MUSEXPO 2027 UNVEILS FIRST ROUND OF
SPEAKERS FOR ITS 27TH GLOBAL EDITION FROM APPLE MUSIC, BILLBOARD, DISNEY MUSIC GROUP, DREAMWORKS ANIMATION, GLASSNOTE, GODIGITAL, MILK & HONEY MUSIC + SPORTS, MUSIC EXPORT POLAND, NETFLIX, POLYDOR LABEL GROUP, THE·TEAM, WALTON ISAACSON AND MANY MORE
MUSEXPO “The United Nations of Music” (www.musexpo.net), the pioneering global music business conference renowned for its transformative impact on the industry, has unveiled its landmark 27th edition which will take place March 21 – 24, 2027, in Burbank, California.
Marking over a quarter-century of influence, MUSEXPO 2027 will highlight the continued evolution of the worldwide music business landscape across all key sectors including A&R, music publishing, live, sync (film, TV, video games, advertising, promos, trailers), radio/streaming, digital, technology, AI, distribution, management, and more. In addition, the event will highlight a special forum and panelists for a feature on “Music Focus Poland” and a “Market Spotlight on the U.K.” at the event.
MUSEXPO will also return with its esteemed “International Music Industry Awards” (which originally launched back in 2012) in association with A&R Worldwide and will recognize the contributions of some of the most influential executives and creatives across core areas of the global music business, in association with Visit Burbank and the City of Burbank, “The Media Capital of the World,” during the private VIP Gala Dinner presentations.
The highly coveted “International Music Person of the Year” honorarium will be presented to one of the most influential booking agents in the world – Marty Diamond, EVP & Managing Executive, THE·TEAM (Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, RAYE, Lorde, Alessia Cara, and more). In addition, the annual Seymour Stein “Global A&R Award,” will be bestowed upon the highly respected and influential British A&R and label executive Ben Mortimer, President, Polydor Label Group (who has worked with Olivia Dean, Sam Fender, Florence + The Machine, Lana Del Rey, Ellie Goulding, The 1975, and more). Also, the “Lifetime Achievement Award” will be presented to one of the most influential music executives in the world – whose work with music has transcended across Disney, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Pixar, Searchlight Pictures, 20th Century Studios, Disney Television, Disney Parks & Experiences, and Games – Ken Bunt, President, Disney Music Group. MUSEXPO will also feature its popular Global Sync Summit, and A&R Summit, as part of its overall 2027 event program.
Also, A&R Worldwide will celebrate its 25 years as a global force with special A&R-focused panels across MUSEXPO including a special keynote conversation between Zane Lowe, Global Creative Director, Apple Music with Daniel Glass, Founder & CEO, Glassnote Entertainment Group, and many others to be announced in the coming weeks, as well as a special globally renowned A&R Worldwide networking reception for attendees, speakers, and special invited guests.
MUSEXPO has just unveiled its first round of influential executives, creatives, and companies that will participate at its 27th global edition of what is one of the world’s most inspiring, influential, and impactful global music business and showcase events, which to this day has remained independently organized by A&R Worldwide. More speakers from the U.S., and around the world have solidified their participation and will be unveiled in the next few weeks.
Confirmed speakers for next year’s event already include Alexandra Nickson, Sr. Vice President, Television Music, DreamWorks Animation; Ben Mortimer, President, Polydor Label Group; Daniel Glass, Founder & CEO, Glassnote Entertainment Group; Jason Peterson, Founder & CEO, GoDigital; John Chavez, Sr. Vice President, Ground Control Touring; Katie Romanovich, Founder & Music Supervisor, Sundaze Media; Ken Bunt, President, Disney Music Group; Lucas Keller, Founder & President, Milk & Honey Music + Sports; Madison Emiko Love, Multi-Platinum Songwriter (Lady Gaga, BLACKPINK, Selena, David Guetta, and more); Marek Hojda, Board Member, Music Export Poland & President, Society of Polish Audiovisual Composers SPACe; Mark Needham, Grammy Nominated Producer & Mixer (The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Elton John, and more); Mark Sutherland, Presenter, The Money Trench: The Music Industry Podcast With Mark Sutherland (Contributing writer Variety, Music Business Worldwide); Marty Diamond, EVP & Managing Executive, THE·TEAM; Mason Cooper, Music Supervisor & President, Songrunner Entertainment; Melinda Newman, Executive Editor, West Coast & Nashville, Billboard; Nora Felder, Music Supervisor / CEO, Picture Music Company; Nick Haussling, Head of Music, Walton Isaacson; Pete Giberga, President N. America / Head of A&R, AWAL; Rich Castillo, Founder & President, Lionbear Music Group; Richelle Parham, Global Executive & Corporate Director (former President of Global eCommerce, Business Development & Innovation, Universal Music Group); Ritch Esra, Publisher & Founder, Music Registry & Co-Founder, MUBU TV; Rudy Chung, Music Creative & Production, Original Film, Netflix; Sat Bisla, President & Founder, A&R Worldwide / MUSEXPO; Zane Lowe, Global Creative Director, Apple Music, and many more to be unveiled in the coming weeks and months.
To register to attend MUSEXPO 2027 and sign up for the Early Bird rate which expires September 31, 2026, click HERE.
For details on sponsorships, partnerships, panelists, or additional information, contact info@anrworldwide.com.
BMG EXPANDS RELATIONSHIP WITH JEAN-MICHEL JARRE
BMG has deepened its long-standing relationship with electronic music pioneer and innovator Jean-Michel Jarre, expanding the partnership to include licensing of his recorded catalog and future works.
The new agreement brings Jarre’s recorded catalog under BMG on an exclusive licensing basis across a broad range of territories worldwide, building on the company’s existing relationship with the artist, which already includes the sound recordings of his first three iconic albums. In 2022, BMG acquired his music publishing catalog, including seminal works such as Oxygene and Équinoxe, alongside his writer’s income stream, in what remains the company’s largest single deal struck in France.
This expanded partnership reflects a shared commitment to the long-term development, protection, and celebration of one of the most influential catalogs in electronic music, as well as continued collaboration on new creative work.
Jean-Michel Jarre stated, “My relationship with BMG goes back many years, and I am incredibly happy that today we are bringing our work even closer together. As the only major international music company with European roots, BMG has a cultural identity that is deeply important to me. This is an especially exciting moment for creators, as technology opens new possibilities for imagination and expression. I am proud to deepen our friendship and partnership as we embark on the future together.”
Alistair Norbury, Sr. Creative Advisor to the CEO, added, “Jean-Michel Jarre has influenced generations of electronic artists and continues to shape the culture today. Expanding our relationship across his recorded catalog gives us an even greater opportunity to support and celebrate his extraordinary body of work, while bringing the full strength of BMG to its long-term stewardship and global reach.”
Over a career span of five decades, Jean-Michel Jarre has released 22 studio albums and helped define the evolution of electronic music. His groundbreaking work has influenced generations of artists and creators and helped bring electronic music into the cultural mainstream. His continued exploration of the intersection between music and technology remains central to his artistic identity and influence.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Oxygene, a defining work that transformed perceptions of electronic music and continues to resonate across contemporary music and culture. Five decades after its release, the album continues to reach new audiences, while influencing generations of artists and creators. Further details of how BMG plans to mark the anniversary will be shared soon.
BELIEVE FRANCE LAUNCHES ALL IN
Believe France has officially launched ALL IN, a new pop entity bringing together four complementary labels, naïve, Animal63, All Night Long, and Jo&Co, with the ambition of shaping the future of French and French-speaking pop.
More than a new label structure, ALL IN is conceived as a shared creative ecosystem. By bringing together four labels with distinct identities and complementary expertise, Believe aims to create a collective environment where teams can collaborate, exchange knowledge, and unlock new opportunities, while each label retains its own artistic DNA, independence, and vision.
The new entity is led by Henri Jamet, Managing Director of Believe France, alongside Sébastien Saussez, who will oversee ALL IN. The initiative builds on Believe’s long-standing investment in developing pop repertoire and follows a trajectory that has evolved over a decade.
That journey began in 2016, when Believe integrated naïve, marking an early step in strengthening its presence in pop. Since then, the label has supported artists including Gaël Faye and Izïa, as well as more recent voices such as Iliona, Pomme, and Yamê. In 2017, Believe and Savoir Faire launched Animal63. The label aided in the international development of The Blaze, whose catalog is entirely Gold-certified for export and has accumulated 1.5 billion streams, while also supporting artists such as Tshegue and Max Baby. The story continued in 2024 with the creation of All Night Long, born from a shared vision between Believe and Kidding Aside. Focused on electronic music and artist-producers, the label has supported artists including NTO, Folamour, Trinix, Urumi, and Upsilone, the latter behind the most-played track on Fun Radio in 2025. Then, in 2025, Jo&Co fully joined Believe, bringing with it an established roster featuring Hoshi and Claudio Capéo, alongside emerging artists such as Linh and The Odds.
At the center of this evolution is Sébastien Saussez, whose career spans senior leadership roles including his time as President of Mercury and his founding of Jo&Co. Over the years, he has contributed to the development of numerous major figures in French pop. His appointment at the helm of ALL IN represents a continuation of that work within a broader collective framework.
The artistic direction of each label will remain firmly rooted within its existing teams. Fabiola Hurel (naïve), Lola Capolunghi (All Night Long), Julie Ganter (Animal63), and Fanchon Josse (Jo&Co) will continue to lead their respective labels’ artistic strategies and identities, while playing a key role in shaping ALL IN’s collective ambition!
SPOTIFY PROMOTES MIA NYGREN TO VICE PRESIDENT AND GM FOR EUROPE AND LATIN AMERICA
Spotify has promoted Mia Nygren to Vice President and General Manager for Europe and Latin America, expanding her leadership responsibilities across two of the streaming platform’s key global markets.
Nygren assumed the newly expanded role over the summer after previously serving as Spotify’s General Manager for Latin America. Together, Europe and Latin America represented 60% of Spotify’s Premium subscriber base at the end of Q2 2026, with Europe accounting for 36% and Latin America 24%. Spotify closed the quarter with 300 million Premium subscribers and 777 million Monthly Active Users, according to figures released by the company on August 4.
Nygren has been with Spotify since 2011, when she joined as Head of Business Development for Europe. She relocated her focus to Latin America in 2013 and has since played a key role in the company’s growth across the region.
She outlined her perspective on the expanded position in a LinkedIn post published last week, as she takes on responsibility for two major markets within Spotify’s global business.
“Nobody understands a market like the people in it,” wrote Nygren. “Spotify’s been my home for fifteen years… This summer I stepped into a new chapter: Vice President and General Manager for Europe and Latin America. I left Sweden at eighteen, lived across Europe for nearly two decades, and built my Spotify career in Latin America. This role feels like my whole journey clicking into place. Both are regions where you can only win market by market, by earning trust locally, understanding what makes each country unique, and building from the ground up. The playbook we have developed in Latin America translates directly to Europe.”
A&R WORLDWIDE IN THE U.K., POLAND & GERMANY
A&R Worldwide President & Founder, Sat Bisla, recently embarked on a high-level tour across the U.K., Germany, and Poland, connecting directly with the creatives, executives, and visionaries shaping the global entertainment landscape. These face-to-face meetings spanned the entire ecosystem of our industry, diving deep into the future of A&R, publishing, the live business, and media. Crucial dialogues also centered on the rapid evolution of digital infrastructure, AI integration, and the expanding role of music in visual media – including film, television, gaming, trailers, and brand partnerships.
For over a quarter century, A&R Worldwide’s core mission has been to remain at the absolute vanguard of innovation, market evolution, and global talent discovery. By consistently anticipating future movements and bridging territorial gaps, we continue to foster the cross-border collaborations that define tomorrow’s music industry.
Below is a pictorial highlight from some of these recent, impactful conversations across the U.K. and Europe.
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!
Steve Blatter, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Music Programming, SiriusXM and Pandora, and Sat Bisla, President & Founder, A&R Worldwide, represent a longstanding relationship within the music industry that dates back to the late 1990s. Built on a mutual passion for discovery and the global exchange of new talent, their connection began when Blatter was programming the alternative radio station Y107 (KLYY) in Pasadena, California.
During this formative period in alternative radio, Bisla’s frequent international travel allowed him to identify emerging sounds and trends from across the globe. He regularly shared these international discoveries, alongside select domestic releases, with Blatter, providing an early bridge between localized U.S. radio programming and the broader global music ecosystem. This collaborative exchange was rooted in a shared commitment to championing new music ahead of the traditional curve.
Since his time at Y107, Blatter’s career has aligned with the major technological and structural shifts in how music is consumed globally. In his current role as Senior Vice President & General Manager of Music Programming for SiriusXM and Pandora, Blatter oversees the music strategy for one of the world’s most influential audio entertainment platforms, which today reaches millions of subscribers worldwide.
KARIN ANN
Burgeoning global artist Karin Ann continues an impressive run with “born to be,” the hauntingly beautiful new single from her Orion EP. Cinematic, intimate and quietly powerful, the track showcases Karin’s gift for turning deeply personal emotion into something expansive, while marking another exciting chapter in an already remarkable career. The song serves as the emotional centerpiece of Orion, Karin’s four-track EP created for the sci-fi thriller of the same name, in which she also makes her feature-film acting debut. “born to be” plays over the film’s closing credits, bringing Karin’s music and on-screen storytelling together in a particularly striking way. The release comes on the heels of significant momentum at U.S. and global radio. Karin’s previous single “i was never yours,” co-written with Suki Waterhouse, reached the Top 35 on Billboard’s AAA Airplay Chart, making Karin the first Slovakian-born artist to reach the chart, while earning widespread support from AAA radio across the U.S. With Orion expanding her creative world into film and “born to be” already making an early impression, Karin Ann is proving herself to be an increasingly distinctive voice with a story that reaches well beyond music. Discover “born to be” HERE, and please contact George Trabelssie for additional information and available opportunities on behalf of Karin Ann.
JUNIOR VP
Glasgow, Scotland indie-rock trio Junior VP are making a strong case for themselves with their latest single and video, “Red Cardigan,” a wistful, hook-heavy take on the ache of a long-lost first love. Built around dreamy guitar flourishes, shimmering melodies, sharp drums and an instantly memorable chorus, the track taps into the emotional immediacy and 2000s nostalgia of classic college rock while feeling completely at home in 2026. Having formed in 2025, Junior VP have already made impressive strides, with their debut EP Head Full of Sadness earning BBC Introducing airplay and a place on Kerrang Radio’s The Deal shortlist. Their sound draws from the golden era of college rock, emo and indie, with the band citing the music they grew up on as a major influence. “Red Cardigan” was recorded with producer Jamie Martin at Glasgow’s Venice of the North Studios and mastered by Robin Sutherland (The Snuts, Swim School), and offers another taste of their forthcoming debut album, Do You Feel The Same?, due in 2027. With its combination of nostalgia, emotional songwriting, and undeniable indie hooks, “Red Cardigan” feels like the kind of song that can connect with fans who remember the era it draws from while introducing that sound to a whole new audience. Junior VP are still early in their story, but they are already showing the kind of songwriting and identity that makes them a band worth watching closely. Watch the visual for “Red Cardigan” HERE, and contact Jade Perry for current worldwide opportunities on behalf of Junior VP.
“PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Sunday, September 20th, 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.
GIANT ROOKS – “Want It Back” (Vertigo Berlin, Germany)
THE CLOCKWORKS – “Magnificent Seven” (V2 Records, Ireland)
KARIN ANN – “Born to Be” (3AM Records, Slovakia)
TEMPLES – “Vendetta” (V2 Records, Netherlands)
RUEL – “Faking Smiles” (Giant Music, Australia)
MEEK – “Beautiful Freeks” (BMG, U.K.)
OVERPASS – “Fall in Love” (Communion Records, U.K.)
DOTAN – “Let You Go” (Universal Music, Holland)
STAND ATLANTIC – “Velcro” (Virgin Music, Australia)
SIENNA SPIRO – “Great Expectation” (Capitol Records, U.K.)
SHEPPARD – “Sayonara” (Chugg Music, Australia)
NOTHING BUT THIEVES – “Stray Dogs” (RCA, U.K.)
JERUB – “Forever Right Now” (Elevate Music, U.K.)
SPACEY JANE – “I Never See Her” (AWAL, Australia)
D’MASIV – “On Our Own” (Unsigned, Indonesia)
YEARS BETWEEN – “Dogfight” (1999 Recordings, U.K.)
RAGING LINES – “Yamaha 237” (Unsigned, Norway)
GOOD NEIGHBOURS – “Superstar” (Polydor, U.K.)
LEONIDEN – “I Still Feel” (Vertigo Berlin, Germany)
THE CHEAKS – “Situation Lost Control” (Unsigned, Australia)
TOVE LO – “I’m Your Girl Right” (Pretty Swede Records, Sweden)
SUPER-HI – “Anywhere with You” (Blended Music, U.K.)
WALKING ON RIVERS – “Waste the Night” (Motor Entertainment, Germany)
TONIX – “Stupid Things” (General Admission Entertainment, Australia)
MUSTBEJOHN – “Get the Time Back” (Unsigned, U.K.)
MATTHEW MOLE – “In My Head” (Universal Music, South Africa)
ST. LUNDI – “Alaska” (Propeller Recordings, U.K.)
GIRL SCOUT – “Crumbs” (AWAL, Sweden)
CASSIA – “Praise” (Love Sundays/Universal Music, U.K.)
THE FALLS – “The Other Side” (Rev Pro, U.K.)
SHOBSY – “Royalty” (SO Recordings, Ireland)
D3LTA – “Mad About It” (Unsigned, Greece)
BUDDUG – “Oxygen” (Côsh Records, Wales)
POSITION MUSIC SIGN HELLHILLS TO A GLOBAL LABEL & PUBLISHING DEAL: Position Music has signed Lithuanian alternative rock project Hellhills to a global label and publishing deal, as recently announced by Founder & CEO Tyler Bacon. The agreement was brought to the company by Alex Ziabko, A&R at Position Music. Based in Vilnius, Lithuania, Hellhills has developed a distinctive sound that combines heavy guitar work with electronic textures and atmospheric production. Drawing from alternative rock, industrial influences, and contemporary electronic sound design, the project pairs a sense of intensity with deeply personal and introspective songwriting. Since launching the project, Hellhills has built an international audience through a series of independent releases, including two full-length albums. Centered on themes of identity, emotional tension, and personal transformation, the project continues to evolve through immersive production and emotionally driven songwriting. The partnership with Position Music will support Hellhills as the project expands its reach and develops the next stage of its creative output. “Hellhills has a strong alternative-rock foundation incorporating electronic and darker industrial elements giving his records a distinct, sometimes nostalgic sound. As Lawrence continues to sharpen his songwriting & production skills, I could not be more excited to be a part of his evolution and growth as an artist,” said Alex Ziabko.
JOYBETH TAYLOR EXPANDS DEAL WITH SMP NASHVILLE AND VERSE 2 MUSIC: Sony Music Publishing Nashville (SMP) and Verse 2 Music have renewed their global publishing agreement with country songwriter Joybeth Taylor. As part of the deal, the companies have also announced an expanded partnership with Taylor through the addition of Taycan Entertainment. Taylor has established herself as one of country music’s most in-demand songwriters, with a string of major cuts and chart successes. She is among the primary collaborators behind Ella Langley’s blockbuster hit “Choosin’ Texas,” which earned the 2026 ACM Song of the Year award. The song has spent 21 weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. Hot 100, making it the longest-running No. 1 hit for a non-holiday song and the longest-leading song by a solo female country artist in the chart’s history. “Choosin’ Texas” also topped the U.K. Singles Chart, logged three weeks at No. 1 on Mediabase’s Country Airplay chart and reached its 39th week atop the Hot Country Songs chart. Beyond her work with Langley, Taylor’s songwriting credits include recordings by Morgan Wallen, Jordan Davis, Kane Brown, Vincent Mason, Warren Zeiders, Gavin Adcock, Hudson Westbrook, Chase Matthew, Corey Kent, Josh Ross, Koe Wetzel, Kameron Marlowe, Zach John King, and many others. Taylor’s latest radio success, “I Can’t Love You Anymore” by Ella Langley and Morgan Wallen, reached No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart and No. 4 on the Hot 100. Her recent cuts also include Hudson Westbrook’s “Made You Look,” Chase Matthew’s “Autopilot” and Corey Kent’s “Empty Words,” which recently entered the Top 40 on the Country Airplay chart. Taylor has also earned recognition from the MusicRow Awards, including nominations for Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year in 2025 and Female Songwriter of the Year in both 2025 and 2026.
PRIMARY WAVE PARTNERS ON CATALOG DEAL WITH SAVAGE GARDEN’S DANIEL JONES: Primary Wave Music has announced a new partnership with guitarist, songwriter, and producer Daniel Jones, best known as one half of the Australian pop duo Savage Garden. Under the agreement, Primary Wave will partner with Jones on his songwriting catalog spanning Savage Garden’s two studio albums. The catalog includes songs from the group’s 12-million-selling self-titled debut and its multi-platinum follow-up, Affirmation, featuring hits such as “I Want You,” “To the Moon & Back” and “Truly Madly Deeply.” Through the partnership, Jones will gain access to Primary Wave’s global publishing platform and its range of creative and commercial services, including marketing, digital strategy, synchronization, brand partnerships, and film and television opportunities. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. Primary Wave’s Mark Shimmel, said, “Having followed the Australian music scene for many years, it’s a privilege to help bring Daniel Jones and his incredible catalog of songs into the Primary Wave family. Savage Garden’s music continues to resonate with audiences around the world, and we are excited to help create new opportunities for these timeless songs.”
AEG PRESENTS & GREENHOUSE TALENT ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP IN EUROPE: AEG Presents has entered a partnership with Greenhouse Talent, one of Europe’s leading independent concert promoters. Greenhouse Talent has served as a key local promoter for AEG Presents’ shows and projects in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The new partnership formalizes that longstanding relationship while allowing Greenhouse Talent to maintain its independent identity, local expertise, and established artist relationships. Founded by Pascal Van De Velde in 2005, Greenhouse Talent has grown into the largest independent concert promoter in the Benelux, employing 60 people across Belgium and the Netherlands. The company’s Belgian operations are led by Mathilde Van Geertruyden, while Wouter de Wilde heads its Dutch business. Operating from offices in Ghent and Breda, Greenhouse Talent promotes nearly 1,500 events each year across music, live entertainment, and comedy. Its LiveComedy division works with major names including Gabriel Iglesias and Jeff Dunham, while its broader artist roster features Hans Zimmer, Massive Attack, Laufey, Ludovico Einaudi, Bryan Adams, Erykah Badu, Luke Combs, Diana Ross, and Rammstein, among others. The company is also behind Belgium’s Gent Jazz festival and the Netherlands’ Spoorpark LIVE, as well as the Dutch edition of Country to Country. Now entering its sixth year, the country music event has grown into the largest festival of its kind in the region. Greenhouse Talent will continue operating under its existing leadership and from its current locations as the partnership with AEG Presents moves into its next phase.
NOTTING HILL MUSIC SIGNS THE TWANG TO GLOBAL PUBLISHING DEAL: Notting Hill Music has signed Birmingham indie rock band The Twang to a global publishing agreement, bringing the group’s distinctive sound and songwriting into the company’s international roster. The deal comes as The Twang prepare to enter their next chapter with new music on the horizon, marking a renewed focus on their songwriting and creative output. The band first made their mark with their Top 3 debut album, Love It When I Feel Like This, which featured fan favorites including “Either Way,” “Wide Awake” and “Two Lovers.” Since then, The Twang have established a lasting presence in the U.K. music scene, building a dedicated following and a reputation for high-energy live performances that continue to attract audiences across the country. Roy Davis of Notting Hill Music commented, “I was absolutely chuffed when Ian (Richards, manager of The Twang) called me and asked whether we would be interested in signing The Twang. As a fellow Brummie (from the West Midlands in the U.K.) and longtime admirer, it was a no-brainer for me. The new record is incredible, and I am very happy to be part of Team Twang.” The Twang added, “We are buzzing to be joining Notting Hill Music. Billy, Roy, and the whole team completely understand where The Twang have come from and, more importantly, where we want to go next. There is a real energy around the new music, and it feels like we have found the perfect team to help us take it out into the world.”
ARMADA MUSIC PARTNERS WITH KANJIAN: Armada Music has entered a new partnership with Kanjian, a digital music infrastructure and technology company, to expand the commercial reach of its electronic music catalog across China. The agreement will integrate Armada’s catalog into Chinese streaming platforms and commercial channels through Kanjian’s licensing and digital asset management infrastructure, providing the label with greater access to China’s highly localized digital music ecosystem. With a network spanning the country’s major music services and commercial channels, Kanjian will help Armada unlock new licensing and monetization opportunities across the market. Armada’s catalog features music from artists including Armin van Buuren, Loud Luxury and Lost Frequencies. Kanjian currently supports the monetization of more than 40 million music and audio assets for over one million artists and 480,000 organizations worldwide. The platform connects with more than 400 mainstream music channels and has previously established electronic music partnerships with Monstercat, Defected Records and Alan Walker. “China presents an enormous opportunity for electronic music, but realizing its full potential requires strong local expertise and infrastructure,” said Maykel Piron, CEO of Armada Music. “Partnering with Kanjian enables us to bring Armada Music’s catalog to more listeners and commercial partners across the market, while creating new, sustainable opportunities for our artists and their music.”
MNRK MUSIC GROUP ACQUIRES RECORDED CATALOG OF BLACK LABEL SOCIETY: MNRK Music Group has acquired the complete recorded music catalog of Black Label Society, the hard rock and metal band led by guitarist and songwriter Zakk Wylde. The acquisition spans more than 20 years of the band’s recorded output, including eleven studio albums such as Stronger Than Death, 1919 Eternal, The Blessed Hellride and Order of The Black. The deal also includes the group’s live albums, compilations, and EPs, along with Wylde’s solo recordings, including his acoustic project Unblackened. MNRK described the acquisition as a significant step in its continued expansion across the global hard rock and metal market. The agreement also builds on the company’s existing relationship with Wylde, opening the door to future projects involving catalog reissues, curation and campaigns celebrating the band’s legacy. “Zakk has been part of the MNRK family for many years, and this deal reflects the strength of that relationship,” said Sean Stevenson, CEO & President of MNRK Music Group. “Black Label Society has built one of the most enduring and loyal fanbases in heavy music. Owning and continuing to grow this catalog is a natural next step for us, and we are proud to deepen our partnership with Zakk for the long term.”
SUNO HIRES CHERRY MIAO AS ITS FIRST FINANCE CHIEF: Suno has appointed Cherry Miao as its first Chief Financial Officer, marking a new addition to the AI music company’s executive leadership team. Miao joins Suno from Hightouch, a data and AI marketing company, where she served as CFO and oversaw finance, legal, data, and revenue operations. She previously held roles at Headway and Accel and had also been a customer and angel investor in Hightouch before joining the company. Miao announced her new position on LinkedIn, where she thanked Suno Co-Founders Mikey Shulman, Martin Camacho, and Georg Kucsko, along with investors including Menlo Ventures, Bond Capital, Forerunner, IVP, Lightspeed, and Matrix. Her appointment comes as Suno continues to build out its leadership team and scale its business within the rapidly evolving AI music sector. Miao said, “I am thrilled to share that I’ve joined Suno, the AI music company, as their first CFO. I am not joining Suno because it’s one of the fastest-growing companies of all time (though it is!). I am joining because my daughter started singing before she started talking. Music is one of the things that makes humans human, and I’m deeply committed to the mission of using technology to bring more people the joy of creative expression. On the internet that pushes us to mindlessly consume, more than 100 million people have used Suno to make something instead. A world centered on creation and expression is the world I want my daughter to live in.”
LAUFEY SIGNS WITH INTERSCOPE/VERVE: Laufey has signed with Interscope Records and Verve Records, marking a new chapter for the Icelandic artist following her successful partnership with AWAL. The deal follows a remarkable run of achievements that has established Laufey as a leading voice at the intersection of contemporary pop, jazz, and classical music. She has won two Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, taking home the award for both Bewitched and A Matter of Time. Her third studio album, A Matter of Time, reached No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart in 2025, while “From the Start” is her biggest-selling UK release, with 513,952 sales. Her Christmas single “Winter Wonderland” has also sold more than 320,000 copies in the U.K. and peaked at No. 18. Laufey’s momentum extends beyond recorded music, with a growing international audience and a major live presence. She recently completed her 70-date A Matter of Time tour, wrapping the run in Mexico City, and has also signed with UTA for global representation. She is currently working on new music, with further details expected in the coming weeks.
SYMPHONIC ANNOUNCES COLLABORATION WITH MASSIVEMUSIC: Symphonic has announced a new collaboration with MassiveMusic. The partnership enhances Symphonic’s patented TransferTrack catalog migration technology by integrating direct audio delivery from MassiveMusic’s catalog infrastructure, removing one of the final manual steps in the distributor-switching process. First introduced in 2024, TransferTrack enables Symphonic clients to bulk-import eligible releases into SymphonicMS using a Spotify artist page or release link. This technology automatically brings available release data into the platform, reducing manual metadata entry, maintaining catalog consistency, consolidating analytics, and helping preserve stream history and playlist placements when releases are correctly linked by digital service providers. The new integration addresses the remaining challenge of sourcing and uploading audio files. When a label’s catalog is available through MassiveMusic, Symphonic can retrieve high-quality FLAC audio files alongside normalized, DDEX-compliant metadata, including ISRC information, and bring them directly into SymphonicMS in a structured, distribution-ready format. Symphonic can then coordinate delivery and takedowns during the transition, helping minimize catalog gaps and maintain the playcount history labels have built across platforms. This continuity can also help support ongoing algorithmic visibility and audience reach. By combining TransferTrack with MassiveMusic’s catalog infrastructure, the collaboration reduces the operational burden and cost of changing distributors, eliminating much of the file sourcing and data-entry work traditionally required. For Symphonic, the enhanced workflow also creates a faster, more scalable path to onboarding new clients.
SARAH GALLAGHER LAUNCHES MANAGEMENT FIRM NDA TALENT: Sarah Gallagher has launched a new artist management company, NDA Talent, following 17 years at Modest! Management, where she has served as Managing Director for the past three years. Gallagher will continue to represent long-time clients Olly Murs and Five through her new venture. She began her career at Z Management, collaborating with producers and songwriters, before joining pop production company Xenomania. In 2009, Gallagher moved to Modest!, working alongside industry figures Richard Griffiths and Harry Magee. During her tenure, she guided the careers of artists including Olly Murs and, from 2020, JLS. As Gallagher embarks on this next chapter with NDA Talent, support from across the music industry has echoed the strong backing of the artists she represents. “I’m keen to give all my clients the focus and attention they deserve,” said Sarah Gallagher. “I want to keep the roster relatively small and take a deep dive into everything that impacts their career. I am especially thrilled to begin this new chapter alongside Olly and Five – two brilliant clients with whom I share a clear vision and passion for their continued success. With significant anniversaries on the horizon for both, I am looking forward to maximizing every opportunity, growing their businesses, and having plenty of fun along the way.”
AUDIOMACK PRO LAUNCHES FOR ARTISTS GLOBALLY: Following its beta rollout, Audiomack has officially launched Audiomack Pro, a new subscription offering now available to artists across the platform. The premium service introduces advanced analytics and fan insights alongside expedited verification, priority support, immediate monetization access, Audiomack Boost savings, and the new Song Pulse feature, which provides deeper insight into fan engagement and song performance. With more than 60 million monthly users and unlimited free music uploads, Audiomack continues to expand its artist-focused tools. The platform is also developing Audiomack Connect, its direct-to-fan messaging feature within the free Creator App, which also offers audience analytics, performance insights, unlimited uploads, and promote for turning key milestones into shareable promotional content. “We’re drawing the shortest possible line between artists and fans,” said David Ponte, Co-Founder and CMO of Audiomack. “The fewer barriers between artists and fans, the better it is for everyone. We’re focused on helping artists build audiences and get their music heard around the world.”
ROAM APPOINTS MAXIE GEDGE AS HEAD OF ARTIST DELIVERY: ROAM has announced the appointment of Maxie Gedge as Head of Artist Delivery, a newly created position designed to strengthen the agency’s artist services and operations across the U.K. and Europe. Gedge joins ROAM from Secretly Group, where she served as European Project Manager and led the coordination of album campaigns for artists including Mitski and Phoebe Bridgers. Her appointment is part of ROAM’s continued focus on delivering a high level of service to its roster, with the agency describing the new role as placing Gedge at the center of its U.K. and European operations. In her new position, Gedge will oversee the end-to-end delivery of services across ROAM’s roster, while also taking responsibility for team development and the creation and improvement of internal processes. She brings experience within the live music and wider music industry, having programmed hundreds of shows and worked with festivals, venues, and talent development organizations across a broad range of genres. Prior to joining Secretly Group in 2021, Gedge worked as Communications Coordinator at PRS Foundation and as Project Manager at Keychange.
NINJA TUNE’S JUST ISN’T MUSIC SIGNS PRODUCER AND DJ MASON: Just Isn’t Music, the publishing division of Ninja Tune, has announced the signing of Grammy-nominated producer and Dutch musician Mason to its roster. Mason has built a career releasing music through a range of labels, including Island, Skint, Defected and Toolroom, as well as through his own Animal Language imprint. Across his career, he has released four artist albums featuring collaborations with Róisín Murphy, Dragonette, Run-DMC, Stefflon Don and Jack Garratt. His catalog has also developed a strong presence in the sync world, with Mason’s music appearing in high-profile television and film placements, as well as campaigns for brands including Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Vodafone, Google, and Marks & Spencer. His track “Perfect Exceeder” was featured in the cult film Saltburn, a placement that contributed to the track experiencing a renewed wave of viral attention. Mason continues to expand his work across both production and artist projects. He is currently creating new material for Berlin-based label Get Physical, while also producing tracks for electro artist Perel. Alongside these projects, he is developing his own Nite Rite project, which focuses on club-oriented music. “Welcoming Mason to the Just Isn’t Music roster feels as exhilarating as it feels natural,” said Anastasia Pegi of Just Isn’t Music. “A grandmaster producer with a signature eclectic touch and an abundance of sync placements under his belt, we are looking forward to bringing him together with JIM/Ninja Tune writers and artists as well as presenting his new records to the global media industry.”
PEERMUSIC SIGNS GEORGE FENTON: Peermusic has signed Oscar-nominated composer George Fenton to a worldwide publishing deal with Peermusic Accorder, through his company Shogun Music. Under the agreement, Peermusic Accorder will administer Fenton’s catalog globally. He was previously published by Universal Music Publishing Group. With a career span of more than 50 years, Fenton has written scores for more than 100 feature films, as well as numerous television series, documentaries, and stage productions. A five-time Oscar nominee, he has received multiple BAFTA, Emmy, Ivor Novello, and BMI Awards, alongside a Classic BRIT Award. In 2023, he was awarded a CBE for his contribution to music for film, television, and theatre. Fenton is renowned for his collaborations with Sir Richard Attenborough, scoring films including Gandhi, Cry Freedom, Shadowlands and The Madness of King George. His wider film credits include Groundhog Day, Dangerous Liaisons, The Fisher King, Ever After and The Lady in the Van, as well as numerous films by director Ken Loach. His television work includes iconic British productions such as The Jewel in the Crown, Bergerac, and Talking Heads, while his natural-history scores include Sir David Attenborough’s The Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, Life and Wild Isles. Fenton is currently working on two new films and a musical.
SOUNDEXCHANGE AND MUSICNATION EXPAND PARTNERSHIP: SoundExchange and UAE-based Music Nation Copyrights Management (MusicNation) are expanding their partnership to strengthen rights management and help ensure artists receive proper compensation when their music is used across the U.S. and UAE. As the UAE continues to grow as a hub for tourism, entertainment, and hospitality, MusicNation is focused on protecting creators’ rights and capturing new revenue opportunities for recorded music. The expanded partnership builds on SoundExchange’s existing provision of technology and data to MusicNation, which also maintains a partnership with BMI. Michael Huppe, President & CEO of SoundExchange, commented, “This groundbreaking reciprocal agreement with MusicNation will open a new revenue stream for SoundExchange artists and rights owners whose music is played in the UAE while ensuring Emirati creators are compensated when their music is played in the United States. It also enables SoundExchange to seamlessly provide these services for some of its partner CMOs around the world, who have the option of collecting UAE royalties through their existing agreements with SoundExchange.”
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jobst Neerman, Nick Burgess, Vanessa Tara A., Ryan Penty, Steve Blatter, Jason Iley, Steven Melrose, Neeraj Kalyan, Sarah Gabrielli, Mark Gillespie, Stuart Camp, Charlie Hellman, and Monti Olson.
