A&R Worldwide Newsletter Vol. 896

MUSEXPO 2026 UNVEILS FIRST ROUND OF
SPEAKERS FOR ITS 26TH GLOBAL EDITION

 

 

 

MUSEXPO “The United Nations of Music” (www.musexpo.net), the pioneering global music business conference renowned for its transformative impact on the industry, has unveiled its landmark 26th edition which will take place March 22 – 25, 2026, in Burbank, California.

Marking over a quarter-century of influence, MUSEXPO 2026 will highlight the continued evolution of the worldwide music business landscape across all key sectors including A&R, music publishing, live, sync (film, TV, videogames, advertising, promos, trailers), radio/streaming, digital, technology, AI, distribution, management, and more. In addition, the event will highlight a special forum and panelists across the narrative “All About India” throughout the event.

MUSEXPO will also return with its esteemed “International Music Industry Awards” (which originally launched back in 2012) in association with A&R Worldwide and will recognize the contributions of some of the most influential executives and creatives across core areas of the global music business in association with Visit Burbank and City of Burbank “The Media Capital of The World” during the private VIP Gala Dinner presentations.

The highly coveted “International Music Person of the Year” honorarium will be presented to one of the most influential booking agents in the world – Kirk M. Sommer, Senior Partner/Global Co-Head of Music, WME. In addition, the annual Seymour Stein “Global A&R Award,” will be bestowed upon the highly respected and influential Kim Frankiewicz, Executive VP, Worldwide A&R, Concord Music Publishing. Also, the “Lifetime Achievement Award” will be presented to one of the world’s leading Indian-born, and British-raised music executives, who also celebrates 50 years of contributions to the worldwide music business – Reynold D’Silva, Founder & CEO, Silva Screen Group. MUSEXPO will also feature its popular Global Sync Summit, and A&R Summit, as part of its overall 2026 event program.

MUSEXPO has just unveiled its first round of influential executives, creatives, and companies that will participate at its 26th global edition of what is one of the world’s most inspiring, influential, and impactful global music business and showcase events, which still to this day has remained independently organized by A&R Worldwide. More speakers from the U.S., and around the world have solidified their participation and will be unveiled in the next few weeks.

Confirmed speakers for next year’s event already include Alexandria Schammel, Manager, Music, Fox Sports Music; Allan Klepfisz, Chairman & CEO, FENIX360; Amanda Grocky, Head of Publishing, Format Entertainment; Arnold P. Peter, Founder & Managing Partner, Peter Law Group; Bekki Newton, Sr. Coordinator, Music Clearance & Licensing, Fox Sports; Cheapshot, Founder, The Math Club / Music Producer & Creative Director, Format Entertainment; Christian Zabala, Music Supervisor, Format Entertainment; Clive Dickens, Founder & CEO, The Meliora Company; Dave Jordan, Founder & CEO, Format Entertainment; Gary Spivack, Sr. Executive, Eventim Live Global; Jamar Richardson, Sr. Music Coordinator, Fox Sports Music; Jarred Causly, Sr. Music Supervisor, Saatchi & Saatchi; Jennifer Insogna, Vice President & Head of Music 360, A+E Global; Jim Thacker, Owner, Kazen Music Group; Justine von Winterfeldt, Head of Music Supervision, Format Entertainment; Kabiru Bello, Head of A&R EMEA / Vice President Global A&R, Warner Recorded Music; Kim Frankiewicz, Executive VP, Worldwide A&R, Concord Music Publishing; Kirk M. Sommer, Senior Partner/Global Co-Head of Music, WME; Laura Katz, Founder & Music Supervisor, Supe Troop; Marek Hojda, Board Member, Music Export Poland & President, Society of Polish Audiovisual Composers SPACe; Mark Sutherland, Presenter, The Money Trench: The Music Industry Podcast With Mark Sutherland; Mason Cooper, Music Supervisor & President, Songrunner Entertainment; Matt Logan, Sr. Coordinator, FOX Sports Music; Melissa Stern, Director, Music Supervisor & Tech Operations, FOX Sports Music; Nick Robelotto, Sr. Coordinator, Music Clearance, FOX Sports Music: Nicole De La Torriente, Vice President, Music Business Affairs & Operations, FOX Sports Music; Nora Felder, Music Supervisor / CEO, Picture Music Company; Reynold D’Silva, Founder & CEO, Silva Screen Group; Ritch Esra, Publisher & Founder, Music Registry & Co-Founder, MUBU TV; Sat Bisla, President & Founder, A&R Worldwide / MUSEXPO; Sean Mulligan, Music Supervisor, The Music Department; Stephanie Urcheck, Sr. Manager, Music Supervision & Clearance, FOX Sports Music, and many more to be unveiled in the coming weeks and months.

Early Bird Registration To Attend MUSEXPO Expires August 31st. Sign up HERE to save.

For details on sponsorships, partnerships, panelists, or additional information, contact info@anrworldwide.com.

 

Mom+Pop Music has entered into a new global alliance with Virgin Music Group, strengthening the independent label’s reach and resources while continuing to uphold its artist-first ethos. The partnership is designed to fuel the label’s long-term growth, while Mom+Pop remains independently owned and operated by Co-Founders Michael Goldstone and Thaddeus Rudd.

Founded in 2008, Mom+Pop was built around an alternative model to the major-label system, one that prioritizes creative freedom, authentic connections, and career longevity for artists. Sixteen years on, the label’s roster features acclaimed acts such as MGMT, Caamp, Del Water Gap, and Magdalena Bay, alongside rising voices like Mother Soki, After, Violent Vira, Galdive, The Kilans, Chaparelle, and Tiny Habits.

Goldstone, a seasoned A&R executive, and recipient of the “Seymour Stein – Global A&R Award” as this year’s MUSEXPO is known for helping launch Pearl Jam, Cage The Elephant, Rage Against the Machine, and Regina Spektor, has led Mom+Pop with Rudd in championing artists across genres. The label’s approach has nurtured Grammy-nominated talent including Courtney Barnett, Flume, and Tycho, while also introducing acts such as FKJ, Orion Sun, and underscores.

The label’s history is marked by significant milestones, including Flume’s Grammy-winning album Skin, which produced the multi-Platinum global hit “Never Be Like You” (over two billion streams), as well as Ashe‘s Platinum-certified “Moral of the Story” and Beach Bunny‘s singles “Prom Queen” and “Cloud 9.”

Beyond its label operations, Goldstone and Rudd recently launched PIPES Music, a creative and digital agency that develops content and social strategies for Mom+Pop artists and external clients alike.

With offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville, Mom+Pop has been consistently recognized by Rolling Stone, Billboard, Variety, and The New York Times, and continues to be featured prominently on Billboard‘s Indie Power Players list.

Michael Goldstone, Founder and Co-Owner of Mom+Pop Music, said, “Partnering with the team at Virgin is positively the right fit for us, they’ve been the most flexible and respectful of our ethos and independence. Thaddeus and I have worked with JT, Nat, Jacqueline, and Jeremy in different capacities over the years, and that shared history, along with their entrepreneurial spirit, was the catalyst for this partnership.”

Jacqueline Saturn, President of North America & EVP, Global Artist Relations Virgin Music Group stated, “Goldie made a significant impact on my career, showing me how A&R and artist development go hand in hand. I’ve watched Goldie and Thaddeus build such a meaningful roster and outstanding team at Mom+Pop. Their ability to identify, nurture, and break independent artists with authenticity and heart is truly exceptional. We can’t wait to get started.”

 

 

Western Australia’s indie-rock trio Fool Nelson are on a serious roll. After selling out their first-ever national headline tour with packed rooms from Perth to Sydney, the band is keeping the momentum alive with “Bad Dreams,” a radiant, introspective cut that cements their reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting new acts. The track pairs Fool Nelson’s signature sun-soaked grooves with sweeping guitar lines and Tom Broadbent‘s earnest, gravel-edged vocals. Lyrically, it cuts into the cycles of anxiety and self-doubt that cloud perspective, but it does so with an undercurrent of catharsis and hope, reminding listeners that even in the haze, there’s light to be found. The band describes it as “a song about the ebbs and flows of mental health…a reflection on times when everything seems like it’s gone to crap, but also a reminder to step back and appreciate the good things that help get you through.” That blend of raw honesty and infectious melody has become Fool Nelson’s calling card. Their breakout single “Don’t Feel Right” dominated Australian radio, climbing Shazam charts and becoming triple j‘s most-played track for weeks, while the trio’s latest EP Falling Apart earned widespread support from Spotify, Apple Music, rage, and stations across Europe. Alongside festival slots at Groovin the Moo and NYE On The Hill, they’ve become a go-to support act for the likes of Ball Park Music, Great Gable, and The Grogans. Discover “Bad Dreams” HERE and contact Nick Moran for additional information and available international opportunities relating to Fool Nelson.

 

 

SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING SIGNS SONGWRITER AND PRODUCER CJ BARAN: Sony Music Publishing has entered into a worldwide publishing agreement with songwriter and producer CJ Baran. Baran has built a career collaborating with artists such as Melanie Martinez, Marina, Nessa Barrett, Panic! At The Disco, Coin, Carly Rae Jepsen, and many others. His catalog includes tracks like Martinez’s “Pity Party,” and “Cake”, Panic! At The Disco’s “Victorious”, and Coin’s breakout hit “Talk Too Much.” He also served as executive producer on Martinez’s third album Portals, which peaked at No.2 on the U.S. charts. More recently, Baran executive-produced Marina’s Princess Of Power, debuting at No.7 in the U.K., and Nessa Barrett‘s Aftercare, which landed in the U.K. Top 20. Beyond his high-profile collaborations, he is also nurturing emerging talent, currently working closely with alternative pop artist Valencia Grace. Georgia Wolf, Sony Music Publishing Manager, Creative A&R, said, “CJ is someone I’ve always admired and hoped to collaborate with. He has a rare gift for creating safe, inspiring spaces where artists can fully express themselves. I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of CJ’s team as we shape the next chapter of his career. The sky truly is the limit.”

 

HYBE LABEL ADOR NAMES SECOND NEW CEO IN A YEAR: HYBE-owned label ADOR, home to K-pop sensation NewJeans, has named Lee Do-kyong as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Kim Ju-young, who held the role for just one year. According to South Korean media reports on August 20, Lee has been with HYBE since 2019, back when the company operated under the name Big Hit Entertainment. She played a key role in corporate strategy and new business development before stepping into the leadership of HYBE’s IPX division in 2022. In that role, Lee managed merchandise strategy, pop-up stores, global licensing, and light stick operations across HYBE’s roster. She also oversaw initiatives like “The City”, an immersive fan-experience program that extended artist branding throughout cities hosting HYBE concerts. Lee’s appointment follows Kim’s exit after only a year in charge. Kim himself had been brought in during August 2024, following the ouster of Min Hee-Jin, ADOR’s Co-Founder and the creative force behind NewJeans. Min’s departure came amid a widely reported power struggle, with HYBE accusing her of attempting to take control of the subsidiary.

 

POSITION MUSIC SIGNS DJ GROUP LEVITY TO WORLDWIDE PUBLISHING DEAL: Tyler Bacon, President & CEO, Position Music, has revealed that the company has signed Chicago-based electronic trio Levity to a global publishing agreement. Formed by John Hauldren, PJ Carberry, and Joshua Tarum, Levity has rapidly built momentum since their 2023 debut, accumulating nearly 100 million streams across platforms. Known for pushing beyond traditional DJ sets, the group delivers immersive performances that blend electronic sub-genres with crowd interaction. Following an appearance at Lollapalooza, Levity is gearing up for their biggest year to date. Their 2025 schedule includes performances at Do LA (Coachella Weekend 1), EDC Las Vegas, Beyond Wonderland, Lollapalooza, and other global stages. The trio recently dropped their latest single, “Like This,” taken from their forthcoming EP Snack Pack, set to arrive via Ultra Records. Levity is currently on tour, with additional dates announced below. Mike Torres, A&R, Position Music, tells A&R Worldwide, “Levity’s growth over the past two years has been extraordinary, what began with a last-minute set at Electric Forest in 2023 has evolved into sold-out headline shows and key slots at major festivals like EDC, Lollapalooza, and more. I’m so excited to be working with them and their managers Adam and Harrison at 2+2 Management – Levity has had an explosive start and we’re only scratching the surface of what they’re going to achieve.”

 

SONGTOOLS INTEGRATES WITH DANCE MUSIC DISTRIBUTOR LABELWORX: SongTools has entered into a strategic partnership with LabelWorx, bringing its full suite of marketing solutions directly into the distributor’s platform for independent electronic and dance music labels. The integration streamlines the promotional process by embedding SongTools’ automated features, from playlist pitching and digital ad campaigns to smart links, SEO, and real-time analytics, into LabelWorx’s existing workflow. This allows labels, managers, and artists to access marketing tools without leaving the platform they already use. With a roster that includes leading imprints such as Catch & Release (Fisher), Solid Grooves (Michael Bibi, Pawsa), Artcore (Indira Paganotto), Bedrock (John Digweed), Black Book Records (Chris Lake), and Hellbent (Cloonee), LabelWorx is a major player in the electronic music scene. SongTools positions the integration to democratize professional-level marketing, giving independent creators access to tools typically reserved for top-tier campaigns. “LabelWorx has long been at the heart of the independent music ecosystem, especially within the electronic scene,” said Danny Garcia, CEO of SongTools. “Our mission is to democratize access to impactful, data-driven marketing tools – and partnering with LabelWorx allows us to deliver on that promise for thousands of forward-thinking creators across the U.K. and beyond.”

 

STEEVE FÜHR NAMED CFO AT AMUSE: Amuse, the Swedish music distributor and record label co-founded by former Warner Music Group executive Diego Farias, has named Steeve Führ as its new Chief Financial Officer. Führ previously spent six years as CFO at employee benefits platform Benify, where he oversaw the company’s international growth and eventual acquisition by Apax Partners and Zellis Group. His career blends experience in both finance and technology, including serving as CFO at streaming tech firm Edgeware and holding senior finance positions at Apple Nordics. In the past year, Amuse introduced new self-service digital distribution plans for artists, launched a dedicated sync department led by Daniel Copleston, and unveiled its “Stream Check” tool to combat streaming fraud. In 2024, music distributed through Amuse generated 17.5 billion streams across platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. The company now supports more than 500,000 independent artists worldwide through its platform. Giorgio D’Ambrosio, Interim CEO at Amuse, said, “We are thrilled to have Steeve step into the CFO role at such a pivotal moment for Amuse. His deep financial expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to scale the business globally with a focus on long-term profitability.”

 

PLATINUM-CERTIFIED RECORDING ARTIST ATLUS SIGNS WITH BMG: Platinum-certified recording artist Atlus has signed a new recording agreement with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. Anchored by self-penned viral hits, a Platinum single, four independent studio albums, national touring, and a fan base that has grown into the millions across social platforms, Atlus is an artist that came up through the underground and has now amassed over a billion on-demand streams. Raised in a single-parent home shaped by poverty and addiction, Atlus built resilience early, grounding his music in authenticity and honest storytelling. Named after the mythological Titan, he wrote his first albums while working long hours as a commercial driver, crafting lyrics on the road to support his family and fund studio time. That relentless drive grew an underground following and led to breakout moments, including performing with Jelly Roll at a sold-out Red Rocks in his home state and scoring a Top 5 album on Spotify‘s Global Album Chart along with a Platinum single. His music blends raw, candid themes with a kaleidoscope of styles, creating immersive soundscapes that forge deep bonds with fans. Atlus’ label debut, new single “Devil Ain’t Done,” was recently released. Jon Loba, President, Frontline Recordings, The Americas, said, “Every time we introduce Atlus to someone new, there is an instant and passionate connection. He is a true poet, who powerfully and intimately chronicles the very real struggles and tragedies of life in a way that still leaves hope for a better day. We could not be more excited to partner with him and his team in championing his music across the globe!”

 

AMRA AND SPOTIFY STRIKE MULTI-TERRITORIAL DIRECT LICENSING AGREEMENT: Spotify has finalized a new multi-year, multi-territory licensing agreement with amra, the world’s first global digital licensing collection society. The direct deal covers both digital mechanical and performing rights, offering enhanced flexibility and value for amra’s network of songwriters and publishers. Built on a collaborative framework, the agreement is designed not only to streamline licensing but also to create room for new product innovations and formats on Spotify, further aligning the platform’s growth with the interests of rights holders. “This deal with amra increases our support of publishers and songwriters with new rights. It expands the benefits of streaming for writers, artists, and rightsholders and unlocks additional value for fans as we deliver music around the world,” said Alex Norström, Co-President & Chief Business Officer, Spotify. Tomas Ericsson, CEO of amra said, “Our priority and mission at amra is and will always be to maximize the digital value for our songwriter and publisher clients and to ensure their works are protected and valued fairly in the marketplace. This partnership with Spotify, which enables innovation, reaffirms that commitment. We look forward to continuing to work with Spotify over the coming years.”

 

DAN SIMPSON ELECTED CHAIR OF DDEX BOARD: Dan Simpson, Meta‘s Head of Music Operations, has been appointed as the new chair of the board at DDEX, the international body that develops standards for data exchange across the music industry. Simpson has been involved with DDEX for several years and became a board member in 2024. He has played key roles in the Digital Sales Reporting (DSR) Working Group and the Electronic Release Notification (ERN) Working Group, and more recently acted as board sponsor for the Anomaly Reporting Working Group, which addresses issues such as streaming fraud. He takes over the role from Kim Beauchamp, EVP of Strategic Business Transformation & Operations at Universal Music Group. With more than two decades of experience in music operations, Simpson has held leadership roles at Sony Music, SoundCloud, and for the past seven years at Meta, where he oversees the global systems, partnerships, and processes that make recorded music available across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp. In addition to leading operations, he has served as Meta’s representative on the DDEX board. The DDEX board includes executives from its 21 Charter members, a roster that spans Amazon, Apple, ASCAP, BMI, Google, Kobalt Music, PRS for Music, SACEM, SOCAN, Sony Music, Spotify, UMG, WMG, and others. Membership is open to any organization with a stake in digital media content, and the network now counts over 150 members worldwide.

 

NOCTIL LAUNCHES ORGLINK SHARING FEATURE: Noctil, the music metadata platform, has introduced OrgLink, a new tool designed to streamline data sharing across the industry. Created with record labels, publishers, performance rights organizations, and royalty societies in mind, OrgLink makes it possible to model relationships between different accounts and apply precise access rules to metadata. One of its key innovations is record ownership tracking, which preserves transparency around data provenance even as information moves downstream. This ensures organizations can collaborate securely across multiple systems while keeping complete control over how their metadata is viewed or edited at each stage. The launch of OrgLink comes on the heels of strong momentum for Noctil. To date, the platform has processed more than 100 million sound recordings, supported over 100,000 catalog registrations, and facilitated payments to 50,000 rights-holders over the past five years. Founded in 2016, Noctil operates out of the U.S. and India and is a member of both DDEX and the Music Business Association.

 

BANDSINTOWN BECOMES EXCLUSIVE YOUTUBE CONCERT LISTINGS PROVIDER: Bandsintown has been named the exclusive concert listings partner for YouTube and YouTube Music, giving artists expanded visibility across one of the world’s largest digital platforms. Through the partnership, YouTube’s billions of monthly users will now see concert dates while watching artist videos, Shorts, official channels, and soon, directly on the YouTube homepage. A new push notification tool will also alert fans to upcoming shows in their area. Later this year, the integration will roll out to YouTube Music, where concerts will surface on home feeds and artist pages. For artists, venues, and promoters, the collaboration provides a boost in reach. Listings published through Bandsintown For Artists will automatically appear on YouTube, driving discovery and ticket sales. Bandsintown Pro subscribers, including festivals and venues, will also have their events distributed seamlessly. As part of the launch, Sabrina Carpenter is the featured artist. Her tour dates, already promoted through Bandsintown and her official site, will now be spotlighted to her 12 million YouTube subscribers and one million-plus Bandsintown followers, amplifying her global presence. Bandsintown has steadily expanded its distribution network, becoming the go-to live music data provider for Google, Spotify, Apple, Shazam, and now YouTube. With more than 700,000 registered artists, 65,000 venues and promoters, and 2.3 million annual events, the platform continues to strengthen its role at the center of global live music discovery.

 

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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

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