African songwriters, producers, and creatives access to Kobalt’s infrastructure, including global administration, international sync licensing opportunities, and a royalty collection network. According to a joint statement, the alliance is designed to propel Amelia Songs’ mission of elevating African songwriting and storytelling to a worldwide audience. The partnership tackles long-standing challenges faced by African music creators, such as limited international reach, fragmented royalty collection, and difficulty securing global sync opportunities, by providing a streamlined licensing framework and reducing administrative complexities. It also creates new avenues for investment in emerging African songwriting talent, positioning Amelia Songs to expand its impact both across the continent and beyond. Akinyemi Ayinoluwa said, “This isn’t just a business deal – it’s a powerful amplification of everything we’ve been building. At Amelia Songs, we’ve poured ourselves into nurturing songwriters with world-class talent and untold stories. With Kobalt’s global reach, technology, and financial support, we can now move faster, go further, and unlock opportunities we once only dreamed of, from film and TV placements to international co-writes and fairer royalty outcomes.”
WARNER RECORDS UNVEILS NEW MARKETING TEAM: Warner Records has unveiled a reimagining of its marketing division, signaling a strategic shift toward a digitally driven approach under the direction of General Manager Mike Chester. This revamped structure merges traditional and digital marketing into a cohesive unit designed to boost creative freedom, speed up execution, and strengthen artist development efforts across the board. At the helm of the new marketing operation is Dalia Ganz, newly promoted to Executive Vice President, Head of Digital & Marketing. Ganz, who joined the company in 2022 as Sr. VP of Digital Marketing, will now oversee the combined marketing team. Reporting directly to Ganz are Sam Riddle, promoted to Sr. VP, Head of Digital Marketing, and Will Morrow, named Sr. VP, Head of Viral Marketing. Furthermore, three Sr. VPs of Marketing Strategy & Operations include Jesse Ervin (Linkin Park, Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Neil Young), TJ Landig (Benson Boone, Teddy Swims, Zach Bryan), and Shawnae Corbett-Rice (Saweetie, NLE Choppa, Justine Skye). In addition, Warner Records has refined its Commerce division to enhance efficiency and responsiveness. Now led by Axel Hyge, Sr. VP of Streaming Strategy, and Dave Edwards, Sr. VP of Revenue & Operations, the newly organized team is designed to act swiftly amid evolving market dynamics. As part of this restructure, the company is bidding farewell to several longtime executives like Dionnee Harper (Executive VP, Marketing & Artist Development), Josh Remsberg (Sr. VP, Head of Commercial Revenue), and Kristine Ripley (VP, Artist Development).
ROUND HILL MUSIC REVEALS MODERN ENGLISH AND VINI PONCIA CATALOG DEALS: Round Hill Music has unveiled a pair of new catalog acquisitions, securing rights from acclaimed producer and songwriter Vini Poncia, as well as British post-punk band Modern English. The agreements include the publishing rights to Poncia’s catalog, highlighting his influential collaborations with Kiss, and both the publishing and master rights to Modern English’s track “I Melt With You.” These additions bolster Round Hill’s growing roster, which already features music from artists like Kiss and Leo Sayer. Vini Poncia’s songwriting credits span an array of acts, including Ringo Starr, The Ronettes, Martha Reeves, Melissa Manchester, Patty Smyth, Darlene Love, and Kiss. Meanwhile, Modern English, who emerged from the U.K.’s post-punk scene in 1979, are best known for hits such as “Hands Across The Sea”, “Ink and Paper”, and their Platinum-certified anthem “I Melt With You”. Round Hill Music CEO Josh Gruss said, “In their own ways, Modern English and Vini Poncia have produced timeless music which has had a lasting impact over many decades. Their catalogues resonate with Round Hill’s focus on time-tested music with proven commercial performance and further growth potential. This acquisition is particularly meaningful for me on a personal level since Modern English was the very first concert I attended when I was nine years old. That experience helped spark a lifelong love of music and to now be entrusted with stewarding their catalogue is a full-circle moment.”
STERN MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCES U.K. EXPANSION: Stern Management has expanded its footprint in the U.K. with the addition of entertainment manager Andrew Mishko and day-to-day manager Jill Irvine, both now based in London. Mishko, who will continue his role as label manager for AG Cook‘s PC Music, previously worked at Bad Habit and brings with him a roster including Ekkstacy, Witch Post, Alaska Reid, Dylan Fraser, Martha, Mangetsu, and Skye Murphy, whom he co-manages with Irvine. These artists now join a lineup at Stern Management, which includes Djo, Finn Wolfhard, Metric, The Black Angels, Ben Abraham, Phosphorescent, Karina Rykman, Durry, and Ill Peach. Jill Irvine, who hails from Colorado, launched her music industry journey at Denver’s Larimer Lounge and went on to hold positions at Saddle Creek Records and Paradigm Talent Agency. Her addition further strengthens Stern’s day-to-day operations as the company deepens its global artist management capabilities.
BUCKS MUSIC GROUP AND MUSHROOM MUSIC SIGN OSCAR DAWSON IN JV PUBLISHING DEAL: Bucks Music Group (U.K.) and Mushroom Music Publishing (Australia) have entered into an exclusive joint venture publishing agreement with musician, songwriter, producer, and engineer Oscar Dawson. Best known as one half of the duo Holy Holy, Dawson helped shape a catalogue spanning five studio albums, earning a double Platinum single, one Platinum, four Gold-certified tracks, and racking up more than 150 million Spotify streams before the band announced an upcoming hiatus in early 2025. Beyond his work with Holy Holy, Dawson has made a name for himself behind the scenes, collaborating as a writer, producer, and engineer with artists including Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers, Vacations, Amy Shark, Alex Lahey, The Darklings, Last Dinosaurs, Lotte Gallagher, Jamie McCool, and others. Erol Yurdagul, Sr. Director, A&R and Creative, Mushroom Music said, “We’ve long admired Oscar as an artist, writer, and producer here at Mushroom, and we’re thrilled to be collaborating with him on this next chapter of his career. Collaborating alongside our great friends at Bucks makes it even more special.” Sarah Liversedge Platz, Co-Director / Director A&R, Bucks Music Group added, “Oscar is a fantastic songwriter and musician, as well as being an incredibly sought-after producer in the studio for many artists. We’re really pleased to be working with him, alongside Mushroom, as he goes from strength to strength. Credit to Flash and Josh from our A&R team for bringing Oscar to us.”
UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP REVENUE GROWS TO $3.38B ON SUBSCRIPTION & PUBLISHING GAINS: Universal Music Group has unveiled its financial performance for Q2 and the first half of 2025, showcasing steady gains fueled by growth in recorded music and music publishing. For the six months ending June 30, total revenue reached €5.881 billion (Euros), a 6.9% increase in constant currency. Recorded music brought in €4.464 billion (up 7%), while music publishing surged 12.1% to €1.125 billion. Subscription revenue from recorded music climbed 8.9% year-over-year, with streaming revenue up 4.6%. Physical formats experienced a slight dip of 0.5%. Elsewhere, downloads and other digital income saw a 17.2% lift, while licensing and other revenue rose by 8.6% compared to the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA grew 8.5% to €1.336 billion. Among the standout performers in the first half of the year were Lady Gaga, Morgan Wallen, Sabrina Carpenter, Kendrick Lamar, and The Weeknd. In the second quarter alone, UMG’s revenue rose 4.5% in constant currency to €2.980 billion, while adjusted EBITDA reached €676 million, up 7.3%. Recorded music generated €2.224 billion in Q2 (a 3.9% increase), with subscription revenue up 8.5% thanks to rising global subscriber numbers. Streaming revenue also increased by 9.1%. However, physical revenue dropped by 12.4%. Furthermore, downloads and other digital income spiked by 50%, due to a settlement with an internet service provider. Licensing and other incomes declined by 6.5%.
AWAL CONFIRMS PROMOTIONS FOR MATT RILEY, VIC NEEDS & SAM POTTS: AWAL has announced a series of senior promotions within its U.K. leadership team. Matt Riley has been elevated from Managing Director to President, while Victoria Needs and Sam Potts are stepping into new roles as Co-Managing Directors. Together, the trio have been instrumental in driving key campaigns for artists such as James Marriott, who recently claimed a No.1 album, and Little Simz, who secured her strongest chart debut yet with Lotus. The team has also overseen the rising momentum of artists like Laufey and Jungle. Riley, who joined AWAL in 2014 and has held a range of A&R roles, began leading the U.K. AWAL Recordings division in 2023 alongside Potts and Needs. Victoria Needs, who brought experience from EMI, Warner, and Sony when she joined in 2020, described AWAL as a company “that’s always been about doing things differently, whether that’s supporting artists on their own terms, nurturing talent, or being ahead of the curve in a changing industry.” Sam Potts, who joined in 2019 after stints at Warner Bros and Columbia, has transitioned from promotions into a broader remit overseeing creator relations, commercial strategy, and global digital partnerships.
SOUNDCLOUD EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH COSYND: SoundCloud has strengthened its commitment to supporting artists’ rights by expanding its partnership with copyright protection company Cosynd. With this move, SoundCloud became the first major platform to offer creators direct access to Cosynd’s legal tools, giving its community of more than 40 million artists the ability to register their works and establish ownership more easily. Through this integration, users can access Cosynd’s services at a discounted rate and register their music with the U.S. Copyright Office. According to SoundCloud, embedding copyright protection into the core artist experience sets “a new benchmark for creator support” across the industry. Jessica Sobhraj, CEO & Co-Founder of Cosynd, said, “In an era where AI, synthetic content, and copyright laundering are dramatically displacing income streams for creators, copyright protection isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. Copyright registration acts as the backbone of our industry by enabling lawsuits and collective bargaining. SoundCloud is leading by example in showing what real support for artists looks like.”
EVEN PARTNERS WITH SECRETLY DISTRIBUTION: EVEN has announced its partnership with Secretly Distribution. Built with superfans in mind, EVEN offers exclusive benefits such as prompt access to music, limited-edition merchandise, priority ticket sales, behind-the-scenes content, and private events. A standout feature of the platform allows fans to purchase or unlock new music ahead of its official streaming release, while still maintaining Billboard chart eligibility. Since its launch in April 2024, EVEN has attracted over 80,000 artists spanning more than 2,200 labels across 110+ countries. On average, fans spend upwards of $20 per release on the platform. Significantly, EVEN claims to be the only super fandom platform that reports its sales to Luminate, ensuring releases are counted toward Billboard rankings. Secretly Distribution works with a roster of artists and labels including Rhymesayers, Captured Tracks, A24 Music, Chrysalis, DFA, and Secretly’s own imprints such as Jagjaguwar, Secretly Canadian, Dead Oceans, Ghostly International, and the Numero Group. Through this collaboration, all labels distributed by SD will now automatically have access to EVEN’s fan engagement and monetization tools, with artist profiles created and ready to use, no setup necessary.
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Johnny Griffit, Vivek Paul, Marian Wolff, John Saunderson, Victoria “Tor” Ree, Alex Smutny, Frank Brinkmann, Nora Felder, Jbeau Lewis, Motoshi Sato, Colin Lester, Jonathan Shalit, Jon Lieberberg, Rich Holtzman, and Benjamin Budde. 
