Publishing Briefs: Big Deal Signs Cy Coleman’s Notable Music; James Fauntleroy Teams With Reservoir
Big Deal Music Grouphas entered into a long-term worldwide administration deal with Notable Music, the company founded by American songbook tunesmithCy Colemanthat also includes works by Bobby Hebb ,Rosanne Cash, Sam Phillips andTift Merritt.
"Anchored by Cy Coleman's enduring compositions, Notable Music is a wellspring of incredible writers and their songs," said Big Deal Music Group founder and president Kenny MacPhersonin a statement. "I'm thrilled to welcome this amazing catalog into the Big Deal family."
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Coleman was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1981 and served on ASCAP's Board of Directors for three decades. He passed away in 2004.
"Notable's association with Kenny and his team goes back many years to when we worked together at Chrysalis," added Notable president and Coleman widow Shelby Coleman. "We are thrilled to be back in such a creative environment and look forward to continuing to create new opportunities for the influential and hugely popular songs that Cy and the rest of the Notable writers have brought into the world."
In another deal, Big Deal Music Group and peermusichave signed a publishing deal to collectively representCigarettes After Sexglobally.
"Working with two of the leading independent publishers at the same time is really about as close as you can get to a dream come true scenario," said the band's manager Ed Harrisof Blue Raincoat Artists Ltd. in a statement. "We've got an independent publishing team that spans virtually every territory in the world, comprised of some of the most talented executives in the business. The fact that peermusic and Big Deal Music both agreed to work with the band is a testament to the creative thinkers that make up these two great publishing companies."
Reservoirhas signed a global publishing deal with James Fauntleroywho co-wrote eight tracks onBruno Mars' 24K Magic album, as well as collaborating with artists likeJustin Timberlake,JAY-Z,Beyonce,Rihanna,Kendrick LamarandSZA, among others.
There's a reason why so many big names in music want to collaborate with Fauntleroy, according to a statement from Reservoir executive VP of creative Donna Caseine, who signed Fauntleroy and will oversee his day-to-day creative: "His musical accomplishments are incredibly impressive, but so is he as a human being — not only giving back to the world with his music, but also giving back to the community."
In addition to the above artists, among others, Fauntleroy has also has worked withMariah Carey,Kelly Clarkson,Frank Ocean,John Legend,Nas,CommonandSnoop Dogg.
"I'm so excited to begin the next phase in my mission to inspire and educate with Reservoir, whose motto is investing in entertainment, but is truly investing back into the world through their globally-impacting roster that I'm so honored to join," said Fauntleroy in a statement. "I'm really looking forward to being a part of this family business and I appreciate their support immensely at what feels like the new beginning of my career!"
Universal Publishing Production Musicis retaining its name as the umbrella organization but rebranding most of its local production units globally as Universal Production Music.
And in another move, the company has launched a new website at universalproductionmusic.com , which features enhancements designed to expedite and simplify how industry professionals discover, mix and share production music. The site allows users to search and discover music, save playlists, collaborate and share directly.
"As home to the best production music in the world, Universal Publishing Production Music is embracing innovative global technologies specifically designed to exceed our clients' expectations when it comes to finding the perfect music for their projects," said Universal Publishing Production Music Worldwide president Michael Sammisin a statement. "The rebrand is also a key part of our marketplace leadership strategy, and the Universal Production Music identity both clarifies and strengthens alignment with the world's leading music company."
The new website is live on 23 Universal Production Music sites in 17 territories outside the United States including the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Scandinavia and Australia, with the website scheduled to go live in additional territories including the U.S.
While most of the local affiliates are now known under the Universal Production Music, other UPPM production music unit brands such as Killer Tracks (USA), FirstCom Music (USA), Focus Music (UK), Kapagama (France) and Paris Music (Poland) will retain their current brand identities for the time being.
BMG Production Musichas announced promotions and additions to its management team, giving BMG Production Music U.K. managing director John Cliffordthe additional responsibilities as senior VP of global sales marketing and repertoire and will help oversee the company's international business development and management. He succeeds Mitch Lijewski, who will now service as a consultant and previously oversaw the U.S. operation of BMG Production Music. In the U.S., Lijewski is succeeded by Sinéad Hartmann(who has been promoted to senior VP from VP) and Darrel Shirk(who has been elevated to VP of operations, BMG Production Music US & global), with both executives jointly taking over the stateside management of BMG's Production Music operation.
In Benelux, Laura Bellhas been promoted to managing director for production music, with Paul Gulmansjoining the international management team as VP, IT, systems & licensing. Both are based in Hilversum, Netherlands.
Also joining the international management team, Philipp Hintzhas joined the international management teams as worldwide finance director, based in Berlin. All six, Clifford, Hartmann, Shirk, Bell, Gulmans and Hintz report directly to BMG Production Music general manager Geert-Willem Koolhof.
"It's a very exciting time for BMG Production Music, we are growing fast — and with all of the promotions announced we are confident that we have the right people in the right place and will together build on our success to date and create a production music company of the future," said Koolhof in a statement.
The recently launched joint venture publishing effort by Round Hilland Zyncannounced their first signing under the deal, with a deal with v?x, a singer songwriter and producer who released her debut EP, I Was Born , in May, and has three other EPs under construction.
Moving over to recorded music, singer and actressRita Orahas signed with PPL, the U.K. rights agency for the administration of her international neighboring rights collections outside the U.S.
"We are delighted to welcome Rita Ora to the PPL family," said the organization's chief executive Peter Leathemin a statement. "She is a multi-talented artist with a very distinctive sound and an impressive catalogue of hits behind her. Our team of specialists work tirelessly when it comes to maximizing our members' international collections and we look forward to working with her and her team."
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