PUB CRAWLING: A NEW ERA BEGINS

The queen has taken her throne. Jody Gerson, long one of the most admired and respected players in the publishing world, is now officially on duty as Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Publishing. It’s worth noting that her first official photo op—see below—was with J. Cole, whose tremendous success over the holidays (as an album artist/writer, we hasten to add) continues into 2015. Now the major-pubco field finds Sony/ATV overlord Marty Bandier in competition with two of his most formidable ex-protégés, Jody and Warner/Chappell’s Big Jon Platt. They learned from the best…

Speaking of Marty’s house, they’ve wisely extended their deal with Grammy nominee Greg Kurstin, who’s penned hits with P!nk, Kelly Clarkson, Sia and more…

Holy shit, are you watching Empire? That show is nuts. As you probably know, the soundtrack EP saw some iTunes action right after the premiere; the man behind the music, Timbaland (interviewed here by the wonderful Michelle S.) has his pub deal with ole, which was named AIMP’s Indie Publisher of the Year in December and just acquired RedOne’s 2101 Songs catalog…

One of our favorite songwriters and humans, Dan Wilson, has launched a pub co-venture—A Song Can Be About Anything Music—with Kenny Macpherson’s Big Deal Music (first inking: Jenny Owen Youngs, who’s already scored a passel of major TV syncs). Kenny will introduce Dan to the joys of haggis…

Disney has brought Peter Lloyd aboard as Director, Creative – Music Publishing. Peter, formerly at Pulse, is equally fluent in Pop and Rock. And while we’re talking Mouse House, how about Team Bunt’s ass-kicking on the ST front? The last time a single label had three Top 10 soundtracks, Jimmy Carter was President…

Speaking of soundtracks, we reiterate: When the songs are connected to the story—whether it’s a cartoon musical or a biker TV series—audiences care more. Write that down…

Angie Pagano at Artist Publishing Group is looking for a film/TV synch person. Know the ropes and have the rolodex? Hit her up: [email protected]...

A controversial video has supercharged Sia’s “Elastic Heart.” But did you know the tune, produced by SONGS Music writer Diplo, originally appeared on the Hunger Games: Catching Fire ST 18 months back? That version, featuring The Weeknd, sold 100k tracks without radio. In related news, Ron Perry will be dressing as Katniss for Halloween ...

London’s famed studio Metropolis (U2, Beyoncé) has kicked off its own pub division, bringing ex-Imagem exec Rupert Hollier on as Creative Director (reporting to CEO Ian Brenchley). They’ll supe the upcoming Scorsese-produced flick, Tomorrow, with much more on the way…

BMG Chrysalis SVP Wendy Griffiths has added Amanda Sobeck (NYC) Angie Ruiz Maggini and Tim Greaves (both in L.A.) to her marketing team. They’ll be focused on marketing/licensing, film/TV/games and artist services and cultivating their Hartwig imitations…

SINGING ABOUT: Anne Preven, Downtown Music Publishing, Jobriath…