Publishing Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

Thania Garcia Sony Music Publishing Latin has entered a global partnership with Tainy and Lex Borrero’s Neon 16, alongside veteran music executive Tommy Mottola, to launch its new publishing company called 22 Publishing.The new agreement will work to create opportunities for the company’s roster across music, film, and television. 22 Publishing’s team of songwriters and producers include Albert Hype (“Telepatia” by Kali Uchis, Shakira’s “Te Felicito”), Jota Rosa (Bad Bunny’s “Un Verano Sin Ti,” “Baila Conmigo” by Selena Gomez), Gaby Morales (Dalex’s “Hola” and Yandel’s “Deja Vu”), Ivanni Rodriguez (J Balvin and Tainy’s “Un Dia” and “Agua”), as well as emerging talent such as Rozo, Jodosky and Dylan Fuentes.

As the production designer of Minx, Jefferson Sage was able to pull from his own past to create an old-school magazine. The process of publishing has changed a lot since the ’70s, but Sage knew he could find the research materials in his own archives.

Mike Wass From the moment Justin Tranter took the stage as the lead singer of ‘00s rock band Semi Precious Weapons in six-inch heels and a full face of makeup, they had their eye on the bigger picture. “My goal was always to be on the cover of Forbes, not the cover of Rolling Stone,” says Tranter, “and I am just getting started.”As the founder and CEO of Facet Records and Publishing, Tranter is revolutionizing the music industry from within and racking up massive hits in the process.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorWarner Chappell Music and Kevin Hart’s global multi-platform media company, Hartbeat, have announced an exclusive music publishing partnership. Under the deal – a first of its kind for Hartbeat – WCM will administer all of Hartbeat’s music composition copyrights, covering future programming as well as past works from shows like “Die Hart” and “Hart to Heart.”WCM will also help build the company’s music catalog across Hartbeat Studios, Hartbeat Media and Pulse, in addition to providing creative support for a variety of music projects, and access to its songwriting talent and award-winning production music library.WCM senior VP of creative services Ashley Winton said: “This deal was made possible with the support of our Co-Chairs Guy Moot and Carianne Marshall, and we’re all very proud that Hartbeat is entrusting us as their first publishing partner.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterParadigm Talent Agency has hired industry veteran Ian Kleinert as a book publishing agent, Variety has learned exclusively. In his new role, Kleinert will be based out of Paradigm’s New York office.“Joining Paradigm during this unique and exciting time at the company opens up a world of exciting new avenues across all media for the wonderful clients joining me at the agency, and provides me the chance to foster dynamic publishing opportunities for the stellar talents of Paradigm’s roster,” said Kleinert.Kleinert was most recently the CEO and founding partner of Projector Media, which focused on literary management and investor-backed digital platforms for groups like SALT Events, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Propagate Content, and sports legends Joe Namath and Cal Ripken Jr. “Ian’s extensive experience, unparalleled knowledge of the publishing industry and wide-ranging client relationships make him an incredible addition to our team,” said Paradigm managing partner Andrew Ruf.

EXCLUSIVE: Blackstone Publishing has acquired worldwide publishing rights to Sean Scott Hicks’ autobiography, The Devil To Pay: A Mobster’s Road To Perdition. The company’s Director of Media, TV and Film, Brendan Deneen brokered the deal and will now edit the book, while shopping film and TV rights to studios and streamers.

Sony Music Publishing has signed a global deal with songwriter Ashley Gorley, in partnership with Domain Capital Group. The agreement encompasses Gorley’s complete catalog of songs, as well as future compositions.Gorley has written 59 Country No.

Strange Scaffold – creator of El Paso, Everywhere and Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator – has announced that it will begin publishing games, starting with a roguelite RPG called Purgatory Dungeoneer.Created by indie developer Damien Crawford, Strange Scaffold says that Purgatory Dungeoneer‘s full title – My Grandpa Died And All He Left Me Was This 1 Dungeon In Purgatory Filled With Nihilistic Adventurers – will continue the studio’s “monopoly on dangerously long game names.”Purgatory Dungeoneer is a town-building roguelite RPG which tasks the player with “plundering a psychic hellmaw for personal closure”. Set to launch on Steam and itch.io in the third quarter of 2022, players will take control of a supernatural medieval village and form parties of retired adventurers to raid the “hellmaw” for resources.The game will feature over 400 possible residents that players can recruit, as well as more than 100 classes and over 1000 skills for adventurers to utilise.You can watch a trailer for Purgatory Dungeoneer below:On the decision to move into publishing, Strange Scaffold director Xalavier Nelson Jr.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorR&B star and former Fifth Harmony member Normani has inked a global publishing deal with Hipgnosis Songs Group — but the most eye-grabbing news in the announcement comes toward the end: “Normani has confirmed new music and a larger body of work is on the way.”Fans have been impatiently awaiting new material from the singer for years, and the announcement of a publishing deal often means (although does not guarantee) that its release is relatively imminent. She was named Collaborator of the Year at Variety‘s Hitmakers event in December.The deal includes all of the future works by Normani, a six-time BMI Award winning songwriter.

Universal Music Publishing has signed Dave Bayley of Glass Animals to a global publishing deal.“There’s so much I want to learn and so much music I want to make in so many different areas – from Glass Animals records, to pop songwriting, to experimental sound design, to scoring”, says Bayley.“When it came time to re-sign my publishing, there were so many wonderful people, ideas and opportunities around that I began to feel a bit lost”, he adds, “but Universal Music Publishing and the incredible team of people there had drawn a long and clear path for me through those ideas… it just felt like a journey I wanted to take. I can’t wait to see what the future holds!”Universal Music Publishing CEO Jody Gerson says: “I am a Glass Animals fan and I am especially delighted to work closely with UMPG’s global creative teams to amplify Dave Bayley’s talents as a writer and producer, not only for his band but also for other artists who inspire and excite him”.Meanwhile, Mike McCormack, Managing Director of UMPG UK, also comments: “Best part of this job is when you get the opportunity to work with a world-class original talent like Dave Bayley.

Thania Garcia Universal Music Publishing Group has signed Dave Bayley of Glass Animals to an exclusive, global publishing agreement. Glass Animals, who are signed to UMG’s Republic label in the U.S., were  named Group of the Year for Variety’s Hitmakers.Jody Gerson, chairman and CEO of UMPG, said: “I am a Glass Animals fan and I am especially delighted to work closely with UMPG’s global creative teams to amplify Dave Bayley’s talents as a writer and producer, not only for his band but also for other artists who inspire and excite him.”Glass Animals manager, Amy Morgan of September Management, added, “After the success of ‘Heat Waves’ and ‘Dreamland,’ the next chapter for Dave is going to be a really important one.

BMG has acquired a 50% stake in the song catalogues and, on the recordings side, a stake in the so called neighbouring rights income of Bobby Gillespie, Andrew Innes and the estate of Robert Young for their work with Primal Scream. The deal covers all eleven of the band’s albums.“Primal Scream are one of the most influential bands of the past 30 years with a cultural resonance which continues today”, says Alistair Norbury, BMG President Repertoire & Marketing UK.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorJust two days after Record Store Day, the company Vinyl Me, Please has announced that it is building an audiophile-grade vinyl pressing plant in Denver that is scheduled to open by the end of 2022 for production, tours and special events. The news also comes after years of a vinyl-manufacturing backlog that has caused the delay of vinyl copies of many releases.“Quality control and availability are critical to maintaining and expanding our leadership position in the vinyl industry,” said VMP CEO Cameron Schaefer.

Elvis Presley‘s back catalogue.Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) and Authentic Brands Group (ABG), a global brand owner, marketing and entertainment company and owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises, have today (April 12) announced a deal over the late icon’s worldwide hits.Excluding the UK, it will cover the likes of classic hits such as ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’, ‘It’s Now Or Never’, ‘Memories’, ‘A Little Less Conversation’, ‘Don’t Be Cruel’, ‘Jailhouse Rock’, ‘Love Me Tender’, ‘Viva Las Vegas’, ‘Teddy Bar’, ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘All Shook Up’ and ‘Tears On My Pillow’.Marc Cimino, Chief Operating Officer at UMPG, said: “Elvis Presley has had an unprecedented and lasting global impact on music and pop culture. Jody Gerson and I, along with UMPG’s teams around the world, couldn’t be more excited and honoured to work with ABG in making sure that Elvis’ iconic legacy endures for generations to come.”“2022 is shaping up to be a banner year for Elvis, highlighted by the highly-anticipated theatrical release this June of Elvis directed by Baz Luhrmann, as well as the debut of Netflix’s upcoming animated action series Agent King,” said Marc Rosen, President, Entertainment at ABG.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe 100 Percenters, a music-creatives advocacy nonprofit, has announced a partnership with Sony Music Publishing designed to provide financial relief and support to U.S. songwriters, composers, and producers.With support from SMP, the 100 Percenters will offer relief funding to songwriters who the ongoing pandemic has impacted through its Songwriter Stimulus Program, according to the announcement.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorElvis Presley’s catalog will be administered by Universal Music Publishing and represented by Authentic Brands Group, the companies announced Tuesday.As part of the expanded relationship, UMPG and ABG will represent Presley’s catalog of hits worldwide (excluding the U.K.), which includes such classics as “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “It’s Now or Never,” “Memories,” “A Little Less Conversation,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Love Me Tender,” “Viva Las Vegas,” “Amazing Grace,” “All Shook Up,” “Tears on My Pillow” and countless more.The deal, terms of which were not disclosed, comes at an auspicious time, as Baz Luhrmann’s biopic “Elvis,” starring Tom Hanks and Austin Butler, arrives in theaters June 24 and premieres next month at the Cannes Film Festival. ABG’s formidable portfolio includes such iconic celebrity brands such as Presley, Marilyn Monroe and Muhammad Ali.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe estate of the late Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel has signed an exclusive, worldwide agreement with Virgin Music US Latin and extended its agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group. Under the new deal, Virgin Music US Latin will now represent Juan Gabriel’s post-2008 catalog and future recordings, while UMPG will represent his entire catalog through an extended, exclusive global publishing agreement, bringing Gabriel’s music under the Universal Music roof.New music will be released “in the coming months,” the announcement continues, including the highly anticipated “Los Duo 3, including duets with Mon LaFerte and Gloria Trevi as well as posthumously recorded duets. Billboard notes that Gabriel, who died in 2016, left behind dozens of unreleased recordings, including new songs and re-recordings of older ones.

EXCLUSIVE: Random House, a division of Penguin Random House, has partnered with the management and creative content platform Sugar23 to establish the co-branded publishing imprint, Sugar23 Books.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorDowntown Music Services has inked a global music publishing administration agreement with Brooklyn-based artist, composer and producer Daniel Lopatin, the company announced Wednesday.Lopatin, who records and performs as Oneohtrix Point Never, has released multiple albums and tracks over the years including his most recent project, “Magic Oneohtrix Point Never.”He also has collaborated extensively with the Weeknd over the past two years, serving as an executive producer on the recent “Dawn FM” album, and also was musical director of the artist’s 2021 Super Bowl Half Time performance. Earlier this year he completed work on his first full album production for another artist, Soccer Mommy’s upcoming album “Sometimes, Forever.” His production credits over the years also include David Byrne, Moses Sumney, Anohni and Charli XCX as well as collaborations with Iggy Pop, Rosalía, James Blake and Elizabeth Fraser.His original film scores include Josh and Benny Safdie’s “Uncut Gems” and “Good Time,” for which he received the Best Soundtrack Award at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.

EXCLUSIVE: Robert Downey Jr. has teamed with bestselling environmental author Thomas Kostigen to write Cool Food: Erasing Your Carbon Footprint One Bite at a Time. The book has been acquired by Blackstone Publishing’s president/CEO Josh Stanton. The actor/producer and Kostigen have written a book they say provides a smart, accessible, and game-changing roadmap to making climate-solving food choices. The deal marks the first major non-fiction book from Downey Jr., best known for his iconic turns as Iron-Man and Sherlock Holmes and partnering with wife Susan Downey in their Team Downey production label. Downey Jr. leaned into nutrition since early in his Marvel run to prepare for the rigors of that role. While there has been a preoccupation in Hollywood in cutting down carbon footprints, doing it through a diet seems an innovative wrinkle.

Thania Garcia Def Jam Record­ings celebrated Women’s History Month — in partnership with LUCID Motors — with a special event recognizing its own female staff. Held March 28 in Beverly Hills, “The Women of Def Jam” brought out the iconic label’s executive team, staff and VIP guests as well as artists like Kendra Jae, DaniLeigh, Pap Chanel, Nevaeh Jolie, Ilham and Kaash Paige, who joined a “Future Leaders” panel moderated by Variety executive editor Shirley Halperin.After closing statements from newly installed Def Jam chairman and CEO Tunji Balogun, the event concluded with a performance by Coco Jones, a new label signee and star of Peacock’s “Bel-Air.”Def Jam’s female execs were also celebrated earlier this month with the release of “The Women of Def Jam” — a 24-track compilation album showcasing music by Nikki D., Foxy Brown, Boss, Ashanti, Amerie, Teyana Taylor, Alessia Cara, Rapsody and Jhené Aiko, among others.

Shirley Halperin Executive Editor, MusicAudio content production studio Audio Up has signed a publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) that will identify and sign songwriters to create original music for the company’s stable of podcasts. In addition, Audio Up CEO Jared Gutstadt will be represented by UMPG as a songwriter and producer.Original music for podcasting, particularly in scripted programs, has been in greater demand as listening hours for the format continue to rise.

Swedish House Mafia have sold their master recordings and publishing rights to Pophouse Entertainment.The Swedish trio have struck a deal with the Stockholm-based entertainment company, which was co-founded in 2014 by ABBA‘s Björn Ulvaeus, over the rights to their back catalogue for an undisclosed fee.The deal also includes a full acquisition of the masters and publishing of Axwell & Ingrosso, the duo formed by SHM’s Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso.SHM and Pophouse will now form “a joint venture… to develop and amplify the Swedish House Mafia brand worldwide”.”Swedish House Mafia is a ground-breaking trio that brought club music to stadiums around the world, and they continue to pave the way in contemporary electronic and dance music,” Pophouse said in a statement. “We are so excited to be partnering with them to tell that story for generations to come.“While our landmark agreement with them involves the acquisition of the recordings and publishing of their back catalogue, it is our first-of-its-kind joint venture with the band’s members that exemplifies the types of partnerships we are pursuing in our targeted expansion.”SHM added in a statement: “It feels great for us to partner up with a company like Pophouse that will do much more than simply acquire our creative work.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorPophouse Entertainment has acquired the master recordings and publishing of electronic music titans Swedish House Mafia, the company has announced. The Stockholm-based entertainment company, which was cofounded by ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus and is best known for endeavors such as the forthcoming “ABBA Voyage” show, virtual experiences and gaming, has acquired the masters and publishing (including their writer’s shares) of the trio’s back catalog, and will form a joint venture with its members to develop and amplify the Swedish House Mafia brand worldwide, according to the announcement.

Killer Mike has sold his entire song back catalogue as part of a new publishing deal with Reservoir Media.As Billboard reports, the agreement will see the independent publisher take a considerable stake in the discography of Run The Jewels – the rap duo comprised of Mike and El-P – as well as songs from the artist’s solo projects.In a statement about the new deal Killer Mike said: “A great publisher is a major key to success, and I’m excited to embark on this phase of my career with the dynamic team at Reservoir.”Faith Newman, executive VP of A&R and catalogue development at Reservoir, added: “Killer Mike has been a fixture of hip-hop for decades now, and both his past successes and upcoming music continue to push boundaries and address deeply meaningful topics.“Artists and visionaries of his calibre do not come around often, and we are grateful to be the publishing home for such a trailblazing creator.”Killer Mike has released four studio albums with Run The Jewels, the latest coming in the form of 2020’s ‘RTJ4’.The Atlanta rapper has also made five solo records: ‘Monster’ (2003), ‘I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind’ (2006), ‘I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II’ (2008), ‘PL3DGE’ (2011) and ‘R.A.P. Music’ (2012).Additionally, he’s collaborated with the likes of Jay-Z, Outkast, T.I.

Keith Richards has said that The Rolling Stones have no plans to sell their publishing.His comments come as other veteran acts including Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks and Bruce Springsteen parted with their publishing catalogues recently for large payouts.Talking to CBS This Morning, Richards said: “Mick and I have not spoken about it on a serious level. I don’t know if we’re ready to sell our catalogue.“We might drag it out a bit, put some more stuff in it. The only thing about selling your catalogue…it’s a sign of getting old.”Elsewhere in the interview Richards reflected on the “shock” of losing drummer Charlie Watts last year.“I think he tried to keep [his health] under the wraps last year,” the guitarist said.

Shirley Halperin Executive Editor, MusicAton Ben-Horin is extending his tenure at Warner Music Group with a new title and just-announced publishing partnership. Although he’s been in the position for some time, it was made official today by Atlantic Records Group, which announced Ben-Horin’s promotion to executive VP, global A&R. Covering Atlantic, Elektra Music Group, Big Beat and other subsidiary labels, he’ll report to Atlantic chairman and CEO Craig Kallman and be based out of Los Angeles.In addition, Ben-Horin, who has long been a hitmaker executive, seasoned scout and producer, has launched a publishing partnership with Warner Chappell Music.

Sarah Jessica Parker, in partnership with independent publisher Zando, will launch her own imprint that will see the publishing of four to six books over a three-year span.

Write on! Britney Spears has inked a deal to pen a memoir after being released from her conservatorship last year, Us Weekly confirms.

J. Kim Murphy Britney Spears has landed a record-breaking publishing deal for a tell-all memoir, Variety has confirmed with a source close to Spears.Publishing house Simon & Schuster and Spears have secured a deal for the pop star’s memoir. The book will provide Spears’ accounts of and commentary on her rise to fame, her music career and her relationship with her family.Deal terms were not revealed, but an individual familiar with Spears tells Variety the deal is “record-breaking.” Page Six reports that the agreement is worth as much as $15 million and that Simon & Schuster reportedly emerged victorious after a bidding war involving multiple other publishers.Variety has reached out to Simon & Schuster for comment.

The Bodycoach Joe Wicks got told off after he climbed on a stack of books at his publishing company in Glasgow

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorIn a major move in the publishing world, Sony Music Publishing has announced the appointment of Walter Jones as executive vice president and head of A&R, effective February 22. In the role, he will oversee the company’s U.S.

Neil Young has spoken out over a developing conspiracy theory that his music publishing is overseen by pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer – the company behind one of the most widely-used COVID-19 vaccines.In a since-deleted letter posted to his Neil Young Archives website (as transcribed by Stereogum), Young addressed the circulated belief his views on vaccines were dictated to him by Pfizer – who, according to the conspiracy theory, own Young’s music publishing.The misunderstanding stems from the fact that a former CEO at Pfizer now serves as a senior advisor for asset manager Blackstone, which currently has a partnership with music publisher Hipgnosis – with whom Young presently works.Young described the conspiracy theory as “clever but wrong” in the letter, while also quipping “so much for Pharm Aid” – a reference to both the common conspiracy theory trope of “big pharma” and his own charity Farm Aid.“The publishing share Hipgnosis has in my copyrights is in the Hipgnosis Songs Fund, that is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange,” Young explained.“The Blackstone investment went into a separate Hipgnosis Private Fund, and none of that money was used for the Hipgnosis Songs Fund. Pfizer has not invested in Hipgnosis, but a past Pfizer CEO is a senior advisor for Blackstone.” The conspiracy theory is part of an ongoing conservative backlash against Young – most recently expressed by right-wing American rock musician Ted Nugent, who described Young as a “stoner birdbrain punk” for his recent protest against Spotify and Joe Rogan.Young removed his catalogue of albums from Spotify last month to protest the platform having Rogan’s podcast The Joe Rogan Experience as an exclusive to the service.

Following Deadline’s story about Michael Mann’s forthcoming prequel/sequel novel to his landmark film Heat — he cowrote the book with Edgar winner-Meg Gardiner — has quickly sold rights in major markets around the world. The novel, which hits bookstores August 9, has already sold in 13 major territories including Germany, Japan, France, Italy, Spain, Holland, Hungary, Mexico, Poland, Brazil, Sweden, Czech Republic and the UK. The international rollout of Heat 2 is mirroring Harper Collins’ launch of Quentin Tarantino’s #1 bestselling novelization of his film Once Upon A Time…in Hollywood.

Sting’s only gone and sold his entire songs catalogue to the good old Universal Music Publishing Group. All of it. Police and solo.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorAs long expected, Universal Music Publishing has acquired 17-time Grammy Award winner Sting’s career catalog of music. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but in recent months the artist was said to be seeking around $350 million.