INFLUENTIAL MANAGER TOMMAS ARNBY (YUNGBLUD), MDDN’S JENN TOLMAN-HURST, LIVE NATION’S DAVID O’CONNOR, MALSONS MEDIA (INDIA) CEO, CHARTMETRIC, CEO’S OF HOOK, SWSH, ZOOLY.AI, STRM MUSIC, THE MELIORA COMPANY, MOBILIUM GLOBAL, EVENTIM LIVE GLOBAL’S GARY SPIVACK & MANY OTHER KEY EXECUTIVES JOIN THE GROWING LINE UP OF SPEAKERS AT THE 26TH GLOBAL EDITION OF MUSEXPO
MUSEXPO “The United Nations of Music” (www.musexpo.net), the pioneering global music business conference and showcase event is just over one month away, and takes place March 22 – 25, 2026, in Burbank, California. Marking over a quarter-century of influence, MUSEXPO 2026 will highlight the live, management, digital, technology, streaming, AI, data, and the future evolution of the music business landscape.
As the music industry continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, MUSEXPO remains an essential gathering for global industry leaders, creatives, innovators, and tastemakers. As MUSEXPO embarks on its 26th global edition, it is also bringing together some of the sharpest minds in music, media, technology, and live entertainment for an unparalleled experience. In addition, MUSEXPO will feature highly accomplished music and media journalists from Billboard (U.S.), Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Billboard (U.K. & Canada), Music Week (U.K.), Bentley Media Ventures, Music Business Television, and others to moderate many of its key panels and keynote interviews.
Some of the recently formalized panels and keynotes added to MUSEXPO’s burgeoning event program include:
THE FUTURE OF MUSIC IN THE DIGITAL AGE: Tech, Streaming, AI & Beyond – As innovation accelerates across every layer of the business, music’s digital infrastructure is being fundamentally reengineered. This forward-facing conversation brings together leading technologists, executives, and IP stakeholders to explore how emerging tools — from AI-driven creation and marketing to blockchain-enabled rights management and smart contracts — are redefining ownership, distribution, and monetization. From evolving streaming economics and decentralized ecosystems to interactive fan engagement and next-generation data strategies, the panel will examine the new commercial frameworks shaping artist sustainability and catalog value. At its core, the discussion tackles a pivotal question: how will technology not only transform how music is made and marketed, but recalibrate the relationship between creators, rights holders, and audiences in the decade ahead?
The panel, which is curated by A&R Worldwide will feature moderator Ralph Simon, Founder & Chairman, Mobilium Global with Alexandra Debow – CEO & Co-Founder, swsh; Clive Dickens – Founder & CEO, The Meliora Company (Australia); Domenico Randazzo – Client Relations Specialist, Chartmetric; Fernando Gabriel – Global CEO & Co-Founder, StrmMusic (Brazil); Gaurav Sharma – Founder & CEO, Hook, and Jonathan Griffit – Co-Founder & CEO, Zooly.ai.
THE MANAGEMENT & LIVE FORUM: Fans, Music & the Evolving Artist Experience -As the live sector recalibrates in real time, the artist-fan relationship is being rewritten from the stage outward. This high-level forum convenes leading voices across management and the global live business to examine how today’s artists are building deeper, more dynamic connections with audiences across touring, festivals, VIP, brand activations, and beyond. Panelists will unpack the creative vision and commercial architecture driving this evolution, from data-informed engagement strategies to next-gen experiential design – to offering a clear-eyed look at how the modern live ecosystem is reshaping fandom and redefining long-term artist value.
Ritch Esra – Publisher, The Music Registry & Co-Founder, MUBUTV will interview these panelists including David O’Connor – Vice President, Artist & Business Development, Live Nation; Gary Spivack – Sr. Executive, Eventim Live Global; Jenn Tolman Hurst – Sr. Vice President, Talent Management, MDDN; Shivam Malhotra – Founder & CEO, Malsons Media (India), and Tommas Arnby – Founder, Locomotion Music Group & CEO, Special Projects (Worldwide Manager of Yungblud).
MUSEXPO also returns with its esteemed “International Music Industry Awards” (which originally launched back in 2012) in association with A&R Worldwide and will recognize the contributions of some during the VIP Gala Dinner presentations. There are a limited number of tickets available – further details are available once you sign up HERE.
The annual Seymour Stein “Global A&R Award,” will be bestowed upon one of the most influential forces in global music publishing, Kim Frankiewicz, Executive VP, Worldwide A&R, Concord Music Publishing, and the “Lifetime Achievement Award” will be presented to one of the U.K.’s most inspiring independent entrepreneurs, Reynold D’Silva, Founder & CEO, Silva Screen Group and SO Recordings. The “International Music Person of the Year” recipient is one of the world’s most influential booking agents, Kirk M. Sommer, Senior Partner and Co-Head of Music, WME who has helped discover and break countless artists in the live arena worldwide – working with Adele, Billie Eilish, The Killers, Sam Smith, Hozier, NIN, Teddy Swims, Benson Boone, Lewis Capaldi, Sam Fender, Lola Young, Portugal The Man, and countless others. MUSEXPO will also feature its popular Global Sync Summit, and A&R Summit, as part of its overall 2065 event program.
The full event program for the various panels, keynotes, awards luncheons, showcases, networking receptions, and more for MUSEXPO 2026 can be found HERE.
MUSEXPO is open to anyone looking to enhance their knowledge of the global music business or to amplify their network of relationships with creatives, executives, and companies from all facets of the music industry worldwide.
For more details, hotel information, or to register to attend the event, visit www.musexpo.net.
JEREMY SIROTA JOINS SUNO AS CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER
Suno has named Jeremy Sirota as Chief Commercial Officer. Jeremy comes from Merlin, where he served as CEO and helped grow annual revenue from $900 million to $1.8 billion (USD) while modernizing the organization’s technology and expanding its global licensing footprint.
At Suno, Sirota will oversee commercial strategy, industry relations, platform partnerships, and enterprise initiatives, reporting to CEO Mikey Shulman. The appointment comes as Suno deepens its industry ties, including a newly announced licensing partnership with Warner Music Group aimed at advancing new forms of music creation and engagement.
During his tenure at Merlin, Sirota negotiated deals with major platforms such as Apple, Deezer, Meta, Spotify, Twitch, and YouTube, and played a key role in shaping early AI licensing frameworks. Earlier in his career, he held strategy and business roles at Meta, worked as a Sr. Executive at Warner Music Group, and practiced as a technology lawyer at Morrison Foerster, advising entertainment clients on licensing and intellectual property matters.
“Jeremy is a rare leader who has spent his career working to improve every side of the music business – for fans, artists, music rights-holders, and platforms,” said Mikey Shulman, Co-founder and CEO of Suno. “What truly sets him apart is his ability to build what doesn’t yet exist, finding opportunity where others see obstacles and bringing all sides with him. That mindset will help craft a better future of music for all, and I could not be more excited to have him join Suno.”
“I have deep respect for music and the role it plays in our lives,” said Jeremy Sirota, Chief Commercial Officer of Suno. “What excites me about Suno is the opportunity to shape a future where music becomes more interactive and integrated into people’s daily lives. Throughout my career, I have seen and helped navigate pivotal moments when technology redefined the music industry. Each chapter has expanded opportunity in ways few initially imagined. Suno is building new layers of creativity and connectivity that did not exist before, and I am energized to help bring that vision to life alongside the industry.”
JAMIROQUAI SIGNS GLOBAL RECORDING DEAL WITH BMG
Jamiroquai has inked a new global recording agreement with BMG, launching the next phase for one of the U.K.’s most influential and best-selling bands of the past 30 years. With more than 26 million albums sold worldwide, the group’s genre-blending fusion of funk, soul, electronic, and pop continues to resonate across generations, and the new partnership aims to fuel their ongoing creative evolution while preserving the cultural impact of their catalog.
Fronted by Jay Kay, the band rose to prominence in the early 1990s with landmark albums such as Emergency on Planet Earth, Travelling Without Moving and A Funk Odyssey, delivering global hits including “Virtual Insanity,” “Cosmic Girl” and “Little L.”
Jamie Nelson, Sr. VP, New Recordings, UK, BMG, said, “Jamiroquai’s success over many years is extraordinary. Pioneering and progressive in their output, they have continued to evolve while others have stood still. In Jay Kay, they have a truly global, iconic frontman who remains as creatively driven as ever, always pushing forward and bringing fans with him.
Jay Kay added, “Let me say how amazing it feels to find a home at BMG in 2026. It has been humbling to navigate the interest in the new album from some great companies, but after working so hard on it for the last two years, I know that the super people at BMG are the right team for us. It is important to feel comfortable and be able to keep a hand in the creative process, not only musically, but visually too. Jamie, with his huge experience and in-depth knowledge of my musical journey so far, understands where I want to go – boldly into the future on what feels like an exciting new chapter. I am exceptionally pleased to be collaborating with him and all the BMG family worldwide on what I genuinely believe is up there with our very best work of the last thirty years.”
Jamiroquai joins BMG’s genre-spanning U.K. roster which includes Lily Allen, Kylie, Louis Tomlinson, MARINA, Garbage, Duran Duran, The Script, Gary Numan, Cymande, Olly Murs, Suede, Rita Ora, Rick Astley, and pop newcomer, Meek.
POSITION MUSIC NAMES GARRETT REAM & MIKELLE SCHWARTZ AS CO-HEADS OF POSITION MUSIC RECORD LABEL
Position Music Founder & CEO Tyler Bacon and President Mark Chipello have announced the appointment of Garrett Ream and Mikelle Schwartz as Co-Heads of the company’s Label division. In their new roles, Ream will oversee creative, while Schwartz will lead marketing efforts. Bacon and Chipello will continue to head Label A&R.
As Head of Label Creative, Garrett Ream will manage Content & Digital Strategy and Radio Promotion, while remaining actively involved in A&R and artist signings. Since joining Position Music in January 2024 as VP of Artist Strategy & Promotion, Ream has played an integral role in expanding the label’s roster, leveraging emerging marketing trends to shape its forward-thinking creative and digital direction.
During his time at the company, Ream contributed to the breakout success of Hunter Metts‘ single “Weathervane,” which sparked more than 200,000 TikTok UGC creations, surpassed 450,000 daily streams at its peak, and resulted in a joint venture with Interscope Records. He also supported the signing and release of Jutes‘ album Dilworth, which has accumulated over 80 million streams RTD, with the single “It Takes Two” currently sitting in the Top 25 at Alternative radio.
Mikelle Schwartz steps into the role of Head of Label Marketing, where she will oversee Product Management, Digital Marketing, as well as DSP and distribution partnerships. She joins Position Music from Nice Life Recording Company, where she served as EVP & Head of Marketing, guiding high-impact campaigns for artists including Tinashe and The Marías.
Recognized as one of Billboard‘s 2025 Indie Power Players, Schwartz previously held senior marketing positions at 88rising, Warner Records, and Kemosabe Records. Throughout her career, she has helped elevate the profiles of artists such as Joji, Zach Bryan, Bebe Rexha, Mastodon, Becky G, Doja Cat, and many others.
Tyler Bacon and Mark Chipello added, “We are proud to recognize Garrett in this elevated, expanded role and to welcome Mikelle to the team. Her experience, passion, and marketing expertise are exceptional. With Garrett and Mikelle co-leading our label team, we are building a unique and powerful engine designed to serve artists at the highest level.”
PRIMARY WAVE IN TALKS TO POTENTIALLY ACQUIRE KOBALT MUSIC GROUP
Primary Wave is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire Kobalt Music Group. Sources indicate that Larry Mestel‘s Primary Wave has been in discussions for several months with Kobalt’s majority owner, Francisco Partners, and is now the sole remaining bidder attempting to finalize the purchase price.
A sale at this point would mark an earlier-than-usual exit for Francisco Partners, which typically holds assets for five to seven years. The firm acquired its majority stake in Kobalt in September 2022 at a $750 million (USD) valuation. However, reports suggest a potential deal with Primary Wave could value Kobalt at more than $1.5 billion, double its valuation less than four years ago. That estimate factors in a rights acquisition vehicle Kobalt launched in 2023 in partnership with Morgan Stanley‘s Tactical Value division.
Insiders say Francisco Partners is under no immediate pressure to sell, particularly as Kobalt has delivered improved commercial results under CEO Laurent Hubert. Still, Primary Wave, valued at around $6 billion, has substantial financial firepower and may be prepared to offer a premium to secure an early agreement. If completed, the combination could create a consolidated music entity valued at over $7 billion.
Strategically, acquiring Kobalt would give Primary Wave its own publishing administration infrastructure, filling a longstanding operational gap. It would also provide control of AMRA, Kobalt’s digital collection society, whose direct-to-DSP royalty model could enhance margins across Primary Wave’s catalog. Currently, Primary Wave has relied on third-party administrators and, in some cases, Universal Music Publishing Group for administration services.
The acquisition would also expand Primary Wave’s exposure to catalogs amassed through Kobalt’s Morgan Stanley-backed venture, which has more than $700 million earmarked for music rights, including select publishing and master recording assets. Additionally, Primary Wave would gain KOSIGN, Kobalt’s recently launched admin service for independent songwriters, competing in a fast-growing segment alongside platforms like Songtrust.
Laurent Hubert said, “As one of the most successful independent music companies in the world, it is no surprise that there is ongoing market interest in our business. We have consistently attracted attention, particularly in recent years, reflecting the strength of our platform, our performance, and the value we create for our clients. Let me be clear: our intention is for Kobalt to remain an independently run company, singularly focused on delivering exceptional service for our clients globally.”
Discussions are ongoing, and financial terms have yet to be confirmed.
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!
The legendary A&R Worldwide dinner gatherings have brought together thousands of key creatives, executives, and companies together for authentic and impactful discussions, and opportunities across six continents and many dozens of cities across the globe.
Enjoying some fruitful conversations at an A&R Worldwide dinner several years back at the private Library Bar Restaurant at the Andaz Hotel in West Hollywood are longtime friends of A&R Worldwide including Sam Kling who first connected with us back in the early 2000’s when he was an A&R executive at peer music publishing.
Influential writer, podcaster, and media analyst Bob Lefsetz has been an integral part of many MUSEXPO conversations and A&R Worldwide dinners over the past two decades.
Meanwhile Manfred Zahringer, Founder & President, Iceberg Records, which is one of Denmark’s most successful independent labels was the first-ever client of A&R Network, the predecessor to A&R Worldwide back in 2001. His famous words were, “I don’t need to know what you’ll do for me, I trust in you in that you’ll deliver…” and we did indeed!
MEEK
Unapologetically outlandish pop disruptor MEEK detonates onto the scene with “Fabulous,” a glitter-bomb anthem that doubles as a working-class war cry. First road-tested in London’s Ku-Bar, where she leapt onto the bar as a packed dancefloor screamed “I’m so f*cking fabulous” in unison, the track proved itself instantly. This is not industry-manufactured confidence. Its survival turned into spectacle. Born Georgia Meek, the Guildford estate kid-turned-pop provocateur has no time for polite introductions. “Fabulous” is maximalist, theatrical, and hook-stacked to the heavens, but beneath the hair-raising vocals and glam-rock charge lies something sharper: a refusal to let money dictate who gets to feel seen, loud, or extraordinary. In a cost-of-living crisis culture that quietly suggests some people should shrink, MEEK does the opposite; she expands. Her self-described “glam trash” aesthetic, pink tulle over a stained Adidas jacket, is intentional rebellion. High drama without high budgets. Couture energy without couture access. It is pop spectacle reclaimed for the kids who were not invited to the fashion week front row. Having navigated grief, domestic trauma, and an industry that rarely rolls out the red carpet for outsiders, MEEK channels every closed door into towering hooks and opening-note detonations. Discover “Fabulous” HERE, and contact Jamie Nelson for all additional details for fast-rising U.K. star MEEK.
BIRD
Acclaimed singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Bird returns with “The Boy And The Swan,” the fourth single and video from her forthcoming EP Strange As Folk. Blending modern folk, cinematic strings, and evocative storytelling, the track feels like a visual poem, intimate, hypnotic, and quietly devastating. Built around a powerful extended metaphor, the song mirrors a bullied boy’s hidden wounds with the image of a swan losing its feathers one by one, a meditation on how harm travels and lingers. Co-written with Jens Dolleslagers and rising Belgian artist Aqua Riyaz, the track pairs sweeping orchestration with a subtle folk-horror edge, highlighting Bird’s gift for balancing fragility with grandeur. The striking lakeside video, shot in Northern Denmark, features performance artist Jorgen Callesen (Miss Fish) in a costume crafted from found real swan feathers. Visceral and beautifully understated, the film deepens the song’s themes of memory, transformation, and resilience. Discover the visual for “The Boy And The Swan” HERE, and contact Jeff Powell for all available opportunities worldwide pertaining to Bird.
“PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Sunday, March 1st, 2026: The weekly new music radio show is heard on over 50 radio stations worldwide on six continents weekly including the U.S., Germany, U.K., Canada, Peru, India, Australia, Uganda, Zambia, South Africa, Egypt, Bolivia, Indonesia, Philippines, Holland, Dominican Republic, and many other territories. More information can be found HERE.
LUSAINT – “Blind” (Heavenly Fire, U.K.)
NEIKED FT. CIRCA WAVES – “Sweet Emotion” (Columbia Records, Germany)
CHLOE QISHA – “So Sad So Hot” (Columbia Records, U.K.)
BALU BRIGADA – “Backseat” (Warner Music Group, Australasia)
TOVE STYRKE – “Prayer” (Bud Fox, Sweden)
SEAFRET – “Signal Fire” (Nettwerk, U.K.)
MAX ALLAIS – “Wherever You Go” (Real Thing Records/Universal Music, New Zealand)
SEX MASK – “Cold” (Unsigned, Australia)
VELLA – “Somebody Else” (Universal Music, Sweden)
RUEL – “Only Ever” (Giant Music, Australia)
CHANIN – “Whisper” (Universal Music, Germany)
CAMBER – “Paranoia” (Fierce Panda, U.K.)
CASSIA – “Miles Out” (Love Sundays / Universal Music, U.K.)
RED RUM CLUB – “American Nights & English Mornings” (Modern Sky, U.K.)
FINN FORSTER – “Pablo” (Interval Records, U.K.)
D’MASIV – “Side By Side” (Unsigned, Indonesia)
GIRL SCOUT – “Same Kids” (AWAL, Sweden)
PICTURE THIS – “Yours Forever” (Sony Music, Ireland)
KID KAPICHI – “Worst Kept Secret” (Spinefarm, U.K.)
ALESSI ROSE – “Get Around” (Capitol/Polydor, U.K.)
THE CRIBS – “Never The Same” ([PIAS] U.K.)
MICHAEL ALDAG – “3Minutes” (3 Beat Records, U.K.)
NEWPORT – “Slow Down” (Liberation Records, Australia)
HORROR DISCO – “Asteroid Fields of Regret” (Neon Genesis Records, Germany)
GIRLI – “Better Undressed” (Virgin EMI Records, U.K.)
FOOL NELSON – “Bad Dream” (AWAL, Australia)
JERUB – “Kumbaya” (Elevate Music, U.K.)
THE ENEMY – “Trouble” (The Enemy, U.K.)
ROYEL OTIS – “Who’s Your Boyfriend” (Ourness/Capitol, Australia)
LENNY – “Told Ya” (Unsigned, Czech Republic)
SHOBSY – “Smalltown Boy” (SO Recordings, Ireland)
ATLANTIC MUSIC GROUP LAUNCHES JV WITH TODAY IS VINTAGE LABEL: Atlantic Music Group has formed a joint venture with Today Is Vintage, the independent label established by Rebin Shah. Originally launched in Sweden and now headquartered in New York, Today Is Vintage operates across major international markets, with team members based in Stockholm, London, and Los Angeles. Under the leadership of Shah and his partner Dave Gordon, the company has contributed to releases generating more than 20 billion streams globally, earning upwards of 80 Gold and Platinum certifications and multiple awards throughout the Nordic region. In addition to managing Platinum-selling artists and Grammy-winning producers, Shah has also held the role of creative director at World Childhood Foundation USA. Gordon previously served as Head of Urban Sales and Sr. VP of A&R at Warner Records, following his time at Columbia Records. Beyond its label activities, Today Is Vintage also created and produced The Cloud Sessions, a global songwriting camp developed in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden in Washington, D.C., Export Music Sweden, and the Consulate-General of Sweden in New York. Elliot Grainge, CEO of Atlantic Music Group, and Zach Friedman, COO of Atlantic Music Group, said, “Rebin and Dave are the kind of forward-thinking, globally minded entrepreneurs we want to be in business with. We are glad to welcome them into the Atlantic family.”
SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING PROMOTES GREG PRATA TO CFO: Sony Music Publishing has elevated Greg Prata to Chief Financial Officer, effective March 31. Based in New York, he will continue to work from the company’s headquarters and report directly to Chairman & CEO Jon Platt. In his new capacity, Prata will lead the company’s worldwide financial functions, overseeing reporting, accounting, budgeting, administration, and IT. He steps into the role following the retirement announcement of Tom Kelly, who is concluding a 35-year career. Prata has more than 25 years of corporate finance experience. He joined Sony in 2012 as Sr. VP of Financial Planning and Analysis after his tenure at EMI and was promoted to EVP of Finance & Corporate Strategy in 2019. Earlier in his career, he spent more than a decade working in private equity and investment banking. Jon Platt, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Publishing said, “Greg has been a trusted leader on our team, and I am pleased to see him step into the CFO role as we advance our next stage of growth. At the same time, we thank Tom for his remarkable tenure. His leadership has helped drive our success and set a high bar for excellence that Greg will continue to build upon!”
WME SIGNS EGYPTIAN MUSIC, FILM, AND TELEVISION STAR MOHAMED RAMADAN: Mohamed Ramadan has signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME) for worldwide representation across all areas. Based in Cairo, Ramadan is one of the Middle East’s most prominent entertainers, known for his work as an actor, rapper, singer, and producer. In 2024, he became the first Egyptian artist to perform at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and this year he is set to make history again as the first Arab artist to headline The Theater at Madison Square Garden. On screen, Ramadan will next star in Lion, directed by Mohamed Diab, known for Marvel‘s Moon Knight. He previously rose to fame through more than 45 Egyptian films and series, including Abdu Mota and Jaafar Al Omda, earning multiple honors such as the Murex d’Or for Best Arab Actor. In music, Ramadan blends Arabic pop, hip-hop, and Afro-infused sounds. His global hit “Ya Habibi” with Gims topped charts in 15 countries, while tracks like “Number One” and “Bum Bum” have driven hundreds of millions of streams. With more than 85 million social media followers and over six billion YouTube views, earning him the platform’s Diamond Creator Award, Ramadan continues to cement his status as one of the region’s most influential global stars. He is managed by Liil Serge Mbeutcha of LSM Prod / NVRmgmt.
WARNER MUSIC, ADA AND LAB RECORDS ANNOUNCE JV PARTNERSHIP WITH THE K’S: Warner Music Group, ADA and LAB Records have entered a new joint venture with U.K. guitar band The K’s, setting the foundation for their third studio album, due in 2027. The deal follows a breakout 2025 that saw their second album, Pretty On The Internet, debut at No.1 in the U.K. with more than 25,000 first-week sales, double their 2024 debut, I Wonder If The World Knows, and land among the U.K.’s Top 10 best-selling independent albums of the year. Under the JV, LAB Records and ADA will lead in the U.K., supported globally by Warner Music frontline teams, with Atlantic Records U.K. A&R Craig Shardlow who will work closely on the project. With more than 90,000 U.K. album sales since April 2024, nearly 50 million streams in 2025 alone, and over 300,000 fans reached live last year, including a sold-out headline at Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl, The K’s continue their rapid ascent. Mark Orr, Founder and MD of LAB Records stated, “Having broken new ground with The K’s on their first two records – we are delighted to evolve our relationship with Warner and ADA as part of this fresh, unique joint venture. The goal has always been to retain the creative freedom and DIY spirit that has served this project so well to date, whilst not limiting the band or our ambitions globally.”
GROOVE BOUND SONGS SIGNS ERICA AVENUE’S ROMY JONES AND JARRAH EISNER: Groove Bound Songs has signed Romy Jones and Jarrah Eisner of Erica Avenue to an exclusive songwriting deal through its joint venture with Bucks Music Group. Formed in 2024, Erica Avenue is a five-piece alt-pop band from Australia. The group has independently released four singles, with their latest, “Something as Good as Us,” premiering on Triple J‘s Home & Hosed. They have sold out multiple Melbourne headline shows (requiring venue upgrades) and performed at festivals including St Kilda Fest, Mordialloc Fest, Always Live’s Garage Band, and Franjafest. To support the band’s next phase, Groove Bound Songs has brought in Ryan Meeking as a consultant to oversee A&R. He will coordinate co-writing and producer sessions for a new EP. An artist himself, Meeking has worked with acts such as Gossling and Whitaker, released solo music since 2021, and has amassed millions of streams with placements in shows including Suits, Teen Wolf, and So You Think You Can Dance USA. Groove Bound Songs Founder Jonathan Tester said, “Skipping dessert and a superfast Uber driver led me to catch Erica Avenue. The plan was to hang out with writer/producer Ryan Meeking whilst on holiday in Melbourne, but he had heard wonderful things about Erica Avenue and suggested we rush to catch their show. After three songs, I was instantly hooked by their infectious indie/pop and the audience connection. I knew immediately I wanted to collaborate with them. Romy and Jarrah are natural songwriters, my instant reaction was that I had found the Bangles x Boy Genius.”
MARSHALL RECORDS SIGNS RISING ALT-ROCK BAND DAYTIME TV: Marshall Records has officially signed rising alt-rock act Daytime TV. Hailing from Edinburgh and London, the band has shared stages with You Me At Six, Twin Atlantic, and Two Door Cinema Club, and performed at major festivals including BST Hyde Park and Mad Cool Festival. The signing marks the first release of Marshall Records’ 10th anniversary year. Previously with Kartel, Daytime TV has built a Spotify following of 40,000 monthly listeners, with “Digital Light” surpassing 800,000 streams. The band spent 2025 writing and recording with producer Pete Hutchings (Royal Blood, Foals) at The Marshall Studio. Daytime TV lead singer and guitarist Will Irvine said, “In Marshall, we have found the right people. We cannot wait to get started and show the world what Daytime TV is all about. It feels like a big moment for us, and we are ready for it.” Ellys Airey, Marshall Records Senior Label Manager, added, “From the moment we heard Daytime TV, we knew they were an exciting band. Their performance at 2000Trees pulled a huge crowd and had such electric energy it was impossible to ignore. This is a band with real vision, ambition, and the songs to match!”
SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING LAUNCHES IN THE PHILIPPINES: Sony Music Publishing (SMP PH) has opened its new flagship office in the Philippines, marking a strategic move to support and promote Filipino songwriters both locally and internationally. The Manila-based office, SMP PH, will foster collaborations with labels, collection societies, and other stakeholders to expand creative and commercial opportunities for composers and songwriters. Stephanie Ortiz has been appointed as General Manager of SMP PH, reporting to Roslyn Pineda, President of Sony Music Publishing Asia. Ortiz brings over a decade of industry experience, having led digital business at Universal Music Group Philippines and served as Head of Label at Believe Music, managing key label partnerships and signing independent talent. The new office aims to serve as a global hub for Filipino songwriters, enhancing their reach and creative development. “I am thrilled that we have opened our company in the Philippines,” said Guy Henderson, President, International, Sony Music Publishing. “The Philippines has an exciting domestic market and with music travelling around the world as never before, there is huge worldwide potential for Filipino songwriters. With Stephanie Ortiz and her team and Sony Music Publishing’s creative and administrative reach, the global opportunities for Filipino writers are limitless.”
SHABOOZEY SIGNS PUBLISHING DEAL WITH EMPIRE: Shaboozey has signed a publishing deal with EMPIRE Publishing the record for the longest-running No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also topped Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart, making Shaboozey the first Black male artist to simultaneously lead both charts. It has amassed over one billion streams across platforms. Shaboozey first joined EMPIRE’s label division in 2021, and the publishing deal was led by Vinny Kumar, EMPIRE Publishing’s newly appointed President, with Eric Hurt, Senior Vice President of A&R, who initially signed him to the label. In September 2025, Shaboozey and EMPIRE launched the independent imprint American Dogwood, inspired by Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic’s culture and traditions. Co-manager Jared Cotter described the publishing deal as a natural extension of their ongoing collaboration on the recorded music side. In a statement, Eric Hurt, Sr. VP of A&R said, “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Shaboozey in this publishing deal. As great of an artist as Shaboozey is, he is equally as talented as a songwriter; constantly striving to write the most compelling, story-driven songs that reach a broad and diverse audience. EMPIRE looks forward to supporting the publishing interests of a global artist who knows it always must start with great songs.”
ANIMAJ STRIKES GLOBAL DEAL WITH THE ORCHARD’S MAGIC STAR AND SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING: Animaj has signed a worldwide music partnership with Magic Star, the children’s and family arm of The Orchard, along with Sony Music Publishing. Through the agreement, Magic Star will manage the global distribution of Animaj’s recordings, while Sony Music Publishing will oversee administration of the publishing rights for the company’s songs and compositions across international markets. Animaj reports that it reaches 242 million monthly active users on YouTube worldwide and says it draws the fifth-largest digital kids’ audience globally. The partnership encompasses the company’s flagship children’s music catalogs, including Pocoyo, Maya the Bee, HeyKids, and Super Sema. The agreement follows Animaj’s $85 million funding round last year, led by HarbourView Equity Partners with participation from Bpifrance and Left Lane Capital. The company said the capital would support the expansion of its AI-driven production and distribution infrastructure, as well as accelerate strategic intellectual property acquisitions. Gregory Dray, Co-Founder of Animaj, recently characterized the deal with Magic Star and Sony Music Publishing as a key component of the company’s long-term, IP-focused strategy, pairing external expertise in distribution and publishing with in-house ownership and creative oversight. Established in 2019 as The Orchard’s dedicated kids and family division, Magic Star collaborates with leading children’s entertainment companies such as Hasbro Entertainment, Spin Master Entertainment, WildBrain, and MGA Entertainment. The division offers music distribution, marketing, and YouTube channel management services tailored to younger and family-focused audiences.
GODIGITAL MUSIC PROMOTES LAUREN DEMARTE TO COO: GoDigital Music has elevated Lauren Demarte to Chief Operating Officer. The promotion comes as parent company GoDigital accelerates its worldwide expansion, backed by a recent $230 million (USD) financing round that pushes its total capital raised beyond $1 billion. Building on a steady run of acquisitions, GoDigital Music now manages a catalog of more than 80,000 assets spanning reggaetón, Música Mexicana, Afrobeats, K-pop, country, and other genres. The roster includes releases from global stars such as Jason Derulo, T.I., Daddy Yankee, and Marc Anthony, among others. Demarte most recently served as Sr. Vice President of marketing at Cinq Music Group, a label, distributor, and publisher within GoDigital Music. There, she spearheaded strategic marketing initiatives that expanded artist reach and deepened audience engagement across multiple genres and territories, contributing significantly to the label’s continued momentum. As the first executive to hold the COO title at GoDigital Music, Demarte will oversee operational strategy and execution across the company’s global music and technology platforms. She will also continue leading operations in Colombia, assisting in strengthening the company’s footprint throughout Latin America and other high-growth markets. The leadership move follows GoDigital’s recent rebrand from GoDigital Media Group and the launch of three dedicated divisions, music, networks, and brands, designed to further scale its intellectual property portfolio across distribution, publishing, record label services, and catalog innovation.
JOHN LANGFORD TO LEAD AEG VENUE EXPANSION STRATEGY IN ASIA-PACIFIC: AEG International has named John Langford President, APAC, effective April 1, 2026. In the role, Langford will spearhead the company’s Asia-Pacific growth strategy across venues and real estate, overseeing business performance for AEG’s expanding regional portfolio and working closely with local leadership and joint venture partners to execute long-term plans. The region, described as a key priority growth market, includes venues such as Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, IG Arena in Nagoya, and UOB Live Arena in Bangkok, alongside major developments underway in Osaka and a second Bangkok arena. Langford has more than 30 years of live entertainment and venue management experience and currently serves as EVP of venues for AEG International, where he led record-setting results across the company’s European portfolio. He will relocate to Singapore in September 2026. “Asia-Pacific is a dynamic and strategically important market for AEG, with significant long-term potential,” said Alex Hill, President & CEO, AEG International. “John’s track record of delivering sustained performance, driving operational excellence, and leading high-performing teams makes him the ideal leader to drive our ambitions in the region. I am excited to see his expertise applied across our expanding Asia portfolio.”
CAA HIRES FORMER WME POP DIVISION CO-HEAD DAVID BRADLEY: Senior London-based agent David Bradley has joined Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Bradley arrives from William Morris Endeavor (WME), where he served as Partner and Co-Head of the pop division. With more than a decade representing top-tier talent, Bradley has played a key role in building the careers of globally recognized artists and structuring sold-out arena and stadium tours, as well as major festival headline slots across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Europe. His past roster includes Dua Lipa, LCD Soundsystem, Carly Rae Jepsen, Griff, and Greta Van Fleet. Bradley’s arrival follows continued expansion within CAA’s music division, which over the past year has added both agents and high-profile clients including Pharrell Williams, Pink, Usher, Josh Groban, Incubus, System of a Down, Good Charlotte, Babymetal, and Pierce the Veil, among others. “David is respected as an agent who knows how to build sustaining careers for his clients,” said CAA Co-Heads of Global Touring Emma Banks, Darryl Eaton, and Rick Roskin. “His talent, integrity, and forward-thinking leadership align with our mission to serve clients at the very highest level and reflect CAA Music’s ongoing international expansion and position at the forefront of the global touring business.”
GOOGLE ACQUIRES AI MUSIC PLATFORM PRODUCERAI: Google has acquired ProducerAI, the AI music creation platform formerly known as Riffusion, with the startup and its team joining Google Labs. The deal was announced by Elias Roman, Sr. Director of Product Management at Google Labs, who described ProducerAI as a powerful creative collaborator for turning ideas into fully realized songs. According to executive Kendall Rankin, the entire ProducerAI team is integrating across Google Labs and Google DeepMind. The platform now runs on a preview of Lyria 3 for music generation, Gemini for chat, Google’s Nano Banana model for album art, and Veo for AI-driven music videos, with outputs marked by SynthID watermarking. Founded by Seth Forsgren and Hayk Martiros, ProducerAI began as the viral open-source project Riffusion in December 2022. The company raised $4 million (USD) in seed funding in October 2023 led by Greycroft, with participation from South Park Commons and Sky9 Capital, and enlisted The Chainsmokers as advisors before officially launching ProducerAI in July 2025. Alex Pall of The Chainsmokers said, “We are so grateful to see how this platform continues to evolve. It is truly crafted around the musician’s experience. The founders are incredibly technical, but natively musicians, and understand the nuances of what makes a platform truly be an additive tool in the creation process.”
SYMPHONIC PROMOTES GUJI LORENZANA, EXPANDS APAC TEAM, AND ANNOUNCES NEW ASIA SIGNINGS: Symphonic Distribution has promoted Guji Lorenzana to Director, A&R and Client Development, APAC. In the expanded role, Lorenzana will lead regional A&R strategy, client growth, and team development across Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and Australia. Since joining in 2024 as the company’s first APAC Territory Manager, he has built Symphonic’s regional team from the ground up and secured key signings including DYNA Music, Underdog Music, Kafka by the Sea, Werdi Media, ABYSS Company, and Sagarika Music, among others. The company has also strengthened its APAC A&R team with the hires of Arie Legowo as A&R Client Development Lead, Indonesia, formerly of Warner Music Indonesia and The Orchard, and Abegail Ungab as Senior Manager, Content, UGC & Rights Management, APAC, previously with Ingrooves Music Group. Recent regional signings include Renee Dominique, Kiana V, Laure, Paredes, J.Fla, and SUNI. “Symphonic’s presence in APAC has skyrocketed over the past two years, and we have plans to continue expanding even further,” said Guji Lorenzana. “Bringing these regional experts on board will fast-track our mission to empower independent artists and labels across the Asia-Pacific region, and we’re already off to a great start.”
THE CIRCUIT GROUP LAUNCHES BEAT SWITCH: The Circuit Group has officially unveiled Beat Switch Music Services, a white-label services and rights management arm for independent labels and artists. After operating quietly for two years, the division now supports more than 20 indie labels, including Black Book Records, Catch & Release, and Hell Bent, offering distribution, rights management, publishing admin, marketing, DSP strategy, sync, and Web3 services. The launch follows Circuit’s recent rollout of Circuit Capital, a $500 million-backed fund supported by Create Music Group. Founded in 2023 by Dean and Jessica Wilson alongside Brett Fischer, David Gray, and Harvey Tadman, Beat Switch is led by CEO Dean Wilson and Global COO James Sutcliffe, with Tadman and Gray serving as Co-Presidents.
AXS PROMOTES JULIE LAMB AND JASON BOXER TO KEY ROLES: AXS has elevated two senior executives, promoting Julie Lamb from Sr. VP of Human Resources to Chief Talent Officer and Jason Boxer from Sr. VP of Accounting & Finance to Chief Financial Officer. Both LA-based leaders will continue reporting to CEO Bryan Perez. The company said the promotions recognize their leadership and contributions to AXS’s growth and long-term strategy. As Chief Talent Officer, Lamb will oversee the company’s global people strategy with an increased emphasis on talent development, while Boxer, as CFO, will lead financial planning, accounting, and broader growth initiatives. “Julie is an exceptional leader who has played a pivotal role in shaping AXS’s culture and long-term trajectory,” said Bryan Perez. “At AXS, our people – and the lasting relationships they build with our partners – are central to how we operate and grow. Our people-centric culture is a meaningful differentiator for AXS, and Julie has been instrumental in fostering a high-performance environment that strengthens those relationships and enables us to scale globally without losing what makes us distinct. Jason has been equally impactful in shaping the financial discipline and strategic foundation of our business. As we expand rapidly into new markets, he has helped architect a globally integrated finance organization that supports sustainable growth, operational rigor, and long-term strategic investment.”
BRIDGEPOINT ENTERS INTO PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDSTATE MUSIC: Mid-market investor Bridgepoint has formed a strategic partnership with GoldState Music, committing significant capital as lead investor to accelerate GoldState’s global growth plans. The funding will back a dedicated program aimed at building and scaling music-focused businesses worldwide. Founded in 2022 by industry veteran Charles Goldstuck, GoldState Music invests across the music value chain, combining sector expertise with structured institutional capital. Under the agreement, GoldState will source and actively manage investments, targeting profitable, high-growth companies across areas such as rights management, digital distribution, music tech, and infrastructure, sectors positioned to benefit from continued streaming growth and the expanding share of independent artists and labels. Financial terms were not disclosed. Charles Goldstuck, Founder and Managing Partner of GoldState Music, said, “The continued expansion of the music ecosystem, coupled with the vibrancy we see in all facets of the industry, makes this one of the most exciting times in recent music investing. Partnering with Bridgepoint is a natural expansion of our investment activities, and I could not be happier partnering with Rohit [Dhote] and his team.”
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Johnny Griffit, Cathy Mathalone, Justin Eshak, Michael Rapino, Paul Tollett, Linda Perry, Bruce Flohr, Frank Schmidt, Jo Charrington, Pete Giberga, Michelle Jubelirer, Dave Waxman, Shabs Jobanputra, and Peter Leak.
