TalentX Entertainment Inks Joint Venture With Warner Records

Chris Willman Music WriterMojo Music & Media announced Tuesday that is has picked up a 50% interest in the publishing catalog of Rick Nielsen, the co-founding guitarist and principal songwriter of Cheap Trick.“I’d almost given up on the chance of finding a publisher who actually knew all my songs and had a vision for how to keep them alive for another 1,000 years or so,” Nielsen said in a statement.

Social media star, entrepreneur and TalentX Entertainment co-founder Josh Richards has been named chief strategy officer at AI-driven music video and entertainment platform Triller, which he also invested in. In his new role, Richards will lead strategy at Triller while also overseeing the company’s implementation of live streaming and monetization tools.

Paul Goldman – who will serve as CEO of the board for Muserk V.I.D. – Muserk is able to identify digital content for rights holders through its proprietary AI technology.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentFederation Entertainment, producer of banner Canal Plus’ series “The Bureau,” Netflix Italian hit “Baby” and Omri Givon’s Keshet success “The Grave,” has teamed with three high-profile Spanish executives to launch Federation Spain.As when Federation Entertainment, a production-distribution company, bought a majority share in Italy’s Fabula Pictures in 2018, Federation Entertainment will own 51% of Federation Spain, to be run by executives Juan

Anthony D'Alessandro Editorial Director/Box Office EditorEXCLUSIVE: Emmy-nominated Christine Lubrano has signed with Buchwald for scripted and unscripted programming.She is the former SVP of Original Programming & Development for IFC with over 20 years of experience producing and developing television with deep knowledge in both scripted and unscripted programming across domestic and international marketplaces.She was integral to the success of the Emmy Award-winning Portlandia, starring Fred

Variety Staff Follow Us on TwitterLong-running independent label Mom+Pop Music has entered into a joint venture with radio promo executives Brent Battles and Christopher Brown’s newly-created further, a radio promotion and artist development company.

Corus Entertainment, a major buyer of American series from studio suppliers, has been hit with a round of pandemic-era layoffs at its Global News division. “The news industry has been challenged by a multitude of factors in recent years, including regulatory restraints, a lack of government support, advertising losses, and most recently, COVID-19.

Peter White Television EditorComedian Denis Leary has signed a development deal with Fox Entertainment.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDenis Leary has signed a broadcast development deal with Fox Entertainment.Under the deal, Leary and his production company, Amoeba, will develop and produce series for Fox. Leary may also star in any series developed under the agreement, which encompasses comedy, drama, and animation.“Everyone at Amoeba is excited about this partnership and we look forward to creating new, cutting-edge content at Fox,” Leary said.

Chris Atlas has been promoted to executive vp, urban music & marketing for Warner Records, following a three-year tenure as the label’s senior vp, head of urban marketing. Based at the company’s Downtown Los Angeles headquarters, Atlas reports to Warner’s co-chairman/COO Tom Corson.“With 25 years in this business, Chris’s breadth of experience and knowledge is extraordinary, and he has forged deep relationships throughout the industry,” said Corson in a statement.

Patrick Hipes Executive Managing EditorEXCLUSIVE: WME has signed Melissa King, the winner of the most recent Top Chef: All Stars Los Angeles.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe Prince Estate, in partnership with Warner Records, has dropped “I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (1979 Version),” a previously unreleased early version of the song from the forthcoming expanded reissue of Prince’s classic 1987 album “Sign O’ the Times,” which is out September 25.“I Could Never Take the Place Of Your Man (1979 Version)” was recorded at Hollywood Sound Recorders, Studio A on May 23, 1979, and engineered by Bob Mockler.

Anthony D'Alessandro Editorial Director/Box Office EditorEXCLUSIVE: Former CAA agent and Imagine Artist Management partner-manager Raj Raghavan is joining Echo Lake Entertainment as a talent manager, where he’ll continue to rep a roster of accomplished actors, playwrights, comedians and novelists.Raghavan’s clients include Golden Globe Nominee Jason Lee (My Name Is Earl), four-time Filmfare Award winner and Bollywood superstar Alia Bhatt (Gully Boy), British Independent Film Award winner Ashley

Will Thorne Staff WriterDave Kajganich, the writer and producer who created the first season of AMC’s “The Terror” and penned Luca Guadagnino “Suspiria,” has signed an overall deal with Fox 21 Television Studios.As part of the deal, Kajganich will work with Fox 21 to create, develop and produce series for network, cable and streaming platforms.

Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment have agreed to end an 11-year joint venture that produced hit TV franchises including Got Talent and The X Factor, and acted as a pipeline of new talent signed to the major label group.The pending uncoupling is part of buyback option initiated by Cowell, who will retain Sony Music’s share of the TV assets which he’ll then manage as part of a privately held company called Syco Entertainment.

Music executive Andrew Jackson has partnered with Sony Music Entertainment Australia to launch Avoca Drive, a joint venture label with A&R executives in both Los Angeles and Sydney, Australia. Avoca Drive's first signing is Tanisha Tishawiana Sadewo and Osvaldo Rio Nugroho Aritonang's new project Galdive, whose first single ‘Nescience’ drops Friday (July 17).

Denise Petski Senior Managing EditorAngelica Rosas McDaniel, the former head of daytime programs at CBS, has joined Litton Entertainment, a leading producer of daytime educational and informational programming, as its new EVP, Strategy. In her new role, McDaniel will be involved in all aspects of the company’s operations, from original productions to syndication and digital strategy.

Eric Wong is leaving Universal Music to join rival Warner Music in the newly created role of president and chief marketing officer of Warner Recorded Music. Wong begins the NYC-based job Aug.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorWarner Music Group announced today that industry leader Eric Wong is joining the company as President & Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Warner Recorded Music, effective August 17.