A&R Worldwide Newsletter Vol. 918

WITH TWO WEEKS TO GO: MUSEXPO 2026 REVEALS A POWERHOUSE LINEUP OF GLOBAL MUSIC BUSINESS CREATIVES, LEADERS & COMPANIES FOR ITS 26TH EDITION — DON’T MISS IT

 

MUSEXPO “The United Nations of Music” (www.musexpo.net), the pioneering global music business conference and showcase event is just less than two weeks away, and takes place March 22 – 25, 2026, in Burbank, California.

Marking over a quarter-century of influence, MUSEXPO 2026 will highlight the A&R, publishing, sync (film, TV, gaming, brands), live, management, digital, technology, streaming, AI, data, and more as it discusses the future evolution of the music business landscape, as well as showcasing burgeoning international talent. It’s essential for those seeking to expand their knowledge, relationship network, and enhance new creative and business opportunities.

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.

Confirmed speakers for this year’s event include Adam Weitz, Vice President, Film & TV, APM Music; Alexandra Debow, CEO & Co-Founder, swsh; Alexandra Nickson, Sr. Vice President, Television Music, DreamWorks Animation; Alexi Cory-Smith, CEO & Co-Founder, Bella Figura Music; Allan Klepfisz, Chairman & CEO, FENIX360; Amanda Grocky, Head of Publishing, Format Entertainment; Amy Dunning, Vice President, Music, Netflix; Ana Capuano, Music Coordinator, American Idol; Andrew Grant, Vice President, A&R, Seeker Music; Andy Gowan, Music Creative & Production, Netflix; Anurag Rao, Founder & CEO, Chain Reactor Music & Media (India); Arnold P. Peter, Founder & Managing Partner, Peter Law Group; Aton Ben-Horin, Executive Vice President, A&R, Warner Music Group; Bekki Newton, Sr. Coordinator, Music Clearance & Licensing, Fox Sports; Bob Bowen, Worldwide Head of Music, Film & Series, Amazon MGM Studios; Chase Butters, Vice President, Sync & Ads, Concord Music Publishing; Cheapshot, Founder, The Math Club / Music Producer & Creative Director, Format Entertainment; Christian Zabala, Music Supervisor, Format Entertainment; Clark Adler, A&R Creative, Sony Music Publishing; Clive Dickens, Founder & CEO, The Meliora Company; Danica Bates, VP, Creative Music Strategy, Paramount Global; Daniel Berk, Co-Founder & CEO, MusicBox; Danny Garcia, CEO, SongTools; Dave Jordan, Founder & CEO, Format Entertainment; David O’Connor, Vice President, Artist & Business Development, Live Nation; Domenico Randazzo, Client Relations Specialist, Chartmetric; Don Parker, President, Parker Brand Strategies; Erica Farber, Former President & CEO, Radio Advertising Bureau; Eugene Galushchenko, Founder & CEO, onestop music; Fernando Gabriel, Co-Founder & CEO, StrmMusic; Gary Spivack, Sr. Executive, Eventim Live Global; Gaurav Sharma, Founder & CEO, Hook; George Garner, Editor-In-Chief, Music Week (U.K.); H. Alan Scott – Sr. Editor, Newsweek; Harri Davies, Head of A&R, The Other Songs; Jamar Richardson, Sr. Music Coordinator, Fox Sports Music; Jarred Causly, CEO & Sr. Music Supervisor, Synch Different; Jasmine White, Head of A&R Operations, N. America, Warner Chappell Music; Jason Bentley, President, Bentley Media Ventures; Jeffrey Remedios – President & CEO, REPUBLIC Collective; Jenn Tolman Hurst, Sr. Vice President, Talent Management, MDDN; Jennifer Insogna, Vice President & Head of Music 360, A+E Global; Jesper Skibsby, Founder & CEO, WARM (Worldwide Airplay Radio Monitor); Jerem Yohai, Sr. Vice President, A&R, Concord Music Publishing (U.S.); Jill McCutchan, Music Creative Production, Netflix; Jim Thacker, Owner, Kazen Music Group; Joe Brooks, A&R, Position Music; Jonathan Griffit, Co-Founder & CEO, Zooly.ai; Justin Tranter, Grammy & Golden Globe-Nominated Songwriter, Producer & Activist; Justine von Winterfeldt, Head of Music Supervision, Format Entertainment; 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; Lisa Worden, Sr. VP Rock & Alternative, iHeartMedia / Program Director, ALT 98.7 – LA’s Alternative Rock; Livy Rodriguez-Behar, Music Supervisor & Founder, Dreamboat Music; Lucas Keller, Founder & President, Milk & Honey Music + Sports; Lyndsie Chlowitz, Music Creative Executive, Live Action Original Films, Netflix; Mandar Thakur, CEO, Times Music Group (India); Marek Hojda, Board Member, Music Export Poland & President, Society of Polish Audiovisual Composers SPACe; Márton Náray, Head of SoundCzech, Czech Music Office; Mason Cooper, Music Supervisor & President, Songrunner Entertainment; Matt Pinfield, Syndicated Radio & TV Host, KCSN-KLOS, “Flashback” Westwood One; Melinda Newman, Executive Editor, West Coast & Nashville, Billboard; Melissa Stern, Director, Music Supervisor & Tech Operations, FOX Sports Music; Michael Turner, Music Supervisor & Partner, Clearly Music Services; Michaela Green, Music Creative, Feature Film, Netflix; Mio Vukovic, Sr. VP A&R & Head of Creative, Disney Music Group; Mo Ghoneim, President, Billboard U.K. & Billboard Canada / Founder, ArtsHouse Media Group (AMG); Nick Haussling, Head of Music, Walton Isaacson; Nick Robelotto, Sr. Coordinator, Music Clearance, FOX Sports Music: Nicole De La Torriente, Vice President, Music Business Affairs & Operations, FOX Sports Music; Nikhil Dwivedi, Founder & CEO, EYP Creations Pvt. Ltd. (Canada & India); Nora Felder, Music Supervisor / CEO, Picture Music Company; Paige Stokes, Music Coordinator, Dreamboat Music; Paul Rennie OBE, British Consul General, Los Angeles; Ralph Simon, Founder & Chairman, Mobilium Global; Reynold D’Silva, Founder & CEO, Silva Screen Group; Ritch Esra, Publisher & Founder, Music Registry & Co-Founder, MUBU TV; Richard Yaffa, Executive Vice President, Universal Music Group for Brands; Robert Navarro, Creative Director, APM Music; Rodrigo Contreras, Head of Sync & Creative Strategy, onestop music; Russell Manning, Senior Coordinator, Creative Music Strategy, Paramount Global; Samantha Hilscher, Music Creative & Production, Netflix; Sanjeeta Khullar, Music Coordinator, Format Entertainment; Sankar Thiagasamudram, Founder & CEO, Audeze; Sat Bisla, President & Founder, A&R Worldwide / MUSEXPO; Satya Hinduja – Artist & Founder, Alchemic Sonic Environment; Sean Mulligan, Music Supervisor, The Music Department; Shirley Halperin, Co-Editor-in-Chief, Rolling Stone; Shivam Malhotra, Founder & CEO, Malsons Media; Stephanie Urcheck, Sr. Manager, Music Supervision & Clearance, FOX Sports Music; Subramanian Iyer, Founder & CEO, Sponco; Tarsame Mittal, Founder TM & Host, The Music Podcast; Thomas Scherer, President, Global Catalog Recordings and Music Publishing North America, BMG; Tommas Arnby, Founder, Locomotion Music Group & CEO, Special Projects (worldwide manager of Yungblud); Tyler Bacon, President & CEO, Position Music, Vivek Paul, Business & Strategic Advisor to the Founder & CEO, Malsons Media, Wendy Goldstein, Chairwoman & Chief Creative Officer, Republic Records, and more. Click HERE for the current list of speakers.

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 of the most impactful creative and business leaders 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.

Your last chance to save to register to attend MUSEXPO, sign up HERE (A&R Worldwide newsletter readers can receive a 10% discount – contact dusty@anrworldwide.com for your discount code).

For details on hotel room bookings, or additional information visit www.musexpo.net, or contact info@anrworldwide.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Universal Music Group Central Europe has named Tony van de Berkt, Founder of 8Ball Music, as CEO of Universal Music Netherlands, effective immediately. He succeeds Kees van der Hoeven, who retired in December 2025, and will report to Frank Briegmann, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Central Europe and Deutsche Grammophon.

Van de Berkt has more than 25 years of music industry experience, starting at BMG International Publishing in London before serving as A&R Manager at EMI Music Netherlands. In 2006, he founded 8Ball Music, which grew into one of the Netherlands’ most successful independent music companies, developing artists such as Davina Michelle, Maan, Miss Montreal, and DI-RECT.

Beyond recorded music, van de Berkt built a diversified entertainment business, producing live concepts like Beste Zangers Live and Muziekfeest van het Jaar, and providing comprehensive artist services, including brand partnerships. UMG acquired 8Ball Music in March 2025.

Frank Briegmann, Chairman & CEO Universal Music Central Europe and Deutsche Grammophon, said, “Tony has that rare combination of entrepreneurial instinct, A&R vision, and strategic leadership. As the founder of local label 8ball, he proved his ability to align creative excellence with commercial performance, while he developed artists, brands, and live concepts with long-term impact. I am confident that under his leadership, Universal Music Netherlands will further strengthen its position as a groundbreaking force within our global network.”

Tony van de Berkt, CEO Universal Music Netherlands, added, “I’m honored to have been asked by Frank Briegmann to step into the shoes of my good friend Kees van de Hoeven and succeed him as CEO of this great company. Since my initial visit to the UMG office in Hilversum, I have been impressed by the team’s expertise and attitude across various artists and projects. Both our local and international rosters already include so many extraordinary artists, so I’m looking forward to working with our talented team to take everything to the next level.”

 

Globally acclaimed live agent Lucy Dickins departs William Morris Endeavor (WME) after seven years, stepping down from her role as Global Head of Contemporary Music and Touring.

Dickins joined WME in June 2019 as Head of the agency’s U.K. Music division after more than two decades at London-based International Talent Booking (ITB). She was promoted to Co-Head of Music in 2020 and elevated to the global role in 2022 following her relocation to Los Angeles.

Christian Muirhead, Co-Chairman, WME confirmed the news, adding that Kirk Sommer, currently Co-Head of the agency’s music division, will continue to lead the Contemporary Music business going forward.

Widely regarded as one of the most influential agents in contemporary music, Dickins has represented a roster that includes Adele, Mumford & Sons, Hot Chip, Jamie T, Little Simz, Bryan Ferry, and Mabel. At WME, she oversaw the agency’s contemporary music and touring operations across offices in Beverly Hills, New York, Nashville, London, and Sydney.

Dickins began her career as a junior product manager at U.K. independent label PWL Records before joining ITB as an assistant in the early 1990s, where she rose through the ranks to become one of the agency’s leading agents.

Her career is rooted in a prominent music industry family. Her grandfather, Percy Dickins, founded the influential British music weekly New Musical Express (NME). Her father, Barry Dickins, co-founded ITB in 1978 with a client list that included Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Her uncle, Rob Dickins, was the longtime head of Warner Music U.K., while her brother Jonathan Dickins runs September Management, whose roster includes producer Rick Rubin, Rosalía, Rex Orange County, Adele (an artist Lucy first began working with in 2005), and others.

“We wanted to share with everyone that our friend and colleague Lucy Dickins will be leaving WME,” Muirhead wrote in the internal memo.

“Over the past seven years, Lucy helped us navigate one of the most disruptive periods in the live music business. As the head of our U.K. office, she re-energized our presence in London, built a strong team, and solidified WME’s leadership in the region. Then COVID hit and she dove right in, taking on her expanded role, relocating to Los Angeles, and providing critical support to our team during an unprecedented crisis.

“On the other side of the pandemic, she led major signings, constructed innovative tour models, and brought exceptional heart and enthusiasm to our business. Kirk Sommer will continue to lead the Contemporary Music division moving forward, and we will keep you posted with further updates. Please join us in wishing Lucy the best in her next chapter.”

Kirk Sommer is also the recipient of this year’s prestigious “International Music Person of the Year” award at MUSEXPO and will be honored during a special awards ceremony at the event. He will also be interviewed at MUSEXPO by Shirley Halperin, Co-Editor-In Chief, Rolling Stone.

 

 

 

Critically acclaimed Slovakian-born singer, songwriter, and actress Karin Ann opens a powerful new chapter with “all my money,” a striking single that sharpens her signature fusion of indie, folk, pop, and cinematic rock into something both intimate and commanding. The track follows “i was never yours,” which earned thousands of global spins and widespread U.S. radio support, including KCSN Los Angeles, WXRV Boston, KINK Portland, WRAL Raleigh, KCLC St. Louis, WRLT Nashville, and more, and she also recently hit No.35 on the Billboard AAA chart, making another milestone in Karin Ann’s growing international impact. Following her debut album through the telescope, praised by NME as “a confident and unflinching debut,” Karin Ann continues to evolve as a fearless storyteller. On “all my money,” she pairs poetic vulnerability with emotional precision, weaving rich alternative textures with the cultural influences of her Central European and Middle Eastern heritage. The result is expansive yet deeply personal, balancing fragility with quiet defiance. With over 25 million streams and screen appearances in The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Orion, Karin Ann is building a world that transcends genre and medium. “all my money” stands as another bold step forward, raw, resonant, and unmistakably her own. Enjoy “all my money” HERE as Karin Ann prepares for her MUSEXPO Los Angeles showcase at S.I.R. Hollywood on Sunday, March 22nd. For more information and to learn about available opportunities with Karin Ann, please contact George Trabelssie for all opportunities worldwide pertaining to Karin Ann.

 

WARNER MUSIC GROUP SIGNS MUSIC PARTNERSHIP WITH MAINSTREAM: Warner Music has entered into a music partnership with MAINSTREAM, the South Korean agency behind artists including Lee Young Ji and Kik5o. Launching the collaboration is Lee Young Ji’s new single, “Robot,” marking the first co-production release under the agreement. The deal reflects Warner Music’s ongoing commitment to working together with leading local teams in South Korea to champion exceptional talent and co-create music designed for global impact. By combining local expertise with international reach, the partnership aims to amplify Korean artists on the world stage. Through the alliance, Warner Music will collaborate closely with MAINSTREAM across artist development, production, and promotional strategy, supporting the long-term global growth of its roster. With its worldwide network, Warner Music is well-positioned to help Lee Young Ji and Kik5o connect with broader international audiences. A breakout force in Korean pop and rap, Lee Young Ji rose to prominence after winning Mnet‘s Show Me The Money 11 and High School Rapper 3. Her charting tracks, including “Small Girl,” “Day and Night,” “I’m Lee Young Ji,” “Go High,” “Not Sorry,” “Witch,” and “Dejavu,” highlight her versatility and distinctive artistry. Beyond music, she has also established herself as a cultural personality, notably as host of the viral YouTube series No Prepare and as an MC across various television programs.

 

KOBALT SIGNS GLOBAL PUBLISHING AGREEMENT WITH SYNC MUSIC: Sync Music Global has entered into a new partnership with Kobalt Music Group for worldwide sub-publishing and administration. Through the agreement, Kobalt will manage the global administration of Sync Music Global’s catalog and roster of songwriters and producers. The deal also establishes a joint venture between the two companies, allowing them to collaborate on future writer signings and support Sync Music Global’s growth into new creative markets. Founded by U.K. rapper Avelino alongside music executives Gautier Mukuna and Rowland Ashitey, Sync Music Global has emerged as one of the U.K.’s most progressive independent publishers, spotlighting culturally influential writers, producers, and artists from the underground to global stages. Its roster includes talents such as Blanco, Black Sherif, One Acen, JB Scofield, and Kyile Evans, while producers like Anitiwave, known for the double-platinum hit “Jumanji” by B Young, are also part of its creative network. Recognized for its strong sync capabilities, the company has secured placements across films, TV, gaming, and brand campaigns. Notable projects include The Equalizer 3 (trailer), Tomb Raider, the hit TV series Power, and global gaming franchises such as FIFA, NBA 2K24, and UFC 3, along with custom music campaigns for brands including True Religion and Manchester United. “The team at Sync Music has established themselves as a major player in music publishing, and we are thrilled to bring them into the Kobalt family,” said Kenny McGoff, Head of Creative U.K. & GSA for Kobalt.

 

LEGACY PUBLISHING DEBUTS WITH CATALOG FEATURING AALIYAH, MISSY ELLIOTT: Legacy Publishing, has launched following the acquisition of the Blackground/Black Fountain Publishing catalog. Led by veteran executive Chaka Zulu with partners Paris Kirk and Boikai Cummings, the company will manage a catalog of more than 800 songs, including key works from Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, and Timbaland, along with collaborations featuring Jay-Z, Drake, Lil Wayne, and Nas. Based in Atlanta, GA with additional operations in Los Angeles, London, and Johannesburg, the company aims to revitalize the catalog through partnerships, financing, and asset management. Backed by investors across music, sports, and business, including John Wall, Nyema Tubman, Courtney Stewart, Tunde Balogun, Ty Baisden, and Brent Faiyaz, Legacy Publishing has already begun activating the catalog. Since the acquisition, 15 new songs sampling their works have been released, generating more than 726 million streams on Spotify. These include tracks like “CN Tower” by PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake, “WASSUP” by Young Miko, “Somebody” by Latto, “JT Coming” by JT, “Open Invite” by Teyana Taylor and Kaytranada, and “All the Signs” by Don Toliver. The company has also released “GONE,” a previously unheard collaboration between Aaliyah and Tank, along with an EDM remix of “Jackie Brown” by Brent Faiyaz that has surpassed 334 million Spotify streams. Legacy Publishing has further expanded the catalog’s reach through sync placements across film, television, gaming, and advertising, including Drake’s “Look What You’ve Done” in the Hulu series Reasonable Doubt, “WASSUP” by Young Miko in EA Sports FC 26 and a campaign by Nike, “Your Body” by Pretty Ricky in an Oreo commercial, and a dance emote in Fortnite set to “JT Coming” by JT.

 

CHARLIE PUTH JOINS AI MUSIC CREATION PLATFORM MOISES AS CHIEF MUSIC OFFICER: Charlie Puth has been named Chief Music Officer of AI-powered music platform Moises, the startup known for bringing Whitney Houston‘s vocals back to the stage in a live concert experience last year. Backed by $52 million (USD) in venture funding, Moises operates globally across the U.S., Brazil, and Europe, serving more than 70 million users in 33 languages. Unlike prompt-based AI song generators, the company emphasizes that it does not create full tracks. Instead, it develops licensed, professional-grade tools that enable musicians to isolate vocals and instruments, detect chords and song structure, and experiment with arrangements, enhancing, rather than replacing, the creative process. In his new role, Puth will help steer the platform’s creative and product vision, ensuring its tools reflect real-world artist workflows. To mark the partnership, Puth and Moises have launched a global remix competition tied to Super Bowl LX, following his recent national anthem performance. The Moises Jam Session invites fans to remix or cover his new single “Beat Yourself Up” from his forthcoming album Whatever’s Clever!, with access to exclusive stems via the app. Puth will personally choose the winning entries, with finalists competing for $100,000 in cash and prizes, signed merchandise, and a backstage meet-and-greet at his May 29th show at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

 

MC MENOK SIGNS WITH WARNER MUSIC: Warner Music Brazil has officially announced the signing of MC MenoK, one of the fastest-rising stars in Brazilian funk. The deal arrives at a milestone moment for the artist, who has just become the most-streamed male performer in Brazil on Spotify, surpassing 23 million monthly listeners and accumulating more than 600 million streams across his catalog on the platform. MenoK’s latest release, “Lembrei de Tu,” featuring Oruam and Fepache, surged into the Top 10 of the Spotify Brazil charts during its first week. The track follows the success of “Posso Até Não te Dar Flores,” which topped charts across Brazil and Portugal and climbed to No. 9 on the Spotify Global Chart, accumulating more than 200 million streams so far. Born Kauan Soares in Porto Alegre in southern Brazil, MC MenoK built his reputation through vivid storytelling about life in Brazil’s urban communities. His music merges southern funk influences with the iconic sound of Rio de Janeiro funk, creating a style that stands out in the genre. Early tracks like “Camisa do Grêmio” and “Camisa do Flamengo” helped establish his signature aesthetic, and he continues to hold a steady presence on Spotify’s Top 200 charts, demonstrating the lasting appeal of his music. Leila Oliveira, President of Warner Music Brazil, said, “The signing of MC MenoK marks an important moment for Warner Music. He is an artist with a strong identity, a highly authentic perspective, and a significant reach – qualities that make him one of the most relevant names in today’s scene. Urban music is a core pillar of our strategy, and its creative strength in Brazil is reflected in talents such as MenoK. We are excited to partner with him to further grow his career, strengthening the presence of funk in Brazil and around the world.”

 

7WALLACE STRIKES PARTNERSHIP WITH MASS APPEAL RECORDS: Independent label 7Wallace, founded by Idris Elba, has entered a strategic partnership with Mass Appeal Records, the label led by Nas. The collaboration will focus on co-releases, cross-market distribution, and original content spanning music, film, media, and live experiences, strengthening ties between the U.K. and U.S. hip-hop scenes. The partnership builds on their previous work together on Slick Rick‘s album VICTORY, which also inspired the visual project VICTORY (The Film) directed by Meji Alabi and showcased at festivals including Tribeca Film Festival and SXSW. As the label expands, 7Wallace has also appointed Char Grant as A&R Director to help drive its next phase of artist development. Rachel Prager, Head of Music at 7Wallace, commented, “The synergy between 7Wallace and Mass Appeal is clear – we have a shared respect for rap culture, for legacy, and for doing things with integrity – which makes them the right partner as we enter this new era. Every release in this next phase is intentional; we will honor the foundation and longevity created by our U.K. rap pioneers, while also capturing the raw, grassroots energy of the scene. We’re investing in artists who shape culture.”

 

UNDERPLAY LAUNCHES LABEL WITH GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION FROM VIRGIN MUSIC: Underplay has launched a new label division, Underplay Recordings, which will be distributed globally through an exclusive partnership with Virgin Music Group. The move expands on an established working relationship between the two companies. Previous collaborations have included campaigns for Art School Girlfriend via Fiction Records, Antony Szmierek through Mushroom, and Lynks with Ingrooves. Under the new arrangement, all releases from Underplay Recordings will now be handled worldwide by Virgin Music Group. The first act signed to the label is the Leeds-based quartet Bathing Suits, who debut on the imprint with their new single “Empathy.” The band have already attracted early support from tastemakers including Steve Lamacq at BBC Radio 6 Music, Emily Pilbeam at BBC Introducing, as well as coverage from So Young, Rolling Stone, COLD Magazine, and KEXP, among others. Underplay was founded in 2016 by Chris Bellam, initially operating as a promotions company specialising in radio and TV plugging. Bellam, who previously worked at Beggars/XL, has been active in the music industry since 2001, collaborating with a wide range of artists, producers, and managers. In 2018, Mike Hale joined the company as Head of Radio after working at the MOBO Awards, having previously partnered with Bellam to book FKA Twigs for the ceremony. The company marked its biggest year yet in 2025, highlighted by the radio and TV launch of Cameron Winter from Geese as a solo artist. His album Heavy Metal secured four playlists at BBC Radio 6 Music, along with a performance on Later… With Jools Holland. Further expansion came in April 2025 when Ethan Beer joined as Head of Press from Satellite 414. In addition to overseeing his own artist management roster, Beer brings experience spanning music, fashion, and lifestyle PR.

 

WARNER MUSIC GROUP’S ROBERT KYNCL POSTS LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS: Just months into 2026, the global music industry continues to show sustained growth and long-term momentum, according to an update from Warner Music Group (WMG)‘s Robert Kyncl. Kyncl pointed to record-breaking streaming figures and increasing revenue predictability as key indicators of the sector’s strength. Global on-demand audio streams reached 5.1 trillion in 2025, underscoring music’s continued expansion as a dominant media category. With subscriber growth ongoing and pricing power improving across digital service providers, the recorded music market is projected to reach $55 billion by 2035, supported by an estimated 1.5 billion paid subscribers worldwide. Against that backdrop, Kyncl outlined a three-pronged strategy for 2026 and beyond: growing market share, increasing the overall value of music, and improving operational efficiency. To grow its share, the company plans to expand its global repertoire, strengthen catalog performance, and pursue high-quality acquisitions. To elevate music’s value, WMG is focused on pricing evolution, artist-centric monetization models, superfan segmentation, and direct digital licensing initiatives. On efficiency, the company continues to leverage technology transformation, streamlined operations, and margin expansion efforts to drive stronger financial performance. Kyncl also emphasized artificial intelligence as both an accelerant and an opportunity. The company said it is actively developing ethical frameworks, protecting artists’ rights, and creating licensed monetization models that position AI as a complement to, not a replacement for, human creativity. In an increasingly saturated content environment, WMG believes trusted brands, authentic artistry, and iconic catalogs will become even more valuable. With structural growth elements in place and a sharpened strategic focus, Kyncl signaled confidence in his ability to help lead the next phase of the global music business while expanding value for artists, songwriters, partners, and shareholders.

 

CREATE MUSIC GROUP SECURES MORE THAN $450M FOR CONTINUED EXPANSION: Create Music Group has closed a new funding round valuing the company at $2.2 billion (USD), raising more than $450 million in combined equity and debt to fuel its next phase of growth. The company remains majority-owned by its founders, with minority stakes held by Ares Management, 2 Mile, and Flexpoint Ford. Truist Securities and Banc of California acted as joint lead arrangers on the expanded financing. The raise follows Create’s $300 million-plus strategic investment in Nettwerk Music Group. Since launching in 2015, Create has operated as an owner-operator of labels, catalogs, and creative businesses, combining proprietary technology, data analytics, digital marketing, and strategic capital deployment. In the past year alone, the company has invested more than $500 million across acquisitions, advances, and growth initiatives. Its portfolio includes independent labels and catalog companies that retain operational independence while leveraging Create’s global platform, such as Monstercat, !K7 Music, Cr2 Records, and Mau5trap. “At a time when the future of media, technology, and creative ownership is being rewritten, we’ve become the definitive platform for the music and media industries’ most visionary entrepreneurs,” said Jonathan Strauss, Co-Founder and CEO, Create Music Group. “This capital will not only accelerate our roadmap, expanding our footprint in media, IP, and technology, but also empower our partners to build generational businesses that redefine culture and value creation across the global entertainment ecosystem.”

 

FORMER AWAL & DEFECTED EXECUTIVES LAUNCH HUMANCULTURE: HumanCulture, is set to launch in summer 2026, aiming to deliver predictive, data-driven insights for creators, artists, labels, agencies, and brands. Founded by Tim Waine and Tom Macdonald, the platform aims to go beyond traditional social analytics by analyzing qualitative cultural signals, including imagery, video, captions, and audience commentary, alongside quantitative performance data. HumanCulture will forecast performance and identify the cultural drivers of audience response before content goes live. During pilot phases, the company reports prediction accuracy rates between 82% and 90%, with clients seeing engagement increases ranging from 50% to 500%. In its first year, HumanCulture has already secured adoption across music and brand sectors, with clients and partners including M&C Saatchi, Believe, Defected Records, Jamie xx, JAECOO, and PHA Group. Additional projects have involved Concord Music Publishing, Young Recordings, Romy, and Tinie Tempah. The platform evaluates narrative themes, emotional tone, persona traits, and cultural alignment to support campaign planning, strategic validation, and long-term brand positioning. Following the closure of its first funding round at the end of 2025, HumanCulture is now scaling its platform after completing a series of paid pilots and early client engagements. Co-founder Tim Waine, during his time at Defected Records, oversaw global licensing and sync operations across the company’s portfolio before moving to BEN Labs, where he led international talent and IP partnerships involving cultural figures such as Buzz Aldrin and Daniel Craig. In 2021, he launched Independent Culture, advising companies including Pernod Ricard, Highsnobiety, and Champion on creative and commercial collaborations within music and culture. Joining him as co-founder is Tom Macdonald, who most recently served as Director of Strategic Marketing & Brand Partnerships at AWAL, where he led U.K. and European brand strategy for Little Simz and Jungle. Earlier roles at Songs Music Publishing, Soho Music Group, and Ultra Records helped shape his expertise across publishing, sync, and global campaigns.

 

PIPELINE ACQUIRES CATALOG VALUATION SERVICE CLARTY PARTNERS: Music finance platform Pipeline has acquired the core assets and intellectual property of Clarty Partners, strengthening its underwriting and analytics capabilities in the music IP space. Clarty, founded in 2023 by former senior BMG executives Stéphane Hubert and Pierre Suignard, developed proprietary valuation technology, royalty ingestion systems, and financial modeling tools used to assess music catalogs and support M&A advisory services. The deal transfers Clarty’s technology and analytical infrastructure into Pipeline’s platform, while excluding any confidential client data from past projects. By integrating Clarty’s institutional-grade valuation methodologies, already utilized in multiple catalog transactions, Pipeline enhances its ability to structure music advances and asset-backed deals aligned with leading IP funds and catalog acquirers. As part of the transaction, Hubert and Suignard will join Pipeline to lead its investment underwriting division focused on independent music, with Hubert also taking a seat on the company’s Investment Committee. Pipeline was founded by Jamen Capital, a global media and IP-focused investment firm. Over the past year, the company has built a leadership team spanning music, finance, and technology, with collective experience evaluating or operating more than $8 billion in music intellectual property.

 

NORMAN FEELS CATALOG TO BE ON DSPS VIA JV BETWEEN KMG DISTRIBUTION AND THE ROYALTY NETWORK: Norman Feels‘ long-hidden catalog is coming to digital streaming platforms for the first time, decades after his music lived mainly through samples used by artists like Freddie Gibbs, Nas, DMX, and Ghostface Killah. Through a partnership between KMG Distribution and The Royalty Network, who acquired all master and publishing rights, Norman Feels’ estate is reintroducing his soulful, funk- and R&B-infused catalog to a new audience. Originally released in limited pressings, his recordings became cult favorites among DJs, crate diggers, and producers for their emotive arrangements, deep grooves, and musical warmth. Now, listeners can explore the original works behind iconic hip-hop samples, including the first three tracks dropping April 3: “You Can’t Stop My Love” (sampled by Ghostface Killah and Theophilus London featuring Kanye West) and “Everything Is Going Our Way” (sampled by 9th Wonder and others), showcasing the enduring influence of an artist whose music quietly shaped modern music culture. Frank Liwall, CEO of Royalty Network & President of KMG Distribution, said, “We’re thrilled to be in a position to steward this extraordinary and quietly influential body of work. Norman Feels deserves to be heard by new generations, and we’re honored that his family has entrusted the Royalty Network and KMG to preserve and share his legacy with the world.”

 

SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING UPS MICHAEL RIGGS TO SR. VP, LICENSING & INCOME TRACKING: Sony Music Publishing has elevated Michael Riggs to Sr. Vice President, Licensing and Income Tracking, effective immediately. Based in the company’s Nashville office, Riggs will continue reporting to Dale Esworthy, EVP of Worldwide Administration. In his expanded role, Riggs will oversee efforts to strengthen tracking infrastructure and improve matching processes across digital licensing deals in the US and internationally. He will also maintain leadership of the company’s licensing, sync administration, global income tracking, and client audit teams. A nearly 30-year veteran of Sony Music Publishing, Riggs began his tenure as an income tracking analyst and has since been instrumental in advancing the company’s digital royalty tracking, collection, and licensing operations. Michael Riggs said, “I’m honored to work alongside such exceptional leaders and colleagues at SMP, who care deeply about our people and songwriters. I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I look forward to advancing our support for our incredible songwriters and clients in this new role.” Dale Esworthy, Sony Music Publishing, EVP Worldwide Administration, added, “Michael’s unwavering persistence in the digital space has strengthened our ability to collect more, collect faster, and ensure timely payments to our songwriters. His relentless pursuit of unpaid royalties and leadership in licensing emerging revenue streams have been invaluable to our mission, and I am thrilled to recognize him with this promotion.”

 

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