Sony Music Publishing
Welcome to Publishing Briefs, our semimonthly bulletin of recent signings, deals and doings in the wide world of music publishing. Since we last spoke, Primary Wave bought a stake in a Notorious catalog, Eslabon Armado frontman Pedro Tovar inked a deal with Kobalt, reggaetón star Ryan Castro signed with Warner Chappell, BMI said it will no longer charge an application fee when new songwriters seek to join, Sevdaliza signed her first-ever publishing pact with Sony Music Publishing, Word Collections launched a royalty collection service, and Joaquina signed a global deal with WCM.
Caught up? Here’s what else is going on:
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Reservoir Media signed a new publishing deal with five-time Grammy-nominated R&B artist El DeBarge. The agreement covers his solo catalog and hits from his time with the family group DeBarge, along with future projects. El DeBarge’s career began in the 1980s when Berry Gordy signed him and his siblings to Motown Records, leading to hits like “You Wear It Well,” “Time Will Reveal,” “Love Me in a Special Way” and “All This Love.” His solo career took off in 1986 with the hit “Who’s Johnny,” which reached No. 3 on the Hot 100, and he continued to release successful albums, including 1994’s Babyface-assisted Heart, Mind and Soul. Over the years he has collaborated with legends like Dionne Warwick, Quincy Jones, Al Green and the Isley Brothers. “I’ve been a fan of DeBarge and El in particular since I was 16 years old, so I’m incredibly humbled to welcome him and his evergreen hits to the Reservoir family,” said Reservoir evp of A&R and catalog development Faith Newman. “His music has touched generations, and we are excited to work with him to further amplify his incredible catalog.”
Artist House signed award-winning songwriter and producer Sam Hollander to an exclusive global administration deal. Known for hits with Panic! At The Disco, Weezer, Katy Perry, Fitz and the Tantrums, Cobra Starship, One Direction and more, Hollander is “one of the best topliners of the last 20 years and one of the highest-quality people you’ll ever meet,” said Artist House co-founder Gregg Wattenberg. In the early 2000s, Hollander gained recognition as one-half of the production duo S*A*M and Sluggo, alongside Dave Katz. Together, they played a key role in shaping the pop-punk sound of Fueled By Ramen’s golden era. His work has also appeared in films and TV, and he notably held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Rock Songwriters Chart for nine weeks. In 2022, Hollander released his memoir, 21 Hit Wonder, providing an insider’s look at his journey through the industry. Hollander, with 23 U.S. Top 40 hits to his name, said joining Artist House “feels like coming home,” adding that “their vision for the future of the music business and their dedication to revitalizing the New York songwriter community align perfectly with my passion for this city’s rich musical legacy.”
Billy Steinberg and his son Ezra Steinberg signed new global publishing deals with Sony Music Publishing. This expands SMP’s partnership with Billy, which began in 1992, and introduces Ezra to SMP’s roster. Their works will be under Steinberg Music, their newly formed company. The elder Steinberg’s latest deal with SMP covers his newer catalog, including hits like “I’ll Stand by You” by The Pretenders and “Give Your Heart a Break” by Demi Lovato. This move consolidates his newer catalog with his original SMP catalog, featuring Hot 100 No. 1s like Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” and The Bangles’ “Eternal Flame,” among others. Billy was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011. Brian Monaco, president and global chief marketing officer of SMP, expressed excitement about expanding their partnership with Billy — “an extraordinary songwriter whose music speaks to all generation” — and welcoming Ezra. “Representing Billy’s catalog continues to be one of our greatest privileges and we are honored that he’s entrusted us to champion these treasured songs,” he said.
SMP president and head of US A&R Katie Welle, Ezra and Billy Steinberg, and chairman/CEO Jon Platt
Sony Music Publishing
Raleigh Music Publishing and the ICM Crescendo Music Royalty Fund have partnered to acquire a majority interest in the Cal Mann publishing catalog, which includes such songs as Chubby Checker’s “Let’s Twist Again,” The Dovells’ “Bristol Stomp” and House of Pain’s “Jump Around.” The latter song is in the Mann catalog through sampling Mann’s co-written song, “Popeye the Hitchhiker,” also by Checker. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquired catalog includes over 200 songs in all, according to the announcement. Besides the above songs, Mann also was involved in writing songs for Elvis Presley Bobby Rydell, Pat Boone and Charlie Grace, among others. Raleigh Music Group co-president Peter Raleigh expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting the potential for new opportunities through sync placements and creative initiatives to “introduce these classics to new audiences.” –Ed Christman
Sony Music Publishing UK signed singer-songwriter Freya Ridings to an exclusive global publishing deal, covering her future works, including her upcoming third studio album. Ridings rose to fame in 2018 with “Lost Without You,” earning a BRIT nomination and leading to her debut album. Her sophomore release, Blood Orange, featured hits like “Castles” and “Weekends” and helped her accumulate nearly 4 million monthly Spotify listeners. Sony Music Publishing UK president David Ventura lavished praise upon Ridings’ songwriting and voice, calling it a long-awaited partnership. “For almost a decade, I have been trying to work with Freya, simply because her songwriting and voice are hypnotizing,” he said. “After all this time, it is exciting to have the opportunity to finally be in her team. Freya’s songwriting is inspired – she has many things to write about and her work ethic is incredible.” For her part, Ridings said “it’s been a dream of mine since 19 to sign” with Sony.
Concord Music Publishing has signed Nashville-based singer-songwriter Zachary Knowles, with the deal including all Knowles’ future works. In 2021, Knowles released his debut album, tendency to be a loner, and this past July issued his latest EP Look Mom, No Hands. “When I first met Zachary, I felt an instant creative connection,” said Melissa Spillman, vp of A&R at CMP. “He is a multi-faceted songwriter and artist who can create great music in so many different genres, and I am thrilled to have him join the Concord family.” –Jessica Nicholson
Melody Place signed singer-songwriter Melody Federer as the first standalone writer under its publishing arm, Melody Place Publications. Melody Place president Sandy McGraw, who has long admired Federer’s work, highlighted her innovative songwriting and said he’s thrilled to have her on board. Federer will play a key role in artist development, collaborating with artists like Katharine McPhee. Federer has worked with major artists such as Pink, Michael Bublé, and Kelly Rowland, and co-written with legends like Burt Bacharach. Federer has also released solo material, including “This Town” and “The Wonder Years,” featured on “Elton John’s Rocket Hour” radio show. Her latest release is the indie-pop track “Knocked Up.”
Centricity Music, an indie Christian music company, signed indie-rock/alt-pop artist and California native John Allan to a recording and publishing contract. Allan’s music is inspired by artists including The National, Gang of Youths and The Killers, and he’s set to release his debut single via Centricity later this month. “People are going to believe something about God based on what the song is saying,” said Allan, who released a pair of EPs in 2022. “I really believe it’s about stewarding what He’s planted and chasing the idea until it’s healthy enough to thrive in someone else’s life.”
Last Publishing Briefs: Reservoir Makes a ‘Key’ Move in Egypt
Iranian-Dutch singer, songwriter and producer Sevdaliza has signed her first-ever publishing agreement with Sony Music Publishing. Known for releasing boundary-pushing music for the last decade, beginning with her EP The Suspended Kid in 2015, Sevdaliza reached new heights last year with her viral single “Alibi” featuring Pabllo Vittar and Yseult, which became her first Billboard […]
This Valentine’s Day, show your love by sidling up to the latest Executive Turntable, Billboard’s weekly compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across the music business.
There’s a full slate of personnel news this week, but first, peruse our second annual list of the most powerful people in sports and music, our weekly interview series spotlighting a single c-suiter and our calendar of notable industry events.
The Bandier Program at Syracuse’s Newhouse School formed a new advisory board to guide the vaulted music business program. This board consists of 13 distinguished alumni who hold leadership positions across the recording and entertainment industries, with a goal to foster innovation, mentorship and career development for students. Notable members include Jon Cohen (co-founder/CEO of The FADER and Cornerstone Agency), Jacqueline Saturn (president of Virgin Music), Joel Klaiman (CEO of ASCEND4M, former evp at Columbia), Alex Coslov (evp of Mercury Records), Justin Shukat (president of Primary Wave) and Margaret Tomlin (vp of A&R at Sony Music Nashville), among others. They’ll work with Bandier program director Bill Werde and managing director Lisa Steele to keep the program aligned with industry trends, promote diversity and overall enhance its reputation. Since its first graduating class in 2011, the Bandier Program has consistently been ranked among Billboard’s top music business schools. This fall, it will expand with a new master’s degree program in music business, a joint effort between the Newhouse School and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Named after legendary music publishing executive Martin Bandier, the program offers students a multidisciplinary education, industry connections, and practical experience. Newhouse Dean Mark Lodato commended the alums, saying “the diverse skills and career paths of the 13 inaugural members of the Advisory Board shine a light on the legacy of excellence in music business education at Syracuse University and the Newhouse School.”
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Joey Papoutsis ’13, Bill Werde, Caitlin Lytle ’16, Max Weinberg ’12, Michelle Santosuosso, Suryansh Singh ’25, Tamzin Folz ’26, Darius Baharlo ’27, Rachel Kelly ’25, Margaret Tomlin ’13, Bria Lewis ’26, Gabz Landman ’12, Joel Klaiman ’90, Lisa Steele, Grant Palmer ’13, CJ Strock ’00, Jon Cohen ’90, Justin Shukat ’96, Steve Magee ’16
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Sony Music Publishing elevated Henry Naldjian to chief technology officer, reporting to chief information officer Bill Starke. Based in Nashville, Naldjian will oversee technological transformation, drive innovation and ensure global team alignment. With over 34 years of experience at Sony, he has played a key role in SMP’s IT advancements, including developing the Tempo copyright and royalty system and leading cloud computing initiatives. Naldjian, who previously helped build Sony Music Entertainment’s global royalty system, expressed his passion for supporting songwriters: “In a world where technology evolves at the speed of thought, our greatest asset is not the code we write, but the empowerment we provide to our songwriters and clients.”
The MSG Family of Companies — MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and Sphere Entertainment — appointed Stephanie Andino as executive vp of people practices, effective Feb. 24. Reporting to executive chairman and CEO Jim Dolan, she will oversee benefits, compensation, employee engagement, talent acquisition and policy compliance at the venue and live entertainment giant. Andino arrives from Crate and Barrel, where she served as chief human resources officer, and brings extensive experience from roles at Victoria’s Secret, Legends Hospitality, PepsiCo, Fox, JWT, and Gap Inc. Dolan praised her ability to develop impactful programs in dynamic organizations, adding, “we look forward to leveraging her expertise to lead this critical area.”
Concord Music Publishing nudged Kourtney Kirkpatrick to senior vp of synchronization and Matt Turner to vp of A&R in its Nashville office. Kirkpatrick will continue to lead the television sync division, managing a team across New York, Los Angeles and Nashville, and promoting catalogs from artists like Phil Collins, and John Fogerty. Her team has secured placements in popular shows such as Euphoria and Stranger Things, and trailers for brands like Netflix and Apple. She also leads Concord’s annual Nashville sync camp, which has resulted in over 350 placements globally. Previously, Kirkpatrick worked at Razor & Tie and Big Yellow Dog Music. Turner, meanwhile, will focus on signing and developing talent across country. His efforts have led to multiple radio staples for artists like Morgan Wallen and Dan + Shay, and he has also secured publishing deals for Josh Miller, Andy Albert and other writers. Turner’s previous experience includes roles at Big Loud and Downtown Music Publishing, where he helped launch the careers of Morgan Wallen and Chris Lane.
Jordan Saxemard‘s brief tenure as chief marketing officer of Sonos is over. Saxemard, who joined Sonos last May from Dyson and previously spent a decade at Coty, leaves amid backlash over a poorly received app update that damaged the company’s reputation with customers. His exit, effective immediately according to The Verge, comes a month after Patrick Spence’s resignation as CEO. In the interim, Lindsay Whitworth, a 20-year veteran of Sonos, will take over brand marketing leadership as the company navigates the fallout from the update and works to restore consumer confidence.
The Academy of Country Music made several key promotions and new hires. Christina Bartko joins as vp of accounting and finance, bringing experience from Warner Music Group and Live Nation, and will report to CEO Damon Whiteside. Haley Montgomery has been promoted to head of artist relations and awards, overseeing artist relations, membership, awards voting and governance, and will also report to Whiteside. Steve Mekler is now senior director of creative and marketing, leading marketing campaigns and content strategy, reporting to evp and chief business officer Gil Beverly. Jennifer Davis has been promoted to director of live events and production, managing logistics for major ACM events, and will report to vp of live events and production Ben Carter. Lastly, Karson Leighton joins as executive assistant to the CEO and CBO, handling internal operations.
Entertainment business management firm FBMM announced that Dan Killian is now an owner and shareholder of the company. Killian, who has nearly 15 years of music business experience, and more than a dozen years with FBMM, is now the youngest owner in FBMM’s history. In addition to managing business needs of clients spanning various genres of music, Killian also plays a key role in internal initiatives including creating a health and wellness program, leadership training and mentorship, and business development. FBMM was founded in 1990 and has offices in Los Angeles, New York City and Nashville. –Jessica Nicholson
TuneCore named Kevin Ferguson as senior vp of technology, tasked with driving innovation, scalability and user experience. Reporting to chief technology and product officer Luxi Huang, Ferguson will enhance TuneCore’s platform and programs like TuneCore Accelerator, focusing on digital tools that help artists connect with audiences and monetize their work. Ferguson brings extensive experience from BentoBox, where he scaled operations globally and integrated technology post-acquisition by FiServ. He has also held leadership roles at Audible, Morgan Stanley and the Vanguard Group. Huang praised Ferguson’s ability to lead high-performing teams, saying his “strategic foresight—makes him the ideal leader to further accelerate our innovation and ensure we remain at the forefront of the evolving music industry.” Ferguson expressed excitement about using technology to empower independent artists and strengthen TuneCore’s impact in the music industry, “all while ensuring that every artist has access to the most intuitive and powerful set of tools.”
Merlin appointed Sarah McNabb as director of content integrity, effective immediately. Based in London, McNabb joins from Audoo, where in three years she rose to head of partnerships, enhancing music royalties with advanced recognition technology. In her role at Merlin, she’ll work with members and digital platforms to maintain high content integrity standards. McNabb’s extensive experience with PROs and CMOs while at her last gig make her “uniquely suited to spearhead Merlin’s efforts to combat streaming manipulation and fraud,” the indie digital rights nonprofit said. Previously, she advocated for diversity and inclusion at Tech Talent Charter, a UK not-for-profit promoting gender parity in the IT sector.
RADIO, RADIO: Jenna Weiss-Berman stepped down as evp of podcasts at Audacy to become head of audio at Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite Productions. In her new role, she’ll lead the expansion of the company’s podcasting and digital audio content. Weiss-Berman, who co-founded Pineapple Street Studios before its acquisition by Audacy in 2019, will continue consulting for Audacy … Townsquare created three new upper-management positions and promoted executives to the roles. Cristina Cipolla steps up to chief data officer from senior vp of data and analytics, Matt Kiger rises to chief revenue officer from senior vp of sales, and Kelly Quinn is lifted to the Ignite division’s chief revenue officer from senior vp of sales.
Humanable appointed Tim Wipperman as its first chief executive officer, announced by president Lili McGrady. Wipperman, a Billboard Country Power Player in 2022, has had a distinguished career, starting in Nashville in the 1970s. He has led Vector Music Publishing, Cedarwood Publishing and Combine Music, working with writers like Kris Kristofferson. He notably spent nearly three decades at Warner Bros. Music (later Warner Chappell) and led Equity Music Group, Wipperman Music Group, Rezonant Music Group, and held roles at Anthem Music Publishing Nashville and ONErpm. Humanable’s software certifies that creators’ work is made without Generative AI, reducing fraud in the supply chain. The certification provides a unique identifier to protect against AI-generated music, with 3.4 million songs certified to date. Wipperman emphasized the importance of protecting artists, stating, “Humanable is a first-to-market, author-driven way to mitigate the danger GenAI poses to creators.”
Drew Silverstein joined SourceAudio as president and head of AI strategy. The hire coincides with the launch of SongLab, SourceAudio’s new AI-powered suite of music tools designed to credit and compensate artists for AI-generated works. Silverstein, co-founder and former CEO of Amper Music, is tasked with leading all AI initiatives, focusing on forming partnerships with companies seeking ethically sourced AI training data and ensuring that all 33 million songs in the SourceAudio catalog can be used with full creator consent. Silverstein, a former vp of music at Shutterstock, will report to SourceAudio CEO Geoffrey Harding.
Big Loud Rock named Brooks Roach as senior vp of marketing. In this role, Roach will oversee the label’s marketing strategy, reporting to Big Loud partner Joey Moi and evp/general manager Lloyd Norman. Roach brings extensive industry experience, having previously served as svp of marketing at Giant Music, vp of marketing at Atlantic Records, and head of marketing and brand partnerships for Coldplay at Dave Holmes Management. He began his career at The Agency Group.
Peermusic executive Frank Handy was elected national chair of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) for 2025-2026 term. In this role, he will work with the executive committee, including chapter brass, to unify all four AIMP Chapters (Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Atlanta) in educating the independent music publishing community on industry trends. Handy will also serve as president of the LA Chapter. With years of involvement in AIMP’s LA outpost, Handy has previously served as treasurer and vp. Currently vp of catalog royalties administration at peermusic, Handy has held leadership roles at Position Music and AllTrack Performing Rights.
The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, welcomed back Stefanie May as its marketing director. May, a seasoned live music marketer, previously held various roles at the venue from 2014 to 2022, including marketing coordinator, manager and director. She joins general manager Alyssa Kitchen as part of the Cap’s leadership team. May brings over a decade of industry experience, having worked with Brooklyn Made Presents and the Fairfield Theatre Company. She also played a key role in the National Independent Venue Association’s successful campaign to pass the Save Our Stages Act.
Laura Gonzalez has been promoted to vp of marketing at Disney Music Group. She will lead the Disney-branded marketing team, overseeing music and soundtrack strategies for Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Disney Theatrical and Disney Parks. She’ll also manage marketing for DMG playlists, music franchises, and activations at D23 Ultimate Fan Events. Since joining DMG in 2008, Gonzalez has played a key role in major marketing initiatives, contributing to the success of projects like Encanto, Turning Red, Moana 2, and Frozen on Broadway.
Tape Room Music added Katherine Godwin as manager of A&R, where she will focus on maximizing catalog constructs and managing calendars for writers on the Tape Room Music roster. Godwin began interning with Big Machine Label Group’s publishing arm while completing her undergrad degree at Vanderbilt University. She then worked as a publishing assistant at BMLG’s publishing division before serving as a creative coordinator, managing a catalog of over 14,000 songs for three years. -J.N.
NASHVILLE NOTES: UMG Nashville director of media marketing Jodi Dawes exited the label after a three-and-a-half year run … Mtheory expanded its Nashville office with two new hires. Branden Bosler joins as vp of artist services and business development, bringing experience from Stand Together Music, BMI and Warner Music Nashville. Carine Abraham has been appointed as a day-to-day manager, overseeing the career of Mickey Guyton. She previously worked as a project manager at UMG Nashville … The Touring Career Workshop rebranded as ECCHO, an acronym for Education, Community, Connection, Health and Opportunity.
Calling All Crows, an advocate for feminist actions in the music industry, appointed Ben Whitehair as its new executive director, succeeding Heatherjean MacNeil. Whitehair, formerly the executive vp of SAG-AFTRA, brings nearly two decades of entertainment and leadership experience. Board chair Monica Hinojos-Capes said Whitehair’s “ability to catalyze communities, foster impactful partnerships, and drive meaningful change aligns seamlessly with our mission to mobilize music fans and artists to fuel feminist movements and social activism.” Co-founded by Chadwick Stokes and Sybil Gallagher, the nonprofit engages music fans, artists and venues in activism. It has donated over $1 million and facilitated over 50,000 actions for feminist causes, the org said. Under MacNeil’s leadership, initiatives like Here For The Music, promoting safer music spaces, gained national traction.
ICYMI:
Deborah F. Rutter
In a totally normal move, Donald Trump fired Kennedy Center president Deborah F. Rutter and installed himself as chair … Sony Music Nashville restructured its promo team, appointing Dennis Reese as svp of radio marketing & promo and letting several staffers go … WMG announced Tomás Talarico as new managing director in Argentina and Chile … the label also expanded its corporate development team by appointing Alfonso Perez-Soto as evp of corp dev and Michael LoBiondo as svp of corp dev … and Ronald Day is out at Telemundo. [Keep Reading]
Last Week’s Turntable: Capitol Gets ‘Busy’ and Atlantic Picks ‘Figs’
Sony Music Publishing has promoted Katie Welle to president and head of U.S. A&R, effective Feb. 1. Welle will succeed Walter Jones, who is leaving the company after nearly three years in the role. In her new position, which is based in Los Angeles and reports up to SMP chairman and CEO Jon Platt, Welle […]
Sony Music Publishing (SMP) has announced the opening of a new office space and creative hub for songwriters in Hollywood. The new location is in the heart of Hollywood’s historic media district and minutes from the city’s old vinyl district. It’s also just down the road from Kobalt and SiriusXM’s offices, making the area a […]
Sony Music Publishing (SMP) has signed a global deal with Mike Dean and several members of his producer collective MWA, including Sean Solymar, Tommy Rush and Sage Skolfield. The deal also includes a new strategic partnership between SMP and MWA to foster the creative development of its new talent. Dean is one of the most influential producers working today. Since the ’90s, he’s defined the sound of hip-hop. He started his career in the Houston area working with Southern rap icons like Scarface, Ugk and Devin The Dude. Since then, Dean has worked across nearly the entire discography of Ye (formerly Kanye West) as well as on pivotal albums like Travis Scott’s ASTROWORLD, Beyoncé’s Lemonade, Frank Ocean’s Blonde, The Weeknd’s Beauty Behind the Madness and many more.
EMPIRE Publishing has entered a global publishing partnership with two-time GRAMMY winner Billy Ray Cyrus. The voice behind hits like “Achy Breaky Heart” and Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” remix, Cyrus is set to release his next song, “Remember Why You’re Here,” on Nov. 22.
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PULSE Music Group has formed a creative joint venture with songwriter/producer Gabe Simon and his publishing entity Abide By the Vibe. Simon is best known for co-writing and co-producing Noah Kahan’s hit album Stick Season along with Kahan’s previous LPs. The first two signings to the PULSE Music Group/Abide By the Vibe JV are Noah Levine (another Kahan co-writer) and Sam “HAFFWAY” Westhoff (a Nashville-based writer, producer and artist).
Bossy Songs (the publishing venture founded by RECORDS CEO and co-founder Barry Weiss) and Sony Music Publishing have extended their joint publishing venture and announced the signing of writer/producer Austin Corona. Corona is perhaps best known for his work on Halsey’s latest album, The Great Impersonator, (“Panic Attack,” “Ego,” “Darwinism,” “Lonely is the Muse”), but he has also worked on Zara Larsson’s Venus, Jean Dawson’s CHAOS NOW and GLIMMER OF GOD, and Peter McPoland’s “Piggy.” Frequently, Corona works alongside his production partner, Wyatt Bernard, who is signed to Sony Music Publishing. The roster for Bossy Songs now includes Corona, Dan Gleyzer, Cheyenna, Michael Sonier, Cody Tarpley and IDA.
The Ivors Academy, the U.K.’s premier songwriting advocacy organization, has elected 40 songwriters and composers to its members Senate. This group includes English star Paloma Faith, Ivor Novello Award winners Kamille and Tinie Tempah, fellow of The Ivors Academy David Arnold, and current Ivors Academy Chair and founding member of Gomez Tom Gray. Elected once every three years, the Senate provides feedback that influences the direction of the Ivors Academy and its positions on key issues like AI, creator remuneration, the future of public funding for the arts and more.
peermusic latin america has signed AQUIHAYAQUIHAY, Un León Marinero and Foudeqush to exclusive worldwide publishing deals. The trio was signed by peermusic Mexico, with the deals encompassing existing song catalogs and future works. “peermusic Mexico is proud to add to its roster these latest signings which showcase the variety and breath of Mexican music’s contemporary talents and our office’s commitment towards supporting our rich local heritage,” said Viridiana Gonzalez, GM of peermusic Mexico, in a statement.
Universal Music Publishing Group has signed Tim Powell in collaboration with Organized Chaos. Powell is a British songwriting talent who has lent his pen to songs like “Hole in the Head” and “Round Round” by Sugababes, “Call the Shots” by Girls Aloud, “Love etc.” by Pet Shop Boys, “Picking Up the Pieces” by Saint Etienne, “Change Your Life” by Little Mix and “Head & Heart” by Joel Corry & MNEK.
Warner Chappell Music and Twelve6 Entertainment have signed singer-songwriter Ben Wagner to a global publishing deal. Wagner is a rising talent in Nashville and is best known for his work with Wyatt Flores on his songs for Netflix’s Virgin River and Ordinary Angels.
Sony Music Publishing Indonesia (SMPI) today announced the signing of acclaimed Indonesian singer, songwriter and actor Sal Priadi to an exclusive global publishing agreement. The landmark deal sees Sal Priadi’s entire back catalog coming under the SMPI umbrella.
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Lekeisha Irion is the new head of A&R at Warner Chappell Music Benelux — a nifty portmanteau for Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Based in Amsterdam, Irion will report to Niels Walboomers, president of records and publishing in the three-nation region. Since joining as A&R Manager last year following a stint as an office manager for Sony Music Publishing, Irion has influenced Dutch pop and hip-hop, working with artists like Roxy Dekker, who has slapped four No. 1s in the Netherlands this year, Dutch singer-rapper Antoon. Known for her collaborative work with Warner Music Benelux’s recorded music team, Irion has helped secure both publishing and recording deals for several artists. Walboomers and Shani Gonzales, WCM’s Head of International A&R, praised Irion’s early success and strong instincts for new talent. “She understands how genres and scenes are evolving in different markets and spots the opportunities for her writers to jump into collabs,” Gonzales said.
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Sony Music Publishing elevated Racheal Conte to vice president of sample clearance, legal and business affairs. In her new role, Conte will lead the U.S. sample clearance team, modernize operations and develop strategies to expand sampling opportunities for SMP’s songwriters and catalog. She’ll also collaborate with global offices to streamline sample clearances for U.S.-based works, reporting directly to Peter Brodsky, evp of business and legal affairs and general counsel, from New York. Conte joined SMP in 2006 and has held various roles, most recently assistant director of sample clearance. “Racheal’s contributions have been key to the success of SMP’s songwriters and catalogs, and it has been rewarding to see her growth as a leader throughout her time at the company,” said Brodsky.
RADIO, RADIO: iHeartMedia laid off dozens — hundreds, according to reports — of staffers from radio stations around the country. Among the impacted in the sweeping cuts are regional presidents Matt Scarano (Chicago), Clyde Bass (Texas/Arkansas), Alan Chartrand (Boston) and Michael Burger (Raleigh), among others … Back at the home office, iHeart elevated Jordan Fasbender from general counsel to chief legal officer, with the former 21st Century Fox exec retaining her other titles of evp and corporate secretary … Audacy hired senior vp of research and insights Ray Borelli, who arrives after working as Warner Bros. Discovery vp of ad sales research.
Emily Crews, former vp of brands and synchronisation at Warner Music Australia, joined Level Two Music as head of partnerships. She brings extensive experience in synch licensing and artist-brand collaborations from her time at Warner and, prior to that, Universal Music. The Sydneysider said she’s excited about Level Two’s dynamic and thoughtful approach to music supervision, while managing director Jen Taunton praised Crews’ ability to “navigate through often complex and layered deals, always managing to find the ‘sweet spot.’”
Nashville-based Reliant Talent Agency has announced a round of promotions and hires, with former Paradigm music executive Keith Richards joining RTA’s festival department. Reliant has also promoted Ron Kaplan and Garry Buck to executive vp roles, while Kailey Edgerton, Cole Speed and Robert Baugh have been promoted from coordinators to agents. Additionally, the agency has relocated its headquarters to a new office space at 1610 West End Ave. in Nashville. –Jessica Nicholson
NASHVILLE NOTES: Kelli Wasilauski resigned as The Oriel Co. director of Nashville operations, ending her year-long tenure on Oct. 28 … Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem expanded with three new attorneys. J. Rush Hicks joins as Of Counsel, adding decades of experience and previous leadership at Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business. New associates Cheshire Rigler and Alyssa Johnson also bring experience from other Nashville entertainment law firms.
Los Angeles marketing agency Game Over Media named Gavrielle Chavez as chief operating officer. Chavez will oversee operations across Game Over Studios, Game Over Agency, Game Over Records, and the new GameTune platform. Her role emphasizes expanding reach within next-gen communities and enhancing fan engagement at the company, where recent projects include campaigns for Big Sean, Childish Gambino, Imagine Dragons and Tyla. Chavez previously worked at Scopely, where she led product marketing for the popular game Monopoly Go!, and before that was a creator strategic at TikTok, where she launched TikTok Shop and fostered partnerships between gaming brands and creators. Founder Anthony Pisano said Chavez’s experience at Scopely and TikTok align with Game Over Media’s vision, adding “Gavi’s expertise will also be invaluable as we scale GameTune, our new cutting-edge AI platform that empowers record labels, brands, and gaming publishers to reach their audiences through strategic, data-driven marketing.”
Kuke Music Holding Limited, a NYSE-listed classical music service based in China, announced that its president, Li Sun, resigned in July. The company, which provides classical content to educational resources and boasts a library of about 3 million audio and video tracks, clarified that Sun’s departure was amicable, with no disputes over operational or policy issues. Following her resignation, CEO and chairman He Yu has overseen the company.
ICYMI:
Azu Olvera
Deezer appointed Pedro Kurtz as director of operations for the Americas … Former SiriusXM exec Azucena “Azu” Olvera is now general manager of WK Records … Alana Dolgin joined Atlantic Music Group as the label’s first president of digital marketing … Spinnin’ Records president Roger de Graaf is retiring from the Dutch label he co-founded … and Cara Hutchison was named head of The Lede Company‘s new music division, while Jess Anderson also joins her team. [KEEP READING]
Last Week’s Turntable: UMG’s Nigerian Label Picks a President
Warner Chappell Music‘s Latin division has signed urbano music producer Jorge Milliano. A trusted collaborator for superstars like Peso Pluma, Myke Towers, Anitta, The Chainsmokers, Maluma, Manuel Turizo, Marshmello and Nicky Jam, Milliano is one of the top producers working in Latin music today.
Concord Music Publishing has announced the signing of poet, singer, songwriter and producer Kara Jackson. Signed in collaboration with Ark Publishing, a joint venture founded by Grammy-winning producer and songwriter, Noah Goldstein, the worldwide publishing deal includes Jackson’s catalog and all future works.
The Circuit Group has partnered with Kobalt globally for publishing administration. The Circuit Group was founded by Dean and Jessica Wilson, Brett Fischer, David Gray and Harvey Tadman with the aim to acquire ownership in artists’ IP portfolios and partner with them to build new monetization opportunities.
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U.K. music supervision company 45RPM has launched a new music publishing arm with the support of Universal Music Publishing Group, which will administer the new publishing outfit. Founded in 2022 by top music supervisors Iain Cooke, Sarah Bridge, Catherine Grieves and Nick Angel, 45RPM offers a full service experience for clients, including soundtrack development, composer partnerships, rights negotiation, budget management and on-camera music supervision.
Spirit Music Group has joined a creative joint venture with Grammy-winner Autumn Rowe to form Rowe’s Honest Songs Music & Lyrics. A singer, songwriter and producer, Rowe has worked with Jon Batiste, Dua Lipa, Diana Ross, Pitbull, Zendaya, Ava Max, FKA Twigs and Leona Lewis, as well as released songs in her own right. When she’s not in sessions, Rowe sits on the board of Songwriters of North America (SONA) where she advocates for songwriter’s rights.
Sony Music Publishing Nashville today announced the signing of acclaimed songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Elysse Yulo. News of the deal comes just months after working with Lana Del Rey and Quavo on their song “Tough.” Along with her work with Del Rey and Quavo, Elysse has also worked with Nashville talents like Zach John King, and Maddox Batson.
EJ Pasin has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Position Music. He is perhaps best known for producing the beat and guitar of the viral hit “Embrace It” by Ndorz, but the songwriter/producer has also released his own work via the names EJ Pasin and ptasinski (his side project). He is managed by Ewan Jenkins and Jack Mangan of E2J Management.
Warner Chappell Music (WCM) and Grammy-nominated duo, The Warren Brothers, have jointly signed a publishing deal with emerging country singer-songwriter Preston Cooper. An Ohio native, Cooper is currently one of the special guests on Riley Green’s ‘Damn Country Music’ Tour. He also has new music dropping in early 2025.
Jonathan Tester has launched Groove Bound Songs, a new independent publishing company, created via a joint venture with Bucks Music Group. As part of their agreement, Groove Bound Songs, founded by Bucks longtime Head of Sync, will benefit from Bucks’ leading back end administration, creative A&R, sync services and general expertise under the JV.
Sony Music Publishing Nashville has announced a new partnership with One4 Entertainment’s Brian Wright to sign breakthrough singer-songwriter Sadie Bass to a global publishing deal.
Sony Music Publishing Latin has signed Fuerza Regida frontman Jesús “JOP” Ortiz Paz and his label Street Mob Records. A leading indie label that puts out records in the Música Mexicana genre and beyond, Street Mob boasts a roster of more than 25 songwriters, producers and artists, including Chinco Pacas, Calle 24, Clave Especial and Miguel Armenta.
As one of the leading Música Mexicana groups, Fuerza Regida has helped introduce the genre to new fans around the world. The Mexican-American band’s ascent up the Billboard charts began in 2018, when Radicamos in South Central debuted at No. 35 on Regional Mexican Airplay. Since then, the band has produced a slew of hits, including “TQM,” “Bebe Dame” with Grupo Frontera, “Sabor Fresa,” “Harley Quinn” with Marshmello and many more. The group’s 2023 album Pa Las Baby’s Belikeada peaked at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart and at No. 14 on the Billboard 200.
This week, JOP will join Billboard’s Leila Cobo in Miami at Billboard’s Latin Music Week as part of the Sony Music Publishing Icon Q+A.
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Recently, Fuerza Regida earned eight nominations at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards, including artist of the year and album of the year, while JOP received nominations for songwriter of the year and producer of the year, along with recognition on Billboard’s 2024 Latin Power Player list.
“Partnering with Sony Music Publishing marks an exciting chapter for Street Mob Records,” said JOP in a statement. “This deal shows our commitment to exploring songwriting within Música Mexicana and beyond various genres. It’s a true reflection of the talent at Street Mob and what we’re creating together. With Sony Publishing, we’re building a partnership that aims to inspire the next generation of artists and leave a lasting impact.”
Sony Music Publishing president/CEO, Latin America and U.S. Latin Jorge Mejia said of the deal: “We couldn’t be happier to team up with an artist and executive like JOP and Street Mob Records, in order to help support and develop a fantastic stable of writers within Música Mexicana and beyond. This partnership with Street Mob is visionary and an incredible opportunity for the Sony Music Publishing family.”
Sony Music Publishing Latin director of creative Monica Jordan added: “We are thrilled to embark on this journey with JOP and Street Mob Records. We look forward to working with JOP and the Street Mob roster as they continue to innovate and push the boundaries of Música Mexicana even further.”
Welcome to a teeming edition of Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music. And what a depressing late-week it’s been, with Warner Music making deep cuts across its Atlantic Music Group that sources say will affect between 150-175 people. If you need a palette cleanser, read on for mostly good news but also check out Billboard’s weekly interview series spotlighting a single executive, our helpful calendar of notable events across the biz, and a regularly updated gallery honoring many of the industry figures we’ve lost throughout the year.
Believe appointed industry veteran Henri Jamet to lead its France operations as managing director, reinforcing its leadership team in its all-important home market. With over 20 years of experience, including the last decade at Believe, Henri has played a key role in the company’s artistic wins. He replaces Romain Vivien, who is now president of Europe and global head of music, and will report directly to him. This move aligns with Believe’s focus on A&R and artist development to boost market share across the 50 countries it now operates in. Henri’s career began at Universal Music and NRJ, followed by Wagram, where he became a marketing manager. In 2013, he joined Believe, leading labels such as AllPoints, naïve, and launching Animal63. Under his leadership, AllPoints became a leader in French rap — its artists dominated last year with 47 of the top 200 albums — while naïve emerged as a major pop label. “Henri is as close as possible to the ground, he is respected in the industry, he has a creative vision and knows the company culture,” said Believe founder and CEO Denis Ladegaillerie. “He is the ideal candidate to succeed Romain, one of the Group’s best ambassadors and a great example of career development with us.”
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Maximilian Paproth is coming back to Budde Music, where he worked for a decade earlier in his career, as global president A&R. In that role, Paproth will manage the company’s German operations, as well as its international A&R, starting in January 2025. He will report directly to company owner and CEO Benjamin Budde, who has been building the family-owned publishing company into an increasingly global operation that is active in the agency and concert promotion businesses, as well as its publishing business. Paproth worked at Budde in various roles from 2003 to 2023, then worked for Sony Music Publishing and then Universal Music, where he is currently vp of A&R for central Europe & international marketing Germany. “Max is now supporting our efforts to be the best partners for authors and artists at the perfect time,” Benjamin Budde said in a statement. Budde Music includes the Budde Talent Agency and the management company BuddeMgmt, as well as publishing and some recording operations. –Robert Levine
Downtown Music promoted Gareth Mellor to senior vp of global marketing & communications. Based in the UK, Mellor will lead M&C efforts across Downtown’s four divisions: publishing, distribution, artist & label services and royalties & financial services, which serve over 5,000 clients and 4 million creators in 145 countries. A Downtowner since mid-2021, Mellor was previously vp of global marketing and communications and earlier served as global head of B2B marketing for its distribution tech company FUGA. He has also held senior roles at TuneCore, AWAL and Kobalt. He reports to CEO Pieter van Rijn and chief commercial officer David Driessen, who commended Mellor’s global marketing expertise and contributions to FUGA, expressing confidence in his ability to strengthen Downtown’s brand globally. “With a strong understanding of global marketing, he has continued to deliver exceptional results-driven work at Downtown and I look forward to working alongside him in his new role as he continues to elevate and position Downtown’s brand in the global marketplace,” said the recently promoted Driessen.
Back to Believe, which is also reinforcing its commitment to Mexican music with two leadership appointments. Marco Cataño — who has a 25-year career and has worked at Sony Music and Warner Music — is named head of artist services LATAM, overseeing the Paris-based company’s premium offerings. As head of label & artist solutions México, José Pablo Molina’s division will offer solutions to independent artists and labels through the marketing and content distribution platform. Molina has 10 years of experience, previously working at ROC Nation and OCESA. “Both Marco and José Pablo have an outstanding track record in the music industry,” said Alejandra Olea, Believe America’s managing director. “Their experience allows them to identify areas of opportunity in the market to strengthen and develop Spanish-speaking talent. Their ability to attract and grow artists in a lasting way aligns with Believe’s priorities for Mexico and Latin America.” –Jessica Roiz
Merlin, the digital licensing partner for the indie music sector, welcomed back Kaoruko Hill as the music rights organization’s general manager of Asia-Pacific. Kaoruko’s career spans over a decade, including her most recent role at ByteDance, where she managed global music rights. From 2016 to 2020, she was instrumental in Merlin’s successful entry into the Japanese market, increasing membership and building strong partnerships as head of member relations and operations. She previously worked at Japan’s music copyright collective NexTone Inc., focusing on new media licensing and global partnerships. Merlin’s CEO, Jeremy Sirota, praised Kaoruko’s strategic vision and said her “deep commitment to the music industry make her the ideal leader to drive our efforts in the Asia-Pacific market forward.”
Hipgnosis Song Management named Sara Lord as its new chief creative officer, tasked with managing synch, audience development and leading Hipgnosis’ overall strategy and creative industry collaborations for its portfolio of some 40,000 iconic songs. A veteran of Concord Music, where Lord built an international team and launched the Concord art prize, Lord joined Hipgnosis in 2023 as executive vp of content. Lord will work alongside Katovsky under the new Blackstone ownership. “Sara has an outstanding track record and incredible knowledge of the creative industries,” Hipgnosis CEO Ben Katovsky said in a statement. “Hipgnosis owns many of the world’s most iconic songs and, as we seek to bring them to even wider audiences, building partnerships across these creative industries is a key part of our strategy. Sara is uniquely qualified to build these partnerships, while working closely with our songwriters and artists.” –Elizabeth Dilts Marshall
Sony Music Publishing promoted Antoine Dathanat to managing director of France, starting Oct. 1. He will succeed the SMP’s longtime French MD Nicolas Galibert, who is retiring at the end of the month. As MD of SMP France, Dathanat will be responsible for overseeing creative and business operations across France and supporting SMP songwriters around the globe. He will continue to be based out of Paris and will report directly to Sony Music Publishing president of international Guy Henderson. –Kristin Robinson
PUB FARE: Third Side Music has expanded into the UK and Europe by appointing Stephen Christian as executive vp of creative/A&R: International. Based in London, Christian will report to TSM’s COO, Jeff Waye, and work with LA-based Creative/A&R heads Brontë Jane and Alex Kelman to sign new talent and foster global opportunities for artists like SOFI TUKKER and Sky Ferreira. Christian is the former creative director and head of A&R at Warp Records, where he was instrumental in signing and developing acts like Danny Brown, Mount Kimbie and Kelela … peermusic appointed Samantha Schilling Robinson as vice president of peermusic Neighboring Rights. Schilling Robinson was previously vp of neighbouring rights at Songtradr, Inc. Schilling Robinson will be based in peermusic’s offices in Los Angeles.
Music funding platform beatBread appointed Andrew Maddox as head of finance to support its growth. Maddox previously held finance leadership roles at TikTok, including head of finance and payment services for US Data Security, and he’s the former chief of staff to TikTok’s COO. He also led finance for content, marketing, product, and operations. Prior to TikTok, Maddox worked at Amazon Prime Video, contributing to its expansion into live sports and international markets. beatBread CEO Peter Sinclair praised Maddox’s finance and strategic marketing skills, highlighting their importance as the company uses data science and automation to empower artists, labels, and publishers with flexible funding options. Maddox expressed excitement about joining beatBread, emphasizing “beatBread is at the forefront of enabling artists to pursue their passions without sacrificing control over their careers. The flexibility and choice the company is bringing to music funding is a true game-changer for independent artists and labels. I couldn’t be more excited to join the beatBread team.”
Music licensing platform Soundstripe named Angela Abbott as global head of music partnerships, overseeing strategic relationships for content creators, enterprises, and rights holders. With over a decade of experience in business development and strategic partnerships, Abbott brings expertise from her roles at TIDAL and Pandora, where she secured over $200 million in licensing deals with the big three major labels, among others. Abbott also stays involved with the Recording Academy and Women in Music, where she serves as global co-chair of partnerships & development. “We founded Soundstripe to address a critical gap in the music licensing space for content creators, but our vision extends far beyond that,” said Travis Terrell, Soundstripe’s co-founder and CEO. “With Angela’s proven track record and expertise in negotiating complex licensing deals with the world’s leading music companies, we are excited to accelerate our trajectory and provide top-tier music solutions for both creators and global brands.”
Andrew Leib, after 11 years at Red Light Management, launched Deep Feel Talent Co., a boutique artist management company. The firm’s inaugural roster includes Victoria Canal, Maris Jones, Nu Deco Ensemble, Andy Arthur Smith and Dana Nielsen. Deep Feel said it will emphasize creating long-term relationships with artists and aims to create a supportive community for musicians, content creators and producers. Leib began his career in artist relations at festivals like Lollapalooza and Riot Fest, co-created the immersive concert experience Brassroots District, and co-founded The UnCancelled Music Festival, raising over $100K for artists and venues during the pandemic. He also booked talent for the Miles Davis Estate showcase at SXSW. Leib says Deep Feel reflects his values of “building strong, authentic relationships with my clients and community, and creating space for creative voices to grow.”
Breakaway Music Festival, the annual multi-city event featuring a healthy dose of dance music, hired former Sony vp of corporate development Adam Wright as CFO and managing partner. In his new role, Wright will lead strategic initiatives, corporate development, brand growth and financial operations for Breakaway. The festival also elevated Jarrod Fucci from GM to festival president. This year’s BMF tour has three more dates left: Sept. 27-28 in Charlotte, Oct. 11-12 in Nashville and Oct. 25-26 in San Francisco.
Nettwerk made two significant hires to bolster its UK label team. Katie Graham has been appointed head of catalogue marketing and developments globally, moving from Warner Music Group, where she directed marketing strategies for renowned artists like Phil Collins, Enya, Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa. She aims to enhance Nettwerk’s extensive catalogue with innovative strategies for both established and emerging talents. Additionally, Ruth Wyatt joins as director of sync for UK and Europe, bringing her experience from Warner Music UK, where she successfully placed artists in various sync opportunities. Her notable achievements include Sam Ryder’s “Christmas To Me.” Both hires were welcomed by Nettwerk co-founder Mark Jowett, who commended their expertise in catalogue development and sync, highlighting their commitment to supporting artists.
Spotify‘s head of podcast business, Sahar Elhabashi, is leaving the company at the end of 2024. Roman Wasenmüller, who currently oversees international podcast operations, will lead the division during the search for Elhabashi’s successor. Elhabashi’s six-year tenure included a strategic shift from exclusive creator deals to broader distribution, enhancing audience reach and ad sales. She joined Spotify in December 2018 as vp of content and took over the podcast division after Dawn Ostroff left in January 2023. Prior to Spotify, Elhabashi held c-suite level roles at Conde Nast and Discovery Communications, while earlier in her career she spent 15 years in senior leadership at MTV Networks.
The Circuit Group, a management collective empowering artists to have greater creative control over their IP, announced its expansion into the UK with the launch of Circuit Management, a joint venture with CTRLFRK. The initiative will be led by TCG chief strategy officer James Sutcliffe, who has been appointed CEO and president of The Circuit Group UK. Sutcliffe, an industry veteran with leadership experience at Ministry of Sound, LIVENow, PIXELYNX, and Monster Energy, will work under global CEO Dean Wilson. “Circuit Management is the culmination of our vision to create an environment where artists can truly succeed,” said Michael Boyce, founder of CTRLFRK and co-president of Circuit Management. “Partnering with Circuit enables us to offer a comprehensive approach to management, focusing on both artistic integrity and commercial success. We’re ready to make a lasting impact on the UK music landscape.”
ATC Group has launched Circa, a music promotions company led by Matt Black, former managing director of Your Army’s U.S. office. Circa, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and London, will take over operations from Your Army America, offering integrated marketing and promotional campaigns globally. The London office will be led by Charlie Reid, who joins as general manager, following experience leading UK radio campaigns for artists like London Grammar, Jon Batiste, Marlon Hoffstadt and Jade Bird. In the U.S., Black’s team has managed campaigns for labels such as Atlantic, Warner, and RCA, achieving top chart placements for artists like RÜFÜS DU SOL and The Hives. Circa will continue campaigns for high-profile artists including Justice, Disclosure, SOFI TUKKER, and deadmau5. It operates within ATC Group’s Services division, alongside Familiar Music Group, companyX, Simpatico, [namethemachine] and Sandbag. “As a key component of ATC’s full service offering across our network of Group businesses, Circa will enable us to deliver an ever more integrated strategy to assist artists in achieving their creative and commercial goals,” said Adam Driscoll, CEO of ATC Group.
BOARD SHORTS: Marit Berning, Paul Smernicki, Shaurav D’Silva, and Tania Lee have been newly elected to the Music Managers Forum board, with Sandy Dworniak re-elected. Paul Craig and Kwame Kwaten have stepped down as chair and vice-chair, with successors to be announced in early October. The MMF aims to enhance its partnership with Music Minds Matter to provide more mental health support for managers. Additionally, the MMF will host a retreat for advanced managers in January 2025.
RoEx, a startup in intelligent audio production, partnered with UnitedMasters to offer AI-powered mastering services via UnitedMasters’ web platform and iOS app. To support its growth, RoEx appointed Tom Nield as head of partnerships, leveraging his 15-plus years of experience in music and technology, including roles at [PIAS] and startups like LANDR. In his new role, Nield will focus on expanding RoEx’s partnerships with music distribution companies and creator platforms. The partnership aims to enhance audio quality services and provide educational content through UnitedMasters’ Blueprint tool. Additionally, UnitedMasters and RoEx are launching an in-app challenge, awarding 50 artists with free mastering credits worth up to $150 each.
ASM Global elevated Gemma Vaughan to acting general manager of AO Arena in Manchester, effective immediately. Gemma, who joined ASM Global in 2023 as sales and marketing director, brings 14 years of experience in the live entertainment industry, having worked with Live Nation Entertainment, Cuffe & Taylor, and Escape to Freight Island. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with artists like Faithless, Mariah Carey, and Britney Spears, gaining a deep understanding of the industry. Vaughan’s predecessor as GM, Jen Mitchell, has left the company.
ICYMI:
Kevin Liles
The painful cuts this week at Atlantic Music Group have impacted between 150 and 175 people, according to sources, including key execs at Elektra (Chris Brown, Katie Robinson, Adam Abramson) and Atlantic (Michael Kyser, Paul Sinclair, Grace James). Follow developments here … Earlier this week, 300 Entertainment CEO Kevin Liles telegraphed his exit … Warner Music Japan chief Kaz Kobayashi announced his departure … TelevisaUnivision named a new CEO … and Sony Music Nashville chairman and CEO Randy Goodman is retiring.
Last Week’s Turntable: The MLC-Suite Gets an Upgrade