WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC NAMES EDWARD MATTHEW AS VP INTERNATIONAL A&R & HEAD OF CREATIVE, SCANDINAVIA
Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has named Edward Matthew as VP of International A&R and Head of Creative for WCM Scandinavia. The music executive and entrepreneur will be based in Stockholm, reporting to both Shani Gonzales, Managing Director of WCM U.K. and Head of International A&R, and Lars Karlsson, Managing Director of WCM Scandinavia.
In this combined role, Matthew brings a track record of cross-border collaboration and an entrepreneurial edge to WCM’s worldwide creative efforts. His focus will be on forging international partnerships and using his reputation as a connector to link WCM’s roster with opportunities across Warner Music Group’s global network.
Matthew’s ties to the region run deep. After moving from the U.S. to Sweden, he quickly established himself as a key player in Europe’s creative landscape. In 2019, he launched Lilly Raye Music, a publishing and management company that entered a joint venture with WCM that same year. The company has since become a significant force in nurturing Scandinavian songwriting talent and connecting it with the world stage. Under Matthew’s leadership, Lilly Raye Music had a standout year in 2024, earning three Grammy nominations, notching more than ten Swedish number-one hits, and collaborating with global artists including BANKS, Doechii, GloRilla, and FLO.
Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO, Warner Chappell Music, said, “Edward is a rare talent who understands the fluidity of the global music scene. He has an incredible ability to identify world-class creative talent and provide them with the infrastructure to scale globally. We have seen what he has built with Lilly Raye and bringing his sharp A&R instincts and enterprising spirit more deeply into our international A&R fold is a win for our entire global roster.”
Edward Matthew, VP, International A&R & Head of Creative, WCM Scandinavia, commented, “My mission has always been to build a creative ecosystem that empowers songwriters to transcend borders. Music is a global language, and Sweden is at the heart of that conversation. I am incredibly excited to join Guy, Lars, Shani, and the entire Chappell team to make my vision a reality and create meaningful moments for our writers and artists.”
GLOBAL TALENT AGENT LUCY DICKINS TO JOIN CAA
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has confirmed that respected global booking agent Lucy Dickins will be coming on board in mid-April, following her widely noted exit from WME last week after seven years with the agency.
Dickins will join CAA’s Managing Director committee while continuing to work directly with some of music’s biggest names. At WME, she spent four years as Global Head of Contemporary Music and Touring, overseeing the agency’s music business across offices in Beverly Hills, New York, Nashville, London, and Sydney. Los Angeles-based Dickins is widely respected for the depth and longevity of her artist relationships, most notably her long-standing work with Adele and Mumford & Sons, both of whom she supported from the preliminary stages of their careers.
Her path into the industry began at an independent U.K. record label before she joined her father Barry Dickins‘ International Talent Booking (ITB) agency in 1999. She made the move to WME in 2019 and relocated to the U.S. in 2022 upon being elevated to her global leadership role. Her contributions to the industry have not gone unrecognized, in 2023, she received the U.K. Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS), one of the sector’s most prestigious honors, celebrating her lasting impact on live music and artist representation.
“Lucy is a tremendous business leader and exceptional agent, with a deep understanding of talent and what it takes to help them realize their most ambitious goals,” said CAA Co-Chairman & CEO Bryan Lourd. “She is a dynamic, thoughtful, and hands-on leader with invaluable global management experience, creativity, and strategic insight. We look forward to collaborating with her across all divisions of our company.”
“I’m really excited to be joining CAA,” said Lucy Dickins. “I have long admired the vision and leadership of the company and the incredible team behind it. What matters most to me is the opportunity to continue building deep creative partnerships with artists and helping them realize their ambitions on a global stage.”
UNIVERSAL MUSIC NORDICS RESTRUCTURES LEADERSHIP TEAM
Universal Music Nordics, part of Universal Music Central Europe, has announced a new operational structure under its “One Nordic” model, unifying its teams across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Baltics. Moving away from a country-specific leadership approach, the new model creates a single cross-Nordic setup designed to maximize expertise, resources, and cultural collaboration, with President Joakim Johansson continuing to lead the region and reporting to Frank Briegmann, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Central Europe & Deutsche Grammophon.
The structure centers on four vertically integrated divisions: Recorded Music (led by Bjørn Rogstad), Live Entertainment (Jimmi Riise), Artist Management & D2C (Casper Bengtson), and Creative & Commercial Services (Jael Steinberg), supported by Finance (Erik Backman) and People, Inclusion & Culture (Martha Åhlund). Universal says the One Nordic model will enhance scale, agility, and regional collaboration while giving artists greater visibility across European and global markets. Each division will leverage a shared Nordic services platform for access to expertise, data, and capabilities across all markets.
Frank Briegmann said, “One Nordic is a bold and forward-looking step that reflects both the strength of the region and its ambition to lead. By moving beyond country-based structures and embracing a unified regional operating model, Universal Music Nordics is setting a new benchmark for how we scale expertise, unlock collaboration, and deliver even greater impact for artists across the region and Europe.”
Joakim Johansson added, “I would like to congratulate my colleagues on their new roles as we take this next step together. With One Nordic, we are changing how we build and run music entertainment across the Nordic region. This reflects how artists create, fans engage, and how the business needs to operate in our region today. By removing silos and working as one team, we can move faster, think bigger, and create more impact for artists and fans alike. I am confident this model is better for our artists, better for their fans, and better for the people in our team building the future of our business.”
CONCORD ACQUIRES NINJA TUNE RECORDS INCLUDING MUSIC PUBLISHING ARM JUST ISN’T MUSIC
Concord has acquired the U.K. independent label Ninja Tune. The Ninja Tune team will join Concord while the label continues to operate under its current leadership, including Peter Quicke, Marie Clausen, Dawn Dobson, Martin Dobson, Adrian Kemp, Tess Kendall, and Samantha Sissons, operating from its existing U.K. and U.S. offices.
Founded in 1990 by Matt Black and Jonathan More (also known as Coldcut), Ninja Tune has been a leading force in the independent music scene for more than three decades. Over the years, it has released music from artists including Bonobo, Bicep, Floating Points, Flying Lotus, Kae Tempest, Little Dragon, Peggy Gou, Run The Jewels, Young Fathers, ODESZA, Roots Manuva, and many others.
The deal also includes Ninja Tune’s publishing arm, Just Isn’t Music, whose catalog features works from artists such as The Prodigy, Soulwax, and Nova Twins. With Concord’s global infrastructure behind it, Ninja Tune is expected to expand its international reach while continuing its long-standing focus on innovative independent music.
“Over three decades, the team at Ninja Tune has built a label dedicated to independent artistry,” said Bob Valentine, CEO, Concord. “Their amazing roster, and the team’s ambition to continue to grow Ninja Tune, seamlessly align with our vision for Concord’s expanding frontline reach. These attributes, alongside the opportunity to greatly expand Concord’s U.K. and European operations, made this acquisition an obvious strategic fit. I am eager to see our collective vision take form.”
Tom Becci, CEO, Concord Label Group, added, “I am beyond excited to welcome Ninja Tune and their stellar roster of artists to Concord. With their team on board, we are even better situated today to deliver on behalf of independent artists everywhere – increasing their reach and helping them find new audiences with whom their music resonates, no matter where in the world that audience exists.
Financial and tax advisory for Concord was provided by KPMG Tax and Via Artis Advisors. Ninja Tune was advised on the transaction by Jeremy Tracey and Mando Chastouki of Casini Corporate Finance, along with Ed Waldron and Bryce Bartlett of Taylor Wessing.
AEG INTERNATIONAL’S GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS TEAM MAKES KEY APPOINTMENTS
AEG International‘s Global Partnerships division, the arm of AEG responsible for sponsorship and premium seating, has announced nine senior promotions as part of a broader team restructure aimed at strengthening partner relationships and improving alignment across its growing global operations.
Leading the promotions is Georgina Iceton, who steps into the role of Sr. Vice President, Global Partnerships at AEG International after 18 years with the organization. She will champion cross-market brand strategy and fan engagement while continuing to oversee partnerships across AEG International’s U.K. assets, including The O2.
Will Dowdy has been elevated to Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships at AEG Presents, taking charge of partnership sales across the company’s UK and France venues, tours, and festivals. Drawing on more than 15 years at AEG, he will identify new commercial opportunities for both AEG Presents and its clients.
Matthew Zweck moves into the role of Senior Vice President, AEG Global Partnerships, with responsibility for the company’s Asia Pacific assets and newly added oversight of the Middle East. Operating out of Australia, Zweck has been a key figure in building partnerships across a growing regional portfolio that includes IG Arena in Nagoya, UOB Live in Bangkok, and Mercedes-Benz Arena Shanghai.
Rounding out the promotions, six team members have been elevated to Vice President level with expanded responsibilities: Laura Palairet, Matt Botten, and Liana Mellotte will focus on U.K. venues under AEG International, with Mellotte also heading up AXS partnership sales; Ollie Blake will drive Global Partnerships strategy for AEG International; and Carla Morini and Katie Cavanagh will lead Global Partnerships across AEG Presents U.K.’s venues, festivals, and events.
MUSEXPO 2026 KICKS OFF NEXT WEEK AND REVEALS A POWERHOUSE LINEUP OF GLOBAL MUSIC BUSINESS LEADERS, CREATIVES & COMPANIES FOR ITS 26TH EDITION – DON’T MISS IT
With less than one week to go until the global music community converges in Burbank, momentum is rapidly building for the 26th edition of MUSEXPO 2026 – widely known throughout the worldwide music industry as “The United Nations of Music.”
Taking place March 22 – 25, 2026 in Burbank, CA, the pioneering global music business conference and showcase continues its more than quarter-century tradition of bringing together the executives, creatives, innovators, and entrepreneurs shaping the future of the international music ecosystem.
Founded by Sat Bisla, President & Founder of A&R Worldwide, MUSEXPO has long been recognized as one of the few truly global forums where the worlds of A&R, publishing, sync licensing (film, TV, gaming and brands), live touring, management, technology, streaming, digital, marketing, distribution, radio, media, data, and more intersect. As the industry evolves at an unprecedented speed, the event offers a rare opportunity for professionals to exchange insights, build meaningful relationships, and discover new creative and commercial opportunities.
This year’s edition features an extraordinary lineup of senior executives and influential creatives representing many of the most impactful companies in music, media, and entertainment, including Netflix, Amazon MGM Studios, Warner Music Group, Republic Records, Concord Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Sony Music Entertainment, FOX Sports, Paramount Global, DreamWorks Animation, Format Entertainment, A+E Global, Disney Music Group, Live Nation, WME, iHeartMedia, PRG, APM Music, BMG, Seeker Music, Position Music, FENIX360, Audacy, Chartmetric, Onestop Music, Position Music, Zooly.ai, and many others operating across the global music, film, television, brand, technology, and live entertainment sectors.
Among the confirmed participants are some of the industry’s most respected voices including Wendy Goldstein, Chairwoman & Chief Creative Officer of Republic Records; Lucas Keller, Founder & President, Milk & Honey Music + Sports; Bob Bowen, Worldwide Head of Music for Film & Series at Amazon MGM Studios; Thomas Scherer, President, Global Catalog Recordings and Music Publishing North America, BMG; and Grammy and Golden Globe-nominated songwriter, producer and activist Justin Tranter, to name but a few of the almost 100 speakers participating at this year’s event.
Beyond its influential panel discussions and keynote conversations, MUSEXPO is also a renowned destination for networking and building key business and creative relationships, and for highlighting emerging global talent – offering attendees the opportunity to discover tomorrow’s breakout artists while engaging directly with the executives who help shape the global music marketplace.
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/Global Head of Contemporary 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 2026 event program.
With the highly anticipated Global Sync Summit and A&R Summit also returning as part of its extensive program, MUSEXPO 2026 promises four days of invaluable knowledge, discovery, and relationship-building at the highest levels of the global music business.
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 for the event.
Your last chance to register to attend MUSEXPO, sign up HERE.
For details on hotel room bookings, or additional information visit www.musexpo.net, or contact info@anrworldwide.com.
Each week, A&R Worldwide shares a snapshot of creatives and executives that we have collaborated or worked with in various music markets around the world, albeit in recent or previous times!
A&R Worldwide has helped many events around the world with curation of their showcase and conference programming, as well as bringing together some of its key relationships to take part in various events on multiple continents worldwide. From Australia, France, New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, Canada, U.K., India, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Japan, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, China, Bulgaria, Holland, Norway, Denmark, and beyond – A&R Worldwide’s international impact and reach knows no geographical boundaries.
With Finland’s Is This It conference in Helsinki, A&R Worldwide collaborated with its then Director, Paulina Ahokas, who oversaw Music Export Finland (now Music Finland) by bringing together top international A&R, publishing, sync, radio, media, management, and creative minds to future-cast the pathway ahead for the global music business.
The multi-day event helped craft some innovative ideas on building solutions for various sectors of the worldwide music business, as well as bringing together some unique relationships that fostered some strong creative and business relationships that to this day still permeate around the globe.
MIA WRAY
Fresh off a breakout year and recently opening stadiums for Ed Sheeran, Melbourne, Australia powerhouse Mia Wray returns with her stirring new single “When We Were Young.” The synth-driven pop anthem captures the bittersweet moment when once-inseparable friendships quietly drift apart, a reflection on growing up, following your instincts, and accepting that not everything can stay the same. Written in Los Angeles with Jack Klenick (grentperez, LAUREL) and Alexandra Veltri, and produced by Scott Horscroft (Empire of the Sun, DMA’S, Middle Kids), the track pairs shimmering pop production with Mia’s unmistakable voice, soulful, powerful, and emotionally direct. As Mia puts it, “‘ When We Were Young’ is kind of like my Peter Pan song. I have a challenging time accepting that people grow up and move on. I wish everything could just stay the same forever.” The release continues a remarkable run for Mia following her acclaimed debut album hi, it’s nice to meet me, which earned an ARIA nomination for Breakthrough Artist and a shortlist for the Australian Music Prize. With over 50 million streams, support from outlets like triple j, BBC Radio 1, and Elton John, and tours alongside artists including Maisie Peters, Vance Joy, and DMA’S, Mia has quickly become one of Australia’s most compelling new voices. Discover “When We Were Young” HERE, and contact Madeleine O’Gorman for all available opportunities on behalf of Mia Wray.
SHOBSY
Irish pop powerhouse Shobsy returns with “OH!,” a groove-laden, falsetto-fueled anthem that further cements his place as one of the most exciting new voices in modern pop. Already tipped by Hot Press as a future contender for “Pop’s top table” alongside Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi, and Sam Smith, Shobsy is proving that the hype is very real. Blending synth-pop shimmer with sleek R&B undertones, “OH!” channels the genre-fluid spirit of George Michael, David Bowie, and The Weeknd, wrapped in Shobsy’s unmistakable vocal firepower. The release follows a breakout run that’s seen the Dublin artist perform at SXSW, tour the U.K., and Europe with SO Recordings labelmates MY BABY. While his viral acoustic rendition of “Smalltown Boy” on The Late Late Show garnered over 100,000 views within just 12 hours, his debut EP, Own The Night, has already achieved significant success, spawning radio hits such as “Dance or Cry.” This track has climbed to No. 4 on the Irish Radio Breakers Chart and earned the prestigious Track of the Week award on RTÉ 2FM. Moreover, “OH!” has received renewed support from RTÉ Radio 1‘s Recommended Playlist. Discover the visual brilliance of “OH!” HERE, as Shobsy prepares for his MUSEXPO Los Angeles showcase at S.I.R. Hollywood on Sunday, March 22nd. For more information and to learn about available worldwide opportunities with Shobsy, contact Dave Reid.
“PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Sunday, March 15th, 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.
SEAFRET – “Signal Fire” (Nettwerk, U.K.)
TOVE STYRKE – “Prayer” (Bud Fox, Sweden)
SEX MASK – “Cold” (Unsigned, Australia)
YONAKA – “Trouble Follows” (Distiller Records, U.K.)
BALU BRIGADA – “Backseat” (Warner Music Group, Australasia)
GIRL SCOUT – “Operator” (AWAL, Sweden)
MAX ALLAIS – “Everywhere” (Real Thing Records/Universal Music, New Zealand)
NEIKED FT. CIRCA WAVES – “Sweet Emotion” (Columbia Records, Germany)
LOUIS OLIVER – “Tell Me” (Unsigned, U.K.)
LUSAINT – “Shoot You Dead” (Heavenly Fire, U.K.)
CHANIN – “Whisper” (Universal Music, Germany)
OVERPASS – “Union Station” (Communion Records, U.K.)
VELLA – “Somebody Else” (Universal Music, Sweden)
RED RUM CLUB – “American Nights & English Mornings” (Modern Sky, U.K.)
KARIN ANN – “All My Money” (3AM Records, Slovakia)
AINA – “Soon You’ll Be Mine” (Unsigned, U.S.)
D’MASIV – “Side By Side” (Unsigned, Indonesia)
GIRLI – “Slap on The Wrist” (Virgin EMI Records, U.K.)
RUEL – “Only Ever” (Giant Music, Australia)
SOLYA – “Born Wicked” (Version III, U.S.)
CAMBER – “Paranoia” (Fierce Panda, U.K.)
KID KAPICHI – “Worst Kept Secret” (Spinefarm, U.K.)
MICHAEL ALDAG – “3Minutes” (3 Beat Records, U.K.)
NEWPORT – “Slow Down” (Liberation Records, Australia)
JAMES BRUNER – “I Get Everything” (Maroon Records, N. America)
BIRD – “The Boy And The Swan” (Pop Fiction/AWAL, Belgium)
FOOL NELSON – “Bad Dreams” (AWAL, Australia)
JERUB – “Kumbaya” (Elevate Music, U.K.)
THE ENEMY – “Trouble” (Unsigned, U.K.)
PICTURE THIS – “Yours Forever” (Sony Music, Ireland)
LENNY – “Told Ya” (Unsigned, Czech Republic)
THE STARIDERS – “Hey! All The Lovers” (Unsigned, France)
FUTURE ISLANDS SIGN EXCLUSIVE GLOBAL DEAL WITH UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING: Universal Music Publishing Group has signed American synth-pop band Future Islands to an exclusive global publishing agreement. The deal covers the group’s entire catalog dating back to their formation in 2006 in Greenville, North Carolina, as well as all future works. The Baltimore-based band, comprised of Samuel T. Herring, William Cashion, Gerrit Welmers, and Michael Lowry, is managed by ATC Management. The signing follows the success of their 2024 album People Who Aren’t There Anymore, which reached the U.K. Top 10. Future Islands first gained worldwide recognition with their 2014 album Singles, led by the breakout track “Seasons (Waiting on You).” Their live performance of the song on The Late Show with David Letterman became the most-viewed music clip in the show’s history. The track remains a streaming and sync favorite, earning Gold certification in the U.S., while Singles has been certified Gold in the United Kingdom. The band has also sold out major venues around the world, including Radio City Music Hall in New York, The Greek Theatre and The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, and Alexandra Palace and O2 Academy Brixton in London. Shirin Foroutan, Sr. Vice President & General Manager, UMPG Europe, said, “It is a privilege to become the caretakers of the remarkable body of work that Sam, Mike, Gerrit, and William have created together as Future Islands. As the band celebrates its 20th anniversary, partnering with Future Islands at this moment in their journey is especially meaningful – celebrating their immense catalog, while becoming committed creative partners for their future. We are sincerely grateful for the trust that Sam, Mike, Gerrit, William, and their managers Brian Message and Bertie Gibbon have placed in us.”
QUINCY JONES ESTATE SELLS CATALOG AND ANCILLARY RIGHTS TO HARBOURVIEW: HarbourView Equity Partners has acquired a selection of music and non-music assets from the estate of legendary producer and composer Quincy Jones. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The transaction includes Jones’ recorded music and publishing interests, along with additional rights tied to his creative work, including his participation in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. HarbourView said it will also collaborate closely with the Quincy Jones Estate on future initiatives connected to Jones’ name, image, and likeness. Over the course of his career, Jones built an extraordinary legacy as a composer, producer, arranger, conductor, instrumentalist, record executive, entrepreneur, and humanitarian. He famously produced three of Michael Jackson‘s most successful albums, Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad, as well as the charity anthem “We Are the World.” Earlier in his career, Jones also made history as the first Black executive at a major U.S. record company when he became Vice President of Mercury Records in his late twenties. Born in Chicago, Jones passed away in 2024 at the age of 91. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he won 28 Grammy Awards and was named by TIME as one of the six most influential jazz artists of the 20th century. Legal counsel for HarbourView in the transaction was provided by Fox Rothschild, while the Quincy Jones Estate was represented by Gene Salomon and Don Passman of Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman.
BMG ACQUIRES A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS’ CATALOG: BMG has acquired the publishing catalog and sound recordings of 1980s British new wave band A Flock of Seagulls. The deal gives BMG ownership of the band’s publishing rights in the U.S. while also allowing it to share in global publishing income. As part of the agreement, BMG now holds worldwide ownership of the recordings for the band’s core studio albums: A Flock of Seagulls (1982), Listen (1983), The Story Of A Young Heart (1984), and Dream Come True (1986). Formed in Liverpool in 1979, the group achieved international success with their breakout hit “I Ran (So Far Away),” followed by tracks such as “Space Age Love Song” and “Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You).” Spanning four studio albums, the band built a catalog that earned major certifications across key markets and continues to reach new listeners globally, with more than three million monthly listeners on Spotify. BMG said the acquisition aligns with its strategy of investing in culturally influential catalogs with long-term global value. Dan Baxter, Sr. VP, Global Catalog Recordings, said, “A Flock of Seagulls pushed new wave into widescreen territory, pairing cinematic synths with a bold visual identity that redefined what pop could look and sound like. Their expansive, immersive records helped define the MTV era and left a clear imprint on generations of alternative and electronic artists. These recordings still resonate across generations, and we are proud to bring their ambition and atmosphere to new audiences worldwide.”
HYBE AND SPOTIFY STRIKE GLOBAL CONTENT PARTNERSHIP FOR K-POP VIDEO PODCASTS: HYBE and Spotify have joined forces in a global content partnership that will bring original K-pop video podcasts to the streaming platform. The first show born out of the collaboration is set to make its debut on March 23, with the announcement coming from both companies on March 6. Beginning in April, the content will broaden its scope beyond HYBE’s own artist roster, welcoming creators from a variety of industries to explore topics spanning music, lifestyle, and everyday life. All productions will be overseen by HYBE MEDIA STUDIO, the label’s in-house production arm with an established history across documentaries, reality series, and concert films. HYBE said, “Our new partnership marks our latest effort to offer audiences more immersive ways to engage with K-pop. With Spotify’s 751 million users and its leadership in podcast services, we plan to continue connecting with new audiences and sharing K-pop culture in innovative ways.” Gautam Talwar, Spotify’s General Manager for Asia Pacific, added, “Every day on Spotify, we see the extraordinary passion of K-pop fans around the world as they show up to support the artists they love. This partnership with HYBE is about meeting that energy by bringing fans closer to the stories and creative journeys behind the music. By bringing even more video podcasts and original storytelling on Spotify, we are creating new ways for fans to connect more deeply with the artists and culture they care about.”
RESERVOIR SIGNS EXPANDED DEAL WITH HANS ZIMMER: Reservoir Media has struck a new agreement with film composer Hans Zimmer. Since 2015, the company’s film music catalog has included the rights to a number of scores written by Zimmer. Through this new arrangement, Reservoir will manage Zimmer’s catalog via his company, Remote Control Productions‘ publishing arm, Remote Control Publishing. Over the course of his career, Zimmer has composed music for more than 200 projects across film, television, and other media. Collectively, these productions have generated over $30 billion (USD) at the global box office. The German-born composer is known for scoring major films including The Dark Knight trilogy, Gladiator, No Time To Die, Blade Runner 2049, Man of Steel, Inception, The Lion King, several installments of Pirates of the Caribbean, Dune, Dunkirk, and Interstellar. Zimmer’s work has earned numerous honors, including two Academy Awards, for The Lion King and Dune, as well as three Golden Globe Awards, five Grammy Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His music has also reached audiences worldwide through large-scale orchestral concert tours that bring his film scores to the live stage. Among Zimmer’s most recent projects are Dune: Part Two (2024) and F1 (2025). In October 2024, he also appeared alongside Reservoir Founder and CEO Golnar Khosrowshahi for a keynote discussion at The Wall Street Journal Tech Live Conference, where they explored topics such as the impact of AI on music and Zimmer’s creative approach to scoring different projects.
CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING SIGNS BAZZAZIAN: Concord Music Publishing has entered a new global agreement with German producer Bazzazian covering all of his future works. Over the past decade, Bazzazian has played a key role in shaping modern German hip-hop and contemporary music, collaborating with artists such as Apsilon, Souly, Symba, Schmyt, and longtime collaborator Haftbefehl. In 2026, he received the Best Hip-Hop Composition honor at the GEMA Songwriters Awards, recognized for tracks including “069,” “Ich Rolle Mit Meim Besten,” “RADW,” and “Lass Die Affen Aus’m Zoo.” Alongside his production career, Bazzazian has also released music as an artist through projects like Die Achse with Farhot and The Opera with Miss Platnum, most recently dropping his solo album 100Angst. The project features guest appearances from Casper, Blumengarten, OG Keemo, Brutalismus 3000, and Trettmann. Beyond music releases, Bazzazian also contributed to the Skylines series on Netflix, earning a Grimme Prize for his work. “Ben stands apart in Germany with his sound – anarchic, radical and full of unique energy,” said Adrian Hillekamp, Director A&R, Concord Music Publishing. “His productions have inspired me for a long time, and it is a great honor to accompany him on his journey. His intuition, versatility, and curiosity, combined with an ability to communicate emotion in such an unfiltered way, make this an incredibly exciting partnership. We cannot wait to explore new creative paths together – both in Germany and internationally.”
WHYNOW RECRUITS FRED CASIMIR AND DAVID BOYNE AS SENIOR ADVISORS: Whynow has named former BMG executive Fred Casimir and former Bravado Managing Director David Boyne as Senior Advisors. The London-based multimedia and production company said the appointments will help strengthen its creative and commercial capabilities as it continues to expand its artist-focused music and media platform. Founded in 2019, Whynow combines artist merchandise, digital music journalism, and documentary production within a community-driven platform. Based in Berlin, Casimir will collaborate with artists and the Whynow team to develop new partnerships and licensing opportunities across the business. Over a 35-year career in the global music industry, he spent more than 15 years at BMG, most recently serving as President of Europe and EVP of Global Repertoire and Films, where he helped shape the company’s modern structure. Boyne brings experience in merchandise, fashion, and brand partnerships. During more than 15 years at Bravado, the merchandising division of Universal Music Group, he collaborated with artists including The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Queen, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish, overseeing commercial growth across e-commerce, touring, retail, and licensing. Before his time in music merchandising, Boyne spent two decades in the fashion sector, holding senior roles at French Connection and Timberland, and later serving as Managing Director of the U.K. business for Ben Sherman. Now based in London, Boyne will work closely with Whynow’s Music Managing Director Will Spencer.
POSITION MUSIC SIGNS GLOBAL JV PUBLISHING DEAL WITH OLLIE MARLAND & PETEY MARTIN FROM THE HIT BAKERY: Tyler Bacon, Founder and CEO of Position Music, announced that the company has entered into a joint-venture publishing partnership with singer, songwriter, and producer Øllie Marland, along with songwriter-producer Petey Martin of The Hit Bakery. Marland and Martin first connected while co-writing “Chasing Paradise” by Kygo and OneRepublic. The song remained in the German Radio Top 10 for ten straight weeks, reached the Top 10 across European airplay charts, and climbed into the Top 5 on U.S. charts. Originally from the U.K., Marland has built a reputation for crafting infectious melodies, emotionally resonant lyrics, and distinctive vocals that span multiple genres. His artistry has made him an increasingly in-demand creative presence in today’s music industry. “Øllie is the kind of writer who immediately stands out — his instincts for emotion and melody, paired with his incredible work ethic and drive, make him someone you want in every room. Getting to partner with Øllie alongside our JV partner Petey Martin makes this an especially exciting signing, and we are looking forward to building something meaningful together,” said Mike Torres, A&R, Position Music.
BEATBREAD ANNOUNCES NEW APPOINTMENTS: Music financing platform beatBread has added three senior leaders as it expands funding opportunities for independent artists and labels. Christine Barnum joins as Head of Financial Operations, Michael Poole as Chief Financial Officer, and Jameson Toole as Board Advisor on AI and Machine Learning, each serving in a fractional role. Founded in 2020, beatBread provides advances to independent artists and labels backed by their music rights and revenue streams. The company says it has deployed more than $100 million (USD) across around 1,700 funding agreements since launch, with funded catalogs generating more than 67.6 billion streams worldwide. The new hires are intended to strengthen the company’s operational, financial, and technological capabilities as it continues to grow its platform and capital base. Barnum joins after nearly two decades at CD Baby, where she most recently served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Revenue Officer, helping oversee more than $1 billion in royalty payouts to artists. Poole brings more than 20 years of experience in global credit markets through roles at firms including Community Investment Management, CircleUp, and Columbia Threadneedle Investments. Meanwhile, Toole joined the company from Spotify, where he worked as a Staff Machine Learning Engineer building large-scale recommendation systems, and will advise beatBread on AI-driven data science, underwriting, and fraud detection initiatives.
WASSERMAN AGENCY REBRANDS AS THE·TEAM: Talent agency Wasserman has rebranded its agency business as The·Team, launching a new identity at the•team as it moves forward with a potential sale that could reportedly exceed $1 billion (USD). The company said the rebrand reflects the philosophy that has guided it for the past 24 years, centered on collaboration across sports, music, and entertainment. The move comes amid industry changes, including the departure of several clients such as Chappell Roan, and follows renewed attention on Founder & CEO Casey Wasserman after his name appeared in documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Wasserman said he “deeply regrets” email exchanges from 2003 with Maxwell, noting they occurred long before her crimes became public. He has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein’s victims. As the sale process continues, company President Mike Watts will serve as interim leader. Investment firm Providence Equity Partners, which became a majority investor in 2022, is expected to keep the company intact while exploring long-term strategic options. “We believe deeply in the strength of the company and have full confidence in Mike and the leadership team, as well as in the exceptional employees across the organization,” We remain fully committed to investing in its growth, expanding its capabilities across sports, music, and entertainment, and supporting the extraordinary talent, brands and properties the company is proud to represent.”
TIPS MUSIC CEO HARI NAIR TO STEP DOWN FROM INDIA’S LEADING MUSIC LABEL: Tips Music Limited has announced that CEO Hari Nair will step down effective April 30, 2026. Nair departs after transforming the iconic music label into a modern, data-driven digital powerhouse, securing major deals with Sony Music Publishing, TikTok, and renewing agreements with Warner Music, while driving consistent revenue growth. During his tenure, Nair leveraged his tech-entertainment experience from ByteDance to build a proprietary software-driven infrastructure, create a brand partnerships division, and instill high accountability across the company. Founded in 1988 by the Taurani Brothers, Tips Music has been a cornerstone of Indian music, producing legendary 1990s soundtracks such as “Khalnayak,” “Soldier,” “Coolie No.1,” “Gupt,” “Pardes,” and “Taal,” while continuing its success with contemporary hits including Raaz, the Race franchise, Ramaiya Vastavaiya, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, regional blockbusters Ponniyin Selvan 1 & 2, and recent chart-toppers like Crew, HanuMan, and the Saunkan Saunkne series. The label’s catalog spans over 34,000 “Must-Have Hits” across languages and genres, representing generations of India’s most celebrated artists, from Alka Yagnik, Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, and Sonu Nigam to today’s stars including A.R. Rahman, Diljit Dosanjh, Badshah, Arijit Singh, B Praak, and Aditya Rikhari, making it a key partner for digital platforms, streaming services, and broadcasters.
WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC RENEWS GLOBAL DEAL WITH STROMAE’S MOSAERT LABEL: Mosaert, the independent creative house and publishing company founded by iconic artist Stromae, has renewed its global administration deal with Warner Chappell Music (WCM). Led by WCM France, the agreement ensures that Stromae’s catalog, including albums like Cheese, Racine carrée, and Multitude, and Diamond-certified hits such as “Alors on Danse” and “Papaoutai,” remains represented worldwide. Stromae, renowned for blending rap, pop, afrobeat, electronica, and world music, continues to break records, with his 2024 single “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” becoming the most-streamed Francophone song in 24 hours on Spotify. His career achievements include 49 SNEP export certifications, 21× Diamond status for “Alors on Danse,” and dual victories at the 2023 Les Victoires de la Musique for Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for Multitude. Founded in 2009 by Stromae, his wife and Creative Director Coralie Barbier, and his brother and Executive Creative Director Luc Van Haver, Mosaert (an anagram of “Stromae”) manages all aspects of Stromae’s artistry, from songwriting and production to visuals, stage design, and costumes, while also producing content for international artists like Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and Orelsan, and running its own sustainable fashion line. Guy Moot, CEO & Co-Chair, Warner Chappell Music, said, “We are delighted to be renewing our relationship with Mosaert, home to Stromae and his world-class creativity. As disruptors in the creative space, we are excited to see how they will continue to push boundaries in music, fashion, and more, as we extend our next set of creative journeys with the team.”
PRIMARY WAVE SIGNS CATALOG DEAL WITH KOOL & THE GANG’S ROBERT “KOOL” BELL: Primary Wave Music has entered a new partnership with musician, songwriter, and Kool & The Gang Co-Founder Robert “Kool” Bell. Under the agreement, Primary Wave will collaborate with Bell on his catalog of music and recordings while also developing new name, image, and likeness opportunities. The deal also gives Bell access to Primary Wave’s marketing and publishing infrastructure, including digital strategy, licensing, sync placements, and film and TV production support. As the longtime leader of Kool & The Gang, Bell has earned two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and in 2024 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Kool & The Gang have sold more than 70 million albums worldwide, and the partnership includes some of the group’s most iconic music, including the 1980 No.1 hit “Celebration.” Their songs have appeared in numerous films and have been sampled by artists such as Nas, Mase, De La Soul, and A Tribe Called Quest. Primary Wave’s David Weitzman said, “Kool’s role as the last surviving founding member of Kool & the Gang makes this partnership especially meaningful. As a true pioneer of funk and popular music, Kool has carried the group’s vision, spirit, and legacy forward for decades. At Primary Wave, we are honored to partner with him to preserve, protect, and amplify this iconic catalog for generations to come!”
APPLE MUSIC AND TIKTOK ROLL OUT MUSIC DISCOVERY EXPERIENCE: Apple Music and TikTok have introduced Play Full Song, a new music discovery feature that lets Apple Music subscribers listen to complete tracks they find on TikTok without leaving the app. When users spot a song on their For You Page or Sound Detail Page, they can tap the Play Full Song button to open an Apple Music player and hear the full track, continue with personalized recommendations, or save the song directly to their library and playlists. Built using Apple’s MusicKit, the feature ensures that full-length streams take place within Apple Music, meaning artists and rights-holders are compensated. The launch expands on TikTok’s Add To Music App tool and follows the move of former TikTok Global Head of Music Ole Obermann to Apple last year. Alongside the update, the platforms are also introducing Listening Party, a new feature designed to bring artists and fans together through shared music experiences. “TikTok is where music discovery and culture move at the speed of the community,” said Tracy Gardner, Global Head of Music Business Development at TikTok. “Thanks to Apple Music, Play Full Song gives fans a seamless way to go from discovery to full-length listening, and Listening Party provides a shared place to experience music together in real time. It is all about bringing artists and fans closer and turning shared moments into lasting connections!”
CHATGPT CAN NOW SHAZAM SONGS: Users of ChatGPT can now identify songs directly within the app thanks to a new integration with Shazam, introduced by Apple on March 9. By typing prompts such as “Shazam, what’s playing?” or “Shazam, what is this song?” – the chatbot can recognize the track and display artwork along with an audio preview inside the chat. If the Shazam app is installed, users can save the song to their library, though the feature also works without downloading the app. The integration adds to a growing ecosystem of third-party tools around ChatGPT, which OpenAI began expanding in 2025 with partners including Spotify, Canva, Coursera, Expedia, Figma, and Zillow. Music integrations have become a key focus, with earlier features enabling recommendations through Spotify and playlist creation via Apple Music, while the new Shazam capability specifically focuses on instant song identification. Shazam, acquired by Apple in 2018, says it has “hundreds of millions of” users worldwide. The ChatGPT integration started rolling out globally on March 9th on iOS, Android, and web devices.
FORMER POLARIS HUB EXECS LAUNCH RIGHTS INTELLIGENCE AGENCY: Linda Collin and Åsa Enström have launched Rights Intelligence, a new consultancy focused on music licensing and rights management. Both executives previously held senior roles at Polaris Hub, where Collin served as Head of International Business Affairs & Licensing and Enström led legal. The new firm will offer legal expertise and operational support to organizations developing transparent and commercially sustainable licensing frameworks. Rights Intelligence plans to work closely with CMOs, publishers, labels, and tech platforms, helping them navigate complex negotiations while adapting to evolving regulations and the growing role of AI in the music ecosystem. The consultancy launches at a time when online music licensing models are being reevaluated, particularly following the implementation of EU Article 17 across Europe, which makes platforms responsible for licensing user-uploaded music. Rights Intelligence aims to help companies prepare for a future where music, audio, video, influencer content, and AI-generated works increasingly interact. Collin brings extensive experience negotiating with platforms such as Spotify, Meta, and Google, and previously worked as an International Licensing Manager at Universal Music Group. Enström adds more than 25 years of legal experience in intellectual property, licensing, and contract negotiations, with prior roles at BMG Rights Management, Polaris Hub, and music technology firm Softube.
SLIPSTREAM ACQUIRES HOLLYWOOD PRODUCTION MUSIC LIBRARY MEGATRAX: Music licensing platform Slipstream has acquired Los Angeles–based music library Megatrax, adding a catalog of more than 200,000 tracks and establishing a direct sales presence in Latin America. The financial details of the deal were not made public. Founded in 1991 by Ron Mendelsohn and JC Dwyer, Megatrax has built an extensive catalog of music created by professional composers, songwriters, and musicians for use in film, television, and advertising. According to Slipstream, a notable share of Megatrax’s revenue is generated in Latin America, where the company has long operated with resolute sales teams and strong regional client relationships. Under the terms of the acquisition, Megatrax will continue running as an independent brand while it is gradually integrated into Slipstream’s platform in the months ahead. Jesse Korwin, Chief Revenue Officer of Slipstream, said, “Latin America is one of the most dynamic growth regions in media and brand marketing. Megatrax brings established relationships and a catalog that reflects authentic, region-specific genres across multiple Latin American markets. There is rising demand for culturally specific music across both traditional advertising, television, and digital streaming platforms, and this positions us to meet that demand at scale.” Dan Demole, CEO of Slipstream, added, “This acquisition reflects our long-term consolidation strategy. Megatrax is a highly respected, composer-led catalog with decades of history in television, film, and advertising. By integrating it into our proprietary licensing platform, we can modernize distribution, expand directly into Latin America, and improve Slipstream’s offering to our clients around the globe.”
OPENPLAY LAUNCHES CONNECT APP EXCHANGE MARKETPLACE: OpenPlay, the asset, data, and rights management platform, has officially launched the OpenPlay Connect App Exchange, a B2B marketplace designed to bring order, interoperability, and standardized transactions to what has long been a fragmented music services landscape. Built for distributors, labels, and publishers already operating on OpenPlay’s catalog and rights management platform, Connect enables users to enter into commercial agreements and share data with an ecosystem of leading service providers. Current partners include BeatBread, Beatdapp, Cosynd, FaroLatino, Habitat Financial, Harmix, LyricFind, Matter Collective, Muserk, Music Story, Musixmatch, MySeat Media, Vobile, and Sureel.ai. The timing of the launch is deliberate. The music industry is navigating a period of meaningful change, creator output is surging, AI adoption is accelerating, and new models for distribution and monetization are reshaping how business gets done. As a result, labels and publishers increasingly need access to a broader, more specialized set of tools to deliver, track, protect, and maximize the value of their catalogs. OpenPlay pegs the total addressable market for music’s B2B services economy at up to $25 billion (USD). Connect is positioned as a core operating layer for that ecosystem, spanning a wide range of service categories, from metadata enrichment, lyrics transcription, and track stemming to sync tagging, royalty processing, UGC protection, revenue recovery, and direct-to-fan tools, among others.
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
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rich Castillo, Kevin Weatherly, Jenna Bisla, Clark Adler, Amanda Grocky, Jeremy Yohai, Gaurav Sharma, Mo Ghoneim, Alexandra Nickson, Chase Butters, Eugene Galuschenko, Danica Bates, Gary Chen, Jesper Skibsby, and Jasmine White.
