Rob Stratton continues his rise at Sony Music Publishing U.K. with a promotion to Vice President, Visual + Media Rights.
Stratton joined the company 10 years ago as a promotions executive and moved into his current department in 2019. In 2022, he was upped to Director, Visual + Media Rights. He's credited as furthering the successes of existing clients and running point deals with Hasbro, Mattel and All3Media during his tenure.
In his new position, Stratton will spearhead SMP’s Visual + Media efforts in the U.K., and will also continue to work alongside SVP Cathy Merenda and the US Visual + Media Rights team to expand the business globally.
Co-Managing Director, Sony Music Publishing Tim Major said "[Rob] is a thoughtful and intelligent executive who is focused on delivering great service to our partners and who brings a calm and positive energy to our leadership team. We are delighted to see him growing within the company and he truly deserves this promotion."
Merenda echoed that sentiment, adding, "Rob is a star who has only just begun to show us the depth of his talents, and I’m excited to see what’s to come. I could not be happier for this well-deserved promotion."
"I am delighted to be stepping into the role of Vice President and leading the Visual + Media Rights team in the UK.A big thank you to Tim, [SVP] David [Ventura] and Cathy for their support and trust," said Stratton.
Primary Wave is waving the flag for its writers’ roles in some big radio records. At the top of the heap is “Too Sweet” by Columbia’s Hozier, co-written by PW-affiliated Serge Gherman and Tyler Reese. The track is currently #2 at Top 40 and #1 at Hot AC and Alternative.
A key catalog credit is the Ray Charles sample on Kendrick Lamar’s monster “Not Like Us” (pgLang/Interscope), which has blasted its way to #1 at Rhythm and Urban and is Top 25 at Pop.
What else are they waving about? Well there’s artist-writer Jeremih’s cut “Wait on It,” f/Bryson Tiller and Chris Brown (PULSE), which is Top 25 at Rhythm and about to chart at Urban; YG Marley’s indie phenomenon “Praise Jah in the Moonlight” (written by catalog icon Bob Marley), which charted at Urban/R&B; fellow catalog legend Whitney Houston's Clean Bandit remix “How Will I Know” (out via RCA and now on the chart at AC); and two cuts happening on the Dance chart, Badger x Natasha Bedingfield’s “These Words” (Cheeky/Sony U.K.) which is Top 10 and boasts a contribution from tunesmith Steve Kipner, and CYRIL’s “Stumblin’ In” (Spinnin Records), co-penned by pop luminary Nick Chinn and now Top 25.
PW's Larry Mestel and Justin Shukat are now working on a bumpin' remix of this news item.
On the heels of placement in BBC Radio 1’s Sound Of 2024 list, British R&B/soul star Elmiene has inked a publishing deal with Tim & Danny Music and Warner Chappell Music U.K.
The 22-year-old Oxford, England, native was discovered online singing covers and had a breakthrough with the 2021 song "Golden." Late fashion designer Virgil Abloh used the track in his final Louis Vuitton show.
Elmiene has also collaborated with Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Stormzy and BADBADNOTGOOD and performed at the U.K.'s Glastonbury Festival in 2023. His releases to date include the EPs EL-MEAN and Marking My Time.
"The pen is my most valued weapon, and the publisher helps me sharpen it," said Elmiene. "Extremely thankful to Tim & Danny and Warner Chappell.” Added Tim & Danny Music Co-Founder Tim Blacksmith, "He exemplifies all the qualities I look for in an artist, songwriter and creative.”
Said WCM A&R honchors Amber Davis and Xavier Champagne, “It’s rare to find a voice as powerful as Elmiene’s. His music travels from R&B, soul and spoken word so effortlessly, and his authentic nature and good heart genuinely come to life in his songs."
