Welsh singer-songwriter Marina, who previously operated under the name Marina and the Diamonds, has signed with Janelle Lopez Genzink’s Volara Management, which also manages Sabrina Carpenter’s music career as well as Mosaic MSC and Riah. Last year, Volara partnered with Red Light Management in a deal that expands its resources while retaining autonomy.
Marina, who has released five albums since 2010, is supporting Kylie at the BST festival in London’s Hyde Park on Saturday. Her 2012 album “Electra Heart” debuted at No. 1 on the U.K. charts in 2012 and her most recent album, 2021’s “Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land” (2021), featured the Ivor Novello-nominated hit “Man’s World.” She has racked up 4 billion streams worldwide and more than 700 million video views.
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+ Universal Music Publishing Group‘s Classics and Screen division has inked a new deal with Jerskin Fendrix, the composer behind Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things.”
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Fendrix has been signed to an exclusive, global publishing agreement following his success with the critically acclaimed score that earned him a best film score recognition at the 2024 Ivor Novello Awards and best original score nominations at the BAFTAs and the 96th Academy Awards, making him the youngest composer to ever be nominated. He is signed on to score Lanthimos’ next two films, including “Kinds of Kindness.”
Fendrix said, “I’m delighted to be working with Tash Baldwin, Anna Jaskiewicz and the team at UMPG Classics and Screen/Decca Publishing. I have great trust in their protection and dissemination of my work. To be signed alongside so many singular artists with UMPG is an honour, especially under such a pioneering and passionate champion of music as Jody Gerson.”
“Jerskin’s meteoric rise in the score composing world is extraordinary and he richly deserves all the accolades he has received so far,” said Natasha Baldwin, executive vice president of UMPG Classics and Screen. “Jerskin has quietly developed an exciting artist/composer and songwriting style that caught our A&R team’s attention initially, so I am delighted that we are able to welcome Jerskin to a publishing company that truly supports and amplifies the whole breadth of what being a composer can mean.”
Pictured Above (L-R): Natasha Baldwin, EVP, UMPG Classics & Screen; Jerskin Fendrix; Jody Gerson, UMPG Chairman & CEO
+ Virgin Music Group, a division of Universal Music Group, announced a partnership with Frontier Works, a leading Japanese animation related content production company to release Anime music projects.
VMG will support Frontier Works, and its catalog of music related to its popular games, which includes popular titles like “Ensemble Stars!!” with access to VMG’s innovative music distribution and marketing platform, powered by patented AI technology, and an interconnected global team of music experts to support their releases around the world.
+ Sony Music Latin-Iberia has promoted Sergi Reitg to VP of premium content.
In his newly expanded role, Reitg will oversee strategic audiovisual initiatives in Spain and Mexico and work on key film and TV development projects alongside the Latin-Iberia regional office in Miami and the Sony Music Vision team in Los Angeles. Based in Spain, Reitg will report to Fernando Cabral, executive VP of strategic partnerships for Sony Music Latin-Iberia.
In his new position, Retig will develop new projects across Mexico and the wider Latin-Iberia region, while he continues to support the global expansion of Sony Music Vision. He most recently oversaw the production of the documentary “Sintiéndolo Mucho” by Joaquín Sabina (2022) which earned a Goya Award for best original song, and three seasons of the hit series “Acoustic Home” series on MAX.
“Sergi’s vast experience and innovative approach to the film and television space makes him the perfect creative for this role,” said Cabral. “We are confident that his leadership will enhance our capabilities and drive our success in the premium content space across more global markets, as well as create new ways to serve our artists.”
Reitg added, “I am excited to take on this expanded role and build on the successes we’ve achieved in Spain. I look forward to leveraging learnings to replicate programs and build opportunities in Mexico, across the Latin-Iberia region with our partners.”
+ 2101 Records, founded by Grammy award-winning producer and creative executive, RedOne, has started a new distribution deal with Vydia, a music technology platform under Larry Jackson’s gamma.
As part of the new partnership, Vydia will support the label’s roster of new talent, as well as manage the rights and distribution of RedOne’s back catalog which includes “Hala Madrid!.. Y nada más,” the anthem of Spanish football club, Real Madrid.
“I’m beyond thrilled to collaborate with Vydia to usher in this new era for 2101 Records through their worldwide reach and innovative services that create equitable opportunities for rising and established artists,” said RedOne.
This partnership also includes the distribution of music from the label’s newest signee, American singer-songwriter, Carol Doche. Doche’s debut single “Montego,” featuring Wiz Khalifa, will be released on July 19 through Vydia, as the first release under the new partnership.
+ La Cruz, an openly gay Venezuelan rapper, has signed with Warner Music Latina. He is currently being represented by Rebeca Leon’s Lionfish Entertainment, which also houses Anitta and Danny Ocean, among others.
+ ASCAP has launched their 2024 ASCAP Citizen campaign, powered by nonpartisan, nonprofit voter registration organization HeadCount. ASCAP Citizen encourages ASCAP’s more than one million songwriter, composer and music publisher members and their communities to vote in this year’s elections.
This year’s campaign kicks off earlier than ever, on July 9, and will run through Election Day on Nov. 5.
Throughout the campaign, @ASCAP social media channels will feature educational content and personal messages about the importance of voting from ASCAP members across every genre. The initial list includes LENA (“Tu Corazón”), Blu June (“CUFF IT,” Beyoncé), Pinar Toprak (Captain Marvel), 310babii (“Soak City (Do It)”) and more. ASCAP will also amplify “get out the vote” messages from other top ASCAP creators partnered with HeadCount including Olivia Rodrigo, Alicia Keys and Kehlani.
“Whether it is protecting creators’ rights through copyright law or new artificial intelligence regulations, policy directly impacts our members’ livelihoods. It’s vital for music creators to stay engaged with democracy and that starts with voting,” said ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews. “It’s time to show elected officials that they should listen to more than just our members’ songs, because music creators vote.”
Tuesday, July 9
Warner Chappell Music has signed a global publishing deal with Cash Cobain, who is currently enjoying a breakout hit, “Fisherrr.” The song, which currently boasts over eight million streams on Spotify, features Ice Spice and Bay Swag.
The move comes as Cobain gears up for the release of his “Play Cash Cobain” EP. Most recently, Cobain enlisted J. Cole on “Grippy,” collaborated with Charlie Wilson on Don Toliver’s new single “Attitude” and also appeared on A Boogie Wit da Hoodie’s “Body.” He also produced Lancey Foux’s “Daylight” featuring Teezo Touchdown.
On signing with WCM, Cash Cobain said: “I’m so excited for this chapter in my career – shoutout to Warner Chappell Music and my team for making this happen. This is a huge moment, and I’m looking forward to building the ‘Slizzy’ empire with WCM by my side.”
Ryan Press, president of North America for WCM, added: “Cash is one of the best up-and-comers out there. As the original creator behind this entirely new drill style, he’s introduced a sound using some of music’s most classic hits, and his delivery is spot on every single time.”
Pictured above Top L-R (Back row): Rich Christina (WCM), Will Foster (Cash Cobain Management), Cash Cobain, Makeda Tewodros (Cash Cobain Management), Wallace Joseph (WCM); (Front row): Glyn Brown (Cash Cobain Management)
+ Arista Records has announced the promotion of Nick Petropoulos to executive vice president of promotion and artist development. Petropoulos will lead the label’s artist development strategy, while continuing to oversee radio promotions across the roster.
Since joining Arista in 2021, Petropoulos has spearheaded the labels’ promotion team and radio strategy.
Petropoulos adds, “Arista leads with an Artist-centric approach that has led to many of our success stories in the last few years. I am thrilled to take on this expanded role and continue the journey with the entire team on the development and elevation of our unique global roster.”
+ BMI has hired Tom Kershaw as chief technology officer, and Justin Rohde to the newly created position of chief transformation officer. Both Kershaw and Rohde will report to Mike O’Neill, president and CEO of BMI.
“Tom and Justin have the experience and leadership qualities to enable us to enhance and increase the value we provide to our songwriters, composers and publishers,” said O’Neill. “Working with our team, they will be instrumental as we carry out the key elements of our strategic growth plan, to continue to grow distributions, advance our technology and customer service and to seek new sources of revenue for our affiliates.”
Kershaw joins BMI most recently from Travelport, a leader in travel distribution for air, hotel, car, and rail, and has also held positions at Google and Ericsson.
Rohde brings experience in process improvement, sales effectiveness, product development and global business management to BMI. He joins the company from Xplor Technologies, a private equity owned Global SaaS and Payments conglomerate where he served as both chief revenue officer and chief transformation officer.
+ CAA has signed country artist Kashus Culpepper. Culpepper is currently represented by Big Loud Records, and just dropped his first career single “After Me?”