Big deal for Big Deal

STORY OF HIS DEAL: Songwriter John Ryan has signed an exclusive worldwide agreement with Big Deal Music and BMG Chrysalis U.S. under their JV. Ryan is best known for being One Direction’s go-to co-writer, with current single “Story of My Life” and the recent “Best Song Ever,” which has passed 1m in sales, among his credits. He’s also co-written cuts by Cody Simpson, JLS, Fifth Harmony, Avicii and Olly Murs, among others. He credits Big Deal chief Kenny MacPherson and and the pubco’s Casey Robison as being “among the first people in the business to hear my songs and show interest in what I do.” Kenny Mac described Ryan as “a true talent,” while giving credit to the Nashville-based Bunetta family, who manage and co-publish Ryan. And BMG Chrysalis creative and marketing topper Laurent Hubert marveled at the red-hot writer’s “drive and gift for hit songmaking.” With that, all three resumed envisioning the number of digits on Ryan’s next 1D royalty check. (11/26a)