MARTY'S SONG

Marty Bandier more or less invented the publishing game, and in the last several years has continued his run as its indisputable ruler. With news that he’ll be exiting as Sony/ATV topper in March—succeeded by mentee Jon Platt—his extraordinary place in the music firmament is all the more evident.

In his 12th year as Chairman and CEO of SATV, Bandier’s influence is as irrefutable as ever, and he looms as one of the few larger-than-life industry lions, his mane of silver hair and ubiquitous cigar defining his iconic profile.

Thanks to a megastar-studded roster that includes the likes of Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Cardi B and "Despacito" mastermind Luis Fonsi, Sony/ATV had its most successful year in terms of both revenue and profit in 2017, according to Bandier. And just this past May, Sony/ATV was named Publisher of the Year at the BMI Pop Awards for the fourth time in the past five years. Other recent achievements include bringing his baby, EMI Music Publishing, back under the Sony banner, by which time it had more than doubled in value.

Bandier is, without a doubt, the leader of the biz’s publishing pack—as he’s been for the last 30 years; this perch has allowed him to handcraft the future, grooming the likes of future competitors Platt and Jody Gerson as well as too many other major biz players to name. He’s also aided the development of countless future professionals, lending his name and resources to a renowned music program at Syracuse University. He did still more anointing as recently as 9/13, bestowing his Vanguard Award on SATV songwriter Sarah Aarons at the City of Hope's Songs of Hope fest.

The admiration he evokes among veterans and youngsters alike is undeniable, and even clouds of Cohiba smoke can’t disguise the signature twinkle in his eye.