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PUB CRAWLING: OUR CUP STREAMETH OVER

Apple Music, SONGS and Deals, Deals, Deals


“It is always encouraging to see the launch of a major new music service, especially one from a company with the expertise and track record of Apple,” Sony/ATV ruler Marty Bandier told us recently. Noted UMPG topper Jody Gerson, “Apple Music offers impressive commercial opportunities, and we’re excited to partner with them as the service unfolds.” Some pub execs have even privately divulged that they plan to jettison their Spotify accounts after the 6/30 Apple launch.

While oceans of ink have been spilled on the streaming part, publishers and writers will likely also be geeked about the Apple Connect piece of the puzzle (discussed in this issue’s conversation with the team). The free social site could be a particularly handy tool for writers to demo songs, talk about their syncs and use various creative strategies to get their stuff out there for consideration. One imagines that hit songwriters will attract considerable visibility they can leverage for further opportunities, collaborations and revenue.


SONGS Music Publishing is having a bit of a moment. The pubco currently has six records in the Top 20 at Pop radio. Fresh off the massive “Earned It,” the pubco is celebrating another smash by writer The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face,” now Top 10 at iTunes and enjoying a meteoric rise at radio. Diplo and DJ Mustard have multiple projects exploding. The pubbery also has writers on Mark Ronson's multiformat juggernaut “Uptown Funk,” Fifth Harmony's platinum Pop smash “Worth It” and Fall Out Boy’s “Uma Thurman.” Alternative clients X Ambassadors, meanwhile, have hit #1 at Alternative radio with “Renegades.” In a related story, on his last L.A. visit SONGS’ Ron Perry (who's said to be very involved in Lorde’s new record) couldn’t feel his face either, which may have had something to do with the scotch.


Warner/Chappell has nailed down a pact with U.K. writer/artist/producer MNEK, who's worked with Madonna,Rudimental and Duke Dumont, among others.

“MNEK is a phenomenal talent who has co-written some incredible songs for both established superstars and emerging names," said prexy North America Jon Platt, adding, "He has a bright future and we’re going to help him take his music to a wider audience.” U.K. exec Richard Manners agreed, and everyone grabbed a glow stick for all-night office rave.


Sony/ATV has extended its worldwide pact with Gary Barlow, one of the U.K.’s winningest tunesmiths, and will now rep his entire catalog.

Barlow, deemed “a one-man phenomenon” by U.K. exec Guy Moot, has had 13 U.K. #1 hits, starting in his days as primary writer in Take That; won six Ivor Novello Awards; and gotten an OBE from the Queen. This makes us feel even worse about ourselves, which we didn’t imagine possible.


Rock band PPL MVR has signed a co-publishing deal with Primary Wave. Meanwhile, the pubco is celebrating successes by writer Mitch Allan (who co-penned Jason Derulo’s #1 “Want to Want me”) and Jon Levine (producer of Rachel Platten’s monster “Fight Song”).


Ashley Calhoun has been brought aboard as Director, Creative Affairs at Pulse Music Publishing, where she will oversee the company’s Urban, Rhythmic and Pop roster.

Calhoun, who previously served at Rondor Music, will report to Pulse co-founders Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham, who will help her test her capacity for organically farmed, ridiculously strong coffee.


Industry vet Jason Markey has joined STX Entertainment as EVP and Head of Music, where he will oversee film scores and soundtracks for the company’s yearly movie output. Markey most recently performed similar duties at Relativity. “Jason is truly one of the best and brightest at helping filmmakers marry the right music to the right movie or scene. Our studio is lucky to have someone with his understanding of the business and deep appreciation and love for so many genres and artists,” said Chairman Adam Fogelson in announcing Markey’s hire. STX is currently preparing to release The Free State of Jones, starring Matthew McConaughey, and Secret in Their Eyes, starring Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts and Chiwetel Ejiofor, among other productions.

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