Music Industry Moves: The Lede Company Launches Music Division in Nashville; Madison Beer Signs With WME

The Lede Company has launched a music division in Nashville, Tennessee with publicist Jess Anderson joining the the new division. Cara Hutchison has been named head of Lede’s music division, which represents artists including Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, Sabrina Carpenter, Post Malone, Rosalía, Shakira and A$AP Rocky.

“With Nashville at the heart of the music industry, we are incredibly excited to be launching this division,” said Hutchison. “We’re thrilled to have Jess, a savvy music publicist with deep roots in Nashville, join us for this next chapter. We look forward to leveraging Lede’s relationships, storytelling, and communications expertise to help amplify the careers of such outstanding artists in this community.”

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A veteran music publicist, Anderson has worked with artists like Morgan Wallen, Stephen Wilson Jr., Ashley Cooke, Dylan Gossett, Kashus Culpepper and more. Most recently, she served as senior director of media at Big Loud Records, founding and building the label’s in-house publicity department. Prior stops include Sweet Talk Publicity, The Press House, and Big Machine Label Group.

With the launch of the new group, Lede now offers dedicated Brand, Talent, Strategic Communications, Content, Social Impact, Events, and Music divisions. The company has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Nashville.

+ WME will now represent singer-songwriter Madison Beer globally.

The Epic Records artist released her second studio album, “Silence Between Songs,” in 2023, having written and co-produced every song. The album earned a Grammy nomination for best immersive album. Beer also recently concluded her sold-out global “The Spinnin Tour,” performing at 63 venues across multiple continents.

She continues to be represented by Tina Kennedy (Full Stop Management) and Kenny Meiselas (Grubman, Shire, Meiselas & Sacks).

+ Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Nile Rodgers was unanimously re-elected to serve a third term as Chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame at its annual Board of Directors meeting held in New York City on Oct. 15.

“Having Nile as a partner has been a very special and rewarding experience for me personally and professionally,” said Linda Moran, SHOF President and CEO. “Nile is one of the rare ones who is respected and admired by his peers and his fans of all generations for being a musical pioneer with his multi-cross genre music. With an ever-expanding list of credits and accomplishments and more importantly, his eloquence in talking about and especially his love of songwriting and its process makes Nile the ideal voice for the songwriting community to the world at large as Chairman of the SHOF.”

Elected members to the Board of Directors are SHOF inductees Desmond Child, Steve Dorff and Paul Williams, Schaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith, Martin N. Bandier, Donna Caseine, Samantha Cox, Charlie Feldman, Fletcher Foster, Pete Ganbarg, Randy Grimmett, John H. Josephson, Jody H. Klein, Evan Lamberg, Carianne Marshall, Nancy Munoz, Jon Platt, Irwin Z. Robinson, Harold Stephan, Bob Valentine and John Titta.

+ Mom+Pop Music today announced the signing of R&B duo Galdive. The Indonesian group released their first single from the partnership today, “Night Charade.”

Galdive is singer-songwriter Tisha, and composer-producer Osvaldo. Known for their unique sounds, they swerve in and out of genres ranging from R&B to electronic, Jazz, and Pop. More new music will be released soon through Mom+Pop.

+ The 55th annual ASCAP Foundation Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Awards have revealed their 2024 winners. The awards honor outstanding books, articles, liner notes and broadcast programs on the subject of music.

Variety contributor Jon Burlingame won in concert music for his interview with John Williams on the Disney Music Group podcast, “Disney For Scores.” Additionally, a Special Recognition Award was given in memory of “the alt-country impresario” Jeremy Tepper, musician, producer, programmer and Executive Director of SiriusXM’s “Outlaw Country” and Willie’s Roadhouse” channels.

The Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Broadcast/Media Award in pop music recognized directors Roger Ross Williams and Brooklyn Sudano, for their HBO documentary, “Love to Love You, Donna Summer.”

The ASCAP Foundation Paul Williams “Loved the Liner Notes” Award for pop music honored Deanie Parker and Robert Gordon for “Scribble and Hum” from “Written in Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos on Craft Recordings.”

+ UnitedMasters has announced the extension of its existing agreement with the National Football League (“NFL”) through the end of the 2027 season. The agreement, which follows an original three-year deal that began in 2023, will expand UnitedMasters’ existing track delivery – allowing the NFL to continue providing music to its fans via UnitedMasters’ fully cleared sync library.

“Partnering with the NFL gives UnitedMasters artists a platform to showcase their talents and connect with millions of fans across the globe,” said Steve Stoute, Founder and CEO of UnitedMasters. “We’re fusing the raw energy of independent music with the power of football, creating an experience that’s unmatched. This isn’t just about providing a soundtrack; we’re building a community where independent artists and football fans come together.”

The expanded agreement delivers significant benefits for fans, artists, and the NFL.

+ Virgin Music Group has acquired Outdustry, an artist and label services and rights management business focused on China, India and other high-potential markets. Virgin will continue to operate its marketing services, publishing company, and label businesses under the Outdustry brand.

As part of the deal, Outdustry founder Ed Peto has been named senior VP of international strategy at Virgin Music Group, while also continuing his role as CEO of Outdustry. Based in London, Peto will join the company’s global leadership team to grow the company in China, India and other fast-growing regions.

He will report to Virgin Music Group Co-CEOs JT Myers and Nat Pastor, working closely with Michael Roe, managing director of Virgin Music Group’s operations in Africa, Middle East, and Asia (AMEA).

In addition to its marketing services business, Outdustry has also built a music publishing operation, Outdustry Songs, which has landed dozens of cuts with stars within the Chinese pop landscape.

Wednesday, Oct. 30

Sony Music Publishing has signed Mike Dean and several members of his producer collective M.W.A., including Sean Solymar, Tommy Rush and Sage Skolfield. The company has also launched a strategic partnership with M.W.A. for the creative development of its roster.

Dean is a producer, engineer, mixer and multi-instrumentalist with a body of work spanning across hip-hop, pop, experimental rock and soul. His catalog includes collaborations with an extensive range of artists including Travis Scott (“Sicko Mode”), Beyoncé (“Lemonade”), Frank Ocean (“Blonde”), Kanye West or Ye (“My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” “Mercy”), the Weeknd (“Beauty Behind the Madness”) and more.

“I’m thrilled to have Tommy Rush, Sean Solymar, and Sage Skolfield join MWA Publishing and Sony,” said Dean. “We’re excited to create some incredible hits together.”

Dean launched M.W.A. in 2017 with its roster of producers going on to work with Nas, Latto, 070 Shake, Teyana Taylor, Madonna, Ye, Travis Scott and Beyoncé, among others. As an artist, Dean has sold out headlining shows at the Wiltern in Los Angeles and toured with the Weeknd as an opening act on his “After Hours Till Dawn” stadium tour in the US. He also scored the entirety of HBO’s “The Idol” alongside the Weeknd and Sam Levinson (and starred as himself in the series).

“I am a longtime fan of Mike and his music,” said Sony Music Publishing Chairman and CEO Jon Platt in a statement. “Not only has he consistently transformed Hip-Hop, but his creative influence extends across modern music, inspiring new talent through his work with M.W.A. We are pleased to partner with Mike and M.W.A.’s Sean Solymar, Tommy Rush, and Sage Skolfield as they continue to shape music’s future.”

Pictured above (L-R): Sage Skolfield, Devon Spencer, Tommy Rush, Sean Solymar, Mike Dean, Jon Platt and Willie Jones.

+ ASCAP and SACEM (La Société des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Editeurs de Musique) have formed a new partnership to leverage their investments in data infrastructure.

According to a press release, the two companies are working towards four main goals together: delivering more income to songwriters, extending their digital partnerships, launching a joint AI task force, and globalizing their songwriters and composers.

“I am excited to strengthen the transatlantic partnership between ASCAP and SACEM and work closely with Cécile on innovative ways to protect and maximize the value of musical works on behalf of our songwriter, composer and publisher members,” said ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews. “France and the United States have a long history of recognizing the best in one another, from the democratic ideals of liberty, solidarity and equality to celebrating the diverse musical traditions brought into our repertories from around the world.”

SACEM CEO Cécile Rap-Veber commented, “This strategic alliance is a natural fit for our two not-for-profit collective management organizations and strengthens the solid relationship of trust between SACEM and ASCAP. At a time when the music ecosystem is undergoing profound transformation, Beth and I are convinced that our shared values and our commitments to innovation, data optimization and our joint work on AI, will be essential levers for creating ever greater value for the works and the rightsholders we protect, in the most cost-efficient manner.”

+ Sony Music Latin Iberia has signed Brazilian artist Giulia Be. The Latin Grammy-nominated artist boasts hits such as “Menina Solta,” “Se Essa Vida Fosse Um Filme,” “Não era amor,” “Chiquita Suelta,” and “Inesquecível,” among others. She also writes and performs her music in three languages: Portuguese, Spanish and English.

Be performed at Rock in Rio and the MEO Sudoeste Festival in Portugal earlier this year. Her music has been featured in soundtracks, such as the telenovela “O Sétimo Guardião” with “Too Bad,” and in the Netflix film “Depois do Universo,” in which she starred, provided the English audio dubbing, and composed the soundtrack.

“Giulia is an extraordinary artist. Composer, singer, pianist, guitarist, actress! Her talent is infinite. We feel absolutely honored to be a part of her career. Dear Giulia, welcome to Sony Music Latin Iberia. From the heart, I wish you what you deserve: all the best in the world,” said Afo Verde, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Latin Iberia.

+ Bossy Songs, the publishing venture founded by music industry veteran Barry Weiss with Sony Music Publishing, has extended joint publishing venture partnership, with an office in New York and staff in Los Angeles and Nashville.

Bossy Songs has also to announce their latest signing, songwriter and producer Austin Corona. Corona has an impressive slate of production and songwriter credits alongside Halsey, Zara Larsson, Jean Dawson and Peter McPoland, among others. Other writer-producers on the Bossy Songs roster include Dan Gleyzer (BTS, Meghan Trainor, CIL), Cheyenna (Dasha “Austin,” BIZZY), Michael Sonier (Noah Cyrus, Maggie Rogers, Ella Henderson), Cody Tarpley (Megan Thee Stallion, Chris Brown, Maggie Lindemann), and IDA (Alan Walker, Sigala, Becky Hill).

“I’m really excited to extend our great relationship with Sony Music Publishing,” said Weiss. “To help launch the extension I couldn’t be more thrilled to partner up with super talented, super versatile writer/producer Austin Corona. Great writer and a state of the art world class producer! Let’s go!”

+ Universal Music Group’s Task Force for Meaningful Change will launch the third iteration of Pull Up to the Polls – an initiative to get more than 15,000 voters to and from the polls in partnership with the NAACP, National Council of Negro Women and When We All Vote.

Starting Oct. 29, the program will provide more than 15,000 rideshare codes in partnership with NAACP, NCNW and When We All Vote to get voters to and from the polls for this year’s U.S. general election. The program also worked with Voto Latino Foundation earlier this election season with the goal of registering over 7,200 eligible voters in honor of National Voter Registration Day.

Additional support extended to organizations helping mobilize and conduct voter education including the American Civil Liberties Union, National Coalition of Black Civic Participation and Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute.

“The NAACP is proud to work with UMG in ensuring that democracy works, for everybody. Black voices matter, and we know that when our communities Pull up to the Polls, we’re heard,” said Dominik Whitehead, NAACP senior VP of campaigns and mobilization. “That’s why partnerships like these are so important in bringing the resources and tools necessary to ensure that every vote is counted, and every voice is heard. Let’s make this an election to remember!”

+ Hook, an AI-powered social music app that allows music fans to create, share and discover authorized remixes and mashups of songs, announced today that it has partnered with Glassnote Records in an innovative deal to add new tracks from Tors, bby, Hayes Warner, and Dylan Cartlidge to its library. More acts from Glassnote will be added in the near future.

Hook is also known for opening up new revenue streams for artists and rights holders, enabling them to monetize the infinite derivative versions their fans create and consume on Hook and social platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Daniel Glass, founder and president of Glassnote Music, commented on the deal: “Glassnote Records is proud to embrace progressive, open-minded, and forward-thinking ideas. It has always been our goal to run toward what’s next, focusing on the potential of new technologies while recognizing artists’ creative integrity as the number one priority and something to be strongly protected. We believe Hook does just that: providing a comprehensive solution to the use of remixed music across social platforms in a way that emphasizes artists’ control and compensation. With Hook, fans can engage with their favorite music in a manner that rewards their own creativity while also benefiting the artists who participate with proper attribution of rights. Gaurav and his team have shown that they are truly focused on putting artists first. We are confident that Hook will deliver real value to artists of all levels, and we’re eager to hear what Hook users create.”

+ Música Mexicana artist Geovani Cabrera, has signed a global publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) Mexico.

Originally from Culiacan, Sinaloa Mexico, Cabrera has been a songwriter for 15 years, known for his corridos and ranchera tracks. Among Cabrera’s hits are “JGL” performed by Luis R. Conriquez and La Adictiva; “Se Me Olvidó” recorded by Christian Nodal and “A Través Del Vaso” by Los Sebastianes.

Geovani Cabrera has won 19 BMI Awards and 4 SACM awards. Additionally, his latest work, “Bandida”, recorded by Grupo Marca Registrada, peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s “Latin Airplay” chart.

“I sincerely appreciate the trust that Universal Music Publishing México has instilled in me, and I am excited to have the opportunity to collaborate on songs that will engage and touch upon emotions in audiences,” said Cabrera. “I want to thank Yadira [Moreno, Managing Director Mexico and Central America and VP] and the UMPG team for their dedication and warm welcome, which has made me feel at home, creating an ideal environment for creativity and artistic freedom. I know that my catalog will be in good hands.”

Monday, Oct. 30

Singer-songwriter and Disney actor Liamani has signed with Def Jam Records, releasing her debut single with the label called “Sunkissed.”

The 16 year-old has received major co-signs from Justin Bieber and Mariah Carey since jump-starting her music career following her lead role on Disney’s “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.”

Liamani taught herself to sing at a very young age and began uploading covers of pop hits to YouTube where she caught the attention of several key industry players. This success can be traced back to the moment a five-year-old Liamani sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at a school talent show, with a video of the performance gaining popularity online. “Sunkissed” is said to be part of her first project, due out in 2025.

+ Kerry Harrison has been appointed as the communications director at Rolling Loud.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Harrison joins Rolling Loud from publicity firm Audible Treats, where she was the director of publicity and oversaw publicity campaigns for a wide variety of festival and artist clients, including Rolling Loud, Sueños Festival, Chief Keef, Pi’erre Bourne, Eem Triplin, and more.

Rolling Loud will return for the second annual Rolling Loud Thailand from Nov. 22-24 in Pattaya City and will celebrate 10 Years of Rolling Loud at the flagship festival in Miami from Dec. 13-15 at Hard Rock Stadium.

+ Los Angeles-based AI music company KLAY Vision Inc. announced today that it is collaborating with Universal Music Group (UMG). The companies will work together to integrate an “ethical foundational model for AI generated music” at UMG, per a press release.

“KLAY aims to be the backbone for a new era of innovation, powering new products and experiences, committed to the premise that AI can bolster and grow musical creativity and human artistry,” the company writes. “Building generative AI music models ethically and fully respectful of copyright, as well as name and likeness rights, will dramatically lessen the threat to human creators and stand the greatest opportunity to be transformational, creating significant new avenues for creativity and future monetization of copyrights.”

KLAY is led by Ary Attie (music producer), Thomas Hesse (former president of Sony Music Entertainment), and Björn Winckler (joining soon from Google Deepmind).

Michael Nash, executive VP and chief digital officer of Universal Music said, “We are excited to partner with entrepreneurs like the team leading KLAY, to explore new opportunities and ethical solutions for artists and the wider music ecosystem, advancing generative AI technology in ways that are both respectful of copyright and have the potential to profoundly impact human creativity. UMG has always endeavored to lead the music industry in driving innovation, embracing new technologies and supporting entrepreneurship while protecting human artistry.”

Attie added, “Research is critical to building the foundations for AI music, but the tech is only an empty vessel when it doesn’t engage with the culture it is meant to serve. KLAY’s obsession is not just to showcase its research innovation but to make it invisible and mission-critical to people’s daily lives. Only then can music AI become more than a short-lived gimmick. Our great artists have always embraced the newest technologies – we believe the next Beatles will play with KLAY.”