Warner Chappell Music
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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
Time to drop the needle on the latest Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music.
Read on for (mostly) good news and also check out Billboard‘s annual list of top executives leading the live sector, plus our weekly interview series spotlighting a single c-suiter, our helpful calendar of notable events, and have you ever wanted to look at tchotchkes inside the office of an executive while reading their in-depth answers to the most important questions facing the biz? From the Desk Of is probably your jam.
Daniel Lang was elevated to senior vp of global society relations and digital rights at Warner Chappell Music, reporting to CEO Guy Moot. Based in London, Lang will manage relations with U.S. and international collection societies, focusing on optimizing digital income flow and ensuring timely payments to songwriters. He’ll also represent Warner Chappell in negotiations with DSPs including Spotify and YouTube, among others. Since joining Warner Chappell in 2017, Lang has held key digital licensing roles, strengthening relationships with partners and modernizing practices with collection societies. Promoted to vp in 2021, his efforts have improved payment processes for songwriters. WCM CEO Guy Moot praised Lang’s management of both digital licensing and society relations, adding, “It was an experiment to combine these remits and it paid off handsomely. I’m delighted that he’s agreed to take on this expanded global role as I know our writers will continue to benefit from his proactive, collaborative and inventive approach.”
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Mavin Global chief operating officer Tega Oghenejobo has added president to his title at the Nigerian record label, effective immediately. Oghenejobo, who joined Mavin in 2012, has been instrumental in Mavin’s rise as an African music powerhouse, fostering talent development — the label’s roster includes Rema, Tyra Starr and others — and securing strategic alliances, such as with Universal Music Group, which purchased a majority stake in the compny earlier this year. Under Oghenejobo’s guidance, Mavin’s international wins include Rema’s “Calm Down” remix with Selena Gomez, which became the first Afrobeats track to reach over a billion Spotify streams, while Ayra Starr’s album “The Year I Turned 21” made her the first Nigerian female artist to chart on the Billboard 200. As president and COO, Tega aims to elevate Mavin’s global reach and boost its roster. Mavin CEO Don Jazzy praised Tega’s leadership and is confident in his vision to propel the company further. “Tega has been a cornerstone of Mavin’s success since day one,” said Jazzy. “His leadership, vision, and deep industry insights have been vital in shaping the label’s growth. His promotion to President and COO is a testament to his remarkable achievements, and I am confident he will continue to lead Mavin to even greater heights.”
Warner Chappell Music Korea appointed Sophia Hong as managing director, effective immediately. Reporting to WCM APAC president Arica Ng, the Seoul-based Hong will lead the company’s South Korean music publishing operations, focusing on market presence and business growth. Her role includes developing strategic initiatives, leading teams and identifying growth opps. Hong brings experience from roles at companies like Kakao Corp, MTV, Nickelodeon and Sesame Workshop in both the U.S. and Asia. “Her unique insights, fresh perspective and curiosity about new approaches will enrich our work,” praised Ng. “We are committed to empowering songwriters and fostering collaboration, and with Sophia on board, we are well-positioned to create deeper connections with fans. We will collaborate closely to ensure that their voices are heard and their stories leave a lasting impact globally.”
Jayce Varden joined SongVest as chief strategy officer to spearhead the development of Songshares, a platform that enables fans to purchase fractional royalty shares in songs. Varden, who co-founded PledgeMusic and raised over $100 million through its crowdfunding campaigns, brings experience in fan engagement and artist support to the royalty investment platform. Additionally, Varden co-founded channl, a platform focused on audience engagement, and contributes as an advisor at Berklee Online. SongVest CEO Sean Peace praised Varden’s expertise in fan experiences and his alignment with the company’s mission to democratize music ownership. “Jayce’s pioneering work with PledgeMusic set a new standard for fan engagement, and his expertise in building unique fan experiences aligns perfectly with SongVest’s vision,” said Peace. “Together, we are taking the next step in democratizing music ownership for fans while empowering artists.”
TuneCore appointed Atticus Shelley as vice president of finance, reporting to chief financial and strategy officer Matt Barrington. Shelley will lead the company’s financial strategies, manage the finance team, boost efficiencies and will also provide financial insights to guide expansion efforts and other top-level decisions. Shelley brings extensive experience from roles at Hulu, Spotify, and Investi Financial Inc., where he recently served as executive director of finance. At Spotify, he was the founding director of the company’s financial planning and analysis team and was instrumental in the DSP’s rapid global expansion. In announcing the appointment, Barrington highlighted TuneCore’s focus on scaling its offerings and supporting independent artists, expressing confidence in Shelley’s leadership to drive financial operations and “act as a key partner to the business around our artist development and growth strategies.”
The Country Music Association‘s senior director of integrated marketing Michelle Kirk will transition to the CMA Foundation as senior director, effective Dec. 1. In the new role, Kirk will be instrumental in the strategic planning, program development, operational oversight and directing of the foundation’s inititatives. Kirk first joined the CMA in 2012 as strategic partnerships coordinator, and moving into a senior manager role before transitioning to WME as a brand partnerships agent in 2015. Kirk rejoined CMA in 2019 and was promoted to the senior director, integrated marketing role earlier this year. –Jessica Nicholson
Music industry veteran Latoya Lee joined Berklee as the director of industry and employer engagement. In the role, she’ll support students’ talent development and help them establish connections within the industry, promoting both creative and professional growth. Lee launched her industry career at Konvict Muzik/BuVision ENT, advancing from an assistant to an A&R executive. During a six-year run at Warner Music Group, where she rose to senior director of A&R, Lee contributed to Trey Songz albums, Flo Rida’s “GDFR” and the Furious 7 and Suicide Squad soundtracks. She also collaborated with Berklee grad Charlie Puth on his hit “See You Again” and signed Xenia Manasseh to a publishing deal. Later, as vp of creative at Atlas Music Publishing, Lee supported Grammy-winning projects, including Nas’s King’s Disease III.
Downtown Music‘s direct-to-creator division, CD Baby, promoted Nicholas Salomone to senior vp of business development and revenue, overseeing strategic partnerships and revenue growth across CD Baby and its services. He began his tenure at CD Baby in 2017 as senior content ID analyst, rising through the ranks to his more recent role as vice president of business developments and partnerships. Based in Seattle, Salomone reports to CD Baby president Molly Neuman, who said his “deep understanding of independent artists and their needs, along with his ability to foster strong relationships with our key revenue partners, make him the perfect leader for this role.” –J.N.
Leif Janzen joined Red Bull Records as vp of digital marketing, reporting to chief marketing officer Nikki Cox. In this role, Janzen will lead fan engagement and music discovery, focusing on platform development, partner management, paid media strategy and content creation for the label, home to Blxst, Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. and others. With over a decade of digital marketing experience, Janzen previously served as senior director of digital marketing at Capitol Music Group, working with artists like Aidan Bissett and Young Miko. He also held roles at Warner Music Group’s ADA, Victory Records, and worked as a talent buyer/media manager in Chicago.
Killphonic Rights strengthened its leadership team after securing funding from Stilwell Creative Capital. Industry veterans Syd Butler and Michelle Fantus join as co-heads of A&R. Butler, founder of Frenchkiss Records, has experience developing artists like Passion Pit, while Fantus brings over 18 years in senior A&R roles at Sony/ATV, Razor & Tie, Concord, and OneRPM, with recent work in creative partnerships at Spotify. Chelsea D’Amico becomes head of sync and creative licensing, adding a decade of experience from Mad Decent and Concord, where she worked with artists like Diplo. Michael Grubbs, previously head of A&R, shifts to head of creative, utilizing his background as an artist, producer, and composer. Jill Pedone, former head of sync, is now head of operations, leveraging her expertise from Lava Publishing and Sumerian Records and her longstanding collaboration with CEO Caleb Shreve.
Prodigy Artists promoted Eric Bindman to director of operations, supporting the LA-based music management firm’s growth and expansion. Previously a senior manager at Prodigy, Bindman has managed artists such as Audien, Elephante, Niiko x Swae, and Mattilo. With over 15 years of industry experience, he brings a multi-disciplinary background in artist management, touring, publishing, marketing and logistics. His prior work includes tour-managing acts like Deorro, Two Friends and Gareth Emery. Founded by Steven Haddad and Will Runzel, Prodigy Artists’ roster includes SLANDER, NGHTMRE, HEKLER, Wolfgang Gartner, and Bekon. Haddad and Runzel praised Bindman’s dedication and expertise since joining the company, calling him a “meticulous and skilled artist manager” who’ll “bring invaluable expertise to this next stage of growth.”
Better Noise Music unveiled key promotions and hires to enhance its artist development efforts. Jackie Kajzer has been promoted to senior vice president of radio promotion and artist development, recognized for discovering artists like Five Finger Death Punch. April Ginns is now tour marketing manager, responsible for strategic tour marketing plans. Victor Lang, promoted to managing director of Europe, will oversee BNM’s European initiatives. Finally, Frank Ehlers joined as senior label manager for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (GSA), bringing 20 years of industry experience to support artist growth in the region. BNM president/COO Steve Kline and GM Paul Cormack highlighted the positive impact of these changes, emphasizing the value of Frank’s expertise and the expanded roles of Victor, Jackie, and April. This restructuring reflects BNM’s commitment to a growing roster, which includes From Ashes to Ashes, Bad Wolves and The Hu.
SeatGeek appointed Mike Shane as executive vp of enterprise partnerships to enhance its growth and innovation strategy. Shane brings over ten years of experience from roles with the Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Flyers, and Wells Fargo Center. Reporting to co-founder and president of supply Russ D’Souza, Shane will focus on expanding enterprise partnerships and advancing ticketing technology. D’Souza praised Shane’s industry insight and growth-driven innovation, highlighting his strong track record. “Mike has sat in the chair that our current and future clients are in, and knows the challenges they face as well as their ambitions,” he said.
ICYMI:
Boyd Muir
Universal Music Group’s CFO, Boyd Muir, shifted over to the newly created role of COO … EMPIRE hired Jeffrey Yoo as senior vp of East Asia … Over in Australia, Simone Schinkel stepped down as CEO of Music Victoria … UTA appointed Kirk Taboada, a veteran in the live Latin music scene, as an agent within its music division … Goldenvoice unleashed a new round of promotions within its talent buying group … and Dick Clark Productions appointed Diana Miller as evp of talent. [KEEP READING]
Last Week’s Turntable: TikTok Star Hooks Up With Jen
Welcome to a sopping edition of Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music. It’s Julie Greenwald‘s last Friday as chair and CEO of Atlantic Music Group — read her farewell letter to staff here. Carry on for [mostly] good news but also check out Billboard‘s just-released annual list of Latin music’s most powerful executives, plus our weekly interview series spotlighting a single executive, our helpful calendar of notable events, and have you ever wanted to look at tchotchkes inside the office of an executive while reading their in-depth answers to the most important questions facing the biz? From the Desk Of is probably your jam.
Warner Music Group appointed Corey Sheridan as global head of commerce and revenue for ADA, the company’s independent label and artist services division. Sheridan, until recently the head of music partnerships at TikTok, will manage ADA’s commercial strategy, working to drive revenue and optimize music releases. The Los Angeles-based exec reports to ADA president Cat Kreidich. At TikTok, Sheridan played a crucial role in the platform’s music strategy, overseeing the creation of the TikTok Charts feature and securing partnerships with Billboard, Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. His first role at TikTok was as head of music for North America, from April 2019 until February of the last year. Prior to TikTok, Sheridan held leadership roles at UnitedMasters, SoundCloud and Sony’s The Orchard. His work has earned recognition on Billboard’s 2020 Impact list and the 2019 Digital Power Players list. Kreidich praised Sheridan for his visionary leadership over the years, particularly in anticipating industry trends, and highlighted his deep passion for indie music and extensive digital and social experience as key assets for ADA’s future success. Sheridan lauded ADA’s “clear vision and unmatched drive to strengthen what a distribution company can offer.”
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Drew Hill, CEO of Proper Group’s distribution division, was elected chairman of the Official Charts Company, which compiles the UK’s music and video sales data. Hill succeeds Sony Music senior director of commercial analytics Charlotte de Burgh-Holder, taking on the non-executive role starting Sept. 29. He represents ERA, the Digital Entertainment & Retail Association, which co-owns the Official Charts Company with BPI. As chairman, Hill will work closely with CEO Martin Talbot to shape the company’s strategy and chair the Official Charts board. With over 20 years of experience in the entertainment sector, including roles at Walt Disney and Curb Records, Hill now leads Proper Group’s distribution division. He recently oversaw the launch of the UK’s largest warehouse for physical music and video. Talbot praised Hill’s wide-ranging industry experience, noting it makes him well-suited for the role “as we continue to evolve all that the Official Charts does and stands for – and prepares for the next phase in its development.”
Warner Chappell Music promoted A&R executive Spencer Nohe to vp of A&R. During his career, Nohe has worked with artists including Thomas Rhett, Alysa Vanderheym, Brittney Spencer and Conner Smith. He joined WCM Nashville in 2020 as director of A&R and previously worked at Curb/Word Entertainment and BMI. Nohe will continue to report to Ben Vaughn, president and CEO of WCM Nashville, who called him a “true, thoughtful music professional.” –Jessica Nicholson
Universal Music Greater China senior vp Gary Chan has been tasked with helming a new label specifically covering China’s Greater Bay Area, which includes both Hong Kong and Macau and is home to more than 86 million people. The new imprint, Universal Music China Greater Bay Area, has its headquarters in Shenzhen and will focus on discovering and nurturing local talent. “We eagerly anticipate welcoming the outstanding talents from this region to join us in driving forward, the next era of Chinese pop music,” said Timothy Xu, chairman and CEO of UMGC. “In this pursuit, we are setting our sights on transforming the GBA into a trendsetting hub that epitomizes creativity, vitality, and connectivity, crafting fresh musical expressions and innovative entertainment experiences.”
Big Machine Label Group appointed Andi Brooks as director of streaming for The Valory Music Co, effective immediately. Previously the director of Southwest promotion & marketing at Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment (formerly BMLG Records), Brooks will now collaborate with VMC’s streaming partners to strategize and promote both new releases and existing catalog. She reports to VMC president George Briner and svp of digital & promotion Ashley Sidoti. Brooks joined BMLG Records in 2019, following a successful career in radio and morning television in Madison, WI. “Her enthusiasm and passion for music, along with her desire and drive to be the best in the streaming world makes her a great addition,” said Briner.
Distribution and retail brand Fat Beats appointed industry veteran Rob Caiaffa as its new head of marketing. Caiaffa will oversee Fat Beats’ marketing efforts during a time of growth and expansion, as the brand celebrates its 30th anniversary. His role will focus on enhancing Fat Beats’ market positioning and strengthening relationships with artists and industry partners. Caiaffa brings two decades of experience from previous senior positions at companies like SoundCloud, Motown Records and Def Jam Recordings. At SoundCloud, he played a key role in launching initiatives like the Fresh Press artist interviews and the CloudBar industry insights program, and worked on strategic partnerships with major brands like SiriusXM and Pandora. Caiaffa said his goal at his new gig is upholding Fat Beats’ legacy while exploring innovative new opportunities for the brand’s future.
Jon Borris joined The Core Records as general manager, where he will oversee the label’s day-to-day operations, focusing on artist strategy, A&R, marketing and distribution. He joins the label following a six-year tenure at Republic Records, where he worked with artists including Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen, Drake and Ariana Grande. Prior to Republic, Borris spent two decades at Sony Music Entertainment. Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Simon Tikhman launched The Core Records in 2023. -J.N.
Outback Presents appointed Joel Bachkoff as senior vp of comedy, marking a key addition to the company’s growing funny business. Bachkoff will focus on developing the careers of comedy talent, guiding them from clubs to theaters and eventually arenas, while cementing their long-term success. With decades of experience in the comedy industry, Bachkoff’s career began at the club level and expanded to owning and operating multiple comedy, music, and restaurant venues across Arizona, Florida, and California. His expertise and innovative approach have made him a respected leader in the field. Outback Presents co-CEOs, Brian Dorfman and Michael Smardak, expressed their excitement about Bachkoff joining the team, with Smardak saying he’s “thankful to be able to work with Brian and Joel who have dedicated their careers to comedy.” Reach Bachkoff at joel.bachkoff@outbackpresents.com.
Dhar Mann Studios, a leading digital content company, appointed Sean Atkins as president and COO. Atkins, a media industry veteran with experience at Jellysmack, MTV, and Discovery, joins to drive the company’s growth and expansion into new business lines. Dhar Mann Studios produces scripted content, generating over 6.7 billion views in the past year, the company said. Atkins will oversee its Burbank production facility and lead efforts to broaden the company’s reach, including live events, merchandising, publishing, and partnerships, with representation from CAA. As president of DMS, Atkins has already launched the 5th Quarter Agency, a new creator-services division to help top creators monetize their content on YouTube. Dhar Mann, the company’s founder, sees Atkins as key to accelerating the company’s mission-driven growth. “Together, we’re set to advance our mission of using media to make a positive global impact, while we propel the company into this next stage of unprecedented growth,” he said.
Align PR is expanding its music and Latin teams with the addition of Lauren Morris-Ruff and Erica Goldish in Los Angeles, Victoire Selce and Nick Vinci in New York City, and Justin Tejada in Miami — all with strong backgrounds covering labels, agencies and various markets. Align’s client roster includes heavy-hitters like Madonna, Demi Lovato, Zayn Malik, Lil Wayne, Lea Michele and Nicky Jam, among others. Co-founder Nicole Perez-Krueger expressed excitement about the company’s growth, noting how the varied experiences of the new team members — Morris-Ruff at PMK*BNC, Goldish at Shore Fire, Selce at Wasserman, Vinci at 10K Projects and Tejada at Acoustyle — enhance the firm’s culture and storytelling abilities. The music department will continue to collaborate with longtime staff members such as Nicole Perez-Krueger, Brit Reece, Cait Bailey, Paul Samaha, Alec Huerta, Trixie Richter and Isa Perez.
ICYMI:
Dickon Stainer
Elektra veteran Gregg Nadel was appointed co-chair and co-president of Warner Music Nashville, replacing Ben Kline to work alongside co-head Cris Lacy … Universal Music Group Nashville appointed Robert Kilduff as chief financial officer … Several staffers at CMT have been let go … and Dickon Stainer was appointed chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK, succeeding David Joseph, who announced a day before that he was stepping down from the role after almost 17 years at the wheel. [MORE]
Last Week’s Turntable: An Old Friend Returns to Budde
Warner Chappell Music has signed a global publishing agreement with hitmaking songwriter John Ryan. With six writing and production credits on Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet and cuts with Thomas Rhett, Teddy Swims, Harry Styles, Benson Boone, Maren Morris, Maroon 5, Niall Horan and more, WCM president of North America, Ryan Press, calls Ryan “a pop powerhouse.”
Primary Wave has partnered with the estate of Ric Ocasek on the late Cars songwriter’s publishing catalog as well as his name, image and likeness rights. The terms of the deal will see the publishing company work with all the songs from his time with the “Magic” band and his songs as a solo artist.
Audius, a decentralized music streaming service and community platform, has signed a global licensing agreement with Kobalt. The deal provides a new revenue stream for Kobalt’s roster of songwriters, and it creates a pathway for the music fans who use Audius to support their favorite artists with direct U.S. dollar payments. This is the latest in a string of deals Audius has made this year with the music business establishment to ensure proper licenses are in place and that musicians can get paid from the platform. This includes new agreements with ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and GMR.
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UMPG UK has signed producer and writer James Ford to a global publishing administration deal. Though he is best known as a creative collaborator of top acts like Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode via Foals, Florence and The Machine, Haim, Gorillaz and Jessie Ware, Ford also recently launched his own solo project with the 2023 album The Hum.
Savan Kotecha, renowned for his work with The Weeknd, Ariana Grande and One Direction, has joined forces with major Indian talent management company REPRESENT to launch Outwrite, India’s first incubator for songwriters. With Outwrite, Kotecha hopes to start a global hub for songwriters, producers, musicians, and engineers, offering end-to-end solutions for everything related to music creation and supervision, and to bring more Indian musical talent into the top writing rooms.
Big Yellow Dog Music has signed Trent Tomlinson to a global music publishing deal. Tomlinson is best known for penning hits like “Damn Strait” by Scotty McCreery and “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young as well as other artists like Lainey Wilson, George Strait, Chris Young, and Sara Evans.
Sony Music Publishing has signed an exclusive worldwide co-publishing agreement with hit songwriter and producer Jeremy Stover, covering his future works. As part of the deal, Sony has also acquired several of Stover’s songs, including hits by Tim McGraw and Justin Moore, underscoring its ongoing creative partnership with RED Creative Group. Stover, known for his current singles like Justin Moore’s “This Is My Dirt” and Ashley McBryde’s “The Devil I Know,” continues to work with major artists such as Luke Combs, Priscilla Block, and Travis Denning.
Position Music has signed Erik Ron to a worldwide publishing deal. A go-to collaborator in the rock and alternative space, Ron has worked with the likes of jxdn, Bad Omens, Huddy, Ellise, Charlotte Sands, Maggie Lindemann, Loveless, Jack Harris, MOD SUN, Emei, Sueco, Neoni, grandson, nothing,nowhere., Papa Roach and more.
Position Music has signed Fabio Aguilar to a global publishing deal in collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Keanu Beats. The news arrives on the heels of Auilar’s BMI Hip Hop Award win for co-producing “HOTEL LOBBY (Unc & Phew)” by Quavo and Takeoff. Just 22, Aguilar is a producer, loop specialist, beatmaker, and instrumentalist, he is also known for working with the likes of Lil Baby, Jack Harlow, NLE Choppa, Roddy Ricch, Denzel Curry and Logic.
Downtown Music Publishing (DMP) today announces a global music publishing deal with PDU, the record label and publishing company from iconic Italian singer Mina. Under this new agreement, DMP will provide global publishing administration and sync services for Mina’s prestigious catalog.
Campbell Connelly, part of Wise Music Group, has signed an exclusive songwriter agreement with Josephine Stephenson. The deal further cements Stephenson’s relationship with Wise Music Group. (Her concert repertoire is published by Leduc through Wise’s offices in Paris.) A composer, arranger, and performer, Stephenson has worked as an arranger or performer with Damon Albarn, Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys and Daughter.
ESMAA, an Abu Dhabi-based rights management entity representing global music stakeholders in the Gulf and Middle East, and Anghami, a top music streaming platform in the Middle East and North Africa region, have agreed on a new music licensing agreement on behalf of independent music publishers. The deal marks the resolution of a legal dispute between ESMAA (representing PopArabia and Reservoir) and Anghami.
For the second quarter of 2024, Warner Chappell Music (WCM) continued to hold the top spot on Billboard‘s Country Airplay publisher rankings, marking its third consecutive quarter at No. 1.
With a 33.53% market share — up half a percentage point from Q1 — WCM’s Nashville team won big with hits including “Where It Ends” by Bailey Zimmerman, who along with the song’s producer, Austin Shawn, has been signed to WCM since 2023. Apart from Sony Music Publishing’s five-consecutive-quarter stint at No. 1 from Q3 of 2022 to Q3 of 2023, Warner Chappell has consistently held the quarterly top country music publisher title in Nashville, dating back to the first quarter of 2017.
Sony landed in second place with an 18.94% market share and 49 songs on the Q2 Country Airplay chart, including hits “Outskirts” by Sam Hunt (No. 3), “Take Her Home” by Kenny Chesney (No. 5), and “World on Fire” and “Bulletproof” by Nate Smith (Nos. 11 and 12). Of the 49 songs Sony had on the chart, 15 were co-written by Ashley Gorley, earning him the distinction of being the quarter’s top Country Airplay songwriter.
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Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) moved up one spot in the rankings to third place with a 7.69% market share and 23 songs on the quarter’s Country Airplay chart. “Outskirts” by Sam Hunt, “Tucson Too Late” by Jordan Davis (No. 6), “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone and Morgan Wallen (No. 15), and “Cowgirls” by Wallen (No. 16) were among UMPG’s top songs for the quarter.
Kobalt rose to No. 4 with a 6.88% market share, up from fifth place and 5.78% last quarter. It also controls a slice of the sixth-ranked track, Davis’ “Tucson Too Late, along with 22 other songs on the quarter’s chart.
BMG fell from third place in Q1 to fifth with a 4.95% market share. The Berlin-based music company’s biggest song this quarter was “Halfway to Hell” by Nashville superstar Jelly Roll, which ranked fourth on Country Airplay in Q2. BMG had eleven songs on the chart.
Big Machine Music finished sixth with a 4.19% market share thanks to its slice of Tyler Hubbard’s “Back Then Right Now” and eleven other songs. At No. 7, Hipgnosis made its debut on the country publisher rankings with a 3.48% market share and four songs, including a share of “Where It Ends” by Zimmerman.
At No. 8, St. Music also debuts on the Country Airplay publisher rankings with two songs, including “We Ride” by Bryan Martin. Concord came in ninth with 2.31% of the market thanks in part to “One Bad Habit” by Tim McGraw.
Anthem rounds out the top 10 with hits including “Cab in a Solo” by Scotty McCreery. The publisher held the same ranking in Q1 but improved its market share significantly, up from 1.87% to 2.18% quarter to quarter.
Warner Chappell Music has renewed their partnership with the Mon Laferte, signing a worldwide administration deal.
“I’m really excited for what’s ahead. They were the first ones to have faith in me,” said the Chilean-Mexican singer-songwriter in a press release.
This reunion marks a significant homecoming for the artist, who previously collaborated with Warner Chappell in the early 2010s when her early albums like Desechable (2011), Tornasol (2013), Mon Laferte, Vol. 1 (2015), and La Trenza (2017) were released.
“It’s great to have Mon back at WCM,” added Gustavo Menéndez, president or U.S. Latin & Latin America at Warner Chappell Music. “We initially signed her back in 2013 when she had just moved to Mexico, and it was perfect timing — an opportunity to understand her dreams and aspirations from the start. I admire her for the incredible artist, songwriter and performer that she is and am personally very happy to have her back – this return signifies a beautiful full-circle moment for us.”
The announcement of this deal follows the release of a Netflix documentary about her life, titled Mon Laferte, Te Amo, which premiered earlier this month. The Latin Grammy-winning artist is currently on her Autopoiética World Tour, produced by Live Nation, in support of her latest 2023 album of the same name. The tour has taken her through Europe, North, Central and South America.
“Mon’s artistry is unforgettable in every sense of the word,” said Carlos Ruíz, managing director of Warner Chappell Music México. “She’s a passionate songwriter, an incredible performer, and an even more remarkable human being. With a fearless approach, she has stayed true to her art while constantly evolving, surpassing labels. Our entire team is really looking forward to supporting her in this next phase of her career.”
For the time being, Universal — whom she was previously with — will still administer her albums Norma (2018), 1940 Carmen (2021), Seis (2021) and Autopoiética. In May, Mon Laferte signed a record deal with Sony Music Latin. In October and November, she is poised to perform a few more dates in Mexico City and Ciudad Juárez as well as Chile’s Viña Del Mar.
Universal Music Publishing Group earned the top spot on the Hot 100 Songs publishers ranking for 2024’s second quarter with 27.97% of the market, in large part thanks to Taylor Swift and the 19 songs she landed on the chart. It didn’t hurt that her writing partner Jack Antonoff is also on UMPG’s roster. (He moved there from Sony Music Publishing in August 2023.) Swift’s work accounted for a little over one-third of the 56 songs the publisher had on the Hot 100 during the quarter, up significantly from its 43-song count in the first quarter of the year.
Sony Music Publishing, which typically places first on the Hot 100 publishers ranking, finished a close second with a 27.13% market share and 57 tracks on the chart, including the No. 1 song for the second quarter, Tommy Richman‘s “Million Dollar Baby.” Warner Chappell Music finished third with a 19.87% market share. Its top second-quarter tune was “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey, one of 47 that it landed on the chart.
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Sony nevertheless remained at the peak of the Top Radio Airplay ranking for the 13th consecutive quarter, with a 27.64% market share and 66 songs. Its No. 1 track was “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims, a song in which Warner Chappell and UMPG also have stakes. Sony was also buoyed by the quarter’s biggest Radio Airplay hitmaker — Ashley Gorley, co-writer of “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen — plus seven other songs on the chart.
Warner Chappell maintained its second-place ranking among Top Radio Airplay publishers for the third consecutive quarter with a 23.25% market share and 63 songs on the chart. UMPG came in third with 15.82% of the market and 43 songs.
Kobalt held its position as the fourth-largest publisher on the Hot 100 and Top Radio Airplay charts with market shares of 10.74% and 9.44%, respectively, in part due to stakes in the No. 1 songs on both charts.
Despite a tumultuous first half of the year, Hipgnosis turned in a strong performance, finishing fifth on both rankings, with a 4.36% share on Top Radio Airplay and 2.73% on the Hot 100, also thanks to its piece of “Lose Control.” Last quarter, Hipgnosis — whose founder and CEO, Merck Mercuriadis, stepped down in July after private equity firm Blackstone acquired its catalog — was No. 7 on Top Radio Airplay and No. 9 on the Hot 100.
BMG ranked No. 6 on both Top Radio Airplay (3.36%) and the Hot 100 (1.47%), down from the No. 5 ranking it had on both charts in the first quarter.
Three independent publishers fill the entries at Nos. 7, 8 and 9 on the Hot 100 chart. Reservoir Music ranked seventh (1.34%) thanks to its share of “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter, Position Music (1.194%) was eighth due to its stake in “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone, and Sentric Music Publishing was ninth (1.192%) with help from “End of Beginning” by Djo. The latter two publishers make their first appearances on the rankings.
Last Quarter: Jack Harlow Helped Sony Sweep (Again)
Liz Phair has signed a global publishing administration deal with Warner Chappell Music. The agreement encompasses her full catalog, including hits like “Why Can’t I?,” “Supernova” and “Never Said.” Phair said of the deal: “My songs represent my life’s work, and I am excited to take a fresh look at my catalog with the support of such a unique and maverick team at Warner Chappell, co-headed by the charismatic Carianne Marshall.”
Jonas Group Publishing has signed two-time SESAC songwriter of the year Justin Ebach, a writer behind hits like Luke Bryan’s “Down To One”; Jordan Davis’s multi-platinum “Singles You Up”; “Sleep Without You” and “Here Tonight” by Brett Young; and Jon Pardi’s “Your Heart or Mine.” Ebach said in a statement, “I look forward to celebrating a lot of success together.”
Iconoclast has struck a strategic partnership with Ujama Designs to acquire the intellectual property rights of Half Pint, a legend in reggae. Born Lindon Andrew Roberts, Half Pint is best known for songs like “Greetings,” “Mr. Landlord” and “Winsome,” which was covered by The Rolling Stones, and “Loving,” which was sampled in Sublime’s massive hit “What I Got.” Joe Serling and Greg Brooks from Serling Rooks Hunter McKoy Worob & Averill represented Iconoclast, while Peter Csathy of Creative Media and David Baram of Baram & Kaiser represented Half Pint.
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Concord Music Publishing has signed Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Sammy SoSo. The deal includes his back catalog, including “Water” by Tyla, and his future works.
Reach Music Publishing has acquired select publishing assets and songwriter shares from multi-platinum writer Wyatt Durrette, including his shares in songs like “Chicken Fried,” “Toes,” and “Whatever It Is” by Zac Brown Band and “Beautiful Crazy” by Luke Combs. Wyatt’s longtime publisher, Blackstone Entertainment, will remain his publisher and will co-administer these works together with Reach.
Big Machine Music has signed singer/songwriter Lanie Gardner to her first-ever global publishing deal. The news of the deal comes just after Gardner was featured on the star-studded Twisters: The Album soundtrack with her song “Chasing the Wind.”
Avex USA has signed LA-based Nigerian producer Tyson “Zone” Kong. Though he is just 23 years old, he has already worked with the likes of Jason Derulo, Sexxy Redd, Ludmilla, Lay Bankz and more.
Prescription Songs, in partnership with Hazheart Music, has added producer, songwriter and artist atlgrandma to its roster. Though he is perhaps best known for his work as a writer and producer for Willow, SNOW WIFE, Dorian Electra, The Hellp, D4ine, Izzy Spears, ericdoa, lil aaron, Y2K and Frost Children, atlgrandma also releases his own music, including his latest track “Nightmare Blunt Rotation.”
Welcome to another edition of Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music. While you’re here, we also have a weekly interview series spotlighting a single executive and a regularly updated gallery honoring many of the industry figures we’ve lost throughout the year.
Warner Chappell Music promoted David Goldsen to senior vp of North America A&R. Los Angeles-based Goldsen will continue to sign and develop songwriters and artists across multiple genres, help with leadership efforts for the North America A&R department, and continue supporting songwriters in international markets and overseeing the publisher’s A&R efforts in Australia. Goldsen joined Warner Chappell in 2009 and in 2022 was named vp of creative and head of A&R for WCM. Over the past year and change, he has signed a string of top-tier country, rock, jazz and alternative artists, including Zach Bryan, Teddy Swims, The Red Clay Strays, Laufey and Sleep Token. Goldsen also continues to work closely with Mitski, whom he signed in 2018 and who had a hit in 2023/2024 with “My Love Mine All Mine.” He’ll continue to report to Ryan Press, president of North America.
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“David has consistently proven his natural ability to discover and sign top talent,” said Press. “He has steadily built a star-studded roster, and in the past year alone, has brought in many of the artists and songwriters leading today’s charts. I’ve had the opportunity to work with him for over 15 years, and I’m proud of everything he’s accomplished on our team as an A&R executive and inspiring leader.” –Jessica Nicholson
Meanwhile…
Isadora Kamotskin was promoted to marketing director at Warner Music Finland, where’s she’s been a staple since 2016. It’s a step up from her previous role as marketing manager of the label’s domestic marketing department, where she’s worked on partnerships with radio and streaming partners and been pivotal in pushing several Finnish acts including Antti Tuisku, BEHM, Kaija Koo and others. With this promotion, Kamotskin will join the management team of both Warner Music Finland and Warner Music Live, and will report to the territory’s managing director, Ramona Forsström. “She has a strategic vision, strong marketing skills, a deep understanding of our roster and the ability to help artists achieve success,” said Forsström. “Her passion for music, her people oriented management style and ability to inspire her team are invaluable strengths.”
Audio Up‘s record label, Audio Chateau, has secured $4.5 million in additional funding through investors including Glen Barros, managing partner at Exceleration Music, as well as Gillian Hormel and Jonathan Schulman. It has also on-boarded Grayson Flatness, formerly of InGrooves, who will act as an A&R consultant, and industry veteran Kate London, who’ll act as head of legal & business affairs for the label, overseeing business and legal dealings across all music endeavors. This is in addition to London’s responsibilities overseeing business and legal affairs for Audio Up Media. She has previously held executive roles at Global Music Rights, Interscope Records and Warner Records, in addition to her private practice experience.
RADIO, RADIO: iHeartMedia appointed Angela Reed to senior vp of its Inside Sales division, overseeing the company’s slate of broadcast, events, digital and podcast products across all markets. Reed, who previously held leaderships roles at Miradore, KnowBe4 and Time Doctor, will report to Julie Donohue, iHeartMedia’s president of multimarket partnerships … Cumulus Media promoted Carolyn Chauncey to senior vp of marketing and podcasting, a role that will see her lead day-to-day operations, content acquisition, editorial and production at the Cumulus Podcast Network. Chauncey will continue to direct corporate marketing for Cumulus Media, Westwood One and the Cumulus Podcast Network, reporting to Collin R. Jones, president of Westwood One. Elsewhere at Cumulus, Megan Devine was promoted to vp of podcast sales planning and yield optimization.
Outback Presents hired Christine Melko Ross to lead the company’s Canadian operations as senior vp of global operations. As her title implies, the Montreal-based live executive will also spearhead international expansion strategies beyond North America. Melko Ross arrives at Outback following a 23-year run at the Just For Laughs Group, producer of the legendary comedy festival. At JFL, she was instrumental in running the flagship Montreal festival and in expanding it to Toronto. [This year’s festival was canceled in March amid a bankruptcy filing and layoffs.] Before joining JFL, Melko Ross was lead talent buyer for Donald K. Donald/Universal Concerts/House of Blues Concerts, managing tours for artists as diametrically different as The Backstreet Boys and Leonard Cohen. “Everyone at Outback Presents is excited to have Christine join the team,” said Outback Presents co-CEO Michael Smardak. “Her extensive achievements and experience in comedy will be invaluable to our global growth. We are very proud to have her join us.” Melko Ross is reachable at christine.melkoross@outbackpresents.com.
NASHVILLE NOTES: The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum promoted Haley Houser to associate director to the CEO, Aaron Helvig to director of school and music programs, Dana Romanello to director of museum sales and Joe Bridges to director of security … Southwest Value Partners, developer of Nashville Yards, the nearly completed 19-acre mixed use entertainment district in downtown Nashville, announced Christian Parker as chief operating officer, Steve Lewis a director of security, and Rocky Ryan as vp of operations of the massive project. When completed, Nashville Yards will boast several Class A+ buildings including offices for CAA, AEG Presents and Messina Touring Group, as well as The Pinnacle, a 4,500-capacity music venue … Daywind Music Group promoted Joe Dan Cornett to director of publishing of its bluegrass label Billy Blue Music. Cornett has been with DMG for 10 years, serving as both catalog manager and creative director.
Grammy Award-winning pianist, composer and arranger John Beasley succeeded Chuck Owen as president of the International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers (ISJAC). Other 2024 appointments at ISJAC, a non-profit advocacy organization for jazz composers and arrangers, include Mike Conrad as vp of membership and Erica von Kleist as vp of development, with board of directors Billy Childs, Patrice Rushen and Rio Sakairi. Owen, who co-founded ISJAC in 2016, remains on the board. “I am fortunate to receive the baton from Owen, who has left a solid and well-marked footprint,” Beasley said. “I’m most excited to bond and exchange ideas with our current and new members across the globe to help each other further our personal and collective artistic growth, which ultimately furthers the art of arranging and composing.”
Big Loud Records promoted Eric England to senior vp of insights and analytics. England joined the team in September 2021 and established the label’s Insights & Analytics department, leading the label’s data-forward methodology. England has a PhD from Virginia Tech, and started his music industry career following time at The Ohio State University, The Kraft Heinz Company and Mars Petcare. –J.N.
YOU DOWN WITH NEW JVs? BrickHouse Entertainment’s Scott Brickell, Ron Smith and Chase Swayze, along with former Hootie and the Blowfish manager Rusty Harmon, partnered up with Vere Music on Hit and Run Music, a new ADA-distributed marketing, distribution and label venture based in Nashville. The label’s inaugural artist is Micah Christopher … Origins Records and Hitmaker Music formed a new venture that will focus on developing Black country and Americana artists. Leading the JV are Origins executive Kadeem Phillips and ex-MNRK Music Group svp/GM Gina Miller.
ICYMI:
Elliot Grainge
Shari Bryant stepped down as co-president of Roc Nation‘s record label, which has been merged with the company’s distribution wing to form ROC Nation Distribution … Elliot Grainge, son of the industry’s most powerful person, will soon take the helm at Atlantic Music Group. Those who have worked with Grainge predict how the transition may go in this inside look at the abrupt generational shift at Atlantic, the storied label co-founded by music legend Ahmet Ertegun in 1947.
Last Week’s Turntable: Big Noise Amped About New GM
Warner Chappell Music has entered an agreement to jointly administer the majority of the music library of Analog Metaverse, a rights management company founded by producer-songwriter Salaam Remi. The publishing catalog is anchored by Remi’s list of credits, including the debut singles of Amy Winehouse and Miguel, respectively, and one of Alicia Keys‘ best-known songs, plus also includes works by songwriters Dennis Brown, Don Blackman, Bobby “Digital” Dixon and Terri Walker.
Remi co-wrote and produced much of Winehouse’s 2003 debut, Frank, including her debut single “Stronger Than Me,” which won an Ivor Novello Award in 2004, and produced roughly half of the late neo-soul icon’s global breakthrough, 2006’s Back to Black. He also got in on the ground floor of Miguel, co-writing and producing his lead single “All I Want Is You,” featuring J. Cole, and notably co-wrote and co-produced Keys’ 2012 hit “Girl on Fire.”
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Analog Metaverse said its catalog features more than 2,000 songs, though it’s unclear how much is included in this joint administration deal. Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed. Remi’s team at Analog Metaverse includes Kwame Kandekore as head of legal and business affairs and Josephine Westphal, vp of royalties and administration.
“I’ve personally known Salaam for more than three decades, and it’s such an honor to be entrusted to shepherd not only his own life’s work, but that of legends like Dennis Brown,” said co-chair and CEO Guy Moot. “Carianne [Marshall, WCM Co-Chair/COO] and I are very intentional about the catalogs we work with and really think about how we can grow and tend to them, both today and for the years to come.”
Moot said he sensed a “lot of synergy” between WCM’s approach to asset management and Analog Megaverse’s mission — “it’s great to be joining forces to help writers and their estates realize their full potential.”
Remi added: “Having the benefit of being a songwriter and publisher myself, I fully understand the importance of having partners who not only appreciate the wonderful creations of the icons from the last few generations but also can help us carry them into the future.”
The Analog Metaverse pair-up follows on the heels of WCM’s publishing administration deal with Tom Petty’s estate covering the “vast majority of songs” dotting the late artist’s catalog.